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Abdallah AE. Review on anti-alzheimer drug development: approaches, challenges and perspectives. RSC Adv 2024; 14:11057-11088. [PMID: 38586442 PMCID: PMC10995770 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra08333k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer is an irreversible progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes failure of cerebral neurons and disability of the affected person to practice normal daily life activities. There is no concrete evidence to identify the exact reason behind the disease, so several relevant hypotheses emerged, highlighting many possible therapeutic targets, such as acetylcholinesterase, cholinergic receptors, N-methyl d-aspartate receptors, phosphodiesterase, amyloid β protein, protein phosphatase 2A, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta, β-secretase, γ-secretase, α-secretase, serotonergic receptors, glutaminyl cyclase, tumor necrosis factor-α, γ-aminobutyric acid receptors, and mitochondria. All of these targets have been involved in the design of new potential drugs. An extensive number of these drugs have been studied in clinical trials. However, only galantamine, donepezil, and rivastigmine (ChEIs), memantine (NMDA antagonist), and aducanumab and lecanemab (selective anti-Aβ monoclonal antibodies) have been approved for AD treatment. Many drugs failed in the clinical trials to such an extent that questions have been posed about the significance of some of the aforementioned targets. On the contrary, the data of other drugs were promising and shed light on the significance of their targets for the development of new potent anti-alzheimer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdallah E Abdallah
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University 11884 Cairo Egypt
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Luo W, Ip FCF, Fu G, Cheung K, Tian Y, Hu Y, Sinha A, Cheng EYL, Wu X, Bustos V, Greengard P, Li YM, Sinha SC, Ip NY. A Pentacyclic Triterpene from Ligustrum lucidum Targets γ-Secretase. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:2827-2835. [PMID: 32786303 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-beta peptides generated by β-secretase- and γ-secretase-mediated successive cleavage of amyloid precursor protein are believed to play a causative role in Alzheimer's disease. Thus, reducing amyloid-beta generation by modulating γ-secretase remains a promising approach for Alzheimer's disease therapeutic development. Here, we screened fruit extracts of Ligustrum lucidum Ait. (Oleaceae) and identified active fractions that increase the C-terminal fragment of amyloid precursor protein and reduce amyloid-beta production in a neuronal cell line. These fractions contain a mixture of two isomeric pentacyclic triterpene natural products, 3-O-cis- or 3-O-trans-p-coumaroyl maslinic acid (OCMA), in different ratios. We further demonstrated that trans-OCMA specifically inhibits γ-secretase and decreases amyloid-beta levels without influencing cleavage of Notch. By using photoactivatable probes targeting the subsites residing in the γ-secretase active site, we demonstrated that trans-OCMA selectively affects the S1 subsite of the active site in this protease. Treatment of Alzheimer's disease transgenic model mice with trans-OCMA or an analogous carbamate derivative of a related pentacyclic triterpene natural product, oleanolic acid, rescued the impairment of synaptic plasticity. This work indicates that the naturally occurring compound trans-OCMA and its analogues could become a promising class of small molecules for Alzheimer's disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Luo
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Fanny C. F. Ip
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, and Molecular Neuroscience Center, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, Shenzhen−Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China 518057
| | - Guangmiao Fu
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, and Molecular Neuroscience Center, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kit Cheung
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, and Molecular Neuroscience Center, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuan Tian
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Yueqing Hu
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, and Molecular Neuroscience Center, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Anjana Sinha
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Elaine Y. L. Cheng
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, and Molecular Neuroscience Center, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xianzhong Wu
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Victor Bustos
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Paul Greengard
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Yue-Ming Li
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Subhash C. Sinha
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Nancy Y. Ip
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, and Molecular Neuroscience Center, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, Shenzhen−Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China 518057
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Lee SB, Yang SY, Thao NP, Seo DG, Kim S, Ma CT, Park SY, Kim YH, Yang HO. Protective Effects of Compounds from Cimicifuga dahurica against Amyloid Beta Production in Vitro and Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in Vivo. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2020; 83:223-230. [PMID: 32031796 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cimicifuga dahurica has traditionally been used as an antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agent and as a treatment for uterine and anal prolapse. This study has investigated the potential beneficial effects of this medicinal plant and its components on Alzheimer's disease (AD) with a focus on amyloid beta (Aβ) production and scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. An ethanol extract from C. dahurica roots decreased Aβ production in APP-CHO cells [Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO) cells stably expressing amyloid precursor protein (APP)], as determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis. Then, the compounds isolated from C. dahurica were tested for their antiamyloidogenic activities. Four compounds (1-4) efficiently interrupted Aβ generation by suppressing the level of β-secretase in APP-CHO cells. Moreover, the in vivo experimental results demonstrated that compound 4 improved the cognitive performances of mice with scopolamine-induced disruption on behavioral tests and the expression of memory-related proteins. Taken together, these results suggest that C. dahurica and its constituents are potential agents for preventing or alleviating the symptoms of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Bin Lee
- Natural Products Research Center , Korea Institute of Science and Technology , Gangneung 25451 , Gangwon-do , Republic of Korea
- School of Pharmacy , Sungkyunkwan University , Suwon 16419 , Republic of Korea
| | - Seo Young Yang
- College of Pharmacy , Chungnam National University , Daejeon 34134 , Republic of Korea
| | - Nguyen Phuong Thao
- Institute of Marine Biochemistry (IMBC) , Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) , 18-Hoang Quoc Viet , Hanoi , Vietnam
| | - Dae-Gun Seo
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy , Dankook University , Dongnam-gu , Cheonan 31116 , Korea
| | - Sunggun Kim
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy , Dankook University , Dongnam-gu , Cheonan 31116 , Korea
| | - Chi Thanh Ma
- Natural Products Research Center , Korea Institute of Science and Technology , Gangneung 25451 , Gangwon-do , Republic of Korea
| | - So-Young Park
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy , Dankook University , Dongnam-gu , Cheonan 31116 , Korea
| | - Young Ho Kim
- College of Pharmacy , Chungnam National University , Daejeon 34134 , Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ok Yang
- Natural Products Research Center , Korea Institute of Science and Technology , Gangneung 25451 , Gangwon-do , Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School , Korea University of Science and Technology , Seoul 02792 , Republic of Korea
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Wu X, Cai H, Pan L, Cui G, Qin F, Li Y, Cai Z. Small Molecule Natural Products and Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:187-204. [PMID: 30714527 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190201153257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and deadly neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by memory loss, cognitive impairment and dementia. Several hypotheses have been proposed for the pathogenesis based on the pathological changes in the brain of AD patients during the last few decades. Unfortunately, there is no effective agents/therapies to prevent or control AD at present. Currently, only a few drugs, which function as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors or N-methyl-Daspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, are available to alleviate symptoms. Since many small molecule natural products have shown their functions as agonists or antagonists of receptors, as well as inhibitors of enzymes and proteins in the brain during the development of central nervous system (CNS) drugs, it is likely that natural products will play an important role in anti-AD drug development. We review recent papers on using small molecule natural products as drug candidates for the treatment of AD. These natural products possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticholinesterase, anti-amyloidogenic and neuroprotective activities. Moreover, bioactive natural products intended to be used for preventing AD, reducing the symptoms of AD and the new targets for treatment of AD are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoai Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Huawei Cai
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lili Pan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Gang Cui
- Drug Clinical Trial Research Center, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Feng Qin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - YunChun Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhengxin Cai
- PET Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
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Morsy A, Trippier PC. Current and Emerging Pharmacological Targets for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 72:S145-S176. [PMID: 31594236 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
No cure or disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) has yet been realized. However, a multitude of pharmacological targets have been identified for possible engagement to enable drug discovery efforts for AD. Herein, we review these targets comprised around three main therapeutic strategies. First is an approach that targets the main pathological hallmarks of AD: amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers and hyperphosphorylated tau tangles which primarily focuses on reducing formation and aggregation, and/or inducing their clearance. Second is a strategy that modulates neurotransmitter signaling. Comprising this strategy are the cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blockade treatments that are clinically approved for the symptomatic treatment of AD. Additional targets that aim to stabilize neuron signaling through modulation of neurotransmitters and their receptors are also discussed. Finally, the third approach comprises a collection of 'sensitive targets' that indirectly influence Aβ or tau accumulation. These targets are proteins that upon Aβ accumulation in the brain or direct Aβ-target interaction, a modification in the target's function is induced. The process occurs early in disease progression, ultimately causing neuronal dysfunction. This strategy aims to restore normal target function to alleviate Aβ-induced toxicity in neurons. Overall, we generally limit our analysis to targets that have emerged in the last decade and targets that have been validated using small molecules in in vitro and/or in vivo models. This review is not an exhaustive list of all possible targets for AD but serves to highlight the most promising and critical targets suitable for small molecule drug intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Morsy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Paul C Trippier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
- UNMC Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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Kumar D, Ganeshpurkar A, Kumar D, Modi G, Gupta SK, Singh SK. Secretase inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: Long road ahead. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 148:436-452. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Zhao Z, Pissarnitski DA, Huang X, Palani A, Zhu Z, Greenlee WJ, Hyde LA, Song L, Terracina G, Zhang L, Parker EM. Discovery of a Tetrahydrobenzisoxazole Series of γ-Secretase Modulators. ACS Med Chem Lett 2017; 8:1002-1006. [PMID: 29057041 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.7b00178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The design and synthesis of a new series of tetrahydrobenzisoxazoles as modulators of γ-secretase activity and their structure-activity relationship (SAR) will be detailed. Several compounds are active γ-secretase modulators (GSMs) with good to excellent selectivity for the reduction of Aβ42 in the cellular assay. Compound 14a was tested in vivo in a nontransgenic rat model and was found to significantly reduce Aβ42 in the CNS compartment compared to vehicle-treated animals (up to 58% reduction of cerebrospinal fluid Aβ42 as measured 3 h after an acute oral dosing at 30 mg/kg).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Zhao
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and ‡Department of Neurobiology, Merck Research Laboratories, 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Dmitri A. Pissarnitski
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and ‡Department of Neurobiology, Merck Research Laboratories, 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Xianhai Huang
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and ‡Department of Neurobiology, Merck Research Laboratories, 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Anandan Palani
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and ‡Department of Neurobiology, Merck Research Laboratories, 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Zhaoning Zhu
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and ‡Department of Neurobiology, Merck Research Laboratories, 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - William J. Greenlee
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and ‡Department of Neurobiology, Merck Research Laboratories, 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
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Editorial for Special Issue on Herbal Medicines and Natural Products. MEDICINES 2015; 2:328-330. [PMID: 28930214 PMCID: PMC5456210 DOI: 10.3390/medicines2040328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Herbal medicines and natural products have been the most productive source of drug development and there is a large line of evidence on the applications of herbal medicines and natural products for the management of body function and the treatment of aliments. The multiple bioactive components in herbal medicines and natural products can explain the multiple targets effect in their medical applications. The increasing usage of state-of-art computational, molecular biological, and analytical chemistry techniques will promote the exploration of the pharmacological effect of previously inaccessible sources of herbal medicines and natural products. Notably, with the increasing reports on the safety issues regarding the medical use of herbal medicines and natural products, the awareness of pharmacovigilance in herbal medicines and natural products needs to be strengthened. To prevent the adverse drug reactions related to herbal medicines and natural products, physicians need to be aware of potential risks and alert patients in the use of herbal medicines and natural products.
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