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Ashraf A, Ahmed A, Juffer AH, Carter WG. An In Vivo and In Silico Approach Reveals Possible Sodium Channel Nav1.2 Inhibitors from Ficus religiosa as a Novel Treatment for Epilepsy. Brain Sci 2024; 14:545. [PMID: 38928545 PMCID: PMC11202011 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14060545] [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: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disease that affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. Despite an existing abundance of antiepileptic drugs, lifelong disease treatment is often required but could be improved with alternative drugs that have fewer side effects. Given that epileptic seizures stem from abnormal neuronal discharges predominately modulated by the human sodium channel Nav1.2, the quest for novel and potent Nav1.2 blockers holds promise for epilepsy management. Herein, an in vivo approach was used to detect new antiepileptic compounds using the maximum electroshock test on mice. Pre-treatment of mice with extracts from the Ficus religiosa plant ameliorated the tonic hind limb extensor phase of induced convulsions. Subsequently, an in silico approach identified potential Nav1.2 blocking compounds from F. religiosa using a combination of computational techniques, including molecular docking, prime molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA) analysis, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies. The molecular docking and MM/GBSA analysis indicated that out of 82 compounds known to be present in F. religiosa, seven exhibited relatively strong binding affinities to Nav1.2 that ranged from -6.555 to -13.476 kcal/mol; similar or with higher affinity than phenytoin (-6.660 kcal/mol), a known Na+-channel blocking antiepileptic drug. Furthermore, MD simulations revealed that two compounds: 6-C-glucosyl-8-C-arabinosyl apigenin and pelargonidin-3-rhamnoside could form stable complexes with Nav1.2 at 300 K, indicating their potential as lead antiepileptic agents. In summary, the combination of in vivo and in silico approaches supports the potential of F. religiosa phytochemicals as natural antiepileptic therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aqsa Ashraf
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan;
| | - Abrar Ahmed
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan;
| | - André H. Juffer
- Biocentre Oulu (BCO) and Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (FBMM), University of Oulu, 90570 Oulu, Finland;
| | - Wayne G. Carter
- Clinical Toxicology Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK
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Majnooni MB, Fakhri S, Ghanadian SM, Bahrami G, Mansouri K, Iranpanah A, Farzaei MH, Mojarrab M. Inhibiting Angiogenesis by Anti-Cancer Saponins: From Phytochemistry to Cellular Signaling Pathways. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13030323. [PMID: 36984763 PMCID: PMC10052344 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13030323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Saponins are one of the broadest classes of high-molecular-weight natural compounds, consisting mainly of a non-polar moiety with 27 to 30 carbons and a polar moiety containing sugars attached to the sapogenin structure. Saponins are found in more than 100 plant families as well as found in marine organisms. Saponins have several therapeutic effects, including their administration in the treatment of various cancers. These compounds also reveal noteworthy anti-angiogenesis effects as one of the critical strategies for inhibiting cancer growth and metastasis. In this study, a comprehensive review is performed on electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest. Accordingly, the structural characteristics of triterpenoid/steroid saponins and their anti-cancer effects were highlighted, focusing on their anti-angiogenic effects and related mechanisms. Consequently, the anti-angiogenic effects of saponins, inhibiting the expression of genes related to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF-1α) are two main anti-angiogenic mechanisms of triterpenoid and steroidal saponins. The inhibition of inflammatory signaling pathways that stimulate angiogenesis, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs), and phosphoinositide 3-kinases/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), are other anti-angiogenic mechanisms of saponins. Furthermore, the anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer activity of saponins was closely related to the binding site of the sugar moiety, the type and number of their monosaccharide units, as well as the presence of some functional groups in their aglycone structure. Therefore, saponins are suitable candidates for cancer treatment by inhibiting angiogenesis, for which extensive pre-clinical and comprehensive clinical trial studies are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Bagher Majnooni
- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6714415153, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran
| | - Sajad Fakhri
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran
| | - Syed Mustafa Ghanadian
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Isfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8174673461, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Bahrami
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran
| | - Kamran Mansouri
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6714415185, Iran
| | - Amin Iranpanah
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hosein Farzaei
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran
- Correspondence: or (M.H.F.); (M.M.); Tel.: +98-08334266780 (M.M.)
| | - Mahdi Mojarrab
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran
- Correspondence: or (M.H.F.); (M.M.); Tel.: +98-08334266780 (M.M.)
