Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is an enzyme which converts carbon dioxide (CO2) to bicarbonate and a proton (hydrogen ion.) This is necessary to many physiologic processes, such as acid-base balance, breathing, and tumor development. A number of CA forms are targets for inhibition in treatment of cancer, edema, glaucoma, obesity, epilepsy, and osteoporosis.

Resveratrol, catechin, silymarin, and curcumin are natural products known as polyphenols. Resveratrol comes from red wine. Catechin is found in tea. Silymarin is an extract of milk thistle. Dobutamine is a pharmaceutical used to treat heart failure. These chemicals were tested at micromolar levels against two forms of CA, called CA I and CA II, in red blood cells.

The chemicals inhibit CA by competing with the CO2 for enzymatic action. Resveratrol, catechin, and silymarin were better inhibitors of CA I than dobutamine and curcumin. Resveratrol, silymarin, and catechin were the best inhibitors of CA II.

CONCLUSION: Natural products, resveratrol, catechin, curcumin, and silymarin are good inhibitors of the enzyme, carbonic anhydrase forms called CA I and CA II.

NOTE: Some sulfonamide drugs are potent carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. They have been used for seizure control with some success. Read about carbonic anhydrase inhibitor treatment of ankylosing spondylitis.

The Latin name for milk thistle is Silybum marianum. Turmeric is Curcuma longa. Curcumin is found in extracts of turmeric.

PMID: 21332948.

Summary #482.