Computational and thermodynamic analyses of the phospholipase A2 inhibition by erucic acid and linoleic acid

Erucic Acid-Both Sides of the Story: A Concise Review on Its Beneficial and Toxic Properties

Erucic acid (EA) is monounsaturated fatty acid (22:1 n-9), synthesized in the seeds of many plants from the Brassicaceae family, with Brassica napus, B. rapa, or B. carinata considered as its richest source. As the compound has been blamed for the poisoning effect in Toxic Oil Syndrome, and some data indicated its cardiotoxicity to rats, EA has been for decades classified as toxic substance, the use of which should be avoided. However, the cardiac adverse effects of EA have not been confirmed in humans, and the experiments in animal models had many limitations. Thus, the aim of this review was to present the results of the so far published studies on both toxic, and pharmacological properties of EA, trying to answer the question on its future medicinal use. Despite the ambiguous and relatively small data on toxic and beneficial effects of EA it seems that the compound is worth investigating. Further research should be particularly directed at the verification EA toxicity, more in-depth studies on its neuroprotective and cytotoxic properties, but also its use in combination with other drugs, as well as its role as a drug carrier.

Crystal structure of phospholipase A2 in complex with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid

Phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂ ) is one of the rate limiting enzymes involved in the production of arachidonic acid, a potent inflammatory mediator. PLA₂ is widely distributed all over the animal kingdom. It is also seen in inflammatory exudation and venoms of different organisms. The studies demonstrated that PLA₂ inhibitors have broad spectrum activities that they can either be used against inflammation or envenomation. In this study, the inhibitory activity of 1-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) against porcine pancreatic PLA₂ has been explained through isothermal titration calorimetry and enzyme kinetics studies. The atomic level of interactions of NAA with PLA₂ was also studied using X-ray crystallography. Apart from these findings, the theoretical binding affinities and mode of interactions of two naphthalene-based NSAIDs such as naproxen (NAP) and nabumetone (NAB) were studied through molecular modeling. The studies proved that the selected ligands are binding at the doorway of the active site cleft and hindering the substrate entry to the active site. The study brings out a potential scaffold for the designing of broad spectrum PLA₂ inhibitors which can be used for inflammation or envenomation. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(10):995-1001, 2018.