Antinociceptive Effect of Ethowurtzine, a New Compound from the Class of Hexaazaizowurzitane.

Analysis of specific pharmacological activity evaluated high antinociceptive efficacy of the first synthesized compound 10-di(ethoxyacetyl)-2,6,8,12-tetraacetyl-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo[5,5,0,03,11,05,9]dodecane (ethowurtzine) in models of somatogenic pain of different genesis (thermal, visceral pain, mechanical compression of paw).The new molecule from the class of hexaazaisowurtzitane effectively blocks nociceptive reactions at the supraspinal and peripheral levels of pain sensitivity organization. The effect of ethowurtzine was comparable or exceeded the effect of tramadol. The obtained results prove the possibility of creating new pharmacologically active molecules based on the high-energy substance hexaazaisowurtzitane.

Evaluation of the Gastroprotective Effect of the Flavonoid Complex from Lychnis chalcedonica L. on the Models of Experimental Ulcerogenesis.

Using rat and mouse models of neurogenic, ethanol-induced, and indometacin-induced damage to the gastric mucosa we demonstrated that course preventive treatment with flavonoid complex from aerial parts of Lychnis chalcedonica L. increased the resistance of gastric mucosa to ulcerogenic factors of different etiology. The gastroprotective effect of the phytocomplex in a dose range of 16-1600 µg/kg was comparable with that of the reference drug plantaglucide and was superior to that of the reference drugs eleutherococcus extract and methyluracil in the therapeutic doses. The antiulcerogenic activity of Lychnis chalcedonica flavonoid complex considerably exceeded activity of Lychnis chalcedonica L. extract demonstrated in our previous experiments.

Some Aspects of Investigation of the Central Mechanism of Antinociceptive Effect of a New Analgetic from the Hexaazaisowurtzitane Group.

Possible involvement of µ1- and κ-opioid receptors and cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1) into the mechanism of analgesic activity of the experimental drug product "Thiowurtzine, (capsule 120 mg)" synthesized on the basis of active pharmaceutical substance 4-(3,4-dibromthiophencarbonyl)-2,6,8,12-tetraacethyl-2,4,6,8,10,12hexaazatetracyclo [5,5,0,03,11,05,9]dodecane was studied in vivo using the hot plate test and acetic acid writhing test. The involvement of κ-opioid receptors and noninvolvement of µ1-receptors and CB1 receptors in the mechanism of thiowurtzine analgesia were demonstrated. The mechanism of interaction of the test analgesic with opioid receptors differs from that of the reference drug tramadol. The interaction of thiowurtzine with serotonergic, GABAergic, and muscarinic cholinergic neurotransmitter systems was studied in vivo using pharmacological analyzers. The absence of muscarinic cholinolytic effect of thiowurtzine was demonstrated in the model of arecoline-induced tremor. The central serotonin-blocking activity of the analgesic was revealed in the model of 5-hydroxytryptophan hyperkinesis in mice. Anticonvulsant activity was demonstrated in the corazol convulsions test, which attested to the presence of a GABAergic component. The mechanism of central analgesia caused by the drug product "Thiowurtzine, capsule 120 mg" appeared to be polymodal. The antinociceptive activity of the analgesic was comparable to that of tramadol.

Effect of a New Lithium Preparation on the Behavior of CBA/CaLac Mice in an Experimental Conflict Model.

The use of lithium drugs in clinical practice requires constant monitoring of lithium plasma concentration, because toxicity is sometimes observed at therapeutic concentrations of lithium. This is often associated with fluctuations of plasma concentration of lithium ions after intake of individual doses. Therefore, the use of a porous carrier providing a stable blood level of the drug is extremely promising and important for clinical practice. We studied activity of a new lithium drug (lithium complex) consisting of aluminum-silicon base and lithium citrate immobilized on its surface. Lithium carbonate served as the reference drug. It was shown that lithium carbonate and lithium complex exhibited no anxiolytic activity in the conflict model, but produced an antidepressant effect and improved exploratory behavior of animals.

Analgesic Activity of Hexaazaisowurtzitane Derivatives.

