Planta Med 2004; 70(10): 919-923
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-832617
Original Paper
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Compounds from Epilobium angustifolium Inhibit the Specific Metallopeptidases ACE, NEP and APN

Anna Kiss1 , Józef Kowalski1 , Matthias F. Melzig2
  • 1Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
  • 2Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: March 9, 2004

Accepted: June 6, 2004

Publication Date:
18 October 2004 (online)

Abstract

Willow herb (Epilobium angustifolium L.) extracts showed inhibitory activity against the metallopeptidases: neutral endopeptidase (NEP), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and aminopeptidase N (APN). A bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of several flavonoids and phenolic acids and an ellagitannin. The dimeric macrocyclic ellagitannin oenothein B inhibited the neutral endopeptidases in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 = 20 μM. Other polyphenols showed weaker activity but their synergistic activity cannot be excluded. Taking into account the role of these peptidases in prostate diseases, the results may partly support and explain the use of Epilobium extracts in folk medicine.

References

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  • 3 Hiermann A, Reidlinger M, Juan H, Sametz W. Isolierung des antiphlogistischen Wirkprinzips von Epilobium angustifolium .  Planta Medica. 1991;  57 357-60
  • 4 Durcey B, Marston A, Göhring S, Hartmann R W, Hostettmann K. Inhibition of 5α-reductase and aromatase by the ellagitannins oenothein A and oenothein B from Epilobium species.  Planta Med. 1997;  63 111-4

Anna Kiss

Department of Pharmacognosy

Medical University of Warsaw

Banacha 1

02-097 Warsaw

Poland

Phone: +48-572-09-85

Fax: +48-572-09-85

Email: kissanka@wp.pl