1
|
Preethy H A, Rajendran K, Sukumar AJ, Krishnan UM. Emerging paradigms in Alzheimer's Therapy. Eur J Pharmacol 2024:176872. [PMID: 39117266 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176872] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects elderly, and its incidence is continuously increasing across the globe. Unfortunately, despite decades of research, a complete cure for Alzheimer's disease continues to elude us. The current medications are mainly symptomatic and slow the disease progression but do not result in reversal of all disease pathologies. The growing body of knowledge on the factors responsible for the onset and progression of the disease has resulted in the identification of new targets that could be targeted for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. This has opened new vistas for treatment of Alzheimer's disease that have moved away from chemotherapeutic agents modulating a single target to biologics and combinations that acted on multiple targets thereby offering better therapeutic outcomes. This review discusses the emerging directions in therapeutic interventions against Alzheimer's disease highlighting their merits that promise to change the treatment paradigm and challenges that limit their clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Preethy H
- School of Chemical & Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur; Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur
| | - Kayalvizhi Rajendran
- School of Chemical & Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur; Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur
| | - Anitha Josephine Sukumar
- School of Chemical & Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur; Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur
| | - Uma Maheswari Krishnan
- School of Chemical & Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur; Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur; School of Arts, Sciences, Humanities & Education, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gao F, Chen J, Zhou Y, Cheng L, Hu M, Wang X. Recent progress of small-molecule-based theranostic agents in Alzheimer's disease. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:2231-2245. [PMID: 37974955 PMCID: PMC10650505 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00330b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of neurodegenerative dementia. As a multifactorial disease, AD involves several etiopathogenic mechanisms, in which multiple pathological factors are interconnected with each other. This complicated and unclear pathogenesis makes AD lack effective diagnosis and treatment. Theranostics, exerting the synergistic effect of diagnostic and therapeutic functions, would provide a promising strategy for exploring AD pathogenesis and developing drugs for combating AD. With the efforts in small drug-like molecules for both diagnosis and treatment of AD, small-molecule-based theranostic agents have attracted significant attention owing to their facile synthesis, high biocompatibility and reproducibility, and easy clearance from the body through the excretion systems. In this review, the small-molecule-based theranostic agents reported in the literature for anti-AD are classified into four groups according to their diagnostic modalities. Their design rationales, chemical structures, and working mechanisms for theranostics are summarized. Finally, the opportunities for small-molecule-based theranostic agents in AD are also proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Furong Gao
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Functional Molecules, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University Nanjing 211816 P. R. China
| | - Jiefang Chen
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Functional Molecules, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University Nanjing 211816 P. R. China
| | - Yuancun Zhou
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Functional Molecules, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University Nanjing 211816 P. R. China
| | - Letong Cheng
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Functional Molecules, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University Nanjing 211816 P. R. China
| | - Ming Hu
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Functional Molecules, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University Nanjing 211816 P. R. China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Functional Molecules, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University Nanjing 211816 P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Baracaldo-Santamaría D, Avendaño-Lopez SS, Ariza-Salamanca DF, Rodriguez-Giraldo M, Calderon-Ospina CA, González-Reyes RE, Nava-Mesa MO. Role of Calcium Modulation in the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109067. [PMID: 37240413 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease and the most frequent cause of progressive dementia in senior adults. It is characterized by memory loss and cognitive impairment secondary to cholinergic dysfunction and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-mediated neurotoxicity. Intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, extracellular plaques composed of amyloid-β (Aβ), and selective neurodegeneration are the anatomopathological hallmarks of this disease. The dysregulation of calcium may be present in all the stages of AD, and it is associated with other pathophysiological mechanisms, such as mitochondrial failure, oxidative stress, and chronic neuroinflammation. Although the cytosolic calcium alterations in AD are not completely elucidated, some calcium-permeable channels, transporters, pumps, and receptors have been shown to be involved at the neuronal and glial levels. In particular, the relationship between glutamatergic NMDA receptor (NMDAR) activity and amyloidosis has been widely documented. Other pathophysiological mechanisms involved in calcium dyshomeostasis include the activation of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels, transient receptor potential channels, and ryanodine receptors, among many others. This review aims to update the calcium-dysregulation mechanisms in AD and discuss targets and molecules with therapeutic potential based on their modulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Baracaldo-Santamaría
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
| | - Sara Sofia Avendaño-Lopez
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
| | - Daniel Felipe Ariza-Salamanca
- Medical and Health Sciences Education Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
| | - Mateo Rodriguez-Giraldo
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencias (NeURos), Centro de Neurociencias Neurovitae-UR, Instituto de Medicina Traslacional (IMT), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
| | - Carlos A Calderon-Ospina
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas Aplicadas (UR Biomed), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
| | - Rodrigo E González-Reyes
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencias (NeURos), Centro de Neurociencias Neurovitae-UR, Instituto de Medicina Traslacional (IMT), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
| | - Mauricio O Nava-Mesa
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencias (NeURos), Centro de Neurociencias Neurovitae-UR, Instituto de Medicina Traslacional (IMT), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen C, Wang X, Xu D, Zhang H, Chan HN, Zhan Z, Jia S, Song Q, Song G, Li HW, Wong MS. Multifunctional theranostic carbazole-based cyanine for real-time imaging of amyloid-β and therapeutic treatment of multiple pathologies in Alzheimer's disease. J Mater Chem B 2023. [PMID: 37161476 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb00082f] [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
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the synaptic and neuronal loss, which results in cognitive impairment in particular learning and memory. Currently, AD is incurable and no single confirmative test can clinically be used to diagnose AD. In light of the complex and multifactorial nature of AD etiology, the development of multifunctional/multi-target drugs that act on multiple pathological pathways and mechanisms shows great therapeutic potential for intervention of this devastating disease. We report herein a multifunctional theranostic cyanine, SLCOOH, which serves not only as a highly sensitive fluorescent probe for real-time imaging of amyloid-β (Aβ) contents in different age groups of transgenic (Tg) AD mice but also as an effective therapeutic agent for early AD intervention via multiple pathological targets in the AD mouse model. Remarkably, treatment with SLCOOH gives rise to multiple therapeutic benefits, including the amelioration of cognitive decline, a reduction in Aβ levels, a decrease in hyperphosphorylated tau proteins and tau depositions, and the alleviation of synaptic loss and dysfunctions in young triple Tg AD mice. Our results have demonstrated that in addition to superior Aβ imaging capability, SLCOOH exhibits versatile and effective multiple modes of drug action, signifying outstanding therapeutic potential to treat early onset AD. Our work also paves the way for the development of effective Aβ-targeted theranostic agents for AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR China.
