Pimaric acid

Chem Biol Interact. 2012 Aug 30;199(2):112-9.

Pimaric acid from Aralia cordata has an inhibitory effect on TNF-α-induced MMP-9 production and HASMC migration via down-regulated NF-κB and AP-1.[Pubmed: 22705379]

Many studies have indicated that activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration are involved in neointimal formation and atherosclerosis. In this study, we revealed that Pimaric acid (PiMA) purified from Aralia cordata had an inhibitory effect on MMP-9 production and migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Down-regulated MMP-9 mRNA transcription was detected in Pimaric acid-treated cells using RT-PCR and the luciferase-tagged MMP-9 promoter assay. Results of an electrophoretic mobility shift assay indicated that Pimaric acid-treated HASMCs showed decreased binding activity of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and activator protein-1 transcription factors. A Western-blot analysis using nuclear extract demonstrated that Pimaric acid reduced the levels of NF-κB p65, c-Fos, p-c-Jun, Jun-D, and p-ATF2 proteins in the nucleus. In addition, TNF-α stimulated mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) containing extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 and 2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase was inhibited by Pimaric acid. Using the Transwell system, we found that Pimaric acid inhibited TNF-α stimulated HASMC migration/invasion in a dose-dependent manner. To confirm whether MAPK mediated MMP-9 expression, we used MAPK inhibitors including U0126, SB253580, and SP600125 and found that those inhibitors reduced MMP-9 expression and HASMC migration/invasion.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results suggest that Pimaric acid has potent anti-atherosclerotic activity with inhibitory action on MMP-9 production and cell migration in TNF-α-induced HASMCs.

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2012 Feb;31(2):149-59.

4-epi-Pimaric acid: a phytomolecule as a potent antibacterial and anti-biofilm agent for oral cavity pathogens.[Pubmed: 21594714]

METHODS AND RESULTS:
The present study focused on the antibacterial and biofilm inhibitory potential of 4-epi-Pimaric acid isolated from aerial parts (stem and leaves) of Aralia cachemirica L. (Araliaceae) against oral cavity pathogens. 4-epi-Pimaric acid exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the range of 4-16 μg/ml and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) two- to four-folds higher than MIC. There was significant inhibition in the biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans on the saliva coated surface (P < 0.05), and confocal microscopy revealed that 4-epi-Pimaric acid inhibited the clumping and attachment of S. mutans. At 8 × MIC concentration, it significantly prevented the pH drop and reduced S. mutans biofilms (P < 0.05). Increased propidium iodide staining and leakage of 260- and 280-nm absorbing material by 4-epi-Pimaric acid treated cells of S. mutans suggested that it probably causes disruption of the cytoplasmic membrane structure. It also exhibited significant suppression of TNF-α expression in human neutrophils, suggestive of its anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, the compound was found to be significantly safe (IC(50) >100 μg/ml) in the MTT assay on AML-12 cell lines.
CONCLUSIONS:
In conclusion, 4-epi-Pimaric acid showed promising antibacterial, anti-biofilm and anti-inflammatory potency and this compound can be exploited for therapeutic application in oral microbial infections.

Neurotoxicology. 2012 Oct;33(5):1058-66.

Effects of ketamine and its metabolites on ion currents in differentiated hippocampal H19-7 neuronal cells and in HEK293T cells transfected with α-hslo subunit.[Pubmed: 23227486]

Ketamine (KT), a dissociative anesthetic, is known to induce schizophrenia-like psychosis. The percentage of KT abuse has recently grown fast despite KT being a controlled drug. The mechanism of KT actions is related to the inhibition of NMDA receptors. Whether KT produces other effects on ion currents in hippocampal neurons remains unclear.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
In this study, we attempted to evaluate the possible effects of KT and other related compounds on ion currents in hippocampal neuron-derived H19-7 cells. This drug exerted an inhibitory effect on Ca(2+)-activated K(+) current (IK(Ca)) in these cells with an IC(50) value of 274 μM. Pimaric acid (30 μM) or abietic acid (30 μM), known to stimulate large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels, reversed KT-induced inhibition of I(K)(Ca). In HEK293T cells expressing a-humans low poke, KT-induced inhibition of I(K)(Ca) still existed. Dehydronorketamine (300 μM) had little or no effect on the IK(Ca) amplitude, while norketamine (300 μM) slightly but significantly suppressed it. In inside–out configuration, KT applied to the intracellular face of the membrane did not alter single channel conductance of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BKCa) channels; however, it did significantly reduce the probability of channel openings. Addition of KT was effective in depressing the peak amplitude of voltage-gated Na(+) current. Moreover, the presence of KT was noted to enhance the amplitude of membrane electroporation-induced inward currents (IMEP) in differentiated H19-7 cells. KT-stimulated IMEP was reversed by further application of LaCl(3) (100 μM), but not by NMDA (30 μM).
CONCLUSIONS:
The modulations by this compound of ion channels may contribute to the underlying mechanisms through which KT and its metabolites influence the electrical behavior of hippocampal neurons if similar findings occur in vivo.

Bioorg Med Chem. 2014 Jun 15;22(12):3204-12.

Retinoic acid receptor agonist activity of naturally occurring diterpenes.[Pubmed: 24799257]

Recent accumulating evidence indicates that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) may be useful for preventing or treating inflammation, allergy, and autoimmune diseases, despite its severe side effects.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
In this study, screening of 99 crude drugs for retinoic acid receptor (RAR) ligands by luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that the methanol extract of Aralia cordata Rhizoma most effectively activates the transcriptional activity of RARα. Pimaradienoic acid (ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid) was subsequently isolated as the constituent capable of activating RAR. Pimaric acid and abietic acid, which have similar structures to pimaradienoic acid, were also found to be novel RAR agonists, although abietic acid only slightly activated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. These three natural RAR agonists with diterpene structures, while structurally different from ATRA, were able to increase the mRNA levels of the constitutive androstane receptor in HepG2 cells, induce F9 cell differentiation followed by Cyp26a1 mRNA expression, and differentiate HL-60 cells via RAR activation in a different manner from ATRA.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results demonstrate that some diterpenes exist as naturally occurring RAR agonists and that the differences in chemical structure between ATRA and these diterpenes may induce distinct gene activation and a specific cellular response.