Evidence for Potentiation of M-Type Potassium Current by Flavonoid Corylin (3-(2,2-Dimethylchromen-6-yl)-7-hydroxychromen-4-one)

Background: Corylin (3-(2,2-dimethylchromen-6-yl)-7-hydroxychromen-4-one), a bioactive flavonoid, has been reported to exercise anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, and antioxidant effects, and may also possess lifespan-extending properties. Objectives: Any modifications of transmembrane ionic currents produced by corylin remain largely unknown. Methods: The patch-clamp technique and docking prediction were used in this study. Results: In pituitary GH₃ somatolactotrophs, corylin concentration-dependently increased the magnitude of the M-type K⁺ current (IK(M)), with an EC₅₀ of 3.8 μM. Concurrently, the activation time constant of IK(M) was shortened. The addition of linopirdine (10 μM), an IK(M) inhibitor, suppressed the current amplitude. Corylin also induced a leftward shift in the steady-state activation curve and enhanced IK(M) during pulse-train stimulation. Moreover, corylin increases the hysteretic strength of IK(M) evoked by a long-lasting triangular ramp pulse; this effect was attenuated by linopirdine. The stimulatory effect of corylin on IK(M) was not altered by carvedilol or iberiotoxin but was reduced by dapagliflozin. In contrast, depolarization-activated IK(M) was not affected by 17β-estradiol alone. In cell-attached recordings, corylin increased M-type K⁺ (KM)-channel activity with minimal change in single-channel amplitude, while prolonging the mean open time. This stimulatory effect was reversed by linopirdine or dapagliflozin. Additionally, corylin slightly inhibited the erg-mediated current. Docking analysis further suggested that corylin potentially interacts with residues in KCNQ2 or KCNH2 channels via hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Conclusions: These findings suggest that corylin modulates ionic currents, primarily through KM (KCNQ/KV7) channels, which may underlie its in vivo actions and those of related flavonoids. These effects may contribute to the regulation of functional activities of neuronal, neuroendocrine, and endocrine cells.