Enantiomers of higenamine inhibit LPS-induced iNOS in a macrophage cell line and improve the survival of mice with experimental endotoxemia.

Abstract

The importance of development of single enantiomers (optically pure isomers) of chiral molecules has been recognized and manifested in countless pharmaceutical and biological advancement. (RS)-(+/-)-Higenamine (racemic mixture), an active ingredient of Aconite tuber, has been shown to have antioxidant activity along with inhibitory action of iNOS expression in various cells. In the present study, the effects of each enantiomer of higenamine [(S)-(-)-higenamine and (R)-(+)-higenamine] were investigated in comparison with the effects of racemic mixture [(RS)-(+/-)-higenamine] on iNOS expression and NO production in RAW 264.7 cells activated with LPS. In addition, the effects of higenamine enantiomers on the survival rates were also investigated using mice, in which each test compound was injected (i.p.) 90 min prior to LPS. All three forms of higenamine inhibited iNOS expression and reduced NO production with IC50 of 26.2, 86.3, and 53.4 microM, for (S)-, (R)-, and (RS)-higenamine, respectively. (S)-higenamine also significantly reduced serum NOx level and increased survival rates in LPS-treated mice. In contrast, (R)-isomer only showed tendency to increase the survival rates which was not statistically significant when compared to LPS-treated controls. Taken together, it was concluded that (S)-higenamine may be more beneficial than (R)-enantiomer in diseases associated with iNOS over-expression, such as septic shock.

• Authors: Jee Eun Park, Young Jin Kang, Min Kyu Park, Young Soo Lee, Hye Jung Kim, Han Geuk Seo, Jae Heun Lee, Yun-Choi Hye Sook, Jae Soo Shin, Hong Woo Lee, Soon Kil Ahn, Ki Churl Chang
• Journal: International immunopharmacology (Int Immunopharmacol) Vol. 6 Issue 2 Pg. 226-33 (Feb 2006) ISSN: 1567-5769 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 16399627 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Alkaloids
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Lipopolysaccharides
• Tetrahydroisoquinolines
• Nitric Oxide
• Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
• higenamine

Topics

• Alkaloids (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Cell Line
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Endotoxemia (drug therapy, mortality)
• Lipopolysaccharides (pharmacology)
• Macrophages (drug effects, enzymology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred ICR
• Nitric Oxide (analysis, biosynthesis)
• Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• Oxygen Consumption (drug effects)
• Stereoisomerism
• Stimulation, Chemical
• Survival
• Tetrahydroisoquinolines (chemistry, pharmacology)