Inflammation Phospholipase

Schaefer U, Schneider A, Rixen D, Neugebauer E (1998) Neutrophil adhesion to histamine stimulated cultured endothelial cells is primarily mediated via activation of phospholipase C and nitric oxide synthase isozymes. Inflamm Res 47(6) 256-264 Schaefer U, Schmitz V, Schneider A, Neugebauer E (1999) Histamine induced homologous and heterologous regulation of histamine receptor subtype mRNA expression in cultured endothelial ceUs. Shock 12(4) 309-315... 

Encompassing approx 6000 medicinal plant species, the medicinal flora of Asia and the Pacific comprise a fantastic source of pharmacologically active products, and the number of plant species principally used for the treatment of inflammation can be estimated to be more that 380. This chapter will focus on the potentials of medicinal plants of Asia as a source of original anti-inflammatory drugs, with particular interest payed to inhibitors of phospholipase A2, COX, lipoxygenases, elastase, and NOS. 

A. indica L. Indian Aristolochia, also known as Indian birthwort, ishvara (Sanskrit), or adagam (Tamil), is a bitter climber native to India. The medicinal material consists of the rhizome, which is to resolve inflammation (India), counteract insect poison, and as an antipyretic (Philippines and Vietnam). The rhizome contains aristolochic acid, which inhibits in vitro and dose-dependent phospholipid hydrolysis by the human synovial fluid phospholipase A2, snake venom phospholipase A2, porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2, and human platelet phospholipase A2 (2). 

Classical examples of anti-inflammatory Asteraceae are Arnica montana and Calendula officinalis, both used in European medicine to treat bruises and contusions. There is an expanding body of evidences to suggest that Asteraceae could be a useful source of anti-inflammatories, such as sesquiterpene lactones and/or triterpene alcohols, the latter being known to inhibit 12-O-tetra-decanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation in mice as efficiently as commercial indomethacine by possible inhibition of phospholipase A2 (10). 

Vishwanath BS, Fawzy AA, Franson R, et al. Edema-inducing activity of phospholipase A2 purified from human synovial fluid and inhibition by aristolochic acid. Inflammation 1988 12 549-561. 

Glucocorticosteroids are the most potent antiinflammatory agents available. They stabilize lysosomal membranes and reduce the concentration of proteolytic enzymes at the site of inflammation. They promote the synthesis of proteins called lipocortins which inhibit phospholipase-A2 and thus inhibit production of arachidonic acid, leukotrienes and prostaglandins. Furthermore, the expression of COX-II and through that the inflammatory effects of the licosanoids is inhibited. Glucocorticosteroids reduce the release of histamine from basophils, decrease capillary permeability and cause vasoconstriction. Glucocorticosteroids stimulate the loss of calcium with the urine and inhibit the resorption of calcium from the gut. 

Figure 8.9 Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are potent eicosanoid lipid mediators, derived from phospholipase-released arachidonic acids, that are involved in numerous homeostatic biological functions and inflammation. They are generated by cyclooxygenase isozymes and 5-lipoxygenase, respectively, and their biosynthesis and pharmacological actions are inhibited by clinically relevant nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Eurther work on the isolation of related compounds from mammalian sources, which spanned several decades, led to the identification of a large group of structurally related substances. Investigations on their biosynthesis made it evident that aU eventually arise from the oxidation of the endogenous substance, arachidonic acid. The individual products induce a variety of very potent biological responses, with inflammation predominating. Arachidonic acid, once freed from lipids by the enzyme phospholipase A2, can enter one of two branches of the arachidonic acid... 

Sponge-derived sesterterpenoids are potent anti-inflammatory metabolites which inhibit phospholipase A2 (Sipkema et ah, 2005a). In arachi-donic acid pathway of inflammatory response (Fig. 8.3), phospholipase A2 catalyzes the release of membrane-bound phospholipids to produce inflammatory mediators once stimulated by tissue injury. Manoalide (Fig. 8.4) is a best known sponge-derived anti-inflammatory sesterterpe-noid. Dysidotronic acid (Fig. 8.5), non-complex manoalide analogue, has been identified as an anti-inflammatory metabolite of the sponge Dysidea sp. The mechanism by which dysidotronic acid inhibit inflammation is much more selective and potent than manoalide. This sesquiterpenoid... 

Stimulated platelets release arachidonic acid rapidly from their phospholipids, apparently as a result of activation of phospholipase A2. The released arachidonate can in turn be metabolized to endoperoxides and thromboxane A2 (Chapter 21). These compounds are also potent activators of platelets and cause a self-activating or autocrine effect.1) While PAF has a beneficial function, it can under some conditions contribute in a dangerous way to inflammation and to allergic responses including anaphylaxis,) asthmag and cold-induced urticaria.1 Although the effect of PAF is separate from those of histamine and of leukotrienes, these agents may act cooperatively to induce inflammation.1... 

Prostaglandins have been implicated both in the induction of inflammation and in its relief. In inflammation small blood vessels become dilated, and fluid and proteins leak into the interstitial spaces to produce the characteristic swelling (edema). Many polymorphonuclear leukocytes attracted by chemotactic factors that include LTB4309 (Chapter 19) migrate into the inflamed area, engulfing dead tissue and bacteria. In this process lysosomes of the leukocytes release phospholipase A, which hydrolyzes phospholipids and initiates the arachidonate cascade. The leukotrienes that are formed promote the inflammatory response. However, cAMP can suppress inflammation, and PGE2 has a similar effect. Indeed, E prostaglandins, when inhaled in small amounts, relieve asthma. 

Arachidonic acid is stored in membranes as phospholipids with C2o polyunsaturated fatty acids in the SN-2 position. Phospholipase A2 releases arachidonic acid, which is then used to synthesize prostaglandins, which induce inflammation. 

---