Effects of dauricine on the metabolism of arachidonic acid in rat pleural neutrophils

The effects of dauricine (Dau), an isoquinoline alkaloid and anti-arrhythmic agent used in China recently, on the biosynthesis of metabolites of arachidonic acid in rat pleural neutrophils, comparing with dazoxiben, indomethacin and BW-755 c, were studied. The major products of metabolism by 5-lipoxygenase (5-LPO), measured by HPLC, were LTB4 and 5-HETE, whereas the major cyclooxygenase products measured by HPLC and RIA, were HHT and TXB2. The formation of all products by neutrophils was significantly depressed by Dau in a dose-dependent manner. The concentration of Dau required to obtain 50% inhibition (IC50) of formation of HHT, TXB2, LTB4 and 5-HETE was 25.3, 59.3, 31.8 and 59.5 mumol/L, respectively. These results indicate that the two major metabolic pathways of arachidonic acid in rat pleural neutrophils are inhibited by Dau.