Antidepressant Potential of Cinnamic Acids: Mechanisms of Action and Perspectives in Drug Development

A novel cinnamic and caffeic acid-conjugated peptide analogs with anticonvulsant and analgesic potency: Comparative analyses of trans/cis isomers

The novel cinnamic acid (CA) (H4-CA, H5-CA, and H7-CA) and caffeic acid (KA) (H4-KA, H5-KA, and H7-KA) hemorphin analogs have recently been synthesized and their trans isomers have been tested for antiseizure and antinociceptive activity. In the present study, the cis forms of these compounds were tested and compared with their trans isomers in seizure and nociception tests in mice. The cis-H5-CA and H7-CA compounds showed efficacy against psychomotor seizures, whereas the trans isomers were ineffective. Both the cis and trans KA isomers were ineffective in the 6-Hz test. In the maximal electroshock (MES) test, the cis isomers showed superior antiseizure activity to the trans forms of CA and KA conjugates, respectively. The suppression of seizure propagation by cis-H5-CA and the cis-H5-KA was reversed by a kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonist. Naloxone and naltrindole were not effective. The cis-isomers of CA conjugates and cis-H7-KA produced significantly stronger antinociceptive effects than their trans-isomers. The cis-H5-CA antinociception was blocked by naloxone in the acute phase and by naloxone and KOR antagonists in the inflammatory phase of the formalin test. The antinociception of the KA conjugates was not abolished by opioid receptor blockade. None of the tested conjugates affected the thermal nociceptive threshold. The results of the docking analysis also suggest a model-specific mechanism related to the activity of the cis-isomers of CA and KA conjugates in relation to opioid receptors. Our findings pave the way for the further development of novel opioid-related antiseizure and antinociceptive therapeutics.

Potential JAK2 Inhibitors from Selected Natural Compounds: A Promising Approach for Complementary Therapy in Cancer Patients

Background

Janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2) plays a pivotal role in numerous essential biological processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis in human cells. Prior studies have indicated that inhibiting JAK2 could be a promising strategy to mitigate cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in tumor cells.

Objectives

This study aimed to estimate the binding affinity of 79 herbal compounds, comprising 46 flavonoids, 21 anthraquinones, and 12 cinnamic acids, to the ATP-binding cleft of JAK2 to identify potential herbal inhibitors of JAK2.

Methods

The binding affinities between ligands and JAK2 were calculated utilizing AutoDock 4.0 software in conjunction with the Cygwin environment. Cross-validation was conducted using the Schrödinger tool. Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to evaluate the stability of docked poses for the most significant JAK2 inhibitors. Furthermore, the Discovery Studio Visualizer tool was utilized to elucidate interactions between the top-ranked JAK2 inhibitors and residues within the JAK2 ATP-binding site.

Results

Twelve flavonoids, two anthraquinones, and three cinnamic acids demonstrated substantial binding affinities to the protein kinase domain of the receptor, with a criterion of ΔGbinding < -10 kcal/mol. Among the studied flavonoids, anthraquinones, and cinnamic acid derivatives, orientin, chlorogenic acid, and pulmatin emerged as the most potent JAK2 inhibitors, exhibiting ΔGbinding scores of -14.49, -11.87, and -10.76 kcal/mol, respectively. Furthermore, the docked poses of orientin, pulmatin, and chlorogenic acid remained stable throughout 60 ns computer simulations. The average root mean square deviation values calculated for JAK2 when complexed with orientin, chlorogenic acid, and pulmatin were 2.04 Å, 2.06 Å, and 1.95 Å, respectively.

Conclusion

This study underscores the robust inhibitory potential of orientin, pulmatin, and chlorogenic acid against JAK2. The findings hold promise for the development of novel and effective drugs for cancer treatment.

