6-Methoxyflavone antagonizes chronic constriction injury and diabetes associated neuropathic nociception expression.

Neuropathy is a disturbance of function or a pathological change in nerves causing poor health and quality of life. A proportion of chronic pain patients in the community suffer persistent neuropathic pain symptoms because current drug therapies may be suboptimal so there is a need for new therapeutic modalities. This study investigated the neuroprotective flavonoid, 6-methoxyflavone (6MF), as a potential therapeutic agent and gabapentin as the standard comparator, against neuropathic models. Thus, neuropathic-like states were induced in Sprague-Dawley rats using sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) mononeuropathy and systemic administration of streptozotocin (STZ) to induce polyneuropathy. Subsequent behaviors reflecting allodynia, hyperalgesia, and vulvodynia were assessed and any possible motoric side-effects were evaluated including locomotor activity, as well as rotarod discoordination and gait disruption. 6MF (25-75 mg/kg) antagonized neuropathic-like nociceptive behaviors including static- (pressure) and dynamic- (light brushing) hindpaw allodynia plus heat/cold and pressure hyperalgesia in the CCI and STZ models. 6MF also reduced static and dynamic components of vulvodynia in the STZ induced polyneuropathy model. Additionally, 6MF reversed CCI and STZ suppression of locomotor activity and rotarod discoordination, suggesting a beneficial activity on motor side effects, in contrast to gabapentin. Hence, 6MF possesses anti-neuropathic-like activity not only against different nociceptive modalities but also impairment of motoric side effects.

Medicinal Plants with Multiple Effects on Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications: a Systematic Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This systematic review describes evidence concerning medicinal plants that, in addition to exerting hypoglycemic effects, decrease accompanying complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, hypertension, and/or hyperlipidemia among individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). RECENT FINDINGS: Studies on the antidiabetic mechanisms of medicinal plants have shown that most of them produce hypoglycemic activity by stimulating insulin secretion, augmenting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), inhibiting α-amylase or α-glucosidase, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion, advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation, free radical scavenging plus antioxidant activity (against reactive oxygen or nitrogen species (ROS/RNS)), up-regulating or elevating translocation of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT-4), and preventing development of insulin resistance. Not only are medicinal plants effective in DM, but many of them also possess a variety of effects on other disease states, including the complications of DM. Such plants may be appropriate alternatives or adjuncts to available antidiabetic medications.

COMT and GAD1 gene polymorphisms are associated with impaired antisaccade task performance in schizophrenic patients.

Genetic influences modulating executive functions engaging prefrontal cortical brain systems were investigated in 141 male subjects. The effects of variations in two genes implicated in dopamine and GABA activities in the prefrontal cortex: rs4680 (Val158/Met polymorphism of the catechol-o-methyltransferase gene-COMT) and rs3749034 (C/T) substitution in the promoter region of the glutamic acid decarboxylase gene (GAD1) were studied on antisaccade (AS) performance in healthy subjects and schizophrenic patients. Genotyping revealed a trend towards a reduced proportion of COMT Val/Met heterozygotes and a significantly increased frequency of the GAD1 rs3749034 C allele in schizophrenic patients relative to controls. Patients had elevated error rates, increased AS latencies and increased latency variability (coefficient of variation) compared to controls. The influence of polymorphisms was observed only in patients but not in controls. A substantial effect of the COMT genotype was noted on the coefficient of variation in latency, and this measure was higher in Val homozygotes compared to Met allele carriers (p < 0.05) in the patient group. The outcome from rs3749034 was also disclosed on the error rate (higher in T carriers relative to C homozygotes, p < 0.01) and latency (increased in C homozygotes relative to T carriers, p < 0.01). Binary logistic regression showed that inclusion of the genotype factor (i.e., selective estimation of antisaccade measures in CC carriers) considerably increased the validity of the diagnostic model based on the AS measures. These findings may well be derived from specific genetic associations with prefrontal cortex functioning in schizophrenia.

