Inhibition of SNARE-driven neuroexocytosis by plant extracts

Neuronal soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein (SNAP) receptor (SNARE) proteins mediate membrane fusion between synaptic vesicle and presynaptic membrane, resulting in neurotransmitter release. SNARE proteins are specific substrates of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) which are now widely used for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. While BoNT blocks neuroexocytosis by cleaving SNAREs, inhibiting SNARE assembly process might exert the same effect on neurotransmission. In the present study, some extracts of 100 plants reduced neurotransmitter release by inhibiting SNARE complex formation in neuronal cells. The extracts effectively paralyzed muscle of rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation. Our results raise the possibility that SNARE folding inhibitors from natural resources might replace some special BoNT application fields.