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Breault É, Desgagné M, Neve JD, Côté J, Barlow TMA, Ballet S, Sarret P. Multitarget ligands that comprise opioid/nonopioid pharmacophores for pain management: Current state of the science. Pharmacol Res 2024; 209:107408. [PMID: 39307212 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107408] [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: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
Chronic pain, which affects more than one-third of the world's population, represents one of the greatest medical challenges of the 21st century, yet its effective management remains sub-optimal. The 'gold standard' for the treatment of moderate to severe pain consists of opioid ligands, such as morphine and fentanyl, that target the µ-opioid receptor (MOP). Paradoxically, these opioids also cause serious side effects, including constipation, respiratory depression, tolerance, and addiction. In addition, the development of opioid-use disorders, such as opioid diversion, misuse, and abuse, has led to the current opioid crisis, with dramatic increases in addiction, overdoses, and ultimately deaths. As pain is a complex, multidimensional experience involving a variety of pathways and mediators, dual or multitarget ligands that can bind to more than one receptor and exert complementary analgesic effects, represent a promising avenue for pain relief. Indeed, unlike monomodal therapeutic approaches, the modulation of several endogenous nociceptive systems can often result in an additive or even synergistic effect, thereby improving the analgesic-to-side-effect ratio. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of research efforts towards the development of dual- or multi-targeting opioid/nonopioid hybrid ligands for effective and safer pain management. We reflect on the underpinning discovery rationale by discussing the design, medicinal chemistry, and in vivo pharmacological effects of multitarget antinociceptive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Émile Breault
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Michael Desgagné
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Jolien De Neve
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Jérôme Côté
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Thomas M A Barlow
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada.
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Wang SY, Zhang YZ, Liu XH, Guo XC, Wang XF, Wang JR, Liu BJ, Han FT, Zhang Y, Wang CL. BNT12, a novel hybrid peptide of opioid and neurotensin pharmacophores, produces potent central antinociception with limited side effects. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 978:176775. [PMID: 38925288 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176775] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The development of multitarget opioid drugs has emerged as an attractive approach for innovative pain management with reduced side effects. In the present study, a novel hybrid peptide BNT12 containing the opioid and neurotensin (NT)-like fragments was synthesized and pharmacologically characterized. In acute radiant heat paw withdrawal test, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of BNT12 produced potent antinociception in mice. The central antinociceptive activity of BNT12 was mainly mediated by μ-, δ-opioid receptor, neurotensin receptor type 1 (NTSR1) and 2 (NTSR2), supporting a multifunctional agonism of BNT12 in the functional assays. BNT12 also exhibited significant antinociceptive effects in spared nerve injury (SNI)-neuropathic pain, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain, acetic acid-induced visceral and formalin-induced pain after i.c.v. administration. Furthermore, BNT12 exhibited substantial reduction of acute antinociceptive tolerance, shifted the dose-response curve to the right by only 1.3-fold. It is noteworthy that BNT12 showed insignificant chronic antinociceptive tolerance at the supraspinal level. In addition, BNT12 exhibited reduced or no opioid-like side effects on conditioned place preference (CPP) response, naloxone-precipitated withdrawal response, acute hyperlocomotion, motor coordination, gastrointestinal transit, and cardiovascular responses. The present investigation demonstrated that the novel hybrid peptide BNT12 might serve as a promising analgesic candidate with limited opioid-like side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yu Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Yu-Zhe Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Xiao-Han Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Xue-Ci Guo
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | | | - Jia-Ran Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Bing-Jie Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Feng-Tong Han
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Chang-Lin Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China; State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China.