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Mechanistic Insights into the Neuroprotective Potential of Sacred Ficus Trees. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14224731. [PMID: 36432418 PMCID: PMC9695857 DOI: 10.3390/nu14224731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ficus religiosa (Bo tree or sacred fig) and Ficus benghalensis (Indian banyan) are of immense spiritual and therapeutic importance. Various parts of these trees have been investigated for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hepatoprotective, dermoprotective, and nephroprotective properties. Previous reviews of Ficus mostly discussed traditional usages, photochemistry, and pharmacological activities, though comprehensive reviews of the neuroprotective potential of these Ficus species extracts and/or their important phytocompounds are lacking. The interesting phytocompounds from these trees include many bengalenosides, carotenoids, flavonoids (leucopelargonidin-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, leucopelargonidin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, lupeol, cetyl behenate, and α-amyrin acetate), flavonols (kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin), leucocyanidin, phytosterols (bergapten, bergaptol, lanosterol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol), terpenes (α-thujene, α-pinene, β-pinene, α-terpinene, limonene, β-ocimene, β-bourbonene, β-caryophyllene, α-trans-bergamotene, α-copaene, aromadendrene, α-humulene, alloaromadendrene, germacrene, γ-cadinene, and δ-cadinene), and diverse polyphenols (tannin, wax, saponin, leucoanthocyanin), contributing significantly to their pharmacological effects, ranging from antimicrobial action to neuroprotection. This review presents extensive mechanistic insights into the neuroprotective potential, especially important phytochemicals from F. religiosa and F. benghalensis. Owing to the complex pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs), the currently existing drugs merely alleviate the symptoms. Hence, bioactive compounds with potent neuroprotective effects through a multitarget approach would be of great interest in developing pharmacophores for the treatment of NDDs.
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Pahwa P, Singh T, Goel RK. Anticonvulsant Effect of Asparagus racemosus Willd. in a Mouse Model of Catamenial Epilepsy. Neurochem Res 2021; 47:422-433. [PMID: 34623565 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03455-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Asparagus racemosus Willd. (Family Liliaceae), also known as female reproductive tonic, is traditionally used across the Sub-Himalayan region in Uttarakhand, India for treatment of epilepsy and disorders of female reproductive system. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the anticonvulsant effect of A. racemosus in a mouse model of catamenial epilepsy. We artificially increased progesterone and neurosteroid levels (a state of pseudo-pregnancy) in adult Swiss albino female mice by injecting pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin (PMSG) (5 IU s.c.), followed by human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) (5 IU s.c.) after 46 h. In the following 10 days, A. racemosus treatment was given along with measurement of progesterone, estradiol, and corticosterone levels in the blood. Neurosteroid withdrawal was induced by finasteride (50 mg/kg, i.p.) on treatment day 9. Twenty-four hours after finasteride administration (day 10 of treatment), seizure susceptibility was evaluated with the sub-convulsant pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) dose (40 mg/kg i.p.). Four hours after PTZ, animals were assessed for depression like phenotypes followed by euthanasia and separation of brain parts (cortex and hippocampus). The results showed that PMSG and HCG treatment elevated progesterone and estradiol levels. Treatment with finasteride increased seizure susceptibility and depression due to decreased progesterone and elevated estrogen levels coupled with decreased monoamine and elevated corticosterone levels. A. racemosus treatment, on the other hand, significantly decreased seizure susceptibility and depression like behaviors, possibly because of increased progesterone, restored estradiol, corticosterone, and monoamine levels. We concluded that herbal formulations using A. racemosus root extracts may be used as monotherapy or adjuvant therapy along with available AEDs for the better and safe management of catamenial epilepsy as well as comorbid depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Pahwa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, 147002, India
| | - Tanveer Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, 147002, India.,Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Rajesh Kumar Goel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, 147002, India.
