1
|
Zhao H, Liu Y, Cai N, Liao X, Tang L, Wang Y. Endocannabinoid Hydrolase Inhibitors: Potential Novel Anxiolytic Drugs. Drug Des Devel Ther 2024; 18:2143-2167. [PMID: 38882045 PMCID: PMC11179644 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s462785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the idea of targeting the endocannabinoid system to treat anxiety disorders has received increasing attention. Previous studies focused more on developing cannabinoid receptor agonists or supplementing exogenous cannabinoids, which are prone to various adverse effects due to their strong pharmacological activity and poor receptor selectivity, limiting their application in clinical research. Endocannabinoid hydrolase inhibitors are considered to be the most promising development strategies for the treatment of anxiety disorders. More recent efforts have emphasized that inhibition of two major endogenous cannabinoid hydrolases, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), indirectly activates cannabinoid receptors by increasing endogenous cannabinoid levels in the synaptic gap, circumventing receptor desensitization resulting from direct enhancement of endogenous cannabinoid signaling. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the anxiolytic effects of MAGL and FAAH inhibitors and their potential pharmacological mechanisms, highlight reported novel inhibitors or natural products, and provide an outlook on future directions in this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongqing Zhao
- Science & Technology Innovation Center, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Liu
- Science & Technology Innovation Center, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Na Cai
- Outpatient Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaolin Liao
- Science & Technology Innovation Center, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuhong Wang
- Science & Technology Innovation Center, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xue T, Ma RH, Xu C, Sun B, Yan DF, Liu XM, Gao D, Li ZH, Gao Y, Wang CZ. The endocannabinoid system is involved in the anxiety-like behavior induced by dual-frequency 2.65/0.8 GHz electromagnetic radiation in mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1366855. [PMID: 38685914 PMCID: PMC11057378 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1366855] [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: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
As wireless communication devices gain popularity, concerns about the potential risks of environmental exposure to complex frequency electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on mental health have become a public health issue. Historically, EMR research has predominantly focused on single- frequency electromagnetic waves, neglecting the study of multi-frequency electromagnetic waves, which more accurately represent everyday life. To address these concerns, our study compared the emotional effects of single-frequency and dual-frequency EMR while exploring potential molecular mechanisms and intervention targets. Our results revealed that single-frequency EMR at 2.65 or 0.8 GHz did not induce anxiety-like behavior in mice. However, exposure to dual-frequency EMR at 2.65/0.8 GHz significantly led to anxiety-like behavior in mice. Further analysis of mouse sera revealed substantial increases in corticosterone and corticotrophin releasing hormone levels following exposure to 2.65/0.8 GHz EMR. Transcriptome sequencing indicated a significant decrease in the expression of Cnr1, encoding cannabinoid receptor 1 Type (CB1R), in the cerebral. This finding was consistently verified through western blot analysis, revealing a substantial reduction in CB1R content. Additionally, a significant decrease in the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol was observed in the cerebral cortex. Remarkably, administering the cannabinoid receptor agonist Win55-212-2 significantly alleviated the anxiety-like behavior, and the cannabinoid receptor antagonist AM251 effectively counteracted the anti-anxiety effects of Win55-212-2. In summary, our research confirmed that dual-frequency EMR is more likely to induce anxiety-like behavior in mice than single-frequency EMR, with implications for the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the endocannabinoid system. Furthermore, our findings suggest that Win55-212-2 may represent a novel avenue for researching and developing anti-EMR drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teng Xue
- Laboratory of Bioelectromagnetics, Beijing Institute of Radiation and Medicine, Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Rui-Han Ma
- Laboratory of Bioelectromagnetics, Beijing Institute of Radiation and Medicine, Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Chou Xu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The 983rd Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, Tianjin, China
- Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Sun
- Laboratory of Bioelectromagnetics, Beijing Institute of Radiation and Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Dong-Fei Yan
- Laboratory of Bioelectromagnetics, Beijing Institute of Radiation and Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Man Liu
- Laboratory of Bioelectromagnetics, Beijing Institute of Radiation and Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Dawen Gao
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Hui Li
- Laboratory of Bioelectromagnetics, Beijing Institute of Radiation and Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chang-Zhen Wang
- Laboratory of Bioelectromagnetics, Beijing Institute of Radiation and Medicine, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rieger NS, Varela JA, Ng AJ, Granata L, Djerdjaj A, Brenhouse HC, Christianson JP. Insular cortex corticotropin-releasing factor integrates stress signaling with social affective behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1156-1168. [PMID: 35220413 PMCID: PMC9018766 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01292-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Impairments in identifying and responding to the emotions of others manifest in a variety of psychopathologies. Therefore, elaborating the neurobiological mechanisms that underpin social responses to social emotions, or social affective behavior, is a translationally important goal. The insular cortex is consistently implicated in stress-related social and anxiety disorders, which are associated with diminished ability to make and use inferences about the emotions of others to guide behavior. We investigated how corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a neuromodulator evoked upon exposure to stressed conspecifics, influenced the insula. We hypothesized that social affective behavior requires CRF signaling in the insular cortex in order to detect stress in social interactions. In acute slices from male and female rats, CRF depolarized insular pyramidal neurons. In males, but not females, CRF suppressed presynaptic GABAergic inhibition leading to greater excitatory synaptic efficacy in a CRF receptor 1 (CRF1)- and cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1)-dependent fashion. In males only, insular CRF increased social investigation, and CRF1 and CB1 antagonists interfered with social interactions with stressed conspecifics. To investigate the molecular and cellular basis for the effect of CRF we examined insular CRF1 and CB1 mRNAs and found greater total insula CRF1 mRNA in females but greater CRF1 and CB1 mRNA colocalization in male insular cortex glutamatergic neurons that suggest complex, sex-specific organization of CRF and endocannabinoid systems. Together these results reveal a new mechanism by which stress and affect contribute to social affective behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel S Rieger
