Involvement of p38 MAPK phosphorylation and nitrate formation in aristolochic acid-mediated antiplatelet activity.
Aristolochic acid (AsA) is produced from Aristolochia fangchi, and has been used as a Chinese herbal medicine. AsA possesses various biological activities including antiplatelet, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanisms of AsA in inhibiting platelet aggregation. AsA (75 - 150 microM) exhibited more-potent activity of inhibiting platelet aggregation stimulated by collagen (1 microg/mL) than other agonists. AsA (115 and 150 microM) inhibited collagen-induced platelet activation accompanied by [Ca+2)]i mobilization, thromboxane A2 (TxA2) formation and phosphoinositide breakdown. On the other hand, AsA also markedly increased levels of NO/cyclic GMP, and cyclic GMP-induced vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation. AsA inhibited p38 MAPK but not ERK1/2 phosphorylation in washed platelets. In conclusion, the most important findings of this study suggest that the inhibitory effects of AsA possibly involve the (1) inhibition of the p38 MAPK-cytosolic phospholipase A2-arachidonic acid-TxA2-[Ca+2)]i cascade, and (2) activation of NO/cyclic GMP, resulting in inhibition of phospholipase C. These results imply that Aristolochia fangchi treatment alone or in combination with other antiplatelet drugs, may result in alteration of hemostasis in vivo.
Shen
Ming-Yi
MY
Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Liu
Chien-Liang
CL
Hsiao
Geroge
G
Liu
Chiung-Yueh
CY
Lin
Kuang-Hung
KH
Chou
Duen-Suey
DS
Sheu
Joen-Rong
JR
D034341:Aristolochic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
D034341:Aristolochic Acids; D009566:Nitrates; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; C000228:aristolochic acid I; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases