In vitro effects of rosmarinic acid on glutathione reductase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

BACKGROUND

Glutathione reductase (GR, NADPH:oxidized glutathione oxidoreductase, E.C 1.6.4.2) is a flavoprotein that catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of oxidized glutathione (GSSG). GR is a crucial enzyme in the antioxidant system by maintaining reduced glutathione (GSH). Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD, glucose 6-phosphate (G6P):NADP(+) oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.49) is the key regulatory enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway and maintains NADPH for reductive reactions.

OBJECTIVE

Rosmarinic acid (RA; α-O-caffeoyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl lactic acid) is an ester of caffeic acid (CA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid. It has a number of interesting biological activities. The inhibiting activities of the RA on GR and G6PD are investigated here for the first time.

METHODS

GR and G6PD were purified from tissues, then the effects of RA are investigated.

RESULTS

This study reports that RA, which was isolated from Echium vulgare L. (Boraginaceae), inhibits purified GR and G6PD in a concentration-dependent manner. Kinetic characterizations and inhibition constants are investigated.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of their importance in the antioxidative defense system, investigation of the inhibitors of these enzymes is important for drug development.