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Turnaturi R, Piana S, Spoto S, Costanzo G, Reina L, Pasquinucci L, Parenti C. From Plant to Chemistry: Sources of Antinociceptive Non-Opioid Active Principles for Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design. Molecules 2024; 29:815. [PMID: 38398566 PMCID: PMC10892999 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29040815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pain is associated with many health problems and a reduced quality of life and has been a common reason for seeking medical attention. Several therapeutics are available on the market, although side effects, physical dependence, and abuse limit their use. As the process of pain transmission and modulation is regulated by different peripheral and central mechanisms and neurotransmitters, medicinal chemistry continues to study novel ligands and innovative approaches. Among them, natural products are known to be a rich source of lead compounds for drug discovery due to their chemical structural variety and different analgesic mechanisms. Numerous studies suggested that some chemicals from medicinal plants could be alternative options for pain relief and management. Previously, we conducted a literature search aimed at identifying natural products interacting either directly or indirectly with opioid receptors. In this review, instead, we have made an excursus including active ingredients derived from plants whose mechanism of action appears from the literature to be other than the modulation of the opioid system. These substances could, either by themselves or through synthetic and/or semi-synthetic derivatives, be investigated in order to improve their pharmacokinetic characteristics and could represent a valid alternative to the opioid approach to pain therapy. They could also be the basis for the study of new mechanisms of action in the approach to this complex and disabling pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (R.T.); (S.P.)
| | - Silvia Piana
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (R.T.); (S.P.)
| | - Salvatore Spoto
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Giuliana Costanzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Lorena Reina
- Postgraduate School of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (R.T.); (S.P.)
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.S.); (C.P.)
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Yousofvand N, Moloodi B. An overview of the effect of medicinal herbs on pain. Phytother Res 2023; 37:1057-1081. [PMID: 36585701 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
This paper is typically intended to carefully collect and properly review the antinociceptive activities of medicinal plants. In this review article, by searching keywords of medicinal plants, pain, herbal medicine, antinociceptive, phytotherapy in databases of Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Springer, Wiley, Proquest, PubMed, Nature, Magiran, Emerald, SID, ISI, and some other indexing cites, or traditional books, desired articles were obtained until 2021. The title of medicinal plants was searched diligently in Persian and English. Ultimately, 270 articles were studied. The findings possibly indicated that several medicinal plants are among the most valuable plants that have antinociceptive activities. There efficiently are various antinociceptive compounds in medicinal plants. The antinociceptive activity of these specific compounds may be through their peculiar effects on the opioid system, cholinergic pathways, and stimulation of GABA receptors, with the peripheral and central antinociceptive mechanism. Antiinflammatory processes, inhibition of the synthesis, and the release of arachidonic acid, prostaglandins, phospholipase, nitric oxide, and cyclooxygenase-2 have been reported as analgesic mechanisms of some herbs. In a reasonable conclusion, our review thoughtfully provides a comprehensive summary of present data from some scientific studies on the common herbs with antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namdar Yousofvand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, I & R of Iran
| | - Boshra Moloodi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, I & R of Iran
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Affiliation(s)
- James David Adams
- University of Southern California School of Pharmacy Los Angeles, United States
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Coricello A, Adams JD, Lien EJ, Nguyen C, Perri F, Williams TJ, Aiello F. A Walk in Nature: Sesquiterpene Lactones as Multi-Target Agents Involved in Inflammatory Pathways. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:1501-1514. [DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180719111123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory states are among the most common and most treated medical conditions.
