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Planta Med 1996; 62(1): 20-21
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-957788
Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Inhibition of Adenosine Deaminase Activity of Aortic Endothelial Cells by Selected Flavonoids

M. F. Melzig
  • Institute of Molecular Pharmacology, A.-Kowalke-St. 4, D-10315 Berlin, Germany
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Publication History

1995

1995

Publication Date:
04 January 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Flavonols like quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol inhibit the activity of the adenosine deaminase of endothelial cells (IC50 between 26 and 32 µmol/l), while flavones are inactive. These results support the suggestion that many pharmacological actions of flavonoids are mediated by an amplification of the effect of endogenous adenosine via adenosine receptors because adenosine deaminase is responsible for the adenosine inactivation.

Key words

Flavonoids - adenosine deaminase - endothelial cells - adenosine - pharmacology