Tetrandrine, a plant alkaloid, inhibits the production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (cachectin) hy human monocytes

Abstract

Human mononuclear leucocytes (MNL) or the adherent fraction (monocytes) produced tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) (by ELISA) in culture when stimulated with killed Staphylococcus aureus. The bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, tetrandrine inhibited the capacity of MNL and monocytes to produce TNF-alpha at a concentration range of 0.1 to 5 micrograms/ml. Tetrandrine may be potentially useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases in which TNF-alpha plays a major role.

Tetrandrine protects mice from concanavalin A-induced hepatitis through inhibiting NF-κB activation

“…In vitro, TET was found to inhibit the production of nitric oxide, a critical inflammatory mediator in lipopolysaccharideactivated macrophages [30]. TET also blunted the secretion of TNF-␣ by activated monocytes [10], and various cytokine released by activated T cells [9]. TET exerted a profound inhibitory effect on T cell activation in vivo, as reported in various systems by several groups.…”

Tetrandrine suppresses human glioma growth by inhibiting cell survival, proliferation and tumour angiogenesis through attenuating STAT3 phosphorylation

“…Stephania tetrandra S. Moore (Ferrante et al, 1990). An increasing number of studies have focused on the anti-tumour properties of Tet.…”

The Immunopharmaceutical Effects and Mechanisms of Herb Medicine

“…Tetrandrine, a plant alkaloid, was reported to inhibit the production of TNF-α by monocytes (22). Previous studies demonstrated that Ginseng radix and Radix paeoniae alba in a phytopharmaceuticals that augmented monocyte and leucocyte counts in the peripheral blood (23).…”