Byakangelicol

Byakangelicol, isolated from Angelica dahurica, inhibits both the activity and induction of cyclooxygenase-2 in human pulmonary epithelial cells.[Pubmed: 12356282]

J Pharm Pharmacol. 2002 Sep;54(9):1271-8.

We examined the inhibitory mechanism of Byakangelicol, isolated from Angelica dahurica, on interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release in human pulmonary epithelial cell line (A549).
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Byakangelicol (10-50 microM) concentration-dependently attenuated IL-1beta-induced COX-2 expression and PGE2 release. The selective COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398 (0.01-1 microM), and Byakangelicol (10-50 microM) both concentration-dependently inhibited the activity of the COX-2 enzyme. Byakangelicol, at a concentration up to 200 microM, did not affect the activity and expression of COX-1 enzyme. IL-1beta-induced p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation was inhibited by the MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor, PD 98059 (30 microM), while Byakangelicol (50 microM) had no effect. Treatment of cells with Byakangelicol (50 microM) or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC; 50 microM) partially inhibited IL-1beta-induced degradation of IkappaB-alpha in the cytosol, translocation of p65 NF-kappaB from the cytosol to the nucleus and the NF-kappaB-specific DNA-protein complex formation.
CONCLUSIONS:
Taken together, we have demonstrated that Byakangelicol inhibits IL-1beta-induced PGE2 release in A549 cells; this inhibition may be mediated by suppression of COX-2 expression and the activity of COX-2 enzyme. The inhibitory mechanism of Byakangelicol on IL-1beta-induced COX-2 expression may be, at least in part, through suppression of NF-kappaB activity. Therefore, Byakangelicol may have therapeutic potential as an anti-inflammatory drug on airway inflammation.

Antiproliferative effect of furanocoumarins from the root of Angelica dahurica on cultured human tumor cell lines.[Pubmed: 17143927 ]

Phytother Res. 2007 Mar;21(3):288-90.

A bioassay-guided fractionation of the root extract of Angelica dahurica (Umbelliferae) led to the isolation of six furanocoumarins as active ingredients responsible for the antitumoral property.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
The hexane soluble part of the extract demonstrated a significant inhibition on the proliferation of cultured human tumor cells such as A549 (non small cell lung), SK-OV-3 (ovary), SK-MEL-2 (melanoma), XF498 (central nervous system) and HCT-15 (colon) in vitro, whereas the remaining water soluble part exhibited poor inhibition.
CONCLUSIONS:
Intensive investigation of the hexane soluble part of the extract yielded six furanocoumarins, i.e. isoimperatorin, cnidicin, imperatorin, oxypeucedanin, Byakangelicol, oxypeucedanin hydrate, all of which exhibited a significant inhibition on cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner.

Inhibitory effects of furanocoumarin derivatives in Kampo extract medicines on P-glycoprotein at the blood-brain barrier.[Pubmed: 21804213]

Biol Pharm Bull. 2011;34(8):1246-51.

Furanocoumarin derivatives, known as components of grapefruit juice, showing inhibitory effects against P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the intestine are also contained in the plants of rutaceae and umbelliferae families, which are used as components of Kampo extract medicines. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of Byakangelicol and rivulobirin A, known as furanocoumarins showing P-gp inhibitory effect using Caco-2 monolayer, against P-gp at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) under both in vitro and in vivo conditions.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
First we studied the membrane permeability of furanocoumarins to clarify whether they can be absorbed from the intestine. Both furanocoumarins showed high permeability through the Caco-2 monolayer, suggesting that they can easily reach the systemic circulation after oral administration. Then, we evaluated the effect of these furanocoumarins on the uptake of calcein acetoxymethyl ester (calcein-AM), a P-gp substrate, into bovine brain microvascular endothelial cells (BBMEC). Both furanocoumarins significantly increased the uptake amount of calcein-AM into BBMEC by the inhibition of P-gp at the BBB in vitro. Next we also investigated the P-gp inhibitory effect of these furanocoumarins at the rat BBB in vivo using verapamil as a P-gp substrate. Both furanocoumarins increased the B/P ratio of verapamil compared to the control, even under in vivo conditions; however, the extent of the inhibitory effect was much lower than in vitro condition.
CONCLUSIONS:
In conclusion, Byakangelicol and rivulobirin A may inhibit P-gp expressed at the BBB even under in vivo conditions. Further studies using Kampo extract medicines under in vivo condition are necessary for safe drug therapy.

Furocoumarins from Angelica dahurica with hepatoprotective activity on tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in Hep G2 cells.[Pubmed: 12058329 ]

Planta Med. 2002 May;68(5):463-4.

Fractionation of the MeOH extract of Angelica dahurica Benth et Hook resulted in the isolation of six furocoumarins, imperatorin (1), isoimperatorin (2), (+/-)-Byakangelicol (3), (+)-oxypeucedanin (4), (+)-byakangelicin (5), and (+)-aviprin (6).
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Among these, compounds 1 and 5 exhibited strong hepatoprotective activities, displaying EC(50) values of 36.6 +/- 0.98 and 47.9 +/- 4.6 microM, respectively. Compounds 3 and 4 showed moderate activities with EC(50) values of 112.7 +/- 5.35 and 286.7 +/- 6.36 microM, respectively. Silybin as a positive control showed the EC(50) value with 69.0 +/- 3.4 microM.
CONCLUSIONS:
Comparison of hepatoprotective activities for six furocoumarins 1 - 6 suggested that oxy-substitution at the C-9 position increased the hepatoprotective activity.