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Vu QV, Vu NT, Baba K, Sasaki S, Tamura R, Morimoto K, Hirano H, Osada H, Kataoka T. Porphyrin derivatives inhibit tumor necrosis factor α-induced gene expression and reduce the expression and increase the cross-linked forms of cellular components of the nuclear factor κB signaling pathway. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 977:176747. [PMID: 38880218 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is activated by proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands. Screening of NPDepo chemical libraries identified porphyrin derivatives as anti-inflammatory compounds that strongly inhibited the up-regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression induced by TNF-α, interleukin-1α, the TLR3 ligand, and TLR4 ligand in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In the present study, the mechanisms of action of porphyrin derivatives were further elucidated using human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. Porphyrin derivatives, i.e., dimethyl-2,7,12,18-tetramethyl-3,8-di(1-methoxyethyl)-21H,23H-porphine-13,17-dipropionate (1) and pheophorbide a (2), inhibited TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression and decreased the TNF-α-induced transcription of ICAM-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin genes. 1 and 2 reduced the expression of the NF-κB subunit RelA protein for 1 h, which was not rescued by the inhibition of proteasome- and lysosome-dependent protein degradation. In addition, 1 and 2 decreased the expression of multiple components of the TNF receptor 1 complex, and this was accompanied by the appearance of their cross-linked forms. As common components of the NF-κB signaling pathway, 1 and 2 also cross-linked the α, β, and γ subunits of the inhibitor of NF-κB kinase complex and the NF-κB subunits RelA and p50. Cellular protein synthesis was prevented by 2, but not by 1. Therefore, the present results indicate that porphyrin derivative 1 reduced the expression and increased the cross-linked forms of cellular components required for the NF-κB signaling pathway without affecting global protein synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quy Van Vu
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan
| | - Nhat Thi Vu
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan
| | - Kosuke Baba
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan
| | - Saki Sasaki
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Tamura
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan
| | - Kyoko Morimoto
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Hirano
- Chemical Resource Development Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Osada
- Chemical Resource Development Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, 422-8526, Japan
| | - Takao Kataoka
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan; Biomedical Research Center, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan.
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Porphyra tenera Protects against PM2.5-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction with the Regulation of Gut Function. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20070439. [PMID: 35877732 PMCID: PMC9324924 DOI: 10.3390/md20070439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
To evaluate the biological effects of Porphyra tenera (P. tenera), we tried to confirm the possibility that the intake of P. tenera could modulate cognitive and intestinal functions in PM2.5-induced cognitive decline mice. P. tenera attenuated PM2.5-induced learning and memory impairment through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the mitochondrial function and TLR-initiated NF-κB signaling. In addition, P. tenera effectively alleviated Aβ production/tau phosphorylation by inhibiting the JNK phosphorylation. Also, the bioactive constituents of P. tenera determined the sulfated galactan, mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), and chlorophyll derivatives. Moreover, the bioactive compounds of P. tenera by gut fermentation protected against gut dysbiosis and intestinal tight junction damage with a decrease in inflammatory response and short-chain fatty acid production. Based on these results, our findings suggest that P. tenera with sulfated galactan and MAAs is a potential material for cognitive function improvement.
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Lee H, Park HY, Jeong TS. Pheophorbide a Derivatives Exert Antiwrinkle Effects on UVB-Induced Skin Aging in Human Fibroblasts. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11020147. [PMID: 33671886 PMCID: PMC7918994 DOI: 10.3390/life11020147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pheophorbide a is a chlorophyll metabolic breakdown product. This study investigated the antiwrinkle effect of pheophorbide a (PA) and its derivatives, including pyropheophorbide a (PyroPA) and pyropheophorbide a methyl ester (PyroPA-ME), on ultraviolet (UV) B-stimulated CCD-986sk fibroblasts. PA, PyroPA, and PyroPA-ME effectively suppressed reactive oxygen species accumulation in UVB-exposed CCD-986sk fibroblasts. All three pheophorbides also reduced UVB-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 secretion and mRNA expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9. Treatment with pheophorbides resulted in increased procollagen synthesis, and this required enhancement of procollagen type I C-peptide content and mRNA expression of collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) and COL1A2 in CCD-986sk cells. These antiwrinkle effects were more potent with PA and PyroPA than with PyroPA-ME. Furthermore, PA and PyroPA suppressed UVB-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase but not p38. Moreover, all three pheophorbides inhibited NF-κB p65 phosphorylation. Therefore, these pheophorbides, especially PA and PyroPA, can be used as antiwrinkle agents, and PA- or PyroPA-rich natural resources can be used in functional cosmetics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ho-Yong Park
- Correspondence: (H.-Y.P.); (T.-S.J.); Tel.: +82-42-860-4650 (H.-Y.P.); +82-42-860-4558 (T.-S.J.)
