Therapeutic agents with dramatic antiretroviral activity and little toxicity at effective doses: aromatic polycyclic diones hypericin and pseudohypericin

Seasonal variation in hypericin content of Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's Wort)

Hypericin and pseudohypericin, bioactive constituents in St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), have been determined in the soft tops of the plant that are most likely to be browsed by foraging livestock. In two consecutive seasons, the hypericin/pseudohypericin concentration in a broad leaf biotype varied from a winter minimum of less than 100 ppm to a summer maximum approaching 3000 ppm. In contrast the narrow leaf biotype increased from similar winter values to summer maxima approaching 5000 ppm. The latter biotype was slower in returning to low levels of hypericin/pseudohypericin.

In vitro antiviral activity of the anthraquinone chrysophanic acid against poliovirus

Chrysophanic acid (1,8-dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone), isolated from the Australian Aboriginal medicinal plant Dianella longifolia, has been found to inhibit the replication of poliovirus types 2 and 3 (Picornaviridae) in vitro. The compound inhibited poliovirus-induced cytopathic effects in BGM (Buffalo green monkey) kidney cells at a 50% effective concentration of 0.21 and 0.02 microgram/ml for poliovirus types 2 and 3, respectively. The compound inhibited an early stage in the viral replication cycle, but did not have an irreversible virucidal effect on poliovirus particles. Chrysophanic acid did not have significant antiviral activity against five other viruses tested: Coxsackievirus types A21 and B4, human rhinovirus type 2 (Picornaviridae), and the enveloped viruses Ross River virus (Togaviridae) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (Herpesviridae). Four structurally-related anthraquinones--rhein, 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone, emodin and aloe-emodin were also tested for activity against poliovirus type 3. None of the four compounds was as active as chrysophanic acid against the virus. The results suggested that two hydrophobic positions on the chrysophanic acid molecule (C-6 and the methyl group attached to C-3) were important for the compound's activity against poliovirus.

Solvatochromic effects in the electronic absorption and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of hypericin in organic solvents and in lipid bilayers

The natural product hypericin was tested in recent years as a biological photosensitizer with a potential for viral and cellular photodamage. We thus studied extensively its spectroscopy and membrane partitioning. Absorption, fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of the sodium salt (HyNa) were measured in 36 protic and aprotic, polar and apolar, solvents. Electronic transition bands as well as vibrational progressions were identified. Aggregation in some nonpolar solvents and protonation in organic acids were demonstrated. Modeling solvatochromism was done by Lippert equation, by the ET(30) parameter and by the Taft multiparameter approach. In all cases, separation into protic and aprotic solvents gave much better fits to the models. 13C chemical shift data could also be correlated with solvent polarity. They correlated best with Lippert's delta f polarity measure, but tended to fall into two distinct solvent groups--each along different lines--corresponding to protic and aprotic media, respectively. This interesting phenomenon suggests that in the case of the charged and slightly water soluble HyNa, two mechanisms of solvation are involved, each resulting in its own line equation. In aprotic media, dipole-dipole interaction is the predominant solvation mechanism. In protic solvents, the most effective means of solvation is likely to be hydrogen bonding. When intercalated into the liposomal phospholipid bilayer, HyNa is oriented at an angle to the interface, thus experiencing a gradient of solvent polarities: a highly polar environment (similar to methanol) for C-2/5, suggesting that they lie not far from the interface; a moderately polar environment (similar to that of n-propanol) for C-6a/14a, which are somewhat deeper within the bilayer; and a more lipophilic environment (akin to n-hexanol) for C-10/11. The fluorescence excitation peak in liposomes also correlates with an aprotic medium of relatively high polarity, as might be excepted from a molecule in a shallow position in the bilayer.

Pharmacokinetics, safety, and antiviral effects of hypericin, a derivative of St. John's wort plant, in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Hypericin is a natural derivative of the common St. Johns wort plant, Hypericum perforatum. It has in vitro activity against several viruses, including bovine diarrhea virus, a pestivirus with structural similarities to hepatitis C virus (HCV). We conducted a phase I dose escalation study to determine the safety and antiviral activity of hypericin in patients with chronic HCV infection. The first 12 patients received an 8-week course of 0.05 mg of hypericin per kg of body weight orally once a day; 7 patients received an 8-week course of 0.10 mg/kg orally once a day. At the end of the 8-week period of treatment, no subject had a change of plasma HCV RNA level of more than 1.0 log(10). Five of 12 subjects receiving the 0.05-mg/kg/day dosing schedule and 6 of 7 subjects receiving the 0.10-mg/kg/day dosing schedule developed phototoxic reactions. No other serious adverse events associated with hypericin use occurred. The pharmacokinetic data revealed a long elimination half-life (mean values of 36.1 and 33.8 h, respectively, for the doses of 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) and mean area under the curve determinations of 1.5 and 3.1 microg/ml x hr, respectively. In sum, hypericin given orally in doses of 0.05 and 0.10 mg/kg/d caused considerable phototoxicity and had no detectable anti-HCV activity in patients with chronic HCV infection.