Passiflora incarnata attenuation of neuropathic allodynia and vulvodynia apropos GABA-ergic and opioidergic antinociceptive and behavioural mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Passiflora incarnata is widely used as an anxiolytic and sedative due to its putative GABAergic properties. Passiflora incarnata L. methanolic extract (PI-ME) was evaluated in an animal model of streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathic allodynia and vulvodynia in rats along with antinociceptive, anxiolytic and sedative activities in mice in order to examine possible underlying mechanisms. METHODS: PI-ME was tested preliminary for qualitative phytochemical analysis and then quantitatively by proximate and GC-MS analysis. The antinociceptive property was evaluated using the abdominal constriction assay and hot plate test. The anxiolytic activity was performed in a stair case model and sedative activity in an open field test. The antagonistic activities were evaluated using naloxone and/or pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). PI-ME was evaluated for prospective anti-allodynic and anti-vulvodynic properties in a rat model of streptozotocin induced neuropathic pain using the static and dynamic testing paradigms of mechanical allodynia and vulvodynia. RESULTS: GC-MS analysis revealed that PI-ME contained predominant quantities of oleamide (9-octadecenamide), palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid) and 3-hydroxy-dodecanoic acid, among other active constituents. In the abdominal constriction assay and hot plate test, PI-ME produced dose dependant, naloxone and pentylenetetrazole reversible antinociception suggesting an involvement of opioidergic and GABAergic mechanisms. In the stair case test, PI-ME at 200 mg/kg increased the number of steps climbed while at 600 mg/kg a significant decrease was observed. The rearing incidence was diminished by PI-ME at all tested doses and in the open field test, PI-ME decreased locomotor activity to an extent that was analagous to diazepam. The effects of PI-ME were antagonized by PTZ in both the staircase and open field tests implicating GABAergic mechanisms in its anxiolytic and sedative activities. In the streptozotocin-induced neuropathic nociceptive model, PI-ME (200 and 300 mg/kg) exhibited static and dynamic anti-allodynic effects exemplified by an increase in paw withdrawal threshold and paw withdrawal latency. PI-ME relieved only the dynamic component of vulvodynia by increasing flinching response latency. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that Passiflora incarnata might be useful for treating neuropathic pain. The antinociceptive and behavioural findings inferring that its activity may stem from underlying opioidergic and GABAergic mechanisms though a potential oleamide-sourced cannabimimetic involvement is also discussed.

Thymoquinone Inhibition of Acquisition and Expression of Alcohol-Induced Behavioral Sensitization.

Repeated low doses of alcohol have been shown to progressively enhance locomotor activity in mice, and this phenomenon is designated as behavioral sensitization. Thymoquinone, a major active component of Nigella sativa oil has been investigated in a number of studies for its neuroprotective effects against a variety of ailments. This study was conducted to explore the therapeutic potential of thymoquinone on the acquisition and expression of alcohol-induced behavioral sensitization. Mice treated with alcohol (2.2 g/kg/day) or saline for 13 days and subsequently challenged with an acute alcohol dose (2.2 g/kg) 5 days later were orally administered acute doses of thymoquinone (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg). Thymoquinone subacute treatment with all doses throughout alcohol exposure significantly inhibited both the development and expression phases of alcohol behavioral sensitization in a dose-dependent manner. However, acute treatment with thymoquinone (30 mg/kg) only reversed the expression phase of sensitization. These findings are explained in terms of the known GABA promoting action of thymoquinone in relation to the motive circuit within the limbic component of the basal ganglia. It is concluded that thymoquinone may be a potential therapeutic option for the treatment and prevention of alcohol induced behavioral sensitization.

Patients' experiences and providers' observations on pain during intrauterine device insertion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine women's (patients') experiences of intrauterine device (IUD) insertion under our current practice and the extent to which these agreed with the observations of the health professionals (providers) who had performed the IUD insertion procedures. METHOD: Questionnaires were used to collect information on women's experiences of the IUD insertion procedure from both patients and providers in a sexual and reproductive health service. RESULTS: Overall response rates were high (77%, 284 responses in total). Seventy-three percent of patients were nulliparous and over half nulligravid. The providers predominantly used local anaesthesia for IUD insertions (93%). Most patients reported being anxious before their procedure (86%). Patients mainly described the overall experience of their IUD insertion procedure as being associated with 'minimal discomfort/nothing' (42%) or 'uncomfortable' (41%). 'Minimal discomfort/nothing' (56%) and 'uncomfortable' (33%) were the main observations of providers. When responses of patients and their providers were compared, agreement was slight for reported pain levels (k = 0.167 CI [0.13-0.24]). Patients' reported pain levels were significantly higher than those reported to have been observed by their providers (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients' and providers' responses suggested that the IUD insertion procedure under our current practice appeared acceptable to most patients. However, providers were not usually accurate in their observations and tended to underestimate the degree of pain experienced by their patients during IUD insertion procedures.

Attenuation of cisplatin-induced emetogenesis by standardized Bacopa monnieri extracts in the pigeon: behavioral and neurochemical correlations.

Nausea and vomiting are the most distressing and common side effects of cancer chemotherapy which often result in patient noncompliance. In the present study, standardized methanolic and n-butanolic fractions of Bacopa monnieri were evaluated against cisplatin-induced emesis in the pigeon in relation to their activity on central and intestinal neurotransmitters levels. Cisplatin (7.0 mg/kg, i. v.) induced reproducible emesis without lethality in healthy pigeons. The methanolic (10-40 mg/kg) and the bacoside-rich n-butanolic fractions of B. monnieri (5-20 mg/kg), as well as the antioxidant N-(2-mercaptopropionyl) glycine (10 mg/kg), attenuated cisplatin-induced emesis by 66.3% (p < 0.05), 71.6% (p < 0.001), and 76.5% (p < 0.001), respectively, where the standard antiemetic metoclopramide (30 mg/kg) produced a 48.9% reduction (p < 0.01). The methanolic and n-butanolic fractions of B. monnieri at all of the doses tested significantly reduced the serotonin concentration (p < 0.001) in the brain stem and intestine 3 h after cisplatin administration, while at the 18th h, B. monnieri treatments attenuated not only the dopamine upsurge in the area postrema and brain stem (p < 0.05-0.001), but also the intestinal 5-HT concentration (p < 0.01-0.001). B. monnieri treatments alone did not alter the basal neurotransmitters or their metabolites in the brain areas and intestine. The prolonged suppressive effect of B. monnieri treatments on the behavioral signs of cisplatin-induced emesis, the subsequent supportive neural evidence, and the safety and tolerability profile suggest that B. monnieri methanolic and bacoside-rich n-butanolic fractions might be a valuable adjunct in the treatment of emetogenic chemotherapy, and this warrants further study in other models of emesis.

5,7-Dimethoxycoumarin ameliorates vincristine induced neuropathic pain: potential role of 5HT3 receptors and monoamines.

Vincristine is the drug of choice for Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Despite its significant anticancer effects, it causes dose-dependent neuropathy, leading to compulsive dose reduction. The available drugs used for vincristine-induced neuropathic pain (VINP) have a range of safety, efficacy, and tolerability issues prompting a search for new therapies. 5,7-Dimethoxycoumarin (5,7-DMC) also known as citropten, is a natural coumarin found in the essential oils of citrus plants such as lime, lemons, and bergamots, and it possesses both antidepressant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study was designed to investigate the possible analgesic and antiallodynic effects of 5,7-DMC in a murine model of VINP. Vincristine was administered to groups of BALB/c male mice (0.1 mg/kg intraperitoneally) once daily for 14 days to induce VINP. Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were quantified using the tail immersion test and von Frey filament application method. The levels of monoamine neurotransmitters and vitamin C in frontal cortical, striatal and hippocampal tissues, as well as the TNF-α level in plasma, were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography and ELISA respectively. On day 15 of the protocol, acute treatment with 5,7-DMC clearly reversed VINP thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical static allodynia, mechanical dynamic allodynia, and cold allodynia. The activity of 5,7-DMC against hyperalgesia and allodynia was inhibited by pretreatment with ondansetron but not naloxone, implicating a 5-HT3 receptor involvement. VINP vitamin C levels were restored by 5,7-DMC in the frontal cortex, and changes in serotonin, dopamine, adenosine, inosine and hypoxanthine levels caused by vincristine were reversed either fully or partially. Additionally, the vincristine-induced rise in hippocampal serotonin, dopamine, inosine and striatal serotonin was appreciably reversed by 5,7-DMC. 5,7-DMC also reversed the vincristine-induced increase in the plasma level of TNF-α. In negating the changes in the levels of some neurotransmitters in the brain caused by vincristine, 5,7-DMC showed stronger effects than gabapentin. It was concluded that, there is a potential role of 5-HT3 receptors and monoamines in the amelioration of VINP induced by 5,7-DMC, and the use of this compound warrants further investigation.

Diosgenin normalization of disrupted behavioral and central neurochemical activity after single prolonged stress.

Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic mental illness triggered by traumatic experiences such as wars, natural disasters, or catastrophes, and it is characterized by anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment. Diosgenin is a steroidal sapogenin with known neuroprotective and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to assess the pharmacological potential of diosgenin in a single prolonged stress (SPS) model of PTSD, plus other behavioral models along with any consequent alterations in brain neurochemistry in male mice. Methodology: SPS was induced by restraining animals for 2 h, followed by 20 min of forced swim, recuperation for 15 min, and finally, exposure to ether to induce anesthesia. The SPS-exposed animals were treated with diosgenin (20, 40, and 60 mg/kg) and compared with the positive controls, fluoxetine or donepezil, then they were observed for any changes in anxiety/depression-like behaviors, and cognitive impairment. After behavioral screening, postmortem serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine, vitamin C, adenosine and its metabolites inosine and hypoxanthine were quantified in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum by high-performance liquid chromatography. Additionally, animal serum was screened for changes in corticosterone levels. Results: The results showed that diosgenin reversed anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, and ameliorated cognitive impairment in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, diosgenin restored monoamine and vitamin C levels dose-dependently and modulated adenosine and its metabolites in the brain regions. Diosgenin also reinstated otherwise increased serum corticosterone levels in SPS mice. Conclusion: The findings suggest that diosgenin may be a potential candidate for improving symptoms of PTSD.

Effect of Gabapentin-Fluoxetine Derivative GBP1F in a Murine Model of Depression, Anxiety and Cognition.

Background and Objective: Gabapentin is a commonly prescribed antiepileptic agent for seizures, which is also used for pain and addiction management. Due to growing evidence of its abuse liability, there has been an incentive to synthesise potentially useful gabapentin derivatives devoid of adverse effects. A gabapentin adduct with a fluoxetine moiety, GBP1F, was assessed for any sedative, cognitive, anxiolytic, or antidepressant-like actions in murine behavioral models. Materials and Methods: Selected groups of mice were used for each behavioral paradigm, and the effect of GBP1F (5, 10, and 15 mg/kg) was assessed using spontaneous locomotor activity, the tail suspension test, elevated plus maze test, and the Y maze test models. Immediately following behavioral experiments, postmortem striatal and hippocampal tissues were evaluated for the effect of GBP1F on concentrations of dopamine, DOPAC, HVA, serotonin, 5-HIAA, vitamin C, and noradrenaline using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Results: GBP1F induced a mild suppression of locomotor activity, ameliorated anxiety and depression-like behavior, did not alter cognitive behavior, and raised serotonin and 5-HIAA concentrations in the hippocampus and striatum. GBP1F also positively enhanced dopamine and vitamin C tissue levels in the striatum. Thus, GBP1F represents a compound with anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects though further studies are warranted at the molecular level to focus on the precise mechanism(s) of action.

Effects of 1-methyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline on a diabetic neuropathic pain model.

Background: Neuropathy is a prevalent and debilitating complication of poorly managed diabetes, contributing towards poor quality of life, amputation risk, and increased mortality. The available therapies for diabetic neuropathic pain (DPN) have limitations in terms of efficacy, tolerability and patient compliance. Dysfunction in the peripheral and central monoaminergic system has been evidenced in various types of neuropathic and acute pain. The objective of the present study was to investigate 1-methyl 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1MeTIQ), an endogenous amine found in human brain with a known neuroprotective profile, in a model of streptozotocin (STZ) induced neuropathic pain. Methods: Diabetic neuropathy in male BALB/c mice was induced by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of STZ (200 mg/kg). Upon development of DPN after 4 weeks, mice were investigated for mechanical allodynia (von Frey filament pressure test) and thermal hyperalgesia (tail immersion test). Ondansetron (1.0 mg/kg i.p.), naloxone (3.0 mg/kg i.p.) and yohimbine (2.0 mg/kg i.p.) were used to elucidate the possible mechanism involved. Postmortem frontal cortical, striatal and hippocampal tissues were dissected and evaluated for changes in levels of dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. Results: Acute administration of 1MeTIQ (15-45 mg/kg i.p.) reversed streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathic static mechanical allodynia (von Frey filament pressure test) and thermal hyperalgesia (tail immersion test), these outcomes being comparable to standard gabapentin. Furthermore, HPLC analysis revealed that STZ-diabetic mice expressed lower concentrations of serotonin in all three brain regions examined, while dopamine was diminished in the striatum and 1MeTIQ reversed all these neurotransmitter modifications. These findings suggest that the antihyperalgesic/antiallodynic activity of 1MeTIQ may be mediated in part via supraspinal opioidergic and monoaminergic modulation since they were naloxone, yohimbine and ondansetron reversible. Conclusion: It was also concluded that acute treatment with 1MeTIQ ameliorated STZ-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia and restored brain regionally altered serotonin and dopamine concentrations which signify a potential for 1MeTIQ in the management of DPN.

Fraxetin attenuates disrupted behavioral and central neurochemical activity in a model of chronic unpredictable stress.

Purpose: Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) induces long-term neuronal and synaptic plasticity with a neurohormonal disbalance leading to the development of co-existing anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. The side effects and delayed onset of current clinically used antidepressants has prompted a quest for antidepressants with minimum drawbacks. Fraxetin is a natural coumarin derivative with documented antioxidant and neuroprotective activity though its effects on stress are unknown. This study therefore aimed to investigate any possible acute effect of fraxetin in behavioral tests including a CUS paradigm in correlation with brain regional neurochemical changes. Methods: Mice were subjected to a series of mild stressors for 14 days to induce CUS. Furthermore, behavioral performance in the open field test, forced swim test (FST), Y-maze and elevated plus-maze were evaluated. Postmortem frontal cortical, hippocampal and striatal tissues were analyzed via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for neurochemical changes. Result: Acute administration of fraxetin (20-60 mg/kg, orally) decreased depression-like behavior in the FST and behavioral anxiety in both the open field test and elevated plus-maze. Memory deficits induced during the CUS paradigm were markedly improved as reflected by enhanced Y maze performance. Concurrent biochemical and neurochemical analyses revealed that only the two higher fraxetin doses decreased elevated serum corticosterone levels while diminished serotonin levels in the frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus were reversed, though noradrenaline was only raised in the striatum. Concomitantly, dopamine levels were restored by fraxetin at the highest dose exclusively in the frontal cortex. Conclusion: Acute treatment with fraxetin attenuated CUS-induced behavioral deficits, ameliorated the increased corticosterone level and restored altered regional neurotransmitter levels and this may indicate a potential application of fraxetin in the management of anxiety and depression modeled by CUS. However, further studies are warranted regarding the chronic effects of fraxetin behaviorally and neurochemically.

