RESUMEN
Treating schizophrenia with the available pharmacotherapy is difficult. One possible strategy is focused on the modulation of the function of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is comprised of cannabinoid (CB) receptors, endocannabinoids and enzymes responsible for the metabolism of endocannabinoids (fatty acid hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL)). Here, the aim of the experiments was to evaluate the impact of inhibitors of endocannabinoids' enzymatic degradation in the brain: KML-29 (MAGL inhibitor), JZL-195 (MAGL/FAAH inhibitor) and PF-3845 (FAAH inhibitor), on the memory disturbances typical for schizophrenia in an acute N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor hypofunction animal model of schizophrenia (i.e., injection of MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist). The memory-like responses were assessed in the passive avoidance (PA) test. A single administration of KML-29 or PF-3845 had a positive effect on the memory processes, but an acute administration of JZL-195 impaired cognition in mice in the PA test. Additionally, the combined administration of a PA-ineffective dose of KML-29 (5 mg/kg) or PF-3845 (3 mg/kg) attenuated the MK-801-induced cognitive impairment (0.6 mg/kg). Our results suggest that the indirect regulation of endocannabinoids' concentration in the brain through the use of selected inhibitors may positively affect memory disorders, and thus increase the effectiveness of modern pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia.
Asunto(s)
Endocannabinoides , Esquizofrenia , Ratones , Animales , Endocannabinoides/metabolismo , N-Metilaspartato , Esquizofrenia/tratamiento farmacológico , Maleato de Dizocilpina/farmacología , Inhibidores Enzimáticos/farmacología , Trastornos de la Memoria/tratamiento farmacológico , Trastornos de la Memoria/etiología , Monoacilglicerol Lipasas/metabolismo , Amidohidrolasas/metabolismoRESUMEN
Twenty-five years have passed since the discovery of the orexin system, during which time we have learned more and more about it. A number of studies have been conducted showing the role of the orexin system in insomnia, as well as its potential use in the treatment of obesity and depression. In this review, we present the role of the orexin system in the development of depressive illness and show the characteristics of seltorexant, a potential drug for the treatment of depression. This review describes the structure and synthesis of the compound as well as its pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Pre-clinical and clinical studies are also described, including side effects. There is evidence that the use of seltorexant is considered safe, with no clear or major clinically significant side effects, which makes it a promising candidate for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.
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Depresión , Antagonistas de los Receptores de Orexina , Humanos , Orexinas , Depresión/tratamiento farmacológico , Antagonistas de los Receptores de Orexina/farmacología , Antagonistas de los Receptores de Orexina/uso terapéutico , Trastornos de Ansiedad/tratamiento farmacológico , Ansiedad/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
Schizophrenia and depression are heterogeneous disorders. The complex pathomechanism of the diseases imply that medication responses vary across patients. Many psychotropic drugs are available but achieving optimal therapeutic effect can be challenging. The evidence correlates well with clinical observations, suggesting that new atypical antipsychotic drugs are effective against negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, as well as against affective symptoms observed in depression. The purpose of this review presents the background and evidence for the use of the new second/third-generation antipsychotics (aripiprazole, cariprazine, lurasidone, asenapine, brexpiprazole, lumateperone, pimavanserin) in treatment of schizophrenia and depression. We have first provided a brief overview of the major neurobiological underpinnings of schizophrenia and depression. We then shortly discuss efficacy, safety and limitations of ongoing pharmacotherapy used in depression and schizophrenia. Mainly, we have focused this review on the therapeutic potential of new atypical antipsychotic drugs-currently existing-to be effective in psychotic, as well as in affective disorders.
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Antipsicóticos , Esquizofrenia , Antipsicóticos/uso terapéutico , Aripiprazol/uso terapéutico , Depresión/tratamiento farmacológico , Humanos , Clorhidrato de Lurasidona , Psicotrópicos/uso terapéutico , Esquizofrenia/inducido químicamente , Esquizofrenia/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
Insomnia affects 4.4-4.8% of the world's population, but because the effect of hypnotic drugs is limited and may cause harmful side-effects, scientists are turning their attention to developing drugs that act on the orexin system. Daridorexant, a selective dual-orexin receptor antagonist (DORA), has exhibited promising results in both animal and human studies. Its activity was evaluated based on the physiology-based pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic model. The use of daridorexant is considered safe, with no clinically significant side-effects including deprivation of next-morning residual effects. In this manuscript we conducted a comprehensive review of daridorexant including pharmacodynamics, animal and human research, pharmacokinetics and safety.
