title: Compounds from Epilobium angustifolium inhibit the specific metallopeptidases ACE, NEP and APN.
abstract: Willow herb (Epilobium angustifolium L.) extracts showed inhibitory activity against the metallopeptidases: neutral endopeptidase (NEP), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and aminopeptidase N (APN). A bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of several flavonoids and phenolic acids and an ellagitannin. The dimeric macrocyclic ellagitannin oenothein B inhibited the neutral endopeptidases in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 = 20 microM. Other polyphenols showed weaker activity but their synergistic activity cannot be excluded. Taking into account the role of these peptidases in prostate diseases, the results may partly support and explain the use of Epilobium extracts in folk medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. kissanka@wp.pl
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kiss
authors.forename: Józef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.forename: Matthias F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Melzig
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018826:CD13 Antigens / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D031666:Epilobium; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D045726:Metalloproteases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects*; D015260:Neprilysin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D045726:Metalloproteases; D018826:CD13 Antigens; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D015260:Neprilysin