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Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpene isolated from the gum resin exudate of the tree Boswellia serrata (frankincense). Because pentacyclic triterpenes have antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects against different tumor types, we investigated whether AKBA would act in a similar fashion on primary human meningioma cell cultures. Primary cell cultures were established from surgically removed meningioma specimens. The number of viable cells in the absence/presence of AKBA was determined by the non-radioactive cell proliferation assay. The activation status of the proliferative cell marker, extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 (Erk-1 and Erk-2) was determined by immunoblotting with the antibody that recognizes the activated form of these proteins. Treatment of meningioma cells by AKBA revealed a potent cytotoxic activity with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations in the range of 2 - 8 microM. At low micromolar concentrations, AKBA rapidly and potently inhibited the phosphorylation of Erk-1/2 and impaired the motility of meningioma cells stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor BB. The cytotoxic action of AKBA on meningioma cells may be mediated, at least in part, by the inhibition of the Erk signal transduction pathway. Because of the central role the Erk pathway plays in signal transduction and tumorigenesis, further investigation into the potential clinical use for AKBA and related boswellic acids is warranted.

Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpene isolated from the gum resin exudate from the stem of the tree Boswellia serrata (frankincense). AKBA has been recently identified as a novel, orally active, non-redox and non-competitive 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor that also inhibits topisomerase I and II in vitro. Because natural pentacyclic triterpenes have an antiproliferative effect against different tumor types, we investigated the effects of AKBA on the proliferation of 11 primary cell cultures established from human surgical specimens of meningiomas, common central nervous system tumors. Treatment of meningioma cells by AKBA revealed a potent cytotoxic activity with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations in the range of 2-8 microM. At similar, physiologically achievable concentrations, AKBA rapidly (within minutes) and potently inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (Erk-1 and Erk-2) in meningioma cells stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor BB. High expression level of 5-LO was detected in primary meningioma cells and surgical specimens by immunoblotting analysis, suggesting the possible role of 5-LO in meningioma tumorigenesis. Considering the critical importance of the Erk-1/2 signal transduction pathway not only in meningiomas but in other human neoplasms, the interruption of signaling through this evolutionarily conserved pathway might be one of the mechanisms by which AKBA induces suppression of proliferation and apoptosis of different tumor types.

Commercially available extracts from Boswellia serrata resin used as anti-inflammatory drugs or phytonutrients show paradoxical concentration-dependent potentiating and inhibitory actions on 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) product synthesis in stimulated PMNs. In our attempt to characterize the stimulating constituents, we identified the tetracyclic triterpene 3-oxo-tirucallic acid (3-oxo-TA), which, in the range from 2.5 to 15 microM, enhanced 5-LO product formation in ionophore-challenged polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) (e.g., from 1981 +/- 177 to 3042 +/- 208 pmol at 10 microM 3-oxo-TA), and initiated Ca(2+) mobilization, MEK-1/2 phosphorylation, 5-LO translocation, and 5-LO product formation in resting cells (534 +/- 394 pmol/5 x 10(6) PMNs). In cell-free 5-LO assays, 3-oxo-TA acted only inhibitory (IC(50) value of about 3 microM), demonstrating the pivotal role of intact cell structure for its activating property. In 3-oxo-TA-challenged PMNs, the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)-1/2 inhibitor PD098059 abolished 5-LO product formation, along with inhibition of MEK-1/2 phosphorylation and 5-LO translocation. The 3-acetoxy derivative of 3-oxo-TA acted like 3-oxo-TA in intact PMNs, whereas 3-hydroxy-TA barely stimulated MEK phosphorylation in resting cells and showed only inhibition on ionophore-induced 5-LO product synthesis. Steroid-type tetracycles neither induced 5-LO activation nor had enhancing or inhibitory effects. In summary, defined natural tetracyclic triterpenes, which act as inhibitors of the 5-LO in the cell-free assay, initiate 5-LO activation by a MEK-inhibitor sensitive mechanism and potentiate stimulated product synthesis in intact cells. Because TAs contribute significantly to the overall biological effects of B. serrata resin extracts, special precaution for standardization is recommended when using B. serrata preparations as drugs or dietary supplements.

Patients studied here suffered from chronic colitis characterized by vague lower abdominal pain, bleeding per rectum with diarrhoea and palpable tender descending and sigmoid colon. The inflammatory process in colitis is associated with increased formation of leukotrienes causing chemotaxis, chemokinesis, synthesis of superoxide radicals and release of lysosomal enzymes by phagocytes. The key enzyme for leukotriene biosynthesis is 5-lipoxygenase. Boswellic acids were found to be non-redox, non-competitive specific inhibitors of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase. We studied the gum resin of Boswellia serrata for the treatment of this disease. Thirty patients, 17 males and 13 females in the age range of 18 to 48 years with chronic colitis were included in this study. Twenty patients were given a preparation of the gum resin of Boswellia serrata (900 mg daily divided in three doses for 6 weeks) and ten patients were given sulfasalazine (3 gm daily divided in three doses for 6 weeks) and served as controls. Out of 20 patients treated with Boswellia gum resin 18 patients showed an improvement in one or more of the parameters: including stool properties, histopathology as well as scanning electron microscopy, besides haemoglobin, serum iron, calcium, phosphorus, proteins, total leukocytes and eosinophils. In the control group 6 out of 10 patients showed similar results with the same parameters. Out of 20 patients treated with Boswellia gum resin 14 went into remission while in case of sulfasalazine remission rate was 4 out of 10. In conclusion, this study shows that a gum resin preparation from Boswellia serrata could be effective in the treatment of chronic colitis with minimal side effects.

The gum resin extract from Boswellia serrata (H15), an herbal product, was recently shown to have positive therapeutic effects in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the mechanisms and constituents responsible for these effects are poorly understood. This study examined the effect of the Boswellia extract and its single constituent acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) on leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in an experimental model of IBD. Ileitis was induced by two subcutaneous injections of indomethacin (7.5 mg/kg) in Sprague-Dawley rats 24 h apart. Rats also received oral treatment with the Boswellia extract (H15) or AKBA at two different doses (low and high) equivalent to recommendations in human disease over 2 days. Controls received only the carriers NaHCO3 (subcutaneously) and tylose (orally). Effects of treatment were assessed by intravital microscopy in ileal submucosal venules for changes in the number of rolling and adherent leukocytes and by macroscopic and histological scoring. Increased leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesive interactions and severe tissue injury accompanied indomethacin-induced ileitis. Treatment with the Boswellia extract or AKBA resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in rolling (up to 90%) and adherent (up to 98%) leukocytes. High-dose Boswellia extract as well as both low- and high-dose AKBA significantly attenuated tissue injury scores. Oral therapy with the Boswellia extract or AKBA significantly reduces macroscopic and microcirculatory inflammatory features normally associated with indomethacin administration, indicating that the anti-inflammatory actions of the Boswellia extract in IBD may be due in part to boswellic acids such as AKBA.

Preparations from the gum of Boswellia spec. have been used in the traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Extracts from B. serrata gum were shown to inhibit leukotriene biosynthesis by impairing the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) activity. In order to identify the minimal effective concentrations of extracts in vitro we studied the effects of ethanolic extracts from commercially available resins from two regions (B. serrata gum from India and Olibanum in granis from Arabia) on the 5-LO product formation from endogenous substrate in calcium and ionophore stimulated neutrophils in a defined concentration range. Both extracts inhibited 5-LO product formation in vitro in concentrations greater than 10 to 15 micrograms/ml as reported previously for an ethanolic B. serrata extract. In contrast, lower concentrations of extracts (1 to 10 micrograms/ml) even potentiated 5-LO product formation, especially the biosynthesis of 5(S)-HETE. The in vitro data underline the major importance of drug standardization when Boswellia resin containing preparations are used for the treatment of diseases.

