Diapocynin versus apocynin as pretranscriptional inhibitors of NADPH oxidase and cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Apocynin has been extensively used as an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase (NOX) in many experimental models using phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells. Currently, there is some controversy about the efficacy of apocynin in non-phagocytic cells, but in phagocytes the reported results are consistent, which could be due to the presence of myeloperoxidase in these cells. This enzyme has been proposed as responsible for activating apocynin by generating its dimer, diapocynin, which is supposed to be the active compound that prevents NADPH oxidase complex assembly and activation. Here, we synthesized diapocynin and studied its effect on inhibition of gp91(phox) RNA expression. We found that diapocynin strongly inhibited the expression of gp91(phox)mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Only at a higher concentration, apocynin was able to exert the same effect. We also compared the apocynin and diapocynin efficacy as inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) production in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated PBMC. Although apocynin did inhibit TNF-alpha production, diapocynin had a much more pronounced effect, on both TNF-alpha and IL-10 production. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the bioconversion of apocynin to diapocynin is an important issue not limited to enzymatic activity inhibition, but also for other biological effects as gp91(phox) mRNA expression and cytokine production. Hence, as diapocynin can be easily prepared from apocynin, a one-step synthesis, we recommend its use in studies where the biological effects of apocynin are searched. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

4-Fluoro-2-methoxyphenol, an apocynin analog with enhanced inhibitory effect on leukocyte oxidant production and phagocytosis

Apocynin, a methoxy-substituted catechol (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyacetophenone), originally extracted from the roots of Picrorhiza kurroa, has been extensively used as a non-toxic inhibitor of the multienzymatic complex NADPH oxidase. We discovered that the analogous methoxy-substituted catechol, 4-Fluoro-2-methoxyphenol (F-apocynin), in which the acetyl group present in apocynin was changed to a fluorine atom, was significantly more potent as an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase activity, myeloperoxidase (MPO) chlorinating activity and phagocytosis of microorganisms by neutrophils; it was also as potent as apocynin in inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We attribute the increased potency of F-apocynin to its increased lipophilicity, which could facilitate the passage of the drug through the cell membrane. The inhibition of MPO chlorination activity, phagocytosis and TNF alpha release shows that apocynin and F-apocynin actions are not restricted to reactive oxygen species inhibition, but further studies are needed to clarify if these mechanisms are related. Like apocynin, F-apocynin did not show cell toxicity, and is a strong candidate for use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Diapocynin versus apocynin as pretranscriptional inhibitors of NADPH oxidase and cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The oxidation of apocynin catalyzed by myeloperoxidase: Proposal for NADPH oxidase inhibition

Apocynin has been used as an efficient inhibitor of the NADPH oxidase complex and its mechanism of inhibition is linked to prior activation through the action of peroxidascs. Here we studied the oxidation of apocynin catalyzed by myeloperoxidase (MPO) and activated neutrophils. We found that apocynin is easily oxidized by MPO/H2O2 or activated neutrophils and has as products dimer and trimer derivatives. Since apocynin impedes the migration of the cytosolic component p47phox to the membrane and this effect could be related to its conjugation with essential thiol groups, we studied the reactivity of apocynin and its MPO-catalyzed oxidation products with glutathione (GSH). We found that apocynin and its oxidation products do not react with GSH. However, this thiol compound was efficiently oxidized by the apocynin radical during the MPO-catalyzed oxidation. We suggest that the reactivity of apocynin radical with thiol compounds could be involved in the inhibitory effect of this methoxy-catechol on NADPH oxidase complex. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The reactivity of oytho-methoxy-substituted catechol radicals with sulfhydryl groups: Contribution for the comprehension of the mechanism of inhibition of NADPH oxidase by apocynin

Redox processes are involved in the mechanism of action of NADPH oxidase inhibitors such as diphenyleneiodonium and apocynin. Here, we studied the structure-activity relationship for apocynin and analogous ortho-methoxy-substituted catechols as inhibitors of the NADPH oxidase in neutrophils and their reactivity with peroxidase. Aiming to alter the reduction potential, the ortho-methoxy-catechol moiety was kept constant and the substituents at para position related to the hydroxyl group were varied. Two series of compounds were employed: methoxy-catechols bearing electron-withdrawing groups (MC-W) such as apocynin, vanillin, 4-nitroguaiacol, 4-cyanoguaiacol, and methoxy-catechol bearing electron-donating groups (MC-D) such as 4-methylguaiacol and 4-ethylguaiacol. We found that MC-D were weaker inhibitors compared to MD-W. Furthermore, the radicals generated by oxidation of MC-W via MPO/H(2)O(2), but not for MC-D, were able to oxidize glutathione (GSH) as verified by the formation of thiyl radicals, depletion of GSH, and recycling of the ortho-methoxy-catechols during their oxidations. The capacity of oxidizing sulfhydryl (SH) groups was also verified when ovalbumin was incubated with MC-W, but not for MC-D. Since the effect of apocynin has been correlated with inactivation of the cytosolic fractions of the NADPH oxidase complex and its oxidation during the inhibitory process develops a special role in this process, we suggest that the close relationship between the reactivity of the radicals of MC-W compounds with thiol groups and their efficacy as NADPH oxidase inhibitor could be the chemical pathway behind the mechanism of action of apocynin and should be taken into account in the design of new and specific NADPH oxidase inhibitors. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