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Singh D, Goel RK. Anticonvulsant mechanism of saponins fraction from adventitious roots of Ficus religiosa: possible modulation of GABAergic, calcium and sodium channel functions. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE FARMACOGNOSIA-BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOGNOSY 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bjp.2015.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Mishra A, Punia JK, Bladen C, Zamponi GW, Goel RK. Anticonvulsant mechanisms of piperine, a piperidine alkaloid. Channels (Austin) 2016; 9:317-23. [PMID: 26542628 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2015.1092836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Piperine, a natural compound isolated from the fruits of Piper, is known to modulate several neurotransmitter systems such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA, all of which have been linked to the development of convulsions. Fruits of Piper species have been suggested as means for managing seizure disorders. The present study was designed to elucidate the anticonvulsant effect of piperine and its mechanisms of action using in-silico, in-vivo and in-vitro techniques.PASS software was used to determine its possible activity and mechanisms. Furthermore the latency for development of convulsions and mortality rate was recorded in different experimental mouse models of epilepsy (pentylenetetrazole, maximal electroshock, NMDA, picrotoxin, bicuculline, BAYK-8644, strychnine-induced convulsions) after administration of various doses of piperine (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.). Finally, the effect of piperine on Na(+) and Ca(2+) channels were evaluated using the whole cell patch clamp techniqueOur results revealed that piperine decreased mortality in the MES-induced seizure model. Moreover, piperine (10 mg/kg) delayed the onset of tonic clonic convulsions in the pentylenetetrazole test and reduced associated mortality. Furthermore, an anticonvulsant dose of piperine also delayed the onset of tonic clonic seizures in strychnine, picrotoxin and BAY K-8644. Complete protection against mortality was observed in BAYK-8644 induced convulsions. Finally, whole cell patch clamp analysis suggested an inhibitory effect of piperine on Na(+) channels. Together, our data suggest Na(+) channel antagonist activity as a contributor to the complex anticonvulsant mechanisms of piperine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awanish Mishra
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research ; Punjabi University ; Patiala , Punjab , India
| | - Jasmine Kaur Punia
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research ; Punjabi University ; Patiala , Punjab , India
| | - Chris Bladen
- b Department of Physiology & Pharmacology ; Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary ; Calgary , Alberta , Canada
| | - Gerald W Zamponi
- b Department of Physiology & Pharmacology ; Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary ; Calgary , Alberta , Canada
| | - Rajesh Kumar Goel
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research ; Punjabi University ; Patiala , Punjab , India
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Singh P, Singh D, Goel RK. Ficus religiosa L. figs--a potential herbal adjuvant to phenytoin for improved management of epilepsy and associated behavioral comorbidities. Epilepsy Behav 2014; 41:171-8. [PMID: 25461211 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2014.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Revised: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress, together with mitochondrial dysfunction, has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of epileptogenesis and its associated comorbidities. Phytoflavonoids have shown numerous beneficial ameliorative effects on different neurological disorders by virtue of their antioxidant effect. The present study investigated the effect of flavonoid-rich ethyl acetate fraction of the crude fig extract of Ficus religiosa in combination with phenytoin on seizure severity, depressive behavior, and cognitive deficit in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-kindled mice. The flavonoid-rich ethyl acetate fraction of the crude fig extract was found to show significant antioxidant potential in various in vitro free radical scavenging assays. Combined treatment of this fraction (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg; i.p.) along with a subeffective dose of phenytoin (15 mg/kg; i.p.) in postkindled animals once daily for fifteen days showed a dose-dependent decrease in the seizure severity score, a decreased number of mistakes, increased step-down latency in passive shock avoidance paradigm, and decreased immobility time in the tail suspension test in comparison with the phenytoin only-treated group. Biochemical investigations of the brain tissue showed amelioration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and reduced catalase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, thereby indicating suppression of oxidative stress. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed the protective effect of the flavonoid-rich fraction of F. religiosa along with a subeffective dose of phenytoin in PTZ-kindling-associated cognitive deficit and depressive behavior with complete suppression of seizures through reduction of oxidative stress, supporting the the need for clinical evaluation of the supplementation of phytoflavonoids along with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for management of epilepsy and its psychiatric and cognitive comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paramdeep Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, Punjab, India
| | - Damanpreet Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, Punjab, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar Goel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, Punjab, India.
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Revealing pharmacodynamics of medicinal plants using in silico approach: A case study with wet lab validation. Comput Biol Med 2014; 47:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2014.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2013] [Revised: 12/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Effect of saponin fraction from Ficus religiosa on memory deficit, and behavioral and biochemical impairments in pentylenetetrazol kindled mice. Epilepsy Behav 2013; 27:206-11. [PMID: 23332444 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2012] [Revised: 10/13/2012] [Accepted: 11/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In our previous study, the saponin-rich fraction (SRF) of adventitious root extract of Ficus religiosa L. (Moraceae) was shown to have an anticonvulsant effect in acute animal models of convulsions. The present study was envisaged to study the effect of SRF in the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) kindling mouse model and its associated depression and cognition deficit. Treatment with the SRF (1, 2 and 4 mg/kg; i.p.) for 15 days in kindled mice significantly decreased seizure severity on days 5, 10 and 15 when challenged with PTZ (35 mg/kg; i.p.). Marked protection against kindling-associated depression was also observed on days 10 and 15 in the SRF-treated groups when tested using the tail-suspension test. However, the SRF treatment failed to protect kindling-associated learning and memory impairments in the passive shock avoidance paradigm. The observed behavioral effects were corroborated with modulation in the levels of noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, GABA and glutamate in discrete brain regions.
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Ahmad A, Amabeoku G. Involvement of Gamma Aminobutyric Acid in the Anticonvulsant Effect of the Leaf Methanol Extract of Ruta graveolens L. (Rutaceae) in Mice. INT J PHARMACOL 2013. [DOI: 10.3923/ijp.2013.134.142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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