Involvement of monoaminergic system in the antidepressant-like effect of (octylseleno)-xylofuranoside in the mouse tail suspension test

Selenium-containing compounds: a new hope for innovative treatments in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease

Neurodegenerative diseases are challenging to cure. To date, no cure has been found for Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease, and current treatments are able only to slow the progression of the diseases and manage their symptoms. After an introduction to the complex biology of these diseases, we discuss the beneficial effect of selenium-containing agents, which show neuroprotective effects in vitro or in vivo. Indeed, selenium is an essential trace element that is being incorporated into innovative organoselenium compounds, which can improve outcomes in rodent or even primate models with neurological deficits. Herein, we critically discuss recent findings in the field of selenium-based applications in neurological disorders.

1-(Phenylselanyl)-2-(p-tolyl)indolizine: A selenoindolizine with potential antidepressant-like activity in mice mediated by the modulation of dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems

1-(Phenylselanyl)-2-(p-tolyl)indolizine (MeSeI) is a selenoindolizine with an antidepressant-like effect in mice by regulation of the serotonergic system. This study investigated the involvement of dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems in the antidepressant-like action of MeSeI. For this purpose, Swiss male mice were pretreated with different antagonists, after 15 min, the MeSeI was administrated by intragastric (i.g.) via; after 30 min, the mouse behavior was assessed in the forced swimming test (FST). The action of MeSeI on the activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO) was determined. The pretreatment of mice with haloperidol (0.05 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, i.p.; non-selective dopamine receptor antagonist), sulpiride (50 mg/kg, i.p.; D2 receptor antagonist), yohimbine (1 mg/kg, i.p.; α2 receptor antagonist), and propranolol (2 mg/kg, i.p.; non-selective β receptor antagonist), inhibited the anti-immobility action of MeSeI (50 mg/kg, i.g.) in the FST. This blocking effect was not observed when SCH23390 (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.; D1 receptor antagonist), and prazosin (1 mg/kg, i.p.; α1 receptor antagonist) were administered. The coadministration of subeffective doses of bupropion (3 mg/kg. i.g.; dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor) and MeSeI (0.5 mg/kg. i.g.) reduced the immobility time in the FST. Furthermore, MeSeI inhibited MAO-A and B activities in vitro and ex vivo tests. These results suggest that MeSeI exerts its antidepressant-like effect via regulation of the D2, α2, and β1 receptors and the inhibition of MAO-A and B activities. Molecular docking investigations corroborated these results. This study provides comprehensive insights into the antidepressant-like mechanism of MeSeI in mice, suggesting its potential as a novel antidepressant candidate.

Resveratrol Attenuates Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Induced Alterations in the SIRT1/PGC1α/SIRT3 Pathway and Associated Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Mice

Environmental challenges, specifically chronic stress, have long been associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) is a NAD+-dependent deacetylase that is widely distributed in the cortex and is involved in stress responses and neuropsychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, how chronic stress modulates the SIRT1 pathway and associated signaling remains unclear. In this study, we first explored the impact of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) on the SIRT1/PGC1α/SIRT3 pathway, on GABAergic mechanisms, and on mitophagy, autophagy and apoptosis in mice. We also asked whether activation of SIRT1 by resveratrol (RSV) can attenuate CUMS-induced molecular and behavioral alterations. Two-month-old C57/BL6J mice were subjected to three weeks of CUMS and one week of RSV treatment (30 mg/kg; i.p.) during the third week of CUMS. CUMS caused downregulation of the SIRT1/PGC1α/SIRT3 pathway leading to impaired mitochondrial morphology and function. CUMS also resulted in a reduction in numbers of parvalbumin-positive interneurons and increased oxidative stress leading to reduced expression of autophagy- and mitophagy-related proteins. Strikingly, activation of SIRT1 by RSV ameliorated expression of SIRT1/PGC1α/SIRT3, and also improved mitochondrial function, GABAergic mechanisms, mitophagy, autophagy and apoptosis. RSV also rescued CUMS-induced anxiety-like and depressive-like behavior in mice. Our results raise the compelling possibility that RSV treatment might be a viable therapeutic method of blocking stress-induced behavioral alterations.

Involvement of the serotonergic system in the antidepressant-like effect of 1-(phenylselanyl)-2-(p-tolyl)indolizine in mice

RATIONALE

Depression is a mental disorder that affects approximately 280 million people worldwide. In the search for new treatments for mood disorders, compounds containing selenium and indolizine derivatives show promising results.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

To evaluate the antidepressant-like effect of 1-(phenylselanyl)-2-(p-tolyl)indolizine (MeSeI) (0.5-50 mg/kg, intragastric-i.g.) on the tail suspension test (TST) and the forced swim test (FST) in adult male Swiss mice and to elucidate the role of the serotonergic system in this effect through pharmacological and in silico approaches, as well to evaluate acute oral toxicity at a high dose (300 mg/kg).

