Researchers Red coral berries are effective against asthma symptoms

Scientists at the University of Bonn successfully researched a substance from the leaves of a widespread ornamental plant
Nature hides many agents just waiting to be explored and discovered. Researchers at the University of Bonn were able to discover a promising ingredient from the coral berry. A plant that is not exotic, but can often be found in native gardens here in Germany. During the study, almost completely the characteristical spasm of the bronchi was prevented in mice. The study was published in the renowned journal "Science Translational Medicine".

A pronounced beauty is not the coral berry. This changes in the winter months: Then it forms showy bright red berries, which make them a popular ornamental plant during this time. However, the scientists involved in the study are interested in another reason for the plant: The leaves of the coralberry contain a substance with the cryptic designation FR900359. Although it was suspected that this could be suitable as a remedy for certain diseases. Nevertheless, Ardisia crenata (the botanical name) has been widely disregarded by science so far.

Herbal ingredient in the coral berry Hope for asthma sufferers. Image: janaph-fotolia

Researchers from the Institutes of Physiology I, Pharmaceutical Biology and Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Bonn have now published a paper together with asthma specialists from Nottingham, England, which could change this. Because it documents that FR900359 seems to be extremely effective in preventing the bronchial muscles from contracting. Asthmatics regularly suffer from very pronounced respiratory tract cramps. These prevent enough air from entering the lungs. The resulting breathlessness can be life threatening.

More effective than common drugs
The novel drug solves this spasm - and apparently more effective and long-term than the common asthma drug salbutamol. "However, so far we have only tested the substance on asthmatic mice," explains junior professor Dr. med. Daniela Wenzel. Wenzel conducts research on respiratory diseases at the Institute of Physiology I of the University of Bonn; she led the study.

The impulse to test FR900359 came from the Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, where scientists had succeeded in isolating and characterizing the active ingredient from leaves of the coral berry. "The substance inhibits a central group of signaling molecules in the body's cells, the Gq proteins," Wenzel explains. Gq proteins play a key role in many processes in the body - including in controlling the bronchial muscles.

Normally, the interaction of different signaling pathways causes the airways to narrow. By inhibiting some of them, one can alleviate respiratory tract spasm. In severe asthmatic patients, however, it can not be completely eliminated. The signals converge on the Gq proteins and activate them. Only then will the bronchial spasm be initiated. "If we inhibit the activation of Gq proteins with FR900359, we will have a much stronger effect," Dr. Michaela Matthey from the Institute of Physiology I.

Study showed good results
This worked extremely well for the asthmatic mice in the study. "We were able to prevent the animals from reacting to allergens such as house dust with a narrowing of the bronchi," says Wenzel happily. In addition, there were hardly any side effects as the active substance could be administered via the respiratory tract and thus only entered the bloodstream in small amounts. Whether the substance is also suitable for use on humans is not said. Although the scientists have already shown that human bronchial muscle cells in the culture dish and isolated human respiratory tract react similarly promising. But for the application of living people, more tests are needed, which can last for years.

Nevertheless, the work is already a great success. This comes not by chance: The German Research Foundation (DFG) promotes at the University of Bonn, the research group "G-protein signaling cascades: with new molecular probes and drugs to new pharmacological concepts." The aim is to influence central signaling molecules such as the Gq proteins pharmaceutically and thus to find new therapeutic approaches to certain diseases. The pharmacists and physiologists of the university cooperate closely in the research network; the current study is a result of this cooperation. (sb, pm)

Publication: Michaela Matthey, Richard Roberts, Alexander Seidinger, Annika Simon, Ralf Schröder, Markus Kuschak, Suvi Annala, Gabriele M Konig, Christa E Mueller, Ian P Hall, Evi Kostenis, Bernd K Fleischmann, Daniela Wenzel: Targeted inhibition of Gq signaling induces airway relaxation in mouse models of asthma; Science Translational Medicine; DOI: 10.1126 / scitranslmed.aag2288