Dysfunction of neuronal voltage-gated potassium channel subfamily Q (KCNQ) can cause severe epileptic encephalopathies that are resistant to modern anticonvulsants. According to a study by University of California-Irvine researchers, leaves of cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), a widely used culinary herb, harbor a highly potent KCNQ channel activator.
Manville & Abbott uncovered the molecular action that enables cilantro to effectively delay certain seizures common in epilepsy and other diseases. Image credit: Illustrated Cottage.
“We discovered that cilantro, which has been used as a traditional anticonvulsant medicine, activates a class of potassium channels in the brain to reduce seizure activity,” said Professor Geoff Abbott, corresponding author of the study.
“Specifically, we found one component of cilantro binds to a specific part of the potassium channels to open them, reducing cellular excitability.”
Professor Abbo and his colleague, Rian Manville, screened cilantro leaf metabolites, revealing that one activates multiple KCNQ potassium channels, including the predominant neuronal isoform and the predominant cardiac isoform, which are responsible for regulating electrical activity in the brain and heart.
Known as the long-chain fatty aldehyde (E)-2-dodecenal, this metabolite was also found to recapitulate the anticonvulsant action of cilantro, delaying certain chemically-induced seizures.
The results provide a molecular basis for the therapeutic actions of cilantro and indicate that this ubiquitous culinary herb is surprisingly influential upon clinically important potassium channels.
“This specific discovery is important as it may lead to more effective use of cilantro as an anticonvulsant, or to modifications of dodecenal to develop safer and more effective anticonvulsant drugs,” Professor Abbott said.
“In addition to the anticonvulsant properties, cilantro also has reported anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antibacterial, cardioprotective, gastric health and analgesic effects. And, the best part is it tastes good.”
The study was published in the FASEB Journal.
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Rian W. Manville & Geoffrey W. Abbott. Cilantro leaf harbors a potent potassium channel-activating anticonvulsant. FASEB Journal, published online July 16, 2019; doi: 10.1096/fj.201900485R
