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Zhao H, Liu Y, Cai N, Liao X, Tang L, Wang Y. Endocannabinoid Hydrolase Inhibitors: Potential Novel Anxiolytic Drugs. Drug Des Devel Ther 2024; 18:2143-2167. [PMID: 38882045 PMCID: PMC11179644 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s462785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the idea of targeting the endocannabinoid system to treat anxiety disorders has received increasing attention. Previous studies focused more on developing cannabinoid receptor agonists or supplementing exogenous cannabinoids, which are prone to various adverse effects due to their strong pharmacological activity and poor receptor selectivity, limiting their application in clinical research. Endocannabinoid hydrolase inhibitors are considered to be the most promising development strategies for the treatment of anxiety disorders. More recent efforts have emphasized that inhibition of two major endogenous cannabinoid hydrolases, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), indirectly activates cannabinoid receptors by increasing endogenous cannabinoid levels in the synaptic gap, circumventing receptor desensitization resulting from direct enhancement of endogenous cannabinoid signaling. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the anxiolytic effects of MAGL and FAAH inhibitors and their potential pharmacological mechanisms, highlight reported novel inhibitors or natural products, and provide an outlook on future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongqing Zhao
- Science & Technology Innovation Center, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Liu
- Science & Technology Innovation Center, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Na Cai
- Outpatient Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaolin Liao
- Science & Technology Innovation Center, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuhong Wang
- Science & Technology Innovation Center, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
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Sun J, Tian Z, Wu J, Li J, Wang Q, Huang S, Wang M. Pristimerin Exerts Pharmacological Effects Through Multiple Signaling Pathways: A Comprehensive Review. Drug Des Devel Ther 2024; 18:1673-1694. [PMID: 38779590 PMCID: PMC11110813 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s460093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pristimerin, a natural triterpenoid isolated from the plants of southern snake vine and Maidenwood in the family Weseraceae, is anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, antibacterial, and antiviral substance and has been used for its cardioprotective and antitumor effects and in osteoporosis treatment. These qualities explain Pristimerin's therapeutic effects on different types of tumors and other diseases. More and more studies have shown that pristimerin acts in a wide range of biological activities and has shown great potential in various fields of modern and Chinese medicine. While Pristimerin's wide range of pharmacological effects have been widely studied by others, our comprehensive review suggests that its mechanism of action may be through affecting fundamental cellular events, including blocking the cell cycle, inducing apoptosis and autophagy, and inhibiting cell migration and invasion, or through activating or inhibiting certain key molecules in several cell signaling pathways, including nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian-targeted macromycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK1/2/3), reactive oxygen species (ROS), wingless/integrin1 (Wnt)/β-catenin, and other signaling pathways. This paper reviews the research progress of Pristimerin's pharmacological mechanism of action in recent years to provide a theoretical basis for the molecular targeting therapy and further development and utilization of Pristimerin. It also provides insights into improved treatments and therapies for clinical patients and the need to explore pristimerin as a potential facet of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Sun
- First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhaochun Tian
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Wu
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiafei Li
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qixia Wang
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuhong Huang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
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Al-Romaiyan A, Barakat A, Jose L, Masocha W. An aqueous Commiphora myrrha extract ameliorates paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathic pain in mice. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1295096. [PMID: 38186647 PMCID: PMC10768035 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1295096] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CINP) is a debilitating side effect in individuals undergoing cancer treatment. Treatment of CINP with the current available classes of drugs is limited and often yields unsatisfactory results. Finding therapeutic alternatives of plant origin could provide a new way for the management of CINP. Commiphora myrrha (CM) resin extract has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, but the effect of CM on neuropathic pain is yet to be investigated in CINP. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the antinociceptive effect of CM extract in a mouse model of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain (PINP). Methods: The effects of CM on thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were assessed in female BALB/c mice with PINP using a hot plate and a plantar aesthesiometer, respectively. Motor coordination was evaluated using a rotarod apparatus. The involvement of transient receptor potential vanilloid channel 1 (TRPV1) in CM actions was investigated using a capsaicin (a TRPV1 agonist)-induced nociception test. The genetic expression of Trpv1, Nrf2, Sod2, and Hmox1 was assessed using real-time PCR, while protein expression of TRPV1, Iba-1, and CD11b was assessed using Wes™. Results: Administration of CM to mice with established PINP produced a dose-dependent reduction in thermal hyperalgesia. Prophylactic treatment of mice with CM prevented the development of paclitaxel-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. CM did not change the motor coordination of mice, as the reaction latency and the rotational velocity of animals pretreated with CM extract were similar to those of animals pretreated with vehicle. CM significantly decreased the number and duration of the flick responses following capsaicin injection into the dorsal surface of the hind paw of mice. The protein expression of TRPV1 was upregulated in the spinal cord of paclitaxel-treated animals compared to vehicle-only-treated control animals, while CM-treated animals had values similar to vehicle-only-treated control animals. The mRNA expression of Nrf2, a major antioxidant transcription factor, was upregulated in the paw skin of mice treated with CM compared to those treated with paclitaxel alone. Conclusion: These results indicate that CM may both treat established and prevent the development of paclitaxel-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia without any impairment in the motor activity of mice. CM may mediate its action through the peripheral inhibition of TRPV1 channel activity, restoration of normal TRPV1 protein expression in the spinal cord, and elevation of cellular antioxidant defenses. CM has the potential to be used as a therapeutic alternative to treat CINP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Altaf Al-Romaiyan
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait
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Andrei C, Mihai DP, Nitulescu G, Ungurianu A, Margina DM, Nitulescu GM, Olaru OT, Busca RM, Zanfirescu A. Cetirizine and Levetiracetam as Inhibitors of Monoacylglycerol Lipase: Investigating Their Repurposing Potential as Novel Osteoarthritic Pain Therapies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1563. [PMID: 38004429 PMCID: PMC10675604 DOI: 10.3390/ph16111563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive articular cartilage degradation, subchondral bone changes, and synovial inflammation, and affects various joints, causing pain and disability. Current osteoarthritis therapies, primarily focused on pain management, face limitations due to limited effectiveness and high risks of adverse effects. Safer and more effective treatments are urgently needed. Considering that the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl glycerol is involved in pain processing, increasing its concentration through monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibition reduces pain in various animal models. Furthermore, drug repurposing approaches leverage established drug safety profiles, presenting a cost-effective route to accelerate clinical application. To this end, cetirizine and levetiracetam were examined for their MAGL inhibitory effects. In vitro studies revealed that cetirizine and levetiracetam inhibited MAGL with IC50 values of 9.3931 µM and 3.0095 µM, respectively. In vivo experiments demonstrated that cetirizine, and to a lesser extent levetiracetam, reduced mechanical and thermal nociception in complete Freund adjuvant (CFA)-induced osteoarthritis in rats. Cetirizine exhibited a notable anti-inflammatory effect, reducing CFA-induced inflammation, as well as the inflammatory infiltrate and granuloma formation in the affected paw. These findings suggest that cetirizine may serve as a promising starting point for the development of novel compounds for osteoarthritis treatment, addressing both pain and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corina Andrei
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dragos Paul Mihai
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Georgiana Nitulescu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Ungurianu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Denisa Marilena Margina
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - George Mihai Nitulescu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Octavian Tudorel Olaru
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Radu Mihai Busca
- Colentina Clinical Hospital, Stefan cel Mare 19-21, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Zanfirescu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
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