ENHANCED EXPRESSION OF HEXOKINASE I mRNA IN MALE RAT TISSUES BY HOMOBRASSINOLIDE

Therapeutic effect of 28-homobrassinolide on leukotriene synthesis in leukemia cells

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of 28-homobrassinolide on leukotriene synthesis in the 2H3 cells. Cell viability was determined by using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) were determined in the cell and cell lysates. Intracellular Ca2+ was determined in the intact cells. Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) expression was determined in the cells using immunofluorescence. LTC4 and LTB4 were tremendously increased in IgE-loaded 2H3 cells. However, these levels were significantly reduced following treatment with 28-homobrassinolide. The intracellular Ca2+ level was not altered by treatment. Expression of PLA2 was significantly reduced following treatment with 28-homobrassinolide. Taking all these data together, it is suggested that the 28-homobrassinolide may be a potential therapeutic agent to inhibit leukotriene synthesis in 2H3 cells.

Steroid plant hormones: effects outside plant kingdom

Brassinosteroids (BS) are the first group of steroid-hormonal compounds isolated from and acting in plants. Among numerous physiological effects of BS growth stimulation and adaptogenic activities are especially remarkable. In this review, we provide evidence that BS possess similar types of activity also beyond plant kingdom at concentrations comparable with those for plants. This finding allows looking at steroids from a new point of view: how common are the mechanisms of steroid bioregulation in different types of organisms from protozoa to higher animals.