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Antagonistas de los Receptores de Orexina , Trastornos del Inicio y del Mantenimiento del Sueño , Animales , Humanos , Hipnóticos y Sedantes/farmacología , Hipnóticos y Sedantes/uso terapéutico , Imidazoles , Antagonistas de los Receptores de Orexina/farmacología , Antagonistas de los Receptores de Orexina/uso terapéutico , Orexinas , Pirrolidinas , Trastornos del Inicio y del Mantenimiento del Sueño/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
Background: Dysfunction of the cholinergic system is associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). One of the new possible strategies for the pharmacological modulation of memory-related problems typical of AD, is connected with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and the cannabinoid (CB: CB1 and CB2) receptors. Methods: The aim of the study was to determine the influence of the selective CB2 receptor ligands: agonist (JWH 133) and antagonist (AM 630) on different stages of memory and learning in mice, in the context of their interaction with cholinergic pathways. To assess and understand the memory-related effects in mice we used the passive avoidance (PA) test. Results: We revealed that co-administration of non-effective dose of JWH 133 (0.25 mg) or AM 630 (0.25 mg/kg) with the non-effective dose of cholinergic receptor agonist - nicotine (0.05 mg/kg) enhanced cognition in the PA test in mice; however, an acute injection of JWH 133 (0.25 mg/kg) or AM 630 (0.25 mg/kg) had no influence on memory enhancement induced by the effective dose of nicotine (0.1 mg/kg). Co-administration of JWH 133 (0.25 mg) or AM 630 (0.25 mg/kg) with the effective dose of the cholinergic receptor antagonist scopolamine (1 mg/kg) attenuated the scopolamine-induced memory impairment in the PA test in mice. Conclusion: Our experiments have shown that CB2 receptors participate in the modulation of memory-related responses, especially those in which cholinergic pathways are implicated.
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Nicotina , Receptor Cannabinoide CB2 , Animales , Reacción de Prevención , Colinérgicos/farmacología , Ligandos , Trastornos de la Memoria/metabolismo , Ratones , Nicotina/farmacología , Receptor Cannabinoide CB1 , Escopolamina/farmacologíaRESUMEN
The increasing production and use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as antimicrobial agents in medicinal and commercial products creates a substantial risk of exposure, especially for infants and children. Our current knowledge concerning the impact of AgNPs on developing brain is insufficient. Therefore we investigated the temporal profile of transcriptional changes in cellular components of the neurovascular unit in immature rats exposed to a low dose of AgNPs. The behavior of animals under these conditions was also monitored. Significant deposition of AgNPs in brain of exposed rats was identified and found to persist over the post-exposure time. Substantial changes were noted in the transcriptional profile of tight junction proteins such as occludin and claudin-5, and pericyte-related molecules such as angiopoietin-1. Moreover, downregulation of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGFß) and its receptor (PDGFßR) which constitute the main signaling pathway between endothelial cells and pericytes was observed. These were long-lasting effects, accompanied by overexpression of astroglial-specific GFAP mRNA and endothelial cell adhesion molecule, ICAM-1, involved in the pathomechanism of neuroinflammation. The profile of changes indicates that even low doses of AgNPs administered during the early stage of life induce dysregulation of neurovascular unit constituents which may lead to disintegration of the blood-brain barrier. This was confirmed by ultrastructural analysis that revealed enhanced permeability of cerebral microvessels resulting in perivascular edema. Changes in the behavior of exposed rats indicating pro-depressive and anti-anxiety impacts were also identified. The results show a high risk of using AgNPs in medical and consumer products dedicated for infants and children.
