The phytochemical and pharmacological properties of artocarpin from Artocarpus heterophyllus

Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae) has been traditionally used in treating various diseases such as diabetes, diarrhea, malarial fever, inflammation, wound healing and other diseases. Since various bioactive compounds have been found in this plant, this review focuses on the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of a potent bioactive compound artocarpin. Despite its various functions, a mechanistic review on this compound has not been reviewed specifically. Here, pharmacological studies in vitro and in vivo on artocarpin are discussed thoroughly stressing on anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-tyrosinase, antioxidant and antiinflammatory aspects of artocarpin. This review would be beneficial for future study to show the competency of natural products for theirtherapeutic characteristics.

Immunosuppressive and antibacterial activities of dihydromorin and norartocarpetin isolated from Artocarpus heterophyllus heartwoods

Objective: To evaluate the immunosuppressive effect on human phagocytes and antibacterial activity of dihydromorin and norartocarpetin isolated from Artocarpus heterophyllus heartwoods. Methods: Dihydromorin and norartocarpetin were isolated from Artocarpus heterophyllus heartwoods. A modified Boyden chamber was used to determine the chemotactic activity of human phagocyte. The respiratory burst was evaluated by chemiluminescence assay. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was quantified using a colorimetric assay. The broth microdilution method was performed to assess their antibacterial activity. Results: Dihydromorin exhibited potent inhibitory effect on the chemotactic activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) with an IC50 value of 5.03 μg/mL. Dihydromorin also inhibited reactive oxygen species production of whole blood cells, PMNs, and monocytes with IC50 values of 7.88, 7.59 and 7.24 μg/mL, respectively. Interestingly, dihydromorin also strongly inhibited the MPO activity of PMNs with an IC50 value of 5.24 μg/mL, which was lower than indomethacin (24.6 μg/mL). Molecular docking of dihydromorin and crystal structure of MPO showed that dihydromorin had close interaction with key amino acid residues such as Arg239 and Gln91. Antibacterial activity assay showed that only dihydromorin had a strong effect against Streptococcus pyogenes with MIC and MBC values of 15.62 and 31.25 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: The results suggest that dihydromorin could be developed as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent.