Molecular properties, structure and chiral resolution of secondary metabolites from the leaves of Viburnum chingii

A chemical investigation of leaves of Viburnum chingii afforded eleven compounds, including one undescribed lignan (1), a pair of known phenylpropanoid enantiomers (2a/2b), and eight known lignans (3-10). Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic and comparative literature data analysis. The absolute configurations of compounds 1 was determined by comparing the experimental ECD data with the calculated values. The compounds 2a/2b were separated successfully by a chiral chromatographic column. In addition, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities of described compounds were evaluated.

Challenges for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy: Insights from Novel Mechanisms Beyond Memory Defects

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia in late life, will become even more prevalent by midcentury, constituting a major global health concern with huge implications for individuals and society. Despite scientific breakthroughs during the past decades that have expanded our knowledge on the cellular and molecular bases of AD, therapies that effectively halt disease progression are still lacking, and focused efforts are needed to address this public health challenge. Because AD is classically recognized as a disease of memory, studies have mainly focused on investigating memory-associated brain defects. However, compelling evidence has indicated that additional brain regions, not classically linked to memory, are also affected in the course of disease. In this review, we outline the current understanding of key pathophysiological mechanisms in AD and their clinical manifestation. We also highlight how considering the complex nature of AD pathogenesis, and exploring repurposed drug approaches can pave the road toward the development of novel therapeutics for AD.

Regulatory-accepted drug development tools are needed to accelerate innovative CNS disease treatments

Central Nervous System (CNS) diseases represent one of the most challenging therapeutic areas for successful drug approvals. Developing quantitative biomarkers as Drug Development Tools (DDTs) can catalyze the path to innovative treatments, and improve the chances of drug approvals. Drug development and healthcare management requires sensitive, reliable, validated, and regulatory accepted biomarkers and endpoints. This review highlights the regulatory paths and considerations for developing DDTs required to advance biomarker and endpoint use in clinical development (e.g., consensus CDISC [Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium] data standards, precompetitive sharing of anonymized patient-level data, and continual alignment with regulators). Summarized is the current landscape of biomarkers in a range of CNS diseases including Alzheimer disease, Parkinson Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Depression, Huntington's disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Traumatic Brain Injury. Advancing DDTs for these devastating diseases that are both validated and qualified will require an integrated, cross-consortium approach to accelerate the delivery of innovative CNS therapeutics.