Pharmacological properties and protein binding capacity of phenolic extracts of some Venda medicinal plants used against cough and fever

Ethnopharmacology relevance

Several ailments are caused by infectious bacteria and in other diseases; they act as co-infection which complicate human life by causing health hazards. In Venda (South Africa), many plants are used in traditional medicine to treat cough and fever.

Aim of the study

This study was aimed at evaluating the antibacterial and antifungal properties, cyclooxygenases (COX), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme inhibitory effects and the phenolic composition as well as mutagenic properties of six medicinal plants used by the Venda people of Limpopo Province of South Africa against cough and fever.

Materials and methods

The petroleum ether (PE), dichloromethane (DCM), 80% ethanol (EtOH) and water extracts of six plants were tested against four infectious bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus) and a fungus Candida albicans. The same extracts were evaluated for their ability to inhibit COX-1 and -2 enzymes. Methanolic and water extracts of the same plant were tested for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects. Total phenolics, flavonoids, gallotannins and condensed tannins were determined. The ability of the extracts to bind and precipitate proteins was also investigated. The extracts were investigated for genotoxicity with and without S9 (metabolic activation) against three Salmonella typhimurium tester strains TA98, TA100 and TA102.

Results

The organic extracts of Rhus lancea leaves exhibited the best antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 0.0061 to 0.049 mg/ml. The best antifungal activity was observed from a DCM extract of Syzygium cordatum leaves with a MIC value of 0.195 mg/ml. The methanolic and water extracts of the same plant exhibited high inhibitory effects towards AChE with IC₅₀ values of 0.22 and 0.26 mg/ml, respectively. The highest levels of flavonoids and gallotannins were detected in Spirostachys africana bark; 11.57 and 48.88 μg/g, respectively. The highest percentages (1.2%) of condensed tannins were detected in Uvaria caffra leaves. The high levels of phenolic compounds may have been responsible for high antimicrobial activities for extracts of S. africana bark and U. caffra leaves. S. cordatum leaves represented the highest affinity for protein binding with 93%. All the extracts were non-mutagenic towards the three tested strains with and without S9 metabolic activation.

Conclusion

The result obtained in this study goes a long way in validating the ethnobotanical usage of these medicinal plants in the treatment of cough and fever by the Venda people. However, more evidence obtainable from other assays not performed here are urgently required to confirm these results.     

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of YM128, a GPIIb/IIIa antagonist prodrug

We examined the biochemical properties of YM‐57029 ({4‐[4‐(4‐Carbamimidoylphenyl)‐3‐oxopiperazin‐1‐yl]piperidino}acetic acid monohydrochloride trihydrate) and the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of its prodrug, YM128 (Ethyl (Z)‐(4‐{4‐[4‐(N²‐hydroxycarbamimidoyl)phenyl]‐3‐oxopiperazin‐1‐yl}piperidino)acetate), an orally‐active glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) antagonist. YM‐57029 strongly inhibited aggregation of human platelets induced by various agonists, with IC50 values ranging from 3.6 to 51 nM. YM‐57029 specifically inhibited fibrinogen binding to purified GPIIb/IIIa about 1,000‐fold more potently than Arg‐Gly‐Asp‐Ser (RGDS). Moreover, YM‐57029 effectively inhibited an Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) peptide binding to platelets, suggesting that YM‐57029 competed with the RGD sequence of ligand. YM‐57029 or YM128 dose‐dependently inhibited ex vivo platelet aggregation after iv bolus injection or oral administration to beagle dogs and cynomolgus monkeys. However, YM128 exerted more potent and prolonged inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation than YM‐57029 after oral administration to cynomolgus monkeys. Furthermore, YM‐57029 prolonged template bleeding time at a dose that inhibited ex vivo platelet aggregation during cumulative iv infusion to cynomolgus monkeys. Metabolic and pharmacokinetic studies showed that YM128 effectively converted into YM‐57029 in liver microsomes from humans as well as dogs and monkeys, and that bioavailabilities of YM128 in dogs and monkeys were 32.3 and 22.2%, respectively. These results suggest that YM128, a prodrug of YM‐57029, may be a valuable GPIIb/IIIa antagonist with good bioavailability in humans. Drug Dev. Res. 55:149–161, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Role of Gastrin/CCK-B Receptor in the Regulation of Gastric Acid Secretion in Rat

