The catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitory potential of Z-vallesiachotamine by in silico and in vitro approaches

Computational Studies Applied to Linalool and Citronellal Derivatives Against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disorders: A Review with Experimental Approach

Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are neurodegenerative disorders that affect a great number of people around the world, seriously compromising the quality of life of individuals, due to motor and cognitive damage. In these diseases, pharmacological treatment is used only to alleviate symptoms. This emphasizes the need to discover alternative molecules for use in prevention. Using Molecular Docking, this review aimed to evaluate the anti-Alzheimer's and anti-Parkinson's activity of linalool and citronellal, as well as their derivatives. Before performing Molecular Docking simulations, the compounds' pharmacokinetic characteristics were evaluated. For Molecular Docking, 7 chemical compounds derived from citronellal, and 10 compounds derived from linalool, and molecular targets involved in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's pathophysiology were selected. According to the Lipinski rules, the compounds under study presented good oral absorption and bioavailability. For toxicity, some tissue irritability was observed. For Parkinson-related targets, the citronellal and linalool derived compounds revealed excellent energetic affinity for α-Synuclein, Adenosine Receptors, Monoamine Oxidase (MAO), and Dopamine D1 receptor proteins. For Alzheimer disease targets, only linalool and its derivatives presented promise against BACE enzyme activity. The compounds studied presented high probability of modulatory activity against the disease targets under study, and are potential candidates for future drugs.

Azepine-Indole Alkaloids From Psychotria nemorosa Modulate 5-HT2A Receptors and Prevent in vivo Protein Toxicity in Transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans

Nemorosine A (1) and fargesine (2), the main azepine-indole alkaloids of Psychotria nemorosa, were explored for their pharmacological profile on neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) applying a combined in silico–in vitro–in vivo approach. By using 1 and 2 as queries for similarity-based searches of the ChEMBL database, structurally related compounds were identified to modulate the 5-HT_2A receptor; in vitro experiments confirmed an agonistic effect for 1 and 2 (24 and 36% at 10 μM, respectively), which might be linked to cognition-enhancing properties. This and the previously reported target profile of 1 and 2, which also includes BuChE and MAO-A inhibition, prompted the evaluation of these compounds in several Caenorhabditis elegans models linked to 5-HT modulation and proteotoxicity. On C. elegans transgenic strain CL4659, which expresses amyloid beta (Aβ) in muscle cells leading to a phenotypic paralysis, 1 and 2 reduced Aβ proteotoxicity by reducing the percentage of paralyzed worms to 51%. Treatment of the NL5901 strain, in which α-synuclein is yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-tagged, with 1 and 2 (10 μM) significantly reduced the α-synuclein expression. Both alkaloids were further able to significantly extend the time of metallothionein induction, which is associated with reduced neurodegeneration of aged brain tissue. These results add to the multitarget profiles of 1 and 2 and corroborate their potential in the treatment of NDs.

Recent Developments in New Therapeutic Agents against Alzheimer and Parkinson Diseases: In-Silico Approaches

Neurodegenerative diseases (ND), including Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD), are becoming increasingly more common and are recognized as a social problem in modern societies. These disorders are characterized by a progressive neurodegeneration and are considered one of the main causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Currently, there is no existing cure for AD nor PD and the clinically used drugs aim only at symptomatic relief, and are not capable of stopping neurodegeneration. Over the last years, several drug candidates reached clinical trials phases, but they were suspended, mainly because of the unsatisfactory pharmacological benefits. Recently, the number of compounds developed using in silico approaches has been increasing at a promising rate, mainly evaluating the affinity for several macromolecular targets and applying filters to exclude compounds with potentially unfavorable pharmacokinetics. Thus, in this review, an overview of the current therapeutics in use for these two ND, the main targets in drug development, and the primary studies published in the last five years that used in silico approaches to design novel drug candidates for AD and PD treatment will be presented. In addition, future perspectives for the treatment of these ND will also be briefly discussed.

Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid as a Novel Substrate and Inhibitor of Catechol O-Methyltransferase Modulates 4-Hydroxyestradiol-Induced Cyto- and Genotoxicity in MCF-7 Cells

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a major lignan metabolite found in Larrea spp., which are widely used in South America to treat various diseases. In breast tissue, estradiol is metabolized to the catechol estrogens such as 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OHE₂), which have been proposed to be cancer initiators potentially involved in mammary carcinogenesis. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) catalyzes the O-methylation of catechol estrogens to their less toxic methoxy derivatives, such as 4-O-methylestradiol (4-MeOE₂). The present study investigated the novel biological activities of NDGA in relation to COMT and the effects of COMT inhibition by NDGA on 4-OHE₂-induced cyto- and genotoxicity in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Two methoxylated metabolites of NDGA, 3-O-methylNDGA (3-MNDGA) and 4-O-methyl NDGA (4-MNDGA), were identified in the reaction mixture containing human recombinant COMT, NDGA, and cofactors. K_m values for the COMT-catalyzed metabolism of NDGA were 2.6 µM and 2.2 µM for 3-MNDGA and 4-MNDGA, respectively. The COMT-catalyzed methylation of 4-OHE₂ was inhibited by NDGA at an IC₅₀ of 22.4 µM in a mixed-type mode of inhibition by double reciprocal plot analysis. Molecular docking studies predicted that NDGA would adopt a stable conformation at the COMT active site, mainly owing to the hydrogen bond network. NDGA is likely both a substrate for and an inhibitor of COMT. Comet and apurinic/apyrimidinic site quantitation assays, cell death, and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells showed that NDGA decreased COMT-mediated formation of 4-MeOE₂ and increased 4-OHE₂-induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity. Thus, NDGA has the potential to reduce COMT activity in mammary tissues and prevent the inactivation of mutagenic estradiol metabolites, thereby increasing catechol estrogen-induced genotoxicities.

