Cyclooxygenases cyclooxygenase-mediated reactions

Several cases of hepatotoxicity associated with chaparral use have been described (see Section 16.5). The mechanism of chaparral-associated hepatotoxicity is unknown. It is not known if chaparral is an intrinsic hepatotoxin (i.e., toxic to everyone if the dose is sufficient) or an idiosyncratic hepatotoxin (i.e., toxic only to those who have certain genetically aberrant metabolic pathways or immune system defects). Proposed mechanisms of chaparral-associated hepatotoxicity include (1) inhibition of cyclooxygenase or cytochrome P-450, (2) an immune-mediated reaction, (3) formation of a toxic metabolite, (4) impairment of liver function by phytoestrogens found in chaparral, and (5) cholestatic mechanisms causing impairment of bile formation or excretion. There is likely overlap between the two categories and the various mechanisms. In addition, toxicity may be influenced by age, weight, nutritional status, exposure to other drugs and chemicals, cumulative dose, and preparation (i.e., tea, dried plant parts, etc.) (Sheikh et al., 1997). 

An (E)-selective CM reaction with an acrylate (Scheme 61) was applied by Smith and O Doherty in the enantioselective synthesis of three natural products with cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity (cryptocarya triacetate (312), cryptocaryolone (313), and cryptocaryolone diacetate (314)) [142]. CM reaction of homoallylic alcohol 309 with ethyl acrylate mediated by catalyst C led (E)-selectively to d-hydroxy enoate 310 in near quantitative yield. Subsequent Evans acetal-forming reaction of 310, which required the trans double bond in 310 to prevent lactonization, led to key intermediate 311 that was converted to 312-314. 

The biological membranes that surround cells and form the boundaries of intracellular organelles contain polyunsaturated fiitty acids, which are susceptible to oxidation. This reaction is used under controlled conditions by enzymes, such as the lipoxygenases or cyclooxygenases, within cells to produce oxygenated lipids, which can act as mediators of inflammation (Smith and Marnett, 1991 Yamamoto, 1992). Such compounds are characterized by their high potency and specificity in their interaction with cells (Salmon, 1986). While these enzymatic reactions... 

Classically, inflammation is a protective reaction of the body in response to some physical, chemical, or microbial injury and insult of the cells. Acute inflammation, rapid onset and shorter duration, is considered as a healthy response. However, when inflammation continues for prolonged period of time, it becomes detrimental and may raise the first step of a chronic disease (Medzhitov, 2008). Arachidonic acid/COX and nuclear factor- (NF- ) are well known inflammatory pathways which induce production of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes, and cytokines. Most commonly accepted mechanism of anti-inflammation is inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) activity. There are two kinds of cyclooxygenases COX-1 is natural protective enzyme of intestinal mucosa while COX-2 is induced by tissue damage as an inflammatory mediator (Maroon et al., 2006). NF- is a recently identified... 

Many of the foregoing acids have been shown to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. This involves several enzymic reactions and it is the first step, mediated by cyclooxygenase, that is usually stopped (Scheme 5). Aspirin has been shown to acetylate the enzyme, destroying its activity, but indomethacin and the arylacetic acids appear to compete with arachidonic acid for the active site on the enzyme. 

Vhe prostaglandins mediate inflammation and pain. Aspirin is a universally used drug. The pain-relieving properties of the drug are a consequence of its inhibition of cyclooxygenase. Aspirin covalently reacts with the enzyme, inhibiting the first reaction catalyzed by the enzyme, oxygenation. Daily doses of aspirin... 

Jatrorrhizine was found to possess anti-inflammatory activity as measured in the cobra venom factor-induced (CVF) rat paw edema. CVF edema was used to examine jatrorrhizine and other substances in order to detect novel compounds, since it has been shown that joint cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitors, as well as immunoreactive drugs, exhibit more pronounced inhibitory effects on CVF in comparison to carrageenin-induced edema. CVF edema is dependent on activation of the complement system which plays an important role in acute and chronic inflammatory reactions, mediating the activity of immune complexes. This test system represents a functionally new type of acute inflammation via activation of the alternative complement pathway [290]. 

The initial mediator is an enzyme complex known as cyclooxygenase (COX), which promotes the reaction of two oxygen molecules with free arachidonic acid to yield a transient hydroperoxy... 

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