Theoretical and Experimental Study of Molecular Interactions of Fluralaner with Lipid Membranes.

Fluralaner is a relatively new insecticide belonging to the isoxazoline group, whose action mechanism involves the blocking of GABAA-receptors in the insect nervous system. Because of its high hydrophobicity, fluralaner could bioaccumulate and reach toxic local concentrations. Since there are no data available about the penetration and persistence of isoxazolines in biological membranes, we intend to evaluate fluralaner permanence as a pollutant by using model membranes. We used experimental and in silico models to characterize the incorporation of fluralaner into the lipid phase at different packing states. We determined its impact in the membrane structure and organization. Our results confirm that fluralaner is capable of penetrating, holding, and accumulating in the lipid membrane and provide details on its precise location and orientation. These properties would allow fluralaner to reach high local concentrations in different membranes and organs, which could be dangerous for vertebrate organisms if its handling is not properly controlled.

The insecticide fipronil affects the physical properties of model membranes: A combined experimental and molecular dynamics simulations study in Langmuir monolayers.

Fipronil is a widely used commercial insecticide whose action mechanism consists in blocking the influx of chloride ions through the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAA-R), an integral membrane protein. The present study investigates the interaction of fipronil with phospholipid Langmuir monolayers, in order to characterize the effects that its partition could exert on the physical properties of these model membranes. A combined experimental and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations approach was performed. MD simulations were conducted in such a way that they resemble an experimental compression isotherm of DPPC in the presence of fipronil in the aqueous subphase. Both the experimental and the simulated compression isotherm showed that the partition of fipronil between DPPC molecules induces an expansion of the monolayer. Experimental results also showed that fipronil can penetrate lipid monolayers even in condensed packing states. MD simulations showed that fipronil induces an ordering effect in the acyl chains of DPPC in the liquid-condensed phase. In addition, the simulations indicate that fipronil orients parallel to the plane of the monolayer and that it establishes hydrogen bonds with the glycerol region of DPPC. Free energy profiles of the partition of fipronil into the monolayers, obtained by means of umbrella sampling, indicated that its penetration is thermodynamically favorable, being the interphase between the glycerol region and the acyl chains of DPPC its most favorable location. Our results suggest that fipronil could modulate the supramolecular organization of biological membranes surrounding GABAA-R, contributing, at least in part, to its action mechanism.

Promising Chitosan-Coated Alginate-Tween 80 Nanoparticles as Rifampicin Coadministered Ascorbic Acid Delivery Carrier Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The aim of this study was to design a nanocarrier system for inhalation delivery of rifampicin (RIF) in combination with ascorbic acid (ASC), namely constituted of sodium alginate coated with chitosan and Tween 80 (RIF/ASC NPs) as a platform for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis infection. A Box-Behnken experimental design and response surface methodology (RSM) were applied to elucidate and evaluate the effects of several factors on the nanoparticle properties. On the other hand, it was found that RIF/ASC NPs were less cytotoxic than the free RIF, showing a significantly improved activity against nine clinical strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) in comparison with the free drug. RIF/ASC NPs had an average particle size of 324.0 ± 40.7 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.226 ± 0.030, and a zeta potential of - 28.52 ± 0.47 mV and the surface was hydrophilic. The addition of sucrose (1% w/v) to the nanosuspension resulted in the formation of a solid pellet easily redispersible after lyophilization. RIF/ASC NPs were found to be stable at different physiological pH values. In summary, findings of this work highlight the potential of the RIF/ASC NP-based formulation development herein to deliver RIF in combination with ASC through pulmonary route by exploring a non-invasive route of administration of this antibiotic, increasing the local drug concentrations in lung tissues, the primary infection site, as well as reducing the risk of systemic toxicity and hence improving the patient compliance.

Interaction of gabaergic ketones with model membranes: A molecular dynamics and experimental approach.