Neuropharmacology Potential of the Hydroalcoholic Extract from the Leaves of Piper cernuum: Anxiolytic, Hypnotic, and Antidepressant-Like Effects

Aim

The use of medicinal plants in the treatment of mental illnesses is a reality that accompanies the history of civilizations, and the Piper genus exhibits many species with pharmacologically proven central effects. Then, this study evaluated the neuropharmacological effects of the hydroalcoholic extract from Piper cernuum (HEPC) leaves to validate its uses in folk medicine.

Materials and Methods

Primarily Swiss mice (female, 25-30 g) were pretreated with HEPC (50-150 mg/kg, p.o.), vehicle, or the positive control, and submitted to open-field test (OFT), inhibitory avoidance test (IAT), tail suspension test (TST), and forced swim test (FST). Also, mice were exposed to pentylenetetrazol- and strychnine-induced seizure assay, pentobarbital-induced hypnosis test, and elevated plus-maze (EPM). The GABA levels and MAO-A activity were measured in the animal's brain after 15 days of HEPC administration (150 mg/kg, p.o.).

Results

Mice pretreated with HEPC (100 and 150 mg/kg) and exposed to pentobarbital presented decreased sleep latency and increased sleep duration (HEPC 150 mg/kg). In EPM, the HEPC (150 mg/kg) increased the frequency of entry and the time of exploration of mice in the open arms. The antidepressant-like properties of HEPC were demonstrated by the decrease in the mice's immobility time when tested in FST and TST. The extract did not show anticonvulsant activity, in addition to not improving the memory parameters of animals (IAT) or interfering with their locomotor activity (OFT). Besides, HEPC administration decreased the MAO-A activity and increased the GABA levels in the animal's brain.

Conclusion

HEPC induces sedative-hypnotic, anxiolytic-, and antidepressant-like effects. These neuropharmacological effects of HEPC could be, at least in part, related to the modulation of the GABAergic system and/or MAO-A activity.

Methanolic Extract of Aerva javanica Leaves Prevents LPS-Induced Depressive Like Behavior in Experimental Mice

Aim

Depression is a chronic recurrent neuropsychiatric disorder associated with inflammation. This study explored the pharmacological activities of Aerva javanica leaves crude extract (Aj.Cr) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depressive-like behavior in experimental mice.

Methods

Aj.Cr was evaluated for its phenolic and flavonoid contents, bioactive potential, amino acid profiling and enzyme inhibition assays using different analytical techniques followed by in-silico molecular docking was performed. In addition, three ligands identified in HPLC analysis and standard galantamine were docked to acetyl cholinesterase (AchE) enzyme to assess the ligand interaction along with their binding affinities. In in-vivo analysis, mice were given normal saline (10 mL/kg), imipramine (10 mg/kg) and Aj.Cr (100, 300, and 500 mg/kg) orally for 14-consecutive days. On the 14th day, respective treatment was given 30-minutes before intra-peritoneal administration of (0.83 mg/kg) LPS. Open field, forced swim and tail suspension tests were performed 24-hours after LPS injection, followed by a sucrose preference test 48-hours later. Serum corticosterone levels, as well as levels of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and catecholamines were determined in brain tissues.

Results

In-vitro results revealed that crude extract of Aj.Cr possesses anti-depressant agents with solid antioxidant potential. In-vivo analysis showed that LPS significantly increased depressive-like behavior followed by alteration in serum and tissue biomarkers as compared to normal control (p < 0.001). While imipramine and Aj.Cr (100, 300, and 500 mg/kg) treated groups significantly (p<0.05) improved the depressive-like behavior and biomarkers when compared to the LPS group.

Conclusion

The mitigation of LPS-induced depressive-like behavior by Aj.Cr may be linked to the modulation of oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation and catecholamines due to the presence of potent bioactive compounds exerting anti-depressant effects.

