Phillyrin (Forsythin)

Phillyrin is a lignan that has been found in F. suspense and has diverse biological activities.^1,2,3,4,5 It reduces hydrogen peroxide-induced caspase activation, increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as increases glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in PC12 cells.¹ Phillyrin is active against P. aeruginosa in vitro (MIC = 0.5 mg/ml) and increases survival in a C. elegans model of P. aeruginosa infection.² Intragastric administration of phillyrin (10 and 20 mg/kg) reduces pulmonary NF-κB activation, neutrophil infiltration, and levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, as well as interstitial edema, in a mouse model of LPS-induced acute lung injury.³ It decreases body weight, hepatic total cholesterol, free fatty acid, and triglyceride levels, and serum insulin levels in obese mice.⁴ Phillyrin (20 mg/kg) also prolongs survival time, decreases viral titers, and attenuates pulmonary tissue damage in a mouse model of influenza A infection.⁵

1.Wei, T., Tian, W., Yan, H., et al.Protective effects of phillyrin on H2O2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in PC12 cellsCell Mol. Neurobiol.34(8)1165-1173(2014) 2.Zhou, S., Zhang, A., and Chu, W.Phillyrin is an effective inhibitor of quorum sensing with potential as an anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection therapyJ. Vet. Med. Sci.81(3)473-479(2019) 3.Zhong, W.-t., Wu, Y.-c., Xie, X.-x., et al.Phillyrin attenuates LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation via suppression of MAPK and NF-κB activation in acute lung injury miceFitoterapia90132-139(2013) 4.Xiao, H.-B., Sui, G.-G., and Lu, X.-Y.Phillyrin lowers body weight in obese mice via the modulation of PPAR/-ANGPTL 4 pathwayObes. Res. Clin. Pract.12(Suppl. 2)71-79(2018) 5.Qu, X.Y., Li, Q.J., Zhang, H.M., et al.Protective effects of phillyrin against influenza A virus in vivoArch. Pharm. Res.39(7)998-1005(2016)