RESUMEN
The incidence of neurological disorders is growing in developed countries together with increased lifespan. Nowadays, there are still no effective treatments for neurodegenerative pathologies, which make necessary to search for new therapeutic agents. Natural products, most of them used in traditional medicine, are considered promising alternatives for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Honokiol is a natural bioactive phenylpropanoid compound, belonging to the class of neolignan, found in notable amounts in the bark of Magnolia tree, and has been reported to exert diverse pharmacological properties including neuroprotective activities. Honokiol can permeate the blood brain barrier and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid to increase its bioavailability in neurological tissues. Diverse studies have provided evidence on the neuroprotective effect of honokiol in the central nervous system, due to its potent antioxidant activity, and amelioration of the excitotoxicity mainly related to the blockade of glutamate receptors and reduction in neuroinflammation. In addition, recent studies suggest that honokiol can attenuate neurotoxicity exerted by abnormally aggregated Aß in Alzheimer's disease. The present work summarizes what is currently known concerning the neuroprotective effects of honokiol and its potential molecular mechanisms of action, which make it considered as a promising agent in the treatment and management of neurodegenerative diseases. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(6):760-769, 2017.
Asunto(s)
Antioxidantes/farmacología , Compuestos de Bifenilo/farmacología , Sistema Nervioso Central/efectos de los fármacos , Lignanos/farmacología , Magnolia/química , Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/tratamiento farmacológico , Fármacos Neuroprotectores/farmacología , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/antagonistas & inhibidores , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/genética , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/inmunología , Antioxidantes/aislamiento & purificación , Antioxidantes/farmacocinética , Productos Biológicos/química , Transporte Biológico , Compuestos de Bifenilo/aislamiento & purificación , Compuestos de Bifenilo/farmacocinética , Barrera Hematoencefálica/inmunología , Barrera Hematoencefálica/metabolismo , Sistema Nervioso Central/inmunología , Sistema Nervioso Central/patología , Citocinas/antagonistas & inhibidores , Citocinas/genética , Citocinas/inmunología , Regulación de la Expresión Génica , Humanos , Lignanos/aislamiento & purificación , Lignanos/farmacocinética , Factores de Crecimiento Nervioso/antagonistas & inhibidores , Factores de Crecimiento Nervioso/genética , Factores de Crecimiento Nervioso/inmunología , Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/genética , Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/inmunología , Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/patología , Fármacos Neuroprotectores/aislamiento & purificación , Fármacos Neuroprotectores/farmacocinética , Corteza de la Planta/química , Receptores de Glutamato/genética , Receptores de Glutamato/inmunologíaRESUMEN
The hallucinogenic plant Salvia divinorum (i.e., "magic mint") is a member of the Sage family that has been historically used for divination and shamanism by the Mazatecs. Today, S. divinorum has become increasingly popular as a recreational drug for its hallucinogenic effects. The non-nitrogenous diterpene, salvinorin A, the major active component of S. divinorum, is responsible for the hallucinogenic effect of this plant. Here, we described the behavioral effects of salvinorin A in animals including the addictive, antinociception and antidepressant properties of the drug. The present paper also demonstrates the not well recognized (or unclear) mechanisms of action of salvinorin A. The last part of the paper presents information about the legal status of S. divinorum and its derivatives. Taking into account the increasing popularity and consumption of salvinorin A and S. divinorum today, it is important to collect all data on the pharmacological profile of this plant and its products.