Phenolic Acids as Antidepressant Agents

Depression is a psychiatric disorder affecting the lives of patients and their families worldwide. It is an important pathophysiology; however, the molecular pathways involved are not well understood. Pharmacological treatment may promote side effects or be ineffective. Consequently, efforts have been made to understand the molecular pathways in depressive patients and prevent their symptoms. In this context, animal models have suggested phytochemicals from medicinal plants, especially phenolic acids, as alternative treatments. These bioactive molecules are known for their antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities. They occur in some fruits, vegetables, and herbal plants. This review focused on phenolic acids and extracts from medicinal plants and their effects on depressive symptoms, as well as the molecular interactions and pathways implicated in these effects. Results from preclinical trials indicate the potential of phenolic acids to reduce depressive-like behaviour by regulating factors associated with oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, autophagy, and deregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, stimulating monoaminergic neurotransmission and neurogenesis, and modulating intestinal microbiota.

The effect and mechanism of Jiao-tai-wan in the treatment of diabetes mellitus with depression based on network pharmacology and experimental analysis

BACKGROUND

The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and depression is increasing year by year around the world, bringing a serious burden to patients and their families. Jiao-tai-wan (JTW), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been approved to have hypoglycemic and antidepressant effects, respectively, but whether JTW has such dual effects and its potential mechanisms is still unknown. This study is to evaluate the dual therapeutic effects of JTW on chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced DM combined with depression mice, and to explore the underlying mechanisms through network pharmacology.

METHODS

CRS was used on db/db mice for 21 days to induce depression-like behaviors, so as to obtain the DM combined with depression mouse model. Mice were treated with 0.9% saline (0.1 ml/10 g), JTW (3.2 mg/kg) and Fluoxetine (2.0 mg/kg), respectively. The effect of JTW was accessed by measuring fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, conducting behavioral tests and observing histopathological change. The ELISA assay was used to evaluate the levels of inflammatory cytokines and the UHPLC-MS/MS method was used to determine the depression-related neurotransmitters levels in serum. The mechanism exploration of JTW against DM and depression were performed via a network pharmacological method.

RESULTS

The results of blood glucose measurement showed that JTW has a therapeutic effect on db/db mice. Behavioral tests and the levels of depression-related neurotransmitters proved that JTW can effectively ameliorate depression-like symptoms in mice induced by CRS. In addition, JTW can also improve the inflammatory state and reduce the number of apoptotic cells in the hippocampus. According to network pharmacology, 28 active compounds and 484 corresponding targets of JTW, 1407 DM targets and 1842 depression targets were collected by screening the databases, and a total of 117 targets were obtained after taking the intersection. JTW plays a role in reducing blood glucose level and antidepressant mainly through active compounds such as quercetin, styrene, cinnamic acid, ethyl cinnamate, (R)-Canadine, palmatine and berberine, etc., the key targets of its therapeutic effect include INS, AKT1, IL-6, VEGF-A, TNF and so on, mainly involved in HIF-1 signal pathway, pathways in cancer, Hepatitis B, TNF signal pathway, PI3K-Akt signal pathway and MAPK signaling pathway, etc. CONCLUSION: Our experimental study showed that JTW has hypoglycemic and antidepressant effects. The possible mechanism was explored by network pharmacology, reflecting the characteristics of multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway, which provides a theoretical basis for the experimental research and clinical application of JTW in the future.

Assessment of Antidepressant-like, Anxiolytic Effects and Impact on Memory of Pimpinella anisum L. Total Extract on Swiss Albino Mice

Mental disorders are psychological symptoms that impact multiple areas of an individual’s life. Depression and anxiety are chronic illnesses described as the most prevalent stress-related mood disorders that cause injury and early death. In Morocco, Anise “Pimpinella anisum L.” is one of the most traditionally used condiment plants, which has long been used to cure various illnesses and in phytotherapy. The present study was designed to investigate the antidepressant, anxiolytic, and memory impact of the total extract of Pimpinella anisum (PATE) at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, using the Forced Swimming Test (FST), Tail Suspension Test (TST), Open Field Test (OFT), and Light–Dark Box Test (LDBT) as an experimental paradigm of anxiety and depression, and Novel Object Recognition Test (NORT) and the Morris Water Maze Test (MWMT) as memory tests on Swiss albino mice. The tests were carried out on the 1st, 7th, 14th, and the 21st days of the study, and the extract groups were compared with normal controls and positive controls (receiving bromazepam and paroxetine at the doses of 1 mg/kg and 11.5 mg/kg for anxiety and depression, respectively). The daily oral gavage of the mice by the PATE induced a significant anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effect by shortening immobility time and decreasing downtime in the different tests. PATE at both doses was shown to have no impact on memory following the NORT and MWM tests. Different compounds, such as gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, oleuropein, p-coumaric acid, trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid, myricetin, and quercetin, were identified during the phytochemical analysis carried out using HPLC analysis. This research supports and promotes the extract’s traditional use, suggesting its use as a phytomedicine against depression and anxiety, and calls for further research to clarify its mode of action.

Synthesis of deuterium-labeled cinnamic acids: Understanding the volatile benzenoid pathway in the flowers of the Japanese loquat Eriobotrya japonica

Cinnamic acids are widely distributed in plants, including crops for human use, and exhibit a variety of activities that are beneficial to human health. They also occupy a pivotal position in the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids such as lignins, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and coumarins. In this context, deuterium-labeled cinnamic acids have been used as tracers and internal standards in food and medicinal chemistry as well as plant biochemistry. Therefore, a concise synthesis of deuterium-labeled cinnamic acids would be highly desirable. In this study, we synthesized deuterium-labeled cinnamic acids using readily available deuterium sources. We also investigated a hydrogen-deuterium exchange reaction in an ethanol-d₁ /Et₃ N system. This method can introduce deuterium atoms at the ortho and para positions of the phenolic hydroxy groups as well as at the C-2 position of alkyl cinnamates and is applicable to various phenolic compounds. Using the synthesized labeled compounds, we demonstrated that the benzenoid volatiles, such as 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, in the scent of the flowers of the Japanese loquat Eriobotrya japonica are biosynthesized from phenylalanine via cinnamic and 4-coumaric acids. This study provides easy access to a variety of deuterium-labeled (poly)phenols, as well as to useful tools for studies of the metabolism of cinnamic acids in living systems.

Involvement of GABAA Receptors in the Anxiolytic-Like Effect of Hydroxycitronellal

Hydroxycitronellal (HC) is a monoterpene present in essential oils of aromatic plants of different species, obtained from semisynthesis of citronellal, and is widely used as a fragrance in cosmetics. The objective of this work was to evaluate the possible anxiolytic-like activity of HC and its possible mechanism of action using in vivo and in silico methodologies. Swiss male mice (Mus musculus) were treated with HC (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) and subjected to the rota rod, elevated plus maze, and open field tests. No significant impairments were observed in the rota rod tests for the motor activity of the animals treated with HC at 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg, i.p., indicating no myo-relaxing or sedative effects. In the elevated plus maze, HC (in the three doses) induced significant increases in the percentage of entries (respectively, 34.8%, 33.8%, and 38.6%) and in the length of stay (respectively, 49.9%, 56.1%, and 57.0%) in the open arms of the EPM, as well as the number of crossings in the open field tests. The mechanism of action of the compound's anxiolytic-like activity can be attributed to the involvement of GABA_A receptors, and this interaction was observed in in vivo and in silico studies. For HC, the results suggest anxiolytic-like effects, possibly via modulation of the GABAergic system. The use of natural products to treat anxiety can become an alternative to existing synthetic products.