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Hochrainer N, Serafin P, D’Ingiullo S, Mollica A, Granica S, Brytan M, Kleczkowska P, Spetea M. In Vitro and In Vivo Pharmacological Profiles of LENART01, a Dermorphin-Ranatensin Hybrid Peptide. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4007. [PMID: 38612817 PMCID: PMC11012005 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Diverse chemical and pharmacological strategies are currently being explored to minimize the unwanted side effects of currently used opioid analgesics while achieving effective pain relief. The use of multitarget ligands with activity at more than one receptor represents a promising therapeutic approach. We recently reported a bifunctional peptide-based hybrid LENART01 combining dermorphin and ranatensin pharmacophores, which displays activity to the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) in rat brains and spinal cords. In this study, we investigated the in vitro binding and functional activities to the human MOR and the in vivo pharmacology of LENART01 in mice after subcutaneous administration. In vitro binding assays showed LENART01 to bind and be selective to the human MOR over the other opioid receptor subtypes and delta, kappa and nociceptin receptors. In the [35S]GTPγS binding assay, LENART01 acted as a potent and full agonist to the human MOR. In mice, LENART01 produced dose-dependent antinociceptive effects in formalin-induced inflammatory pain, with increased potency than morphine. Antinociceptive effects were reversed by naloxone, indicating MOR activation in vivo. Behavioral studies also demonstrated LENART01's properties to induce less adverse effects without locomotor dysfunction and withdrawal syndrome compared to conventional opioid analgesics, such as morphine. LENART01 is the first peptide-based MOR-D2R ligand known to date and the first dual MOR-dopamine D2R ligand for which in vivo pharmacology is reported with antinociceptive efficacy and reduced opioid-related side effects. Our current findings may pave the way to new pain therapeutics with limited side effects in acute and chronic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Hochrainer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Pawel Serafin
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 01-163 Warsaw, Poland; (P.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Sara D’Ingiullo
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.D.); (A.M.)
| | - Adriano Mollica
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.D.); (A.M.)
| | - Sebastian Granica
- Microbiota Lab, Department of Pharmacognosy and Molecular Basis of Phytotherapy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Marek Brytan
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 01-163 Warsaw, Poland; (P.S.); (M.B.)
| | | | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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Gach-Janczak K, Biernat M, Kuczer M, Adamska-Bartłomiejczyk A, Kluczyk A. Analgesic Peptides: From Natural Diversity to Rational Design. Molecules 2024; 29:1544. [PMID: 38611824 PMCID: PMC11013236 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Pain affects one-third of the global population and is a significant public health issue. The use of opioid drugs, which are the strongest painkillers, is associated with several side effects, such as tolerance, addiction, overdose, and even death. An increasing demand for novel, safer analgesic agents is a driving force for exploring natural sources of bioactive peptides with antinociceptive activity. Since the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a crucial role in pain modulation, the discovery of new peptide ligands for GPCRs is a significant challenge for novel drug development. The aim of this review is to present peptides of human and animal origin with antinociceptive potential and to show the possibilities of their modification, as well as the design of novel structures. The study presents the current knowledge on structure-activity relationship in the design of peptide-based biomimetic compounds, the modification strategies directed at increasing the antinociceptive activity, and improvement of metabolic stability and pharmacodynamic profile. The procedures employed in prolonged drug delivery of emerging compounds are also discussed. The work summarizes the conditions leading to the development of potential morphine replacements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Gach-Janczak
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (K.G.-J.); (A.A.-B.)
| | - Monika Biernat
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Mariola Kuczer
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Anna Adamska-Bartłomiejczyk
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (K.G.-J.); (A.A.-B.)
| | - Alicja Kluczyk
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.B.); (M.K.)
