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DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-832617
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
Compounds from Epilobium angustifolium Inhibit the Specific Metallopeptidases ACE, NEP and APN
Publication History
Received: March 9, 2004
Accepted: June 6, 2004
Publication Date:
18 October 2004 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/plantamedica/200410/lookinside/thumbnails/10.1055-s-2004-832617-1.jpg)
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.
Key words
Epilobium angustifolium L. - oenothein B - polyphenols - neutral endopeptidase - angiotensin-converting enzyme - aminopeptidase N
References
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- 2 Wichtl M. Teedrogen, Ein Handbuch für die Praxis auf Wissenschaftlicher Grundlage. Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Stuttgart; 1989: pp 519-21
- 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