Modulatory Effect of <i>Chelidonium majus</i> Extract and Its Alkaloids on LPS-Stimulated Cytokine Secretion in Human Neutrophils

• Main Authors: Sylwia Zielińska, Monika Ewa Czerwińska, Magdalena Dziągwa-Becker, Andrzej Dryś, Mariusz Kucharski, Anna Jezierska-Domaradzka, Bartosz J. Płachno, Adam Matkowski
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: isoquinoline alkaloids; cytokine secretion; cytotoxicity; greater celandine
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/4/842

Due to certain differences in terms of molecular structure, isoquinoline alkaloids from <i>Chelidonium majus</i> engage in various biological activities. Apart from their well-documented antimicrobial potential, some phenanthridine and protoberberine derivatives as well as <i>C. majus</i> extract present with anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects. In this study, the LC&#8722;MS/MS method was used to determine alkaloids, phenolic acids, carboxylic acids, and hydroxybenzoic acids. We investigated five individually tested alkaloids (coptisine, berberine, chelidonine, chelerythrine, and sanguinarine) as well as <i>C. majus</i> root extract for their effect on the secretion of IL-1<i>&#946;</i>, IL-8, and TNF-<i>&#945;</i> in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils). Berberine, chelidonine, and chelerythrine significantly decreased the secretion of TNF-<i>&#945;</i> in a concentration-dependent manner. Sanguinarine was found to be the most potent inhibitor of IL-1<i>&#946;</i> secretion. However, the overproduction of IL-8 and TNF-<i>&#945;</i> and a high cytotoxicity for these compounds were observed. Coptisine was highly cytotoxic and slightly decreased the secretion of the studied cytokines. The extract (1.25&#8722;12.5 &#956;g/mL) increased cytokine secretion in a concentration-dependent manner, but an increase in cytotoxicity was also noted. The alkaloids were active at very low concentrations (0.625&#8722;2.5 &#956;M), but their potential cytotoxic effects, except for chelidonine and chelerythrine, should not be ignored.