The aim of this study was to investigate whethergastrin regulates morphological changes andalpha-subunit gene expression in parietal cells throughthe gastrin/CCK-B receptor on enterochromaffin-likecells by histamine release. Treatment with 100 mg/kgof YM022, a potent and selective gastrin/CCK-B receptorantagonist, for one week in rats did not alter mRNAlevels of histidine decarboxylase or H⁺,K-ATPase. However, parietal cell morphology predominantlychanged to the resting form, although the serum gastrinconcentration was significantly increased. Additionaltreatment with YM022 and oral omeprazole, 100 mg/kg, for one week markedly suppressed theincreases of mRNA levels of histidine decarboxylase andH⁺, K-ATPase and completely blocked themorphological transformation of the parietal cells to astimulated form induced by treatment with omeprazolealone. This indicates that the morphologicaltransformation of parietal cells to an activated formwith a subsequent increase in H⁺, K-ATPasesynthesis caused by hypergastrinemia is mediated by increasedhistidine decarboxylase gene expression inenterochromaffin-like cells via gastrin/CCK-Breceptors.     

Discovery and structural optimization of 1-phenyl-3-(1-phenylethyl)urea derivatives as novel inhibitors of CRAC channel

Aim:

Ca²⁺-release-activated Ca²⁺ (CRAC) channel, a subfamily of store-operated channels, is formed by calcium release-activated calcium modulator 1 (ORAI1), and gated by stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1). CRAC channel may be a novel target for the treatment of immune disorders and allergy. The aim of this study was to identify novel small molecule CRAC channel inhibitors.

Methods:

HEK293 cells stably co-expressing both ORAI1 and STIM1 were used for high-throughput screening. A hit, 1-phenyl-3-(1-phenylethyl)urea, was identified that inhibited CRAC channels by targeting ORAI1. Five series of its derivatives were designed and synthesized, and their primary structure-activity relationships (SARs) were analyzed. All derivatives were assessed for their effects on Ca²⁺ influx through CRAC channels on HEK293 cells, cytotoxicity in Jurkat cells, and IL-2 production in Jurkat cells expressing ORAI1-SS-eGFP.

Results:

A total of 19 hits were discovered in libraries containing 32 000 compounds using the high-throughput screening. 1-Phenyl-3-(1-phenylethyl)urea inhibited Ca²⁺ influx with IC₅₀ of 3.25±0.17 μmol/L. SAR study on its derivatives showed that the alkyl substituent on the α-position of the left-side benzylic amine (R1) was essential for Ca²⁺ influx inhibition and that the S-configuration was better than the R-configuration. The derivatives in which the right-side R3 was substituted by an electron-donating group showed more potent inhibitory activity than those that were substituted by electron-withdrawing groups. Furthermore, the free N–H of urea was not necessary to maintain the high potency of Ca²⁺ influx inhibition. The N,N′-disubstituted or N′-substituted derivatives showed relatively low cytotoxicity but maintained the ability to inhibit IL-2 production. Among them, compound 5b showed an improved inhibition of IL-2 production and low cytotoxicity.

Conclusion:

1-Phenyl-3-(1-phenylethyl)urea is a novel CRAC channel inhibitor that specifically targets ORAI1. This study provides a new chemical scaffold for design and development of CRAC channel inhibitors with improved Ca²⁺ influx inhibition, immune inhibition and low cytotoxicity.     