RESULTS

MeSeI administered 30 min before the FST and the TST reduced immobility time at doses from 1 mg/kg and at 50 mg/kg and increased the latency time for the first episode of immobility, demonstrating an antidepressant-like effect. In the open field test (OFT), MeSeI did not change the locomotor activity. The antidepressant-like effect of MeSeI (50 mg/kg, i.g.) was prevented by the pre-treatment with p-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA), a selective tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally-i.p. for 4 days), with ketanserin, a 5-HT_2A/2C receptor antagonist (1 mg/kg, i.p.), and with GR113808, a 5-HT₄ receptor antagonist (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.), but not with WAY100635, a selective 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist (0.1 mg/kg, subcutaneous-s.c.) and ondansetron, a 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist (1 mg/kg, i.p.). MeSeI showed a binding affinity with 5-HT_2A, 5 -HT_2C, and 5-HT₄ receptors by molecular docking. MeSeI (300 mg/kg, i.g.) demonstrated low potential to cause acute toxicity in adult female Swiss mice.

CONCLUSION

In summary, MeSeI exhibits an antidepressant-like effect mediated by the serotonergic system and could be considered for the development of new treatment strategies for depression.

β-carboline-independent antidepressant-like effect of the standardized extract of the barks of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd) Poir. occurs via 5-HT2A/2C receptors in mice

BACKGROUND

Depression is a psychiatric disorder with limited therapy options. Psychedelics are new antidepressant candidates, being the ayahuasca one of the most promising ones. A synergistic combination of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and β-carbolines allows ayahuasca antidepressant properties. Another psychedelic and DMT-containing beverage is the jurema wine used religiously by indigenous people from Northeastern Brazil.

AIMS

To evaluate the antidepressant-like effect of standardized extract of Mimosa tenuiflora (SEMT), associated or not with harmine (β-carboline), in behavioral models of depression.

METHODS

The SEMT was submitted to (+) ESI-IT-LC/MS analysis for DMT quantification. To assess the antidepressant-like effect of SEMT, the open field (OFT), tail suspension (TST), and forced swim (FST) tests were performed. To verify the participation of serotonergic systems, the 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)-induced head twitch test was performed.

RESULTS

The content of DMT found in SEMT was 24.74 ± 0.8 mg/g. Yuremamine was also identified. SEMT presented an antidepressant-like effect in mice submitted to the TST and FST, independent from harmine, with no significant alterations on the OFT. The sub-dose interaction between SEMT and ketamine also produced an anti-immobility effect in the TST, with no changes in the OFT. SEMT potentiated the head twitch behavior induced by 5-HTP and ketanserin prevented its antidepressant-like effect in the TST (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

SEMT presented a harmine-independent antidepressant-like effect in mice submitted to the TST and FST. This effect occurs possibly via activation of serotonergic systems, particularly the 5-HT_2A/2C receptors.

Selenium Nanoparticles with Prodigiosin Rescue Hippocampal Damage Associated with Epileptic Seizures Induced by Pentylenetetrazole in Rats

Simple Summary

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease characterized by neuronal hyper electrical activity and the development of unprovoked seizures. Although several antiepileptic drugs are currently available, their application is associated with undesirable adverse effects. In an attempt to find a novel antiepileptic medication with minimum side effects, we have investigated the potential neuroprotective activity of prodigiosin, a red pigment produced by bacterial species that have important pharmaceutical and biological activities biosynthesized with selenium formulation (SeNPs-PDG) against a murine epileptic model mediated by pentylenetetrazole. The main recorded findings revealed that SeNPs-PDG delayed the onset of epileptic seizures and decreased their duration significantly. Additionally, SeNPs-PDG prevented hippocampal cell loss, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, restored the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, and notably normalized the monoaminergic and cholinergic transmission. These promising findings indicate that SeNPs-PDG might serve as a naturally derived anticonvulsant agent due to their active antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuromodulatory properties.

Abstract

Background: Prodigiosin (PDG) is a red pigment synthesized by bacterial species with important pharmaceutical and biological activities. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective and anticonvulsant activities of green biosynthesized selenium formulations with PDG (SeNPs-PDG) versus pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced epileptic seizures. Methods: Rats were assigned into six experimental groups: control; PTZ (60 mg/kg, epileptic model); sodium valproate (200 mg/kg) + PTZ; PDG (300 mg/kg) + PTZ; sodium selenite (0.5 mg/kg) + PTZ; and SeNPs-PDG (0.5 mg/kg) + PTZ. The treatment duration is extended to 28 days. Results: SeNPs-PDG pre-treatment delayed seizures onset and reduced duration upon PTZ injection. Additionally, SeNPs-PDG enhanced the antioxidant capacity of hippocampal tissue by activating the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 and innate antioxidants (glutathione and glutathione derivatives, in addition to superoxide dismutase and catalase) and decreasing the levels of pro-oxidants (lipoperoxidation products and nitric oxide). SeNPs-PDG administration inhibited inflammatory reactions associated with epileptic seizure development by suppressing the production and activity of glial fibrillary acidic protein and pro-inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and nuclear factor kappa B. Moreover, SeNPs-PDG protected against hippocampal cell loss following PTZ injection by decreasing the levels of cytosolic cytochrome c, Bax, and caspase-3 and enhancing the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Interestingly, SeNPs-PDG restored the PTZ-induced imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory amino acids and improved monoaminergic and cholinergic transmission. Conclusions: These promising antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuromodulatory activities indicate that SeNPs-PDG might serve as a naturally derived anticonvulsant agent.

Protective effects of octylseleno-xylofuranoside in a streptozotocin-induced mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Octylseleno-xylofuranoside (OSX) is an organic selenium compound which has previously shown antioxidant and antidepressant-like activities, trough the modulation of monoaminergic system and synaptic plasticity pathways. Since recent studies have suggested Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as a potential risk factor or condition that precedes and correlates with Alzheimer's Disease (AD), this study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of OSX in an AD mouse model induced by intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (STZ). To address this protective effect, mice were pre-treated with intragastrical OSX (0.1 mg/kg) or vehicle for 20 days. After the pre-treatment, mice were submitted to two alternated intracerebroventricular infusions of STZ (days 21 and 23) or saline. 15 days after the last STZ injection, cognitive and memory skills of the treated mice were evaluated on object recognition test, Y-maze, stepdown passive avoidance and social recognition paradigms. Added to that, measurements of oxidative stress markers and gene expression were evaluated in brain samples of the same mice groups. Mice pre-treatment with OSX protected mice from cognitive and memory decline elicited by STZ. This effect was attributed to the prevention of lipid peroxidation and modulation of acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase activities in cerebral cortices and hippocampi by OSX treatment. Furthermore, OSX treatment demonstrated reduction of amyloidogenic pathway genes expression when compared to the control groups. Besides that, OSX treatment showed no hepatic and renal toxicity in the protocol used for treatment. Considering the antidepressant-like effect of OSX, together with the ability to prevent memory and cognitive impairment, this new compound may be an interesting strategy for targeting the comorbidity between MDD and AD, in a multitarget drug paradigm.

2-Phenyl-3-(phenylselanyl)benzofuran elicits acute antidepressant-like action in male Swiss mice mediated by modulation of the dopaminergic system and reveals therapeutic efficacy in both sexes

RATIONALE

Depression is a psychiatric disorder that constitutes one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. 2-Phenyl-3-(phenylselanyl)benzofuran (SeBZF1) has been studied as a potential antidepressant drug, but its pharmacological action needs more investigation.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

Our aim was to extend information about the antidepressant-like action of SeBZF1 using the mouse tail suspension test (TST). Initial experiments investigated the mechanisms involved in the acute antidepressant-like action of SeBZF1 in male Swiss mice. For this purpose, males received noradrenergic or dopaminergic receptor antagonists before acute SeBZF1 administration (50 mg/kg, per oral). In parallel, effects of combined treatment with SeBZF1 and bupropion at sub-effective doses (1 and 3 mg/kg, respectively) were tested. The next experiments were designed to determine the acute effects of SeBZF1 in females through a dose-response curve (5-50 mg/kg). Lastly, the efficacy of a 7-day repeated treatment with SeBZF1 (1 and 5 mg/kg) in mice of both sexes and its safety were evaluated. TST and the open-field test (OFT) were employed in all behavioral experiments.

RESULTS

Pre-administration of dopaminergic antagonists (SCH23390, a selective D₁R antagonist; sulpiride, a selective D₂/D₃R antagonist; and haloperidol, a non-selective antagonist), but not of adrenergic α₁, α₂, and β-R antagonists, blocked the acute antidepressant-like effects of SeBZF1 in males. Co-administration of sub-effective doses of SeBZF1 and bupropion reduced the depressive phenotype. In addition, acute treatment with SeBZF1 at 50 mg/kg produced a reduction of female immobility. Finally, repeated treatment with SeBZF1 (1 and 5 mg/kg) was effective in causing antidepressant-like effects in both sexes. Locomotor activity, plasma transaminases, and urea levels remained unaltered after SeBZF1 exposure.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide evidence of the involvement of the dopaminergic system in the acutely antidepressant-like action of SeBZF1 in male mice and reveal the compound efficacy when acute or repeatedly administered in both sexes.

Effects of 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists on cisplatin-induced kidney injury

Nausea, vomiting, and renal injury are the common adverse effects associated with cisplatin. Cisplatin is excreted via the multidrug and toxin release (MATE) transporter, and the involvement of the MATE transporter in cisplatin‐induced kidney injury has been reported. The MATE transporter is also involved in the excretion of ondansetron, but the effects of 5‐HT₃ receptor antagonists used clinically for cisplatin‐induced renal injury have not been elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 5‐HT₃ receptor antagonists in a mouse model of cisplatin‐induced kidney injury and to validate the results using medical big data analysis of more than 1.4 million reports and a survey of 3000 hospital medical records. The concomitant use of a first‐generation 5‐HT₃ receptor antagonist (ondansetron, granisetron, or ramosetron) significantly increased cisplatin accumulation in the kidneys and worsened renal damage. Conversely, the concomitant use of palonosetron had no effect on renal function compared with the use of cisplatin alone. Furthermore, an analysis of data from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System and retrospective medical records revealed that the combination treatment of cisplatin and a first‐generation 5‐HT₃ receptor antagonist significantly increased the number of reported renal adverse events compared with the combination treatment of cisplatin and a second‐generation 5‐HT₃ receptor antagonist. These results suggest that compared with the first‐generation antagonists, second‐generation 5‐HT₃ receptor antagonists do not worsen cisplatin‐induced acute kidney injury. The findings should be validated in a prospective controlled trial before implementation in clinical practice.

The Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Kinases II and IV as Therapeutic Targets in Neurodegenerative and Neuropsychiatric Disorders

CaMKII and CaMKIV are calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinases playing a rudimentary role in many regulatory processes in the organism. These kinases attract increasing interest due to their involvement primarily in memory and plasticity and various cellular functions. Although CaMKII and CaMKIV are mostly recognized as the important cogs in a memory machine, little is known about their effect on mood and role in neuropsychiatric diseases etiology. Here, we aimed to review the structure and functions of CaMKII and CaMKIV, as well as how these kinases modulate the animals’ behavior to promote antidepressant-like, anxiolytic-like, and procognitive effects. The review will help in the understanding of the roles of the above kinases in the selected neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, and this knowledge can be used in future drug design.

Toxicology and pharmacology of synthetic organoselenium compounds: an update

Here, we addressed the pharmacology and toxicology of synthetic organoselenium compounds and some naturally occurring organoselenium amino acids. The use of selenium as a tool in organic synthesis and as a pharmacological agent goes back to the middle of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries. The rediscovery of ebselen and its investigation in clinical trials have motivated the search for new organoselenium molecules with pharmacological properties. Although ebselen and diselenides have some overlapping pharmacological properties, their molecular targets are not identical. However, they have similar anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, possibly, via activation of transcription factors, regulating the expression of antioxidant genes. In short, our knowledge about the pharmacological properties of simple organoselenium compounds is still elusive. However, contrary to our early expectations that they could imitate selenoproteins, organoselenium compounds seem to have non-specific modulatory activation of antioxidant pathways and specific inhibitory effects in some thiol-containing proteins. The thiol-oxidizing properties of organoselenium compounds are considered the molecular basis of their chronic toxicity; however, the acute use of organoselenium compounds as inhibitors of specific thiol-containing enzymes can be of therapeutic significance. In summary, the outcomes of the clinical trials of ebselen as a mimetic of lithium or as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 proteases will be important to the field of organoselenium synthesis. The development of computational techniques that could predict rational modifications in the structure of organoselenium compounds to increase their specificity is required to construct a library of thiol-modifying agents with selectivity toward specific target proteins.

Antidepressant-like effect of a selenopropargylic benzamide in mice: involvement of the serotonergic system

RATIONALE

Major depressive disorder is a psychiatric disorder that requires considerable attention, since it dramatically impairs the quality of life of the sufferers. The available treatments do not have the efficacy needed, often presenting several side effects. Organoselenium compounds and benzamides have presented some pharmacological properties, among them an antidepressant-like effect.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

This study evaluated the antidepressant-like effect of N-(3-(phenylselanyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzamide (SePB), an organoselenium compound containing a benzamide moiety, on the forced swimming test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST) in mice, as well as the involvement of the serotonergic system in its effect.

RESULTS

SePB, tested after different times (15-120 min) and doses (1-50 mg/kg, intragastrically (i.g.)), reduced immobility of male mice during FST and TST, without changing locomotor activity in the open-field test (OFT), demonstrating its antidepressant-like effect. SePB (10 mg/kg) also produced an antidepressant-like effect in female mice in the TST. The preadministration of the serotonin (5-HT) depletor p-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA; 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal route (i.p.) once daily for 4 days) prevented the anti-immobility effect of SePB, indicating that the serotonergic system is involved in the SePB antidepressant-like effect. The preadministration of the selective serotonergic receptor antagonists WAY100635 (0.1 mg/kg, subcutaneous route (s.c.), a selective 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist), ketanserin (1 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT_2A/2C receptor antagonist), and ondansetron (1 mg/kg, i.p., a selective 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist) also prevented the anti-immobility effect of SePB, demonstrating that these receptors are involved in the antidepressant-like effect of SePB.

CONCLUSION

The search for new antidepressants drugs is a noteworthy goal. This study has described a new compound with an antidepressant-like effect, whose mechanism of action is related to modulation of the serotonergic system.

Sweet Selenium: Synthesis and Properties of Selenium-Containing Sugars and Derivatives

In the last decades, organoselenium compounds gained interest due to their important biological features. However, the lack of solubility, which characterizes most of them, makes their actual clinical exploitability a hard to reach goal. Selenosugars, with their intrinsic polarity, do not suffer from this issue and as a result, they can be conceived as a useful alternative. The aim of this review is to provide basic knowledge of the synthetic aspects of selenosugars, selenonium salts, selenoglycosides, and selenonucleotides. Their biological properties will be briefly detailed. Of course, it will not be a comprehensive dissertation but an analysis of what the authors think is the cream of the crop of this interesting research topic.

Effect of Electroacupuncture at GV20 on Sleep Deprivation-Induced Depression-Like Behavior in Mice

Accumulating evidence suggests that sleep deprivation (S-Dep) is a critical risk factor for depression. Electroacupuncture (EA) treatment has been reported to ameliorate posttraumatic stress disorder- (PSTD-) like behavior and enhance hippocampal neurogenesis. However, whether EA treatment has any beneficial effect on S-Dep-induced depression-like behavior is still unknown. In the present study, we focused on whether EA at Baihui (GV20) can ameliorate the deterioration effect of S-Dep in mice. Mice were randomly divided into normal, S-Dep, S-Dep + EA, and S-Dep + sham EA groups. Cognitive behavior test and in vitro assay were performed separately to avoid the influence of behavior test on synaptic transmission and protein expression. Depression-like behaviors were determined by forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and Morris water maze (MWM). Neurogenesis was identified by BrdU, DCX, and NeuN immunofluorescence staining. In vitro long-term potentiation was detected by high frequency stimulation (HFS) at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses in hippocampal slices. Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) protein expression level were assayed by western blot. Our results indicated that D-Sep mice demonstrated depression-like behaviors determined by prolonged immobility duration in FST and TST; D-Sep mice also manifested spatial memory retention deficit in MWM. Furthermore, EA treatment ameliorated D-Sep-induced depression-like behaviors and spatial memory retention deficit. Mechanically, EA treatment alleviated neuron progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation, ameliorated the field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) slope impaired by S-Dep, and elevated BDNF/TrkB protein expression. Taken together, our data suggested that EA treatment has a protective effect on S-Dep-induced depression-like behavior and cognitive impairment, which may be through regulating BDNF/TrkB protein expression.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide ameliorates the depression-like behaviors and is associated with attenuating the disruption of mitochondrial bioenergetics in depressed mice

