Pseudopeptide Designed to Inhibit Oligomerization and Redox Chemistry in Alzheimer’s Disease

Molecular mechanisms of Huanglian Jiedu decoction in treating Alzheimer’s disease by regulating microbiome via network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis

Background

Huanglian Jiedu decoction (HLJDD) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine prescription, which is widely used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the interaction between bioactive substances in HLJDD and AD-related targets has not been well elucidated.

Aim

A network pharmacology-based approach combined with molecular docking was performed to determine the bioactives, key targets, and potential pharmacological mechanism of HLJDD against AD, through the regulation of microbial flora.

Materials and methods

Bioactives and potential targets of HLJDD, as well as AD-related targets, were retrieved from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Analysis Database (TCMSP). Key bioactive components, potential targets, and signaling pathways were obtained through bioinformatics analysis, including protein-protein interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Subsequently, molecular docking was performed to predict the binding of active compounds with core targets.

Results

102 bioactive ingredients of HLJDD and 76 HLJDD-AD-related targets were screened. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that kaempferol, wogonin, beta-sitosterol, baicalein, acacetin, isocorypalmine, (S)-canadine, (R)-canadine may be potential candidate agents. AKT1, TNF, TP53, VEGFA, FOS, PTGS2, MMP9 and CASP3 could become potential therapeutic targets. 15 important signaling pathways including the cancer pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, and NF-κB signaling pathway might play an important role in HLJDD against AD. Moreover, molecular docking analysis suggested that kaempferol, wogonin, beta-sitosterol, baicalein, acacetin, isocorypalmine, (S)-canadine, and (R)-canadine combined well with AKT1, TNF, TP53, VEGFA, FOS, PTGS2, MMP9, CASP3, respectively.

Conclusion

Our results comprehensively illustrated the bioactives, potential targets, and possible molecular mechanisms of HLJDD against AD. HLJDD may regulate the microbiota flora homeostasis to treat AD through multiple targets and multiple pathways. It also provided a promising strategy for the use of traditional Chinese medicine in treating human diseases.

Computational Design of Copper Ligands with Controlled Metal Chelating, Pharmacokinetics, and Redox Properties for Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND

Redox active metal cations, such as Cu2 +, have been related to induce amyloid plaques formation and oxidative stress, which are two of the key events in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and others metal promoted neurodegenerative diseases. In these oxidative events, standard reduction potential (SRP) is an important property especially relevant in the reactive oxygen species formation.

OBJECTIVE

The SRP is not usually considered for the selection of drug candidates in anti-AD treatments. In this work, we present a computational protocol for the selection of multifunctional ligands with suitable metal chelating, pharmacokinetics, and redox properties.

METHODS

The filtering process is based on quantum chemical calculations and the use of in silico tools. Calculations of SRP were performed by using the M06-2X density functional and the isodesmic approach. Then, a virtual screening technique (VS) was used for similar structure search.

RESULTS

Protocol application allowed the assessment of chelating, drug likeness, and redox properties of copper ligands. Those molecules showing the best features were selected as molecular scaffolds for a VS procedure in order to obtain related compounds. After applying this process, we present a list of candidates with suitable properties to prevent the redox reactions mediated by copper(II) ion.

CONCLUSION

The protocol incorporates SRP in the filtering stage and can be effectively used to obtain a set of potential drug candidates for AD treatments.

Baicalein protects PC12 cells from Aβ25-35-induced cytotoxicity via inhibition of apoptosis and metabolic disorders

AIMS

This study aimed to explore the protective effects and possible mechanisms of baicalein on Aβ_25-35-induced toxicity.

MAIN METHODS

Thioflavin-T (Th-T) dye was used to determine the effects of baicalein on Aβ_25-35 aggregation in vitro. PC12 cells were stimulated with Aβ_25-35, then the effects of baicalein on apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), mitochondrial respiratory complex I, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined. Moreover, LC-MS metabolomics approach was used to detect metabolic changes induced by baicalein in Aβ_25-35-injured PC12 cells.

KEY FINDINGS

The results showed that baicalein could inhibit the aggregation of Aβ_25-35 in vitro. Furthermore, pretreatment with baicalein significantly prevented Aβ_25-35-induced cell apoptosis, as manifested by increasing the levels of MMP, ATP and mitochondrial respiratory complex I, decreasing the contents of ROS and NO. LC-MS metabolomics revealed that baicalein can regulate 5 metabolites, mainly involving two metabolic pathways, arginine and proline metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our study revealed that baicalein has a protective effect on Aβ_25-35-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, which may be related to inhibition of apoptosis and metabolic disorders.