Is the excited-state H-atom transfer in hypericin concerted?

The excited-state intramolecular H-atom transfer of hypericin (Hyp) was investigated as a function of pH in monodispersed reverse micelles formed by sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate/heptane/water and in complexes with Tb3+ under conditions in which one of the two carbonyl groups of Hyp is incapable of accepting a hydrogen atom. The results of pump-probe transient absorption experiments provide no evidence for a concerted H-atom transfer mechanism.

Photochemical effects and hypericin photosensitized processes in collagen

Emission and excitation spectra of collagen were recorded in the ultraviolet and visible regions. The existence of several types of chromophores absorbing and emitting throughout these spectral regions was observed. It was shown that laser irradiation at 355 and 532 nm caused collagen fluorescence photobleaching by 30%, when the delivered light doses were 9 and 18 J/cm2, respectively. This process of collagen fluorophores photodestruction was found to be a one-photon effect. The effect of hypericin (HYP), a polycyclic quinone, photosensitization on collagen was also studied. Addition of HYP aqueous solution to collagen produced quenching, redshift of the maximum, and broadening of the spectral form of its fluorescence. These effects became more prominent with increasing HYP concentration. The fluorescence of HYP sensitized collagen decreased in a spectrally nonproportional manner during laser irradiation at both 355 and 532 nm.

Coumarin 6, Hypericin, Resorufins, and Flavins: Suitable Chromophores for Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy of Biological Molecules

In this work we show that the dyes coumarin 6, hypericin, 7-O-ethylresorufin and resorufin are suitable for fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and demonstrate the use of these dyes in physiologically relevant protein studies. Since coumarins are metabolised by cytochromes P450, the binding of coumarin 6 to cytochrome P450 3A4 was investigated by FCS. Coumarin 6 appears to be a very bright non-covalent cytochrome P450 label. When titrating cytochrome P450 3A4 with coumarin 6, the diffusion time of the coumarin 6/ cytochrome P450 3A4 complex increases roughly two-fold at protein concentrations higher than 1 μmol l-1, indicating the formation of cytochrome aggregates. FCS of the flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) shows that both endogenous dyes undergo photobleaching. Moreover, FAD appears to be present to great extent, as a non-fluorescent intramolecular complex. Analysis of the FCS data of the flavoprotein NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (molecular weight 76 500) yielded two components. While the slow component corresponds to a globular protein with the molecular weight about 75 000, the fast component appears to be due to free diffusing FMN and FAD molecules. The amount of free FMN and FAD increases with increasing laser power. At high laser power a complete photodissociation of FMN and FAD occurs.

Hypocrellin and hypericin-induced phototoxicity of HL-60 cells: apoptosis or necrosis?

Hypericin and hypocrellin are potential antiviral and antineoplastic agents with multiple modes of light-induced biological activity connected with a production of singlet oxygen and/or excited-state proton transfer and consequent pH drop formation in the drugs environment. In present work light-induced cytotoxicity of hypericin and hypocrellin and mechansim of cell death (apoptosis or necrosis) on human leukemic cell line HL-60 was studied. As a mean for apoptosis detection we used poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) as a sensitive marker of early stages of apoptosis. Our results show that exposition of HL-60 cells to hypericin (1 x 10(-5) mol x l(-1)) for 4 hours has no effect on PARP cleavage. However, after 24 and 48 hours of illumination there is evident that hypericin in this concentration cleaved PARP (116 kDa) into two fragments (85 and 25 kDa). Contrary to hypericin, hypocrellin in concentration 1 x 10(-5) mol x l(-1) after 4 hours of illumination cleaved PARP into two fragments typical for apoptosis. In lower concentration (1 x 10(-6) mol x l(-1)) hypocrellin possess also significant cytotoxic activity. Because we detected no fragmentation of PARP in all observed time periods we suggest that cytotoxic effect of hypocrellin in this concentration is due to induction of necrosis. Our results support the hypotesis that the hypericin and hypocrellin has similar mechanism of action and illumination increases cytotoxic effect of both agents.

Inactivation of HSV-1 and HSV-2 and prevention of cell-to-cell virus spread by Santolina insularis essential oil

The essential oil obtained in toto from Santolina insularis was investigated for its antiviral activity on herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) in vitro. The IC(50) values, determined by plaque reduction assays, were 0.88 and 0.7 microg/ml for HSV-1 and HSV-2, respectively, while the CC(50) determined by the MTT test on Vero cells was 112 microg/ml, indicating a CC(50)/IC(50) ratio of 127 for HSV-1 and 160 for HSV-2. Results obtained by plaque reduction assays also indicated that the antiviral activity of S. insularis was principally due to direct virucidal effects. Antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2 was not observed in a post-attachment assay, and attachment assays indicated that virus adsorption was not inhibited. Up to 80% inhibition of HSV-1 was achieved at the concentration of 40 microg/ml by yield reduction assay. Furthermore, reduction of plaque formation assays also showed that S. insularis essential oil inhibits cell-to-cell transmission of both HSV-1 and HSV-2.

Effect of pH on the fluorescence and absorption spectra of hypericin in reverse micelles

The well-characterized, monodispersed nature of reverse micelles formed by sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate/heptane and their usefulness in approximating a membrane-like environment have been exploited to investigate the effect of pH and water pool size on the photophysical properties of hypericin (Hyp). Our measurements reveal two titratable groups of pKa approximately 1.5 and approximately 12.5. These are assigned to the HypH+/Hyp equilibrium (the deprotonation of a carbonyl group) and the Hyp-/Hyp2- equilibrium (the deprotonation of a peri hydroxyl group). The low-energy absorbance maxima of HypH+, of Hyp and Hyp- and of Hyp2- are 583, 594 and 613 nm, respectively. Neither at pH 13 nor at 1 M HCl is the system entirely in the Hyp2- or the HypH+ forms. Ours is the first study of Hyp in reverse micelles as well as the first time-resolved study of Hyp as a function of pH.

Liposome binding constants and singlet oxygen quantum yields of hypericin, tetrahydroxy helianthrone and their derivatives: studies in organic solutions and in liposomes

The spectroscopy and photophysics of several hypericin and helianthrone derivatives were studied in methanol and when bound to liposomes. The singlet oxygen quantum yields (phi(delta)) were measured indirectly relative to Rose Bengal and hematoporphyrin IX, employing 9,10-dimethylanthracene as a singlet oxygen trap. Hypericin was found to have a phi(delta) of 0.39+/-0.01 in methanol, and 0.35+/-0.05 in lecithin vesicles, in agreement with literature values. A heavy atom effect was evident upon bromination, resulting in phi(delta) for tetrabromohypericin of 0.72+/-0.02, presumably due to enhanced intersystem crossing. Elimination of the anionic hydroxyls by methylation also enhanced phi(delta) to 0.81+/-0.01. Conversely, addition of anionic sulfate groups drastically reduced phi(delta) resulting in phi(delta)'s of 0.12+/-0.01, 0.052+/-0.003 and 0.40+/-0.01 for hypericin disulfonate, hypericin tetrasulfonate and hexamethyl hypericin tetrasulfonate, respectively. The non-sulfonated helianthrones exhibited low phi(delta)'s in solution. The liposome binding constants, Kb, were measured using a spectroscopic assay. Except for hexamethyl hypericin, all non-sulfonated compounds bound well with Kb's ranging from 15.5+/-0.1 to 48.7+/-3.9 (mg/ml)(-1). None of the tetrasulfonated compounds bound, however the hypericin disulfonate had a Kb of 4.1+/-0.2 (mg/ml)(-1). The phi(delta)'s of the compounds capable of binding were measured and, in the case of the hypericin derivatives, were found not to vary dramatically from those in the free state. Liposome-bound helianthrone and dimethyl tetrahydroxy helianthrone both exhibited high phi(delta)'s, i.e. >0.5. The variations in binding constant and sensitization efficiencies are explained in conjunction with the molecular structure. The relevance of the above data to photodynamic therapy is briefly discussed.

Hypericin and photodynamic therapy decreases human pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

The treatment of pancreatic cancer has remained dismal despite advances in medical and surgical care. Recent preclinical data have revealed that hypericin, a photochemical dye, is activated by green light and generates toxic radical species in tumors. We hypothesized that interstitial hypericin and laser phototherapy would decrease pancreatic cancer growth.

METHODS

MiaPaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells were grown in tissue culture. In vitro experiments were performed with addition of 10 microg of hypericin/500,000 cancer cells. Cells were incubated with hypericin for 2 h. Cells were then exposed to KTP532 green laser light for 1 min at 0.6 W using a cylindrical diffuser tip. Cell growth was measured by MTT assay 24 h after laser treatment, N = 12. MiaPaCa-2 cells were implanted subcutaneously and orthotopically in pancreas of nude mice. After 5 weeks, both tumors were injected with 100 microg of hypericin followed by insertion of a cylindrical diffuser tip into the tumor center. Mice received 200J KTP laser light at 1.0 W in two sites. Tumors were measured before and 4 weeks after laser treatment.

RESULTS

Both in vitro and in vivo mice data showed a significant decrease in growth of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer cell growth was suppressed by 66.1 +/- 0.2%, n = 12, P < 0.01, ANOVA. Subcutaneous shoulder tumors were suppressed by 91.2 +/- 2.3%, n = 12, P < 0.001, and orthotopically grown pancreatic tumors were suppressed by 42.2 +/- 8.1%, n = 12, P < 0.05, compared to pretreatment sizes. Data expressed as percentage reduction vs paired controls in the MTT assay and vs pre-photodynamic therapy in mice experiments. Paired Student's t tests were performed vs pretreatment sizes.

CONCLUSION

Both in vitro and in vivo results revealed a significant decrease in pancreatic cancer cell growth. Laser or dye alone had no effect, indicating that intratumor hypericin and laser therapy may prove useful in unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Current lead natural products for the chemotherapy of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

A large variety of natural products have been described as anti-HIV agents, and for a portion thereof the target of interaction has been identified. Cyanovirin-N, a 11-kDa protein from Cyanobacterium (blue-green alga) irreversibly inactivates HIV and also aborts cell-to-cell fusion and transmission of HIV, due to its high-affinity interaction with gp120. Various sulfated polysaccharides extracted from seaweeds (i.e., Nothogenia fastigiata, Aghardhiella tenera) inhibit the virus adsorption process. Ingenol derivatives may inhibit virus adsorption at least in part through down-regulation of CD4 molecules on the host cells. Inhibition of virus adsorption by flavanoids such as (-)epicatechin and its 3-O-gallate has been attributed to an irreversible interaction with gp120 (although these compounds are also known as reverse transcriptase inhibitors). For the triterpene glycyrrhizin (extracted from the licorice root Glycyrrhiza radix) the mode of anti-HIV action may at least in part be attributed to interference with virus-cell binding. The mannose-specific plant lectins from Galanthus, Hippeastrum, Narcissus, Epipac tis helleborine, and Listera ovata, and the N-acetylgl ucosamine-specific lectin from Urtica dioica would primarily be targeted at the virus-cell fusion process. Various other natural products seem to qualify as HIV-cell fusion inhibitors: the siamycins [siamycin I (BMY-29304), siamycin II (RP 71955, BMY 29303), and NP-06 (FR901724)] which are tricyclic 21-amino-acid peptides isolated from Streptomyces spp that differ from one another only at position 4 or 17 (valine or isoleucine in each case); the betulinic acid derivative RPR 103611, and the peptides tachyplesin and polyphemusin which are highly abundant in hemocyte debris of the horseshoe crabs Tachypleus tridentatus and Limulus polyphemus, i.e., the 18-amino-acid peptide T22 from which T134 has been derived. Both T22 and T134 have been shown to block T-tropic X4 HIV-1 strains through a specific antagonism with the HIV corecept or CXCR4. A number of natural products have been reported to interact with the reverse transcriptase, i.e., baicalin, avarol, avarone, psychotrine, phloroglucinol derivatives, and, in particular, calanolides (from the tropical rainforest tree, Calophyllum lanigerum) and inophyllums (from the Malaysian tree, Calophyllum inophyllum). The natural marine substance illimaquinone would be targeted at the RNase H function of the reverse transcriptase. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane, from turmeric, the roots/rhizomes of Curcuma spp), dicaffeoylquinic and dicaffeoylt artaric acids, L-chicoric acid, and a number of fungal metabolites (equisetin, phomasetin, oteromycin, and integric acid) have all been proposed as HIV-1 integrase inhibitors. Yet, we have recently shown that L-c hicoric acid owes its anti-HIV activity to a specific interaction with the viral envelope gp120 rather than integrase. A number of compounds would be able to inhibit HIV-1 gene expression at the transcription level: the flavonoid chrysin (through inhibition of casein kinase II, the antibacter ial peptides melittin (from bee venom) and cecropin, and EM2487, a novel substance produced by Streptomyces. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Topical application of St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) and of its metabolite hyperforin inhibits the allostimulatory capacity of epidermal cells

St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a traditional herbal medicine that is used for the topical treatment of superficial wounds, burns and dermatitis. The characteristic metabolites of St John's wort are the photodynamic active plant pigment hypericin and the phloroglucin-derivative hyperforin. To date, no studies on immunomodulatory properties of topical preparations of St John's wort have been performed. Here, we investigated the alloantigen presenting function of human epidermal cells (EC) exposed to Hypericum ointment in vivo in a mixed EC lymphocyte reaction (MECLR). The effect of Hypericum ointment was compared with the immunosuppressive effect of solar-simulated radiation (SSR). Subsequently, we tested purified hyperforin in vivo and in vitro in a MECLR to evaluate its possible contribution to the effect of the Hypericum ointment. Furthermore, we assessed the effect of hyperforin on the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro. Compared with untreated skin, treatment with Hypericum ointment resulted in a significant suppression of the MECLR (P </= 0.001) that was similar to the effect of SSR. The combination of Hypericum ointment plus SSR was not significantly different from either treatment alone. EC isolated from skin treated with the hyperforin containing ointment also showed a reduced capacity to stimulate the proliferation of allogeneic T cells (P </= 0.001). Similarly, in vitro incubation of EC with hyperforin suppressed the proliferation of alloreactive T cells (P </= 0.001). Furthermore, hyperforin inhibited the proliferation of PBMC in a dose-dependent manner, without displaying pronounced toxic effects as determined by Trypan blue staining. The results demonstrate an inhibitory effect of Hypericum extract and of its metabolite hyperforin on the MECLR and on the proliferation of T lymphocytes that may provide a rationale for the traditional treatment of inflammatory skin disorders with Hypericum extracts.

Inhibition of the CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity reaction by hypericin: potential for treatment of T cell-mediated diseases

The cytotoxicity reaction of murine CD8 T lymphocytes has been found to be strongly inhibited by nanomolar concentrations of hypericin, a lipophilic dianthraquinone with photodynamic properties. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-induced target cell apoptosis, as well as exocytosis of cytolytic granules from these cells, were ablated by hypericin, administered at the onset of the reaction, without affecting CTL viability. The inhibition of cytolysis occurred without the light irradiation which is essential for photosensitization. The findings suggest that the action of hypericin targets the effector CTL; however, apoptosis induced in murine L-cells with recombinant tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was also prevented by hypericin. Since hypericin is a known inhibitor of protein kinase C, MAP kinase and at least one other tyrosine kinase, this inhibitory activity could play a role in the down-modulation of CTL-induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, our studies show that the action of hypericin induces rapid dephosphorylation of phospholipids associated with low-density membranes in CTL, but not with membranes of the cytotoxic granules. The ability of hypericin to interfere with cytotoxicity may render it useful in the treatment of T cell-mediated diseases.

Photodynamic therapy efficacy and tissue distribution of hypericin in a mouse P388 lymphoma tumor model

The phototherapeutic properties and tissue distribution of hypericin were investigated in DBA/2 mice bearing subcutaneously transplanted P388 lymphoma cells. The efficacy of the photodynamic therapy (PDT) 2 h after administration of hypericin (2, 5, or 20 mg/kg, i.p., 120 J/cm2, 595 nm) was substantially greater than the efficacy after a 24 h interval. PDT with Photofrin (5 mg/kg, i.p., 24-h interval, 120 J/cm2, 630 nm) showed no significant antitumoral effect. The hypericin uptake in some tissues was measured after administration of hypericin (5 or 20 mg/kg, i.p.) up to 168 h. A comparison of the distribution data and the PDT efficacy at various intervals suggests that the plasma concentration of hypericin, and to a lesser extent the tumor uptake, determines the tumor response to PDT with hypericin.

Potentiation of hypericin and hypocrellin-induced phototoxicity by omeprazole

Hypericin and hypocrellin are potential antiviral and antineoplastic agents with multiple modes of light-induced biological activity connected with a production of singlet oxygen and/or excited-state proton transfer and consequent pH drop formation in the drugs environment. In present work light-induced cytotoxicity of hypericin (1 x 10(-5) - 10(-9) mol) and hypocrellin (1 x 10(-5) - 10(-9) mol) and potentiating effect of omeprazole on human leukemic cell line HL-60 was studied. Under dark condition cultivation none cytotoxicity was observed. The only one exception was hypocrellin in concentration 1 x 10(-5) mol which displayed full cytotoxic effect. However, illumination increased cytotoxic effect of hypericin and hypocrellin, both. Omeprazole, an inhibitor of H+K+-ATPase, has been used for testing the hypothetical pH decreasing effect of hypericin and hypocrellin in their cytotoxic mechanism of action. The results of our experiments have shown that in HL-60 cell line the effect of hypericin and hypocrellin at 1 x 10(-6) mol (both) was significantly potentiated by omeprazole in concentrations 1 x 10(-6) - 10(-9) mol. Our results support the hypothesis that the excited-state proton transfer and the consequent acidification of hypericin and hypocrellin environment could play a role in the biological activity of both agents.

Skin photosensitization with topical hypericin in hairless mice

Hypericin, a naturally occurring photosensitizer, exhibits interesting in vitro photobiological activities, which suggest that the compound is a potential antipsoriatic agent. In this study, the possibility of hypericin penetrating the skin in photo-active concentrations has been studied. Hypericin is incorporated in either emulsifying ointment supplemented with solketal (hypericin content: 0.05%) or in polyethylene glycol (PEG) ointment (hypericin content: 0.5%) and applied to the skin of hairless mice for 4 h. After removing excess ointment, the mice are then irradiated with different light doses using a 500 W halogen lamp. As a positive control, intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered hypericin (10 and 40 mg/kg) has also been tested. Erythema, desquamation and erosions are demonstrated in the mice treated with hypericin in emulsifying ointment with solketal using a light dose of at least 4.5 J/cm2. In general, these reactions correlate well with those of i.p. administered hypericin (40 mg/kg), indicating that hypericin incorporated in emulsifying ointment with solketal is well absorbed by the skin of the mice. However, for the i.p. administered hypericin (40 mg/kg), we could not evaluate phototoxic reactions in the group of animals that received a light dose of 108 J/cm2, as they all died 12-24 h after irradiation, indicating extreme photosensitization with systemic hypericin at higher light doses. On the contrary, there is no measurable skin photosensitivity induced by hypericin when incorporated in PEG ointment or when 10 mg/kg hypericin is i.p. administered. Our results show that hypericin incorporated in a suitable vehicle can be delivered to the skin in photo-active concentrations. Using a vehicle such as emulsifying ointment with solketal, it will be possible to explore the photo-activity of hypericin in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin diseases.

