Lipophilic extracts of Leucas zeylanica, a multi-purpose medicinal plant in the tropics, inhibit key enzymes involved in inflammation and gout

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Leucas zeylanica (L.) W.T. Aiton is a popular, multi-purpose medicinal plant in Sri Lanka but the pharmacological potential and the chemical profile have not been systematically investigated to understand and rationalize the reported ethnobotanical significance.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was undertaken to scientifically validate the traditional usage of this plant for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, gout and microbial infections. Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), microsomal prostaglandin E₂ synthase (mPGES)-1 and xanthine oxidase (XO) by different extracts of L. zeylanica was investigated to determine the anti-inflammatory and anti-gout activity, respectively. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were also studied and the relevant constituents in the bioactive extracts were tentatively identified.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cell-free and/or cell-based assays were employed in order to investigate the effects of the extracts against the activity of human 5-LO, mPGES-1 and XO as well as to assess antioxidant properties. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was determined by the broth micro-dilution method against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus while the agar dilution method was employed to determine the anti-Candida activity. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis enabled the characterization of secondary metabolites in the extracts.

RESULTS

The dichloromethane extract of L. zeylanica efficiently inhibited 5-LO activity in stimulated human neutrophils (IC₅₀ = 5.5 µg/mL) and isolated human 5-LO and mPGES-1 (IC₅₀ = 2.2 and 0.4 µg/mL). Potent inhibition of XO was observed by the same extract (IC₅₀ = 47.5 μg/mL), which is the first report of XO-inhibitory activity of a Sri Lankan medicinal plant. Interestingly, significant radical scavenging activity was not observed by this extract. Only the n-hexane extract exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus with a MIC of 250 µg/mL while the anti-Candida activity was moderate. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of phytosterols, fatty acids, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes and several other types of secondary metabolites.

CONCLUSIONS

Potent inhibition of 5-LO, mPGES-1 and XO rationalizes the ethnopharmacological use of L. zeylanica as anti-inflammatory and anti-gout remedy. Interestingly, the antimicrobial activities were not prominent, despite its wide utility as an antimicrobial medication.

PPAR Agonists: I. Role of Receptor Subunits in Alcohol Consumption in Male and Female Mice

BACKGROUND

Several peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists reduce voluntary alcohol consumption in rodent models, and evidence suggests that PPARα and γ subunits play an important role in this effect. To define the subunit dependence of this action, we tested selective PPARα and α/γ agonists and antagonists in addition to null mutant mice lacking PPARα.

METHODS

The effects of fenofibrate (PPARα agonist) and tesaglitazar (PPARα/γ agonist) on continuous and intermittent 2-bottle choice drinking tests were examined in male and female wild-type mice and in male mice lacking PPARα. We compared the ability of MK886 (PPARα antagonist) and GW9662 (PPARγ antagonist) to inhibit the effects of fenofibrate and tesaglitazar in wild-type mice. The estrogen receptor antagonist, tamoxifen, can inhibit PPARγ-dependent transcription and was also studied in male and female mice.

RESULTS

Fenofibrate and tesaglitazar reduced ethanol (EtOH) consumption and preference in wild-type mice, but these effects were not observed in mice lacking PPARα. MK886 inhibited the action of fenofibrate, but not tesaglitazer, while GW9662 did not inhibit either agonist. The PPAR agonists were more effective in male mice compared to females, and drinking in the continuous 2-bottle choice test was more sensitive to fenofibrate and tesaglitazar compared to drinking in the intermittent access test. Tamoxifen also reduced EtOH consumption in male mice and this action was inhibited by GW9662, but not MK886, suggesting that it acts by activation of PPARγ.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study using selective PPAR agonists, antagonists, and null mutant mice indicates a key role for PPARα in mediating reduced EtOH consumption by fenofibrate and tesaglitazar.

MK886 inhibits the pioglitazone-induced anti-invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells is associated with PPARα/γ, FGF4 and 5LOX

The goal of this study was to determine the effects of PGZ and MK886 on the mRNA expression of PPARα and other associated genes in MDA-MB-231 cells, and the biological mechanisms induced by both drugs were also assessed. The levels of PPARα mRNA expression in PGZ-treated and MK886-treated MDA-MB-231 cells were determined using real-time PCR; the growth inhibitory effects of PGZ and MK886 were determined using the trypan blue exclusion assay; the induction of apoptosis by PGZ and MK886 was determined using DNA fragmentation assay and real-time PCR; and the invasion of PGZ-treated and MK886-treated MDA-MB-231 cells was determined using the wound healing and transwell migration assays. In addition, we correlated the expression of PPARα mRNA with other genes, including PPARγ, FGF4 and 5LOX, in drug-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results demonstrated that the treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with PGZ increased the expression of PPARα/γ mRNA and that this expression could be inhibited by treatment with MK886. Both drugs reduced the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells independently of PPARα/γ mRNA expression but did not induce apoptosis. The wound caused by invasion was not healed by PGZ-treated MDA-MB-231 cells, but it was healed by MK886-treated cancer cells, indicating that the reduction of invasion in PGZ-treated MDA-MB-231 cells was eliminated by treatment with MK886, and this finding was validated by the transwell migration assay. This phenomenon might also be associated with the expression of PPARα/γ, FGF4 and 5LOX mRNA in the treated cancer cells. This study provides useful information regarding the mRNA expression levels of PPARα and other related genes in MDA-MB-231 cells. These genes could be attractive targets for reducing the invasion of breast cancer.