Conivaptan: A Dual Receptor Vasopressin V1a/V2 Antagonist

Several fluid retentive states such as heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion are associated with inappropriate elevation in plasma levels of arginine vasopressin (AVP), a neuropeptide that is secreted by the hypothalamus and plays a critical role in the regulation of serum osmolality and in circulatory homeostasis. The actions of AVP are mediated by three receptor subtypes V_1a, V₂, and V_1b. The V_1a receptor regulates vasodilation and cellular hypertrophy while the V₂ receptor regulates free water excretion. The V_1b receptor regulates adrenocorticotropin hormone release. Conivaptan is a nonpeptide dual V_1a/V₂ AVP receptor antagonist. It binds with high affinity, competitively, and reversibly to the V_1a/V₂ receptor subtypes; its antagonistic effect is concentration dependent. It inhibits CYP3A4 liver enzyme and elevates plasma levels of other drugs metabolized by this enzyme. It is approved only for short-term intravenous use. Infusion site reaction is the most common reason for discontinuation of the drug. In animals conivaptan increased urine volume and free water clearance. In heart failure models it improved hemodynamic parameters and free water excretion. Conivaptan has been shown to correct hyponatremia in euvolemic or hypervolemic patients. Its efficacy and safety for short-term use have led to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of its intravenous form for the correction of hyponatremia in euvolemic and hypervolemic states. Despite its ability to block the action of AVP on V_1a receptors, no demonstrable benefit from this action was noted in patients with chronic compensated heart failure and it is not approved for this indication. Consideration should be given to further evaluation of its potential benefits in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.     

YM022, a highly potent and selective CCKB antagonist inhibiting gastric acid secretion in the rat, the cat and isolated rabbit glands

Summary— We investigated the effects of the novel CCK_B/gastrin antagonist YM022 on gastric acid secretion in vivo and in vitro, compared to CI-988 and L365.260 as reference antagonists. In the anaesthetized rat, pentagastrin-induced stimulation of gastric acid secretion was dose-dependently and up to 100% inhibited by iv administration of YM022 with an ID₅₀ of 0.009 ± 0.0006 μmol/kg h in comparison to 0.6 ± 0.03 and 3.40 ± 0.05 μmol/kg h for CI-988 and L-365,260, respectively. In the gastric fistula cat, iv administration of YM022 produced a similar inhibitory effect with an ID₅₀ of 0.02 μmol/kg in comparison to 1.6 and 2.5 μmol/kg for CI-988 and L-365,260, respectively. Furthermore, bolus injection of 0.6 μmol/kg YM022 produced 100% inhibition within 30 min and 85% inhibition was still observed after 3 h. In the isolated rabbit gastric glands, CCK₈-stimulated ¹⁴C-aminopyrine uptake was inhibited according to the following rank order of potency: YM022 (IC₅₀ = 0.0012 μM) ≫ CI-988 (IC₅₀ = 0.2 μM) ≫ L365.260 (IC₅₀ = 2.8 μM). Unlike with L365.260, no influence of CI-988 and YM022 on histamine-stimulated acid output was shown in this study. Thus, YM022 is a highly potent and selective gastric CCK₈/gastrin receptor antagonist and has a long-lasting inhibitory effect on gastric acid secretion.     

Comparative evaluation of absorption,distribution, and excretion of YM758, a novel If channel inhibitor,between albino and non-albino rats

1. YM758 is a novel If channel inhibitor for the treatment of stable angina and atrial fibrillation. The absorption, distribution, and excretion of YM758 have been investigated in albino and non-albino rats after a single oral administration of ¹⁴C-YM758 monophosphate.

2. YM758 was well absorbed from all segments of the gastrointestinal tract except for the stomach. After oral administration, the ratio of AUC_{0–1 h} between the plasma concentrations of radioactivity and the unchanged drug was estimated to be 17.7%, which suggests metabolism.

3. The distribution of the radioactivity derived from ¹⁴C-YM758 in tissues was evaluated both in albino and non-albino rats. The radioactivity concentrations in most tissues were higher than those in plasma, which indicates that the radioactivity is well distributed to tissues. Extensive accumulation and slower elimination of radioactivity were noted in the thoracic aorta of albino and non-albino rats as well as in the eyeballs of non-albino rats. The recovery rates of radioactivity in urine and bile after oral dosing to bile duct-cannulated albino rats were 17.8% and 57.3%, respectively.

4. These results suggest that YM758 was extensively absorbed, subjected to metabolism, and excreted mainly into the bile after oral administration to rats, and extensive accumulation of the unchanged drug and/or metabolites into tissues such as the thoracic aorta and eyeballs was observed.     