Pronounced analgesic activity of the innovative compound 4-(3,4-dibromthiophencarbonyl)-2,6,8,12-tetraacethyl-2,4,6,8,10,12hexaazatetracyclo[5,5,0,03, 11,05, 9] dodecane (thiowurtzine) was observed in the thermal nociceptive hot plate test and in the acute visceral and somatic deep pain model (acetic acid writhing test). In these experimental models, naloxone-sensitive thiowurtzine-induced analgesia was revealed. The absence of tropism to peripheral opioid receptors in the acetic acid writhing test was demonstrated using naloxone methiodide. Course administration of low-toxic thiowurtzine in effective doses was not associated with ulcerogenic damage to the gastric mucosa in experimental animals.

Effect of Lithium Preparations on Cerebral Electrophysiological Activity in Rats.

The study examined the effects of a novel neurotropic medication based on a lithium complex composed of lithium citrate, polymethylsiloxane, and aluminum oxide on electrophysiological parameters of the rat brain. In contrast to lithium carbonate (the reference drug), the novel preparation resulted in a wave-like dynamics of electrical activity in the visual cortex. Rhythmic photic stimulation of the rats treated with lithium carbonate resulted in appearance of the signs attesting to up-regulation of excitability of cerebral cortex in all examined ranges. In contrast, the complex lithium preparation diminished the delta power spectrum, which was the only affected frequency band. It is hypothesized that the complex lithium medication induces milder activation of the cerebral cortex in comparison with lithium carbonate. The novel medication composed of lithium citrate, aluminum oxide, and polymethylsiloxane, is characterized by greater efficacy and safety than the preparation based on inorganic lithium salt (lithium carbonate).

Correction of Cholinergic Abnormalities in Mnestic Processes with Diterpene Alkaloid Songorine.

Repeated administration of songorine to mice restored mnestic processes impaired by scopolamine treatment, which manifested in improvement of CPAR conditioning and normalization of behavioral activity throughtout the observation period. This thearpeutical effect surpassed that of pyracetam used as the reference drug.

Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of the Complex of Flavonoids from Lychnis chalcedonica L.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the complex of flavonoids from Lychnis chalcedonica L. were studied in the models of acute aseptic inflammation induced by carrageenan, histamine, and serotonin and acetic acid-induced painful chemical stimulation. It is demonstrated that course treatment with flavonoids derived from Lychnis chalcedonica L. produced a stable pharmacological effect comparable with that of the reference anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac.

Psychopharmacological Effects of JNK Inhibitor in Posthypoxic Encephalopathy and Mechanisms of Their Development.

Psychopharmacological effects of JNK inhibitor were studied using a mouse model of posthypoxic encephalopathy. The preparation exhibited a pronounced cerebroprotective effect manifested in normalization of orientation and exploratory behavior and conditioned responses in posthypoxic mice. These effects were accompanied by marked elevation of neural stem cell content in the paraventricular region of the brain.

Psychopharmacological Effects of Alkaloid Z77 under Conditions of Posthypoxic Encephalopathy and Mechanisms of Their Development.

Psychopharmacological effects of atisine-type diterpene alkaloid Z77 were studied under conditions of experimental posthypoxic encephalopathy. The preparation had a pronounced cerebroprotective effect consisting in normalization of orientation and exploratory behavior and conditioned activity in experimental animals. These changes were accompanied by significant increase in the number of neural stem cells in the paraventricular region of the brain and markedly enhanced production of neurotrophic growth factors by neural tissue microenvironment cells.

Antitoxic Activity of Extract from Salix Viminalis Leaves under Conditions of 5-Fluorouracil Treatment.

Injection of 5-fluorouracil to animals caused a pronounced toxic effect. Therapeutic and preventive treatment with Salix viminalis leaf extract significantly reduced the negative effects of the antitumor drug: promoted recovery of the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and visceral parameters and prevented ulceration. Combined use of the cytostatic and Salix viminalis extract increased the efficiency of antitumor therapy.

Anxiolytic Activity of Diterpene Alkaloid Songorine.

Antianxiety action of diterpene alkaloid songorine was studied using Vogel conflict test. Songorine in a dose of 0.25 mg/kg demonstrated high anxiolytic activity comparable to that of phenazepam and produced no sedative effect.

