Effects of sesquiterpene, flavonoid and coumarin types of compounds from Artemisia annua L. on production of mediators of angiogenesis.
Journal Title: Pharmacological Reports - Year 2013, Vol 65, Issue 2
Abstract
Background: In addition to recognized antimalarial effects, Artemisia annua L. (Qinghao) possesses anticancer properties. The underlying mechanisms of this activity are unknown. The aim of our experiments was to investigate the effects of distinct types of compounds isolated from A. annua on the immune-activated production of major mediators of angiogenesis playing a crucial role in growth of tumors and formation of metastasis. Methods: Included in the study were the sesquiterpene lactones artemisinin and its biogenetic precursors arteannuin B and artemisinic acid. The semi-synthetic analogue dihydroartemisinin was used for comparative purposes. The flavonoids were represented by casticin and chrysosplenol D, the coumarin type of compounds by 4-methylesculetin. Their effects on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced in vitro production of nitric oxide (NO) were analyzed in rat peritoneal cells using Griess reagent. The LPS-activated production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cytokines (VEGF, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) was determined in both rat peritoneal cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells using ELISA. Results: All sesquiterpenes (artemisinin, dihydroartemisinin, artemisinic acid, arteannuin B) significantly reduced production of PGE2. Arteannuin B also inhibited production of NO and secretion of cytokines. All NO, PGE2 and cytokines were suppressed by flavonoids casticin and chrysosplenol D. The coumarin derivative, 4-methylesculetin, was ineffective to change the production of any of these factors. Conclusions: The inhibition of immune mediators of angiogenesis by sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids may be one of the mechanisms of anticancer activity of Artemisia annua L.
Authors and Affiliations
Xiaoxin Zhu, Lan Yang, Yujie Li, Dong Zhang, Ying Chen, Petra Kostecká, Eva Kmoníčková, Zdeněk Zídek
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP161837
- DOI -
- Views 76
- Downloads 0
Tumor anti-initiating activity of some novel 3,4-dihydropyrimidinones.
Halting the tumor initiation process by targeting the inhibition of the carcinogens metabolic activators (CYP), the induction of the carcinogen detoxification enzymes (glutathione-S-transferases, GSTs), and the induction...
Enalapril enhances the anticonvulsant activity of lamotrigine in the test of maximal electroshock.
The aim of this study was to find out whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, enalapril and cilazapril, affect the anticonvulsant action of some second-generation antiepileptics, lamotrigine (LTG), topira...
Cytisine for the treatment of nicotine addiction: from a molecule to therapeutic efficacy.
Cytisine, a natural plant alkaloid, has been marketed in Central and Eastern Europe for over 40 years for the clinical management of smoking cessation. Despite the fact that cytisine has been used by millions of smokers,...
Attenuation of stress-induced behavioral deficits by lithium administration via serotonin metabolism.
Background: Although the mood stabilizing role of lithium is well established and the cognitive effects of lithium are also best demonstrated, but its primary effect on neurochemical profile and behaviors under stress re...
Sphingosine-1-phosphate augments agonist-mediated contraction in the bronchial smooth muscles of mice.
The effects of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) on bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) contractility were investigated in naive mice. S1P had no effect on the basal tone of the isolated BSM tissues. However, in the presence of S1...