The gum resin of Boswellia serrata, known in Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine as Salai guggal, contains boswellic acids, which have been shown to inhibit leukotriene biosynthesis. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study forty patients, 23 males and 17 females in the age range of 18 - 75 years having mean duration of illness, bronchial asthma, of 9.58 +/- 6.07 years were treated with a preparation of gum resin of 300 mg thrice daily for a period of 6 weeks. 70% of patients showed improvement of disease as evident by disappearance of physical symptoms and signs such as dyspnoea, rhonchi, number of attacks, increase in FEV subset1, FVC and PEFR as well as decrease in eosinophilic count and ESR. In the control group of 40 patients 16 males and 24 females in the age range of 14-58 years with mean of 32.95 +/- 12.68 were treated with lactose 300 mg thrice daily for 6 weeks. Only 27% of patients in the control group showed improvement. The data show a definite role of gum resin of Boswellia serrata in the treatment of bronchial asthma.

AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid), a natural pentacyclic triterpene, is an orally active leukotriene-synthesis inhibitor, which acts by a 5-lipoxygenase-directed, non-redox, non-competitive mechanism. It is the only leukotriene-synthesis inhibitor so far identified that inhibits 5-lipoxygenase activity as an allosteric regulator and not by a reducing or competitive mechanism. To characterize AKBA's effector site we prepared azido125I-KBA (4-azido-5-125iodo-salicyloyl-beta-alanyl-11-keto-beta-bo swellic acid) as a photoaffinity analogue, which inhibited 5-lipoxygenase activity as efficiently as the lead compound and specifically labeled human 5-lipoxygenase protein. The labeling of 5-lipoxygenase by azido-125I-KBA strictly depended on the presence of calcium ([Ca2+]free > 500 nM) and was abolished by heat denaturation or by prior incubation with a series of pentacyclic triterpenes (e.g., amyrin, beta-boswellic acid, AKBA and 18a-glycyrrhetinic acid). In contrast, 18-beta-glycyrrhetinic acid and competitive 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors (e.g., ZM-230,487 and L-739,010) did not affect labeling. Arachidonic acid, in enzyme-activity-inhibiting concentrations, reduced photoincorporation (IC50 about 10 microM), whereas a variety of other long-chain fatty acids and their derivatives (e.g., arachidinic acid, arachidonic acid methyl ester, lipoxins A4 and B4) had no effect. The inhibitory arachidonate action on labeling was not affected by blocking the substrate-binding site by micromolar amounts of the competitive inhibitor L-739,010. Therefore, we suggest that AKBA binds in presence of calcium to a site which is distinct from the substrate binding site of 5-lipoxygenase. The AKBA-binding site is likely to be identical with a regulatory, second arachidonate binding site of the enzyme.

Mixed acetylboswellic acids, pentacyclic triterpenes extracted from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata Roxb., significantly inhibited the ionophore-stimulated release of the leukotrienes (LT) B4 and C4 from intact human polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes (PMNLs), with IC50 values of 8.48 micrograms/ml and 8.43 micrograms/ml, respectively. Purified acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid was about three times more potent as inhibitor of the formation of both LTB4 (IC50 = 2.53 micrograms/ml) and LTC4 (IC50 = 2.26 micrograms/ml) from human PMNLs in the same assay. The comparative agent MK 886 (3-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-t-butyl-thio-5-isopropylindol-2-yl]- 2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid, L-663,536, CAS 118, 414-82-7) was about 10 to 100-fold more active than the boswellic acids in inhibiting the formation of 5-lipoxygenase products in human PMNLs, with IC50 values of 0.0068 microgram/ml (LTB4) and 0.49 microgram/ml (LTC4). After daily intraperitoneal dosage the extract of mixed acetylboswellic acids (20 mg/kg) significantly reduced the clinical symptoms in guinea pigs with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) between days 11 and 21. However, the inflammatory infiltrates in the brain and the spinal cord were not significantly less extensive in the treated animals than in the respective control group. The multiple intraperitoneal application of boswellic acids did not inhibit the ionophore-challenged ex vivo release of leukotrienes B4 and C4 from PMNLs separated from the blood of guinea pigs with EAE. The boswellic acids have thus been characterized as selective, non-redox and potent inhibitors of the biosynthesis of leukotrienes in vitro.

Differentiation of HL-60 cells along the granulocytic lineage by DMSO in the presence of transforming growth factor-beta and low concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 leads to the upregulation of 5-lipoxygenase activity in 100,000 g supernatants and intact cells to levels which are comparable to normal granulocytes. Similarly, differentiation of the human monocytic cell line Mono Mac 6 by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and transforming growth factor-beta strongly upregulates the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. Here, we describe an assay system for leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors which is based on the in-vitro differentiation of HL-60 and Mono Mac 6 cells. Different leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors like the nonredox type inhibitor ZM 230487, the redox type inhibitor BW A4C and the FLAP inhibitor MK886 were tested and the results were compared with an assay system based on normal human granulocytes. ZM 230487, BWA4C and MK886 showed similar potencies in these cell lines as compared to normal leukocytes. Thus, the in-vitro differentiation of HL-60 and Mono Mac 6 cells provides an excellent model for the screening of drugs affecting the 5-lipoxygenase pathway.

Opening of dihydropyridine-sensitive voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+-channels (LTCCs) represents the final common pathway for insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells and related cell lines. In insulin-secreting cells their exact subunit composition is unknown. We therefore investigated the subunit structure of (+)-[3H]isradipine-labeled LTCCs in insulin-secreting RINm5F cells. Using subunit-specific antibodies we demonstrate that alpha1C subunits (199 kDa, short form) contribute only a minor portion of the total alpha1 immunoreactivity in membranes and partially purified Ca2+-channel preparations. However, alpha1C forms a major constituent of (+)-[3H]isradipine-labeled LTCCs as 54% of solubilized (+)-[3H]isradipine-binding activity was specifically immunoprecipitated by alpha1C antibodies. Phosphorylation of immunopurified alpha1C with cAMP-dependent protein kinase revealed the existence of an additional 240-kDa species (long form), that remained undetected in Western blots. Fifty seven percent of labeled LTCCs were immunoprecipitated by an anti-beta-antibody directed against all known beta-subunits. Isoform-specific antibodies revealed that these mainly corresponded to beta1b- and beta3-subunits. We found beta2- and beta4-subunits to be major constituents of cardiac and brain L-type channels, respectively, but not part of L-type channels in RINm5F cells. We conclude that alpha1C is a major constituent of dihydropyridine-labeled LTCCs in RINm5F cells, its long form serving as a substrate for cAMP-dependent protein kinase. beta1b- and beta3-Subunits were also found to associate with L-type channels in these cells. These isoforms may therefore represent biochemical targets for the modulation of LTCC activity in RINm5F cells.

