Cynaropicrin

Cell experiment:

Human U937 cells are cultured in RPMI1640 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. To differentiate U937 cells, 2×106 cells/mL are treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) of 20 ng/mL for 24 h. The PMA is removed by washing and adherent cells are then allowed to recuperate for 40 h. The recuperated cells are subsequently incubated with lipopolysaccharide of 1 μg/mL for 6 h with Cynaropicrin and positive control drugs. Supernatants are harvested and assayed by ELISA kit for human TNF-α[1].

Animal experiment:

Male Swiss mice are used in this study. Mice are housed at a maximum of 8 per cage and kept in a conventional room at 20 to 24°C under a 12 h to 12 h light-dark cycle. The animals are provided with sterilized water and chow ad libitum. Infection is performed by i.p. injection of 104 or 5×103 bloodstream trypomastigotes. The animals (18 to 21 g) are divided into the following groups (at least five mice per group): uninfected (noninfected and untreated), untreated (infected with T. cruzi but treated only with vehicle), and treated (infected and treated i.p. with 0.5 to 50 mg/kg/day compound (including Cynaropicrin) or 100 mg/kg/day benznidazole). Mice receive 0.1 mL (i.p.) at 5 and 8 days postinfection (dpi), or at 11, 12, and 13 dpi for the dose of 25 mg/kg, twice a day (b.i.d.)[3].

References:

[1]. Cho JY, et al. In vitro anti-inflammatory effects of cynaropicrin, a sesquiterpene lactone, from Saussurea lappa. Eur J Pharmacol. 2000 Jun 23;398(3):399-407.
[2]. Masutani T, et al. Cynaropicrin is dual regulator for both degradation factors and synthesis factors in the cartilage metabolism. Life Sci. 2016 Aug 1;158:70-7.
[3]. da Silva CF, et al. Activities of psilostachyin A and cynaropicrin against Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro and in vivo. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2013 Nov;57(11):5307-14.