Background:

Chelidonic acid is a component of Chelidonium majus L., used as a mild analgesic, an antimicrobial, an acentral nervous system sedative. Chelidonic acid also shows anti-inflammatory activity. Chelidonic acid has potential to inhibit IL-6 production by blocking NF-κB and caspase-1[1]. Chelidonic acid is a glutamate decarboxylase inhibitor, with a Ki of 1.2 μM[2].

Chelidonic acid dose-dependently decreases IL-6 production at 0.1-10 μM, inhibits expression of IL-6 mRNA at 1-10 μM[1].Chelidonic acid (0.1-10 μM) decreases caspase-1 activation, nuclear NF-κB activation, and increases cytosol NF-κB activation[1].Chelidonic acid is a glutamate decarboxylase inhibitor, with a Ki of 1.2 μM. Chelidonic acid does not promote formation of apoenzyme or react with free pyridoxal-P[2].

Chelidonic acid (0.2, 2 mg/kg p.o.) attenuates allergic reaction induced by ovalbumin in mice[3].

[1]. Shin HJ, et al. Inhibitory effects of chelidonic acid on IL-6 production by blocking NF-κB and caspase-1 in HMC-1 cells. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2011 Dec;33(4):614-9. [2]. Porter TG, et al. Chelidonic acid and other conformationally restricted substrate analogues as inhibitors of rat brain glutamate decarboxylase. Biochem Pharmacol. 1985 Dec 1;34(23):4145-50. [3]. Oh HA, et al. Beneficial effects of chelidonic acid on a model of allergic rhinitis. Send to Int Immunopharmacol. 2011 Jan;11(1):39-45.