BACKGROUND

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) has been shown to stimulate oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria and to improve various pathologies in patients and mouse disease models. However, whether NMN mediates mitochondrial energy production and its mechanism of action in depressed animals remain unclear.

METHODS

Mice were subcutaneously injected with corticosterone (CORT; 20 mg/kg) each day for 6 weeks, while another group was given an additional dose of NMN (300 mg/kg) by oral gavage in the last 2 weeks. Then, transcriptome analyses, metabolome analyses and transient gene knockdown in primary mouse cells were performed.

RESULTS

NMN administration alleviated depression-like behavior and the liver weight to body weight ratio in a mouse model of CORT-induced depression. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed that in depressed mice, NMN reduced the mRNA expression of genes involved in fatty acid synthesis, stimulation of β-oxidation and glycolysis, and increased production of acetyl-coenzyme A for the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Importantly, NMN supplementation increased NAD⁺ levels to enhance sirtuin (SIRT)3 activity, thereby improving mitochondrial energy metabolism in the hippocampus and liver of CORT-treated mice. Sirt3knockdown in primary mouse astrocytes reversed the effect of NMN by inhibiting energy production, although it did not affect NAD⁺ synthesis LIMITATIONS: Group sample sizes were small, and only one type of primary mouse cell was used CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence for the beneficial role of NMN in energy production and suggest that therapeutic strategies that increase the level of NMN can be an effective treatment for depression.

The selenium-containing compound 3-((4-chlorophenyl)selanyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole reverses depressive-like behavior induced by acute restraint stress in mice: modulation of oxido-nitrosative stress and inflammatory pathway

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Stress-induced alterations in oxidative and inflammatory parameters have been implicated in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. Based on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the selenium-containing compound 3-((4-chlorophenyl)selanyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole (CMI), we assessed its ability to reverse depression-like behavioral alterations, neuroinflammation, and oxidative imbalance induced by acute restraint stress.

METHODS

Mice submitted to restraint for 240 min received CMI (1 or 10 mg/kg, orally) 10 min after the end of the stress induction. Behavioral and biochemical tests were carried out after further 30 min.

RESULTS

Restraint-induced depression-like behavior in the tail suspension test (TST), splash test, and new object exploration test was reversed by CMI. None of the treatments evoked locomotor alteration. In addition, CMI abrogated restraint-induced increases in plasma levels of corticosterone and in markers of oxidative stress and impaired superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HC). CMI also blocked stress-induced downregulation of mRNA levels of glucocorticoid receptor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor and upregulation of nuclear factor kappa B, inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis alpha, indoelamine-2,3-dioxygenase, and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta in PFC and HC.

CONCLUSIONS

These preclinical results indicate that administration of selenium-containing compounds might help to treat depression associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Fluorine-Containing Chrysin Derivatives

Chrysin, a flavonoid, has played a great role in the fields of anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral drug discovery. A large number of chrysin derivatives have been synthesized recently. The fluorine atom represents an important substituent group for a great number of natural products and pharmaceuticals. Taking into account the importance of both chrysin and the fluorine atom in medicinal chemistry, the synthesis of fluorine-containing chrysin derivatives has gained great interest. Chemically, the synthetic methods for these new chrysin derivatives have also been developed rapidly. In recent years, research on their synthesis has been focused on speeding up the reaction process by changing the catalyst. Biologically, the purpose of introducing fluorine into chrysin was to improve its lipophilicity, but today it is mainly focused on the enhancement and improvement of either its anticancer or antimicrobial activities by incorporating the special properties of fluorine atoms. In this review, synthetic methods for the introduction of fluorine atoms into chrysin are summarized, and their anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, and hypoglycemic effects are discussed.

Depression- and anxiogenic-like behaviors induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice are reversed by a selenium-containing indolyl compound: Behavioral, neurochemical and computational insights involving the serotonergic system

Major depression and anxiety are highly incapacitating psychiatric disorders often present simultaneously, and the causal relationship between these disorders and inflammation are under extensive investigation. The treatment for this comorbidity still relies on drugs acting on the serotonergic neurotransmission, but the modulation of immune-inflammatory pathways has attained an increasing interest in the drug discovery. We have previously demonstrated that the selenoorganic compound 3-[(4-chlorophenyl)selanyl]-1-methyl-1H-indole (CMI) possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antidepressant-like effect in mice. Considering these pharmacological properties and the structural similarities between tryptophan, serotonin and CMI, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether CMI ameliorates depression- and anxiogenic-like behavior induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Swiss male mice by modulating the serotonergic system and reducing neuroinflammation. The administration of CMI (1 mg/kg, i.g) reversed the behavioral deficits induced by LPS (0.83 mg/kg, i.p) in the tail suspension test, splash test and elevated plus maze. The pre-treatment of mice with WAY100635 (5-HT_1A receptor antagonist), ketanserin (5-HT_2A/2C receptor antagonist) and ondansetron (5-HT₃ receptor antagonist) prevented the antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effect elicited by CMI treatment after the LPS challenge. The administration of CMI also counteracted the increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of mice challenged with LPS. Additionally, a molecular docking analysis showed that CMI binds to the active site of the serotonin transporter and IDO. These findings suggest that CMI reversed behavioral and biochemical alterations in the depression-anxiety comorbidity induced by LPS, possibly by modulation of neuroinflammatory mediators and the serotonergic system.