Inflammation comes along with swelling, pain and uneasiness in using the affected
area. Inflammation is not always a simple symptom; more often is part of a defensive response
of the body to an external threat or is a sign that the damaged tissue has not healed yet
and needs to rest. The management of the pain associated with an inflammatory state could be
a tricky task. In fact, most remedies simply quench the pain, leaving the inflammatory state
unaltered. This review focuses on sesquiterpene lactones, a class of natural compounds, that
represents a future promise in the treatment of inflammation. Sesquiterpene lactones are efficient
inhibitors of multiple targets of the inflammatory process. Their natural sources are often
ancient remedies with relevant traditional uses in folk medicines. This work also aims to
elucidate how these compounds may represent the starting material for the development of
new anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Coricello
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, Rende (CS), Italy
| | - James D. Adams
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Eric J. Lien
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Christopher Nguyen
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Filomena Perri
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Travis J. Williams
- Department of Chemistry, Dana and David Dornisfe College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Francesca Aiello
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, Rende (CS), Italy
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Ur Rashid M, Alamzeb M, Ali S, Ullah Z, Shah ZA, Naz I, Khan MR. The chemistry and pharmacology of alkaloids and allied nitrogen compounds from Artemisia species: A review. Phytother Res 2019; 33:2661-2684. [PMID: 31453659 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Several reviews have been published on Artemisia's derived natural products, but it is the first attempt to review the chemistry and pharmacology of more than 80 alkaloids and allied nitrogen compounds obtained from various Artemisia species (covering the literature up to June 2018). The pharmacological potential and unique skeleton types of certain Artemisia's alkaloids provoke the importance of analyzing Artemisia species for bioactive alkaloids and allied nitrogen compounds. Among the various types of bioactive Artemisia's alkaloids, the main classes were the derivatives of rupestine (pyridine-sesquiterpene), lycoctonine (diterpene), pyrrolizidine, purines, polyamine, peptides, indole, piperidine, pyrrolidine, alkamides, and flavoalkaloids. The rupestine derivatives are Artemisia's characteristic alkaloids, whereas the rest are common alkaloids found in the family Asteraceae and chemotaxonomically links the genus Artemisia with the tribes Anthemideae. The most important biological activities of Artemisia's alkaloids are including hepatoprotective, local anesthetic, β-galactosidase, and antiparasitic activities; treatment of angina pectoris, opening blocked arteries, as a sleep-inducing agents and inhibition of HIV viral protease, CYP450, melanin biosynthesis, human carbonic anhydrase, [3H]-AEA metabolism, kinases, and DNA polymerase β1 . Some of the important nitrogen metabolites of Artemisia include pellitorine, zeatin, tryptophan, rupestine, and aconitine analogs, which need to be optimized and commercialized further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamoon Ur Rashid
- Department for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Saqib Ali
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kotli, Kotli, Pakistan
| | - Zahoor Ullah
- Department of Chemistry, Balochistan University of IT, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta, Pakistan
| | - Zafar Ali Shah
- Department of Agriculture Chemistry, Agriculture University Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Ishrat Naz
- Department of Plant Pathology, Agriculture University Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Rafiullah Khan
- Phytopharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Research Laboratory (PNRL), Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
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Perri F, Frattaruolo L, Haworth I, Brindisi M, El-magboub A, Ferrario A, Gomer C, Aiello F, Adams JD. Naturally occurring sesquiterpene lactones and their semi-synthetic derivatives modulate PGE2 levels by decreasing COX2 activity and expression. Heliyon 2019; 5:e01366. [PMID: 30976671 PMCID: PMC6441754 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants of the Asteraceae family have been used in traditional medicine for centuries due to their main antimicrobial and analgesic activities. A liniment from Artemisia californica has recently been tested on patients affected by either acute pain or chronic pain conditions with great success. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of sesquiterpene lactones (SLs), representing the majority in the Asteraceae family. Leucodin, α-santonin and sclareolide (three SLs) were chosen to undergo chemical modifications. This pool of molecules underwent molecular modeling experiments using an in-house program, WATGEN, predicting the water network and its contribution to the overall affinity of the enzyme-ligand complex. The anti-inflammatory activity and the ability of compounds to modulate COX-2 expression have been evaluated in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and in RIF-1 cells treated according to the Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) protocols using Photoprin (PH) as photosensitizer. Furthermore, commercially available assay kits were used to evaluate the concentration of PGE-2 and the direct inhibition of COX-2. All the tested molecules fit well in the enzyme binding pocket, but to get a substantial inhibition of the expression and activity of the enzyme as well as a reduction in the PGE2 concentration, high concentrations of the compounds are needed. The only exceptions being leucodin itself and FP6, one of the α-santonin derivatives, presenting a CF3 functional group. We believe that this class of compounds has some interesting potential in the treatment of pain and inflammation. Although, the activity seems to be due to a mechanism related to the expression of the COX enzymes rather than on a direct inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena Perri
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Edificio Polifunzionale, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Luca Frattaruolo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Edificio Polifunzionale, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Ian Haworth
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Sothern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles 90089, CA, USA
| | - Matteo Brindisi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Edificio Polifunzionale, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Asma El-magboub
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Sothern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles 90089, CA, USA
| | - Angela Ferrario
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, 4650 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles 90027, CA, USA
| | - Charles Gomer
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, 4650 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles 90027, CA, USA
| | - Francesca Aiello
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Edificio Polifunzionale, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - James David Adams
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Sothern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles 90089, CA, USA
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Salvia mellifera-How Does It Alleviate Chronic Pain? MEDICINES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 6:medicines6010018. [PMID: 30678334 PMCID: PMC6473501 DOI: 10.3390/medicines6010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Black sage, Salvia mellifera, can be made into a sun tea that is used as a foot soak to treat pain patients. The monoterpenoids and diterpenoids in the preparation penetrate the skin of the feet and stop the pain chemokine cycle, which may be the basis of chronic pain. Several chronic pain patients have reported long-term improvements in their pain after treatment with the preparation.
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Coricello A, El-Magboub A, Luna M, Ferrario A, Haworth IS, Gomer CJ, Aiello F, Adams JD. Rational drug design and synthesis of new α-Santonin derivatives as potential COX-2 inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018; 28:993-996. [PMID: 29501395 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.02.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Sesquiterpene compounds are widely known for their numerous pharmacological activities. Herein the focus of the authors was on α-Santonin, a sesquiterpene lactone from the Artemisia genus: the aim was to determine whether α-Santonin could be considered in the treatment of inflammation and pain. To this purpose, a small series of derivatives was designed and screened in silico against the enzyme COX-2 along with the parent compound. Drug-likeness parameters were also assessed. The compounds were eventually synthesized, and few were tested to determine their efficacy in the inhibition of COX-2 activity and expression. Overall, compound A2 was the only one with a detectable inhibitory potential of COX-2 activity whilst two of its ether derivatives demonstrated improved ability in the inhibition of COX-2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Coricello
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Edificio Polifunzionale, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Asma El-Magboub
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles 90089, CA, USA
| | - Marian Luna
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, 4650 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles 90027, CA, USA
| | - Angela Ferrario
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, 4650 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles 90027, CA, USA
| | - Ian S Haworth
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles 90089, CA, USA
| | - Charles J Gomer
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, 4650 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles 90027, CA, USA
| | - Francesca Aiello
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Edificio Polifunzionale, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy.
| | - James D Adams
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles 90089, CA, USA
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Adams JD. The Effects of Yin, Yang and Qi in the Skin on Pain. MEDICINES 2016; 3:medicines3010005. [PMID: 28930115 PMCID: PMC5456231 DOI: 10.3390/medicines3010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The most effective and safe treatment site for pain is in the skin. This chapter discusses the reasons to treat pain in the skin. Pain is sensed in the skin through transient receptor potential cation channels and other receptors. These receptors have endogenous agonists (yang) and antagonists (yin) that help the body control pain. Acupuncture works through modulation of these receptor activities (qi) in the skin; as do moxibustion and liniments. The treatment of pain in the skin has the potential to save many lives and improve pain therapy in most patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- James David Adams
- University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-9121, USA.
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Camphor--a fumigant during the Black Death and a coveted fragrant wood in ancient Egypt and Babylon--a review. Molecules 2013; 18:5434-54. [PMID: 23666009 PMCID: PMC6270224 DOI: 10.3390/molecules18055434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Revised: 04/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The fragrant camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) and its products, such as camphor oil, have been coveted since ancient times. Having a rich history of traditional use, it was particularly used as a fumigant during the era of the Black Death and considered as a valuable ingredient in both perfume and embalming fluid. Camphor has been widely used as a fragrance in cosmetics, as a food flavourant, as a common ingredient in household cleaners, as well as in topically applied analgesics and rubefacients for the treatment of minor muscle aches and pains. Camphor, traditionally obtained through the distillation of the wood of the camphor tree, is a major essential oil component of many aromatic plant species, as it is biosynthetically synthesised; it can also be chemically synthesised using mainly turpentine as a starting material. Camphor exhibits a number of biological properties such as insecticidal, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticoccidial, anti-nociceptive, anticancer and antitussive activities, in addition to its use as a skin penetration enhancer. However, camphor is a very toxic substance and numerous cases of camphor poisoning have been documented. This review briefly summarises the uses and synthesis of camphor and discusses the biological properties and toxicity of this valuable molecule.
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