| | - Xueli Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR China.
- Present address: College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Di Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR China.
| | - Hailong Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR China.
| | - Hei-Nga Chan
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR China.
| | - Zhonghao Zhan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Shizheng Jia
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Qingting Song
- Department of Chemistry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR China.
| | - Guoli Song
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hung-Wing Li
- Department of Chemistry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR China.
| | - Man Shing Wong
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sarabia-Vallejo Á, López-Alvarado P, Menéndez JC. Small-molecule theranostics in Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 255:115382. [PMID: 37141706 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) remains one of the most challenging health-related issues for our society. It is becoming increasingly prevalent, especially in developed countries, due to the rising life expectancy and, moreover, represents a considerable economic burden worldwide. All efforts at the discovery of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools in the last decades have invariably met with failure, making AD an incurable illness and underscoring the need for new approaches. In recent years, theranostic agents have emerged as an interesting strategy. They are molecules able to simultaneously provide diagnostic information and deliver therapeutic activity, allowing for the assessment of the molecule activity, the organism response and the pharmacokinetics. This makes these compounds promising for streamlining research on AD drugs and for their application in personalized medicine. We review here the field of small-molecule theranostic agents as promising tools for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic resources against AD, highlighting the positive and significant impact that theranostics can be expected to have in the near future in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Sarabia-Vallejo
- Unidad de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar López-Alvarado
- Unidad de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Carlos Menéndez
- Unidad de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Alan E, Kerry Z, Sevin G. Molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease: From therapeutic targets to promising drugs. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2022; 37:397-427. [PMID: 36576325 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive impairment so widespread that it interferes with a person's ability to complete daily activities. AD is becoming increasingly common, and it is estimated that the number of patients will reach 152 million by 2050. Current treatment options for AD are symptomatic and have modest benefits. Therefore, considering the human, social, and economic burden of the disease, the development of drugs with the potential to alter disease progression has become a global priority. In this review, the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathology of AD were evaluated as therapeutic targets. The main aim of the review is to focus on new knowledge about mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuronal transmission in AD, as well as a range of cellular signaling mechanisms and associated treatments. Important molecular interactions leading to AD were described in amyloid cascade and in tau protein function, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, cholinergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission, cAMP-regulatory element-binding protein (CREB), the silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT-1), neuroinflammation (glial cells), and synaptic alterations. This review summarizes recent experimental and clinical research in AD pathology and analyzes the potential of therapeutic applications based on molecular disease mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elif Alan
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Zeliha Kerry
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gulnur Sevin
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
CaMKIIα Signaling Is Required for the Neuroprotective Effects of Dl-3-n-Butylphthalide in Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:3370-3381. [PMID: 35305243 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02777-8] [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: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of neurodegenerative disease and most anti-AD drugs have failed in clinical trials; hence, it is urgent to find potentially effective drugs against AD. DL-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) is a compound extracted from celery seed and is a multiple-target drug. Several studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of NBP on cognitive impairment, but the mechanisms of NBP remains relatively unexplored. In this study, we found that NBP could alleviated the increase of intracellular Ca2+ and reversed down-regulation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase alpha (CaMKIIα) signaling and rescued neuronal apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells treated by Aβ oligomers. However, these neuroprotective effects of NBP on neuronal damage and CaMKIIα signaling were abolished when CaMKIIα expression was knocked down or its activity was inhibited. Thus, our findings suggested that CaMKIIα signaling was required for the neuroprotective effects of NBP in AD and provided an improved basis for elucidating the mechanism and treatment of NBP in AD.
Collapse
|
8
|
Signal transduction associated with lead-induced neurological disorders: A review. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 150:112063. [PMID: 33596455 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Lead is a heavy metal pollutant that is widely present in the environment. It affects every organ system, yet the nervous system appears to be the most sensitive and primary target. Although many countries have made significant strides in controlling Pb pollution, Pb poisoning continuous to be a major public health concern. Exposure to Pb causes neurotoxicity that ranges from neurodevelopmental disorders to severe neurodegenerative lesions, leading to impairments in learning, memory, and cognitive function. Studies on the mechanisms of Pb-induced nervous system injury have convincingly shown that this metal can affect a plethora of cellular pathways affecting on cell survival, altering calcium dyshomeostasis, and inducing apoptosis, inflammation, energy metabolism disorders, oxidative stress, autophagy and glial stress. This review summarizes recent knowledge on multiple signaling pathways associated with Pb-induced neurological disorders in vivo and in vitro.
Collapse
|