Health-promoting properties of common herbs

Herbs have been used as food and for medicinal purposes for centuries. Research interest has focused on various herbs that possess hypolipidemic, antiplatelet, antitumor, or immune-stimulating properties that may be useful adjuncts in helping reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. In different herbs, a wide variety of active phytochemicals, including the flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, sulfides, polyphenolics, carotenoids, coumarins, saponins, plant sterols, curcumins, and phthalides have been identified. Several of these phytochemicals either inhibit nitrosation or the formation of DNA adducts or stimulate the activity of protective enzymes such as the Phase II enzyme glutathione transferase (EC 2.5.1.18). Research has centered around the biochemical activity of the Allium sp. and the Labiatae, Umbelliferae, and Zingiberaceae families, as well as flaxseed, licorice root, and green tea. Many of these herbs contain potent antioxidant compounds that provide significant protection against chronic diseases. These compounds may protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation, inhibit cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes, inhibit lipid peroxidation, or have antiviral or antitumor activity. The volatile essential oils of commonly used culinary herbs, spices, and herbal teas inhibit mevalonate synthesis and thereby suppress cholesterol synthesis and tumor growth.

Sequence specific interaction of the photoactive drug hypericin depends on the structural arrangement and the stability of the structure containing its specific 5AG3 target: a resonance Raman spectroscopy study

The resonance Raman spectra of three oligonucleotides with different lengths containing a specific 5'AG3' target doublet for hypericin - a potent antiretroviral and anticancer photoactive agent, and their 1:1 and 1:2 (oligonucleotide: hypericin) complexes are reported. It is shown that the structural arrangement of the oligonucleotides, their structural stability and the local structural arrangement around the 5'AG3' hypericin target, are the factors which determine the formation of a stable, specifically bounded DNA-hypericin complexes.

St. John's Wort: A Review of an Herbal Antidepressant

Hypericum perforatum, more commonly known as St. John's wort, is an herbal product that has been utilized as an antidepressant in Europe for many years. This product has become popular in the United States as an alternative to traditional antidepressants. Due to the fact that St. John's wort is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many questions exist about the safety and efficacy of this product. This article will provide a review of the history, pharmacology, and safety profile of St. John' wort, as well as its efficacy in the treatment of major depressive disorder.

A photodynamic pathway to apoptosis and necrosis induced by dimethyl tetrahydroxyhelianthrone and hypericin in leukaemic cells: possible relevance to photodynamic therapy

The mechanism of cell death induction by dimethyl tetrahydroxyhelianthrone (DTHe), a new second-generation photodynamic sensitizer, is analysed in human leukaemic cell lines in comparison with the structurally related hypericin. DTHe has a broad range of light spectrum absorption that enables effective utilization of polychromatic light. Photosensitization of HL-60 cells with low doses of DTHe (0.65 microM DTHe and 7.2 J cm(-2) light energy) induced rapid apoptosis of > or =90% of the cells. At doses > or =2 microM, dying cells assumed morphological necrosis with perinucleolar condensation of chromatin in HL-60 and K-562 cell lines. Although nuclear fragmentation that is characteristic to apoptosis was prevented, DNA digestion to oligonucleosomes proceeded unhindered. Such incomplete apoptosis was more prevalent with the related analogue hypericin throughout most doses of photosensitization. Despite hypericin being a stronger photosensitizer, DTHe exhibited advantageous phototoxic properties to tumour cells, initiating apoptosis at concentrations about threefold lower than hypericin. Photosensitization of the cells induced dissociation of the nuclear envelope, releasing lamins into the cytosol. DTHe also differed from hypericin in effects exerted on the nuclear lamina, causing release of an 86-kDa lamin protein into the cytosol that was unique to DTHe. Within the nucleus, nuclear envelope lamin B underwent covalent polymerization, which did not affect apoptotic nuclear fragmentation at low doses of DTHe. At higher doses, polymerization may have been extensive enough to prevent nuclear collapse. Hut-78, CD4+ cells were resistant to the photodynamically activated apoptotic pathway. Beyond the tolerated levels of photodynamic damage, these cells died exclusively via necrosis. Hut-78 cells overexpress Bcl-X(L) as well as a truncated Bcl-X(L)tr isoform that could contribute to the observed resistance to apoptosis.

In vitro and in vivo activation of hypericin with the incoherent light source PDT 1200 SOA (520-750 nm) and with solar simulated radiation (290-2500 nm)

The photodynamic active plant pigment hypericin is a possible new photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy. Hypericin shows absorption maxima in the ultraviolet (330 nm) and visible light range (550 and 588 nm). The present study compared the photoactivation of hypericin with the incoherent light source PDT 1200 SOA (520-750 nm) to that with a 1000 watt solar simulator (290-2500 nm). Hypericin displayed dose and time dependent phototoxic effects in the keratinocyte cell line HaCaT in vitro and after intracutaneous in vivo application with both light sources. In vivo, delayed (48 h) photosensitivity in hypericin-sensitized skin was observed. With intracutaneous application of 100 ng/ml hypericin, no phototoxic reaction could be produced. The PDT 1200 SOA was about four times more effective in vitro and about ten times more effective in vivo when compared to the solar simulator. Since the PDT 1200 SOA allows homogenous irradiation of large areas, we conclude that the PDT 1200 SOA is an effective and convenient light source for in vitro and in vivo studies using hypericin.

The role of oxygen in the antiviral activity of hypericin and hypocrellin

The light-induced antiviral activity of hypericin and hypocrellin in the presence and absence of oxygen was examined under experimental conditions where the effect of oxygen depletion could be quantified. There was a significant reduction of light-induced antiviral activity of hypericin and hypocrellin under hypoxic conditions. Interestingly, antiviral activity of hypocrellin was not observed at low oxygen levels at which hypericin retained measurable virucidal activity. This suggests that additional pathways, such as the generation of protons from excited states of hypericin, may enhance the biological activity of activated oxygen species.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 cDNA integration: new aromatic hydroxylated inhibitors and studies of the inhibition mechanism

Integration of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) cDNA is a required step for viral replication. Integrase, the virus-encoded enzyme important for integration, has not yet been exploited as a target for clinically useful inhibitors. Here we report on the identification of new polyhydroxylated aromatic inhibitors of integrase including ellagic acid, purpurogallin, 4,8, 12-trioxatricornan, and hypericin, the last of which is known to inhibit viral replication. These compounds and others were characterized in assays with subviral preintegration complexes (PICs) isolated from HIV-1-infected cells. Hypericin was found to inhibit PIC assays, while the other compounds tested were inactive. Counterscreening of these and other integrase inhibitors against additional DNA-modifying enzymes revealed that none of the polyhydroxylated aromatic compounds are active against enzymes that do not require metals (methylases, a pox virus topoisomerase). However, all were cross-reactive with metal-requiring enzymes (restriction enzymes, a reverse transcriptase), implicating metal atoms in the inhibitory mechanism. In mechanistic studies, we localized binding of some inhibitors to the catalytic domain of integrase by assaying competition of binding by labeled nucleotides. These findings help elucidate the mechanism of action of the polyhydroxylated aromatic inhibitors and provide practical guidance for further inhibitor development.

Photoactivated hypericin is an anti-proliferative agent that induces a high rate of apoptotic death of normal, transformed, and malignant T lymphocytes: implications for the treatment of cutaneous lymphoproliferative and inflammatory disorders

Hypericin is a photodynamic compound activated by either visible (400-700 nm) or UVA (320-400 nm) light, and has been shown to inhibit the growth of a variety of neoplastic cell types. In this study, hypericin was found to inhibit proliferative responses of malignant T cells derived from the blood of patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Control cells included peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from normal volunteers or Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes. Cells from each of these populations were incubated with serial dilutions of hypericin or 8-methoxypsoralen and then stimulated with the mitogen ConA (10 microg per ml). Cultures were prepared in the dark to minimize photoactivation of the hypericin. Proliferation was measured by [3H]thymidine labeling after 72 h. Hypericin, photoactivated with 1.1-3.3 J white light per cm2, inhibited cellular proliferation of malignant T cells with IC50 values from 0.34 to 0.53 microM, normal PBMC with IC50 values of 0.11-0.76 microM, and Epstein-Barr virus-transformed cells with IC50 values of 0.75-3.2 microM. UVA-photoactivated hypericin (0.5-2.0 J per cm2) could also inhibit proliferation with IC50 values of 0.57-1.8 microM, 0.7-4.6 microM, and 2.0-3.7 microM for malignant, normal, or Epstein-Barr virus-transformed cells, respectively. Hypericin, photoactivated with either UVA or white light, could induce near complete apoptosis (94%) in malignant cutaneous T cell lymphoma T cells, whereas lower levels of apoptosis (37-88%) were induced in normal PBMC. These data indicate that hypericin inhibits mitogen-induced proliferation of malignant T cells from patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma, PBMC from normal individuals, as well as Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes, and that inhibition of cell proliferation is dependent on the concentration of hypericin used and the dose of light required to photoactivate the compound. Induction of apoptosis is, in part, one mechanism by which photoactivated hypericin inhibits malignant T cell proliferation.

The identification and development of antiviral agents for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of chronic hepatitis throughout the world. Notwithstanding the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, the world prevalence of HBV has not declined significantly, thus resulting in the need for a selective antiviral agent. HBV is a small, partially double-stranded DNA virus which replicates through an RNA intermediate. Most efforts to develop anti-HBV agents have been targeted to the viral DNA polymerase which possesses reverse transcriptase activity. Currently, the most promising anti-HBV agents are nucleoside analogs which interfere with viral DNA replication. Although earlier nucleoside analogs such as vidarabine (ara-A) and fialuridine (FIAU) have displayed unacceptable toxicities, newer analogs such as lamivudine (3TC), bis-POM PMEA (GS-840), lobucavir, and BMS-200,475 have demonstrated clinical utility. In particular, the use of lamivudine has generated considerable interest in the development of other L-enantiomeric nucleoside analogs for use against HBV. Here, we provide an overview of HBV structure and replication strategy and discuss the use of cell culture systems, in vitro viral polymerase systems, and animal models to identify and evaluate anti-HBV agents. We also discuss the various classes of nucleoside analogs in terms of structure, mechanism of action, status in clinical development, ability to select for resistant HBV variants, and use in combination therapies. Finally, we present a discussion of novel antiviral approaches, including antisense and gene therapy, and address the various challenges to successful anti-HBV chemotherapeutic intervention.

