Biological and pharmacological activities of noscapine: Focusing on its receptors and mechanisms

Synthesis and modification of noscapine derivatives as promising future anticancer agents

Noscapine, a tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid, was first isolated from Papaver somniferum and identified by Rabiquet in 1817. It has been used as an anti-tussive agent since the mid-1950 s. After the discovery of its anti-mitotic potential, it was into the limelight once again. Due to its low toxicity, high bioactivity and oral administration, It was regarded as a formidable framework for subsequent modification and advancement in the pursuit of innovative chemotherapeutic agents. Up to now, the rational derivatives of the noscapine have been designed and the biological activities of these analogues have been extensively investigated. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the chemical characteristics of noscapine and its semi-synthetic derivatives up to the present, encompassing a concise investigation into the biological properties of these compounds and additionally a discussion about biosynthesis and total synthesis of noscapine is also provided. In summary, our aim is to contribute to a more thorough comprehension of this structure. It can be asserted that a promising future lies ahead for noscapine and its engineered derivatives as noteworthy candidates for pharmaceutical drugs.

A Semi-Mechanistic Population Pharmacokinetic Model of Noscapine in Healthy Subjects Considering Hepatic First-Pass Extraction and CYP2C9 Genotypes

INTRODUCTION

Noscapine is a commonly used cough suppressant, with ongoing research on its anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. The drug has a pronounced pharmacokinetic variability.

OBJECTIVE

This evaluation aims to describe the pharmacokinetics of noscapine using a semi-mechanistic population pharmacokinetic model and to identify covariates that could explain inter-individual pharmacokinetic variability.

METHODS

Forty-eight healthy volunteers (30 men and 18 women, mean age 33 years) were enrolled in a randomized, two-period, two-stage, crossover bioequivalence study of noscapine in two different liquid formulations. Noscapine plasma concentrations following oral administration of noscapine 50 mg were evaluated by a non-compartmental analysis and by a population pharmacokinetic model separately.

RESULTS

Compared to the reference formulation, the test formulation exhibited ratios (with 94.12% confidence intervals) of 0.784 (0.662-0.929) and 0.827 (0.762-0.925) for peak plasma concentrations and area under the plasma concentration-time curve, respectively. Significant differences in p values (< 0.01) were both observed when comparing peak plasma concentrations and area under the plasma concentration-time curve between CYP2C9 genotype-predicted phenotypes. A three-compartmental model with zero-order absorption and first-order elimination process best described the plasma data. The introduction of a liver compartment was able to describe the profound first-pass effect of noscapine. Total body weight and the CYP2C9 genotype-predicted phenotype were both identified as significant covariates on apparent clearance, which was estimated as 958 ± 548 L/h for extensive metabolizers (CYP2C9*1/*1 and *1/*9), 531 ± 304 L/h for intermediate metabolizers with an activity score of 1.5 (CYP2C9*1/*2), and 343 ± 197 L/h for poor metabolizers and intermediate metabolizers with an activity score of 1.0 (CYP2C9*1/*3, *2/*3, and*3/*3).

CONCLUSION

The current work is expected to facilitate the future pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic development of noscapine. This study was registered prior to starting at "Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien" under registration no. DRKS00017760.

Metformin beyond an anti-diabetic agent: A comprehensive and mechanistic review on its effects against natural and chemical toxins

In addition to the anti-diabetic effect of metformin, a growing number of studies have shown that metformin has some exciting properties, such as anti-oxidative capabilities, anticancer, genomic stability, anti-inflammation, and anti-fibrosis, which have potent, that can treat other disorders other than diabetes mellitus. We aimed to describe and review the protective and antidotal efficacy of metformin against biologicals, chemicals, natural, medications, pesticides, and radiation-induced toxicities. A comprehensive search has been performed from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases from inception to March 8, 2023. All in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies were considered. Many studies suggest that metformin affects diseases other than diabetes. It is a radioprotective and chemoprotective drug that also affects viral and bacterial diseases. It can be used against inflammation-related and apoptosis-related abnormalities and against toxins to lower their effects. Besides lowering blood sugar, metformin can attenuate the effects of toxins on body weight, inflammation, apoptosis, necrosis, caspase-3 activation, cell viability and survival rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS), NF-κB, TNF-α, many interleukins, lipid profile, and many enzymes activity such as catalase and superoxide dismutase. It also can reduce the histopathological damages induced by many toxins on the kidneys, liver, and colon. However, clinical trials and human studies are needed before using metformin as a therapeutic agent against other diseases.

HPLC/MS characterization of Syzygium aromaticum L. and evaluation of its effects on peritoneal adhesion: Investigating the role of inflammatory cytokines, oxidative factors, and fibrosis and angiogenesis biomarkers

The dried flower bud of Syzygium aromaticum L. (S. aromaticum) (Myrtaceae), cloves, have been used for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Peritoneal adhesion (PA) is the most common complication of abdominal and pelvic surgeries, which causes significant adverse effects and severe economic burden. The present study aimed to evaluate the preventive effect of S. extract (SAE) on PA formation in a rat model. Male Wistar 8-week-old rats were randomly divided into sham, control (received vehicle), and treatment (0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% w/v of SAE) groups. The adhesion and related factors were examined using the Nair scoring system and immunological and biochemical kits for the levels of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α], growth factors [transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)], oxidative [nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA)], and anti-oxidative [glutathione (GSH)] factors. Our results figured out that the adhesion score and IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1, VEGF, NO, and MDA levels were significantly increased, but the GSH level was decreased in the control group compared to the sham group (p < 0.001-0.05). On the other hand, the 0.25% SAE group had a lower adhesion score, and IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1, VEGF, NO, and MDA levels were significantly decreased compared with the vehicle group, and the level of GSH was increased (p < 0.001-0.05). SAE could efficiently reduce adhesion score and regulate inflammatory cytokines, oxidative and anti-oxidative factors, and biomarkers of fibrosis and angiogenesis. Therefore, clove extract can be considered a potential candidate for PA management.

Topical Formulation of Noscapine, a Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloid, Ameliorates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-Like Skin Lesions

Psoriasis is considered an autoimmune inflammatory disease. The disease is spread and diagnosed by the infiltration of inflammatory mediators and cells into the epidermis. Recent theoretical developments have focused on the effectiveness of noscapine (NOS) as a potential alkaloid for being used as a valuable treatment for different diseases. In the present study, psoriasis-like dermatitis was induced on the right ear pinna surface of male Balb/c mice by topical application of imiquimod (IMQ) for ten consecutive days, which was treated with noscapine (0.3, 1, 3, and 10% w/v) or clobetasol (0.05% w/v) as a positive control. The levels of ear length, thickness, severity of skin inflammation, psoriatic itch, psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score, and body weight were measured daily. On the 10^th day of study, each ear was investigated for inflammation, fibrosis, proliferation, and apoptosis using histopathological (H&E and Masson's trichrome staining) and immunohistochemistry (Ki67 and p53 staining) assays. Furthermore, the levels of inflammatory biomarkers were characterized by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results confirmed IMQ-induced psoriasis for five consecutive days. In contrast, noscapine significantly reduced the ear length, thickness, severity of skin inflammation, psoriatic itch and body weight, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-17, and IL-23p19 in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.001–0.05 for all cases). Overall, topical noscapine significantly ameliorated both the macroscopical and microscopical features of psoriasis. However, further clinical investigations are required to translate the effects to clinics.