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Bezerra I, Santos ERSD, Bisneto JSR, Perruci PP, Ferreira AID, Macêdo DCDS, Luz MA, Galdino TP, Machado G, Magalhães NS, Nogueira MCBL, Gubert P. Synthesis and Physicochemical Stability of a Copaiba Balsam Oil ( Copaifera sp.) Nanoemulsion and Prospecting of Toxicological Effects on the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:39100-39118. [PMID: 39310144 PMCID: PMC11411554 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c05930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Nanoemulsions are dispersions of oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) immiscible liquids. Thus, our main goal was to formulate a nanoemulsion with low surfactant concentrations and outstanding stability using Copaiba balsam oil (Copaifera sp.). The high-energy cavitation homogenization with low Tween 80 levels was employed. Then, electrophoretic and physical mobility properties were assessed, in addition to a one- and two-year physicochemical characterization studies assessment. Copaiba balsam oil and nanoemulsions obtained caryophyllene as a major constituent. The nanoemulsions stored at 4 ± 2 °C exhibited better physical stability. Two years after formulation, the nanoemulsion showed a reduction in the particle size. The size underwent changes in gastric, intestinal, and blood pH, and the PdI was not changed. In FTIR, characteristic bands of sesquiterpenes and overlapping bands were detected. When subjected to freezing and heating cycles, nanoemulsions did not show macroscopic changes in higher concentrations. Nanoemulsions subjected to centrifuge force by 1000 rpm do not show macroscopic instability and phase inversion or destabilization characteristics when diluted. Therefore, the nanoemulsion showed stability for long-term storage. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used to assess the potential toxicity of nanoemulsions. The nanoemulsion did not cause toxicity in the animal model, except in the highest concentration tested, which decreased the defecation cycle interval and body length. The toxicity and stability outcomes reinforce the nanoemulsions' potential for future studies to explore pharmacological mechanisms in superior experimental designs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Daniel Charles dos Santos Macêdo
- Keizo
Asami Institute (iLIKA), Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University
of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Mateus Araújo
da Luz
- Northeast
Biomaterials Assessment and Development Laboratory (CERTBIO), Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande 58429-900, Brazil
| | - Taynah Pereira Galdino
- Northeast
Biomaterials Assessment and Development Laboratory (CERTBIO), Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande 58429-900, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Machado
- Northeast
Strategic Technologies Center (CETENE), Recife 50740-545, Brazil
| | - Nereide Stela
Santos Magalhães
- Keizo
Asami Institute (iLIKA), Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University
of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil
| | | | - Priscila Gubert
- Keizo
Asami Institute (iLIKA), Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil
- Federal
University of Western Bahia (UFOB), Barreiras 47800-000, Brazil
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Kouchaeknejad A, Van Der Walt G, De Donato MH, Puighermanal E. Imaging and Genetic Tools for the Investigation of the Endocannabinoid System in the CNS. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15829. [PMID: 37958825 PMCID: PMC10648052 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115829] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
As central nervous system (CNS)-related disorders present an increasing cause of global morbidity, mortality, and high pressure on our healthcare system, there is an urgent need for new insights and treatment options. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a critical network of endogenous compounds, receptors, and enzymes that contribute to CNS development and regulation. Given its multifaceted involvement in neurobiology and its significance in various CNS disorders, the ECS as a whole is considered a promising therapeutic target. Despite significant advances in our understanding of the ECS's role in the CNS, its complex architecture and extensive crosstalk with other biological systems present challenges for research and clinical advancements. To bridge these knowledge gaps and unlock the full therapeutic potential of ECS interventions in CNS-related disorders, a plethora of molecular-genetic tools have been developed in recent years. Here, we review some of the most impactful tools for investigating the neurological aspects of the ECS. We first provide a brief introduction to the ECS components, including cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids, and metabolic enzymes, emphasizing their complexity. This is followed by an exploration of cutting-edge imaging tools and genetic models aimed at elucidating the roles of these principal ECS components. Special emphasis is placed on their relevance in the context of CNS and its associated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Emma Puighermanal
- Neuroscience Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (A.K.); (G.V.D.W.); (M.H.D.D.)
