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Zhao H, Liu Y, Cai N, Liao X, Tang L, Wang Y. Endocannabinoid Hydrolase Inhibitors: Potential Novel Anxiolytic Drugs. Drug Des Devel Ther 2024; 18:2143-2167. [PMID: 38882045 PMCID: PMC11179644 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s462785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the idea of targeting the endocannabinoid system to treat anxiety disorders has received increasing attention. Previous studies focused more on developing cannabinoid receptor agonists or supplementing exogenous cannabinoids, which are prone to various adverse effects due to their strong pharmacological activity and poor receptor selectivity, limiting their application in clinical research. Endocannabinoid hydrolase inhibitors are considered to be the most promising development strategies for the treatment of anxiety disorders. More recent efforts have emphasized that inhibition of two major endogenous cannabinoid hydrolases, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), indirectly activates cannabinoid receptors by increasing endogenous cannabinoid levels in the synaptic gap, circumventing receptor desensitization resulting from direct enhancement of endogenous cannabinoid signaling. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the anxiolytic effects of MAGL and FAAH inhibitors and their potential pharmacological mechanisms, highlight reported novel inhibitors or natural products, and provide an outlook on future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongqing Zhao
- Science & Technology Innovation Center, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Liu
- Science & Technology Innovation Center, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Na Cai
- Outpatient Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaolin Liao
- Science & Technology Innovation Center, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuhong Wang
- Science & Technology Innovation Center, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
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Martin SC, Joyce KK, Harper KM, Harp SJ, Cohen TJ, Moy SS, Diering GH. Evaluating Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase as a Suitable Target for Sleep Promotion in a Transgenic TauP301S Mouse Model of Neurodegeneration. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:319. [PMID: 38543105 PMCID: PMC10975243 DOI: 10.3390/ph17030319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Sleep disruption is an expected component of aging and neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Sleep disruption has been demonstrated as a driver of AD pathology and cognitive decline. Therefore, treatments designed to maintain sleep may be effective in slowing or halting AD progression. However, commonly used sleep aid medications are associated with an increased risk of AD, highlighting the need for sleep aids with novel mechanisms of action. The endocannabinoid system holds promise as a potentially effective and novel sleep-enhancing target. By using pharmacology and genetic knockout strategies, we evaluated fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) as a therapeutic target to improve sleep and halt disease progression in a transgenic Tau P301S (PS19) model of Tauopathy and AD. We have recently shown that PS19 mice exhibit sleep disruption in the form of dark phase hyperarousal as an early symptom that precedes robust Tau pathology and cognitive decline. Acute FAAH inhibition with PF3845 resulted in immediate improvements in sleep behaviors in male and female PS19 mice, supporting FAAH as a potentially suitable sleep-promoting target. Moreover, sustained drug dosing for 5-10 days resulted in maintained improvements in sleep. To evaluate the effect of chronic FAAH inhibition as a possible therapeutic strategy, we generated FAAH-/- PS19 mice models. Counter to our expectations, FAAH knockout did not protect PS19 mice from progressive sleep loss, neuroinflammation, or cognitive decline. Our results provide support for FAAH as a novel target for sleep-promoting therapies but further indicate that the complete loss of FAAH activity may be detrimental.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenée C. Martin
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology and the Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kathryn K. Joyce
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology and the Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kathryn M. Harper
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Samuel J. Harp
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Todd J. Cohen
- Department of Neurology and the Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Sheryl S. Moy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, Carrboro, NC 27510, USA
| | - Graham H. Diering
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology and the Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, Carrboro, NC 27510, USA
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Rodríguez-Serrano LM, Chávez-Hernández ME. Role of the CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor in the Regulation of Food Intake: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17516. [PMID: 38139344 PMCID: PMC10743788 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The CB2 cannabinoid receptor has been found in brain areas that are part of the reward system and has been shown to play a role in food intake regulation. Herein, we conducted a systematic review of studies assessing the role of the CB2 receptor in food intake regulation. Records from the PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO databases were screened, resulting in 13 studies that were used in the present systematic review, following the PRISMA guidelines. A risk of bias assessment was carried out using the tool of the Systematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE). The studies analyzed used two main strategies: (1) the intraperitoneal or intracerebroventricular administration of a CB2 agonist/antagonist; and (2) depletion of CB2 receptors via knockout in mice. Both strategies are useful in identifying the role of the CB2 receptor in food intake in standard and palatable diets. The conclusions derived from animal models showed that CB2 receptors are necessary for modulating food intake and mediating energy balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Miguel Rodríguez-Serrano
