Divergent effects of hyperforin on the release of arachidonic acid in human platelets and polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Hyperforin is a main active ingredient of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). Beside its anti-depressive, anti-bacterial and anti-tumoral properties, it possesses anti-inflammatory efficacy visualized by repression of proliferation of T-lymphocytes as well as inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase-1. Here, we report about the influence of hyperforin on the activity of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). cPLA2 is essential for the release of arachidonic acid (AA) from cellular membranes which is converted to eicosanoids such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. In PMNL challenged by ionophore A23187,…