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3
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Levichev A, Faumont S, Berner RZ, Purcell Z, White AM, Chicas-Cruz K, Lockery SR. The conserved endocannabinoid anandamide modulates olfactory sensitivity to induce hedonic feeding in C. elegans. Curr Biol 2023; 33:1625-1639.e4. [PMID: 37084730 PMCID: PMC10175219 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
The ability of cannabis to increase food consumption has been known for centuries. In addition to producing hyperphagia, cannabinoids can amplify existing preferences for calorically dense, palatable food sources, a phenomenon called hedonic amplification of feeding. These effects result from the action of plant-derived cannabinoids that mimic endogenous ligands called endocannabinoids. The high degree of conservation of cannabinoid signaling at the molecular level across the animal kingdom suggests hedonic feeding may also be widely conserved. Here, we show that exposure of Caenorhabditis elegans to anandamide, an endocannabinoid common to nematodes and mammals, shifts both appetitive and consummatory responses toward nutritionally superior food, an effect analogous to hedonic feeding. We find that anandamide's effect on feeding requires the C. elegans cannabinoid receptor NPR-19 but can also be mediated by the human CB1 cannabinoid receptor, indicating functional conservation between the nematode and mammalian endocannabinoid systems for the regulation of food preferences. Furthermore, anandamide has reciprocal effects on appetitive and consummatory responses to food, increasing and decreasing responses to inferior and superior foods, respectively. Anandamide's behavioral effects require the AWC chemosensory neurons, and anandamide renders these neurons more sensitive to superior foods and less sensitive to inferior foods, mirroring the reciprocal effects seen at the behavioral level. Our findings reveal a surprising degree of functional conservation in the effects of endocannabinoids on hedonic feeding across species and establish a new system to investigate the cellular and molecular basis of endocannabinoid system function in the regulation of food choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Levichev
- University of Oregon, Institute of Neuroscience, 1245 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Serge Faumont
- University of Oregon, Institute of Neuroscience, 1245 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Rachel Z Berner
- University of Oregon, Institute of Neuroscience, 1245 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Zhifeng Purcell
- University of Oregon, Institute of Neuroscience, 1245 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Amanda M White
- University of Oregon, Institute of Neuroscience, 1245 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Kathy Chicas-Cruz
- University of Oregon, Institute of Neuroscience, 1245 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Shawn R Lockery
- University of Oregon, Institute of Neuroscience, 1245 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA.
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4
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Roca M, Lightfoot JW. Neuroscience: Hedonic worms gorge on high-energy foods. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R361-R363. [PMID: 37160094 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoids can enhance the preference for calorific foods through hedonic feeding behaviors. A new study identifies and characterizes these indulgent behaviors in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, providing insights into the mechanisms of their regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Roca
- Max-Planck Research Group Genetics of Behaviour, Max Planck Institute for the Neurobiology of Behavior - caesar, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| | - James W Lightfoot
- Max-Planck Research Group Genetics of Behaviour, Max Planck Institute for the Neurobiology of Behavior - caesar, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany.
