1
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Watson DJ, Laing L, Petzer JP, Wong HN, Parkinson CJ, Wiesner L, Haynes RK. Efficacies and ADME properties of redox active methylene blue and phenoxazine analogues for use in new antimalarial triple drug combinations with amino-artemisinins. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1308400. [PMID: 38259296 PMCID: PMC10800708 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1308400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Efforts to develop new artemisinin triple combination therapies effective against artemisinin-tolerant strains of Plasmodium falciparum based on rational combinations comprising artemisone or other amino-artemisinins, a redox active drug and a third drug with a different mode of action have now been extended to evaluation of three potential redox partners. These are the diethyl analogue AD01 of methylene blue (MB), the benzo [α]phenoxazine PhX6, and the thiosemicarbazone DpNEt. IC50 values in vitro against CQ-sensitive and resistant P. falciparum strains ranged from 11.9 nM for AD01-41.8 nM for PhX6. PhX6 possessed the most favourable pharmacokinetic (PK) profile: intrinsic clearance rate CLint was 21.47 ± 1.76 mL/min/kg, bioavailability was 60% and half-life was 7.96 h. AD01 presented weaker, but manageable pharmacokinetic properties with a rapid CLint of 74.41 ± 6.68 mL/min/kg leading to a half-life of 2.51 ± 0.07 h and bioavailability of 15%. DpNEt exhibited a half-life of 1.12 h and bioavailability of 8%, data which discourage its further examination, despite a low CLint of 10.20 mL/min/kg and a high Cmax of 6.32 µM. Efficacies of AD01 and PhX6 were enhanced synergistically when each was paired with artemisone against asexual blood stages of P. falciparum NF54 in vitro. The favourable pharmacokinetics of PhX6 indicate this is the best partner among the compounds examined thus far for artemisone. Future work will focus on extending the drug combination studies to artemiside in vitro, and conducting efficacy studies in vivo for artemisone with each of PhX6 and the related benzo[α]phenoxazine SSJ-183.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Watson
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lizahn Laing
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jacobus P. Petzer
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Ho Ning Wong
- Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Lubbe Wiesner
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Richard K. Haynes
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW, Australia
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2
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Samoylova NA, Gureev AP, Popov VN. Methylene Blue Induces Antioxidant Defense and Reparation of Mitochondrial DNA in a Nrf2-Dependent Manner during Cisplatin-Induced Renal Toxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076118. [PMID: 37047089 PMCID: PMC10094522 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076118] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin is a platinum-based cytostatic drug that is widely used for cancer treatment. Mitochondria and mtDNA are important targets for platinum-based cytostatics, which mediates its nephrotoxicity. It is important to develop therapeutic approaches to protect the kidneys from cisplatin during chemotherapy. We showed that the exposure of mitochondria to cisplatin increased the level of lipid peroxidation products in the in vitro experiment. Cisplatin caused strong damage to renal mtDNA, both in the in vivo and in vitro experiments. Cisplatin injections induced oxidative stress by depleting renal antioxidants at the transcriptome level but did not increase the rate of H2O2 production in isolated mitochondria. Methylene blue, on the contrary, induced mitochondrial H2O2 production. We supposed that methylene blue-induced H2O2 production led to activation of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. The consequences of activation of this signaling pathway were manifested in an increase in the expression of some antioxidant genes, which likely caused a decrease in the amount of mtDNA damage. Methylene blue treatment induced an increase in the expression of genes that were involved in the base excision repair (BER) pathway: the main pathway for mtDNA reparation. It is known that the expression of these genes can also be regulated by the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. We can assume that the protective effect of methylene blue is related to the activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways, which can activate the expression of genes related to antioxidant defense and mtDNA reparation. Thus, the protection of kidney mitochondria from cisplatin-induced damage using methylene blue can significantly expand its application in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A Samoylova
- Department of Genetics, Cytology and Bioengineering, Voronezh State University, 394018 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Artem P Gureev
- Department of Genetics, Cytology and Bioengineering, Voronezh State University, 394018 Voronezh, Russia
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technology, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Vasily N Popov
- Department of Genetics, Cytology and Bioengineering, Voronezh State University, 394018 Voronezh, Russia
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technology, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
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3
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Gureev AP, Sadovnikova IS, Popov VN. Molecular Mechanisms of the Neuroprotective Effect of Methylene Blue. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2022; 87:940-956. [PMID: 36180986 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297922090073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) is the first fully synthetic compound that had found its way into medicine over 120 years ago as a treatment against malaria. MB has been approved for the treatment of methemoglobinemia, but there are premises for its repurposing as a neuroprotective agent based on the efficacy of this compound demonstrated in the models of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, traumatic brain injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, depressive disorders, etc. However, the goal of this review was not so much to focus on the therapeutic effects of MB in the treatment of various neurodegeneration diseases, but to delve into the mechanisms of direct or indirect effect of this drug on the signaling pathways. MB can act as an alternative electron carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain in the case of dysfunctional electron transport chain. It also displays the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects, inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), activates signaling pathways involved in the mitochondrial pool renewal (mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy), and prevents aggregation of misfolded proteins. Comprehensive understanding of all aspects of direct and indirect influence of MB, and not just some of its effects, can help in further research of this compound, including its clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem P Gureev
- Voronezh State University, Voronezh, 394018, Russia.
- Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036, Voronezh, Russia
| | | | - Vasily N Popov
- Voronezh State University, Voronezh, 394018, Russia
- Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036, Voronezh, Russia
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4
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Shi ZF, Fang Q, Chen Y, Xu LX, Wu M, Jia M, Lu Y, Wang XX, Wang YJ, Yan X, Dong LP, Yuan F. Methylene blue ameliorates brain edema in rats with experimental ischemic stroke via inhibiting aquaporin 4 expression. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:382-392. [PMID: 32665706 PMCID: PMC8027449 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-0468-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain edema is a common and serious complication of ischemic stroke with limited effective treatment. We previously reported that methylene blue (MB) attenuated ischemic brain edema in rats, but the underlying mechanisms remained unknown. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in astrocytes plays a key role in brain edema. We also found that extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation was involved in the regulation of AQP4 expression in astrocytes. In the present study, we investigated whether AQP4 and ERK1/2 were involved in the protective effect of MB against cerebral edema. Rats were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO), MB (3 mg/kg, for 30 min) was infused intravenously through the tail vein started immediately after reperfusion and again at 3 h after ischemia (1.5 mg/kg, for 15 min). Brain edema was determined by MRI at 0.5, 2.5, and 48 h after tMCAO. The decreases of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values on diffusion-weighted MRI indicated cytotoxic brain edema, whereas the increase of T2 MRI values reflected vasogenic brain edema. We found that MB infusion significantly ameliorated cytotoxic brain edema at 2.5 and 48 h after tMCAO and decreased vasogenic brain edema at 48 h after tMCAO. In addition, MB infusion blocked the AQP4 increases and ERK1/2 activation in the cerebral cortex in ischemic penumbra at 48 h after tMCAO. In a cell swelling model established in cultured rat astrocyte exposed to glutamate (1 mM), we consistently found that MB (10 μM) attenuated cell swelling, AQP4 increases and ERK1/2 activation. Moreover, the ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 (10 μM) had the similar effects as MB. These results demonstrate that MB improves brain edema and astrocyte swelling, which may be mediated by the inhibition of AQP4 expression via ERK1/2 pathway, suggesting that MB may be a potential choice for the treatment of brain edema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Fang Shi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Qing Fang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Ye Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Li-Xin Xu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Mei Jia
- Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Xiao-Xuan Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Yu-Jiao Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Xu Yan
- Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Li-Ping Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Fang Yuan
- Department of Pathophysiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury, Beijing, 100070, China.
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5
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Thesnaar L, Bezuidenhout JJ, Petzer A, Petzer JP, Cloete TT. Methylene blue analogues: In vitro antimicrobial minimum inhibitory concentrations and in silico pharmacophore modelling. Eur J Pharm Sci 2021; 157:105603. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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6
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de Beer F, Petzer JP, Petzer A. Monoamine oxidase inhibition by selected dye compounds. Chem Biol Drug Des 2020; 95:355-367. [PMID: 31834986 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is an important drug target as the MAO isoforms play key roles in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, as well as in neuropsychiatric diseases such as depression. Methylene blue is an inhibitor of MAO-A, while azure B, the major metabolite of methylene blue, and various other structural analogues retain the ability to inhibit MAO-A. Based on this, the present study evaluated 22 dyes, many of which are structurally related to methylene blue, as potential inhibitors of human MAO-A and MAO-B. The results highlighted three dye compounds as good potency competitive and reversible MAO inhibitors, and which exhibit higher MAO inhibition than methylene blue: acridine orange, oxazine 170 and Darrow red. Acridine orange was found to be a MAO-A specific inhibitor (IC50 = 0.017 μM), whereas oxazine 170 is a MAO-B specific inhibitor (IC50 = 0.0065 μM). Darrow red was found to be a non-specific MAO inhibitor (MAO-A, IC50 = 0.059 μM; MAO-B, IC50 = 0.065 μM). These compounds may be advanced for further testing and preclinical development, or be used as possible lead compounds for the future design of MAO inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franciska de Beer
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Jacobus P Petzer
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Anél Petzer
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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7
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Abstract
Methylene blue is a long-established drug with complex pharmacology and multiple clinical indications. Its diverse mechanisms of action are most likely responsible for the large variety of its clinical effects. Of interest to psychiatrists, methylene blue has antidepressant, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective properties documented by both animal and human studies. Its stabilizing effect on mitochondrial function and dose-dependent effect on the generation of reactive oxygen species are of significant heuristic value. For these reasons, methylene blue holds promise as a proof-of-concept treatment of organic/neurodegenerative disorders and as a neuroprotective agent in general. In psychiatry, methylene blue has been used for over a century. It was tried successfully in the treatment of psychotic and mood disorders and as a memory enhancer in fear-extinction training. Particularly promising results have been obtained in both short- and long-term treatment of bipolar disorder. In these studies, methylene blue produced an antidepressant and anxiolytic effect without risk of a switch into mania. Long-term use of methylene blue in bipolar disorder led to a better stabilization and a reduction in residual symptoms of the illness. It is usually well tolerated, but caution is needed in the light of its inhibitory effect on monoamine oxidase A.