Myeloperoxidase Inhibitory and Antioxidant Activities of (E)-2-Hydroxy-α-aminocinnamic Acids Obtained through Microwave-Assisted Synthesis

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme present in human neutrophils, whose main role is to provide defenses against invading pathogens. However, highly reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as HOCl, are generated from MPO activity, leading to chronic diseases. Herein, we report the microwave-assisted synthesis of a new series of stable (E)-(2-hydroxy)-α-aminocinnamic acids, in good yields, which are structurally analogous to the natural products (Z)-2-hydroxycinnamic acids. The radical scavenging activity (RSA), MPO inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity of the reported compounds were evaluated. The hydroxy derivatives showed the most potent RSA, reducing the presence of DPPH and ABTS radicals by 77% at 0.32 mM and 100% at 0.04 mM, respectively. Their mechanism of action was modeled with BDE_OH, IP and ΔE_H-L theoretical calculations at the B3LYP/6 − 31 + G(d,p) level. Compounds showed in vitro inhibitory activity of MPO with IC₅₀ values comparable to indomethacin and 5-ASA, but cytotoxicities below 15% at 100–200 µM. Docking calculations revealed that they reach the amino acid residues present in the distal cavity of the MPO active site, where both the amino and carboxylic acid groups of the α-aminopropenoic acid arm are structural requirements for anchoring. (E)-2-hydroxy-α-aminocinnamic acids have been synthesized for the first time with a reliable method and their antioxidant properties demonstrated.

Natural Compounds as Medical Strategies in the Prevention and Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders Seen in Neurological Diseases

Psychiatric disorders are frequently encountered in many neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson diseases along with epilepsy, migraine, essential tremors, and stroke. The most common comorbid diagnoses in neurological diseases are depression and anxiety disorders along with cognitive impairment. Whether the underlying reason is due to common neurochemical mechanisms or loss of previous functioning level, comorbidities are often overlooked. Various treatment options are available, such as pharmacological treatments, cognitive-behavioral therapy, somatic interventions, or electroconvulsive therapy. However oral antidepressant therapy may have some disadvantages, such as interaction with other medications, low tolerability due to side effects, and low efficiency. Natural compounds of plant origin are extensively researched to find a better and safer alternative treatment. Experimental studies have shown that phytochemicals such as alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids as well as lipids have significant potential in in vitro and in vivo models of psychiatric disorders. In this review, various efficacy of natural products in in vitro and in vivo studies on neuroprotective and their roles in psychiatric disorders are examined and their neuro-therapeutic potentials are shed light.

Antioxidants in Potatoes: A Functional View on One of the Major Food Crops Worldwide

With a growing world population, accelerating climate changes, and limited arable land, it is critical to focus on plant-based resources for sustainable food production. In addition, plants are a cornucopia for secondary metabolites, of which many have robust antioxidative capacities and are beneficial for human health. Potato is one of the major food crops worldwide, and is recognized by the United Nations as an excellent food source for an increasing world population. Potato tubers are rich in a plethora of antioxidants with an array of health-promoting effects. This review article provides a detailed overview about the biosynthesis, chemical and health-promoting properties of the most abundant antioxidants in potato tubers, including several vitamins, carotenoids and phenylpropanoids. The dietary contribution of diverse commercial and primitive cultivars are detailed and document that potato contributes much more than just complex carbohydrates to the diet. Finally, the review provides insights into the current and future potential of potato-based systems as tools and resources for healthy and sustainable food production.

Biomedical Implications of Plant-Based Principles as Antidepressants: Prospects for Novel Drug Development

BACKGROUND

Depression is a most common mental disorder. The symptoms of depression include loss of energy, changes in appetite, more or less sleep, anxiety, low concentration, uncertainty, restlessness, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or despair, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide. In order to provide safe, efficient and cost-effective medication, the plants based principles in isolation or in combination with traditional antidepressants are attracting increasing attention for depression therapy.

METHOD

The information regarding the present review and its contents such as collected from published literature materials in different international journals. We have used different search engines such as PubMed, Medline, ResearchGate Google Semantic Scholar and ScienceDirect. For this purpose, the data obtained were properly organized and suitably analyzed to include in this article.

