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Waris A, Asim M, Ullah A, Alhumaydhi FA. Various pharmacological agents in the pipeline against intractable epilepsy. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024:e2400229. [PMID: 38767508 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202400229] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a noncommunicable chronic neurological disorder affecting people of all ages, with the highest prevalence in low and middle-income countries. Despite the pharmacological armamentarium, the plethora of drugs in the market, and other treatment options, 30%-35% of individuals still show resistance to the current medication, termed intractable epilepsy/drug resistance epilepsy, which contributes to 50% of the mortalities due to epilepsy. Therefore, the development of new drugs and agents is needed to manage this devastating epilepsy. We reviewed the pipeline of drugs in "ClinicalTrials. gov," which is the federal registry of clinical trials to identify drugs and other treatment options in various phases against intractable epilepsy. A total of 31 clinical trials were found regarding intractable epilepsy. Among them, 48.4% (15) are about pharmacological agents, of which 26.6% are in Phase 1, 60% are in Phase 2, and 13.3% are in Phase 3. The mechanism of action or targets of the majority of these agents are different and are more diversified than those of the approved drugs. In this article, we summarized various pharmacological agents in clinical trials, their backgrounds, targets, and mechanisms of action for the treatment of intractable epilepsy. Treatment options other than pharmacological ones, such as devices for brain stimulation, ketogenic diets, gene therapy, and others, are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Waris
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Muhammad Asim
- Department of Neurosciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health (CRMH), Hong Kong SAR
| | - Ata Ullah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Fahad A Alhumaydhi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
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2
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Cumbres-Vargas IM, Zamudio SR, Pichardo-Macías LA, Ramírez-San Juan E. Thalidomide Attenuates Epileptogenesis and Seizures by Decreasing Brain Inflammation in Lithium Pilocarpine Rat Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076488. [PMID: 37047461 PMCID: PMC10094940 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076488] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide (TAL) has shown potential therapeutic effects in neurological diseases like epilepsy. Both clinical and preclinical studies show that TAL may act as an antiepileptic drug and as a possible treatment against disease development. However, the evidence for these effects is limited. Therefore, the antiepileptogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of TAL were evaluated herein. Sprague Dawley male rats were randomly allocated to one of five groups (n = 18 per group): control (C); status epilepticus (SE); SE-TAL (25 mg/kg); SE-TAL (50 mg/kg); and SE-topiramate (TOP; 60mg/kg). The lithium-pilocarpine model was used, and one day after SE induction the rats received pharmacological treatment for one week. The brain was obtained, and the hippocampus was micro-dissected 8, 18, and 28 days after SE. TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β concentrations were quantified. TOP and TAL (50 mg/kg) increased the latency to the first of many spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) and decreased SRS frequency, as well as decreasing TNF-α and IL-1β concentrations in the hippocampus. In conclusion, the results showed that both TAL (50 mg/kg) and TOP have anti-ictogenic and antiepileptogenic effects, possibly by decreasing neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irán M Cumbres-Vargas
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
| | - Sergio R Zamudio
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
| | - Luz A Pichardo-Macías
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Ramírez-San Juan
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
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3
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Andrews PL, Williams RS, Sanger GJ. Anti-emetic effects of thalidomide: Evidence, mechanism of action, and future directions. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY AND DRUG DISCOVERY 2022; 3:100138. [PMID: 36568268 PMCID: PMC9780081 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2022.100138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The rationale for using thalidomide (THD) as a treatment for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy in the late 1950s appears to have been based on its sedative or hypnotic properties. In contrast to contemporaneous studies on the anti-emetic activity of phenothiazines, we were unable to identify publications reporting preclinical or clinical evaluation of THD as an anti-emetic. Our survey of the literature revealed a clinical study in 1965 showing THD reduced vomiting in cancer chemotherapy which was substantiated by similar studies from 2000, particularly showing efficacy in the delayed phase of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. To identify the mechanism(s) potentially involved in thalidomide's anti-emetic activity we reviewed its pharmacology in the light of nausea and vomiting mechanisms and their pharmacology with a particular emphasis on chemotherapy and pregnancy. The process identified the following potential mechanisms: reduced secretion of Growth Differentiation Factor 15, suppression of inflammation/prostaglandin production, downregulation of cytotoxic drug induced upregulation of iNOS, and modulation of BK (KCa1.1) channels and GABAA/glutamate transmission at critical points in the emetic pathways (nucleus tractus solitarius, area postrema). We propose ways to investigate these hypothesized mechanisms and discuss the associated challenges (e.g., objective quantification of nausea) in addition to some of the more general aspects of developing novel drugs to treat nausea and vomiting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul L.R. Andrews
