Planta Med 2009; 75(3): 211-215
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1088374
Pharmacology
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Oleanolic Acid by Inhibition of Secretory Phospholipase A2

Kattepura K. Dharmappa1 , Raju Venkatesh Kumar1 , Angaswamy Nataraju1 , 2 , Riyaz Mohamed1 , Holenarasipura V. Shivaprasad1 , Bannikuppe S. Vishwanath1
  • 1Department of Studies in Biochemistry, University of Mysore, Mysore, India
  • 2Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Received: April 16, 2008 Revised: October 16, 2008

Accepted: October 23, 2008

Publication Date:
11 December 2008 (online)

Abstract

Oleanolic acid, a triterpenoid known for its anti-inflammatory properties, is commonly present in several medicinal plants. The present study evaluated the effect of oleanolic acid on sPLA2, a key enzyme in inflammatory reactions. Oleanolic acid inhibited sPLA2 activities of human synovial fluid (HSF), human pleural fluid (HPF) and Vipera russelli (VRV-PL-V) and Naja naja (NN-PL-I) snake venoms in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 values of sPLA2 from these sources ranged from 3.08 to 7.78 μM. Increasing calcium (Ca2+) concentrations from 2.5 to 15 mM and substrate concentration up to 180 nM did not affect the level of inhibition. Oleanolic acid enhanced the relative intrinsic fluorescence intensity of sPLA2 (VRV-PL-V). In the presence of oleanolic acid, an apparent shift in the far UV-CD spectrum of sPLA2 was observed. These studies indicate direct interaction with the enzyme and formation of an sPLA2-oleanolic acid complex. The complex formed resulted in irreversible inhibition of sPLA2. Oleanolic acid inhibited indirect hemolytic activity and mouse paw edema induced by sPLA2. Inhibition of in vitro and in vivo sPLA2 activity by oleanolic acid explains the observed anti-inflammatory properties of several oleanolic acid-containing medicinal plants.