Frankincense extracts and boswellic acids, biologically active pentacyclic triterpenes of frankincense, block leukotriene biosynthesis and exert potent anti-inflammatory effects. Screening for additional effects of boswellic acids on further proinflammatory pathways, we observed that acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid, an established direct, nonredox and noncompetitive 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, decreased the activity of human leukocyte elastase (HLE) in vitro with an IC50 value of about 15 microM. Among the pentacyclic triterpenes tested in concentrations up to 20 microM, we also observed substantial inhibtion by beta-boswellic acid, amyrin and ursolic acid, but not by 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid. The data show that the dual inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase and HLE is unique to boswellic acids: other pentacyclic triterpenes with HLE inhibitory activities (e.g., ursolic acid and amyrin) do not inhibit 5-lipoxygenase, and leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors from different chemical classes (e.g., NDGA, MK-886 and ZM-230,487) do not impair HLE activity. Because leukotriene formation and HLE release are increased simultaneously by neutrophil stimulation in a variety of inflammation- and hypersensitivity-based human diseases, the reported blockade of two proinflammatory enzymes by boswellic acids might be the rationale for the putative antiphlogistic activity of acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid and derivatives.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon where leukotrienes are suggested to play an important role for keeping inflammation active. Boswellic acids, the biologically active ingredients of the gum resin of Boswellia serrata (Sallai guggal), have been shown to be specific, nonredox and noncompetitive inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase, the key enzyme of leukotriene biosynthesis. In patients suffering from ulcerative colitis grade II and III the effect of Boswellia serrata gum resin preparation (350 mg thrice daily for 6 weeks) on stool properties, histolopathology and scan microscopy of rectal biopsies, blood parameters including Hb, serum iron, calcium, phosphorus, proteins, total leukocytes and eosinophils was studied. Patients receiving sulfasalazine (1 g thrice daily) served as controls. All parameters tested improved after treatment with Boswellia serrata gum resin, the results being similar compared to controls: 82% out of treated patients went into remission; in case of sulfasalazine remission rate was 75%.

1. 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) products from endogenous arachidonic acid in ionophore-stimulated peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and from exogenous substrate (20 microM) in 105,000 g supernatants were measured. 2. The effects of natural pentacyclic triterpenes and their derivatives on 5-LOX activity were compared with the inhibitory action of acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA), which has been previously shown to inhibit the 5-LOX by a selective, enzyme-directed, non-redox and non-competitive mechanism. 3. The 5-LOX inhibitory potency of AKBA was only slightly diminished by deacetylation of the acetoxy group or reduction of the carboxyl function to alcohol in intact cells (IC50 = 1.5 vs. 3 and 4.5 microM, respectively) and in the cell-free system (8 vs. 20 and 45 microM). 4. beta-Boswellic acid (beta-BA), lacking the 11-keto function, inhibited 5-LOX only partially and incompletely, whereas the corresponding alcohol from beta-BA, as well as amyrin, acetyl-11-keto-amyrin, 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid methyl ester had no 5-LOX inhibitory activity up to 50 microM in either system. 5. beta-BA only partially prevented the AKBA-induced 5-LOX inhibition, whereas the non-inhibitory compounds, amyrin and acetyl-11-keto-amyrin, almost totally antagonized the AKBA effect and shifted the concentration-inhibition curve for the incomplete inhibitor beta-BA to the right. In contrast, the non-inhibitory 11-keto-beta-BA methyl ester exerted no antagonizing effect. 6. The results demonstrate that the pentacyclic triterpene ring system is crucial for binding to the highly selective effector site, whereas functional groups (especially the 11-keto function in addition to a hydrophilic group on C4 of ring A) are essential for 5-LOX inhibitory activity.

Thiols have been shown to be related to insulin secretion and to uptake of glucose into tissues. In the present study the effects of i.v. administration of acetylcysteine (N-acetylcysteine, NAC, CAS 616-91-1) on glucose consumption and plasma free thiols were studied in young healthy volunteers during hyperglycemic clamp. NAC (0.5-2.0 mg/kg) significantly increased glucose consumption. This effect was not obvious at higher doses of NAC. Plasma free NAC depended on the dose of NAC injected. The t1/2 of NAC was 11 min. NAC produced significant increases of plasma cysteine concentrations, and a slight but insignificantly increase of plasma glutathione. These data suggest that a moderate increase in plasma thiols augments glucose consumption during hyperglycemic clamp.