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Anáhuac México, Universidad Anáhuac Avenue #46, Lomas Anáhuac, Huixquilucan 52786, Mexico;
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Botticelli L, Micioni Di Bonaventura E, Del Bello F, Giorgioni G, Piergentili A, Quaglia W, Bonifazi A, Cifani C, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV. The neuromedin U system: Pharmacological implications for the treatment of obesity and binge eating behavior. Pharmacol Res 2023; 195:106875. [PMID: 37517560 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Neuromedin U (NMU) is a bioactive peptide produced in the gut and in the brain, with a role in multiple physiological processes. NMU acts by binding and activating two G protein coupled receptors (GPCR), the NMU receptor 1 (NMU-R1), which is predominantly expressed in the periphery, and the NMU receptor 2 (NMU-R2), mainly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). In the brain, NMU and NMU-R2 are consistently present in the hypothalamus, commonly recognized as the main "feeding center". Considering its distribution pattern, NMU revealed to be an important neuropeptide involved in the regulation of food intake, with a powerful anorexigenic ability. This has been observed through direct administration of NMU and by studies using genetically modified animals, which revealed an obesity phenotype when the NMU gene is deleted. Thus, the development of NMU analogs or NMU-R2 agonists might represent a promising pharmacological strategy to treat obese individuals. Furthermore, NMU has been demonstrated to influence the non-homeostatic aspect of food intake, playing a potential role in binge eating behavior. This review aims to discuss and summarize the current literature linking the NMU system with obesity and binge eating behavior, focusing on the influence of NMU on food intake and the neuronal mechanisms underlying its anti-obesity properties. Pharmacological strategies to improve the pharmacokinetic profile of NMU will also be reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Botticelli
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri, 9, Camerino 62032, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Del Bello
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri, Camerino 62032, Italy
| | - Gianfabio Giorgioni
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri, Camerino 62032, Italy
| | - Alessandro Piergentili
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri, Camerino 62032, Italy
| | - Wilma Quaglia
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri, Camerino 62032, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bonifazi
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri, 9, Camerino 62032, Italy.
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Jantsch J, Rodrigues FDS, Fraga GDF, Eller S, Silveira AK, Moreira JCF, Giovernardi M, Guedes RP. Calorie restriction mitigates metabolic, behavioral and neurochemical effects of cafeteria diet in aged male rats. J Nutr Biochem 2023:109371. [PMID: 37169228 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2023.109371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Besides metabolic dysfunctions, elderly individuals with obesity are at special risk of developing cognitive decline and psychiatric disturbances. Restricted calorie consumption could be an efficient strategy to improve metabolic function after obesity. However, its effects on anxiety-like behaviors in aged rats submitted to an obesogenic diet are unknown. For this purpose, 42 Wistar rats (18-months old) were divided into four groups: Control (CT), calorie restriction (CR), cafeteria diet (CAF), and CAF+CR (CAF/CR). CT, CR, and CAF groups received the diets for 8 weeks. CAF/CR group was submitted to the CAF menu for 7 weeks and then switched to a standard diet on a CR regimen, receiving 30% lower calories than consumed by the CT, for another 5 weeks. CAF's menu consisted of ultra-processed foods such as cookies, chocolate, sausage, and bologna. Body weight, visceral adiposity, and biochemical blood analysis were evaluated for obesity diagnosis. The profile of gut microbiota was investigated, along with circulating levels of LPS. Neurochemical parameters, such as neurotransmitter levels, were dosed. Anxiety-like behaviors were accessed using open field (OF) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests. As expected, CR reduced weight gain and improved glucose homeostasis. Gut microbiome disturbance was found in CAF-fed animals accompanied by increased levels of LPS. However, CR after CAF mitigated several harmful responses. The obesogenic diet triggered anxiety-like manifestations in the OF and EPM tests that were not evidenced in the CAF/CR group. These findings indicate that CR can be a promising strategy for the neurological effects of obesity in aged rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeferson Jantsch
- Graduate Program in Biosciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Fernanda da Silva Rodrigues
- Graduate Program in Biosciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Gabriel de Farias Fraga
- Biomedical Science Undergraduate Program, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Sarah Eller
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Kleber Silveira
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
| | - José Cláudio Fonseca Moreira
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Márcia Giovernardi
- Graduate Program in Biosciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil; Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Renata Padilha Guedes
- Graduate Program in Biosciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil; Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil.
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