Phyllobilins as promising bilirubin-like compounds to counter atherosclerosis

Phyllobilins, linear bilin-type tetrapyrroles, represent the degradation products of the ubiquitous pigment chlorophyll. Phyllobilins occur in high structural variety, and previous studies have shown promising bioactivities for these natural products, including anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as activities against cancer cells. Catabolites derived from heme, the bilins, are structural relatives of the phyllobilins. For bilirubin, observational studies have shown that unconjugated bilirubin levels decrease the risk of oxidative-stress mediated diseases such as hypertension, type-2-diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer development. Recent studies have further shown that high serum bilirubin levels correlate with the prevention of atherosclerotic plaque formation. Moreover, bilirubin is known to inhibit endothelial VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 signalling. We present here the investigation of phyllobilins as bilin-related compounds from plants in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. In the frame of a Schwabe Phyto Innovation Challenge project, we aim at deciphering the anti-oxidative potential of phyllobilins in an atherosclerosis context, as well as their influence on adhesive proteins on the endothelium surface, such as VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, which mediate leukocyte migration and play a crucial step in atherosclerotic plaque formation.

 

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Publication History

Article published online:
16 November 2023