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Huang YB, Ma ZG, Zheng C, Ma XKK, Taylor DH, Gao M, Lukas RJ, Wu J. Levo-tetrahydropalmatine inhibits α4β2 nicotinic receptor response to nicotine in cultured SH-EP1 cells. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:889-896. [PMID: 34253876 PMCID: PMC8975845 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-021-00709-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Nicotine, a major component of tobacco, is highly addictive and acts on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) to stimulate reward-associated circuits in the brain. It is well known that nAChRs play critical roles in mediating nicotine reward and addiction. Current FDA-approved medications for smoking cessation are the antidepressant bupropion and the nicotinic partial agonist varenicline, yet both are limited by adverse side effects and moderate efficacy. Thus, development of more efficacious medications with fewer side effects for nicotine addiction and smoking cessation is urgently needed. l-Tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP) is an active ingredient of the Chinese medicinal herb Corydalis ambigua that possesses rich neuropharmacological actions on dopamine (DA) receptors in the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic reward pathway. L-THP has been explored as anti-addiction treatments for drug abuse including nicotine. However, the targets and mechanisms of l-THP-caused anti-nicotine effects are largely unknown. In this study we address this question by elucidating the effects of l-THP on human neuronal nAChRs using patch-clamp recordings. Human neuronal α4β2-nAChRs were heterologously expressed in SH-EP1 human epithelial cells. Bath application of nicotine (0.1-100 μM) induced inward currents, co-application of l-THP (3 μM) inhibited nicotine-induced currents in the transfected cells. L-THP-caused inhibition was concentration-dependent (the EC50 values for inhibiting the peak and steady-state current were 18 and 2.1 μM, respectively) and non-competitive. Kinetic analysis of the whole-cell currents showed that l-THP slowed rising time and accelerated decay time constants. L-THP specifically modulated α4β2-nAChRs, as it did not affect α7-nAChRs or α1*-nAChRs (muscle type). Interestingly, two putative α4β2-nAChR isoforms, namely sazetidine A-activated, high-sensitive one (α42β23-nAChR) and cytisine-activated, low-sensitive one (α43β22-nAChR) were pharmacologically separated, and the low-sensitive one was more susceptible to l-THP inhibition than the high-sensitive one. In conclusion, we demonstrate that l-THP blocks neuronal α4β2-nAChR function, which may underlie its inhibition on nicotine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Bing Huang
- Department of Neurology, Yunfu People's Hospital, Yunfu, 527300, China
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA
| | - Ze-Gang Ma
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA
- Electrophysiology Laboratory, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 695011, China
| | - Chao Zheng
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA
- Institution of Brain Sciences and Diseases, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xiao-Kuang K Ma
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Devin H Taylor
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA
- Department of Biology, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT, 84058, USA
| | - Ming Gao
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA
| | - Ronald J Lukas
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA.
- Institution of Brain Sciences and Diseases, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China.
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Liu L, Liu M, Zhao W, Zhao YL, Wang Y. Levo-tetrahydropalmatine: A new potential medication for methamphetamine addiction and neurotoxicity. Exp Neurol 2021; 344:113809. [PMID: 34256045 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Levo-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP) is mainly derived from the dried tuber of the Papaveraceae plant Corydalis, also called Corydalis B, which is a drug with analgesic, hypnotic, sedative and other effects. Methamphetamine (METH) belongs to the central nervous stimulant and is a highly addictive drug. It is an urgent problem to study the mechanism of methamphetamine neurotoxicity and to search for the therapeutic targets of the METH addiction. This review is aimed to discuss the pharmacological mechanism and the protective effects of l-THP on METH-induced neurotoxicity, and to explore the therapeutic prospects of l-THP for METH addiction to provide an innovative application of l-THP in clinic. It was found that exposure to METH leads to the compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior, which is ultimately resulted in METH addiction and neurotoxicity. L-THP has the inhibitory effects on the incidence, maintenance and relapse of METH addiction. L-THP can effectively enhance the plasticity of nerve cells and improve the function of nerve cells where brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its pathways play a protective role. Therefore, l-THP has the potential to become an important therapeutic drug for METH addiction and neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, PR China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Drug Control, Criminal Investigation Police University of China, Shenyang, Liaoning 110854, PR China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Drug Control, Criminal Investigation Police University of China, Shenyang, Liaoning 110854, PR China
| | - Yuan-Ling Zhao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, PR China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, PR China.
