Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an inducible isoform of the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of several inflammatory mediators. In a search for phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory activity, the COX-2 inhibitory activity of 15 typical Annonaceous acetogenins was examined. Isodesacetyluvaricin (1), from the Formosan tropical fruit tree Annona glabra, exhibited the most potent activity. Reverse transcription PCR was used to test the effect of 1 on epidermal growth factor-stimulated expression of COX-2 in cultures of A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells. Three hours after exposure to 1 (5 μM), A431 cells had barely detectable levels of COX-2 mRNA. A corresponding but smaller decline in the COX-2 protein appeared on using Western blots. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated expression of COX-2 in Raw 264.7 mouse leukemic monocyte–macrophages showed a similar decrease. Luciferase assays revealed that cells exposed to 1 had reduced activities of two COX-2 promoter-transcription factors: cAMP response element-binding factor and nuclear factor of activated T-cells. Compound 1 did not affect cell proliferation, as measured by a colorimetric assay, or intracellular store-operated calcium influx, as determined by fluorescence imaging. Thus, 1 may serve as a lead compound for targeting inflammatory diseases as well as angiogenesis and cancer metastasis.
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