Aryltetralin lignans from Hyptis brachiata inhibiting T lymphocyte proliferation

• Published in: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy 2023-04, Vol.160, p.114328-114328, Article 114328
• Main Authors: Keller, Morris, Winker, Moritz, Zimmermann-Klemd, Amy Marisa, Sperisen, Nino, Gupta, Mahabir P., Solis, Pablo N., Hamburger, Matthias, Potterat, Olivier, Gründemann, Carsten
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aryltetralin lignans; Autoimmune diseases; Cell Proliferation; Flow cytometry; Humans; Hyptis; Hyptis brachiata; Lamiaceae; Lignans - pharmacology; Podophyllotoxin - pharmacology; T lymphocyte proliferation
• ISSN: 0753-3322; 1950-6007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114328

Increased activation and proliferation of T lymphocytes plays an essential role in the development of chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Currently used immunosuppressive drugs often do not provide long-lasting relief of symptoms and show a gradual loss of efficacy over time, and are accompanied by various side effects. Therefore, novel immunosuppressive lead substances are needed. For this purpose, an in-house library consisting of 600 extracts of plants from Panama was screened for inhibition of human T lymphocyte proliferation. As one of the hits, an ethyl acetate extract from the aerial parts of Hyptis brachiata (Lamiaceae) exhibited strong inhibitory effects. Subsequent investigation resulted in the isolation of seven aryltetralin lignans, five arylnaphthalene lignans, two flavonoids, three triterpenes, and cinnamyl cinnamate. Aryltetralin lignans inhibited T lymphocyte proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner without induction of apoptosis. No relevant inhibition was observed for the arylnaphthalene lignans, flavonoids, and triterpenes. Additional cell cycle arrest investigations revealed that isolated aryltetralin lignans potently inhibited cell division in G2/M phase similarly to podophyllotoxin. Multifluorescence panel analyses of the extract also showed weak suppressive effects on the production of IL-2 and TNF-α. Therefore, preparations made out of H. brachiata could be further explored as an interesting herbal alternative in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. [Display omitted] •A Hyptis brachiata extract was found to inhibit T lymphocyte proliferation.•The extract reduced the secretion of IL-2 and TNF-α by T lymphocytes.•Aryltetralin lignans and triterpenes were identified as active compounds.•Aryltetralin lignans inhibited T lymphocyte proliferation in G2/M phase.