4-Fluoro-2-methoxyphenol, an apocynin analog with enhanced inhibitory effect on leukocyte oxidant production and phagocytosis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Pro-oxidant activity of apocynin radical

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Apocynin: Chemical and biophysical properties of a NADPH oxidase inhibitor

Apocynin is the most employed inhibitor of NADPH oxidase (NOX), a multienzymatic complex capable of catalyzing the one-electron reduction of molecular oxygen to the superoxide anion. Despite controversies about its selectivity, apocynin has been used as one of the most promising drugs in experimental models of inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we aimed to study the chemical and biophysical properties of apocynin. The oxidation potential was determined by cyclic voltammetry (Epa = 0.76V), the hydrophobicity index was calculated (logP = 0.83) and the molar absorption coefficient was determined (ε275nm = 1.1 × 104 M-1 cm-1). Apocynin was a weak free radical scavenger (as measured using the DPPH, peroxyl radical and nitric oxide assays) when compared to protocatechuic acid, used here as a reference antioxidant. On the other hand, apocynin was more effective than protocatechuic acid as scavenger of the non-radical species hypochlorous acid. Apocynin reacted promptly with the non-radical reactive species H2O2 only in the presence of peroxidase. This finding is relevant, since it represents a new pathway for depleting H2O2 in cellular experimental models, besides the direct inhibition of NADPH oxidase. This could be relevant for its application as an inhibitor of NOX4, since this isoform produces H 2O2 and not superoxide anion. The binding parameters calculated by fluorescence quenching showed that apocynin binds to human serum albumin (HSA) with a binding affinity of 2.19 × 104 M -1. The association did not alter the secondary and tertiary structure of HSA, as verified by synchronous fluorescence and circular dichroism. The displacement of fluorescent probes suggested that apocynin binds to site I and site II of HSA. Considering the current biomedical applications of this phytochemical, the dissemination of these chemical and biophysical properties can be very helpful for scientists and physicians interested in the use of apocynin.

The importance of myeloperoxidase in apocynin-mediated NADPH oxidase inhibition

Apocynin is widely used as an inhibitor of the NADPH oxidase. Since myeloperoxidase (MPO) has been considered as essential for the mechanism of action of apocynin, here we used cells with different levels of MPO and compared their sensitivity to apocynin. HL-60 cells were differentiated with DMSO or IFN γ /TNF α and compared with peripheral mononuclear (PBMC) and polymorphonuclear cells (PMN). The relative MPO activity was PBMC = HL60 DMSO < HL60 IFN γ < PMN. Apocynin inhibited the intracellular reactive oxygen species production by PMN (80%) and IFN γ /TNF α -differentiated HL-60 cells (45%) but showed a minor effect in PBMC and DMSO differentiated HL-60 cells (20%). The addition of azide decreased the efficiency of apocynin in PMN and the addition of peroxidase increased the inhibition in PBMC. We also determined the gene expression of the components gp91phox, p47phox, p22phox and p67phox in the resting cells. Apocynin did not change gp91phox, p47phox or p22phox gene expression in nonstimulated PBMC, HL60 DMSO, HL60 IFN γ /TNF α , and PMN and has a subtle increase in p67phox in HL60 IFN γ /TNF α . The results from this work suggest that a rational search for better inhibitors of NADPH oxidase in leukocytes should include a correlation with their affinity as substrates for MPO.