1. Methylation of endogenous lipids by homogenates of rat insulinoma cells was studied. 2. 3H-methyl groups (38 pmol/mg protein per 10 min) from [3H-methyl]S-adenosyl-L-methionine were incorporated into endogenous lipids, mainly (greater than 80%) into the neutral lipid fraction. 3. The reaction was sensitive to heat, was almost abolished by S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine, but insensitive to the addition of EGTA (5 mM), Ca2+ (5-100 microM) and/or calmodulin (15 microns). 4. At concentrations relevant for calmodulin antagonistic activity strong inhibition by W7 and trifluoperazine (25-100 microM each), but not by CGS 9343B (10 microM), was observed. 5. Calmodulin antagonists of phenothiazine- and sulfonamide-type appear to block the fatty acid methyltransferase in a way unrelated to calmodulin.

CGS 9343B:1,3-Dihydro-1-[1-[4-methyl-4H,6H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]-[4,1] benzoxazepin-4-yl)methyl)-4-piperidinyl]-2H-benzimidazol-2-o ne maleate and W7:N-6(aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide) are calmodulin antagonists with different specificities. The effects of CGS 9343B and W7 on cytosolic free calcium concentration ([ Ca2+]i) and insulin release were investigated in rat insulinoma cells (RINm5F). As measured with the Quin-2 technique, preincubation with CGS 9343B (0.3-10 microM) and W7 (5-50 microM) concentration dependently decreased KCl (25 mM)-mediated accumulation of cytosolic calcium. Both, CGS 9343B (10 microM) and W7 (50-100 microM) almost abolished the alanine- and KCl-induced increase in [Ca2+]i and significantly inhibited KCl (25 mM)- and alanine (10 mM)-mediated insulin release. W5 (100 microM), the chlorine-deficient analogue of W7 with decreased affinity for calmodulin, did not inhibit the KCl-induced increase in [Ca2+]i and enhanced basal and KCl-mediated insulin release by 56% and 189%, respectively. Our data suggest that CGS 9343B and W7 inhibit the depolarization-induced calcium uptake and subsequent increase in [Ca2+]i.

Ebselen, a new organoselenium compound with pronounced anti-inflammatory properties, selectively inhibits the formation of leukotriene B4 in human and porcine leukocytes with half-maximal inhibition at 4.0 and 2.7 mumol/1, respectively. The underlying mechanism was found to be a cis-trans-isomerisation of leukotriene B4 to the 5S, 12R-6-trans-isomer. 5-Hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid was also isomerised to the 8-trans-isomer. At higher concentrations, ebselen induces a dose-dependent decrease in the sum of total 5-lipoxygenase products with half-maximal inhibition at 30 mumol/1. Additionally, the effects of ebselen on human platelet 12-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase were investigated. Human platelet 12-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase were inhibited in a dose dependent manner with half-maximal inhibition at 20 mumol/1 and 5 mumol/1, respectively. We suggest that suppression of leukotriene B4-formation by isomerisation to a biologically inactive compound represents a promising approach to the therapy of inflammation.

Suspensions of rat peritoneal PMNLs elicited with glycogen were stimulated by calcium and an ionophore to produce leukotrienes from endogenous arachidonic acid. We investigated the effect of the non-toxic, anti-inflammatory seleno-organic compound, ebselen (PZ 51). When ethanolic extracts of the medium of stimulated cells were analysed by HPLC, a dose-dependent inhibition by ebselen of LTB4 formation with a concomitant decrease of 5-HETE production was found. Half-maximum inhibition was observed at 20 mumoles/l ebselen. Similar findings were obtained after analysis of chloroform extracts of both cells and medium using a different HPLC system. Under these conditions, enhanced 5-HETE formation was associated with reduced production of LTB4 and other di-HETE isomers, when purified glutathione peroxidase + GSH were present. We conclude that the reported GSH peroxidase-like activity of ebselen, catalysing the reduction of 5-HPETE to 5-HETE, can not account for our findings. Therefore, the lipoxygenase reaction itself apparently represents the site of inhibition of LTB4 formation by ebselen.