Abbreviations

COX.1/2:cyclooxygenase-1/2

HPF:human pleural fluid

HSF:human synovial fluid

LOX:lipoxygenase

NN-PL-I:Naja naja phospholipase-I

PAF:platelet activation factor

p-BPB:para-bromophenacyl bromide

sPLA2:secretory phospholipase A2

UV-CD:ultraviolet circular dichroism

VRV-PL-V:Vipera russelli venom phospholipase-V

References

  • 1 Uhl W, Buchler M, Nevalainen T J, Deller A, Beger H G. Serum phospholipase A2 in patients with multiple injuries.  J Trauma. 1990;  30 1285-90
  • 2 Nevalainen T J, Gronroos J M, Kortesuo P T. Pancreatic and synovial type phospholipases A2 in serum samples from patients with severe acute pancreatitis.  Gout. 1993;  34 1133-6
  • 3 Haapamaki M M, Gronroos J M, Nurmi H, Alanen K, Kallajoki M, Nevalainen T J. Gene expression of group II phospholipase A2 in intestine in ulcerative colitis.  Gout. 1997;  40 95-100
  • 4 Anderson S, Sjursen W, Laegreid A, Volden G, Johansen B. Elevated expression of human non-pancreatic phospholipase A2 in psoriatic tissue.  Inflammation. 1994;  18 1-12
  • 5 Nanda B L, Nataraju A, Rajesh R, Rangappa K S, Shekar M A, Vishwanath B S. PLA2 mediated arachidonate free radicals: PLA2 inhibition and neutralization of free radicals by anti-oxidants: a new role as anti-inflammatory molecule.  Curr Top Med Chem. 2007;  7 765-77
  • 6 Krug H F, Mattern D, Bidault J, Ninio E. Effects of organometals on cellular signaling II Inhibition of reincorporation of free arachidonic acid and influence on paf-acether synthesis by triethyllead.  Environ Health Perspect. 1994;  102 331-4
  • 7 Vane J R, Botting R M. Anti-inflammatory drugs and their mechanism of action.  Inflamm Res. 1998;  47 78-87
  • 8 Sadashiva M P, Nataraju A, Mallesha H, Rajesh R, Vishwanath B S, Rangappa K S. Synthesis and evaluation of trimethoxyphenyl isoxazolidines as inhibitors of secretory phospholipase A2 with anti-inflammatory activity.  Int J Mol Med. 2005;  16 895-904
  • 9 Monti M C, Casapullo A, Riccio R, Paloma L G. Further insights on the structural aspects of PLA2 inhibition by hydroxybutenolide-containing natural products: a comparative study on petrosaspongiolides M–R.  Bioorg Med Chem. 2003;  12 1467-74
  • 10 Stefanski E, Pruzanski W, Sternby B, Vadas P. Purification of a soluble phopsholipase A2 from synovial fluid in rheumatoid arthritis.  J Biochem. 1986;  100 1297-303
  • 11 Kasturi S, Gowda T V. Purification and characterization of a major phopsholipase A2 from Russell’s viper (Vipera russellii) venom.  Toxicon. 1989;  27 229-37
  • 12 Rudrammaji L M, Gowda T V. Purification and characterisation of three acidic, cytotoxic phospholipase A2 from Indian cobra (Naja naja ) venom.  Toxicon. 1988;  36 921-32
  • 13 Lowry O H, Rosebrough N J, Farr A L, Randall R J. Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent.  J Biol Chem. 1951;  193 265-75
  • 14 Patriarca P, Beckerdite S, Elsbach P. Phospholipases and phospholipid turnover in Escherichia coli spheroplasts.  Biochim Biophys Acta. 1972;  260 593-600
  • 15 Vishwanath B S, Frey F J, Bradbury M J, Dallman M F, Frey B M. Glucocorticoid deficiency increases phospholipse A2 activity in rats.  J Clin Invest. 1993;  92 1974-80
  • 16 Boman H G, Kaletta U. Chromatography of rattlesnake venom: a separation of three phosphodiesterases.  Biochim Biophys Acta. 1957;  24 619-31
  • 17 Yamakawa M M, Hokama N Z. Fractionation of Sakishima habu (T. elegans) venom and lethal hemorrhagic and edema forming activity of the fractions. In: Ohsaka A, Hayashi K, Sawai Y, editors Animal, plant and microbial toxins. Vol.1 New York; Plenum Press 1976: 97
  • 18 Nataraju A, Raghavendra Gowda C D, Rajesh R, Vishwanath B S. Group IIA secretory PLA2 inhibition by ursolic acid: a potent anti-inflammatory molecule.  Curr Top Med Chem. 2007;  7 801-9
  • 19 Calixto J B, Campos M M, Otuki M F, Santos A R. Anti-inflammatory compounds of plant origin. Part II. Modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules.  Planta Med. 2004;  70 93-103
  • 20 Calixto J B, Otuki M F, Santos A R. Anti-inflammatory compounds of plant origin. Part I. Action on arachidonic acid pathway, nitric oxide and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB).  Planta Med. 2003;  69 973-83
  • 21 Kim H P, Son K H, Chang H W, Kang S S. Anti-inflammatory plant flavonoids and cellular action mechanism.  J Pharmacol Sci. 2004;  96 229-45
  • 22 Davidson F F, Dennis E A, Powell M, Glenney J R. Inhibition of phospholipase A2 by ”lipocortins” and calpactins. An effect of binding to substrate phospholipids.  J Biol Chem. 1987;  262 1698-705
  • 23 Fawzy A A, Vishwanath B S, Franson R C. Inhibition of human non-pancreatic phospholipases A2 by retinoids and flavonoids: Mechanism of action.  Agents Actions. 1988;  25 394-400
  • 24 Jameel N M, Shekar M A, Vishwanath B S. Alpha-lipoic acid an inhibitor of secretory phospholipase A2 with anti-inflammatory activity.  Life Sci. 2006;  80 46-53
  • 25 Vishwanath B S, Kini R M, Gowda T V. Characterization of three edema inducing phospholipase A2 enzymes from habu (Trimeresurus flavovoridis) venom and their interaction with the alkaloid aristolochic acid.  Toxicon. 1987;  25 501-15
  • 26 Lin Y H, Huang W N, Lee S C, Wu W G. Heparin reduces the alpha-helical content of cobra basic phospholipase A(2) and promotes its complex formation.  Int J Biol Macromol. 2000;  27 71-6
  • 27 Marshall L A, Blazek E, Chang J. Characterization of an in vivo model for evaluation of phospholipase A2 inhibitors.  Fed Proc. 1987;  46 854-62

Prof. B. S. Vishwanath

Department of Studies in Biochemistry

University of Mysore

Manasagangotri

Mysore 570 006

India

Phone: +91-821-241-9621

Email: vishmy@yahoo.co.uk

    >