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Chvojkova M, Kolar D, Kovacova K, Cejkova L, Misiachna A, Hakenova K, Gorecki L, Horak M, Korabecny J, Soukup O, Vales K. Pro-cognitive effects of dual tacrine derivatives acting as cholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA receptor antagonists. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116821. [PMID: 38823278 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116821] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic options for Alzheimer's disease are limited. Dual compounds targeting two pathways concurrently may enable enhanced effect. The study focuses on tacrine derivatives inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and simultaneously N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Compounds with balanced inhibitory potencies for the target proteins (K1578 and K1599) or increased potency for AChE (K1592 and K1594) were studied to identify the most promising pro-cognitive compound. Their effects were studied in cholinergic (scopolamine-induced) and glutamatergic (MK-801-induced) rat models of cognitive deficits in the Morris water maze. Moreover, the impacts on locomotion in the open field and AChE activity in relevant brain structures were investigated. The effect of the most promising compound on NMDA receptors was explored by in vitro electrophysiology. The cholinergic antagonist scopolamine induced a deficit in memory acquisition, however, it was unaffected by the compounds, and a deficit in reversal learning that was alleviated by K1578 and K1599. K1578 and K1599 significantly inhibited AChE in the striatum, potentially explaining the behavioral observations. The glutamatergic antagonist dizocilpine (MK-801) induced a deficit in memory acquisition, which was alleviated by K1599. K1599 also mitigated the MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion in the open field. In vitro patch-clamp corroborated the K1599-associated NMDA receptor inhibitory effect. K1599 emerged as the most promising compound, demonstrating pro-cognitive efficacy in both models, consistent with intended dual effect. We conclude that tacrine has the potential for development of derivatives with dual in vivo effects. Our findings contributed to the elucidation of the structural and functional properties of tacrine derivatives associated with optimal in vivo pro-cognitive efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marketa Chvojkova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, Klecany 250 67, Czech Republic.
| | - David Kolar
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, Klecany 250 67, Czech Republic
| | - Katarina Kovacova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, Klecany 250 67, Czech Republic; Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, Bratislava 4 842 15, Slovak Republic
| | - Lada Cejkova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, Klecany 250 67, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Misiachna
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 142 20, Czech Republic; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Albertov 6, Prague 2 12843, Czech Republic
| | - Kristina Hakenova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, Klecany 250 67, Czech Republic; Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, Prague 10 100 00, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Gorecki
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, Hradec Kralove 500 05, Czech Republic; Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Military Faculty of Medicine, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, Hradec Kralove 500 02, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Horak
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Korabecny
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, Hradec Kralove 500 05, Czech Republic; Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Military Faculty of Medicine, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, Hradec Kralove 500 02, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Soukup
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, Hradec Kralove 500 05, Czech Republic; Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Military Faculty of Medicine, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, Hradec Kralove 500 02, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Vales
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, Klecany 250 67, Czech Republic; Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, Prague 10 100 00, Czech Republic
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Misiachna A, Svobodova B, Netolicky J, Chvojkova M, Kleteckova L, Prchal L, Novak M, Hrabinova M, Kucera T, Muckova L, Moravcova Z, Karasova JZ, Pejchal J, Blazek F, Malinak D, Hakenova K, Krausova BH, Kolcheva M, Ladislav M, Korabecny J, Pahnke J, Vales K, Horak M, Soukup O. Phenoxytacrine derivatives: Low-toxicity neuroprotectants exerting affinity to ifenprodil-binding site and cholinesterase inhibition. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 266:116130. [PMID: 38218127 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116130] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Tacrine (THA), a long withdrawn drug, is still a popular scaffold used in medicinal chemistry, mainly for its good reactivity and multi-targeted effect. However, THA-associated hepatotoxicity is still an issue and must be considered in drug discovery based on the THA scaffold. Following our previously identified hit compound 7-phenoxytacrine (7-PhO-THA), we systematically explored the chemical space with 30 novel derivatives, with a focus on low hepatotoxicity, anticholinesterase action, and antagonism at the GluN1/GluN2B subtype of the NMDA receptor. Applying the down-selection process based on in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic data, two candidates, I-52 and II-52, selective GluN1/GluN2B inhibitors thanks to the interaction with the ifenprodil-binding site, have entered in vivo pharmacodynamic studies. Finally, compound I-52, showing only minor affinity to AChE, was identified as a lead candidate with favorable behavioral and neuroprotective effects using open-field and prepulse inhibition tests, along with scopolamine-based behavioral and NMDA-induced hippocampal lesion models. Our data show that compound I-52 exhibits low toxicity often associated with NMDA receptor ligands, and low hepatotoxicity, often related to THA-based compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Misiachna
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Albertov 6, 128 43, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Svobodova
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Military Faculty of Medicine, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, 500 01, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Netolicky
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Chvojkova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Kleteckova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Prchal
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Novak
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Hrabinova
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Military Faculty of Medicine, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, 500 01, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Kucera
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Military Faculty of Medicine, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, 500 01, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Lubica Muckova
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Military Faculty of Medicine, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, 500 01, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Moravcova
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika, Heyrovskeho 1203, 50005, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Zdarova Karasova
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Military Faculty of Medicine, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, 500 01, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Pejchal
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Blazek
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Rokitanskeho 62, 500 03, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - David Malinak
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Rokitanskeho 62, 500 03, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Kristina Hakenova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic; Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 00, Prague 10, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Hrcka Krausova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marharyta Kolcheva
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Ladislav
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Korabecny
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Military Faculty of Medicine, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, 500 01, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jens Pahnke
- Department of Neuro-/Pathology, University of Oslo & Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Karel Vales
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic; Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 00, Prague 10, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Horak
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Ondrej Soukup
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
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Novak M, Vajrychova M, Koutsilieri S, Sismanoglou DC, Kobrlova T, Prchal L, Svobodova B, Korabecny J, Zarybnicky T, Raisova-Stuchlikova L, Skalova L, Lauschke VM, Kučera R, Soukup O. Tacrine First-Phase Biotransformation and Associated Hepatotoxicity: A Possible Way to Avoid Quinone Methide Formation. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:1993-2002. [PMID: 37622522 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Tacrine was withdrawn from clinical use as a drug against Alzheimer's disease in 2013, mainly due to drug-induced liver injury. The culprit of tacrine-associated hepatotoxicity is believed to be the 7-OH-tacrine metabolite, a possible precursor of quinone methide (Qmeth), which binds to intracellular -SH proteins. In our study, several different animal and human models (liver microsomes, primary hepatocytes, and liver slices) were used to investigate the biotransformation and hepatotoxicity of tacrine and its 7-substituted analogues (7-methoxy-, 7-phenoxy-, and 7-OH-tacrine). Our goal was to find the most appropriate in vitro model for studying tacrine hepatotoxicity and, through rational structure modifications, to develop derivatives of tacrine that are less prone to Qmeth formation. Our results show that none of animal models tested accurately mimic human tacrine biotransformation; however, the murine model seems to be more suitable than the rat model. Tacrine metabolism was overall most accurately mimicked in three-dimensional (3D) spheroid cultures of primary human hepatocytes (PHHs). In this system, tacrine and 7-methoxytacrine were hydroxylated to 7-OH-tacrine, whereas 7-phenoxytacrine formed, as expected, only trace amounts. Surprisingly, however, our study showed that 7-OH-tacrine was the least hepatotoxic (7-OH-tacrine < tacrine < 7-methoxytacrine < 7-phenoxytacrine) even after doses had been adjusted to achieve the same intracellular concentrations. The formation of Qmeth-cysteine and Qmeth-glutathione adducts after human liver microsome incubation was confirmed by all of the studied tacrine derivatives, but these findings were not confirmed after incubation with 3D PHH spheroids. Therefore, the presented data call into question the suggested previously hypothesized mechanism of toxicity, and the results open new avenues for chemical modifications to improve the safety of novel tacrine derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Novak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Vajrychova
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Stefania Koutsilieri
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Tereza Kobrlova
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Prchal
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Svobodova
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Korabecny
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Zarybnicky
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Raisova-Stuchlikova
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Skalova
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Volker M Lauschke
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- Dr Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, 70376 Stuttgart, Germany
- University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Radim Kučera
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Soukup
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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4
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Svobodova B, Pulkrabkova L, Panek D, Misiachna A, Kolcheva M, Andrys R, Handl J, Capek J, Nyvltova P, Rousar T, Prchal L, Hepnarova V, Hrabinova M, Muckova L, Tosnerova D, Karabanovich G, Finger V, Soukup O, Horak M, Korabecny J. Structure-Guided Design of N-Methylpropargylamino-Quinazoline Derivatives as Multipotent Agents for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119124. [PMID: 37298087 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex disease with an unknown etiology. Available treatments, limited to cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists, provide symptomatic relief only. As single-target therapies have not proven effective, rational specific-targeted combination into a single molecule represents a more promising approach for treating AD, and is expected to yield greater benefits in alleviating symptoms and slowing disease progression. In the present study, we designed, synthesized, and biologically evaluated 24 novel N-methylpropargylamino-quinazoline derivatives. Initially, compounds were thoroughly inspected by in silico techniques determining their oral and CNS availabilities. We tested, in vitro, the compounds' effects on cholinesterases and monoamine oxidase A/B (MAO-A/B), as well as their impacts on NMDAR antagonism, dehydrogenase activity, and glutathione levels. In addition, we inspected selected compounds for their cytotoxicity on undifferentiated and differentiated neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. We collectively highlighted II-6h as the best candidate endowed with a selective MAO-B inhibition profile, NMDAR antagonism, an acceptable cytotoxicity profile, and the potential to permeate through BBB. The structure-guided drug design strategy applied in this study imposed a novel concept for rational drug discovery and enhances our understanding on the development of novel therapeutic agents for treating AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Svobodova
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Pulkrabkova
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Dawid Panek
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Physicochemical Drug Analysis, Chair of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Anna Misiachna
- Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marharyta Kolcheva
- Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Rudolf Andrys
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University Hradec Kralove, Rokitanskeho 62, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Handl
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Studentska 573, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Capek
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Studentska 573, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlina Nyvltova
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Studentska 573, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Rousar
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Studentska 573, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Prchal
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Vendula Hepnarova
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Hrabinova
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Lubica Muckova
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela Tosnerova
- Department of Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovskeho 1203, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Galina Karabanovich
- Department of Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovskeho 1203, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimir Finger
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovskeho 1203, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Soukup
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Horak
- Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Korabecny
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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5
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Tran KN, Nguyen NPK, Nguyen LTH, Shin HM, Yang IJ. Screening for Neuroprotective and Rapid Antidepressant-like Effects of 20 Essential Oils. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051248. [PMID: 37238920 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is a serious psychiatric disorder with high prevalence, and the delayed onset of antidepressant effects remains a limitation in the treatment of depression. This study aimed to screen essential oils that have the potential for rapid-acting antidepressant development. PC12 and BV2 cells were used to identify essential oils with neuroprotective effects at doses of 0.1 and 1 µg/mL. The resulting candidates were treated intranasally (25 mg/kg) to ICR mice, followed by a tail suspension test (TST) and an elevated plus maze (EPM) after 30 min. In each effective essential oil, five main compounds were computationally analyzed, targeting glutamate receptor subunits. As a result, 19 essential oils significantly abolished corticosterone (CORT)-induced cell death and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, and 13 reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). From in vivo experiments, six essential oils decreased the immobility time of mice in the TST, in which Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. and Myristica fragrans Houtt. also increased time and entries into the open arms of the EPM. Four compounds including atractylon, α-curcumene, α-farnesene, and selina-4(14),7(11)-dien-8-one had an affinity toward GluN1, GluN2B, and Glu2A receptor subunits surpassed that of the reference compound ketamine. Overall, Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC and Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat essential oils are worthy of further research for fast-acting antidepressants through interactions with glutamate receptors, and their main compounds (atractylon, α-curcumene, α-farnesene, and selina-4(14),7(11)-dien-8-one) are predicted to underlie the fast-acting effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khoa Nguyen Tran
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Republic of Korea
| | - Nhi Phuc Khanh Nguyen
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Republic of Korea
| | - Ly Thi Huong Nguyen
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Republic of Korea
| | - Heung-Mook Shin
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Jun Yang
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Republic of Korea
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6
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Novak M, Svobodova B, Konecny J, Kuratkova A, Nevosadova L, Prchal L, Korabecny J, Lauschke VM, Soukup O, Kučera R. UHPLC-Orbitrap study of the first phase tacrine in vitro metabolites and related Alzheimer's drug candidates using human liver microsomes. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2023; 224:115154. [PMID: 36442458 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.115154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Tacrine was the first drug used in the therapy of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is one of the leading structures frequently pursued in the drug discovery of novel candidates for tackling AD. However, because tacrine has been withdrawn from the market due to its hepatotoxicity, ascribed to specific metabolites, concerns are high about the toxicity profile of newly developed compounds related to tacrine. From the point of view of drug safety, the formation of metabolites must be uncovered and analyzed. Bearing in mind that the main culprit of tacrine hepatotoxicity is its biotransformation to hydroxylated metabolites, human liver microsomes were used as a biotransformation model. Our study aims to clarify phase I metabolites of three potentially non-toxic tacrine derivatives (7-methoxytacrine, 6-chlorotacrine, 7-phenoxytacrine) and to semi-quantitatively determine the relative amount of individual metabolites as potential culprits of tacrine-based hepatotoxicity. For this purpose, a new selective UHPLC-Orbitrap method has been developed. Applying UHPLC-Orbitrap method, two as yet unpublished tacrine and 7-methoxytacrine monohydroxylated metabolites have been found and completely characterized, and the separation of ten dihydroxylated tacrine and 7-methoxytacrine metabolites was achieved for the first time. Moreover, the structures of several new metabolites of 7-phenoxytacrine and 6-chlorotacrine have been identified. In addition, the relative amount of these newly observed metabolites was determined. Based on the results and known facts about the toxicity of tacrine metabolites published so far, it appears that 7-phenoxytacrine and 6-chlorotacrine could be substantially less hepatotoxic compared to tacrine, and could potentially pave the way for metabolically safe molecules applicable in AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Novak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - B Svobodova
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Trebesska 1575, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - J Konecny
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Trebesska 1575, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - A Kuratkova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - L Nevosadova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - L Prchal
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - J Korabecny
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Trebesska 1575, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - V M Lauschke
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; Dr Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, 70376 Stuttgart, Germany; University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - O Soukup
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - R Kučera
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
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7
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Chrienova Z, Nepovimova E, Andrys R, Dolezal R, Janockova J, Muckova L, Fabova L, Soukup O, Oleksak P, Valis M, Korabecny J, Marco-Contelles J, Kuca K. Privileged multi-target directed propargyl-tacrines combining cholinesterase and monoamine oxidase inhibition activities. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2022; 37:2605-2620. [PMID: 36131624 PMCID: PMC9518283 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2122054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Twenty-four novel compounds bearing tetrahydroacridine and N-propargyl moieties have been designed, synthesised, and evaluated in vitro for their anti-cholinesterase and anti-monoamine oxidase activities. Propargyltacrine 23 (IC50 = 21 nM) was the most potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, compound 20 (IC50 = 78 nM) showed the best inhibitory human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE) profile, and ligand 21 afforded equipotent and significant values on both ChEs (human AChE [hAChE]: IC50 = 0.095 ± 0.001 µM; hBChE: IC50 = 0.093 ± 0.003 µM). Regarding MAO inhibition, compounds 7, 15, and 25 demonstrated the highest inhibitory potential towards hMAO-B (IC50 = 163, 40, and 170 nM, respectively). In all, compounds 7, 15, 20, 21, 23, and 25 exhibiting the most balanced pharmacological profile, were submitted to permeability and cell viability tests. As a result, 7-phenoxy-N-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridin-9-amine hydrochloride (15) has been identified as a permeable agent that shows a balanced pharmacological profile [IC50 (hAChE) = 1.472 ± 0.024 µM; IC50 (hBChE) = 0.659 ± 0.077 µM; IC50 (hMAO-B) = 40.39 ± 5.98 nM], and consequently, as a new hit-ligand that deserves further investigation, in particular in vivo analyses, as the preliminary cell viability test results reported here suggest that this is a relatively safe therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zofia Chrienova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Rudolf Andrys
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Rafael Dolezal
- Biomedical Research Centre and Department of Neurology, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Janockova
- Biomedical Research Centre and Department of Neurology, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Lubica Muckova
- Biomedical Research Centre and Department of Neurology, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Fabova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University in Prague, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Soukup
- Biomedical Research Centre and Department of Neurology, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Patrik Oleksak
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Valis
- Biomedical Research Centre and Department of Neurology, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles University in Prague, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Korabecny
- Biomedical Research Centre and Department of Neurology, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - José Marco-Contelles
- Institute of General Organic Chemistry (CSIC), Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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Kozyra P, Pitucha M. Terminal Phenoxy Group as a Privileged Moiety of the Drug Scaffold—A Short Review of Most Recent Studies 2013–2022. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168874. [PMID: 36012142 PMCID: PMC9408176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The terminal phenoxy group is a moiety of many drugs in use today. Numerous literature reports indicated its crucial importance for biological activity; thus, it is a privileged scaffold in medicinal chemistry. This review focuses on the latest achievements in the field of novel potential agents bearing a terminal phenoxy group in 2013–2022. The article provided information on neurological, anticancer, potential lymphoma agent, anti-HIV, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, analgesic, anti-diabetic as well as larvicidal, cholesterol esterase inhibitors, and antithrombotic or agonistic activities towards the adrenergic receptor. Additionally, for selected agents, the Structure–Activity–Relationship (SAR) is also discussed. Thus, this study may help the readers to better understand the nature of the phenoxy group, which will translate into rational drug design and the development of a more efficient drug. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review devoted to an in-depth analysis of the various activities of compounds bearing terminal phenoxy moiety.
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Remya C, Dileep KV, Koti Reddy E, Mantosh K, Lakshmi K, Sarah Jacob R, Sajith AM, Jayadevi Variyar E, Anwar S, Zhang KYJ, Sadasivan C, Omkumar RV. Neuroprotective derivatives of tacrine that target NMDA receptor and acetyl cholinesterase - Design, synthesis and biological evaluation. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:4517-4537. [PMID: 34471497 PMCID: PMC8379669 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex and multifactorial nature of neuropsychiatric diseases demands multi-target drugs that can intervene with various sub-pathologies underlying disease progression. Targeting the impairments in cholinergic and glutamatergic neurotransmissions with small molecules has been suggested as one of the potential disease-modifying approaches for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Tacrine, a potent inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the first FDA approved drug for the treatment of AD. Tacrine is also a low affinity antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). However, tacrine was withdrawn from its clinical use later due to its hepatotoxicity. With an aim to develop novel high affinity multi-target directed ligands (MTDLs) against AChE and NMDAR, with reduced hepatotoxicity, we performed in silico structure-based modifications on tacrine, chemical synthesis of the derivatives and in vitro validation of their activities. Nineteen such derivatives showed inhibition with IC50 values in the range of 18.53 ± 2.09 – 184.09 ± 19.23 nM against AChE and 0.27 ± 0.05 – 38.84 ± 9.64 μM against NMDAR. Some of the selected compounds also protected rat primary cortical neurons from glutamate induced excitotoxicity. Two of the tacrine derived MTDLs, 201 and 208 exhibited in vivo efficacy in rats by protecting against behavioral impairment induced by administration of the excitotoxic agent, monosodium glutamate. Additionally, several of these synthesized compounds also exhibited promising inhibitory activitiy against butyrylcholinesterase. MTDL-201 was also devoid of hepatotoxicity in vivo. Given the therapeutic potential of MTDLs in disease-modifying therapy, our studies revealed several promising MTDLs among which 201 appears to be a potential candidate for immediate preclinical evaluations.
