title: Comparative effects of tetrandrine and berbamine on subcutaneous air pouch inflammation induced by interleukin-1, tumour necrosis factor and platelet-activating factor.
abstract: The effects of the bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids tetrandrine and berbamine on the action of IL-1, TNF and PAF were investigated in the rat subcutaneous air pouch model of inflammation. Both compounds were equipotent in the suppression of leukocyte infiltration into air pouches induced by IL-1 and TNF, with ED50 values in the range 20-30 mg/kg/3 days. Both were also equipotent in suppression of PMN infiltration induced by PAF with ED50 values in the same range as that for IL-1 and TNF. However, tetrandrine was more potent than berbamine as a suppressant of PAF-induced MNC infiltration, but much less potent than berbamine in carageenen-induced PMN infiltration. These results suggest that these bisbenzylisoquinolines may have value in the therapy of chronic inflammatory diseases where IL-1, TNF and PAF have a role in pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, University of Queensland, Mater Public Hospital, South Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Seow
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: O'Callaghan
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Thong
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D007375:Interleukin-1; D008297:Male; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C009438:tetrandrine; C027870:berbamine