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Abstract
Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) exist not only in the developing brain, but also in certain areas in adult brain in mammals. Recent studies suggest that promoting neurogenesis in adult mammals might provide a therapeutic way to cure age-related neurodegenerative diseases. So, it will be of great value to find out drugs that can increase the proliferation and/or differentiation ability of neural progenitors. The present study investigated the influence of ginsenoside Rg1, an active ingredient of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, on proliferation ability of rodent hippocampal progenitor cells both in vitro and in vivo. Incubation of NPCs with ginsenoside Rg1 resulted in significant increase in absorbency value, 3H-thymidine incorporation and the number of proliferating progenitor cell spheres; In addition, 2 weeks Rg1 administration (i.p.) led to marked enhancement of the number of dividing cells in the hippocampus of adult mice. These findings suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 is involved in the regulation of proliferation of hippocampal progenitor cells and this effect may serve as one of the elementary mechanisms underlying its nootropic and anti-aging actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hong Shen
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR of China
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The antipsychotic potential of l-stepholidine--a naturally occurring dopamine receptor D1 agonist and D2 antagonist. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2008; 199:275-89. [PMID: 18521575 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-008-1172-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2007] [Accepted: 04/15/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE l-Stepholidine, a dopamine D(2) antagonist with D(1) agonist activity, should in theory control psychosis and treat cognitive symptoms by enhancing cortical dopamine transmission. Though several articles describe its impact on the dopamine system, it has not been systematically evaluated and compared to available antipsychotics. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined its in vitro interaction with dopamine D(2) and D(1) receptors and compared its in vivo pharmacokinetic profile to haloperidol (typical) and clozapine (atypical) in animal models predictive of antipsychotic activity. RESULTS In vitro, l-stepholidine showed significant activity on dopamine receptors, and in vivo, l-stepholidine demonstrated a dose-dependent striatal receptor occupancy (RO) at D(1) and D(2) receptors (D(1) 9-77%, 0.3-30 mg/kg; D(2) 44-94%, 1-30 mg/kg), though it showed a rather rapid decline of D(2) occupancy related to its quick elimination. In tests of antipsychotic efficacy, it was effective in reducing amphetamine- and phencyclidine-induced locomotion as well as conditioned avoidance response, whereas catalepsy and prolactin elevation, the main side effects, appeared only at high D(2)RO (>80%). This preferential therapeutic profile was supported by a preferential immediate early gene (Fos) induction in the nucleus accumbens over dorsolateral striatum. We confirmed its D(1) agonism in vitro, and then using D(2) receptor, knockout mice showed that l-stepholidine shows D(1) agonism in the therapeutic dose range. CONCLUSIONS Thus, l-stepholidine shows efficacy like an "atypical" antipsychotic in traditional animal models predictive of antipsychotic activity and shows in vitro and in vivo D(1) agonism, and, if its rapid elimination does not limit its actions, it could provide a unique therapeutic approach to schizophrenia.
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Yang K, Jin G, Wu J. The neuropharmacology of (-)-stepholidine and its potential applications. Curr Neuropharmacol 2007; 5:289-94. [PMID: 19305745 PMCID: PMC2644490 DOI: 10.2174/157015907782793649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2007] [Revised: 03/30/2007] [Accepted: 05/29/2007] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
(-)-Stepholidine (SPD), a natural product isolated from the Chinese herb Stephania, possesses dopamine (DA) D1 partial agonistic and D2 antagonistic properties in the nigrostriatal and mesocorticolimbic DAergic pathways. These unique dual effects have suggested that SPD can effectively restore previously imbalanced functional linkage between D1 and D2 receptors under schizophrenic conditions, in which, SPD improves both the negative and positive symptoms of schizophrenia. SPD also relieves the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) when co-administered with Levodopa. Furthermore, SPD exhibits neuroprotective effects through an antioxidative mechanism and slows down the progression of neuronal degeneration in the substantia nigra (SN) of PD patients and/or animal models. Therefore, SPD is a novel, natural compound with potentially therapeutic roles in the treatment of schizophrenia and/or PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kechun Yang
- Division of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Shanghai Institute of Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Guozhang Jin
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Shanghai Institute of Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Division of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
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Zhang L, Zhou R, Xiang G. Stepholidine protects against H2O2 neurotoxicity in rat cortical neurons by activation of Akt. Neurosci Lett 2005; 383:328-32. [PMID: 15871910 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2005.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2005] [Revised: 04/02/2005] [Accepted: 04/06/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The fundamental pathological process(es) associated with schizophrenia (SZ) remain(s) uncertain, but multiple lines of evidence suggest that this condition is associated with excessive stimulation of striatal dopamine (DA) D2 receptors, deficient stimulation of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) D1 receptors as well as neuronal apoptosis. Unlike typical antipsychotics, stepholidine (SPD), which is isolated from the Chinese herb stephania, has D1 and D2 dual properties and regulates neuronal cell differentiation and proliferation. It is unknown, however, whether it possesses a neuroprotective property. Here, we report that SPD prevented neuronal cell death from H2O2 exposure and increased the levels of phosphorylated Akt (pAkt), a serine/threonine protein kinase. The SPD-induced neuroprotection and activation of Akt were blocked by LY294002, a PI3-K inhibitor, suggesting that the anti-apoptotic action of SPD is mediated via the PI3-K/Akt signaling pathway. Thus, as a survival or anti-apoptotic factor for neuronal cells, SPD may contribute to the therapeutic action of SPD in SZ treatment.
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MESH Headings
- 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine/analogs & derivatives
- 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine/pharmacology
- Animals
- Berberine/analogs & derivatives
- Berberine/pharmacology
- Blotting, Western/methods
- Cell Count/methods
- Cell Death/drug effects
- Cells, Cultured
- Chromones/pharmacology
- Dopamine Antagonists/pharmacology
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Interactions
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects
- Haloperidol/pharmacology
- Hydrogen Peroxide/toxicity
- Morpholines/pharmacology
- Neurons/drug effects
- Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology
- Prefrontal Cortex/cytology
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/physiology
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/physiology
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
- Rats
- Time Factors
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, USUHS, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
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