Survivin: A novel marker and potential therapeutic target for human angiosarcoma

Human angiosarcoma is a rare malignant vascular tumor associated with extremely poor clinical outcome and generally arising in skin of the head and neck region. However, little is known about the molecular pathogeneses and useful immunohistochemical markers of angiosarcoma. To investigate the mechanisms of angiosarcoma progression, we collected 85 cases of human angiosarcoma specimens with clinical records and analyzed ISO‐HAS‐B patient‐derived angiosarcoma cells. As control subjects, 54 cases of hemangioma and 34 of pyogenic granuloma were collected. Remarkably, consistent with our recent observations regarding the involvement of survivin expression following Hippo pathway inactivation in the neoplastic proliferation of murine hemangioendothelioma cells and human infantile hemangioma, nuclear survivin expression was observed in all cases of angiosarcoma but not in hemangiomas and pyogenic granulomas, and the Hippo pathway was inactivated in 90.3% of yes‐associated protein (YAP) ‐positive angiosarcoma cases. However, survivin expression modes and YAP localization (Hippo pathway activation modes) were not correlated with survival. In addition, we confirmed that survivin small interference RNA (siRNA) transfection and YM155, an anti‐survivin drug, elicited decreased nuclear survivin expression and cell proliferation in ISO‐HAS‐B cells which expressed survivin consistently. Conclusively, these findings support the importance of survivin as a good marker and critical regulator of cellular proliferation for human angiosarcoma and YM155 as a potential therapeutic agent.     

Synergistic growth inhibition of YM529 with biologic response modifiers (BRMs) in myeloma cells

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are effective in the management of bone disease in patients with multiple myeloma. Recent reports have suggested that they may also have an antitumor activity. YM529 is a new synthetic BP with more than 1000 times the bone resorption inhibitory activity of pamidronate. To clarify the direct effects of YM529 on myeloma cells, the cell proliferation and cell cycle perturbation were analyzed using 12 myeloma cell lines established in our laboratory. The growth inhibition was dose dependent. The cells accumulated in [2n<4n] of the cell cycle and subsequently formed an apoptotic sub-G1 fraction. Combined treatment with all-trans retinoic acid, thalidomide, or interferon-alpha enhanced the growth inhibitory effects of YM529 on these cells. However, there were no remarkable effects of YM529 on the messenger RNA expression for angiogenic factors, cell cycle regulators, or cytokines related to myeloma cells. These results indicate that YM529 is beneficial not only to bone lesions but also for its direct antitumor effects on myeloma cells.     

Subthalamic nucleus lesions alter basal and dopamine agonist stimulated electrophysiological output from the rat basal ganglia

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an important link in the "indirect" striatal efferent pathway. To assess its role on basal ganglia output via the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), we monitored the single unit activities of SNr neurons in chloral hydrate-anesthetized rats 5-8 days after bilateral kainic acid lesions (0.75 microg/0.3 microl/side) of the STN. Consistent with loss of an excitatory input, the average basal firing rate of SNr neurons was significantly reduced in STN-lesioned animals. Moreover, the lesions modified the responses of SNr neurons to individual and concurrent stimulation of striatal D1 and D2 receptors. Bilateral striatal infusions of the D1/D2 agonist apomorphine (10 microg/microl/side) into the ventral-lateral striatum (VLS) were previously shown to cause significant increases in SNr cell firing (to 133% of baseline) in normal rats. However, in STN-lesioned rats, identical infusions caused no overall change in SNr activity (mean, 103% of basal rates). Conversely, selective stimulation of striatal D2 receptors by bilateral co-infusion of the D2 agonist quinpirole and the D1 antagonist SCH 23390 that previously caused little change in SNr firing in normal rats significantly inhibited their firing in STN-lesioned rats. Finally, the modest excitatory responses of SNr neurons to selective stimulation of striatal D1 receptors by co-infusions of SKF 82958 with the D2 antagonist YM09151-2 were not altered by lesions of the STN. These results implicate the STN as a mediator of excitatory response of SNr neurons to D2, and mixed D1/D2, dopamine receptor agonists in normal rats, and challenge conventional views on the role of the STN and the "indirect" pathway in regulating dopamine-stimulated output from the SNr.