γ-Aminobutyric-acid receptor (GABAA-R), a membrane intrinsic protein, is activated by GABA and modulated by a wide variety of recognized drugs. GABAA-R is also target for several insecticides which act by recognition of a non-competitive blocking site. Mentha oil is rich in several ketones with established activity against various insects/pests. Considering that mint ketones are highly lipophilic, their action mechanism could involve, at least in part, a non-specific receptor modulation by interacting with the surrounding lipids. In the present work, we studied in detail the effect on membranes of five cyclic ketones present in mint plants, with demonstrated insecticide and gabaergic activity. Particularly, we have explored their effect on the organization and dynamics of the membrane, by using Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation studies in a bilayer model of DPPC. We performed free diffusion MD and obtained spatially resolved free energy profiles of ketones partition into bilayers based on umbrella sampling. The most favored location of ketones in the membrane corresponded to the lower region of the carbonyl groups. Both hydrocarbon chains were slightly affected by the presence of ketones, presenting an ordering effect for the methylene groups closer to the carbonyl. MD simulations results were also contrasted with experimental data from fluorescence anisotropy studies which evaluate changes in membrane fluidity. In agreement, these assays indicated that the presence of ketones between lipid molecules induced an enhancement of the intermolecular interaction, increasing the molecular order throughout the bilayer thickness.

Neuroprotective effects of gabaergic phenols correlated with their pharmacological and antioxidant properties.

AIMS: Various investigations have demonstrated the protective capacity of general anesthetics as neuroprotective agents. The effects of propofol against ischemia are known to reside in its antioxidant properties and its GABAergic activity. Other aromatic alcohols have also been reported as able to protect neurons against oxidative damage. The aim of this work is to evaluate the potential neuroprotective effect of some phenols, structurally analogues of propofol, with proven GABAergic activity. These phenols include the naturally occurring compounds thymol, carvacrol and eugenol, the synthetic product chlorothymol, and the most widely used intravenous anesthetic, propofol, as a reference compound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Taking primary cultures of cortical neurons as a suitable model to evaluate cellular protection against oxidative damage, we developed an injury model to test potential neuroprotective activity. The intracellular hydroperoxides were also determined. KEY FINDINGS: The results showed that no compound decreased cell viability at concentrations where they were active on the GABAA receptor. In neuroprotection tests, some phenols and Vit E showed a partial protective effect against the oxidative injury. These compounds induced a clear tendency to reduce H2O2 damage, comparing production of hydroperoxides, although these last changes were statistically non-significant. SIGNIFICANCE: Testing the intracellular oxidation levels suggests that this partial protection exerted by propofol, thymol and chlorothymol may be mediated in some way by their antioxidant activities. However, this neuroprotection is not completely correlated with the antioxidant capacity, but it approaches their relative pharmacological potency, which could be interpreted as a final effect that would involve both activities.

Effects of Insecticidal Ketones Present in Mint Plants on GABAA Receptor from Mammalian Neurons.

BACKGROUND: The genus Mentha, an important member of the Lamiaceae family, is represented by many species commonly known as mint. The insecticidal activity of Mentha oil and its main components has been tested and established against various insects/pests. Among these, the ketone monoterpenes that are most common in different Mentha species demonstrated insect toxicity, with pulegone being the most active, followed by carvone and menthone. Considering that the GABAA receptor (GABAA-R) is one of the main insecticide targets on neurons, and that pulegone would modulate the insect GABA system, it may be expected that the insecticidal properties of Mentha ketones are mediated by their interaction with this receptor. OBJECTIVE: In order to discern the pharmacological actions of these products when used as insecticides on mammalian organisms, we evaluated the pharmacologic activity of ketones, commonly present in Mentha plants, on native GABAA-R from rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Determination of ketones effects on allosterically enhanced benzodiazepine binding, using primary cultures of cortical neurons, which express functional receptors and MTT assay to evaluate their cell toxicity. RESULTS: Our results seem to indicate that ketone components of Mentha, with proven repellent or insecticide activity, were able to behave as GABAA-R negative allosteric modulators in murine cells and consequently could exhibit convulsant activity in mammalians. Only pulegone at the highest assayed concentration (2 mM) showed a significant reduction in cell viability after exposure for 24 hr. CONCLUSION: The present results strongly suggest that the ketone components of Mentha are able to exhibit convulsant activity in mammalian organisms, but functional assays and in vivo experiments would be necessary to corroborate this proposed action. SUMMARY: The pharmacological activity of insecticide ketones, commonly present in Mentha plants, was evaluated on native GABAA receptor from mammalian neurons.All studied compounds: pulegone, menthone and dihydrocarvone, were able to behave as negative allosteric modulators and could exhibit convulsant activity in mammalian organisms.Citotoxicity assays demonstrated that only pulegone affected the cell viability. Abbreviations used: GABA: gamma aminobutyric acid, GABAA-R: GABAA receptor, MTT: 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazam, DMEM: Dulbecco's modified minimum essential mèdium, [3H]TBOB: [3H] t-Butylbicycloorthobenzoate.

