Abstract
Compounds from food plants affecting the somatosensory system, like Perilla frutescens (L.), are well known for their flavoring, pharmacological and medical properties. Yet the exact mechanisms underlying their activity are still poorly understood. Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels involved in chemestetic sensations likely represent some of the primary targets for these compounds. Using a heterologous expression system and calcium imaging we show that a number of Perilla derived compounds (S-(-)-1,8-p-menthadiene-7-al (perillaldehyde, PA); 3-(4-methyl- 1-oxopentyl)furan (perillaketone, PK); 1,2,4-trimethoxy-5-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]benzene (α-asarone, ASA)) and synthetic compounds derivative from Perilla (3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1-furan-2-yl-propenone (PK-16) and 3-(4-chloro-phenyl)- 1-furan-2-yl-propenone (PK-18)) are capable of activating the human TRP Ankyrin family channel (h-TRPA1). The compounds tested appear to be partial agonists of the channel with the potency sequence (EC50, μM): PK- 16(107.7)>PA (160.5)>ASA(210.9)>PK(350). Our findings provide important insight into the functional properties of the compounds derived from P. frutescens and reveal new perspectives for the design of tools for pharmaceutical, agricultural and food industry applications.
Highlights
Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels are an evolutionarily ancient and diverse superfamily of cation channels [1,2]
Tests conducted on rat TRPA1 (r-TRPA1) verified that it does not respond to ASA (Dr Luciano De Petrocellis, personal communication; Table 1), which is a compound that we have found to activate human TRPA1 (h-TRPA1) (EC50~210.9 ± 36.4 μM)
We report that two natural terpenoids, PA and PK, found in P. frutescens essential oils and PK-16, a synthetic derivative of PK, can activate the h-TRPA1 channel
Summary
Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels are an evolutionarily ancient and diverse superfamily of cation channels [1,2]. Like many other species across different phyla, mammals use TRP channels to detect a variety of physical and chemical stimuli including compounds derived from food plants and spices [3,7,8,9]. Mammalian TRPA1 channels are abundantly expressed in the somatosensory system, including in trigeminal neurons. They were initially suggested to be involved in noxious cold-sensing, potentially perceived as a burning pain [8,10,11,12,13], but in parallel were identified as receptors for mustard oil (MO) derived from Sinapis ssp. Like MO and phytocannabinoids, several additional ligands derived from food plants and spices can activate TRPA1 channels. Allycil and diallyl disulfide from garlic [11] cinnamaldehyde from essential oils of cinnamon [14], and several other natural ligands, e.g. Artepillin C, ligustilide, unsaturated dialdehyde terpenes, stilbenoids and phenol derivatives [15,16] have been reported to cause TRPA1 channel mediated Ca++ influx
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
