Description
A bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid from Nelumbo nucifera, the structure of this base has been shown to be that represented above based upon chemical degrada_x0002_tive studies and spectroscopic data. Four methoxyl groups, one hydroxyl and
two methylimino groups are present.
Chemical Properties
Extracted from the mature green germ of the Nymphaeaceae plant
Uses
Neferine is an isoquinoline alkaloid which enhances the antitumor effect of Mitomycin-C in hela cells through activation of p38-MAPK. Useful in the treatment of cervical cancers.
Definition
ChEBI: Neferine is a member of isoquinolines.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Neferine is a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the green seed embryos Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn (Lotus) that displays multiple pharmacological activities including anti-tumor, antidepressant-like and antiarrhythmic actions. Recent studies shown that neferine potently inhibits proliferation of human osteosarcoma cells while is low-toxic on non-neoplastic human osteoblast cells. Apparently in U2OS cells, neferine stabilizes p21 through the activation of p38 MAPK, which leads to G1 cell cycle arrest. Also, neferine inhibits Ang II-induced HUVSMC proliferation by upregulation of HO-1.
in vivo
Neferine treatment at both low-dose (60 mg/kg/day by gavage) and high-dose (120 mg/kg/day by gavage) reduces the increment of collagen I, III and TGF-β1 protein expression induced by hyperglycemia[2].
References
Yang, Chen.,J. Chin. Chem. Soc., 17,235 (1970)