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8
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Guglielmi P, Carradori S, Ammazzalorso A, Secci D. Novel approaches to the discovery of selective human monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors: is there room for improvement? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 14:995-1035. [PMID: 31268358 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1637415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Selective monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors are currently used as coadjuvants for the treatment of early motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. They can, based on their chemical structure and mechanism of inhibition, be categorized into reversible and irreversible agents. Areas covered: This review provides a comprehensive update on the development state of selective MAO-B inhibitors describing the results, structures, structure-activity relationships (SARs) and Medicinal chemistry strategies as well as the related shortcomings over the past five years. Expert opinion: Researchers have explored and implemented new and old chemical scaffolds achieving high inhibitory potencies and isoform selectivity. Most of them were characterized and proposed as multitarget agents able to act at different levels (including AChE inhibition, H3R or A2AR antagonism, antioxidant and chelating properties, Aβ1-42 aggregation reduction) in the network of aetiologies of neurodegenerative disorders. These results can also be used to avoid 'cheese-reaction' effects and the occurrence of serotonergic syndrome in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Guglielmi
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Sapienza Università di Roma , Rome , Italy
| | - Simone Carradori
- Department of Pharmacy, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara , Chieti , Italy
| | | | - Daniela Secci
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Sapienza Università di Roma , Rome , Italy
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9
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Azure B affects amyloid precursor protein metabolism in PS70 cells. Chem Biol Interact 2019; 299:88-93. [PMID: 30500345 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2018.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is characterized by abundant deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide that is the result of sequential cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β-secretase and γ-secretase. Several studies have documented that inhibition of Aβ peptide synthesis or facilitating its degradation is one of the attractive therapeutic strategies in AD. Methylene blue (MethB), which has recently been investigated in Phase II clinical trials, is a prominent inhibitor in reducing Aβ oligomers. Herein, we wonder whether the mitigating effects of MethB on amyloid metabolism are related to the activity of its major metabolite, azure B. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of azure B, which is also a cholinesterase inhibitor, on APP processing by using Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing human wild-type APP and presenilin 1 (PS70). Azure B significantly decreased the levels of secreted APPα (sAPPα) and Aβ40/42 in culture medium with a dose-dependent manner. A significant decrease was also observed in the levels of intracellular APP without affecting the cell viability. In parallel with the decrease of APP and APP metabolites, the activity of β-secretase 1 (BACE1) was significantly attenuated compared to control. Overall, our results show that azure B has a large contribution for the pharmacological profile of MethB in APP metabolism.