RESULTS

Most of the phytomolecules isolated from the medicinal plants display antidepressant effect through the synaptic regulation of levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline in different parts of the brain. The mechanism of action of phytomolecules also involves negative regulation of the activities of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and prevention of hyperactivity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In addition, the strong antioxidative and antiinflamatory potential of these phytochemicals offer synergy to their antidepressant as well as antipsychosomatic functions.

CONCLUSION

The application of phytochemicals has proved it to be a safe, cost effective and efficient therapeutic agent to treat the patients suffering from mild to severe state of depression and other psychiatric disorders. The potential phytochemicals may be further optimized using in silico tools to develop better antidepressants and antisychotic agents in future.

The Potential of Parsley Polyphenols and Their Antioxidant Capacity to Help in the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety: An In Vivo Subacute Study

Depression and anxiety are major mental health problems in all parts of the world. These illnesses are associated with a number of risk factors, including oxidative stress. Psychotropic drugs of a chemical nature have demonstrated several side effects that elevated the impact of those illnesses. Faced with this situation, natural products appear to be a promising alternative. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of the Petroselinum sativum polyphenols in vivo, as well as its correlated antioxidant properties in vitro. Anxiolytic activity of the extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) was evaluated using the open field and the light-dark chamber tests, while the antidepressant activity was evaluated using the forced swimming test. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical test and the FRAP (iron-reducing capacity) test. The phenolic extract showed very powerful anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects, especially at a dose of 100 mg/kg, decreasing the depressive behavior in mice (decreased immobility time) and also the anxiolytic behavior (tendency for discovery in the center and illuminated areas) better even than those of paroxetine and bromazepam (classic drugs) concomitant with those results the extract also showed an important antioxidant capacity. These preliminary results suggest that Petroselinum sativum exhibits anxiolytic and antidepressant potential for use as a complement or independent phytomedicine to treat depression and anxiety.

Editorial to the Special Issue "Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Plant Natural Compounds"

Plant natural products are a valuable source of compounds with a healthy potential effect on living organisms, including animals and humans [...].

Natural Sources, Pharmacokinetics, Biological Activities and Health Benefits of Hydroxycinnamic Acids and Their Metabolites

Hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) are important natural phenolic compounds present in high concentrations in fruits, vegetables, cereals, coffee, tea and wine. Many health beneficial effects have been acknowledged in food products rich in HCAs; however, food processing, dietary intake, bioaccessibility and pharmacokinetics have a high impact on HCAs to reach the target tissue in order to exert their biological activities. In particular, metabolism is of high importance since HCAs' metabolites could either lose the activity or be even more potent compared to the parent compounds. In this review, natural sources and pharmacokinetic properties of HCAs and their esters are presented and discussed. The main focus is on their metabolism along with biological activities and health benefits. Special emphasis is given on specific effects of HCAs' metabolites in comparison with their parent compounds.

Repurposing Zileuton as a Depression Drug Using an AI and In Vitro Approach

Repurposing drugs to target M1 macrophages inflammatory response in depression constitutes a bright alternative for commonly used antidepressants. Depression is a significant type of mood disorder, where patients suffer from pathological disturbances associated with a proinflammatory M1 macrophage phenotype. Presently, the most commonly used antidepressants such as Zoloft and Citalopram can reduce inflammation, but suffer from dangerous side effects without offering specificity toward macrophages. We employed a new strategy for drug repurposing based on the integration of RNA-seq analysis and text mining using deep neural networks. Our system employs a Google semantic AI universal encoder to compute sentences embedding. Sentences similarity is calculated using a sorting function to identify drug compounds. Then sentence relevance is computed using a custom-built convolution differential network. Our system highlighted the NRF2 pathway as a critical drug target to reprogram M1 macrophage response toward an anti-inflammatory profile (M2). Using our approach, we were also able to predict that lipoxygenase inhibitor drug zileuton could modulate NRF2 pathway in vitro. Taken together, our results indicate that reorienting zileuton usage to modulate M1 macrophages could be a novel and safer therapeutic option for treating depression.