Research Summaries on Tetrandrine (Fang Ji)

Tetrandrine's Neuroprotective Effects in Ischemic Stroke

The study highlights the neuroprotective role of tetrandrine, a compound from Radix Stephania tetrandra, in mice with induced ischemic stroke. Tetrandrine treatment led to improved neurological outcomes, reduced brain swelling, and a decrease in the infarcted area. It also altered the expression of proteins such as GRP78, DJ-1, and HYOU1, contributing to the neuroprotective effects.

Immunosuppressive Mechanisms of Tetrandrine in T Cells

Tetrandrine, traditionally used for various ailments, exhibits immunosuppressive effects on human peripheral blood T cells. It suppresses T cell proliferation, reduces interleukin-2 secretion, and decreases activation antigens. Tetrandrine's ability to inhibit protein kinase C may benefit treating autoimmune diseases.

Differentiation of Fang Ji Species and Quantification of Components

Methods were developed to quantify seven marker compounds in Fangchi species and to authenticate Stephania tetrandra from common adulterants. An ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography method was validated for component quantification, contributing to the safe medicinal use of Fang Ji species.

Cardiovascular and Anti-Hyperglycemic Effects of Stephania Tetrandra

Stephania tetrandra, known as Fang Ji, has been shown to possess cardiovascular benefits and anti-hyperglycemic properties. Studies on rats demonstrate the RST extract's potential in reducing ischemia/reperfusion injuries and lowering blood pressure. Fangchinoline, a compound in Fang Ji, significantly reduced blood glucose levels in diabetic mice.

Tetrandrine's Potential in Cancer Treatment

Tetrandrine has been found to reverse multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer therapy by binding to P-glycoprotein and increasing the accumulation of chemotherapeutic drugs inside resistant cancer cells. This suggests tetrandrine's potential as an MDR-reversing agent.

Effects of Tetrandrine on Calcium Dynamics

Research indicates that tetrandrine blocks calcium entry in human leukemic HL-60 cells activated by thapsigargin and releases calcium from internal stores. These findings provide insight into the dual pharmacological effects of tetrandrine on cellular calcium dynamics.

Tetrandrine's Pharmacological Properties

Tetrandrine is highlighted for its role as a blocker of voltage-activated L-type calcium channels in various cells, contributing to its therapeutic effects in treating cardiovascular diseases. It also blocks calcium-activated potassium channels, showcasing its potential as a research tool for studying channel function.

Conclusion

Tetrandrine, derived from the herb Stephania tetrandra (Fang Ji), shows promise in various medical applications, including neuroprotection, immunosuppression, anti-hyperglycemic effects, cancer treatment, and cardiovascular benefits. Its ability to modulate calcium channels and protein kinase C pathways offers potential for new therapeutic strategies.

References:

