[MPWG] 3 articles about Salicylic acid

[Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov]

Some of the science behind the ancient medicine...

Ancient Sensor for Ancient Drug 
Reuben J. Shaw1, 
Lewis C. Cantley2
Science 18 May 2012: 336 (6083), 813-814. [DOI:10.1126/science.1223140] 

ABSTRACT:  Salicylate, a compound found in willow tree bark, is the active 
breakdown product of aspirin, and has been used for medicinal purposes 
since ancient times. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the 
beneficial effects of salicylate has been unclear. On page 918 of this 
issue, Hawley et al. (1) show that salicylate activates the cellular 
metabolic regulator adenosine monophosphate (AMP)?activated protein kinase 
(AMPK), which stimulates fat utilization in mice. 
E-mail: shaw at salk.edu; lewis_cantley at hms.harvard.edu

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Ancient Drug Salicylate Directly Activates AMP-Activated Protein 
Kinase 
Simon A. Hawley, 
Morgan D. Fullerton, 
Fiona A. Ross, 
Jonathan D. Schertzer, 
Cyrille Chevtzoff, 
Katherine J. Walker, 
Mark W. Peggie, 
Darya Zibrova, 
Kevin A. Green, 
Kirsty J. Mustard, 
Bruce E. Kemp, 
Kei Sakamoto, 
Gregory R. Steinberg, 
and D. Grahame Hardie
Science 18 May 2012: 918-922.Published online 19 April 2012

ABSTRACT:   Salicylate, a plant product, has been in medicinal use since 
ancient times. More recently, it has been replaced by synthetic 
derivatives such as aspirin and salsalate, both of which are rapidly 
broken down to salicylate in vivo. At concentrations reached in plasma 
after administration of salsalate or of aspirin at high doses, salicylate 
activates adenosine monophosphate?activated protein kinase (AMPK), a 
central regulator of cell growth and metabolism. Salicylate binds at the 
same site as the synthetic activator A-769662 to cause allosteric 
activation and inhibition of dephosphorylation of the activating 
phosphorylation site, threonine-172. In AMPK knockout mice, effects of 
salicylate to increase fat utilization and to lower plasma fatty acids in 
vivo were lost. Our results suggest that AMPK activation could explain 
some beneficial effects of salsalate and aspirin in humans.
To whom correspondence should be addressed: E-mail: 
d.g.hardie at dundee.ac.uk

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An Aspirin a Day? 
        L. Bryan Ray (22 May 2012)
Sci. Signal. 5 (225), ec145. [DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2003239]

Abstract:   The protein kinase AMPK (adenosine monophosphate?activated 
protein kinase) directly monitors cellular energy stores as reflected by 
changes in cellular concentrations of AMP, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), 
and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Through phosphorylation of its targets, 
it helps to control metabolism, polarity, autophagy, and the restraint of 
cell proliferation. Activation of AMPK is also proposed to be beneficial 
for the treatment of diseases, including cancer and diabetes. Hawley et 
al. (see the Perspective by Shaw and Cantley) report that AMPK can be 
activated by high concentrations of salicylate, a compound derived from 
the very commonly used drug aspirin. In mice, salicylate promoted fatty 
acid and carbohydrate metabolism in an AMPK-dependent fashion. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist, Division of Scientific Authority-US Fish & Wildlife 
Service-International Affairs
Chair, Medicinal Plant Working Group-Plant Conservation Alliance
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110
Arlington, VA  22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276

Promoting sustainable use and conservation of our native medicinal plants. 

<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>

Follow International Affairs
> on Twitter  http://twitter.com/USFWSInternatl
> on Facebook   http://www.facebook.com/USFWS_InternationalAffairs
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.plantconservation.org/pipermail/mpwg_lists.plantconservation.org/attachments/20120716/19f54fa7/attachment.html>