Oxonic acid is a uricase inhibitor that prevents metabolism and excretion of uric acid and induces embryotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats. It is a component of S-1, a mixture containing a prodrug of the antitumor agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; ), that suppresses the gastrointestinal toxicity of 5-FU without inhibiting its antitumor activity in rats. Formulations containing oxonic acid have been used to treat gastric, pancreatic, lung, head, neck, and breast carcinomas.
Oxonic acid potassium salt is an inhibitor of uricase. The product from Sigma has been used for the inhibition of 5-fluorouracil-induced gastrointestinal toxicity without the loss of its antitumor activity in rats. It has also been used to induce hyperuricemia in rats; as it inhibits uric acid metabolism.