Correlation between protective immunity to α-synuclein aggregates, oxidative stress and inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: Protein aggregation leading to central amyloid deposition is implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD). During disease progression, inflammation and oxidative stress may well invoke humoral immunity against pathological aggregates of PD-associated α-synuclein. The aim was to investigate any possible concurrence between autoimmune responses to α-synuclein monomers, oligomers or fibrils with oxidative stress and inflammation. METHODS: The formation of α-synuclein amyloid species was assessed by thioflavin-T assay and atomic force microscopy was employed to confirm their morphology. Serum autoantibody titers to α-synuclein conformations were determined by ELISA. Enzyme activity and concentrations of oxidative stress/inflammatory indicators were evaluated by enzyme and ELISA protocols. RESULTS: In PD patient sera, a differential increase in autoantibody titers to α-synuclein monomers, toxic oligomers or fibrils was associated with boosted levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α, but a decrease in interferon-γ concentration. In addition, levels of malondialdehyde were elevated whilst those of glutathione were reduced along with decrements in the activity of the antioxidants: superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione transferase. CONCLUSIONS: It is hypothesized that the generation of α-synuclein amyloid aggregates allied with oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions may invoke humoral immunity protecting against dopaminergic neuronal death. Hence, humoral immunity is a common integrative factor throughout PD progression which is directed towards prevention of further neurodegeneration, so potential treatment strategies should attempt to maintain PD patient immune status.

A Bacoside containing Bacopa monnieri extract reduces both morphine hyperactivity plus the elevated striatal dopamine and serotonin turnover.

Bacopa monnieri (BM) has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a nootropic, anxiolytic, antiepileptic and antidepressant. An n-butanol extract of the plant (nBt-ext BM) was analysed and found to contain Bacoside A (Bacoside A3, Bacopaside II and Bacopasaponin C). The effects of the BM extract were then studied on morphine-induced hyperactivity as well as dopamine and serotonin turnover in the striatum since these parameters have a role in opioid sensitivity and dependence. Mice were pretreated with saline or nBt-ext BM (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg, orally), 60 min before morphine administration and locomotor activity was subsequently recorded. Immediately after testing, striatal tissues were analysed for dopamine (DA), serotonin (5HT) and their metabolites using HPLC coupled with electrochemical detection. The results indicated that nBt-ext BM significantly (p < 0.001) decreased locomotor activity in both the saline and morphine treated groups. Additionally, nBt-ext BM significantly lowered morphine-induced dopamine (DA), dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-H1AA) upsurges in the striatum but failed to affect DA, 5-HT and their metabolites in the saline treated group. These findings suggest that nBt-ext BM has an antidopaminergic/serotonergic effect and may have potential beneficial effects in the treatment of morphine dependence.

An Update on Promising Agents against COVID-19: Secondary Metabolites and Mechanistic Aspects.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID­19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is associated with a high level of mortality. OBJECTIVE: This updated review aims to present the most important traditional medicinal plants and some of their secondary metabolites that have previously and more recently been shown to affect viruses and may represent a beneficial contributory step against SARS-CoV-2 as the cause of COVID-19. Moreover, the mechanism aspects of these secondary metabolites were discussed, which may help find more reliable drugs against SARSCoV- 2. METHODS: Articles were searched on scientific websites including Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and IranMedex using the search terms herbal medicine and traditional medicine with coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19. Human, animal, and in vitro studies were identified in the search. RESULTS: Medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites may possess a potential role in combating this disease, and researchers suggest that some of these plants and their constituent compounds have inhibitory activity on coronaviruses. Numerous medicinal plants, their extracts, and secondary metabolites have been investigated over a period of time for antiviral activity. Among them, kaempferol, silybin, myricitrin, licoleafol, and curcumin are promising agents with potential activity against SARS-CoV-2. Natural compounds can form strong bonds with the active sites of SARS-CoV-2 protease. Structural and non-structural SARS-CoV-2 proteins such as Spike protein, PLpro, and 3CLpro are inhibited by these phytochemicals. CONCLUSION: Prospective treatments targeted at the life cycle stages of the virus may eventuate from research endeavors, and it must not be discounted that therapy originally derived from plant secondary metabolite sources may potentially have a part to play.

The Neuroprotective Propensity of Organic Extracts of Acacia stenophylla Bark and Their Effectiveness Against Scopolamine-/Diazepam-Induced Amnesia in Mice.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is more prevalent in the elderly. There is extensive literature on using Acacia species against central nervous system disorders, although Acacia stenophylla has not been investigated for any neuroprotective potential. The purpose of the study was to elucidate the ameliorative effect of ethyl acetate (ASEE) and butanol (ASB) extracts from the bark of A. stenophylla on memory deficits and cognitive dysfunction in scopolamine- or diazepam-induced amnesia in mice. Methods: The phytochemical constituents of the extracts of A. stenophylla were determined by GC-MS and the in vitro anticholinesterase plus antioxidant activities were also evaluated. Anti-amnesic effects were determined employing the open field test, elevated plus maze (EPM), Morris water maze (MWM), and Y-maze paradigms. Results: The in vitro cholinesterase assays disclosed a concentration-dependent inhibition of both AChE and BuChE with IC50 values of 28.48 and 44.86 µg/mL for the ASEE extract and 32.04 and 50.26 µg/mL for the ASB extract against AChE and BuChE respectively. DPPH and H2O2 antioxidant assays revealed respective IC50 values for the ASEE extract of 28.04 and 59.84 µg/mL, plus 32.77 and 64.65 µg/mL for ASB extract. The findings revealed that both extracts possessed substantial antioxidant properties. Furthermore, these fractions restored scopolamine- and diazepam-induced memory deficits in a dose-dependent manner, as observed by a significant decrease in the transfer latency in EPM, reduction in escape latency, added time spent in the target quadrant in the MWM, and elevated spontaneous alternation behavior (SAB) in the Y-maze test. Conclusion: The ameliorative effect of A. stenophylla on scopolamine- and diazepam-induced amnesia can be attributed to antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity. Consequently, the use of A. stenophylla might be exploited in the alleviation of oxidative stress and the management of AD.

Effect of fennel on primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: One of the most common complaints for women is dysmenorrhea. Several studies investigated the treatment effects of medicinal plants on primary dysmenorrhea. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the effect of Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) on pain in primary dysmenorrhea in comparison to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as mefenamic acid. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Science Direct, ProQuest, ISI Web of Science, Google Scholar, Magiran, SID, Iran Medex, and Irandoc were searched up to January 2019. Quality assessment of clinical trials was conducted using Jadad scoring system. Totally, 12 studies were entered in the meta-analysis. I 2 was calculated to determine heterogeneity. Fixed effects and/or random effects models were applied. RESULTS: Meta-analysis of these trials showed that F. vulgare intake decreased significantly the intensity of dysmenorrhea compared to the placebo (SMD -0.632; CI: -0.827 to -0.436; p<0.001; heterogeneity p=0.807; I 2=0%; fixed effect model; seven articles). However, the effect of Mefenamic acid with F. vulgare was not different from each other (SMD=-0.214; CI: -0.446 to 0.017; p=0.07; heterogeneity p=0.58; I 2=0%; fixed effect model; six trials). CONCLUSION: The F. vulgare alleviates dysmenorrhea. Regarding the same effect of F. vulgare with NSAIDs, it is highly recommend to the women suffered from dysmenorrhea specifically the ones who have high tendency toward herbal medicine.

Pharmacological evaluation of the gabapentin salicylaldehyde derivative, gabapentsal, against tonic and phasic pain models, inflammation, and pyrexia.

Gabapentinoids are effective drugs in most animal models of pain and inflammation with variable effects in humans. The current study evaluated the pharmacological activity of gabapentin (GBP) and its salicylaldehyde derivative (gabapentsal; [2-(1-(((2-hydroxybenzylidene) amino) methyl) cyclohexyl) acetic acid]; GPS) in well-established mouse models of nociceptive pain, inflammatory edema, and pyrexia at doses of 25-100 mg/kg. GPS allayed tonic visceral pain as reflected by acetic acid-induced nociception and it also diminished thermally induced nociception as a mimic of phasic thermal pain. Antagonism of GPS-induced antinociceptive activities by naloxone (NLX, 1.0 mg/kg, subcutaneously, s.c), beta-funaltrexamine (ß-FNT, 5.0 mg/kg, s.c), naltrindole (NT, 1.0 mg/kg, s.c), and nor-binaltorphimine (NOR-BNI, 5.0 mg/kg, s.c), and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ-15 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, i.p) implicated an involvement of both opioidergic and GABAergic mechanisms. Tail immersion test was conducted in order to delineate the mechanistic insights of antinociceptive response. Inflammatory edema induced by carrageenan, histamine, or serotonin was also effectively reversed by GPS in a fashion analogous to aspirin (150 mg/kg, i.p), chlorpheniramine (1.0 mg/kg, i.p), and mianserin (1.0 mg/kg, i.p), respectively. Additionally, yeast-induced pyrexia was decreased by GPS in a comparable manner to acetaminophen (50 mg/kg, i.p). These observations suggest that GPS possesses ameliorative properties in tonic, phasic, and tail immersion tests of nociception via opioidergic and GABAergic mechanisms, curbs inflammatory edema, and is antipyretic in nature.