Mechanisms of psychopharmacological effects of alkaloid Z77 under conditions of brain ischemia.

We studied the psychopharmacological effects of atisine-type diterpene alkaloid Z77 in a rat model of brain ischemia in the morning and at night. The type of developing locomotor disorders in animals was shown to depend on circadian rhythms. Administration of Z77 substantially corrected manifestations of psychoneurological symptoms. The parameters of orientation and exploratory behavior and conditioned reflex activity were normalized. The key role of receptors of neural stem cells to fibroblast growth factor in the realization of their growth potential under the influence of the alkaloid was demonstrated. Under in vitro conditions, antibodies to fibroblast growth factor receptor abolished the increase in the number of neural CFU caused by Z77 in the culture of intact cells from the paraventricular region of the brain.

Cerebroprotective and regenerative effects of alkaloid Z77 under conditions of brain ischemia.

We studied the psychopharmacological effects of atisine-type diterpene alkaloid Z77 in a rat model of cerebral ischemia. Pronounced cerebroprotective effect was found consisting in normalization of the orienting and exploratory activity and conditioned behavior associated with significant correction of morphological changes in the brain. The direct stimulatory effect of Z77 on neural stem cells was shown in vitro.

Role of receptors to fibroblast growth factor (FGF) on mesenchymal precursor cells in the realization of regenerative effects of alkaloid songorine.

We studied the mechanisms of regenerative (wound healing) effects of songorine associated with functional activation of mesenchymal progenitor cells. The key role of FGF receptors on these progenitor cells in the stimulation of realization of their growth potential under the effect of the alkaloid was demonstrated. Under in vitro conditions, the antibodies to FGF receptor abolished the songorine-induced increase in the number of fibroblast colony-forming units in bone marrow cell culture. The intensity of differentiation of mesenchymal precursors remained unchanged.

Mechanisms of hemostimulating effect of Aconitum baicalense diterpene alkaloids.

A mixture of diterpene alkaloids of Aconitum baicalense exhibited pronounced regenerative hemostimulating properties on the model of cytostatic myelosuppression. The therapeutic effect is based on activation of hemopoietic progenitor cells against the background of increased feeder capacity of stromal compartment of the hemopoiesis-inducing microenvironment and decreased count of mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow.

Mechanisms of napelline action stimulating the regeneration of hemopoietic tissue in cytostatic myelosuppression.

Pronounced regenerative effects of alkaloid napelline extracted from Aconitum baicalense on granulocytic hemopoiesis were revealed in the model of cytostatic myelosuppression. Activation of functions of hemopoietic progenitor cells along with increased feeder capacity of the stromal elements in the hemopoiesis inducing microenvironment with decreased levels mesenchymal progenitor cells in the bone marrow are the mechanisms underlying the hemostimulating action of this substance.

[Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of extracts from Siberian plants].

Experimental investigations have shown that water-alcohol extracts from plants containing alkaloids (Aconitum baikalense, Aconitum septentrionale, Delphinium elatum L., Conium maculatum) and salicylic acid (Filipendula ulmaria, Salix viminalis, Fragaria vesca, Rubus idaeus) inhibited the development of main symptoms of inflammation, viz. exudation, pain, fever, to the same extent as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. The substances studied in this work may be used to develop new efficient pharmacological preparations for the treatment of different inflammatory conditions associated with severe pain syndrome.

[Experimental study of the mechanisms of the tissue repair activity of complex and individual agents isolated from Delphinium elatum].

It is demonstrated in experiment that the entire complex and individual agents isolated from the above-ground part of bee larkspur Delphinium elatum stimulate the reparative regeneration of skin in white mongrel mice. The maximum activity was exhibited by the alkaloid fraction of Delphinium elatum.

[The influence of aconitum preparations on the development of chronic inflammation].

Experiments show that ethanol extracts prepared from the above-ground parts of Aconitum baicalensis and the above-ground parts and roots of Aconitum septentrionale L. suppressed the exudative and proliferative stages of model chronic inflammation. Both phytopreparations normalized some biochemical indices of the blood (total protein, seromucoids, firbinogen) altered by the inflammation.