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10
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Delport A, Harvey BH, Petzer A, Petzer JP. Methylene Blue Analogues with Marginal Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition Retain Antidepressant-like Activity. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:2917-2928. [PMID: 29976053 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) possesses diverse medical applications. Among these, MB presents with antidepressant-like effects in animals and has shown promise in clinical trials for the treatment of mood disorders. As an antidepressant, MB may act via various mechanisms which include modulation of the nitric oxide cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) cascade, enhancement of mitochondrial respiration and antioxidant effects. MB is also, however, a high potency inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO) A, which most likely contributes to its antidepressant effect, but also to its adverse effects profile (e.g., serotonin toxicity). The latter has raised the question whether it is possible to design out the MAO inhibition properties of MB yet retaining its clinically useful attributes. This study explores this idea further by characterizing five newly synthesized low MAO-A active MB analogues and examining their antidepressant-like properties in the acute forced swim test (FST) in rats, with comparison to imipramine and MB. The results show that all five analogues exhibit antidepressant-like properties in the FST without confounding effects on locomotor activity. The magnitude of these effects is comparable to those of imipramine and MB. Moreover, these newly synthesized MB analogues are markedly less potent MAO-A inhibitors (IC50 = 0.518-4.73 μM) than MB (IC50 = 0.07 μM). We postulate that such lower potency MAO-A inhibitors may present with a reduced risk of adverse effects associated with MAO-A inhibition. While low level MAO-A inhibition still may produce an antidepressant effect, we posit that other MB-related mechanisms may underlie their antidepressant effects, thereby representing a novel group of antidepressant compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anzelle Delport
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Brian H. Harvey
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
- Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Anél Petzer
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Jacobus P. Petzer
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
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11
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Tucker D, Lu Y, Zhang Q. From Mitochondrial Function to Neuroprotection-an Emerging Role for Methylene Blue. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:5137-5153. [PMID: 28840449 PMCID: PMC5826781 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0712-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) is a well-established drug with a long history of use, owing to its diverse range of use and its minimal side effect profile. MB has been used classically for the treatment of malaria, methemoglobinemia, and carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as a histological dye. Its role in the mitochondria, however, has elicited much of its renewed interest in recent years. MB can reroute electrons in the mitochondrial electron transfer chain directly from NADH to cytochrome c, increasing the activity of complex IV and effectively promoting mitochondrial activity while mitigating oxidative stress. In addition to its beneficial effect on mitochondrial protection, MB is also known to have robust effects in mitigating neuroinflammation. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been identified as a seemingly unifying pathological phenomenon across a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders, which thus positions methylene blue as a promising therapeutic. In both in vitro and in vivo studies, MB has shown impressive efficacy in mitigating neurodegeneration and the accompanying behavioral phenotypes in animal models for such conditions as stroke, global cerebral ischemia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and traumatic brain injury. This review summarizes recent work establishing MB as a promising candidate for neuroprotection, with particular emphasis on the contribution of mitochondrial function to neural health. Furthermore, this review will briefly examine the link between MB, neurogenesis, and improved cognition in respect to age-related cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donovan Tucker
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Yujiao Lu
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Quanguang Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
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12
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Delport A, Harvey BH, Petzer A, Petzer JP. Methylene blue and its analogues as antidepressant compounds. Metab Brain Dis 2017; 32:1357-1382. [PMID: 28762173 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-017-0081-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Methylene Blue (MB) is considered to have diverse medical applications and is a well-described treatment for methemoglobinemias and ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy. In recent years the focus has shifted to MB as an antimalarial agent and as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Of interest are reports that MB possesses antidepressant and anxiolytic activity in pre-clinical models and has shown promise in clinical trials for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. MB is a noteworthy inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), which is a well-established target for antidepressant action. MB is also recognized as a non-selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and guanylate cyclase. Dysfunction of the nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) cascade is strongly linked to the neurobiology of mood, anxiety and psychosis, while the inhibition of NOS and/or guanylate cyclase has been associated with an antidepressant response. This action of MB may contribute significantly to its psychotropic activity. However, these disorders are also characterised by mitochondrial dysfunction and redox imbalance. By acting as an alternative electron acceptor/donor MB restores mitochondrial function, improves neuronal energy production and inhibits the formation of superoxide, effects that also may contribute to its therapeutic activity. Using MB in depression co-morbid with neurodegenerative disorders, like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, also represents a particularly relevant strategy. By considering their physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, analogues of MB may provide therapeutic potential as novel multi-target strategies in the treatment of depression. In addition, low MAO-A active analogues may provide equal or improved response with a lower risk of adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anzelle Delport
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Brian H Harvey
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Anél Petzer
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Jacobus P Petzer
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
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13
