Cynaropicrin: A Comprehensive Research Review and Therapeutic Potential As an Anti Hepatitis C Virus Agent
The different pharmacologic properties of plants containing cynaropicrin, especially artichokes, have been known for many centuries. More recently, cynaropicrin exhibited a potential activity against all genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) Cynaropicrin has also shown a wide range of other pharmacologic properties such as anti hyperlipidemic, anti trypanosomal, anti malarial, antifeedant, antispasmodic, anti photoaging, and anti tumor action, as well as activation of bitter sensory receptors, and anti inflammatory properties (e.g. associated with the suppression of the key pro inflammatory NF kB pathway) These pharmacological effects are very supportive factors to its outstanding activity against HCV. Structurally, cynaropicrin might be considered as a potential drug candidate, since it has no violations for the rule of five and its water solubility could allow formulation as therapeutic injections. Moreover, cynaropicrin is a small molecule that can be easily synthesized and as the major constituent of the edible plant artichoke, which has a history of safe dietary use. In summary, cynaropicrin is a promising bioactive natural product that, with minor hit to lead optimization, might be developed as a drug for HCV.
Frontiers in pharmacology