RESUMO
Sativex is a cannabis-based medicine that comes in the form of an oromucosal spray. It contains equal amounts of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, two compounds derived from cannabis plants. Sativex has been shown to have positive effects on symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), and sleep disorders. It also has analgesic, antiinflammatory, antitumoral, and neuroprotective properties, which make it a potential treatment option for other neurological disorders. The article reviews the results of recent preclinical and clinical studies that support the therapeutic potential of Sativex and the molecular mechanisms behind its neuroprotective benefits in various neurological disorders. The article also discusses the possible advantages and disadvantages of using Sativex as a neurotherapeutic agent, such as its safety, efficacy, availability, and legal status.
Assuntos
Canabidiol , Dronabinol , Fármacos Neuroprotetores , Extratos Vegetais , Humanos , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/farmacologia , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/química , Canabidiol/farmacologia , Canabidiol/uso terapêutico , Canabidiol/química , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Dronabinol/farmacologia , Dronabinol/química , Dronabinol/uso terapêutico , Animais , Esclerose Múltipla/tratamento farmacológico , Cannabis/química , Combinação de MedicamentosRESUMO
Background: Prenatal stress has been shown to affect the cognition of offspring, including memory and learning abilities.Methods: In the current study, the long-term effects of chronic prenatal exposure to the physical or psychological stress on locomotion and attention were evaluated by using open field test (OFT) and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle reflex (ASR). In addition, the level of corticosterone was measured after the ASR trial.Results: Male and female rodents that underwent prenatal physical and psychological stress had an augmented velocity in OFT, and only male animals showed an increased ASR. Neither male nor female offsprings had an alteration in the level of corticosterone and PPI values regardless of the stress type.Conclusion: Our results revealed that exposure to stress during the development of fetus increases ASR in a sex-dependent manner. This finding might implicate the effect of prenatal stress on attention in male offspring regardless of the stress type.
Assuntos
Atenção/fisiologia , Locomoção/fisiologia , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal/psicologia , Inibição Pré-Pulso/fisiologia , Reflexo de Sobressalto/fisiologia , Estresse Psicológico/psicologia , Estimulação Acústica/efeitos adversos , Animais , Corticosterona/sangue , Feminino , Masculino , Gravidez , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal/sangue , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Caracteres Sexuais , Estresse Psicológico/sangueRESUMO
Essential tremor (ET) is a progressive neurological disorder with motor and non-motor symptoms. It has conclusively been shown that modulation of glutamate receptors could ameliorate ET. Recent studies have suggested that Berberine (BBR) has an inhibitory effect on glutamate receptors. Therefore, BBR may have therapeutic effects on ET. In this study, male Wistar rats (n=10 in each group) weighing 40-60 g were divided into control, harmaline (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and berberine (10, 20 or 50mg/kg, i.p, 15 min before harmaline injection) groups. Open field, rotarod, wire grip and foot print tests were used to evaluate motor performance. The results indicated that the administration of BBR (10 and 20mg/kg) attenuated harmaline-induced tremor in rats, but the beneficial effects of BBR could not be identified at dose 50mg/kg. In addition, BBR ameliorated gait disturbance in doses of 10 and 20mg/kg. The high dose of BBR not only failed to recover step width but also showed an adverse effect on left and right step length. The results indicate that BBR only in dose of 20mg/kg recovers mobility duration. The current study found a dose-dependent manner for the therapeutic effects of BBR in ET. Our study provides the initial evidence for the effects of BBR on motor function. Since BBR exerts its effects mainly through regulation of neurotransmitter release or blocke of NMDA receptors, thus, it is predicted that BBR ameliorate harmaline effect through blockade of NMDA receptors or glutamate release. This is an important issue for future research to evaluate the possible mechanisms involved.
Assuntos
Berberina/farmacologia , Tremor Essencial/tratamento farmacológico , Harmalina , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/farmacologia , Animais , Ansiedade/tratamento farmacológico , Ansiedade/psicologia , Berberina/uso terapêutico , Tremor Essencial/induzido quimicamente , Tremor Essencial/fisiopatologia , Tremor Essencial/psicologia , Comportamento Exploratório/efeitos dos fármacos , Marcha/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Destreza Motora/efeitos dos fármacos , Força Muscular/efeitos dos fármacos , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/uso terapêutico , Equilíbrio Postural/efeitos dos fármacos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a serious consequence of hepatic cirrhosis (HC). Previous studies have demonstrated cognitive impairments in both clinical and animal experiments of HC. Some potential therapeutic agents have been used to alleviate the cognitive symptoms in the animal models of HC. In the current study, the possible effect of erythropoietin (ERY) as a potent neuroprotective agent on motor and cognitive impairments induced by HC has been studied. Male Wistar rats (180-200 g) underwent bile duct ligation (BDL) or sham surgery. Administration of ERY (5,000 IU/kg, i.p., daily for three days) was initiated 2 weeks after surgery and lasted for the next 28 days. Open field, rotarod, Morris water maze and passive avoidance learning was used to evaluate the motor and cognitive function of the animals. ANOVA and repeated measures ANOVA were used to analyze the data. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. BDL rats had an increased level of hepatic enzymes and bilirubin. Impairment of balance function by BDL was reversed by ERY. Spatial and passive avoidance learning impairments observed in BDL rats were also reversed by chronic administration of ERY. ERY can be offered as a potential neuroprotective agent in the treatment of patients with HC that manifest mental dysfunctions. Though further studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanisms, the neuroprotective properties of ERY against BDL impairments were demonstrated in the current study.
Assuntos
Eritropoetina/uso terapêutico , Encefalopatia Hepática/tratamento farmacológico , Deficiências da Aprendizagem/prevenção & controle , Cirrose Hepática Experimental/tratamento farmacológico , Transtornos da Memória/prevenção & controle , Atividade Motora/efeitos dos fármacos , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/uso terapêutico , Comportamento Espacial/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Aprendizagem da Esquiva/efeitos dos fármacos , Ductos Biliares/cirurgia , Avaliação Pré-Clínica de Medicamentos , Eritropoetina/farmacologia , Comportamento Exploratório/efeitos dos fármacos , Força da Mão , Encefalopatia Hepática/etiologia , Encefalopatia Hepática/fisiopatologia , Encefalopatia Hepática/psicologia , Deficiências da Aprendizagem/etiologia , Ligadura , Cirrose Hepática Experimental/complicações , Masculino , Aprendizagem em Labirinto/efeitos dos fármacos , Transtornos da Memória/etiologia , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Teste de Desempenho do Rota-RodRESUMO
Walnut is extensively used in traditional medicine for treatment of various ailments. It is described as an anticancer, anti-inflammatory, blood purifier and antioxidant agent. In this study, we investigated whether or not Walnut could protect neurons against cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Dietary walnut (6%) was assessed for its neuroprotective effects through the alteration in performance of hippocampus- and cerebellum-related behaviors following chronic cisplatin treatment (5 mg/kg/week for 5 consecutive weeks) in male rats. We also evaluated the effect of cisplatin and walnut administration on nociception. We showed that exposure of adolescent rats to cisplatin resulted in significant decrease in explorative behaviors and memory retention. Walnut consumption improved memory and motor abilities in cisplatin treated rats, while walnut alone did not show any significant changes in these abilities compared to saline. Cisplatin increased latency of response to nociception, and walnut reversed this effect of cisplatin. We conclude that walnuts in the diet following anticancer drugs such as cisplatin might have a protective effect against cisplatin-induced disruptions in motor and cognitive function. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms of this protective effect of walnut and to explore underlying mechanisms.