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Sanz FJ, Solana-Manrique C, Muñoz-Soriano V, Calap-Quintana P, Moltó MD, Paricio N. Identification of potential therapeutic compounds for Parkinson's disease using Drosophila and human cell models. Free Radic Biol Med 2017; 108:683-691. [PMID: 28455141 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.04.364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to a decrease in dopamine levels in the striatum and thus producing movement impairment. Major physiological causes of neurodegeneration in PD are oxidative stress (OS) and mitochondrial dysfunction; these pathophysiological changes can be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Although most PD cases are sporadic, it has been shown that 5-10% of them are familial forms caused by mutations in certain genes. One of these genes is the DJ-1 oncogene, which is involved in an early-onset recessive PD form. Currently, PD is an incurable disease for which existing therapies are not sufficiently effective to counteract or delay the progression of the disease. Therefore, the discovery of alternative drugs for the treatment of PD is essential. In this study we used a Drosophila PD model to identify candidate compounds with therapeutic potential for this disease. These flies carry a loss-of-function mutation in the DJ-1β gene, the Drosophila ortholog of human DJ-1, and show locomotor defects reflected by a reduced climbing ability. A pilot modifier chemical screen was performed, and several candidate compounds were identified based on their ability to improve locomotor activity of PD model flies. We demonstrated that some of them were also able to reduce OS levels in these flies. To validate the compounds identified in the Drosophila screen, a human cell PD model was generated by knocking down DJ-1 function in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Our results showed that some of the compounds were also able to increase the viability of the DJ-1-deficient cells subjected to OS, thus supporting the use of Drosophila for PD drug discovery. Interestingly, some of them have been previously proposed as alternative therapies for PD or tested in clinical trials and others are first suggested in this study as potential drugs for the treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco José Sanz
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad CC Biológicas, Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Cristina Solana-Manrique
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad CC Biológicas, Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Verónica Muñoz-Soriano
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad CC Biológicas, Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Pablo Calap-Quintana
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad CC Biológicas, Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - María Dolores Moltó
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad CC Biológicas, Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; CIBERSAM, INCLIVA. Valencia, Spain
| | - Nuria Paricio
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad CC Biológicas, Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
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14
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Delport A, Harvey BH, Petzer A, Petzer JP. The monoamine oxidase inhibition properties of selected structural analogues of methylene blue. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2017; 325:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2017.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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15
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Das S, Islam MM, Jana GC, Patra A, Jha PK, Hossain M. Molecular binding of toxic phenothiazinium derivatives, azures to bovine serum albumin: A comparative spectroscopic, calorimetric, and in silico study. J Mol Recognit 2017; 30. [PMID: 28101950 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.2609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Somnath Das
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology; Vidyasagar University; Midnapore West Bengal India
| | - Md. Maidul Islam
- Department of Chemistry; Aliah University; Kolkata West Bengal India
| | - Gopal Chandra Jana
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology; Vidyasagar University; Midnapore West Bengal India
| | - Anirudha Patra
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology; Vidyasagar University; Midnapore West Bengal India
| | - Pradeep K. Jha
- SMST; Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur; Kharagpur West Bengal India
| | - Maidul Hossain
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology; Vidyasagar University; Midnapore West Bengal India
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16
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Minders C, Petzer JP, Petzer A, Lourens AC. Monoamine oxidase inhibitory activities of heterocyclic chalcones. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2015; 25:5270-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2015.09.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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17
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Möller M, Swanepoel T, Harvey BH. Neurodevelopmental Animal Models Reveal the Convergent Role of Neurotransmitter Systems, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress as Biomarkers of Schizophrenia: Implications for Novel Drug Development. ACS Chem Neurosci 2015; 6:987-1016. [PMID: 25794269 DOI: 10.1021/cn5003368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a life altering disease with a complex etiology and pathophysiology, and although antipsychotics are valuable in treating the disorder, certain symptoms and/or sufferers remain resistant to treatment. Our poor understanding of the underlying neuropathological mechanisms of schizophrenia hinders the discovery and development of improved pharmacological treatment, so that filling these gaps is of utmost importance for an improved outcome. A vast amount of clinical data has strongly implicated the role of inflammation and oxidative insults in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Preclinical studies using animal models are fundamental in our understanding of disease development and pathology as well as the discovery and development of novel treatment options. In particular, social isolation rearing (SIR) and pre- or postnatal inflammation (PPNI) have shown great promise in mimicking the biobehavioral manifestations of schizophrenia. Furthermore, the "dual-hit" hypothesis of schizophrenia states that a first adverse event such as genetic predisposition or a prenatal insult renders an individual susceptible to develop the disease, while a second insult (e.g., postnatal inflammation, environmental adversity, or drug abuse) may be necessary to precipitate the full-blown syndrome. Animal models that emphasize the "dual-hit" hypothesis therefore provide valuable insight into understanding disease progression. In this Review, we will discuss SIR, PPNI, as well as possible "dual-hit" animal models within the context of the redox-immune-inflammatory hypothesis of schizophrenia, correlating such changes with the recognized monoamine and behavioral alterations of schizophrenia. Finally, based on these models, we will review new therapeutic options, especially those targeting immune-inflammatory and redox pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Möller
- Department of Pharmacology and ‡Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences,
School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
| | - T. Swanepoel
- Department of Pharmacology and ‡Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences,
School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
| | - B. H. Harvey
- Department of Pharmacology and ‡Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences,
School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
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