Direct inhibition of calcineurin by caffeoyl phenylethanoid glycosides from Teucrium chamaedrys and Nepeta cataria.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Teucrium chamaedrys L. and Nepeta cataria L. (Lamiaceae) are species with traditional uses that relate to the treatment of inflammation. Extracts of both species were found to inhibit calcineurin; an important regulator of T-cell mediated inflammation that has received little attention in ethnopharmacological research.
Materials and Methods: Extracts and isolated compounds were tested against calcineurin in its calmodulin-activated and basal un-activated state. Active compounds were isolated using Sephadex LH-20 gel filtration and HPLC then identified using NMR spectroscopy.
Results and Conclusions: Activity-guided fractionation of Teucrium chamaedrys and Nepeta cataria led to the isolation of the caffeoyl phenylethanoid glycosides teucrioside, verbascoside and lamiuside A (teupolioside). The three compounds inhibited calcineurin both in the presence and absence of calmodulin, suggesting a direct interaction with calcineurin. Calcineurin inhibition should be considered as a potential mode of action when investigating the immunomodulatory activity of caffeoyl phenylethanoid glycoside containing plants.
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