Low temperature-aged garlic extract suppresses psychological stress by modulation of stress hormones and oxidative stress response in brain

BACKGROUND

Garlic is a folk medicine known for its multiple physiological activities, but the neuro-modulatory effect of garlic against psychological stress has rarely been explored. The current study was conducted to determine the potential antipsychological stress effect of low temperature-aged garlic (LTAG).

METHODS

After acute restraint stress exposure, mice were administered with raw garlic (RG, 500 mg/kg, p.o.) or LTAG (500 mg/kg, p.o.). We investigated corticosterone, cortisol, and monoamines levels, and the mRNA expression of genes relevant to oxidative stress.

RESULTS

RG and LTAG treatment significantly decreased stress-related hormones such as corticotropin-releasing factor, adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticosterone, and cortisol. Moreover, RG and LTAG administration significantly restored acute restraint stress-induced changes in concentrations of brain neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and epinephrine). In addition, RG and LTAG improved the antioxidant defense system by causing an increase in mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in the brain.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests an antipsychological stress and neuroprotective effect of RG and LTAG under stress conditions.

Differential effects of citalopram on sleep-deprivation-induced depressive-like behavior and memory impairments in mice

Recently there is increasing concern over the association between sleep deprivation (S-Dep) and depression. Mounting evidence suggests that S-Dep might be a risk factor for depression. However, underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive and currently there is no effective therapy to negate the effects of S-Dep. In this study, we aimed to examine whether subchronic treatment of citalopram (CTM), an antidepressant, can attenuate the negative effects of S-Dep in mice. Three-month-old C57BL/6J mice were divided into control, S-Dep, CTM control and CTM + S-Dep groups. CTM and CTM + S-Dep group treated with citalopram for 5 consecutive days at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day before experimental procedure. S-Dep and CTM + S-Dep group mice were sleep deprived for 24 h using an automated treadmill method. Our results revealed that S-Dep animals displayed an increased depressive-like behavior in forced swim, tail suspension and sucrose preference test and anxiety-like behavior in the open field and elevated plus maze, as well as disrupted spatial memory in Morris water maze. Western blotting analysis revealed that S-Dep caused reductions in the levels of the plasticity- and memory-related signaling molecules i.e. pCaMKII and pCREB in the hippocampus. Moreover, S-Dep animals showed synaptic plasticity deficits in the Schaffer collateral pathway. Interestingly, subchronic CTM treatment prevented S-Dep-induced decrease in pCaMKII and pCREB levels in the hippocampus. Furthermore, CTM treatment prevented S-Dep-induced deficits in synaptic plasticity, spatial memory, depressive-like behavior in sucrose preference test and anxiety-like behavior in open field test but not in force swim, tail suspension and elevated plus maze test. This data suggests differential effects of CTM on S-Dep-associated behavioral alterations and cognitive impairments.

Selanylimidazopyridine Prevents Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Depressive-Like Behavior in Mice by Targeting Neurotrophins and Inflammatory/Oxidative Mediators

Inasmuch, as the major depressive disorder (MDD) has been characterized as a heterogeneous disease as the inflammatory processes, neurotrophic factors' dysfunction and oxidative/nitrosative stress are believed to play a vital role in its establishment. Organoselenium compounds stand out due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antidepressant effects. In this sense, the present study investigated the effect of 3-((4-methoxyphenyl)selanyl)-2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (MPI; 20 and 50 mg/kg, intragastrically) pretreatment [30 min prior lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge (0.83 mg/kg)] on acute LPS induced depressive-like behavior, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. MPI was able to prevent the increased immobility time induced by LPS on the forced swimming test (FST), the increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines' expression in the hippocampus (HC) of mice after LPS challenge via NFkB downregulation, and the increase of the reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation in the prefrontal cortex and HC of mice. It was observed that at the doses tested, MPI protected against reducing levels of BDNF in the cortex and HC of mice challenged with LPS. These observations suggest that the antidepressant-like effect of MPI depends on its capacity to modulate the inflammatory, antioxidant, and neurotrophic systems.

Computational and biological evidences on the serotonergic involvement of SeTACN antidepressant-like effect in mice

A series of phenylselanyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonitriles with different substituents were screened for their binding affinity with serotonin transporter (SERT) and dopamine transporter (DAT) by docking molecular. 5-(4methoxyphenyl)-1-(2-(phenylselanyl)phenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonitrile (SeTACN) exhibited the best conformation with SERT even higher than fluoxetine and serotonin, suggesting a competitive inhibition. SeTACN demonstrated additional affinity to other serotonergic receptors involved in antidepressant effects: 5HT_1a, 5HT_2a and 5HT₃. In another set of experiments, SeTACN led to significant reductions in the immobility time of mice submitted to forced swimming test (FST) in the dose range of 0.1- 20mg/kg, suggesting an antidepressant-like effect. The possible mechanism of action was investigated using serotonergic and dopaminergic antagonists. The antidepressant-like effect of SeTACN (0.1mg/kg i.g.) was prevented by the pretreatment with WAY100635 (a selective 5HT_1a antagonist), ketanserin (a 5HT2_a/c antagonist) and ondansetron (a selective 5ht₃ antagonist), PCPA (an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis) but not with SCH23390 (dopaminergic D₁ antagonist) and sulpiride (D₂ antagonist). Sub-effective dose of fluoxetine was able to potentiate the effects of a sub-effective dose of SeTACN in FST. None of the treatments affected locomotor activity in open field test (OFT). These results together, suggest that the SeTACN antidepressant-like effect is mediate, at least in parts, by serotonergic system.

Ultrasound-promoted copper-catalyzed synthesis of bis-arylselanyl chrysin derivatives with boosted antioxidant and anticancer activities

Herein we report the use of ultrasonic irradiation (US) in the synthesis of six new semi-synthetic selenium-containing chrysin derivatives by a simple and effective methodology utilizing CuI as catalyst, in good to excellent yields (60-89%). It was observed that US accelerates the reaction compared to conventional heating with excellent selectivity for diselenylated products. Compounds were tested for their antioxidant and anticancer activities in vitro and it was observed that the presence of selenium in the A-ring of chrysin enhanced both antioxidant and anticancer properties. Semi-synthetic 6,8-bis(o-tolylselanyl)-chrysin 3b has the best radical scavenging activity of DPPH (I_max: 39.79µM) and ABTS⁺ (IC₅₀: 6.5µM) radicals. Similarly, in the Reactive Species (RS) assay, 3b showed high antioxidant activity in mice cortex (IC₅₀: 5.67µM), whereas 6,8-bis(p-anisoylselanyl)-chrysin 3c was the more active in the hippocampus (IC₅₀: 5.63µM). The Se-chrysins were effective in prevention of lipid peroxidation, highlighting 6,8-bis(p-fluorophenylselanyl)-chrysin 3d in cortex (IC₅₀: 0.54µM) and 3b in hippocampus (IC₅₀: 0.27µM). In addition, 3d was effective in inhibiting human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells growth, with a IC₅₀ of 19.9µM after 72h of treatment, while 6,8-bis(p-anisoylselanyl)-chrysin 3c presented the higher antiproliferative activity after 48h of treatment (IC₅₀ of 41.4µM).

Selenium and manganese in depression – preclinical and clinical studies

According to the World Health Organization estimates, approximately 10% of the world’s population is affected by depressive disorders. Furthermore, even in high-income countries, many people with depression are not treated, which can lead to serious health consequences and a global economic loss. Unfortunately, the current pharmacotherapy of depressive disorders is characterized by unsatisfactory efficacy and the therapeutic effect is accompanied by many side effects. For this reason, there is still ongoing worldwide research to find new antidepressant therapies. In recent years, many data have been shown that essential elements demonstrate the antidepressant action and increase the effect of antidepressants. In this paper we present the results from the preclinical and clinical studies published over the years which show the involvement of selenium and manganese in depressive disorders. In this article, the relationship between the amount of these microelements in a diet and depression is reviewed and what's more, the association among these elements in different biomaterial and their relations to depressive symptoms is presented. Additionally, we discuss the possible influence of selenium and manganese on modulating neurotransmitter system involved in depression.

Antidepressant-like effect of a new selenium-containing compound is accompanied by a reduction of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide-challenged mice

Organoselenium compounds and indoles have gained attention due to their wide range of pharmacological properties. Depression is a recurrent and disabling psychiatric illness and current evidences support that oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of this psychiatric condition. Here, we evaluated the effect of 3-((4-chlorophenyl)selanyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole (CMI) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depressive-like behaviour, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in male mice. CMI pre-treatment (20 and 50 mg/kg, intragastrically) significantly attenuated LPS (0.83 mg/kg, intraperitoneally)-induced depressive-like behaviour in mice by reducing the immobility time in the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST). CMI pre-treatment ameliorated LPS-induced neuroinflammation by reducing the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4 and IL-6 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, as well as markers of oxidative damage. Additionally, we investigated the toxicological effects of CMI (200 mg/kg, i.g.) in the liver, kidney and brain through determination of the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) and creatinine levels. These biomarkers were not modified, indicating the possible absence of neuro-, hepato- and nephrotoxic effects. Our results suggest that CMI could be a therapeutic approach for the treatment of depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.

Antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of Garcinia indica fruit rind via monoaminergic pathway

Depression and anxiety are the most crippling neuropsychiatric disorders of this modern era. These mostly occur as anxiety followed by depression or in mixed state. Therefore, there is an urgent need of a safe and effective treatment, which proves its worth in this ailment. What else than a conventional food would be a better choice for a convenient therapy. Therefore, Garcinia indica, commonly known as Kokam, fruit rind has been used in the present study to investigate its antidepressant and anti-anxiety potential using forced swim test, tail suspension test, and reserpine-induced hypothermia; and elevated plus maze, hole-board test, and light dark model, respectively. Garcinia indica fruit rind given to mice with food for consecutive 14 days at 0.5, 1, and 2% w/w significantly (p < 0.05) reduced despair behavior in forced swim test, immobility duration in tail suspension test, and also switched the hypothermia (reserpine induced) to normal temperature significantly (p < 0.05). Garcinia indica significantly (p < 0.05) raised the time elapsed and count of entries in open arms of elevated plus maze, enhanced incidence of head dipping in holes of hole board along with duration of expending time in lit compartment of light dark model, exhibiting its anti-anxiety effect. Garcinia indica significantly reduced monoamine oxidase and malondialdehyde levels providing support to neuroprotective potential of fruit rind. The mechanistic study showed the participation of G. indica at α1-adrenoceptor and D2-dopamine receptor, by attenuating prazosin and sulpiride-induced increase in immobility duration. Garcinia indica fruit rind showed a significant antidepressant and anxiolytic effect while no effect on locomotor activity, i.e., no psycho-stimulation.

Evaluation of Se-phenyl-thiazolidine-4-carboselenoate protective activity against oxidative and behavioral stress in the maniac model induced by ouabain in male rats

This study investigates Se-phenyl-thiazolidine-4-carboselenoate (Se-PTC) protective activity against oxidative and behavioral stress in the model of mania induced by ouabain (OUA) in male rats. The compound used was Se-PTC (50mg/kg) and the positive control LiCl (45mg/kg) was administered for intragastric route (i.g.) 30min prior to administration of OUA (10^-5M). OUA was dissolved in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) and administered at the 5μl through an intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) cannula. The pretreatment with Se-PTC was effective in preventing the increase in locomotor activity induced by OUA, however the positive control LiCl is capable to block crossing augmentation induced by OUA. Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity was significantly reduced in OUA group and the Se-PTC to normalize Na^+/K^+-ATPase activity. Pretreatment with Se-PTC protect against the increase in catalase activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) content in the brain caused by OUA. Therefore, Se-PTC is effective against OUA-induced hyperactivity and alterations in brain oxidative status of rats.

Modulation of PKA, PKC, CAMKII, ERK 1/2 pathways is involved in the acute antidepressant-like effect of (octylseleno)-xylofuranoside (OSX) in mice

RATIONALE

(Octylseleno)-xylofuranoside (OSX) is an organoselenium compound from the class of alkylseleno carbohydrates possessing a C8 alkyl chain. Members of this class of organoselenium compounds have promising pharmacological activities, among them are antioxidant and acute antidepressant-like activities with the involvement of monoaminergic system, as previously presented by our research group.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to investigate the possible involvement of cellular signalling pathways in the antidepressant-like effect caused by OSX (0.01 mg/kg, oral route (p.o.) by gavage) in the tail suspension test (TST) in mice.

METHODS

Mice were treated by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection either with vehicle or with H-89 (1 μg/site i.c.v., an inhibitor of protein kinase A-PKA), KN-62 (1 μg/site i.c.v., an inhibitor of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-CAMKII), chelerythrine (1 μg/site i.c.v., an inhibitor of protein kinase C-PKC) or PD098059 (5 μg/site i.c.v., an inhibitor of extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2-ERK_1/2). Fifteen minutes after, vehicle or OSX was injected, and 30 min later, the TST and open field tests (OFT) were carried out.

RESULTS

The antidepressant-like effect of orally administered OSX was blocked by treatment of the mice with H-89, KN-62, chelerythrine and PD098059; all inhibitors of signalling proteins involved with neurotrophic signalling pathways. The number of crossings in the OFT was not altered by treatment with OSX and/or signalling antagonists.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrated that OSX showed an antidepressant-like effect in the TST in mice through the activation of protein kinases PKA, PKC, CAMKII and ERK1/2 that are involved in intracellular signalling pathways.

Antidepressant like effects of hydrolysable tannins of Terminalia catappa leaf extract via modulation of hippocampal plasticity and regulation of monoamine neurotransmitters subjected to chronic mild stress (CMS)

Terminalia catappa L. belonging to Combretaceae family is a folk medicine, known for its multiple pharmacological properties, but the neuro-modulatory effect of TC against chronic mild stress was seldom explored. The present study was designed to elucidate potential antidepressant-like effect of Terminalia cattapa (leaf) hydro-alcoholic extract (TC) by using CMS model for a period of 7 weeks. Identification of hydrolysable tannins was done by using LC-MS. After the CMS exposure, mice groups were administered with imipramine (IMP, 10mg/kg, i.p.) and TC (25, 50 and 100mg/kg of TC, p.o.). Behavioural paradigms used for the study included forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and sucrose preference test (SPT). After behavioural tests, monoamine neurotransmitter, cortisol, AchE, oxidative stress levels and mRNA expression studies relevant to depression were assessed. TC supplementation significantly reversed CMS induced immobility time in FST and other behavioural paradigms. Moreover, TC administration significantly restored CMS induced changes in concentrations of hippocampal neurotransmitters (5-HT, DA and NE) as well as levels of acetyl cholinesterase, cortisol, monoamine oxidases (MAO-A, MAO-B), BDNF, CREB, and p-CREB. It suggests that TC supplementation could supress stress induced depression by regulating monoamine neurotransmitters, CREB, BDNF, cortisol, AchE level as well as by amelioration of oxidative stress. Hence TC can be used as a complementary medicine against depression-like disorder.

Stereoselective glycoconjugation of steroids with selenocarbohydrates

A methodology that brings together sugar and steroid scaffolds linked by a selenium atom is discussed in this work.