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Nanopartículas del Metal/toxicidad , Plata/toxicidad , Angiopoyetina 1 , Animales , Astrocitos/metabolismo , Barrera Hematoencefálica/efectos de los fármacos , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Claudina-5/genética , Claudina-5/metabolismo , Claudina-5/farmacología , Células Endoteliales/metabolismo , Masculino , Nanopartículas del Metal/química , Microvasos , Ocludina/genética , Permeabilidad , Ratas , Plata/química , Pruebas de Toxicidad , TranscriptomaRESUMEN
Neurodegenerative diseases associated with memory disturbances are important health issues occurring due to a prolonged life span. This article presents the results of a study targeting the emergence of a drug candidate with antiamnesic properties. The effect of berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the overground parts of Berberis sibirica Pall., on memory and expression of parvalbumin in the mouse hippocampus proper were determined. High-purity BBR was isolated by centrifugal partition chromatography from a methanolic extract from B. sibirica by using a methyl-tert-butyl ether and water (1:1 v/v) solvent system with 10 mmol/L of triethylamine and hydrochloric acid. In an in vivo study, we assessed the influence of the chronic administration of BBR on different stages of memory-related responses in mice. Our results indicated that the chronic administration of BBR in a higher dose (5 mg/kg) improves long-term memory acquisition in mice, as determined in the passive avoidance test. The hippocampal CA1-CA3 fields showed an increased number of parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons (PV-IR) and nerve fibers as compared to the control. No significant changes in the dentate gyrus were observed between the groups. The HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis of the biological material revealed the content of BBR as 363.4 ± 15.0 ng (4.11% of RSD) per brain, 15.06 ± 0.89 ng (5.91% of RSD) per hippocampus, and 54.45 ± 1.40 (4.05% of RSD) ng in 100 µL plasma. The study showed that BBR could be a factor influencing the expression of PV in hippocampal neurons. We speculate that BBR may modulate the level of Ca2+ in neurons and thus potentially act as a neuroprotective factor against neuronal damages.
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Berberina/farmacología , Proteínas de Unión al Calcio , Hipocampo/metabolismo , Memoria/efectos de los fármacos , Parvalbúminas , Animales , Berberis/química , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Proteínas de Unión al Calcio/efectos de los fármacos , Proteínas de Unión al Calcio/metabolismo , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Cromatografía Liquida , Ratones , Parvalbúminas/efectos de los fármacos , Parvalbúminas/metabolismo , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Espectrometría de Masas en TándemRESUMEN
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that disturbs feelings and behavior. The symptoms of schizophrenia fall into three categories: positive, negative, and cognitive. Cognitive symptoms are characterized by memory loss or attentional deficits, and are especially difficult to treat. Thus, there is intense research into the development of new treatments for schizophrenia-related responses. One of the possible strategies is connected with cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid compound. This research focuses on the role of CBD in different stages of memory (acquisition, consolidation, retrieval) connected with fear conditioning in the passive avoidance (PA) learning task in mice, as well as in the memory impairment typical of cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Memory impairment was provoked by an acute injection of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801 (animal model of schizophrenia). Our results revealed that an acute injection of CBD (30 mg/kg; intraperitoneally (i.p.) improved all phases of long-term fear memory in the PA test in mice. Moreover, the acute injection of non-effective doses of CBD (1 or 5 mg/kg; i.p.) attenuated the memory impairment provoked by MK-801 (0.6 mg/kg; i.p.) in the consolidation and retrieval stages of fear memory, but not in the acquisition of memory. The present findings confirm that CBD has a positive influence on memory and learning processes in mice, and reveals that this cannabinoid compound is able to attenuate memory impairment connected with hypofunction of glutamate transmission in a murine model of schizophrenia.
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Reacción de Prevención/efectos de los fármacos , Cannabidiol/farmacología , Maleato de Dizocilpina/toxicidad , Memoria/efectos de los fármacos , Esquizofrenia/tratamiento farmacológico , Animales , Conducta Animal/efectos de los fármacos , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Locomoción/efectos de los fármacos , Masculino , Trastornos de la Memoria/inducido químicamente , Trastornos de la Memoria/tratamiento farmacológico , Ratones , Esquizofrenia/etiologíaRESUMEN
The treatment of memory impairments associated with the central nervous system diseases remains an unmet medical need with social and economic implications. Here we show, that a multi-target ligand of aminergic G protein-coupled receptors with antipsychotic activity in vivo (D2AAK1) stimulates neuron growth and survival and promotes neuron integrity. We focused on the multilevel evaluation of the D2AAK1-related effects on neurons in terms of behavioral, cellular, molecular, and biochemical features in vivo and in vitro, such as memory-related responses, locomotor activity, tissue sections analysis, metabolic activity, proliferation level, neurons morphology, and proteins level involved in intracellular signaling pathways. In silico studies indicate that activation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase I (CaMKI) may underline some of the observed activities of the compound. Furthermore, the compound increases hippocampal neuron proliferation via the activation of neurotrophic factors and cooperating signals responsible for cell growth and proliferation. D2AAK1 improves memory and learning processes in mice after both acute and chronic administration. D2AAK1 also causes an increase in the number of hippocampal pyramidal neurons after chronic administration. Because of its neuroprotective properties and pro-cognitive activity in behavioral studies D2AAK1 has the potential for the treatment of memory disturbances in neurodegenerative and mental diseases.
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Antipsicóticos/farmacología , Indoles/farmacología , Memoria/efectos de los fármacos , Trastornos Mentales/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/tratamiento farmacológico , Pirrolidinas/farmacología , Animales , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Hipocampo/efectos de los fármacos , Hipocampo/fisiopatología , Aprendizaje/efectos de los fármacos , Locomoción/efectos de los fármacos , Trastornos de la Memoria/tratamiento farmacológico , Trastornos de la Memoria/fisiopatología , Trastornos Mentales/fisiopatología , Ratones , Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/fisiopatología , Fosforilación/efectos de los fármacos , Células Piramidales/efectos de los fármacos , Células Piramidales/patología , Transducción de Señal/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Nicotine stimulates fibroblast proliferation while increasing inflammation and fibrosis of tissues. The cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) is mainly located in the CNS, while cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) is located in the immune cells within the body. CB2R regulates inflammatory processes and fibroblast function. PURPOSE: We investigated the impact of CB2R agonist, JWH 133 and the antagonist, AM630 on lung tissue, applied directly before nicotine application. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 40 mice were placed into 4 groups. The experimental groups received nicotine intraperitoneally at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg of body weight (BW) for 14 days. Group B also received AM630 (0.5mg/kg of BW), while Group A was administered with JWH133 (1 mg/kg of BW). Group N received nicotine alone. The Control group C received 0.9% NaCl. After decapitation, lung tissues were stained with H&E, Trichrome Masson's method, and IHC against CTGF and α-SMA. The digital image processing system Image J with the IHC profiler plugins was then employed, optical density and IHC optical density score were calculated. RESULTS: In the N group, an increase in the thickness of alveolar spaces (9.16 SD4.95µm vs. 4.77SD2.99µm in the C group), leukocytes infiltration and collagen deposition has been observed(OD: 0.20 SD0.0vs 0.07SD0.04 in the C group). In the B group, the alveolar space thickness has been the highest (11.57SD8.13µm). Furthermore, in this group, hyperaemia, destruction of lung structure, hyperplasia of II type pneumocyte and interstitial fibrosis has been observed (OD: 0.23 SD0.08). In contrast, the lung tissue of the A group has had normal structure and the thinnest alveolar septum (3.88 SD2.64µm). The expression of CTGF and α-SMA has been the highest in the B group. CONCLUSION: Nicotine induces interstitial lung fibrosis that is enhanced by the CB2R antagonist and diminished by the CB2R agonist. Therefore, the CB2R agonist may offer a protection against fibrosis.
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Agonistas de Receptores de Cannabinoides/farmacología , Cannabinoides/uso terapéutico , Nicotina/efectos adversos , Fibrosis Pulmonar/prevención & control , Animales , Cannabinoides/farmacología , Indoles/farmacología , Pulmón/efectos de los fármacos , Pulmón/patología , Ratones , Neumonía/tratamiento farmacológico , Neumonía/prevención & control , Fibrosis Pulmonar/inducido químicamente , Receptor Cannabinoide CB2/agonistas , Receptor Cannabinoide CB2/antagonistas & inhibidoresRESUMEN
Civilization diseases associated with memory disorders are important health problems occurring due to a prolonged life span. The manuscript shows the results of an in vivo study targeting the emergence of two drug candidates with anti-amnestic properties. The preceding quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies provided information on the ability of berberine and magnoflorine to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In the light of these findings, both compounds were purified from crude plant extracts of barberries: berberine-from Berberis siberica using a method published earlier, and magnoflorine-from Berberis cretica by centrifugal partition chromatography (solvent system: ethyl acetate:butanol:water-0.6:1.5:3 v/v/v). Both the compounds were evaluated for their memory enhancing and scopolamine inhibitory properties in an in vivo passive avoidance (PA) test on mice towards short-term and long-term memory. Cognition enhancing properties were observed at the following doses: 5 mg/kg (i.p.) for berberine and 20 mg/kg (i.p.) for magnoflorine. In addition, both the tested isoquinolines with the co-administered scopolamine were found to block long-term but not short-term memory impairment. No influence on the locomotor activity was observed for the tested doses. The results confirmed a marked central activity of magnoflorine and showed the necessity to lower the dosage of berberine. Optimized purification conditions have been elaborated for magnoflorine.
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Amnesia/tratamiento farmacológico , Aporfinas/uso terapéutico , Berberina/uso terapéutico , Animales , Aporfinas/administración & dosificación , Aporfinas/química , Aporfinas/farmacología , Berberina/administración & dosificación , Berberina/química , Berberina/farmacología , Berberis/química , Cognición/efectos de los fármacos , Masculino , Memoria/efectos de los fármacos , Ratones , Relación Estructura-Actividad CuantitativaRESUMEN
The endocannabinoid system, through cannabinoid (CB) receptors, is involved in memory-related responses, as well as in processes that may affect cognition, like oxidative stress processes. The purpose of the experiments was to investigate the impact of CB1 and CB2 receptor ligands on the long-term memory stages in male Swiss mice, using the passive avoidance (PA) test, as well as the influence of these compounds on the level of oxidative stress biomarkers in the mice brain. A single injection of a selective CB1 receptor antagonist, AM 251, improved long-term memory acquisition and consolidation in the PA test in mice, while a mixed CB1/CB2 receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 impaired both stages of cognition. Additionally, JWH 133, a selective CB2 receptor agonist, and AM 630, a competitive CB2 receptor antagonist, significantly improved memory. Additionally, an acute administration of the highest used doses of JWH 133, WIN 55,212-2, and AM 630, but not AM 251, increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the brain. In turn, the processes of lipids peroxidation, expressed as the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), were more advanced in case of AM 251. Thus, some changes in the PA performance may be connected with the level of oxidative stress in the brain.
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Encéfalo/efectos de los fármacos , Malondialdehído/metabolismo , Memoria/efectos de los fármacos , Estrés Oxidativo/fisiología , Receptor Cannabinoide CB1/antagonistas & inhibidores , Receptor Cannabinoide CB2/antagonistas & inhibidores , Animales , Reacción de Prevención/efectos de los fármacos , Conducta Animal/efectos de los fármacos , Conducta Animal/fisiología , Benzoxazinas/farmacología , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Cannabinoides/farmacología , Indoles/farmacología , Masculino , Memoria/fisiología , Ratones , Morfolinas/farmacología , Naftalenos/farmacología , Piperidinas/farmacología , Pirazoles/farmacología , Receptor Cannabinoide CB1/agonistas , Receptor Cannabinoide CB2/agonistasRESUMEN
The consequences of alcohol dependence concern serious health care, social and economic problems. The scope of many studies is to better understand mechanisms underlying alcohol addiction in order to work out new, more effective treatment strategies. Alcohol affects many neurotransmission systems within the brain. In general, acute alcohol enhances inhibitory transmission, up-regulating the GABAergic system and impairing glutamatergic function, therefore interfering the balance between excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. Chronic alcohol consumption, meanwhile, in order to restore equilibrium leads to neuroadaptive changes caus- ing both decreased GABAergic and increased glutamatergic activity. Also function of other neurotransmitters and modulators is modified by the presence of alcohol, including glycine, adenosine, serotonin and dopamine. Moreover, a significant impact of alcohol on the endogenous opioid system, nicotinic cholinergic transmission and the endocannabinoids system has been also established. At present, only four medications are approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence in Europe, that is naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram and the most recent nalmefene. Among other promising strategies the following drugs are mentioned: baclofen, topiramate, ondansetron, aripiprazole, rimonabant and varenicline. Additionally, the role of appetite-regulating hormones, neuroimmune modulators or the body's stress-response system modulators in reducing alcohol consumption is currently of great interest, however, further investigations are needed.
