171 - Redox- and bio-activity of Apocynin (acetovanillone) in plants, a plant phenolic that alleviates symptoms of autoimmune diseases in animals

Abstract

Apocynin (APO), was shown to be the major constituent of and early herbal medicines used to reduce painful suffering from many ailments. Because of its proven utility in rat models, it is now an active candidate for treating humans for several major autoimmune diseases such as Alzheimer's, arthritis, and cardiovascular diseases. In plant research, APO is referred to as acetovanillone, a secondary metabolite that is induced in the leaf apoplast, the area outside the cell membrane, during bacterial invasion. In the medical research, it is considered to be a NADPH-oxidase inhibitor, blocking the production of ROS that causes the damage in autoimmunity. Since plants have a similar membrane bound NADPH oxidase activated during bacterial invasion, we wanted to explore whether APO might have similar properties in plants that have been found in animals. In addition, what effect APO might have on the redox environment since it is redox-active along with other apoplast phenolics.