Suppression of human monocyte interleukin 1 production by the plant alkaloid tetrandrine

Clin Exp Immunol. 1989 Jan;75(1):47-51.

Abstract

The bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, tetrandrine, was shown to affect some important human monocyte functions. The drug caused significant inhibition of random movement, chemotaxis, superoxide anion generation and interleukin 1 (IL-1) production. By contrast, degranulation and hexose-monophosphate shunt activity were unaffected. Tetrandrine may be of value in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases where IL-1 has a major role as an inflammatory mediator.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Benzylisoquinolines*
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / drug effects
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / drug effects
  • Glucuronidase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Interleukin-1 / biosynthesis*
  • Monocytes / drug effects
  • Monocytes / immunology*
  • Muramidase / metabolism
  • Superoxides / metabolism

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Benzylisoquinolines
  • Interleukin-1
  • Superoxides
  • tetrandrine
  • Muramidase
  • Glucuronidase