Kopsanone and N-oxide isolated from Aspidosperma macrocarpon Mart. (Apocynaceae) leaves and their MAO-A inhibitory activity

Aspidosperma macrocarpon Mart., popularly known as 'guatambu' or 'peroba', is found from North American (Mexico) to South American (Argentina) continents and in Brazil. Two indole alkaloids were isolated from leaves of A. macrocarpon, kopsanone (1) and unreported N(4)-oxide-kopsanone (2).

Bioactive Azepine-Indole Alkaloids from Psychotria nemorosa

Phytochemical investigation of the alkaloid extract of the aerial parts of Psychotria nemorosa led to the isolation and characterization of 10 azepine-indole alkaloids, i.e., cimitrypazepine (1), fargesine (2), nemorosines A (3), and B (12), nemorosinosides A-F (4-9), as well as two β-carboline derivatives, 10-hydroxyisodolichantoside (10) and 10-hydroxydolichantoside (11), an isoxazole alkaloid, nemorosinoside G (13), serotonin (14), bufotenine (15), and (S)-gentianol (16). Compounds 3-13 have not yet been described. These compounds were isolated by semipreparative HPLC, and their structures were determined by means of HRMS, NMR, and ECD measurements. In addition, the monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A), MAO-B, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities were evaluated. Alkaloids 1-3 inhibited the MAO-A activity with IC₅₀ values of 1.4, 1.4, and 0.9 μM, respectively.

Promising Potential of Lonchocarpus utilis against South American Myasis

Traditional medicine is especially important in the treatment of neglected tropical diseases because it is the way the majority of populations of affected countries manage primary healthcare. We present a case study that can serve as an example that can be replicated by others in the same situation. It is about the validation of a local remedy for myasis in Amazonian Ecuador, which is contrasted by bibliographic chemical reviews and in silico activity tests. We look for scientific arguments to demonstrate the reason for using extracts of Lonchocarpus utilis against south American myasis (tupe). We provide a summary of the isoflavonoids, prenylated flavonoids, chalcones, and stilbenes that justify the action. We make modeling predictions on the affinity of eight chemical components and enzyme targets using Swiss Target Prediction software. We conclude that the effects of this extract can be reasonably attributed to an effect of the parasite that causes the disease, similar to the one produced by synthetic drugs used by conventional medicine (e.g., Ivermectine).

Targeted Isolation of Monoterpene Indole Alkaloids from Palicourea sessilis

Phytochemical investigation of the alkaloid extract of Palicourea sessilis by LC-HRMS/MS using molecular networking and an in silico MS/MS fragmentation approach suggested the presence of several new monoterpene indole alkaloids. These compounds were isolated by semipreparative HPLC, and their structures confirmed by means of HRMS, NMR, and ECD measurements as 4-N-methyllyaloside (3), 4-N-methyl-3,4-dehydrostrictosidine (4), 4β-hydroxyisodolichantoside (6), and 4α-hydroxyisodolichantoside (7), as well as the known alkaloids alline (1), N-methyltryptamine (2), isodolichantoside (5), and 5-oxodolichantoside (8). In addition, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of the compounds was evaluated up to 50 μM.

Multifunctional Monoamine Oxidases and Cholinesterases Inhibitory Effects, as well as UPLC-DAD-MS Chemical Profile of Alkaloid Fractions Obtained from Species of the Palicoureeae Tribe

In the present study, the effects were evaluated of alkaloid fractions (AFs) from Psychotria species and correlated genera, Palicourea and Rudgea, on monoamine oxidases (MAOs) and cholinesterases (ChEs). By HPLC-DAD and UPLC-DAD-MS analyses, indole alkaloids (IA) were detected in all AFs. For the Psychotria and Palicourea species, these IA corresponded to tetrahydro-β-carboline alkaloids (THβCA). On the other hand, pyrrolidinoindoline core compounds were observed for Rudgea species. Regarding their pharmacological activities, none of the AFs was able to inhibit AChE. However, the BChE activity was impaired by the Psychotria and Palicourea AFs. In addition, MAO-A was inhibited by both AFs, but only Psychotria nemorosa AF was able to inhibit significantly MAO-B. Rudgea AFs demonstrated a poor inhibitory profile on MAO-A. Taken together, our results highlighted the Psychotria and Palicourea genera as important sources of scaffolds for the development of MAO-A and BChE inhibitors aiming at the treatment of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases.