What is it about?
Many botanical compounds are considered antioxidants. However, how they interact with mammalian cells to elicit an antioxidant response remains unclear. In this work, we unveil the role of TRPV1 as the molecular trigger that recognizes CAPE, a compound present in the bee propolis with well-known anti-inflammatory properties, and transmits calcium signals necessary for activating the antioxidant capacity in cells that line the vascular system.
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Why is it important?
This is the first time that the activation of an ion channel (TRPV1) is implicated in the redox response of living cells, rather than the other way around. This finding opens the door to investigating the interaction between phytochemicals and ion channels as the primary event in the molecular mechanisms underlying the antioxidant effects of many botanical compounds.
Perspectives
The body is composed of many types of cells that express a repertoire of receptors, ion channels and carriers at the plasma membrane. All of them have the potential to interact with botanical compounds, modifying their activity and thereby modulating cellular behaviour. This article motivates us to explore the roles of other plasma membrane components that can modulate cellular bioenergetics in adipose tissue or secretory capacity at the intestinal epithelium, for instance. We are open to collaborating with other scientific groups and are happy to help if we can.
Dr. Omar H Porras
Universidad de Chile
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The antioxidant property of CAPE depends on TRPV1 channel activation in microvascular endothelial cells, Redox Biology, March 2025, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2025.103507.
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