Oligodendrocyte differentiation from adult multipotent stem cells is modulated by glutamate

We used multipotent stem cells (MSCs) derived from the young rat subventricular zone (SVZ) to study the effects of glutamate in oligodendrocyte maturation. Glutamate stimulated oligodendrocyte differentiation from SVZ-derived MSCs through the activation of specific N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits. The effect of glutamate and NMDA on oligodendrocyte differentiation was evident in both the number of newly generated oligodendrocytes and their morphology. In addition, the levels of NMDAR1 and NMDAR2A protein increased during differentiation, whereas NMDAR2B and NMDAR3 protein levels decreased, suggesting differential expression of NMDA receptor subunits during maturation. Microfluorimetry showed that the activation of NMDA receptors during oligodendrocyte differentiation elevated cytosolic calcium levels and promoted myelination in cocultures with neurons. Moreover, we observed that stimulation of MSCs by NMDA receptors induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which were negatively modulated by the NADPH inhibitor apocynin, and that the levels of ROS correlated with the degree of differentiation. Taken together, these findings suggest that ROS generated by NADPH oxidase by the activation of NMDA receptors promotes the maturation of oligodendrocytes and favors myelination

O envolvimento do estresse oxidativo e nitrosativo em modelo de doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) induzido por elastase

Esse estudo buscou investigar o papel do estresse oxidativo e nitrosativo no enfisema pulmonar induzido por elastase. Foram utilizados camundongos machos C57BL/6 submetidos a dois modelos de indução do enfisema por elastase pancreática suína (PPE): intratraqueal (i.t.) e intranasal (i.n.). No modelo intratraqueal a PPE foi instilada nas doses de 0,05 U ou 0,5 U/camundongo para avaliação temporal do enfisema 7, 14 e 21 dias após instilação de PPE. Em outra etapa, o papel da iNOS foi avaliado através da sua inibição farmacológica por aminoguanidina (AMG) 1% na água de beber ou pela sua exclusão genética em camundongos deficientes em iNOS que tiveram o enfisema induzido por 0,5 U PPE i.t. após 21 dias. No modelo intranasal a dose de PPE foi 3 U/camundongo para avaliação temporal do enfisema (1, 7, 14 e 21 dias após PPE). O papel do estresse oxidativo e nitrosativo foi avaliado com diferentes tratamentos antioxidantes na água de beber: tempol, apocinina+alopurinol, n-acetilcisteína, vitamina C+E, e aminoguanidina durante os 21 dias de indução do enfisema. Os grupos controles foram submetidos à instilação de salina. Lavado broncoalveolar, imunoensaios, análises bioquímicas de estresse oxidativo e ensaios morfométricos foram realizados nos pulmões dos animais. O enfisema foi histologicamente alcançado em 21 dias após 0,5 U PPE i.t., evidenciado pelo aumento do diâmetro alveolar médio Lm e da densidade de volume dos espaços alveolares - Vvair em comparação ao grupo controle. TNF-α foi aumentado em 7 e 14 dias após 0,5 U PPE comparados ao controle, concomitante com a redução de IL-10 nos mesmos períodos, comparados ao controle. O estresse oxidativo foi observado na fase inicial do enfisema, com aumento dos níveis de nitrito, TBARS e superóxido dismutase no grupo 7 dias após 0,5 U PPE (i.t.) quando comparados ao controle ao passo que no modelo intranasal as alterações típicas do estresse foram vistas no grupo 1 dia após 3 U de PPE. Atividade da glutationa peroxidase foi aumentada em todos os grupos PPE (i.t.). A exposição à 0,5 U PPE induziu o aumento da iNOS, eNOS e nitrotirosina, sendo revertido no grupo PPE+AMG. Os animais tratados com AMG 1% e os deficientes em iNOS tiveram o enfisema atenuado histologicamente, mantendo o Lm e o Vvair semelhantes ao grupo controle. Os grupos tratados com n-acetilcisteína e aminoguanidina no modelo i.n. tiveram redução do Lm quando comparados ao grupo PPE. Esses resultados sugerem que as vias de estresse oxidativo e nitrosativo são disparadas pela produção de óxido nítrico via iNOS no enfisema pulmonar. A modulação da iNOS parece uma estratégia promissora no estabelecimento do enfisema pulmonar