| | - Tae-Sook Jeong
- Correspondence: (H.-Y.P.); (T.-S.J.); Tel.: +82-42-860-4650 (H.-Y.P.); +82-42-860-4558 (T.-S.J.)
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Cunha C, Lopes J, Paulo J, Faria M, Kaufmann M, Nogueira N, Ferreira A, Cordeiro N. The effect of microplastics pollution in microalgal biomass production: A biochemical study. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 186:116370. [PMID: 32906034 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are widely spread throughout aquatic systems and water bodies. Given that water quality is one of the most important parameters in the microalgal-based industry, it is critical to assess the biochemical impact of short- and long-term exposure to MPs pollution. Here, the microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum was exposed to water contaminated with 0.5 and 50 mg L-1 of polystyrene (PS) and/or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Results show that the microalgal cultures exposed to lower concentrations of PS displayed a growth enhancement of up to 73% in the first stage (days 3-9) of the exponential growth phase. Surprisingly, and despite the fact that long-term exposure to MPs contamination did not impair microalgal growth, a steep decrease in biomass production (of up to 82%) was observed. The production of photosynthetic pigments was shown to be pH-correlated during the full growth cycle, but cell density-independent in later stages of culturing. The extracellular carbohydrates production exhibited a major decrease during long-term exposure. Still, the production of extracellular proteins was not affected by the presence of MPs. This pilot laboratory-scale study shows that the microalgal exposure to water contaminated with MPs disturbs its biochemical equilibrium in a time-dependent manner, decreasing biomass production. Thus, microalgal industry-related consequences derived from the use of MPs-contaminated water are a plausible possibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Cunha
- LB3 - Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, 9000-390 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Joana Lopes
- LB3 - Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, 9000-390 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Jorge Paulo
- LB3 - Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, 9000-390 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Marisa Faria
- LB3 - Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, 9000-390 Funchal, Portugal; Oceanic Observatory of Madeira, ARDITI, Madeira Tecnopolo, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal; CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Manfred Kaufmann
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; Marine Biology Station of Funchal, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Madeira, 9000-107 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Natacha Nogueira
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; Mariculture Center of Calheta, Fisheries Directorate, 9370-133 Calheta, Portugal
| | - Artur Ferreira
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials and Águeda School of Technology and Management, University of Aveiro, 3754-909 Águeda, Portugal
| | - Nereida Cordeiro
- LB3 - Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, 9000-390 Funchal, Portugal; CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
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Chemometrics-Assisted Identification of Anti-Inflammatory Compounds from the Green Alga Klebsormidium flaccidum var. zivo. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25051048. [PMID: 32110943 PMCID: PMC7179104 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The green alga Klebsormidium flaccidum var. zivo is a rich source of proteins, polyphenols, and bioactive small-molecule compounds. An approach involving chromatographic fractionation, anti-inflammatory activity testing, ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry profiling, chemometric analysis, and subsequent MS-oriented isolation was employed to rapidly identify its small-molecule anti-inflammatory compounds including hydroxylated fatty acids, chlorophyll-derived pheophorbides, carotenoids, and glycoglycerolipids. Pheophorbide a, which decreased intracellular nitric oxide production by inhibiting inducible nitric oxide synthase, was the most potent compound identified with an IC50 value of 0.24 µM in lipopolysaccharides-induced macrophages. It also inhibited nuclear factor kappaB activation with an IC50 value of 32.1 µM in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced chondrocytes. Compared to conventional bioassay-guided fractionation, this approach is more efficient for rapid identification of multiple chemical classes of bioactive compounds from a complex natural product mixture.
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Lv HP, Zhu Y, Tan JF, Guo L, Dai WD, Lin Z. Bioactive compounds from Pu-erh tea with therapy for hyperlipidaemia. J Funct Foods 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2015.09.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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7
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Islam MN, Ishita IJ, Jin SE, Choi RJ, Lee CM, Kim YS, Jung HA, Choi JS. Anti-inflammatory activity of edible brown alga Saccharina japonica and its constituents pheophorbide a and pheophytin a in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Food Chem Toxicol 2013; 55:541-8. [PMID: 23402855 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2013.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2012] [Revised: 01/08/2013] [Accepted: 01/31/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Anti-inflammatory activity of Saccharina japonica and its active components was evaluated via in vitro inhibitory activities against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. Since the methanolic extract of S. japonica showed strong anti-inflammatory activity, it was fractionated with several solvents. Among the fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated the highest inhibition of LPS-induced NO production (IC50=25.32μg/mL), followed by the CH2Cl2 fraction (IC50=75.86μg/mL). Considering the yield and anti-inflammatory potential together, the CH2Cl2 fraction was selected for chromatographic separation to yield two active porphyrin derivatives, pheophorbide a and pheophytin a, together with an inactive fucoxanthin. In contrast to fucoxanthin, pheophorbide a and pheophytin a showed dose-dependent inhibition against LPS-induced NO production at nontoxic concentrations in RAW 264.7 cells. Both compounds also suppressed the expression of iNOS proteins, while they did not inhibit the COX-2 expression in LPS-stimulated macrophages. These results indicate that pheophorbide a and pheophytin a are two important candidates of S. japonica as anti-inflammatory agents which can inhibit the production of NO via inhibition of iNOS protein expression. Thus, these compounds hold great promise for use in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Nurul Islam
- Department of Food and Life Science, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Republic of Korea
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Chlorophyll revisited: anti-inflammatory activities of chlorophyll a and inhibition of expression of TNF-α gene by the same. Inflammation 2012; 35:959-66. [PMID: 22038065 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-011-9399-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In view of the folklore use of green leaves to treat inflammation, the anti-inflammatory property of chlorophylls and their degradation products were studied. Chlorophyll a and pheophytin a (magnesium-free chlorophyll a) from fresh leaves showed potent anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice and formalin-induced paw edema in rats. Chlorophyll a inhibited bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-α (a pro-inflammatory cytokine) gene expression in HEK293 cells, but it did not influence the expression of inducible nitric acid synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 genes. Chlorophyll b only marginally inhibited both inflammation and TNF-α gene expression. But both chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b showed the same level of marginal inhibition on 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate-induced NF-κB activation. Chlorophylls and pheophytins showed in vitro anti-oxidant activity. The study shows that chlorophyll a and its degradation products are valuable and abundantly available anti-inflammatory agents and promising for the development of phytomedicine or conventional medicine to treat inflammation and related diseases.
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10
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Huang X, Li M, Xu B, Zhu X, Deng Z, Lin W. Proteasome and NF-kappaB inhibiting phaeophytins from the green alga Cladophora fascicularis. Molecules 2007; 12:582-92. [PMID: 17851413 PMCID: PMC6149400 DOI: 10.3390/12030582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2007] [Revised: 03/18/2007] [Accepted: 03/21/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical examination of the green alga Cladophora fascicularis resulted in the isolation and characterization of a new porphyrin derivative, porphyrinolactone (1), along with five known phaeophytins 2-6 and fourteen sterols and cycloartanes. The structure of 1 was determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses and by comparison of its NMR data with those of known phaeophytins. Compounds 1-6 displayed moderate inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) induced nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation, while 2 and 4 displayed potential inhibitory activity toward proteasome chymotripsin-like activation. The primary structure-activity relationship was also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinping Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China, Tel: (+86) 10-82806188; Fax: (+86) 10-82802724
- Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, P.R. China
| | - Min Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China, Tel: (+86) 10-82806188; Fax: (+86) 10-82802724
| | - Bo Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China, Tel: (+86) 10-82806188; Fax: (+86) 10-82802724
| | - Xiaobin Zhu
- Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, P.R. China
| | - Zhiwei Deng
- Analytic and Testing Center, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100073, P.R. China
| | - Wenhan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China, Tel: (+86) 10-82806188; Fax: (+86) 10-82802724
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Jacobo-Herrera NJ, Bremner P, Marquez N, Gupta MP, Gibbons S, Muñoz E, Heinrich M. Physalins from Witheringia solanacea as modulators of the NF-kappaB cascade. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2006; 69:328-31. [PMID: 16562828 DOI: 10.1021/np050225t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Crude extracts of Witheringia solanacea leaves showed inhibition of NF-kappaB activation at 100 microg/mL induced by phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) in HeLa cells stably transfected with a luciferase reporter gene controlled by the IL-6 promoter. Three physalins were isolated from an active fraction, namely, physalins B (1), F (2), and D (3). Of these compounds, 1 and 2 demonstrated inhibitory activities on PMA-induced NF-kappaB activation at 16 and 8 microM and induced apoptosis after 24 h in a cell-cycle analysis using a human T cell leukemia Jurkat cell line. Compound 2 also inhibited TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation at 5 microM through the canonical pathway, but was inactive in the Tet-On-Luc assay, indicating specificity of action, although it interfered with Tet-On-Luc at higher concentrations. It is suggested that the presence of a double bond and an epoxy ring between carbons 5 and 6 in compounds 1 and 2, respectively (which are not present in compound 3), are related to their anti-inflammatory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia J Jacobo-Herrera
- Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, UK
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13
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Bremner P, Heinrich M. Natural products as targeted modulators of the nuclear factor-kappaB pathway. J Pharm Pharmacol 2002; 54:453-72. [PMID: 11999122 DOI: 10.1211/0022357021778637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The use of plant extracts to alleviate inflammatory diseases is centuries old and continues to this day. This review assesses the current understanding of the use of such plants and natural products isolated from them in terms of their action against the ubiquitous transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB). As an activator of many pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory processes the modulation of the NF-kappaB transduction pathway is a principal target to alleviate the symptoms of such diseases as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma. Two pathways of NF-kappaB activation will first be summarised, leading to the IKK (IkappaB kinase) complex, that subsequently initiates phosphorylation of the NF-kappaB inhibitory protein (IKB). Natural products and some extracts are reviewed and assessed for their activity and potency as NF-kappaB inhibitors. A large number of compounds are currently known as NF-kappaB modulators and include the isoprenoids, most notably kaurene diterpenoids and members of the sesquiterpene lactones class, several phenolics including curcumin and flavonoids such as silybin. Additional data on cellular toxicity are also highlighted as an exclusion principle for pursuing such compounds in clinical development. In addition, where enough data exists some conclusions on structure-activity relationship are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Bremner
- Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, School of Pharmacy, London, UK.
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Leonti M, Vibrans H, Sticher O, Heinrich M. Ethnopharmacology of the Popoluca, Mexico: an evaluation. J Pharm Pharmacol 2001; 53:1653-69. [PMID: 11804396 DOI: 10.1211/0022357011778052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Medicinal plants are an essential part of indigenous pharmaceutical systems. We studied the medicinal plants used by the Popoluca of the Sierra Santa Marta (Eastern Mexico). This study is part of a series on the ethnopharmacology of various Macro-Mayan groups. During 16 months of ethnobotanical fieldwork, 614 taxa used medicinally and 4488 individual use-reports were documented. The data are analysed using the concept of the "healers' consensus" in order to identify culturally important medicinal plants. The medicinal uses of the plants were grouped into 13 illness categories. The responses for each species were summarized for each of the categories and were ordered by frequency of mention. The most frequently recorded medicinal plants of the Popoluca are Hamelia patens, used to stop bleeding from wounds, and Byrsonima crassifolia, used against diarrhoea. The high-ranked medicinal species were assessed pharmacognostically using published phytochemical and pharmacological data. Popoluca medicinal uses were fairly consistent with published data on active ingredients for those plants for which such data exist. However, data is still lacking for many other species. Toxicological studies are particularly scarce. This study will be used as a basis for subsequent studies on the pharmacology and phytochemistry of medicinal plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Leonti
- Department of Applied BioSciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich
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