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Alcoholismo/tratamiento farmacológico , Alcoholismo/fisiopatología , Humanos , Transmisión Sináptica/efectos de los fármacos , Ácido gamma-Aminobutírico/fisiologíaRESUMEN
The purpose of our experiment was to examine the influence of co-administration of nicotine and mephedrone on anxiety-like behaviors, cognitive processes and the nicotine-induced behavioral sensitization as well as processes connected with induction of oxidative stress in the brain of male Swiss mice. The results revealed that co-administration of subthreshold doses of mephedrone and nicotine (0.05 mg/kg each) exerted marked anxiogenic profile in the elevated plus maze and displayed pro-cognitive action in the passive avoidance paradigm (nicotine 0.05 mg/kg and mephedrone 2.5 mg/kg). Furthermore, one of the main findings of the present study was that mephedrone, administered alone at the dose not affecting locomotor activity of mice (1 mg/kg), enhanced the expression of nicotine-induced locomotor sensitization. Moreover, mephedrone administered with nicotine decreased general antioxidant status and catalase activity as well as antioxidant enzymes activity in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex and increased concentration of malondialdehyde, an indicator of lipid peroxidation processes. Considering the likelihood that mephedrone is taken as a part of polydrug combination with nicotine, the effects of this combination on mammalian organisms have been confirmed in our study. Understanding the consequences of co-administration of psychoactive substances on the central nervous system and oxidative processes in the brain provide the important toxicological significance, and may be useful in polydrug intoxication treatment.
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Ansiedad/inducido químicamente , Memoria/efectos de los fármacos , Metanfetamina/análogos & derivados , Modelos Animales , Actividad Motora/efectos de los fármacos , Nicotina/administración & dosificación , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Ansiedad/psicología , Combinación de Medicamentos , Drogas Ilícitas/toxicidad , Masculino , Aprendizaje por Laberinto/efectos de los fármacos , Aprendizaje por Laberinto/fisiología , Memoria/fisiología , Metanfetamina/administración & dosificación , Metanfetamina/toxicidad , Ratones , Actividad Motora/fisiología , Nicotina/toxicidad , Estrés Oxidativo/fisiologíaRESUMEN
9 N-alkylated derivatives of dextromethorphan are synthesized and studied as non-competitive inhibitors of α3ß4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). In vitro activity towards α3ß4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is determined using a patch-clamp technique and is in the micromolar range. Homology modeling, molecular docking and molecular dynamics of ligand-receptor complexes in POPC membrane are used to find the mode of interactions of N-alkylated dextromethorphan derivatives with α3ß4 nAChR. The compounds, similarly as dextromethorphan, interact with the middle portion of α3ß4 nAChR ion channel. Finally, behavioral tests confirmed potential application of the studied compounds for the treatment of addiction.
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Dextrometorfano/química , Antagonistas Nicotínicos/síntesis química , Receptores Nicotínicos/metabolismo , Animales , Sitios de Unión , Línea Celular , Dextrometorfano/síntesis química , Dextrometorfano/farmacología , Ligandos , Membrana Dobles de Lípidos/química , Membrana Dobles de Lípidos/metabolismo , Masculino , Simulación del Acoplamiento Molecular , Actividad Motora/efectos de los fármacos , Antagonistas Nicotínicos/química , Antagonistas Nicotínicos/farmacología , Técnicas de Placa-Clamp , Fosfatidilcolinas/química , Unión Proteica , Estructura Terciaria de Proteína , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Receptores Nicotínicos/químicaRESUMEN
Memory is one of the most important abilities of our brain. The process of memory and learning is necessary for the proper existence of humans in the surrounding environment. However, sometimes there are unfavourable changes in the functioning of the brain and memory deficits occur, which may be associated with various diseases. Disturbances in the cholinergic system lead to abnormalities in memory functioning and are an essential part of clinical symptoms of many neurodegenerative diseases. However, their treatment is difficult and still unsatisfactory; thus, it is necessary to search for new drugs and their targets, being an alternative method of mono- or polypharmacotherapy. One of the possible strategies for the modulation of memory-related cognitive disorders is connected with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The aim of the present study was to determine for the first time the effect of administration of natural cannabinoid compound (cannabidiol, CBD) and rivastigmine alone and in combination on the memory disorders connected with cholinergic dysfunctions in mice, provoked by using an antagonist of muscarinic cholinergic receptor-scopolamine. To assess and understand the memory-related effects in animals, we used the passive avoidance (PA) test, commonly used to examine the different stages of memory. An acute administration of CBD (1 mg/kg) or rivastigmine (0.5 mg/kg) significantly affected changes in scopolamine-induced disturbances in three different memory stages (acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval). Interestingly, co-administration of CBD (1 mg/kg) and rivastigmine (0.5 mg/kg) also attenuated memory impairment provoked by scopolamine (1 mg/kg) injection in the PA test in mice, but at a much greater extent than administered alone. The combination therapy of these two compounds, CBD and rivastigmine, appears to be more beneficial than substances administered alone in reducing scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment. This polytherapy seems to be favourable in the pharmacotherapy of various cognitive disorders, especially those in which cholinergic pathways are implicated.
