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Saadat M, Dahmardeh N, Sheikhbahaei F, Mokhtari T. Therapeutic potential of thymoquinone and its nanoformulations in neuropsychological disorders: a comprehensive review on molecular mechanisms in preclinical studies. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:3541-3564. [PMID: 38010395 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02832-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Thymoquinone (THQ) and its nanoformulation (NFs) have emerged as promising candidates for the treatment of neurological diseases due to their diverse pharmacological properties, which include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. In this study, we conducted an extensive search across reputable scientific websites such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar to gather relevant information. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of THQ have been observed to enhance the survival of neurons in affected areas of the brain, leading to significant improvements in behavioral and motor dysfunctions. Moreover, THQ and its NFs have demonstrated the capacity to restore antioxidant enzymes and mitigate oxidative stress. The primary mechanism underlying THQ's antioxidant effects involves the regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, THQ has been found to modulate key components of inflammatory signaling pathways, including toll-like receptors (TLRs), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), thereby exerting anti-inflammatory effects. This comprehensive review explores the various beneficial effects of THQ and its NFs on neurological disorders and provides insights into the underlying mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Saadat
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Narjes Dahmardeh
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sheikhbahaei
- Department of Anatomy, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Tahmineh Mokhtari
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
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Xie J, Li H, Su S, Cheng J, Cai Q, Tan H, Zu L, Qu X, Han H. Quantitative analysis of molecular transport in the extracellular space using physics-informed neural network. Comput Biol Med 2024; 171:108133. [PMID: 38364661 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108133] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
The brain extracellular space (ECS), an irregular, extremely tortuous nanoscale space located between cells or between cells and blood vessels, is crucial for nerve cell survival. It plays a pivotal role in high-level brain functions such as memory, emotion, and sensation. However, the specific form of molecular transport within the ECS remain elusive. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a novel approach to quantitatively analyze the molecular transport within the ECS by solving an inverse problem derived from the advection-diffusion equation (ADE) using a physics-informed neural network (PINN). PINN provides a streamlined solution to the ADE without the need for intricate mathematical formulations or grid settings. Additionally, the optimization of PINN facilitates the automatic computation of the diffusion coefficient governing long-term molecule transport and the velocity of molecules driven by advection. Consequently, the proposed method allows for the quantitative analysis and identification of the specific pattern of molecular transport within the ECS through the calculation of the Péclet number. Experimental validation on two datasets of magnetic resonance images (MRIs) captured at different time points showcases the effectiveness of the proposed method. Notably, our simulations reveal identical molecular transport patterns between datasets representing rats with tracer injected into the same brain region. These findings highlight the potential of PINN as a promising tool for comprehensively exploring molecular transport within the ECS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Xie
- Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hongfeng Li
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Shaoyi Su
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jin Cheng
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Qingrui Cai
- National Integrated Circuit Industry Education Integration Innovation Platform, School of Electronic Science and Engineering (National Model Microelectronics College), Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; Department of Electronic Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Hanbo Tan
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lingyun Zu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Cardiology and Institute of Vascular Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiaobo Qu
- National Integrated Circuit Industry Education Integration Innovation Platform, School of Electronic Science and Engineering (National Model Microelectronics College), Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; Department of Electronic Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Hongbin Han
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China; Department of Radiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Devices and Technology, Beijing 100191, China; NMPA key Laboratory of Evaluation of Medical Imaging Equipment and Technique, Beijing 100191, China.
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Azami S, Forouzanfar F. Potential role of Nigella Sativa and its Constituent (Thymoquinone) in Ischemic Stroke. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:327-334. [PMID: 37038292 DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230410101724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is one of the major causes of global mortality, which puts great demands on health systems and social welfare. Ischemic stroke is a complex pathological process involving a series of mechanisms such as ROS accumulation, Ca2+ overload, inflammation, and apoptosis. The lack of effective and widely applicable pharmacological treatments for ischemic stroke patients has led scientists to find new treatments. The use of herbal medicine, as an alternative or complementary therapy, is increasing worldwide. For centuries, our ancestors had known the remedial nature of Nigella sativa (Family Ranunculaceae) and used it in various ways, either as medicine or as food. Nowadays, N. sativa is generally utilized as a therapeutic plant all over the world. Most of the therapeutic properties of this plant are attributed to the presence of thymoquinone which is the major biological component of the essential oil. The present review describes the pharmacotherapeutic potential of N. sativa in ischemic stroke that has been carried out by various researchers. Existing literature highlights the protective effects of N. sativa as well as thymoquinone in ischemia stroke via different mechanisms including anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, neuroprotective, and vascular protective effects. These properties make N. sativa and thymoquinone promising candidates for developing potential agents for the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakiba Azami
- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Forouzanfar
- Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Gu Z, Chen H, Zhao H, Yang W, Song Y, Li X, Wang Y, Du D, Liao H, Pan W, Li X, Gao Y, Han H, Tong Z. New insight into brain disease therapy: nanomedicines-crossing blood-brain barrier and extracellular space for drug delivery. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2022; 19:1618-1635. [PMID: 36285632 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2022.2139369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Brain diseases including brain tumor, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, etc. are difficult to treat. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a major obstacle for drug delivery into the brain. Although nano-package and receptor-mediated delivery of nanomedicine markedly increases BBB penetration, it yet did not extensively improve clinical cure rate. Recently, brain extracellular space (ECS) and interstitial fluid (ISF) drainage in ECS have been found to determine whether a drug dissolved in ISF can reach its target cells. Notably, an increase in tortuosity of ECS associated with slower ISF drainage induced by the accumulated harmful substances, such as: amyloid-beta (Aβ), α-synuclein, and metabolic wastes, causes drug delivery failure. AREAS COVERED The methods of nano-package and receptor-mediated drug delivery and the penetration efficacy of nanomedicines across BBB and ECS are assessed. EXPERT OPINION Invasive delivering drug via ECS and noninvasive near-infrared photo-sensitive nanomedicines may provide a promising benefit to patients with brain disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqi Gu
- Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Oujiang Laboratory, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Haishu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Oujiang Laboratory, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Han Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Oujiang Laboratory, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wanting Yang
- Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Oujiang Laboratory, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yilan Song
- Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Oujiang Laboratory, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Oujiang Laboratory, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Department of Radiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Du
- Department of Radiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Qinhuangdao Municipal No. 1 Hospital, Qinhuangdao, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Devices and Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haikang Liao
- Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Oujiang Laboratory, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wenhao Pan
- Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Oujiang Laboratory, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xi Li
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yajuan Gao
- Department of Radiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,NMPA key Laboratory for Evaluation of Medical Imaging Equipment and Technique, Beijing, China
| | - Hongbin Han
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Department of Radiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Devices and Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhiqian Tong
- Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Oujiang Laboratory, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Hajipour S, Farbood Y, Dianat M, Rashno M, Khorsandi LS, Sarkaki A. Thymoquinone improves behavioral and biochemical deficits in hepatic encephalopathy induced by thioacetamide in rats. Neurosci Lett 2021; 745:135617. [PMID: 33421492 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a cerebral function alteration in patients with liver dysfunction. The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of thymoquinone (TQ) on behavioral deficits and its possible mechanism(s) in a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced HE model. HE was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of TAA (200 mg/kg) for once every 48 h for 14 consecutive days. Thymoquinone (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) was administered for seven consecutive days (i.p.) after HE induction. Anxiety and depression-like behaviors assessed by standard paradigms respectively. Finally, their brain hippocampus sections prepared to evaluate the oxidative stress changes in rats. Data showed treatment HE rats with TQ ameliorated anxiety and depression-like behaviors. TQ administration also reduced oxidative stress due to its potential to enhance the levels of glutathione-peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and total thiol content in the hippocampus. These findings suggest that TQ has notable effects against acute hepatic failure and HE complications through modulation of oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Hajipour
- Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center. Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Yaghoob Farbood
- Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center. Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mahin Dianat
- Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center. Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rashno
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Laya Sadat Khorsandi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Alireza Sarkaki
- Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center. Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Medicinal Plant Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz. Iran.
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