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Vanin AP, Tamagno WA, Alves C, Mesacasa L, Santin LF, Sutorillo NT, Bilibio D, Müller C, Galon L, Kaizer RR. Neuroprotective potential of Cannabis sativa-based oils in Caenorhabditis elegans. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15376. [PMID: 36100636 PMCID: PMC9470673 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19598-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Substances from the Cannabis sativa species, especially cannabidiol (CBD) and Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), have attracted medical attention in recent years. The actions of these two main cannabinoids modulate the cholinergic nervous system (CholNS) involving development, synaptic plasticity, and response to endogenous and environmental damage, as a characteristic of many neurodegenerative diseases. The dynamics of these diseases are mediated by specific neurotransmitters, such as the GABAergic nervous system (GNS) and the CholNS. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an important experimental model, which has different neurotransmitter systems that coordinate its behavior and has a transgene strain that encodes the human β-amyloid 1-42 peptide in body wall muscle, one of the main proteins involved in Alzheimer´s disease. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the protective potential of terpenoids found in C. sativa in the GNS and CholNS of C. elegans. The effect of two C. sativa oils with variations in CBD and THC concentrations on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, lipid peroxidation, and behavior of C. elegans was evaluated. C. sativa oils were efficient in increasing pharyngeal pumping rate and reducing defecation cycle, AChE activity, and ROS levels in N2 strains. In the muscle:Abeta1-42 strain, mainly when using CBD oil, worm movement, body bends, and pharyngeal pumping were increased, with a reduced AChE activity. Consequently, greater investments in scientific research are needed, in addition to breaking the taboo on the use of the C. sativa plant as an alternative for medicinal use, especially in neurodegenerative diseases, which have already shown positive initial results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Vanin
- Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Erechim, RS, 99.700-000, Brazil
| | - Wagner Antonio Tamagno
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, 97.105-900, Brazil
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul, Sertão, RS, 99.170-000, Brazil
| | - Carla Alves
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul, Sertão, RS, 99.170-000, Brazil
- Universidade de Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, 99.052-900, Brazil
| | - Letícia Mesacasa
- Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul, Santa Cruz do Sul, RS, 96.815-900, Brazil
| | - Luciani Figueiredo Santin
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul, Sertão, RS, 99.170-000, Brazil
| | - Nathália Tafarel Sutorillo
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul, Sertão, RS, 99.170-000, Brazil
| | - Denise Bilibio
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul, Sertão, RS, 99.170-000, Brazil
| | - Caroline Müller
- Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Erechim, RS, 99.700-000, Brazil.
| | - Leandro Galon
- Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Erechim, RS, 99.700-000, Brazil
| | - Rosilene Rodrigues Kaizer
- Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Erechim, RS, 99.700-000, Brazil
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul, Sertão, RS, 99.170-000, Brazil
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Crooks BA, Mckenzie D, Cadd LC, McCoy CJ, McVeigh P, Marks NJ, Maule AG, Mousley A, Atkinson LE. Pan-phylum In Silico Analyses of Nematode Endocannabinoid Signalling Systems Highlight Novel Opportunities for Parasite Drug Target Discovery. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:892758. [PMID: 35846343 PMCID: PMC9283691 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.892758] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid signalling (ECS) system is a complex lipid signalling pathway that modulates diverse physiological processes in both vertebrate and invertebrate systems. In nematodes, knowledge of endocannabinoid (EC) biology is derived primarily from the free-living model species Caenorhabditis elegans, where ECS has been linked to key aspects of nematode biology. The conservation and complexity of nematode ECS beyond C. elegans is largely uncharacterised, undermining the understanding of ECS biology in nematodes including species with key importance to human, veterinary and plant health. In this study we exploited publicly available omics datasets, in silico bioinformatics and phylogenetic analyses to examine the presence, conservation and life stage expression profiles of EC-effectors across phylum Nematoda. Our data demonstrate that: (i) ECS is broadly conserved across phylum Nematoda, including in therapeutically and agriculturally relevant species; (ii) EC-effectors appear to display clade and lifestyle-specific conservation patterns; (iii) filarial species possess a reduced EC-effector complement; (iv) there are key differences between nematode and vertebrate EC-effectors; (v) life stage-, tissue- and sex-specific EC-effector expression profiles suggest a role for ECS in therapeutically relevant parasitic nematodes. To our knowledge, this study represents the most comprehensive characterisation of ECS pathways in phylum Nematoda and inform our understanding of nematode ECS complexity. Fundamental knowledge of nematode ECS systems will seed follow-on functional studies in key nematode parasites to underpin novel drug target discovery efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Louise E. Atkinson
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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