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin S.B. Williams
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth J. Sanger
- Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom
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4
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Amanlou A, Eslami F, Shayan M, Mortazavi P, Dehpour AR. Anticonvulsive evaluation and histopathological survey of thalidomide synthetic analogs on lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in rats. Res Pharm Sci 2021; 16:586-595. [PMID: 34760007 PMCID: PMC8562405 DOI: 10.4103/1735-5362.327505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose: Status epilepticus is a severe neurological disorder that can be life-threatening. Thalidomide and its analogs have shown promising results to confront pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of three synthesized thalidomide derivatives on lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus. Experimental approach: To induce status epilepticus, rats received lithium chloride (127 mg/kg, i.p.) and pilocarpine HCl (60 mg/kg, i.p.) 20 h after lithium chloride injection. Thirty min before pilocarpine HCl administration, rats received hyoscine N-butyl bromide (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and concurrently one of the test compounds (5B, 5C, and 5D), diazepam, thalidomide, or vehicle (4% DMSO) to evaluate their anti-epileptic effects. Epileptic seizures scores were assessed through the Racine scale. Twenty-four h after injection of pilocarpine, brain samples were extracted for further histopathological evaluation. Findings/Results: Results revealed that among tested compounds (5B, 5C, and 5D), only compound 5C (1 mg/kg) exhibited excellent anti-epileptic activity comparable to diazepam (10 mg/kg). Compound 5D (100 mg/kg) only demonstrated comparable anti-epileptic activity to thalidomide (1 mg/kg). Compound 5B did not have any anti-epileptic activity even at the dose of 100 mg/kg. The histopathological survey showed that compound 5C has more neuroprotective effects than diazepam and thalidomide in the cortex of the brain. In the cornu ammonis 1 region, thalidomide had higher protective properties and in the cornu ammonis 3 and dentate gyrus areas, diazepam had higher efficacy to prevent necrosis. Conclusion and implications: Compound 5C is a good candidate for further studies regarding its potency, compared to thalidomide and diazepam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Amanlou
- Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, I.R. Iran.,Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Faezeh Eslami
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Maryam Shayan
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Pejman Mortazavi
- Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Dehpour
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
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Khatoon S, Agarwal NB, Samim M, Alam O. Neuroprotective Effect of Fisetin Through Suppression of IL-1R/TLR Axis and Apoptosis in Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling in Mice. Front Neurol 2021; 12:689069. [PMID: 34354662 PMCID: PMC8333701 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.689069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder, characterized by frequent electrical activity in brain regions. Inflammation and apoptosis cascade activation are serious neurological sequelae during seizures. Fisetin (3, 3',4',7-tetrahydroxyflavone), a flavonoid molecule, is considered for its effective anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. This study investigated the neuroprotective effect of fisetin on experimental epilepsy. For acute studies, increasing current electroshock (ICES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure tests were performed to evaluate the antiseizure activity of fisetin. For the chronic study, the kindling model was established by the administration of PTZ in subconvulsive dose (25 mg/kg, i.p.). Mice were treated with fisetin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, p.o.) to study its probable antiseizure mechanism. The kindled mice were evaluated for seizure scores. Their hippocampus and cortex were assessed for neuronal damage, inflammation, and apoptosis. Histological alterations were observed in the hippocampus of the experimental mice. Levels of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), interleukin-1 receptor 1 (IL-1R1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were assessed in the hippocampus and cortex by ELISA. The immunoreactivity and mRNA expressions of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), cytochrome C, and caspase-3 were quantified by immunohistochemical analysis and real-time PCR. Phosphorylation ELISA was performed to evaluate AkT/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) activation in the hippocampus and cortex of the kindled mice. The results showed that fisetin administration increased the seizure threshold current (STC) in the ICES test. In PTZ-induced seizures, fisetin administration increased the latency for myoclonic jerks (MJs) and generalized seizures (GSs). In the PTZ-induced kindling model, fisetin administration dose-dependently suppressed the development of kindling and the associated neuronal damage in the experimental mice. Further, fisetin administration ameliorated kindling-induced neuroinflammation as evident from decreased levels of HMGB1, TLR-4, IL-1R1, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the hippocampus and cortex of the kindled mice. Also, the immunoreactivity and mRNA expressions of inflammatory molecules, NF-κB, and COX-2 were decreased with fisetin administration in the kindled animals. Decreased phosphorylation of the AkT/mTOR pathway was reported with fisetin administration in the hippocampus and cortex of the kindled mice. The immunoreactivity and mRNA expressions of apoptotic molecules, cytochrome C, and caspase-3 were attenuated upon fisetin administration. The findings suggest that fisetin shows a neuroprotective effect by suppressing the release of inflammatory and apoptosis molecules and attenuating histological alterations during experimental epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saima Khatoon
- Department of Medical Elementology and Toxicology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Nidhi Bharal Agarwal
- Centre for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohammed Samim
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Ozair Alam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
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de Melo IS, Pacheco ALD, Dos Santos YMO, Figueiredo LM, Nicacio DCSP, Cardoso-Sousa L, Duzzioni M, Gitaí DLG, Tilelli CQ, Sabino-Silva R, de Castro OW. Modulation of Glucose Availability and Effects of Hypo- and Hyperglycemia on Status Epilepticus: What We Do Not Know Yet? Mol Neurobiol 2020; 58:505-519. [PMID: 32975651 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02133-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Status epilepticus (SE) can lead to serious neuronal damage and act as an initial trigger for epileptogenic processes that may lead to temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Besides promoting neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and abnormal neurogenesis, SE can generate an extensive hypometabolism in several brain areas and, consequently, reduce intracellular energy supply, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules. Although some antiepileptic drugs show efficiency to terminate or reduce epileptic seizures, approximately 30% of TLE patients are refractory to regular antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Modulation of glucose availability may provide a novel and robust alternative for treating seizures and neuronal damage that occurs during epileptogenesis; however, more detailed information remains unknown, especially under hypo- and hyperglycemic conditions. Here, we review several pathways of glucose metabolism activated during and after SE, as well as the effects of hypo- and hyperglycemia in the generation of self-sustained limbic seizures. Furthermore, this study suggests the control of glucose availability as a potential therapeutic tool for SE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Santana de Melo
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Av. Lourival de Melo Mota, km 14, Campus A. C. Simões, Cidade Universitária, Maceió, AL, CEP 57072-970, Brazil
| | - Amanda Larissa Dias Pacheco
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Av. Lourival de Melo Mota, km 14, Campus A. C. Simões, Cidade Universitária, Maceió, AL, CEP 57072-970, Brazil
| | - Yngrid Mickaelli Oliveira Dos Santos
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Av. Lourival de Melo Mota, km 14, Campus A. C. Simões, Cidade Universitária, Maceió, AL, CEP 57072-970, Brazil
| | - Laura Mello Figueiredo
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Av. Lourival de Melo Mota, km 14, Campus A. C. Simões, Cidade Universitária, Maceió, AL, CEP 57072-970, Brazil
| | - Dannyele Cynthia Santos Pimentel Nicacio
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Av. Lourival de Melo Mota, km 14, Campus A. C. Simões, Cidade Universitária, Maceió, AL, CEP 57072-970, Brazil
| | - Leia Cardoso-Sousa
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia (UFU), ARFIS, Av. Pará, 1720, Campus Umuruama, Uberlandia, MG, CEP 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Duzzioni
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Av. Lourival de Melo Mota, km 14, Campus A. C. Simões, Cidade Universitária, Maceió, AL, CEP 57072-970, Brazil
| | - Daniel Leite Góes Gitaí
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Av. Lourival de Melo Mota, km 14, Campus A. C. Simões, Cidade Universitária, Maceió, AL, CEP 57072-970, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Queixa Tilelli
- Physiology Laboratory, Federal University of Sao Joao del Rei (UFSJ), Central-West Campus, Divinopolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Robinson Sabino-Silva
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia (UFU), ARFIS, Av. Pará, 1720, Campus Umuruama, Uberlandia, MG, CEP 38400-902, Brazil.
| | - Olagide Wagner de Castro
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Av. Lourival de Melo Mota, km 14, Campus A. C. Simões, Cidade Universitária, Maceió, AL, CEP 57072-970, Brazil.
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7
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Asgharzadeh F, Hosseini M, Bargi R, Beheshti F, Rakhshandeh H, Mansouri S, Aghaei A, Sadeghnia HR, Anaeigoudari A. Effects of Hydro-ethanolic Extract of Tanacetum parthenium and its N-Butanol and Aqueous Fractions on Brain Oxidative Damage in Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Seizures in Mice. PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.34172/ps.2020.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Asgharzadeh
- Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Hosseini
- Division of Neurocognitive Sciences, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Rahimeh Bargi
- Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farimah Beheshti
- Neuroscience Research Center, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
| | - Hassan Rakhshandeh
- Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Somaye Mansouri
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Azita Aghaei
- Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Sadeghnia
- Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Akbar Anaeigoudari
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
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8
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Pourshadi N, Rahimi N, Ghasemi M, Faghir-Ghanesefat H, Sharifzadeh M, Dehpour AR. Anticonvulsant Effects of Thalidomide on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Seizure in Mice: A Role for Opioidergic and Nitrergic Transmissions. Epilepsy Res 2020; 164:106362. [PMID: 32447240 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2020.106362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Although accumulating evidence indicates that the immunomodulatory medication thalidomide exerts anticonvulsant properties, the mechanisms underlying such effects of thalidomide are still unknown. Our previous preclinical study suggested that nitric oxide (NO) signaling may be involved in the anticonvulsant effects of thalidomide in a mouse model of clonic seizure. Additionally, several studies have shown a modulatory interaction between thalidomide and opioids in opioids intolerance, nociception and neuropathic pain. However, it is unclear whether opioidergic transmission or its interaction with NO signaling is involved in the anticonvulsant effects of thalidomide. Given the fact that both opioidergic and nitrergic transmissions have bimodal modulatory effects on seizure thresholds, in the present study we explored the involvement of these signaling pathways in the possible anticonvulsant effects of thalidomide on the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced clonic seizure in mice. Our data showed that acute administration of thalidomide (5-50 mg/kg, i.p., 30 min prior PTZ injection) dose-dependently elevated PTZ-induced clonic seizure thresholds. Acute administration of low doses (0.5-3 mg/kg, i.p., 60 min prior PTZ) of morphine exerted anticonvulsant effects (P < 0.001), whereas higher doses (15-60 mg/kg, 60 min prior PTZ) had proconvulsant effects (P < 0.01). Acute administration of a non-effective anticonvulsant dose of morphine (0.25 mg/kg) prior non-effective dose of thalidomide (5 mg/kg) exerted a robust (P < 0.01) anticonvulsant effect. Administration of a non-effective proconvulsant dose of morphine (7.5 mg/kg) prior thalidomide (5 mg/kg) didn't affect clonic seizure thresholds. Acute administration of a non-effective dose of the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone (1 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly prevented anticonvulsant effects of thalidomide (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Pretreatment with non-effective dose of the NO precursor L-arginine (60 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the anticonvulsant effects of combined low doses of morphine (0.25 mg/kg) and thalidomide (5 mg/kg). Conversely, pretreatment with non-effective doses of either non-selective (L-NAME, 5 mg/kg, i.p.) or selective neuronal (7-nitroindazole, 30 mg/kg, i.p.) NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors significantly augmented the anticonvulsant effects of combined low doses of thalidomide and morphine, whereas the inducible NOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (100 mg/kg, i.p.) did not exert such effect. Our results indicate that opioidergic transmission and its interaction with neuronal NO signaling may contribute to the anti-seizure activity of thalidomide in the mice PTZ model of clonic seizure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nastaran Pourshadi
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nastaran Rahimi
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Ghasemi
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Hedyeh Faghir-Ghanesefat
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Sharifzadeh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Dehpour
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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9
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Alonso-Castro AJ, Gasca-Martínez D, Cortez-Mendoza LV, Alba-Betancourt C, Ruiz-Padilla AJ, Zapata-Morales JR. Evaluation of the neuropharmacological effects of Gardenin A in mice. Drug Dev Res 2020; 81:600-608. [PMID: 32181517 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
This work describes the neuropharmacological (sedative, anxiolytic, antidepressant, and anticonvulsant) actions of Gardenin A (GA) (0.1-25 mg/kg p.o.), a flavonoid found in medicinal plants. The sedative effects of GA were assessed with the pentobarbital-induced sleep test. The anxiolytic actions of GA were evaluated with the elevated plus-maze, the light-dark box test, the exploratory cylinder assay, and the open field test. Motor coordination was evaluated with the rotarod test and the open field test. The antidepressant-like actions of GA were evaluated with the tail suspension test and forced swimming test. The mechanisms of the anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like effects of GA were assessed using inhibitors of neurotransmission pathways. The anticonvulsant activity of GA was evaluated with the strychnine-induced seizure test. The sedative effects of GA were evident only at a dose of 25 mg/kg, which increased the duration of sleep but did not alter sleep onset. GA showed anxiolytic-like actions with activity comparable to that of clonazepam in all experimental tests. The GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline reversed the anxiolytic-like effects of GA. Furthermore, GA showed significant antidepressant-like actions in both models with activity comparable to that of fluoxetine. Yohimbine, an α2-adrenoceptor blocker, inhibited the antidepressant-like actions of GA. In addition, GA (1-10 mg/kg) did not affect locomotor coordination in mice and delayed the onset of convulsions. These findings suggest that GA induces anxiolytic-like effects and has anticonvulsant actions by the possible involvement of the GABAergic system. The antidepressant-like actions of GA may be mediated by noradrenergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel J Alonso-Castro
- Departamento de Farmacia, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Deisy Gasca-Martínez
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Laura V Cortez-Mendoza
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Clara Alba-Betancourt
- Departamento de Farmacia, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Alan J Ruiz-Padilla
- Departamento de Farmacia, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Juan R Zapata-Morales
- Departamento de Farmacia, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
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