中药射干的化学成分研究

本学位论文由4章组成。第一章是论文的主体，报道了中药射干的化学成分研究。第二章是中药射干代用品川射干的化学成分研究，并附带报道了西番莲化学成分的研究结果。第三章是射干、川射干及西番莲提取物化学成分串联质谱分析的报道。第四章为综述，概述了射干及鸢尾属植物的化学成分和药理研究进展。 在第一和二章中分别报道了射干（Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC.）、川射干 （Iris tectorum Maxim.）及西番莲（Passiflora incarnate L.）化学成分的分离纯化与结构鉴定。采用正、反相硅胶柱层析、凝胶柱层析、薄层制备及HPLC等各种分离方法，从三种药用植物中共分离出68个不同的化合物，其中61个的结构得 得以鉴定，另外4个化合物的结构正在鉴定中，3个由于量少且有点杂质未作进一步的鉴定。 中药射干（Rhizoma Belamcandae）为射干植物的干燥根茎，从中共分离出53个化合物，通过红外、质谱及核磁共振等波谱方法鉴定了包括12个新化合物在内的48个，结构类型分别属于iridal型三萜及其新颖的二聚体、异黄酮、黄酮及黄酮醇、香豆素、甾体、芳香酸和脂肪酸及其甘油酯等。新化合物中有两个异黄酮类化合物，其结构分别鉴定为5,7,8,4′-四羟基-6-甲氧基异黄酮和5,6-二羟基-4′-甲氧基异黄酮-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷；八个新的iridal型三萜化合物分别鉴定为鸢尾烯（L）、16-甲氧基鸢尾烯、16-去羟基鸢尾烯、2-(E)-16-去羟基鸢尾烯、16-去羟基鸢尾烯B、3-乙酰基-16-去羟基鸢尾烯、iristectoroneL和iristectoroneM；两个结构骨架新颖的双三萜，分别命名为射干素A和射干素B，其分离纯化的困难以及结构的新颖和复杂突显出该论文的科学意义。除这些新化合物外，还有9个已知化合物为首次从中药射干中分离得到。此外，从中药射干的代用品川射干中分离得到7个已知化合物，主要是黄酮类成分及iridal型三萜化合物，其中1个三萜化合物为从射干中分离鉴定的新成分。另外还从西番莲中分离出8个化合物，鉴定了其中的6个，主要为黄酮碳苷。 第三章是关于射干、川射干及西番莲提取物化学成分的ESI-MS-MS分析，在初步探讨了从这些植物中分离鉴定出的一些异黄酮及黄酮碳苷的质谱裂解规律基础上，通过质谱和串联质谱分析，定性和半定量地检测了射干和川射干中主要的异黄酮成分以及西番莲中的黄酮碳苷成分，为这些药材品质的快速鉴定提供了一种简便方法。 第四章概述了射干及鸢尾属药用植物的化学和药理研究进展，特别是对其中异黄酮及三萜类成分的研究进展进行了深入系统的综述。 This dissertation is composed by four chapters. The first and second chapter reports the phytochemical investigation of three medicine plants, Belamcanda chinensis (L.)DC., Iris tectorum Maxim. and Passiflora incarnate L. Sixty eight different compounds were isolated and sixty one of them were identified. The third chapter described rapid ESI-MS-MS analysis of B. chinensis, I. tectorum, and P. incarnate. The forth part is a review about the progress of studies on the chemical constituents from Belamcanda chinensis and Iris species. Fifty-three compounds were isolated from Rhizoma Belamcandae, the rhizomes of B. chinensis by the methods of column chromatography (normal and reversed phase silica gel, Sephadex LH-20), preparative TLC and HPLC. On the basis of spectroscopic methods including IR, ESI-MS, 1-D and 2-D NMR, forty eight of them were identified as seventeen flavonoids, seventeen tritepenoids, one cumarin, five steroids and some benzene derivative etc. Among them, the structures of twelve new compounds were elucidated as 6-methoxy-5,7,8,4′-tetrahydryoxyisoflavoe, 4′-methoxy-5,6-dihydroxyisoflavone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, iristectorene L, 16-methoxyisoiridogermanal, 16-dehydroxyisoiridogermanal, 2-(E)-16-dehydroxy isoiridogermanal, 16-dehydroxyiristectorene B, 3-acetyl-16-dehydroxyisoiridoger- manal, iristectorone L, iristectorone M, belamcandene A and belamcandene B. Last two new compounds are dimer of triterpenoids with a novel carbon skeleton. Beside the new compounds, nine known ones were isolated from this plant for the first time. Isolation of I. tectorum yielded seven compounds. On the basis of spectroscopic methods including ESI-MS, NMR and the comparison with authentic samples, three of them were determined as isoflavone, two of them were triterpenoids, and other two were β-sitosterol and apocynin. All of them are known compounds except one of iridal type triterpenoid, 16-dehydroxyiristectorene B, which also obtained from B. chinensis as a new compound. Isolation of P. incarnate yielded eight compounds. Six of them were determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods including ESI-MS, NMR and the comparison with authentic samples. Four of them are flavone-C-gluconside, and two are steroids. The third chapter describes the tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS-MS) analysis of the isoflavonoids from B. chinensis and I. tectorum, as well as C-glycosyl-flavonoide from P. incarnate, in order to explore the rapid methodology of validating the quality of the herbs. In addition, the fractionation rules of some iosflavonoids and C-glycosyl-flavonoids were discussed. The fourth chapter summarizes the research development on chemistry and pharmacology of medicine plants of B.chinensis and Iris species.