Modulatory Effect of Chelidonium majus Extract and Its Alkaloids on LPS-Stimulated Cytokine Secretion in Human Neutrophils

Abstract

Due to certain differences in terms of molecular structure, isoquinoline alkaloids from Chelidonium majus engage in various biological activities. Apart from their well-documented antimicrobial potential, some phenanthridine and protoberberine derivatives as well as C. majus extract present with anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects. In this study, the LC–MS/MS method was used to determine alkaloids, phenolic acids, carboxylic acids, and hydroxybenzoic acids. We investigated five individually tested alkaloids (coptisine, berberine, chelidonine, chelerythrine, and sanguinarine) as well as C. majus root extract for their effect on the secretion of IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils). Berberine, chelidonine, and chelerythrine significantly decreased the secretion of TNF-α in a concentration-dependent manner. Sanguinarine was found to be the most potent inhibitor of IL-1β secretion. However, the overproduction of IL-8 and TNF-α and a high cytotoxicity for these compounds were observed. Coptisine was highly cytotoxic and slightly decreased the secretion of the studied cytokines. The extract (1.25–12.5 μg/mL) increased cytokine secretion in a concentration-dependent manner, but an increase in cytotoxicity was also noted. The alkaloids were active at very low concentrations (0.625–2.5 μM), but their potential cytotoxic effects, except for chelidonine and chelerythrine, should not be ignored.

Molecular Characterization, Expression Analysis of Carotenoid, Xanthophyll, Apocarotenoid Pathway Genes, and Carotenoid and Xanthophyll Accumulation in Chelidonium majus L.

“…The aerial parts of this plant consist of isoquinoline alkaloids (berberine, chelerythrine, chelidonine, coptisine, sangui-narine, and stylopine), whereas herbs of C. majus consist of carotenoids, flavonoids, organic acids, and proteins [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. The extract of C. majus has various antioxidant properties (elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and protection from oxidative stress), with a wide range of medicinal properties such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-spasmodic, antitumor, antiviral, choleretic, and hepatoprotective properties [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. It has also been used for the treatment of asthma, cancer, chronic bronchitis, eczema, gastrointestinal diseases, liver disorder, oral infection, pain and nervous disorders, ringworm, and ulcer [ 5 , 9 , 13 ].…”

Antibiofilm and Antimicrobial-Enhancing Activity of Chelidonium majus and Corydalis cheilanthifolia Extracts against Multidrug-Resistant Helicobacter pylori

“…Finally, the cytotoxicity against stomach- and liver-derived cells may be associated with an inflammatory response manifested by cytokine expression and release. In our previous study on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human neutrophils [ 57 ], we found that several alkaloids (sanguinarine, berberine, chelidonine, and chelerythrine) contained in the extracts from both tested plants [ 56 ], depending on the specific concentrations, had a dual anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory effect. Hence, the inflammatory response of stomach and liver cells and tissues upon treatment with the antibacterial extracts should be considered in future studies, including in vivo models.…”

Effect of Protoberberine-Rich Fraction of Chelidonium majus L. on Endometriosis Regression

“…The plant is a rich source of protoberberine alkaloids such as berberine, dihydroberberine, coptisine, sanguinarine, and protopine. Several recent reports have indicated that coptisine and sanguinarine have various biological activities and show anti-proliferative properties [ 27 ]. In our recent studies, we showed that some of these compounds (berberine and coptisine) can act synergistically; thus, the multi-component composition of these extracts may significantly increase their pharmaceutical activity.…”