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA
| | - Juan A Varela
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA
| | - Alexandra J Ng
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA
| | - Lauren Granata
- Psychology Department, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 115 Richards Hall, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Anthony Djerdjaj
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA
| | - Heather C Brenhouse
- Psychology Department, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 115 Richards Hall, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - John P Christianson
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
The potential roles of excitatory-inhibitory imbalances and the repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor in aging and aging-associated diseases. Mol Cell Neurosci 2021; 117:103683. [PMID: 34775008 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2021.103683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Disruptions to the central excitatory-inhibitory (E/I) balance are thought to be related to aging and underlie a host of neural pathologies, including Alzheimer's disease. Aging may induce an increase in excitatory signaling, causing an E/I imbalance, which has been linked to shorter lifespans in mice, flies, and worms. In humans, extended longevity correlates to greater repression of genes involved in excitatory neurotransmission. The repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) is a master regulator in neural cells and is believed to be upregulated with senescent stimuli, whereupon it counters hyperexcitability, insulin/insulin-like signaling pathway activity, oxidative stress, and neurodegeneration. This review examines the putative mechanisms that distort the E/I balance with aging and neurodegeneration, and the putative roles of REST in maintaining neuronal homeostasis.
Collapse
|
5
|
Zanfirescu A, Ungurianu A, Mihai DP, Radulescu D, Nitulescu GM. Targeting Monoacylglycerol Lipase in Pursuit of Therapies for Neurological and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Molecules 2021; 26:5668. [PMID: 34577139 PMCID: PMC8468992 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological and neurodegenerative diseases are debilitating conditions, and frequently lack an effective treatment. Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is a key enzyme involved in the metabolism of 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol), a neuroprotective endocannabinoid intimately linked to the generation of pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules. Consequently, synthesizing selective MAGL inhibitors has become a focus point in drug design and development. The purpose of this review was to summarize the diverse synthetic scaffolds of MAGL inhibitors concerning their potency, mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications, focusing on the results of studies published in the past five years. The main irreversible inhibitors identified were derivatives of hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol carbamates, glycol carbamates, azetidone triazole ureas and benzisothiazolinone, whereas the most promising reversible inhibitors were derivatives of salicylketoxime, piperidine, pyrrolidone and azetidinyl amides. We reviewed the results of in-depth chemical, mechanistic and computational studies on MAGL inhibitors, in addition to the results of in vitro findings concerning selectivity and potency of inhibitors, using the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) as an indicator of their effect on MAGL. Further, for highlighting the potential usefulness of highly selective and effective inhibitors, we examined the preclinical in vivo reports regarding the promising therapeutic applications of MAGL pharmacological inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anca Ungurianu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (A.Z.); (D.P.M.); (D.R.); (G.M.N.)
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wilkerson JL, Bilbrey JA, Felix JS, Makriyannis A, McMahon LR. Untapped endocannabinoid pharmacological targets: Pipe dream or pipeline? Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 206:173192. [PMID: 33932409 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
It has been established that the endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid) system plays key modulatory roles in a wide variety of pathological conditions. The endocannabinoid system comprises both cannabinoid receptors, their endogenous ligands including 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), N-arachidonylethanolamine (anandamide, AEA), and enzymes that regulate the synthesis and degradation of endogenous ligands which include diacylglycerol lipase alpha (DAGL-α), diacylglycerol lipase beta (DAGL-β), fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), α/β hydrolase domain 6 (ABHD6). As the endocannabinoid system exerts considerable involvement in the regulation of homeostasis and disease, much effort has been made towards understanding endocannabinoid-related mechanisms of action at cellular, physiological, and pathological levels as well as harnessing the various components of the endocannabinoid system to produce novel therapeutics. However, drug discovery efforts within the cannabinoid field have been slower than anticipated to reach satisfactory clinical endpoints and raises an important question into the validity of developing novel ligands that therapeutically target the endocannabinoid system. To answer this, we will first examine evidence that supports the existence of an endocannabinoid system role within inflammatory diseases, neurodegeneration, pain, substance use disorders, mood disorders, as well as metabolic diseases. Next, this review will discuss recent clinical studies, within the last 5 years, of cannabinoid compounds in context to these diseases. We will also address some of the challenges and considerations within the cannabinoid field that may be important in the advancement of therapeutics into the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenny L Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Joshua A Bilbrey
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jasmine S Felix
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lance R McMahon
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|