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Planta Med 2001; 67(2): 156-157
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-11496
Letter

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Pheophorbide A from Solanum diflorum Interferes with NF-κB Activation

Michael Heinrich1, 4,*, Peter M. Bork1 , M. Lienhard Schmitz2 , Horst Rimpler1 , Barbara Frei3 , Otto Sticher3
  • 1 Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany
  • 2 Department. Immunochemistry, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
  • 3 Department for Applied Biological Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
  • 4 Current address: Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, The School of Pharmacy, London, U.K.
Further Information

Publication History

March 7, 2000

May 13, 2000

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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Abstract

Continuing our search for biogenic NF-κB inhibitors we investigated Solanum diflorum, used by the Istmo Sierra Zapotec Indians of Mexico in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions. It became obvious very early that the active substance seems to be a degradation product of chlorophyll. Pheophorbide A was identified as one of the key compounds responsible for the NF-κB inhibitory activity. The compound interferes with NF-κB activation, was cytotoxic if exposed to light, but devoid of any cytotoxic activity in the dark.

References

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Prof. Michael Heinrich

Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy

The School of Pharmacy

University of London

29 - 39 Brunswick Sq.

London, WC1N 1AX

U.K.

Email: heinrich@cua.ulsop.ac.uk

Fax: +44-207-753-5909

Phone: Tel: +44-207-753-5844

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