Membrane effects of dihydropyrimidine analogues with larvicidal activity.

Two recently synthesized dihydropyrimidines (DHPMs) analogues have demonstrated larvicide and repellent activity against Anopheles arabiensis. DHPMs high lipophilicity suggests that these compounds may interact directly with the membrane and modify their biophysical properties. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the interaction of both compounds with artificial membranes. Changes on the properties of DPPC films were studied using Langmuir monolayers. The presence of DHPMs in the subphase modified the interfacial characteristics of DPPC compression isotherms, causing the expansion of the monolayer, inducing the disappearance of DPPC phase transition and increasing the molecular packing of the film. Moreover, both compounds showed ability to penetrate into the lipid monolayers at molecular pressures comparable to those in biological membranes. The effects of both DHPMs on the molecular organization of DPPC liposomes were measured by fluorescence anisotropy. The results indicate that their presence between lipid molecules would induce an increasing intermolecular interaction, diminishing the bilayer fluidity mainly at the polar region. Finally, we performed free diffusion MD simulations and obtained spatially resolved free energy profiles of DHPMs partition into a DPPC bilayer through Potential of Mean Force (PMF) calculations. In agreement with the experimental assays, PMF profiles and MD simulations showed that DHPMs are able to partition into DPPC bilayers, penetrating into the membrane and stablishing hydrogen bonds with the carbonyl moiety. Our results suggest that DHPMs bioactivity could involve their interaction with the lipid molecules that modulate the supramolecular organization of the biological membranes and consequently the membrane proteins functionality.

Effects of bioactive monoterpenic ketones on membrane organization. A langmuir film study.

The cyclic ketones, thujone and dihydrocarvone, are lipophilic components of essential oils extracted from different plants, which have proven insecticidal activity. The GABAA receptor is activated by the neurotransmitter GABA and is the action site of widely used neurotoxic pesticides. Many compounds that regulate GABAA receptor function interact with membrane lipids, causing changes in their physical properties and consequently, in the membrane dynamic characteristics that modulate receptor macromolecules. In the present study, the biophysical effects of thujone (a gabaergic reference compound) and dihydrocarvone (structurally very similar) were explored by using monomolecular films of DPPC as a model membrane system, to gain insight into membrane-drug interaction. The compression isotherms showed that both ketones expand the DPPC isotherms and increase membrane elasticity. They penetrate the monolayer but their permanence depends on the possibility of establishing molecular interactions with the film component, favored by defects present in the membrane at the phase transition. Finally, by using Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) as a complementary technique for direct visualization of the study films, we found that incorporating ketone seems to reduce molecular repulsion among phospholipid headgroups. Our results reinforce the notion that changes in membrane mechanics may be occurring in the presence of the assayed ketones, suggesting that their interaction with the receptor's surrounding membrane may modulate or affect its functionality, possibly as part of the mechanism of the bioactivity described for thujone and DHC.

Synthesis, Polymorphism, and Insecticidal Activity of Methyl 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-8-iodo-2-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-4H-pyrimido[2,1-b]quinazoline-3-Carboxylate Against Anopheles arabiensis Mosquito.