Sequence specific interaction of the antiretrovirally active drug hypericin with 5'ATGGCAGGATAT3' oligonucleotide: a resonance Raman spectroscopy study

The resonance Raman spectra of two oligonucleotides and their complexes with potent antiretrovirally and antineoplastic active photochemical drug hypericin are reported. The Raman spectra of two oligonucleotides containing twelve base pairs on addition of hypericin (one and two molecules per one oligonucleotide) were compared. The first one contains the first nine base pairs of the "rev" gene coming from HIV genome with three base pairs added to stabilize the duplex (5'ATGGCAGGATAT3') and the second one consists of the same content of the nucleotide bases but in changed sequence order which serves as a control sequence (5'ACGTGATGATGA3'). Differences in the spectra of the "rev" gene sequence and control sequence in interaction with the drug indicate that: i) the AG and GA nucleotide doublets are structurally specific targets for hypericin and ii) the hypericin interaction with 5'AG3' target is stronger than with 5'GA3' one.

Induction of differentiation of the human histocytic lymphoma cell line U-937 by hypericin

Hypericin, a photosensitizing plant pigment, was found to be a potent inducer of differentiation of human myeloid leukemia U-937 cells. At a concentration of 0.2 microM, hypericin exhibited 50% growth inhibition. An effect on cell differentiation by hypericin was assessed by its ability to induce phagocytosis of latex particles, and to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT). Approximately 51% of 0.2 microM hypericin-treated cells were stained with NBT and 63% showed phagocytic activity. In order to establish whether hypericin induces differentiation of U-937 cells to macrophage or granulocyte, esterase activities and cell sizes were measured. When U-937 cells were treated with 0.2 microM and 0.15 microM of hypericin, the alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase activity was increased by 38.4% and 48.1%, respectively, but naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase activity was not influenced. The size of hypericin-treated cells in terms of cell mass was larger than that observed in untreated cells as determined by flow cytometry. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, NA-382, decreased the NBT reducing activity of hypericin, whereas a cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, H-89, did not show any influence on the differentiation. These results indicate that hypericin triggers differentiation toward monocyte/macrophage lineage by PKC stimulation.

Inhibition of human malignant glioma cell motility and invasion in vitro by hypericin, a potent protein kinase C inhibitor

The effect of hypericin, an antiviral drug and a potent protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, on glioma cell invasion was investigated in vitro. Treatment of the established human glioblastoma cell line, T98G, with 1 microM hypericin for 24 h resulted in a significant inhibition of the cell invasion through an artificial basement membrane, but not cell attachment or proliferation. Furthermore, tamoxifen and staurosporine, both PKC inhibitors, also inhibited T98G cell invasion, suggesting that PKC may be the cellular target for hypericin-inhibited glioma cell migration. Similarly, hypericin decreased cell motility significantly in established lines, T98G and U87-MG, and also in a low-passage human malignant glioma cell line. Thus, hypericin may prove useful for studying mechanisms of glioma invasion, and may represent a new agent in malignant glioma therapy.

Binding, uptake, and transport of hypericin by Caco-2 cell monolayers

The biological evaluation of hypericin in various test models is hampered by its very poor water solubility. In the present study cyclodextrin formulations and liposomal preparations were investigated for improved delivery and solubility of hypericin in aqueous buffer systems. Caco-2 cells, grown to tight monolayers on 96-well tissue culture plates as well as on Transwell polycarbonate filters, were used to study the membrane binding and the epithelial transport of hypericin. Cumulative transport of hypericin, which could not be measured without the use of cyclodextrins, in apical-to-basolateral direction from cyclodextrin-hypericin buffer solutions was 3-5% at 37 degrees C and approximately 0.12% at 4 degrees C after 5 h. After an incubation time of 1 h at 37 and 4 degrees C, 12.7% +/- 2.6% and 6.5% +/- 0.8%, respectively, of hypericin were found to be bound to or taken up by Caco-2 cells. Liposomal formulations markedly increased the solubility of hypericin in Krebs-Ringer buffer, but there was no effect observed on the binding and transport of hypericin delivered by liposomes in the Caco-2 cell model. Due to the fluorescence properties of hypericin, its interaction with the cells could be visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results indicate that a significant accumulation of the drug in the cell membrane and the cell nucleus membrane takes place. We conclude that hypericin is absorbed through the intestinal epithelium by passive transcellular diffusion and that increasing its solubility by cyclodextrin appears as a promising approach to increase its oral bioavailability for pharmaceutical formulations.

Determination of naphthodianthrones in plant extracts from Hypericum perforatum L. by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry

The determination of the naphthodianthrone constituents in extracts of dried blossoms of Hypericum perforatum L. by combined HPLC-electrospray mass spectrometry is described. Hypericin (1), pseudohypericin (2) and their precursor compounds produce intensive negative quasi-molecular ions by deprotonation provided a non-acidic eluent system is used in the HPLC separation. From the [M-H]- ions formed in the electrospray ionization process characteristic daughter ion spectra can be obtained by collisional activation which have been studied by tandem mass spectrometry.