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Siricilla S, Hansen CJ, Rogers JH, De D, Simpson CL, Waterson AG, Sulikowski GA, Crockett SL, Boatwright N, Reese J, Paria BC, Newton J, Herington JL. Arrest of mouse preterm labor until term delivery by combination therapy with atosiban and mundulone, a natural product with tocolytic efficacy. Pharmacol Res 2023; 195:106876. [PMID: 37536638 PMCID: PMC10712649 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
There is a lack of FDA-approved tocolytics for the management of preterm labor (PL). In prior drug discovery efforts, we identified mundulone and mundulone acetate (MA) as inhibitors of in vitro intracellular Ca2+-regulated myometrial contractility. In this study, we probed the tocolytic potential of these compounds using human myometrial samples and a mouse model of preterm birth. In a phenotypic assay, mundulone displayed greater efficacy, while MA showed greater potency and uterine-selectivity in the inhibition of intracellular-Ca2+ mobilization. Cell viability assays revealed that MA was significantly less cytotoxic. Organ bath and vessel myography studies showed that only mundulone exerted inhibition of myometrial contractions and that neither compounds affected vasoreactivity of ductus arteriosus. A high-throughput combination screen identified that mundulone exhibits synergism with two clinical-tocolytics (atosiban and nifedipine), and MA displayed synergistic efficacy with nifedipine. Of these combinations, mundulone+atosiban demonstrated a significant improvement in the in vitro therapeutic index compared to mundulone alone. The ex vivo and in vivo synergism of mundulone+atosiban was substantiated, yielding greater tocolytic efficacy and potency on myometrial tissue and reduced preterm birth rates in a mouse model of PL compared to each single agent. Treatment with mundulone after mifepristone administration dose-dependently delayed the timing of delivery. Importantly, mundulone+atosiban permitted long-term management of PL, allowing 71% dams to deliver viable pups at term (>day 19, 4-5 days post-mifepristone exposure) without visible maternal and fetal consequences. Collectively, these studies provide a strong foundation for the development of mundulone as a single or combination tocolytic for management of PL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shajila Siricilla
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Christopher J Hansen
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jackson H Rogers
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Debasmita De
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Carolyn L Simpson
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Alex G Waterson
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Gary A Sulikowski
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Stacey L Crockett
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Naoko Boatwright
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jeff Reese
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Bibhash C Paria
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - J Newton
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jennifer L Herington
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Siricilla S, Hansen CJ, Rogers JH, De D, Simpson CL, Waterson AG, Sulikowski GA, Crockett SL, Boatwright N, Reese J, Paria BC, Newton J, Herington JL. Arrest of mouse preterm labor until term delivery by combination therapy with atosiban and mundulone, a natural product with tocolytic efficacy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.06.543921. [PMID: 37333338 PMCID: PMC10274706 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.06.543921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Currently, there is a lack of FDA-approved tocolytics for the management of preterm labor (PL). In prior drug discovery efforts, we identified mundulone and its analog mundulone acetate (MA) as inhibitors of in vitro intracellular Ca 2+ -regulated myometrial contractility. In this study, we probed the tocolytic and therapeutic potential of these small molecules using myometrial cells and tissues obtained from patients receiving cesarean deliveries, as well as a mouse model of PL resulting in preterm birth. In a phenotypic assay, mundulone displayed greater efficacy in the inhibition of intracellular-Ca 2+ from myometrial cells; however, MA showed greater potency and uterine-selectivity, based IC 50 and E max values between myometrial cells compared to aorta vascular smooth muscle cells, a major maternal off-target site of current tocolytics. Cell viability assays revealed that MA was significantly less cytotoxic. Organ bath and vessel myography studies showed that only mundulone exerted concentration-dependent inhibition of ex vivo myometrial contractions and that neither mundulone or MA affected vasoreactivity of ductus arteriosus, a major fetal off-target of current tocolytics. A high-throughput combination screen of in vitro intracellular Ca 2+ -mobilization identified that mundulone exhibits synergism with two clinical-tocolytics (atosiban and nifedipine), and MA displayed synergistic efficacy with nifedipine. Of these synergistic combinations, mundulone + atosiban demonstrated a favorable in vitro therapeutic index (TI)=10, a substantial improvement compared to TI=0.8 for mundulone alone. The ex vivo and in vivo synergism of mundulone and atosiban was substantiated, yielding greater tocolytic efficacy and potency on isolated mouse and human myometrial tissue and reduced preterm birth rates in a mouse model of PL compared to each single agent. Treatment with mundulone 5hrs after mifepristone administration (and PL induction) dose-dependently delayed the timing of delivery. Importantly, mundulone in combination with atosiban (FR 3.7:1, 6.5mg/kg + 1.75mg/kg) permitted long-term management of PL after induction with 30 μg mifepristone, allowing 71% dams to deliver viable pups at term (> day 19, 4-5 days post-mifepristone exposure) without any visible maternal and fetal consequences. Collectively, these studies provide a strong foundation for the future development of mundulone as a stand-alone single- and/or combination-tocolytic therapy for management of PL.
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Abstract
While there is not a wide range of pregnancy-specific drugs, there are some very specific high-risk areas of obstetric care for which unique pharmacological approaches have been established. In preterm birth, labor induction and augmentation, and the management of postpartum hemorrhage, these pharmacological approaches have become the bedrock in managing some of the most common and problematic areas of antenatal and intrapartum care. In this review, we summarize the existing established and emerging evidence that supports and broadens these pharmacological approaches to obstetric management and its impact on clinical practice. It is clear that existing therapeutics are limited. They have largely been developed from our knowledge of the physiology of the myometrium and act on hormonal receptors and their signaling pathways or on ion channels influencing excitability. Newer drugs in development are mostly refinements of these two approaches, but novel agents from plants and improved formulations are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Wray
- Women's & Children's Health, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom;
| | - Sarah Arrowsmith
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Sharp
- Women's & Children's Health, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom;
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Bafor EE, Prendergast C, Wray S. Justicia flava leaf extract potently relaxes pregnant human myometrial contractility: a lead plant for drug discovery of new tocolytic drugs. Exp Physiol 2020; 105:2033-2037. [PMID: 33094534 DOI: 10.1113/ep088819] [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: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? Can Justicia flava leaf extract (JF) inhibit human myometrial contractility as was previously shown in mouse myometrium? What is the main finding and its importance? JF abolished human myometrial contractions and therefore presents as a lead plant in drug discovery studies involving drugs for preterm birth. ABSTRACT In the search for new potent therapies for preterm labour, Justicia flava leaf extract (JF) was previously shown to potently inhibit uterine contractility in both pregnant and non-pregnant mouse uterus. This study took the investigation a step further and investigated the activity of JF on pregnant human myometrial contractility. JF potently inhibited human myometrial contractility in a concentration-dependent manner. This pilot study provides evidence that JF should be further investigated as a lead plant in the drug discovery of new uterine relaxants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enitome E Bafor
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
| | - Clodagh Prendergast
- Department of Women and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Susan Wray
- Department of Women and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Peng Y, Zheng X, Fan Z, Zhou H, Zhu X, Wang G, Liu Z. Paeonol alleviates primary dysmenorrhea in mice via activating CB2R in the uterus. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 68:153151. [PMID: 32058234 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2019.153151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common gynaecologic problem in menstruating women and is characterized by spasmodic uterine contraction and pain symptoms associated with inflammatory disturbances. Paeonol is an active phytochemical component that has shown anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in several animal models. The aim of this study was to explore whether paeonol is effective against dysmenorrhea and to investigate the potential mechanism of cannabinoid receptor signalling. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Dysmenorrhea was established by injecting oestradiol benzoate into female mice. The effects of paeonol on writhing time and latency, uterine pathology and inflammatory mediators were explored. Isolated uterine smooth muscle was used to evaluate the direct effect of paeonol on uterine contraction. KEY RESULTS The oral administration of paeonol reduced dysmenorrhea pain and PGE2 and TNF-α expression in the uterine tissues of mice, and paeonol was found to be distributed in lesions of the uterus. Paeonol almost completely inhibited oxytocin-, high potassium- and Ca2+-induced contractions in isolated uteri. Antagonists of CB2R (AM630) and the MAPK pathway (U0126), but not of CB1R (AM251), reversed the inhibitory effect of paeonol on uterine contraction. Paeonol significantly blocked L-type Ca2+ channels and calcium influx in uterine smooth muscle cells via CB2R. Molecular docking results showed that paeonol fits well with the binding site of CB2R. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Paeonol partially acts through CB2R to restrain calcium influx and uterine contraction to alleviate dysmenorrhea in mice. These results suggest that paeonol has therapeutic potential for the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Xiao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Zhiyi Fan
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Hongliang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Xuanxuan Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Guangji Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
| | - Zhihui Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
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Wan Omar WFN, Giribabu N, Karim K, Salleh N. Marantodes pumilum (Blume) Kuntze (Kacip Fatimah) stimulates uterine contraction in rats in post-partum period. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 245:112175. [PMID: 31442621 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Marantodes pumilum (Blume) Kuntze has traditionally been used to firm the uterus after delivery, however scientific evidences behind this claim is still lacking. AIMS OF STUDY To demonstrate Marantodes pumilum leaves aqueous extract (MPE) has an effect on uterine contraction after delivery and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS Day-1 post-delivery female rats were given MPE (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day) orally for seven consecutive days. A day after the last treatment (day-8), rats were sacrificed and uteri were harvested and subjected for ex-vivo contraction study using organ bath followed by protein expression and distribution study by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry techniques, respectively. The proteins of interest include calmodulin-CaM, myosin light chain kinase-MLCK, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), G-protein α and β (Gα and Gβ), inositol-triphosphate 3-kinase (IP3K), oxytocin receptor-OTR, prostaglandin (PGF)2α receptor-PGFR, muscarinic receptor-MAChR and estrogen receptor (ER) isoforms α and β. Levels of estradiol and progesterone in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). RESULTS Ex-vivo contraction study revealed the force of uterine contraction increased with increasing doses of MPE. In addition, expression of CaM, MLCK, SERCA, Gα, Gβ, IP3K, OTR, PGF2α, MAChR, Erα and ERβ in the uterus increased with increasing doses of MPE. Serum analysis indicate that estradiol levels decreased while progesterone levels remained low at day-8 post-partum in rats receiving 250 and 500 mg/kg/day MPE. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the claims that MPE help to firm the uterus and pave the way for its use as a uterotonic agent after delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Fatein Nabeila Wan Omar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nelli Giribabu
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kamarulzaman Karim
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Naguib Salleh
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Liu X, Li Y, Yang H, Zhou B. Chloroplast Genome of the Folk Medicine and Vegetable Plant Talinum paniculatum (Jacq.) Gaertn.: Gene Organization, Comparative and Phylogenetic Analysis. Molecules 2018; 23:E857. [PMID: 29642545 PMCID: PMC6017404 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23040857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The complete chloroplast (cp) genome of Talinum paniculatum (Caryophyllale), a source of pharmaceutical efficacy similar to ginseng, and a widely distributed and planted edible vegetable, were sequenced and analyzed. The cp genome size of T. paniculatum is 156,929 bp, with a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,751 bp separated by a large single copy (LSC) region of 86,898 bp and a small single copy (SSC) region of 18,529 bp. The genome contains 83 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and four pseudogenes. Fifty one (51) repeat units and ninety two (92) simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were found in the genome. The pseudogene rpl23 (Ribosomal protein L23) was insert AATT than other Caryophyllale species by sequence alignment, which located in IRs region. The gene of trnK-UUU (tRNA-Lys) and rpl16 (Ribosomal protein L16) have larger introns in T. paniculatum, and the existence of matK (maturase K) genes, which usually located in the introns of trnK-UUU, rich sequence divergence in Caryophyllale. Complete cp genome comparison with other eight Caryophyllales species indicated that the differences between T. paniculatum and P. oleracea were very slight, and the most highly divergent regions occurred in intergenic spacers. Comparisons of IR boundaries among nine Caryophyllales species showed that T. paniculatum have larger IRs region and the contraction is relatively slight. The phylogenetic analysis among 35 Caryophyllales species and two outgroup species revealed that T. paniculatum and P. oleracea do not belong to the same family. All these results give good opportunities for future identification, barcoding of Talinum species, understanding the evolutionary mode of Caryophyllale cp genome and molecular breeding of T. paniculatum with high pharmaceutical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education of China, College of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, No. 29, 13th Street, TEDA, Tianjin 300457, China.
| | - Yuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education of China, College of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, No. 29, 13th Street, TEDA, Tianjin 300457, China.
| | - Hongyuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education of China, College of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, No. 29, 13th Street, TEDA, Tianjin 300457, China.
| | - Boyang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education of China, College of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, No. 29, 13th Street, TEDA, Tianjin 300457, China.
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Alotaibi M. The effect of cinnamon extract on isolated rat uterine strips. Reprod Biol 2015; 16:27-33. [PMID: 26952750 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2015.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Revised: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Cinnamon is a spice used by some populations as a traditional remedy to control blood pressure and thus hypertension. Cinnamon extract decreases contractility in some smooth muscles, but its effect on uterine smooth muscle is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the physiological and pharmacological effects of cinnamon extract (CE) on the contractions of isolated rat uterine strips and to investigate its possible mechanism of action. Isolated longitudinal uterine strips were dissected from non-pregnant rats, mounted vertically in an organ bath chamber, and exposed to different concentrations of CE (10-20mg/mL). The effect of CE was investigated in the presence of each of the following solutions: 60mM KCl, 5nM oxytocin, and 1μM Bay K8644. CE significantly decreased the force of uterine contraction in a concentration-dependent manner and significantly attenuated the uterine contractions elicited by KCl and oxytocin. In addition, CE significantly decreased the contractile force elicited when L-type Ca(2+) channels were activated by Bay K8644. CE's major mechanism may be inhibition of L-type Ca(2+) channels, which limits calcium influx. These data demonstrate that CE can be a potent tocolytic that can decrease uterine activity regardless of how the force was produced, even when the uterus was stimulated by agonists. As a result, cinnamon may be used to alleviate menstrual pain associated with dysmenorrhoea or prevent unwanted uterine activity in early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Alotaibi
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University and King Khalid University Hospital, P.O Box 2925, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia.
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