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Antiphagocytic and antioxidant properties of plant alkaloid tetrandrine.

Abstract
The effects of tetrandrine, a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid useful in the treatment of silicosis, on a broad range of human neutrophil activities was examined in vitro. Random movement, chemotaxis and phagocytosis were significantly suppressed. There was minimal but significant inhibition of lysosomal enzyme secretion from specific (secondary) but not azurophil (primary) granules. The same concentration of tetrandrine (10 micrograms/ml) caused marked depression of hexose-monophosphate shunt activity and hydrogen peroxide production, but inhibition of superoxide anion generation was observed even at a concentration of 0.1 microgram/ml. This discrepancy was attributed to the capacity of tetrandrine to scavenge oxygen radicals, as shown by experiments using hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase to generate superoxide. These potent antiphagocytic and antioxidant properties of tetrandrine may account for some of its remarkable anti-inflammatory effects.
AuthorsW K Seow, A Ferrante, S Y Li, Y H Thong
JournalInternational archives of allergy and applied immunology (Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol) Vol. 85 Issue 4 Pg. 404-9 ( 1988) ISSN: 0020-5915 [Print] Switzerland
PMID3356473 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Alkaloids
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Benzylisoquinolines
  • tetrandrine
Topics
  • Alkaloids (pharmacology)
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Benzylisoquinolines
  • Cell Movement
  • Humans
  • Neutrophils (cytology, drug effects, metabolism)
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Phagocytosis (drug effects)

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