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Zang WB, Wei HL, Zhang WW, Ma W, Li J, Yao Y. Curcumin hybrid molecules for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: Structure and pharmacological activities. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116070. [PMID: 38134747 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116070] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease among the elderly. Contemporary treatments can only relieve symptoms but fail to delay disease progression. Curcumin is a naturally derived compound that has demonstrated significant therapeutic effects in AD treatment. Recently, molecular hybridization has been utilized to combine the pharmacophoric groups present in curcumin with those of other AD drugs, resulting in a series of novel compounds that enhance the therapeutic efficacy through multiple mechanisms. In this review, we firstly provide a concise summary of various pathogenetic hypotheses of AD and the mechanism of action of curcumin in AD, as well as the concept of molecular hybridization. Subsequently, we focus on the recent development of hybrid molecules derived from curcumin, summarizing their structures and pharmacological activities, including cholinesterase inhibitory activity, Aβ aggregation inhibitory activity, antioxidant activity, and other activities. The structure-activity relationships were further discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Biao Zang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Hui-Ling Wei
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Wei-Wei Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Wei Ma
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Juan Li
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China; Ningxia Engineering and Technology Research Center for Modernization of Characteristic Chinese Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Ningxia Ethnomedicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
| | - Yao Yao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
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Nguyen LP, Cho M, Nguyen TU, Park HK, Nguyen HT, Mykhailova K, Hurh S, Kim HR, Seong JY, Lee CS, Ham BJ, Hwang JI. Neurokinin-2 receptor negatively modulates substance P responses by forming complex with Neurokinin-1 receptor. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:212. [PMID: 37968728 PMCID: PMC10652611 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01165-6] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tachykinins and their cognate receptors, neurokinin receptors (NKs) including NK1, NK2, and NK3 play vital roles in regulating various physiological processes including neurotransmission, nociception, inflammation, smooth muscle contractility, and stimulation of endocrine and exocrine gland secretion. Their abnormal expression has been reported to be associated with neurological disorders, inflammation, and cancer. Even though NKs are expressed in the same cells with their expression being inversely correlated in some conditions, there is no direct evidence to prove their interaction. Understanding the functional crosstalk between NKs in mediated downstream signaling and cellular responses may elucidate the roles of each receptor in pathophysiology. RESULTS In this study, we showed that NKs were co-expressed in some cells. However, different from NK3, which only forms homodimerization, we demonstrated a direct interaction between NK1 and NK2 at the protein level using co-immunoprecipitation and NanoBiT-based protein interaction analysis. Through heterodimerization, NK2 downregulated substance P-stimulated NK1 signals, such as intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and ERK phosphorylation, by enhancing β-arrestin recruitment, even at the ligand concentration that could not activate NK2 itself or in the presence of NK1 specific antagonist, aprepitant. In A549 cells with receptors deleted and reconstituted, NK2 exerted a negative effect on substance P/NK1-mediated cell migration. CONCLUSION Our study has provided the first direct evidence of an interaction between NK1 and NK2, which highlights the functional relevance of their heterodimerization in cellular responses. Our findings demonstrated that through dimerization, NK2 exerts negative effects on downstream signaling and cellular response mediated by NK1. Moreover, this study has significant implications for understanding the complexity of GPCR dimerization and its effect on downstream signaling and cellular responses. Given the important roles of tachykinins and NKs in pathophysiology, these insights may provide clues for developing NKs-targeting drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Phuong Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Minyeong Cho
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Thai Uy Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Kyung Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Huong Thi Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kateryna Mykhailova
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunghoon Hurh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong-Rae Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Young Seong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol Soon Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Joo Ham
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Ik Hwang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Hohenwarter L, Böttger R, Li SD. Modification and Delivery of Enkephalins for Pain Modulation. Int J Pharm 2023; 646:123425. [PMID: 37739096 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123425] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Chronic pain negatively affects patient's quality of life and poses a significant economic burden. First line pharmaceutical treatment of chronic pain, including NSAIDs or antidepressants, is often inefficient to reduce pain, or produces intolerable adverse effects. In such cases, opioids are frequently prescribed for their potent analgesia, but chronic opioid use is also frequently associated with debilitating side effects that may offset analgesic benefits. Nonetheless, opioids continue to be widely utilized due to the lack of effective alternative analgesics. Since their discovery in 1975, a class of endogenous opioids called enkephalins (ENKs) have been investigated for their ability to relieve pain with significantly reduced adverse effects compared to conventional opioids. Their low metabolic stability and inability to cross biological membranes, however, make ENKs ineffective analgesics. Over past decades, much effort has been invested to overcome these limitations and develop ENK-based pain therapies. This review summarizes and describes chemical modifications and ENK delivery technologies utilizing ENK conjugates, nanoparticles and ENK gene delivery approaches and discusses valid lessons, challenges, and future directions of this evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Hohenwarter
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Roland Böttger
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Shyh-Dar Li
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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Chen J, Ye P, Gu R, Zhu H, He W, Mu X, Wu X, Pang H, Han F, Nie X. Neuropeptide substance P: A promising regulator of wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 215:115736. [PMID: 37549795 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115736] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
In the past, neuropeptide substance P (SP) was predominantly recognized as a neuroinflammatory factor, while its potent healing activity was overlooked. This paper aims to review the regulatory characteristics of neuropeptide SP in both normal and diabetic wound healing. SP actively in the regulation of wound healing-related cells directly and indirectly, exhibiting robust inflammatory properties, promoting cell proliferation and migration and restoring the activity and paracrine ability of skin cells under diabetic conditions. Furthermore, SP not only regulates healing-related cells but also orchestrates the immune environment, thereby presenting unique and promising application prospects in wound intervention. As new SP-based preparations are being explored, SP-related drugs are poised to become an effective therapeutic intervention for diabetic foot ulcers (DFU).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitao Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China; Key Lab of the Basic Pharmacology of the Ministry of Education & Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Chinese Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Penghui Ye
- College of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China; Key Lab of the Basic Pharmacology of the Ministry of Education & Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Chinese Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Rifang Gu
- University Medical Office, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Huan Zhu
- College of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China; Key Lab of the Basic Pharmacology of the Ministry of Education & Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Chinese Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Wenjie He
- College of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China; Key Lab of the Basic Pharmacology of the Ministry of Education & Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Chinese Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Xingrui Mu
- College of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China; Key Lab of the Basic Pharmacology of the Ministry of Education & Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Chinese Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Xingqian Wu
- College of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China; Key Lab of the Basic Pharmacology of the Ministry of Education & Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Chinese Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Huiwen Pang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Felicity Han
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Xuqiang Nie
- College of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China; Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Key Lab of the Basic Pharmacology of the Ministry of Education & Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Chinese Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China.
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Zhu Z, Bhatia M. Inflammation and Organ Injury the Role of Substance P and Its Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076140. [PMID: 37047113 PMCID: PMC10094202 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Tightly controlled inflammation is an indispensable mechanism in the maintenance of cellular and organismal homeostasis in living organisms. However, aberrant inflammation is detrimental and has been suggested as a key contributor to organ injury with different etiologies. Substance P (SP) is a neuropeptide with a robust effect on inflammation. The proinflammatory effects of SP are achieved by activating its functional receptors, namely the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) receptor and mas-related G protein-coupled receptors X member 2 (MRGPRX2) and its murine homolog MRGPRB2. Upon activation, the receptors further signal to several cellular signaling pathways involved in the onset, development, and progression of inflammation. Therefore, excessive SP-NK1R or SP-MRGPRX2/B2 signals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammation-associated organ injury. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge of SP and its receptors and the emerging roles of the SP-NK1R system and the SP-MRGPRX2/B2 system in inflammation and injury in multiple organs resulting from different pathologies. We also briefly discuss the prospect of developing a therapeutic strategy for inflammatory organ injury by disrupting the proinflammatory actions of SP via pharmacological intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixing Zhu
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
| | - Madhav Bhatia
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
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Exploring Novel Therapeutic Targets in the Common Pathogenic Factors in Migraine and Neuropathic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044114. [PMID: 36835524 PMCID: PMC9959352 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Migraine and neuropathic pain (NP) are both painful, disabling, chronic conditions which exhibit some symptom similarities and are thus considered to share a common etiology. The calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has gained credit as a target for migraine management; nevertheless, the efficacy and the applicability of CGRP modifiers warrant the search for more effective therapeutic targets for pain management. This scoping review focuses on human studies of common pathogenic factors in migraine and NP, with reference to available preclinical evidence to explore potential novel therapeutic targets. CGRP inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies alleviate inflammation in the meninges; targeting transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels may help prevent the release of nociceptive substances, and modifying the endocannabinoid system may open a path toward discovery of novel analgesics. There may exist a potential target in the tryptophan-kynurenine (KYN) metabolic system, which is closely linked to glutamate-induced hyperexcitability; alleviating neuroinflammation may complement a pain-relieving armamentarium, and modifying microglial excitation, which is observed in both conditions, may be a possible approach. Those are several potential analgesic targets which deserve to be explored in search of novel analgesics; however, much evidence remains missing. This review highlights the need for more studies on CGRP modifiers for subtypes, the discovery of TRP and endocannabinoid modulators, knowledge of the status of KYN metabolites, the consensus on cytokines and sampling, and biomarkers for microglial function, in search of innovative pain management methods for migraine and NP.
