Artepillin C is a prenylated cinnamic acid that has been found in B. grisebachii and has diverse biological activities.1,2,3,4,5,6 It selectively inhibits aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3; IC50 = 1 µM), also known as prostaglandin F synthase, over AKR1C1, AKR1C2, and AKR1C4 at 100 µM.[1] It also inhibits lipid peroxidation in isolated human erythrocytes.[2] Artepillin C (10 µM) induces calcium influx in HEK293T cells expressing human transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), an effect that can be blocked by the TRPA1 inhibitor HC-030031 .[3] It is cytotoxic to HT-1080 fibrosarcoma and 26-L5 colon cancer cells (IC50s = 45.47 and 59.32 µg/ml, respectively).[4] Artepillin C is active against C. albicans, E. floccosum, T. rubrum, methicillin-sensitive S. aureus, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA; MICs = 250, 50, 125, 250, and 250 µg/ml, respectively).[5] In vivo, artepillin C (1 and 10 mg/kg) decreases carrageenan-induced peritoneal leukocyte infiltration in mice.[6]
References:
[1].Endo, S., Matsunaga, T., Kanamori, A., et al.Selective inhibition of human type-5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C3) by baccharin, a component of Brazilian propolisJ. Nat. Prod.75(4)716-721(2012).
[2].Tapia, A., Rodriguez, J., Theoduloz, C., et al.Free radical scavengers and antioxidants from Baccharis grisebachiiJ. Ethnopharmacol.95(2-3)155-161(2004).
[3].Hata, T., Tazawa, S., Ohta, S., et al.Artepillin C, a major ingredient of Brazilian propolis, induces a pungent taste by activating TRPA1 channelsPLoS One7(11)e48072(2012).
[4].Banskota, A.H., Tezuka, Y., Prasain, J.K., et al.Chemical constituents of brazilian propolis and their cytotoxic activitiesJ. Nat. Prod.61(7)896-900(1998).
[5].Feresin, G.E., Tapia, A., Gimenez, A., et al.Constituents of the Argentinian medicinal plant Baccharis grisebachii and their antimicrobial activityJ. Ethnopharmacol.89(1)73-80(2003).
[6].Paulino, N., Abreu, S.R., Uto, Y., et al.Anti-inflammatory effects of a bioavailable compound, Artepillin C, in Brazilian propolisEur. J. Pharmacol.587(1-3)296-301(2008).