Mosquitoes are the major vectors of pathogens and parasites including those causing malaria, the most deadly vector-borne disease. The negative environmental effects of most synthetic compounds combined with widespread development of insecticide resistance encourage an interest in finding and developing alternative products against mosquitoes. In this study, pyrimido[2,1-b]quinazoline derivative DHPM3 has been synthesized by three-step chemical reaction and screened for larvicide, adulticide, and repellent properties against Anopheles arabiensis, one of the dominant vectors of malaria in Africa. The title compound emerged as potential larvicide agent for further research and development, because it exerted 100% mortality, while adulticide activity was considered moderate.

Inhibitory effects of carvone isomers on the GABAA receptor in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons.

Carvone is a natural terpene which can be purified as R-(-) or S-(+) enantiomers. There are many reports about its antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticide activities, and also of some effects on the nervous system, where both enantiomers showed different potencies. Considering that the GABA(A) receptor is a major insecticide target, we studied the pharmacological activity of both carvone enantiomers, and of thujone as a reference compound acting on the receptor, on native GABA(A) by determining their effects on benzodiazepine recognition sites using primary neuronal cultures. Both isomers were able to inhibit the GABA-induced stimulation of [(3)H]flunitrazepam binding, suggesting their interaction with the GABA(A) receptor as negative allosteric modulators. Their activity was comparable to that described for thujone in the present article, with the R-(-)-carvone being the more similar and potent stereoisomer. The different configuration of the isopropenyl group in position 5 thus seems to be significant for receptor interaction and the bicycle structure not to be critical for receptor recognition. The concentrations necessary to induce negative modulation of the receptor were not cytotoxic in a murine neuron culture system. These results confirm that, at least partially, the reported insecticidal activity of carvones may be explained by their interaction with the GABA(A) receptor at its noncompetitive blocker site.

Comparative antioxidant properties of some GABAergic phenols and related compounds, determined for homogeneous and membrane systems.

Some phenols, like propofol, thymol and related compounds, have been shown to act on the GABA(A) receptor. Several compounds with GABAergic activity have displayed neuroprotective effects attributed mainly to the potentiation of GABA(A)-mediated inhibition of synaptic transmission. It has also been found that compounds containing a phenolic OH group can scavenge reactive oxygen species, as in the case of propofol, among others. Thus, the neuroprotective action mechanism of GABAergic phenols would involve both effects, their pharmacological activity on GABA(A) and their intrinsic antioxidant ability. In this context, the study of the antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds included in the present work will enable these capacities to be correlated with their eventual pharmacological activities. The assays chosen in this study included determination of antioxidant ability in homogeneous isotropic systems (DPPH reduction, FRAP and hydrogen peroxide scavenging) and in heterogeneous membrane systems (inhibition of lipid peroxidation of phospholipid SUVs). The comparative evaluation of the results showed some differences between the relative order of antioxidant potency among all assayed compounds determined by using both types of systems. This analysis supports the conclusion that the antioxidant values obtained in homogeneous non-membrane systems, for phenols or other lipophilic compounds, should be revised according to their capacity of interaction with membranes (i.e. Log P in membrane-buffer system) in order to obtain antioxidant potency values more approximate to those actually occurring in biological systems. These results are essential to understand the actual neuroprotective action mechanism exerted by phenolic compounds involving a pharmacological activity, an antioxidant effect or both actions exerted mutually.

Surface behavior and peptide-lipid interactions of the cyclic neuropeptide melanin concentrating hormone.

The kinetics and the thermodynamics of melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) adsorption, penetration, and mixing with membrane components are reported. MCH behaved as a surface active peptide, forming stable monolayers at a lipid-free air-water interface, with an equilibrium spreading pressure, a collapse pressure, and a minimal molecular area of 11 mN/m, 13 mN/m, and 140 A (2), respectively. Additional peptide interfacial stabilization was achieved in the presence of lipids, as evidenced by the expansion observed at pi > pi sp in monolayers containing premixtures of MCH with zwitterionic or charged lipids. The MCH-monolayer association and dissociation rate constants were 9.52 x 10 (-4) microM (-1) min (-1) and 8.83 x 10 (-4) min (-1), respectively. The binding of MCH to the dpPC-water interface had a K d = 930 nM at 10 mN/m. MCH penetration in lipid monolayers occurred even up to pi cutoff = 29-32 mN/m. The interaction stability, binding orientation, and miscibility of MCH in monolayers depended on the lipid type, the MCH molar fraction in the mixture, and the molecular packing of the monolayer. This predicted its heterogeneous distribution between different self-separated membrane domains. Our results demonstrated the ability of MCH to incorporate itself into biomembranes and supports the possibility that MCH affects the activity of mechanosensitive membrane proteins through mechanisms unrelated with binding to specific receptors.

Effect of beta-adrenoceptors on the behaviour induced by the neuropeptide glutamic acid isoleucine amide.

Excessive grooming behaviour is induced by intracerebroventricular injections of the neuropeptide glutamic acid isoleucine amide (neuropeptide-EI), via the activation of A-10 dopaminergic neurons and the noradrenergic system. Our object was to study the latter system involved in these behaviours, using male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g with i.c.v. implants. The results show that all the adrenoceptor antagonists "per se" do not affect excessive grooming behaviour or motor activity. Intracerebroventricular administration of propranolol, a general beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, before neuropeptide-EI, inhibited the induced excessive grooming behaviour in a dose dependent manner. Metoprolol, a beta(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist, also blocked this behaviour. However, intracerebroventricular injections of phentolamine, an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, and ((+/-)-1-[2,3-(Dihydro-7-methyl-1H-inden-4-yl)oxy]-3-[(1-methylethyl)amino]-2-butanol), a beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, had no effect on the behaviour induced by neuropeptide-EI induced behaviour for any of the doses tested. On the other hand, isoproterenol, a general beta-adrenoceptor agonist and dobutamine, a beta(1)-adrenoceptor agonist, both elicited similar behaviours as those induced by neuropeptide-EI. These results support the hypothesis that a relationship exists between neuropeptide-EI and beta-adrenoceptors, more specifically the beta(1)-adrenoceptor, as found with other similar endogenous peptides such as neurotensin, cholecystin, substance P and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone. Hence, neuropeptide-EI could probably be exerting a neuromodulating effect on the central nervous system.

Effect of alpha-melanotropin hormone on serum levels of luteinizing hormone and progesterone in experimental rat autoimmune oophoritis.

We studied the effect of alpha-melanotropin hormone (alpha-MSH) on experimental autoimmune oophoritis (EAO), an inflammatory process induced in female rats. During proestrus, serum levels of LH and progesterone in rats with EAO were higher than those of control rats. However, administration of alpha-MSH to these rats decreased the levels of LH. Similarly, in the following diestrus, rats with EAO had high levels of LH but treatment with alpha-MSH decreased the levels to diestrus 2 control values. Treatment with alpha-MSH also reduced the LH levels of control rats in diestrus 2 compared to untreated controls. However, alpha-MSH treatment had no effect on progesterone levels of either control or rats with EAO. Thus, although alpha-MSH induced notable changes in levels of LH, this decrease was unable to block the illness.

Intracerebroventricular injection of neuropeptide EI increases serum LH in male and female rats.

Melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) precursor-derived neuropeptide EI (NEI) has not yet been extensively studied. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of neuropeptide EI on serum levels of LH in normal male rats and chronically ovariectomized (CHR-OVX) female rats treated with estrogen benzoate (EB) and with a low dose of progesterone. The peptide, administered intracerebroventricularly in male and chronically ovariectomized female rats, increased LH serum levels compared to the controls injected with artificial cerebrospinal fluid. It is important to note that there is some relation between neuropeptide EI-melanin concentrating hormone and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) indicating that all three peptides are associated in a complex inter-relationship. Therefore, the question that arises is if neuropeptide EI could also be related with the receptors for melanin concentrating hormone or alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone.