Effects of caffeoyl conjugates of isoprenyl-hydroquinone glucoside and quinic acid on leukocyte function.

The activity of three prenylhydroquinone glucosides (1-3) and four caffeoylquinic esters (4-7), obtained from Phagnalon rupestre, on elastase release, myeloperoxidase activity and superoxide and leukotriene B(4) production from polymorphonuclear leukocytes was determined. 4,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid strongly inhibited elastase release with an IC(50) value of 4.8 microM. Methylated caffeoylquinic derivatives were the most potent inhibitors of myeloperoxidase (IC(50) near 60 microM), whereas both methylated and free carboxyl isomers inhibited superoxide production with similar potency (IC(50) between 27 and 42 microM). The monocaffeoyl conjugate of prenylhydroquinone glucoside (3), the most potent inhibitor of leukotriene B(4) production (IC(50) = 33 microM), possesses a mixed hydroquinone-caffeoyl character that could be considered as a potential anti-inflammatory entity.