An experimental cell-based model for studying the cell biology and molecular pharmacology of 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein in leukotriene biosynthesis

BACKGROUND

Subcellular distribution of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) to the perinuclear region and interaction with the 5-LO-activating protein (FLAP) are assumed as key steps in leukotriene biosynthesis and are prone to FLAP antagonists.

METHODS

FLAP and/or 5-LO were stably expressed in HEK293 cells, 5-LO products were analyzed by HPLC, and 5-LO and FLAP subcellular localization was visualized by immunofluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS

5-LO and FLAP were stably expressed in HEK293 cells, and upon Ca(2+)-ionophore A23187 stimulation exogenous AA was efficiently transformed into the 5-LO products 5-hydro(pero)xyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-H(p)ETE) and the trans-isomers of LTB4. A23187 stimulation caused 5-LO accumulation at the nuclear membrane only when FLAP was co-expressed. Unexpectedly, A23187 stimulation of HEK cells expressing 5-LO and FLAP without exogenous AA failed in 5-LO product synthesis. HEK cells liberated AA in response to A23187, and transfected HEK cells expressing 12-LO generated 12-HETE after A23187 challenge from endogenous AA. FLAP co-expression increased 5-LO product formation in A23187-stimulated cells at low AA concentrations. Only in cells expressing FLAP and 5-LO, the FLAP antagonist MK886 blocked FLAP-mediated increase in 5-LO product formation, and prevented 5-LO nuclear membrane translocation and co-localization with FLAP.

CONCLUSION

The cellular biosynthesis of 5-LO products from endogenously derived substrate requires not only functional 5-LO/FLAP co-localization but also additional prerequisites which are dispensable when exogenous AA is supplied; identification of these determinants is challenging.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

We present a cell model to study the role of FLAP as 5-LO interacting protein in LT biosynthesis in intact cells and for characterization of putative FLAP antagonists.

Inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism to decrease pancreatic cancer cell proliferation

AIM: To investigate the effect of inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism on proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells.

METHODS: Cultured pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells were treated with different concentrations of MK886, celecoxib, or MK886 + celecoxib. After treatment, the expression of leukotriene B4 receptor 1 (BLT1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNAs was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and the expression of phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein (p-Erk) was measured by Western blot.

RESULTS: Treatment with MK886 significantly decreased the expression of BLT1 and VEGF mRNAs (P < 0.01 for both) and p-Erk (P < 0.05). Treatment with celecoxib did not alter the expression of BLT1 mRNA and decreased the expression of VEGF mRNA compared with untreated cells (P < 0.01), but increased the expression of p-Erk compared with the MK886 group (P < 0.01). Treatment with MK886 and celecoxib significantly decreased the expression of BLT1 and VEGF mRNAs (P < 0.01 for both), but did not alter the expression of p-Erk.

CONCLUSION: Both two pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism are associated with pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, with the pathway involving 5-lipoxygenase being more important.

MK886 inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis in human colon cancer cell lines SW480 and Caco-2

AIM: To observe the effects of 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) MK886 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human colon cancer cell lines SW480 and Caco-2.

METHODS: MTT assay was used to detect the effects of treatment with MK886 at different concentrations (6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200 µmol/L) for different durations (24, 48, 72 h) on the proliferation of SW480 and Caco-2 cells. The apoptosis of cells treated with MK886 at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 µmol/L for 72 h was assessed by flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC/PI. The cell cycle of cells treated with MK886 at concentrations of 12.5, 25, and 50 µmol/L for 72 h was assessed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS: MK886 at concentrations between 50 and 200 µmol/L inhibited the proliferation of SW480 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Treatment with MK886 at concentrations from 12.5 to 25 µmol/L for 24 h did not significantly inhibit the proliferation of SW480 cells, but treatment for 48 h or 72 h significantly inhibit cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. MK886 at a concentration of 6.25 µmol/L had no significant effects on the proliferation of SW480 cells. In Caco-2 cells, MK886 at concentrations from 25 to 200 µmol/L inhibited cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but MK886 at concentrations between 6.25 and 12.5 µmol/L MK886 had no significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of Caco-2 cells. Treatment with MK886 at a concentration of 200 µmol/L for 24 h significantly inhibited the growth of SW480 and Caco-2 cells, and the reduced rate of cell growth was 90%. MK886 at concentrations from 12.5 to 100 µmol/L increased the apoptosis rate of the two cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Treatment with MK886 at concentrations from 12.5 to 50 µmol/L for 72 h increased the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase but decreased that in S phase.

CONCLUSION: MK886 significantly inhibits the growth of SW480 and Caco-2 cells possibly by blocking cells in G0/G1 phase and inducing cell apoptosis.