Effect of plant Kunitz inhibitors from Bauhinia bauhinioides and Bauhinia rufa on pulmonary edema caused by activated neutrophils

Basic science published in Biol Chem (2003)

Última actualización: June 18, 2026Revisado por: ASH Editorial Board

Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference

Evidence: Research reportDesarrollo de fármacosFarmacología salivalNeuhof C et al. · Biological chemistry, 2003

Abstract

Mediators released from polymorphonuclear neutrophils, in particular elastase, are known to induce acute edematous lung injury. In this study we show that the pulmonary edema in isolated perfused rabbit lungs caused by activated neutrophils via release of elastase is significantly decreased by the Kunitz-type Inhibitor BbCI (10(-5) M) from Bauhinia bauhinoides to the same degree as by eglin C (10(-5) M) from Hirudo medicinalis, which was used as a reference. The highly homologous proteinase inhibitor BrPI (10(-5) M) from Bauhinia rufa, however, did not reduce edema formation. The major difference between these inhibitors is the much higher Ki value of BrPI (Ki = 38 nM) for elastase compared to BbCI (Ki = 5.3 nM) and eglin C (Ki = 0.2 nM), respectively. Elastase liberation from activated PMNs was not influenced by the inhibitors. Our results indicate that BbCI can be a useful tool to study the role of neutrophil elastase in pathophysiological processes.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Indexed MeSH termsAnimalsBauhiniaBlood PressureHumansLeukocyte ElastaseLungNeutrophilsOrgan SizePeptidesPlant ProteinsPulmonary EdemaRabbits

Resumen

Eglin C from Hirudo medicinalis at 10^-5 M (Ki 0.2 nM) inhibits pulmonary edema in isolated rabbit lungs via neutrophil elastase blockade.

Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia

This study examined the effect of plant Kunitz-type protease inhibitors (BbCI and BrPI) from Bauhinia species on neutrophil elastase-induced pulmonary edema in isolated perfused rabbit lungs, using eglin C from Hirudo medicinalis as a reference inhibitor. Eglin C (Ki = 0.2 nM) reduced edema to the same degree as BbCI, while the weaker BrPI (Ki = 38 nM) did not. The relevance to ASH's domain is indirect: eglin C, a well-known leech salivary protein, serves only as a comparator rather than the study's focus. No leech material, hirudotherapy application, or new clinical data on eglin C are presented; the study primarily concerns plant-derived inhibitors.

Citación

Effect of plant Kunitz inhibitors from Bauhinia bauhinioides and Bauhinia rufa on pulmonary edema caused by activated neutrophils.

Neuhof C et al. · Biological chemistry, 2003

DOI

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Aviso legal — investigación y educación

La información en esta página se proporciona únicamente con fines educativos e informativos y no constituye asesoramiento médico, diagnóstico o recomendaciones de tratamiento. Los resúmenes de evidencia clínica reflejan la literatura publicada revisada por pares y no implican eficacia terapéutica fuera de los contextos autorizados por la FDA.

La autorización FDA 510(k) para sanguijuelas medicinales se limita a indicaciones específicas. Las aplicaciones en investigación y fuera de indicación se identifican como tales. Los profesionales deben consultar las directrices vigentes de la FDA, los protocolos institucionales y las normativas estatales aplicables antes del uso clínico.

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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026