The Hypnotic, Anxiolytic, and Antinociceptive Profile of a Novel µ-Opioid Agonist

Antinociceptive in vivo activity and chemical profiling by UHPLC-MS/MS of stem bark and leaves extracts of Ficus maxima Mill. (Moraceae)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ficus maxima is a medicinal plant extensively used in traditional medicine by Indigenous peoples across Central and South America. It is a member of the family Moraceae, subgenus Pharmacosycea, employed in treating various conditions, including intestinal parasites, gingivitis, internal inflammations, and snake bites. Despite its significant pharmacological potential, the species remains underrepresented in scientific literature.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo antinociceptive properties of leaf (ELFM) and stem bark (EBFM) extracts from Ficus maxima. Additionally, the chemical composition of these extracts was determined using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Plant material was collected in Abaetetuba, Pará, Brazil, in October 2013 and subjected to static maceration to obtain crude ELFM and EBFM. Bio-guided fractionation was performed by sequential liquid-liquid partitioning with hexane (Hex), dichloromethane (DCM), and ethyl acetate (EtOAc), yielding the following fractions: ELFM-Hex and EBFM-Hex, ELFM-DCM and EBFM-DCM, and ELFM-EtOAc and EBFM-EtOAc. The biological activity of EBFM, ELFM, and their respective fractions were evaluated using the formalin-induced pain test and the hot plate test, followed by an assessment of their mechanisms of action. The UHPLC-MS/MS analysis was conducted using electrospray ionization (ESI) in both positive and negative modes. Metabolite annotation was facilitated by MS/MS libraries and molecular networks constructed on the GNPS platform.

RESULTS

The reactivity time to formalin in the neurogenic phase was reduced from 84.7 ± 7.6 s (100%) to 37.3 ± 4.7 s (44%), 33.1 ± 6.3 s (39%), 40.7 ± 7.4 s (48%), 57.2 ± 2.6 s (77%), 49.7 ± 4.1 s (58%), 46.8 ± 8.1 s (55%), and 52.4 ± 5.3 s (61%) after treatment with ASA, morphine, EBFM, ELFM, ELFM-Hex, ELFM-DCM, and ELFM-EtOAc at doses of 30 mg/kg, respectively. In the inflammatory phase, the reactivity time to formalin was reduced from 124.3 ± 25.9 s (100%) to 49.7 ± 4.7 s (40%), 9.8 ± 4.3 s (8%), 32.5 ± 8.5 s (26%), 59.8 ± 16.8 s (48%), and 54.4 ± 7.3 s (44%) after treatment with ASA, morphine, EBFM, ELFM, and ELFM-Hex at doses of 30 mg/kg, respectively. A reversal of the antinociceptive action of EBFM and ELFM was observed in the inflammatory phase after treatment with atropine, a muscarinic antagonist, and naloxone, an opioid antagonist, respectively. In the hot plate test, EBFM showed Antinociceptive Activity (AA) of 62.6 ± 9.2% after 90 min; however, there was a reversal of AA to 8.6 ± 2.8% when naloxone was used. The UHPLC-MS/MS metabolite analysis revealed the presence of loliolide (3), luteolin (13), lupeol (14), gallic acid (15), chlorogenic acid (16), pygenic acid A (17), and other metabolites from the alkaloids and fatty acids classes.

Synthesis, Cytotoxic and Heparanase Inhibition Studies of 5-oxo-1-arylpyrrolidine-3- carboxamides of Hydrazides and 4-amino-5-aryl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol

Design of chemically novel, biologically potent small heterocyclic molecules with anticancer activities, which targets the enzyme heparanase has gained prominent clinical interest. We have synthesized a novel class of carboxamide derivatives by coupling various substituted aromatic acid hydrazides and triazoleamine with pyrrolidine carboxylic acid by using coupling agents. The synthesized compounds are characterized by spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR, HRMS and NMR. These compounds are investigated for cytotoxicity on different cancer cell lines and heparanase inhibitory activity. Most of them showed moderate heparanase inhibitory activity and good cytotoxicity.

Searching for new anxiolytic agents among derivatives of 11-dialkylaminoethyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrodiazepino[1,2-a]benzimidazole

A study on the anxiolytic activity of the new derivatives of 11-dialkylaminoethyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrodiazepino[1,2-a]benzimidazole, containing privileged scaffolds of benzodiazepine and benzimidazole in their structure, was conducted. The cytotoxic properties of low levels of six compounds were preliminary determined in vitro using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide test. The screening of these substances for anxiolytic activity was conducted using elevated plus maze (EPM) test in vivo, and DAB-21 was found to be the most active compound. The acute toxicity of DAB-21 was determined as less toxic than that of diazepam. The dose-dependent effect of the most active compound revealed a minimum dose of 1.26 mg/kg, which resulted in the maximum counterphobic effect. The effect of DAB-21 was superior in a number of tests compared with that of diazepam, which indicated a high level of tranquilizing activity for DAB-21. The results of in silico docking analysis suggest that DAB-21 should have a slightly lower anxiolytic activity than diazepam, but should exhibit greater specific affinity for the benzodiazepine site of the GABA_A receptor, in comparison with its GABA-binding site. The interaction between DAB-21 and flumazenil in terms of EPM verifies the GABAergic mechanism of action of DAB-21. Our results highlight the potential of 11-dialkylaminomethyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrodiazepino[1,2-a]benzimidazoles as promising compounds in the search for new highly effective anxiolytics.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the isatin derivative (Z)-2-(5-chloro-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-N-phenyl-hydrazinecarbothioamide in mice

Several isatin derivatives have shown important biological activities, which have attracted interest from researchers. For this reason, the present study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the isatin derivative (Z)-2-(5-chloro-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-N-phenyl-hydrazinecarbothioamide (COPHCT) in mice. Three doses of this compound were tested: 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/kg. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model and the zymosan-induced air pouch model. The evaluation of the antinociceptive effect was performed through the formalin test and the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test. The paw edema assay demonstrated that all doses of the compound showed a significant reduction of the edema in the second hour evaluated, but a better response was observed in the fourth hour. The zymosan-induced air pouch model indicated that the compound, in all doses, significantly reduced leukocyte migration and total protein concentration levels. In the formalin test, the doses 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/kg of COPHCT showed activity only in the second phase, with reduction in paw pain time of 73.61, 79.46, and 73.85%, respectively. The number of abdominal writhings decreased with the increasing dose, but only 5.0 mg/kg COPHCT exhibited a significant response, with a reduction of 24.88%. These results demonstrated the ability of this compound to interfere in the anti-inflammatory activity of edema, vascular permeability, and cell migration. In addition, its possible antinociceptive effect may be related to the dose used.

Fear and anxiety managing methods during dental treatments: a systematic review of recent data

INTRODUCTION

The management of anxiety and fear of patients experiencing medical treatment is always a major issue. Dentistry is a branch of medicine that is daily in managing these problems, especially in the case of pediatric patients. Odontophobia can be managed in different ways, and the purpose of this study is to eventually review which methods are currently accepted and which are the most effective.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The literature analysis was conducted on a number of articles, suitably skimmed, after a first research, obtained from the most common scientific databases. The number of works included in the review is 28.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

From the RCTs evaluated we could highlight that there are different methods in the literature, equally effective and certainly conditioned by the systemic condition of the patient. Another chapter instead turns out to be that linked to the management of the syndromic patient.

CONCLUSIONS

It is clear that there are different methods and equally different ways to manage our patients in the event of non-cooperation in the case of dental care. In addition to proper management by the clinician, in the literature methods linked to audiovisual distractions, hypnosis or pharmacological methods that produce conscious sedation are effectively reported.

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2017

This paper is the fortieth consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2017 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).

Current and Novel Psychopharmacological Drugs for Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder/agoraphobia (PDA), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and others, are the most prevalent mental disorders. In this paper, recommendations are given for the psychopharmacological treatment of these disorders which are based on comprehensive treatment guidelines, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews of available randomized controlled studies. Anxiety disorders can effectively be treated with psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination of both. First-line drugs are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Benzodiazepines are not recommended for routine use due to their possible addiction potential. Other treatment options include the calcium modulator pregabalin, tricyclic antidepressants, buspirone, moclobemide, and others. Drug treatment can be combined with psychological treatments. Novel treatment strategies include medications that act on GABA, glutamate, and other neurotransmitter systems. After remission, medications should be continued for 6 to 12 months.

Evaluation of Triazole and Isoxazole Derivatives as Potential Anti-infective Agents

A series of isoxazole and triazole derivatives, with interesting bioactive scaffolds, were examined for their in vitro antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotozoal activities. These compounds exhibited antitrypanosomal activity comparable to difluoromethylornithine (DMFO), a drug used in the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis. Isoxazole analogues 1, 3 and 4, and triazole derivatives 16, 17, 28, 37, 40 and 42 showed the highest antitrypanosomal activity with IC₅₀ values of 17.89, 1.82, 10.38, 10.26, 11.77, 9.29, 3.93, 2.11, and 0.93 μM, respectively. Compounds 40 and 42 showed the most potent activity against Leishmania donovani amastigotes with IC₅₀ values of 18.28 and 10.54 μM, respectively. Compound 42 showed the most potent activity against Leishmania donovani macrophage internalized amastigotes with an IC₅₀ value of 8.32 μM. Conjugate triazoles 40-43 displayed potential antimalarial activity against chloroquine-resistant W2 and chloroquine sensitive D6 Plasmodium falciparum strains (IC₅₀ value range from 0.58 to 8.36 μM). Compound 37 showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA and Mycobacterium intracellulare with IC₅₀ values of 15.53, 14.22 and 47.45 μM, respectively. None of the compounds exhibited antifungal activity.