Selected Thiadiazine-Thione Derivatives Attenuate Neuroinflammation in Chronic Constriction Injury Induced Neuropathy.

Neuropathic pain refers to a lesion or disease of peripheral and/or central somatosensory neurons and is an important body response to actual or potential nerve damage. We investigated the therapeutic potential of two thiadiazine-thione [TDT] derivatives, 2-(5-propyl-6-thioxo-1, 3, 5-thiadiazinan-3-yl) acetic acid [TDT1] and 2-(5-propyl-2-thioxo-1, 3, 5-thiadiazinan-3-yl) acetic acid [TDT2] against CCI (chronic constriction injury)-induced neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain. Mice were used for assessment of acute toxicity of TDT derivatives and no major toxic/bizarre responses were observed. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the carrageenan test, and both TDT1 and TDT2 significantly reduced carrageenan-induced inflammation. We also used rats for the induction of CCI and performed allodynia and hyperalgesia-related behavioral tests followed by biochemical and morphological analysis using RT-qPCR, immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Our findings revealed that CCI induced clear-cut allodynia and hyperalgesia which was reversed by TDT1 and TDT2. To determine the function of TDT1 and TDT2 in glia-mediated neuroinflammation, Iba1 mRNA and protein levels were measured in spinal cord tissue sections from various experimental groups. Interestingly, TDT1 and TDT2 substantially reduced the mRNA expression and protein level of Iba1, implying that TDT1 and TDT2 may mitigate CCI-induced astrogliosis. In silico molecular docking studies predicted that both compounds had an effective binding affinity for TNF-α and COX-2. The compounds interactions with the proteins were dominated by both hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions. Overall, these results suggest that TDT1 and TDT2 exert their neuroprotective and analgesic potentials by ameliorating CCI-induced allodynia, hyperalgesia, neuroinflammation and neuronal degeneration in a dose-dependent manner.

A novel gabapentin analogue assuages neuropathic pain response in chronic sciatic nerve constriction model in rats.

Gabapentin (GBP) is an established drug that has been used in the management of symptoms of neuropathy but it is associated with unwanted side effects such as sedation and motor incoordination. The goal of the study was to find out a drug with greater efficacy and safety for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Our previously synthesized GABA analogue (Gabapentsal, GPS) was tested (25-100 mg/kg, i.p) in chronic constriction injury (CCI) induced nociceptive model of static allodynia, dynamic allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical hyperalgesia and cold allodynia in rats (Sprague Dawley). Open field and rotarod tests were performed to assess the impact of GPS on the motor performance of the animals. GBP (100 mg/kg, i.p) was used as a standard for comparison. GPS dose dependently reduced static (P <0.001) and dynamic allodynia (P <0.001), thermal hyperalgesia (P <0.001), mechanical hyperalgesia (P < 0.001) and cold allodynia (P < 0.001). In comparison to GBP, GPS failed to alter any significantly the motor performance of rats in both the open field and rotarod assays. These results suggest that GPS is effective in alleviating nociception in CCI neuropathic pain model but free from the side effect of motor discoordination seen in the treatment with GBP. In conclusion, GPS may prove to be a prospectively more effective and safer option in the management of neuropathic syndromes.