1. Tetrandrine attenuated cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and induced differential proteomic changes in a MCAO mice model using 2-D DIGE
2. Plant alkaloid tetrandrine downregulates protein kinase C-dependent signaling pathway in T cells
3. Simultaneous determination of structurally diverse compounds in different Fangchi species by UHPLC-DAD and UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS
4. Authentication of Stephania tetrandra S. Moore (Fang Ji) and differentiation of its common adulterants using microscopy and HPLC analysis
5. Simultaneous determination of tetrandrine and fangchinoline in herbal medicine Stephania tetrandra S. Moore by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection
6. Simultaneous determination of fangchinoline and tetrandrine in Stephania tetrandra S. Moore by using 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids as the RP-HPLC mobile phase additives
7. Biflavonoids from the aerial part of Stephania tetrandra
8. Cardiovascular actions of Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae: a comparison with its main component, tetrandrine
9. Anti-hyperglycemic effect of fangchinoline isolated from Stephania tetrandra Radix in streptozotocin-diabetic mice
10. Characterization of tetrandrine, a potent inhibitor of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance
11. Tetrandrine potentiates the hypoglycemic efficacy of berberine by inhibiting P-glycoprotein function
12. The multidrug resistance of tumour cells was reversed by tetrandrine in vitro and in xenografts derived from human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7/adr cells
13. Persistent reversal of P-glycoprotein-mediated daunorubicin resistance by tetrandrine in multidrug-resistant human T lymphoblastoid leukemia MOLT-4 cells
14. Tetrandrine, a calcium antagonist of Chinese herbal origin, interacts with vascular muscle alpha 1-adrenoceptor
15. Effects of tetrandrine and closely related bis-benzylisoquinoline derivatives on cytosolic Ca2+ in human leukaemic HL-60 cells: a structure-activity relationship study
16. Tetrandrine: a new ligand to block voltage-dependent Ca2+ and Ca(+)-activated K+ channels
17. Tetrandrine as a calcium antagonist
18. Bis(benzylisoquinoline) analogs of tetrandrine block L-type calcium channels: evidence for interaction at the diltiazem-binding site
19. Dual effects of tetrandrine on cytosolic calcium in human leukaemic HL-60 cells: intracellular calcium release and calcium entry blockade
20. Alpha-adrenoceptor interaction of tetrandrine and isotetrandrine in the rat: functional and binding assays
21. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist activity in traditional Chinese stroke medicines
22. Tetrandrine suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced microglial activation by inhibiting NF-kappaB pathway
23. Ischemia induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell apoptosis in human brain
24. Endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction in brain pathology: critical role of protein synthesis
25. Antihypertensive and anti-arrhythmic effects of an extract of Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae in the rat
26. Cardiac effects of the extract and active components of radix stephaniae tetrandrae. II. Myocardial infarct, arrhythmias, coronary arterial flow and heart rate in the isolated perfused rat heart
27. Inhibitory effects of tetrandrine on the Na(+) channel of human atrial fibrillation myocardium
28. Combined effects of fangchinoline from Stephania tetrandra Radix and formononetin and calycosin from Astragalus membranaceus Radix on hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia in streptozotocin-diabetic mice
29. Prevention by tetrandrine of spontaneous development of diabetes mellitus in BB rats
30. Effect of FK506 on the development of diabetes in BB rats in comparison with that of cyclosporin
31. Synergy between tetrandrine and FK506 in prevention of diabetes in BB rats
32. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, p38, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways are involved in osteoclast differentiation
33. c-Fos: a key regulator of osteoclast-macrophage lineage determination and bone remodeling
34. Activation of NF-kappaB by RANK requires tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) 6 and NF-kappaB-inducing kinase. Identification of a novel TRAF6 interaction motif
35. Nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) rescues osteoclastogenesis in precursors lacking c-Fos
36. Tetrandrine prevents bone loss in sciatic-neurectomized mice and inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand-induced osteoclast differentiation
37. Cytotoxicity to macrophages of tetrandrine, an antisilicosis alkaloid, accompanied by an overproduction of prostaglandins
38. Impediment to calcium influx and reactive oxygen production accounts for the inhibition of neutrophil Mac-1 Up-regulation and adhesion by tetrandrine
39. The role of nitric oxide and cell adhesion molecules on the microcirculation in ischaemia-reperfusion
40. Subcellular location of neutrophil opsonic receptors is altered by exogenous reactive oxygen species
41. Ca(2+)- and calcineurin-dependent recycling of an integrin to the front of migrating neutrophils
42. Scavenging effect of tetrandrine of active oxygen radicals
43. Sesquiterpene lactones as inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase
44. Suppressive effects of Stephania tetrandra on the neutrophil function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
45. Fangchinoline inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication by interfering with gp160 proteolytic processing
46. HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein biosynthesis, trafficking, and incorporation
47. Maturation of HIV envelope glycoprotein precursors by cellular endoproteases
48. The mechanism of antibacterial activity of tetrandrine against Staphylococcus aureus
49. Synergistic effect of tetrandrine and ethidium bromide against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
50. Synergistic anti-candidal activity of tetrandrine on ketoconazole: an experimental study
51. Leukocyte-derived interleukin-1beta interacts with renal interleukin-1 receptor I to promote renal tumor necrosis factor and glomerular injury in murine crescentic glomerulonephritis
52. Tetrandrine down-regulates ERK/NF-κB signaling and inhibits activation of mesangial cells
53. Activation of the extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase pathway in human glomerulopathies
54. Anti-fibrotic effects of tetrandrine on bile-duct ligated rats
55. Stephania tetrandra prevents and regresses liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats
56. Effects of tetrandrine on cAMP and cGMP levels in rabbit corpus cavernosum in vitro
57. Effects of tetrandrine on cytosolic free calcium concentration in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells of rabbits
58. [Ion channels and penile erection]
59. [The relaxation effects of six extracts from Chinese herbs on the corpus cavernosum tissue of rabbit in vitro]
60. [The relaxation effects of tetrandrine on the corpus cavernosum tissue of rabbit in vitro]
61. Berberine, a natural plant product, activates AMP-activated protein kinase with beneficial metabolic effects in diabetic and insulin-resistant states
62. Berberine analogue IMB-Y53 improves glucose-lowering efficacy by averting cellular efflux especially P-glycoprotein efflux
63. P-glycoprotein-mediated transport of berberine across Caco-2 cell monolayers
64. Berberine modulates expression of mdr1 gene product and the responses of digestive track cancer cells to Paclitaxel
65. Aristolochic acid and 'Chinese herbs nephropathy': a review of the evidence to date