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Key Words
- AChE, acetylcholinesterase
- AChEIs, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
- AChT, acetylthiocholine
- AD, Alzheimer’s disease
- ADME, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion
- Acetylcholinesterase
- Alzheimer’s disease
- BBB, blood brain barrier
- Ca2+, calcium
- ChE, Cholinesterases
- DMEM, Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium
- DTNB, 5,5-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid)
- ENM, elastic network modeling
- ER, endoplasmic reticulum
- FRET, fluorescence resonance energy transfer
- G6PD, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
- HBSS, Hank's balanced salt solution
- IP, intraperitoneal
- LBD, Ligand binding domain
- LC-MS, Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
- LiCABEDS, Ligand Classifier of Adaptively Boosting Ensemble Decision Stumps
- MAP2, microtubule associated protein 2
- MD, Molecular dynamics
- MTDLs
- MTDLs, multi-target directed ligands
- MWM, Morris water maze
- NBM, neurobasal medium
- NMA, normal mode analysis
- NMDA receptor
- NMDAR, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor
- Neuroprotection
- OPLS, Optimized potential for liquid simulations
- PBS, phosphate-buffered saline
- PFA, paraformaldehyde
- Polypharmacology
- RMSD, root mean square deviation
- SAR, structure-activity relationships
- SD, standard deviation
- SVM, support vector machine
- Structure-based drug design
- TBI, traumatic brain injury
- TMD, transmembrane domain
- Tacrine
- h-NMDAR, human NMDAR
- hAChE, human AChE
- ppm, parts per million
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandran Remya
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Kannur University, Dr. Janaki Ammal Campus, Thalassery, Kerala 670661, India
| | - K V Dileep
- Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, 1-7-22 Suehiro, Tsurumi, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan.,Laboratory for Computational and Structural Biology, Jubilee Center for Medical Research, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala 680005, India
| | - Eeda Koti Reddy
- Division of Chemistry, Department of Sciences and Humanities, Vignan's Foundation for Sciences, Technology and Research -VFSTR (Deemed to be University), Vadlamudi, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh 522 213, India
| | - Kumar Mantosh
- Molecular Neurobiology Division, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thycaud PO, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695014, India
| | - Kesavan Lakshmi
- Molecular Neurobiology Division, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thycaud PO, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695014, India
| | - Reena Sarah Jacob
- Molecular Neurobiology Division, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thycaud PO, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695014, India
| | - Ayyiliyath M Sajith
- Post Graduate and Research Department of Chemistry, Kasargod Govt. College, Kannur University, Kasaragod, India
| | - E Jayadevi Variyar
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Kannur University, Dr. Janaki Ammal Campus, Thalassery, Kerala 670661, India
| | - Shaik Anwar
- Division of Chemistry, Department of Sciences and Humanities, Vignan's Foundation for Sciences, Technology and Research -VFSTR (Deemed to be University), Vadlamudi, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh 522 213, India
| | - Kam Y J Zhang
- Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, 1-7-22 Suehiro, Tsurumi, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - C Sadasivan
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Kannur University, Dr. Janaki Ammal Campus, Thalassery, Kerala 670661, India
| | - R V Omkumar
- Molecular Neurobiology Division, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thycaud PO, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695014, India
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Structure-activity relationships of dually-acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitors derived from tacrine on N-methyl-d-Aspartate receptors. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 219:113434. [PMID: 33892271 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Tacrine is a classic drug whose efficacy against neurodegenerative diseases is still shrouded in mystery. It seems that besides its inhibitory effect on cholinesterases, the clinical benefit is co-determined by NMDAR-antagonizing activity. Our previous data showed that the direct inhibitory effect of tacrine, as well as its 7-methoxy derivative (7-MEOTA), is ensured via a "foot-in-the-door" open-channel blockage, and that interestingly both tacrine and 7-MEOTA are slightly more potent at the GluN1/GluN2A receptors when compared with the GluN1/GluN2B receptors. Here, we report that in a series of 30 novel tacrine derivatives, designed for assessment of structure-activity relationship, blocking efficacy differs among different compounds and receptors using electrophysiology with HEK293 cells expressing the defined types of NMDARs. Selected compounds (4 and 5) potently inhibited both GluN1/GluN2A and GluN1/GluN2B receptors; other compounds (7 and 23) more effectively inhibited the GluN1/GluN2B receptors; or the GluN1/GluN2A receptors (21 and 28). QSAR study revealed statistically significant model for the data obtained for inhibition of GluN1/Glu2B at -60 mV expressed as IC50 values, and for relative inhibition of GluN1/Glu2A at +40 mV caused by a concentration of 100 μM. The models can be utilized for a ligand-based virtual screening to detect potential candidates for inhibition of GluN1/Glu2A and/or GluN1/Glu2B subtypes. Using in vivo experiments in rats we observed that unlike MK-801, the tested novel compounds did not induce hyperlocomotion in open field, and also did not impair prepulse inhibition of startle response, suggesting minimal induction of psychotomimetic side effects. We conclude that tacrine derivatives are promising compounds since they are centrally available subtype-specific inhibitors of the NMDARs without detrimental behavioral side-effects.
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