RESUMEN
Nowadays, stressful situations are an unavoidable element of everyday life. Stressors activate a number of complex mental and physiological reactions in the organism, thus affecting the state of health of an individual. Stress is the main risk factor in the development of mental disorders, such as depression and other disorders developing as a result of addiction. Studies indicate that women are twice as likely as men to develop anxiety, depression and therefore addiction, e.g., to nicotine. Even though the data presented is indicative of significant differences between the sexes in the prevalence of these disorders, the majority of preclinical animal models for investigating stress-induced disorders use predominantly male subjects. However, the recent data indicates that this type of studies has also been launched in female rodents. Therefore, conducting research on both sexes allows for a more accurate understanding and assessment of the impact of stress on stress-induced behavioral, peripheral and molecular changes in the body and brain. In this manuscript we have gathered the data from 41 years (from 1981-2022) on the influence of stress on the development of depression and nicotine addiction in both sexes.
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The processes used by academic and industrial scientists to discover new drugs have recently experienced a true renaissance, with many new and exciting techniques being developed over the past 5-10 years alone. Drug design and discovery, and the search for new safe and well-tolerated compounds, as well as the ineffectiveness of existing therapies, and society's insufficient knowledge concerning the prophylactics and pharmacotherapy of the most common diseases today, comprise a serious challenge. This can influence not only the quality of human life, but also the health of whole societies, which became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. In general, the process of drug development consists of three main stages: drug discovery, preclinical development using cell-based and animal models/tests, clinical trials on humans and, finally, forward moving toward the step of obtaining regulatory approval, in order to market the potential drug. In this review, we will attempt to outline the first three most important consecutive phases in drug design and development, based on the experience of three cooperating and complementary academic centers of the Visegrád group; i.e., Medical University of Lublin, Poland, Masaryk University of Brno, Czech Republic, and Comenius University Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
RESUMEN
Two polyphenols-hyperoside (HYP) and protocatechuic acid (PCA) were reported to exert antidepressant activity in rodents after acute treatment. Our previous study also showed that this activity might have been influenced by the monoaminergic system and the upregulation of the brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) level. A very long-term pharmacological therapy is required for the treatment of a patient with depression. The repetitive use of antidepressants is recognized to impact the brain structures responsible for regulating both emotional and cognitive behaviors. Thus, we investigated the antidepressant, anxiolytic, and procognitive effects of HYP and PCA in mice after acute and prolonged treatment (14 days). Both polyphenols induced an anxiogenic-like effect after acute treatment, whereas an anxiolytic effect occurred after repetitive administration. PCA and HYP showed procognitive effects when they were administered acutely and chronically, but it seems that their influence on long-term memory was stronger than on short-term memory. In addition, the preset study showed that the dose of 7.5 mg/kg of PCA and HYP was effective in counteracting the effects of co-administered scopolamine in the long-term memory impairment model induced by scopolamine. Our experiments revealed the compounds have no affinity for 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors, whereas a significant increase in serum serotonin level after prolonged administration of PCA and HYP at a dose of 3.75 mg/kg was observed. Thus, it supports the involvement of the serotonergic system in the polyphenol mechanisms. These findings led us to hypothesize that the polyphenols isolated from Impatiens glandulifera can hold promise in treating mental disorders with cognitive dysfunction. Consequently, extended studies are necessary to delve into their pharmacological profile.
RESUMEN
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a pathological neurological condition that leads to significant motor dysfunction. It is a condition that occurs as a result of tragic accidents, violent acts, or as a consequence of chronic diseases or degenerative changes. The current treatments for patients with SCI have moderate efficacy. They improve the quality of life of patients, but they are still doomed to long-term disability. In response to the modern directions of research on possible therapeutic methods that allow for the recovery of patients with SCI, a scientific review publication is needed to summarize the recent developments in this topic. The following review is focused on the available pharmacological treatments for SCIs and the problems that patients face depending on the location of the injury. In the following review, the research team describes problems related to spasticity and neuropathic pain; possible therapeutic pathways are also described for neuroprotection and the improvement of neurotransmission within the injured spinal cord, and the review focuses on issues related to oxidative stress.