Withanicandrin Isolated from Datura Ferox Promotes Antinociception by Modulating the Asics and TRPS Channels and Anti-Inflammation in Adult Zebrafish.

This is the first study to analyze the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effect of withanicandrin, isolated from Datura Ferox leaves, and the possible mechanism of action involved in adult zebrafish (ZFa). To this end, the animals were treated intraperitoneally (i. p.) with withanicandrin (4; 20 and 40 mg/kg; 20 µL) and subjected to locomotor activity and acute toxicity. Nociception tests were also carried out with chemical agents, in addition to tests to evaluate inflammatory processes induced by κ-Carrageenan 1.5 % and a Molecular Docking study. As a result, withanicandrin reduced nociceptive behavior by capsaicin at a dose of 40 mg/kg and by acid saline at doses of 4 and 40 mg/kg, through neuromodulation of TRPV1 channels and ASICs, identified through blocking the antinociceptive effect of withanicandrin by the antagonists capsazepine and naloxone. Furthermore, withanicandrin caused an anti-inflammatory effect through the reduction of abdominal edema, absence of leukocyte infiltrate in the liver tissue and reduction of ROS in thel liver tissue and presented better affinity energy compared to control morphine (TRPV1) and ibuprofen (COX-1 and COX-2).

Microfiltered red-purple pitaya concentrate: A promising multifunctional food-derived colorant.

Red pitaya fruit has become a source of natural colorant, because it is rich in betalains, a pigment that imparts a red-purple color that interests the food and cosmetics industries. This fruit also possesses high nutritional value, with a range of bioactive compounds known to confer potential health benefits and prevent chronic diseases, such as diabetes, which makes it useful for use as pharmaceutical agents and dietary supplements. In order to improve its technological and biological effects, a concentration will be required. Thus, the microfiltration, followed by vacuum concentration, can be an interesting strategy for this purpose. This study aimed to explore tangential microfiltration to produce microfiltered material, which is an important step to obtain the microfiltered red-purple pitaya concentrate. Therefore, physicochemical and chemical characterization (including 1H NMR analysis) and biological properties (toxicity and diabetes) of this concentrate were assessed, using adult zebrafish as a model. The results show that microfiltration was carried out efficiently, with an average consumption of 95.75 ± 3.13 and 74.12 ± 3.58 kW h m-3, varying according to the material used ("unpeeled pitaya pulp" or "pitaya pulp with peel," respectively). The in vivo tests indicated non-toxicity and hypoglycemic effect of the concentrate, since the blood glucose levels were significantly lower in the zebrafish groups treated with this concentrate in comparison with that of control group. Thus, this study suggests the potential of microfiltered red-purple pitaya concentrate as a promising multifunctional food-derived colorant, exhibiting beneficial biological effects far beyond its attractive color. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Hylocereus polyrhizus (F.A.C. Weber) Britton & Rose has attracted attention as a potential source of natural colorants because of its red-purple skin and flesh color. In addition, this fruit has a range of bioactive compounds, which make it a valuable resource for providing potential health benefits and preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes. In this paper, the microfiltered red-purple pitaya concentrate showed beneficial biological effects far beyond its attractive color. Thus, this product can be considered a promising multifunctional food-derived colorant to use in the food, pharmaceutical, or cosmetics industries.

Heterocyclic chalcone (E)-1-(2-hydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-3-(thiophen-2-yl) prop-2-en-1-one derived from a natural product with antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic effect in adult zebrafish.

Diabetes is a disease linked to pathologies, such as chronic inflammation, neuropathy, and pain. The synthesis by the Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction aims to obtain medium to high yield chalconic derivatives. Studies for the synthesis of new chalcone molecules aim at the structural manipulation of aromatic rings, as well as the replacement of rings by heterocycles, and combination through chemical reactions of synthesized structures with other molecules, in order to enhance biological activity. A chalcone was synthesized and evaluated for its antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic effect in adult zebrafish. In addition to reducing nociceptive behavior, chalcone (40 mg/kg) reversed post-treatment-induced acute and chronic hyperglycemia and reduced carrageenan-induced abdominal edema in zebrafish. It also showed an inhibitory effect on NO production in J774A.1 cells. When compared with the control groups, the oxidative stress generated after chronic hyperglycemia and after induction of abdominal edema was significantly reduced by chalcone. Molecular docking simulations of chalcone with Cox -1, Cox-2, and TRPA1 channel enzymes were performed and indicated that chalcone has a higher affinity for the COX-1 enzyme and 4 interactions with the TRPA1 channel. Chalcone also showed good pharmacokinetic properties as assessed by ADMET. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03696-8.

Hypoglycemic effect on adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) of the 3ß-6ß-16ß-trihydroxylup-20(29)-ene triterpene isolated from Combretum leprosum leaves in vivo and in silico approach.

Drugs used to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus cause adverse effects. Therefore, the search for new drugs as an alternative for the treatment of diabetes increases. The effect of triterpene 3ß-6ß-16ß-trihydroxylup-20(29)-ene isolated from the leaves of C. leprosum (CLF-1) on sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) was evaluated. Initially, adult zebrafish (n = 6/group) underwent hyperglycemia induction by sucrose at 83.25 mM/L for 7 days by immersion. The hyperglycemic groups were treated with CLF-1 (4, 20, and 40 mg/kg), metformin (200 mg/kg), and acarbose (300 mg/kg) for 4 days. The in silico interaction of CLF-1, metformin, and acarbose with the enzyme maltase-glucoamylase (CtMGAM) was investigated. CLF-1 reduced sucrose-induced hyperglycemia after 4 days of treatment, in addition to having better affinity energy with CtMGAM than metformin and acarbose. Thus, CLF-1 may be a new pharmacological alternative as a hypoglycemic agent for the treatment of diabetes.

GABAA receptor participation in anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects of (E)-3-(furan-2-yl)-1-(2hydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one in adult zebrafish.

Anxiety is a mental disorder that affects 25% of patients with epilepsy, and treatments for anxiety and seizures involve the use of benzodiazepines, a class of drugs that have many adverse effects such as decreased motor coordination, drowsiness, and sedation. Thus, new types of drugs with minimal side effects are of immediate requirement. Chalcones comprise a class of compounds with important therapeutic potential and have recently been investigated for their potential as anxiolytic and anticonvulsant agents. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects of the synthetic chalcone (E)-3-(furan-2-yl)-1-(2hydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (FURCHAL) using adult zebrafish as an animal model. Anxiolytic potential was assessed using the light/dark test and the anticonvulsant effect in 3-stage pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure tests. The mechanisms of the anxiolytic effect were analyzed using γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the serotoninergic system. The anxiolytic effect of FURCHAL was verified by a reduction in fish locomotion, similar to diazepam (DZP), which may involve the GABAA receptor, as there was no reversal in the anxiolytic behavior of animals treated with FURCHAL by serotonergic antagonists. In addition, pretreatment with flumazenil blocked the anticonvulsant effect of FURCHAL and DZP at all three stages, indicating that FURCHAL also has anticonvulsant effects and that the presence of the α,ß unsaturated aromatic system and heterocyclic moiety in FURCHAL provided greater affinity for the GABAA receptors. Molecular docking revealed that the interactions involved in the formation of the protein-binding complex FURCHAL-GABAA are formed by three H-bonds involving the oxygen atoms of FURCHAL, and notably, complexes operated in the same region of the DZP site. Thus, this study adds new evidence and highlights that FURCHAL can potentially be used to develop compounds with anxiolytic and anticonvulsant properties.