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Tyler T, Schultz A, Venturini A, Giuliano C, Bernareggi A, Spezia R, Voisin D, Stella V. Challenges in the Development of Intravenous Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists: Results of a Safety and Pharmacokinetics Dose-Finding, Phase 1 Study of Intravenous Fosnetupitant. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev 2022; 11:1405-1418. [PMID: 36263927 PMCID: PMC10092591 DOI: 10.1002/cpdd.1183] [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: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Oral NEPA is the fixed-combination antiemetic comprising netupitant (neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist [NK1 RA]) and palonosetron (5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antagonist [5-HT3 RA]). Intravenous (IV) NEPA, containing fosnetupitant, a water-soluble N-phosphoryloxymethyl prodrug of netupitant, has been developed. Fosnetupitant does not require excipients or solubility enhancers often used to increase IV NK1 RA water solubility, preventing the occurrence of hypersensitivity and infusion-site reactions associated with these products. In this phase 1 study, subjects received a 30-minute placebo or fosnetupitant (17.6-353 mg) infusion and an oral NEPA or placebo capsule, with 2-sequence crossover treatment for fosnetupitant 118- to 353-mg dose cohorts. IV fosnetupitant safety and pharmacokinetics were evaluated, and its equivalence to an oral netupitant 300-mg dose was defined. Overall, 158 healthy volunteers were enrolled. All adverse events (AEs) were mild or moderate in intensity. Doppler-identified infusion-site asymptomatic thrombosis occurred in 5.4% (fosnetupitant) and 1.2% (oral NEPA) of subjects. The frequency or number of treatment-related AEs did not increase with ascending fosnetupitant doses. The most common treatment-related AEs were headache (fosnetupitant, 8.1%; oral NEPA, 12.7%) and constipation (fosnetupitant, 1.4%; oral NEPA, 7.5%). A fosnetupitant 235-mg dose was equivalent, in terms of netupitant exposure, to 300-mg oral netupitant. The safety profile of a single fosnetupitant 235-mg infusion was similar to that of single-dose oral NEPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Tyler
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Desert Regional Medical Center, Palm Springs, California, USA
| | - Armin Schultz
- CRS Clinical Research Services Mannheim GmbH, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Valentino Stella
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
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12
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Lipiński PFJ, Matalińska J. Fentanyl Structure as a Scaffold for Opioid/Non-Opioid Multitarget Analgesics. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052766. [PMID: 35269909 PMCID: PMC8910985 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the strategies in the search for safe and effective analgesic drugs is the design of multitarget analgesics. Such compounds are intended to have high affinity and activity at more than one molecular target involved in pain modulation. In the present contribution we summarize the attempts in which fentanyl or its substructures were used as a μ-opioid receptor pharmacophoric fragment and a scaffold to which fragments related to non-opioid receptors were attached. The non-opioid ‘second’ targets included proteins as diverse as imidazoline I2 binding sites, CB1 cannabinoid receptor, NK1 tachykinin receptor, D2 dopamine receptor, cyclooxygenases, fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase and σ1 receptor. Reviewing the individual attempts, we outline the chemistry, the obtained pharmacological properties and structure-activity relationships. Finally, we discuss the possible directions for future work.
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13
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Novel NK1R-Targeted 68Ga-/ 177Lu-Radioconjugates with Potential Application against Glioblastoma Multiforme: Preliminary Exploration of Structure-Activity Relationships. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031214. [PMID: 35163139 PMCID: PMC8835841 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Locoregionally administered, NK1 receptor (NK1R) targeted radionuclide therapy is a promising strategy for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. So far, the radiopharmaceuticals used in this approach have been based on the endogenous agonist of NK1R, Substance P or on its close analogues. Herein, we used a well-known, small molecular NK1R antagonist, L732,138, as the basis for the radiopharmaceutical vector. First, 14 analogues of this compound were evaluated to check whether extending the parent structure with linkers of different lengths would not deteriorate the NK1R binding. The tested analogues had affinity similar to or better than the parent compound, and none of the linkers had a negative impact on the binding. Next, five DOTA conjugates were synthesized and used for labelling with 68Ga and 177Lu. The obtained radioconjugates turned out to be fairly lipophilic but showed rather limited stability in human plasma. Evaluation of the receptor affinity of the (radio)conjugates showed that neither the chelator nor the metal negatively impacts the NK1R binding. The 177Lu-radioconjugates exhibited the binding characteristics towards NK1R similar or better than that of the 177Lu-labelled derivative of Substance P, which is in current clinical use. The experimental results presented herein, along with their structural rationalization provided by modelling, give insight for the further molecular design of small molecular NK1R-targeting vectors.
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14
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Barbe MF, Hilliard B, Fisher PW, White AR, Delany SP, Iannarone VJ, Harris MY, Amin M, Cruz GE, Popoff SN. Blocking substance P signaling reduces musculotendinous and dermal fibrosis and sensorimotor declines in a rat model of overuse injury. Connect Tissue Res 2020; 61:604-619. [PMID: 31443618 PMCID: PMC7036028 DOI: 10.1080/03008207.2019.1653289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Purpose/Aim: Substance P-NK-1R signaling has been implicated in fibrotic tendinopathies and myositis. Blocking this signaling with a neurokinin 1 receptor antagonist (NK1RA) has been proposed as a therapeutic target for their treatment.Materials and Methods: Using a rodent model of overuse injury, we pharmacologically blocked Substance P using a specific NK1RA with the hopes of reducing forelimb tendon, muscle and dermal fibrogenic changes and associated pain-related behaviors. Young adult rats learned to pull at high force levels across a 5-week period, before performing a high repetition high force (HRHF) task for 3 weeks (2 h/day, 3 days/week). HRHF rats were untreated or treated in task weeks 2 and 3 with the NK1RA, i.p. Control rats received vehicle or NK1RA treatments.Results: Grip strength declined in untreated HRHF rats, and mechanical sensitivity and temperature aversion increased compared to controls; these changes were improved by NK1RA treatment (L-732,138). NK1RA treatment also reduced HRHF-induced thickening in flexor digitorum epitendons, and HRHF-induced increases of TGFbeta1, CCN2/CTGF, and collagen type 1 in flexor digitorum muscles. In the forepaw upper dermis, task-induced increases in collagen deposition were reduced by NK1RA treatment.Conclusions: Our findings indicate that Substance P plays a role in the development of fibrogenic responses and subsequent discomfort in forelimb tissues involved in performing a high demand repetitive forceful task.
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Affiliation(s)
- MF Barbe
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, United States
| | - B Hilliard
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, United States
| | - PW Fisher
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, United States
| | - AR White
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, United States
| | - SP Delany
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, United States
| | - VJ Iannarone
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, United States
| | - MY Harris
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, United States
| | - M Amin
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, United States
| | - GE Cruz
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, United States
| | - SN Popoff
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, United States
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15
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Matalińska J, Lipiński PFJ, Kosson P, Kosińska K, Misicka A. In Vivo, In Vitro and In Silico Studies of the Hybrid Compound AA3266, an Opioid Agonist/NK1R Antagonist with Selective Cytotoxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7738. [PMID: 33086743 PMCID: PMC7588979 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AA3266 is a hybrid compound consisting of opioid receptor agonist and neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) antagonist pharmacophores. It was designed with the desire to have an analgesic molecule with improved properties and auxiliary anticancer activity. Previously, the compound was found to exhibit high affinity for μ- and δ-opioid receptors, while moderate binding to NK1R. In the presented contribution, we report on a deeper investigation of this hybrid. In vivo, we have established that AA3266 has potent antinociceptive activity in acute pain model, comparable to that of morphine. Desirably, with prolonged administration, our hybrid induces less tolerance than morphine does. AA3266, contrary to morphine, does not cause development of constipation, which is one of the main undesirable effects of opioid use. In vitro, we have confirmed relatively strong cytotoxic activity on a few selected cancer cell lines, similar to or greater than that of a reference NK1R antagonist, aprepitant. Importantly, our compound affects normal cells to smaller extent what makes our compound more selective against cancer cells. In silico methods, including molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations and fragment molecular orbital calculations, have been used to investigate the interactions of AA3266 with MOR and NK1R. Insights from these will guide structural optimization of opioid/antitachykinin hybrid compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Matalińska
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (A.M.)
| | - Piotr F. J. Lipiński
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (A.M.)
| | - Piotr Kosson
- Toxicology Research Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Kosińska
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (A.M.)
| | - Aleksandra Misicka
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (A.M.)
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16
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Wtorek K, Adamska-Bartłomiejczyk A, Piekielna-Ciesielska J, Ferrari F, Ruzza C, Kluczyk A, Piasecka-Zelga J, Calo’ G, Janecka A. Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Hybrids Targeting Opioid and Neurokinin Receptors. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24244460. [PMID: 31817441 PMCID: PMC6943619 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24244460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphine, which acts through opioid receptors, is one of the most efficient analgesics for the alleviation of severe pain. However, its usefulness is limited by serious side effects, including analgesic tolerance, constipation, and dependence liability. The growing awareness that multifunctional ligands which simultaneously activate two or more targets may produce a more desirable drug profile than selectively targeted compounds has created an opportunity for a new approach to developing more effective medications. Here, in order to better understand the role of the neurokinin system in opioid-induced antinociception, we report the synthesis, structure–activity relationship, and pharmacological characterization of a series of hybrids combining opioid pharmacophores with either substance P (SP) fragments or neurokinin receptor (NK1) antagonist fragments. On the bases of the in vitro biological activities of the hybrids, two analogs, opioid agonist/NK1 antagonist Tyr-[d-Lys-Phe-Phe-Asp]-Asn-d-Trp-Phe-d-Trp-Leu-Nle-NH2 (2) and opioid agonist/NK1 agonist Tyr-[d-Lys-Phe-Phe-Asp]-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met-NH2 (4), were selected for in vivo tests. In the writhing test, both hybrids showed significant an antinociceptive effect in mice, while neither of them triggered the development of tolerance, nor did they produce constipation. No statistically significant differences in in vivo activity profiles were observed between opioid/NK1 agonist and opioid/NK1 antagonist hybrids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Wtorek
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (K.W.); (A.A.-B.); (J.P.-C.)
| | - Anna Adamska-Bartłomiejczyk
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (K.W.); (A.A.-B.); (J.P.-C.)
| | - Justyna Piekielna-Ciesielska
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (K.W.); (A.A.-B.); (J.P.-C.)
| | - Federica Ferrari
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.F.); (C.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.F.); (C.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Alicja Kluczyk
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Joanna Piasecka-Zelga
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Research Laboratory for Medicine and Veterinary Products in the GMP Head of Research Laboratory for Medicine and Veterinary Products, 91-348 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Girolamo Calo’
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.F.); (C.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Anna Janecka
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (K.W.); (A.A.-B.); (J.P.-C.)
- Correspondence:
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