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Choo BKM, Kundap UP, Faudzi SMM, Abas F, Shaikh MF, Samarut É. Identification of curcumin analogues with anti-seizure potential in vivo using chemical and genetic zebrafish larva seizure models. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 142:112035. [PMID: 34411917 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Seizures are the outward manifestation of abnormally excessive or synchronous brain activity. While seizures can be somewhat symptomatically managed with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), many patients are still refractory to the currently available AEDs. As a result, there is a need to identify new molecules with anti-seizure properties. Curcumin is the principle curcuminoid of Curcuma longa, or colloquially turmeric, and has been experimentally proven to have anti-convulsive properties, but its poor bioavailability has dampened further therapeutic interest. Hence, this study aimed to ask if structural analogues of curcumin with an adequate bioavailability could have an anti-seizure effect in vivo. To do so, we tested these analogues following a multipronged approach combining the use of several zebrafish seizure models (chemically-induced and genetic) and complementary assays (behavioural and brain activity). Overall, from the 68 analogues tested, we found 15 different derivatives that were able to significantly decrease the behavioural hyperactivity induced by pentylenetetrazol. Of those, only a few showed an effect on the hyperactivity phenotype of two genetic models of brain seizures that are the gabra1 and gabrg2 knockouts. Two analogues, CA 80(1) and CA 74(1), were able to significantly alleviate brain seizures of gabrg2-mutant larvae. As a result, these analogues are good candidates as novel anti-seizure agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Kar Meng Choo
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Uday Praful Kundap
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Center of the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Siti Munirah Mohd Faudzi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; Institute Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Faridah Abas
- Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Farooq Shaikh
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Éric Samarut
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Center of the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; Modelis inc., Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Kundap UP, Paudel YN, Shaikh MF. Animal Models of Metabolic Epilepsy and Epilepsy Associated Metabolic Dysfunction: A Systematic Review. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13060106. [PMID: 32466498 PMCID: PMC7345684 DOI: 10.3390/ph13060106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a serious neurological disorder affecting around 70 million people globally and is characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures. Recent evidence indicates that dysfunction in metabolic processes can lead to the alteration of neuronal and network excitability, thereby contributing to epileptogenesis. Developing a suitable animal model that can recapitulate all the clinical phenotypes of human metabolic epilepsy (ME) is crucial yet challenging. The specific environment of many symptoms as well as the primary state of the applicable neurobiology, genetics, and lack of valid biomarkers/diagnostic tests are the key factors that hinder the process of developing a suitable animal model. The present systematic review summarizes the current state of available animal models of metabolic dysfunction associated with epileptic disorders. A systematic search was performed by using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model. A range of electronic databases, including google scholar, Springer, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus, were scanned between January 2000 and April 2020. Based on the selection criteria, 23 eligible articles were chosen and are discussed in the current review. Critical analysis of the selected literature delineated several available approaches that have been modeled into metabolic epilepsy and pointed out several drawbacks associated with the currently available models. The result describes available models of metabolic dysfunction associated with epileptic disorder, such as mitochondrial respiration deficits, Lafora disease (LD) model-altered glycogen metabolism, causing epilepsy, glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) deficiency, adiponectin responsive seizures, phospholipid dysfunction, glutaric aciduria, mitochondrial disorders, pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) α-subunit gene (PDHA1), pyridoxine dependent epilepsy (PDE), BCL2-associated agonist of cell death (BAD), Kcna1 knock out (KO), and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (lncRNA CASC2). Finally, the review highlights certain focus areas that may increase the possibilities of developing more suitable animal models and underscores the importance of the rationalization of animal models and evaluation methods for studying ME. The review also suggests the pressing need of developing precise robust animal models and evaluation methods for investigating ME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uday Praful Kundap
- Research Center of the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (U.P.K.); (Y.N.P.)
- Neuropharmacology Research Strength, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
| | - Yam Nath Paudel
- Research Center of the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (U.P.K.); (Y.N.P.)
| | - Mohd. Farooq Shaikh
- Neuropharmacology Research Strength, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +60-3-551-44-483
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Kundap UP, Choo BKM, Kumari Y, Ahmed N, Othman IB, Shaikh MF. Embelin Protects Against Acute Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Seizures and Positively Modulates Cognitive Function in Adult Zebrafish. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1249. [PMID: 31708779 PMCID: PMC6823247 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose of the research: Epilepsy is a continuous process of neurodegeneration categorized by an enduring tendency to generate uncontrolled electrical firing known as seizures causing involuntary movement all over the body. Cognitive impairment and behavioral disturbances are among the more alarming co-morbidities of epilepsy. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) were found to be successful in controlling epilepsy but are reported to worsen cognitive status in patients. Embelin (EMB) is a benzoquinone derived from the plant Embelia ribes and is reported to have central nervous system (CNS) activity. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of EMB against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced acute seizures and its associated cognitive dysfunction. This was done via docking studies as well as evaluating neurotransmitter and gene expression in the zebrafish brain. The principal results: Behavioral observations showed that EMB reduced epileptic seizures and the T-maze study revealed that EMB improved the cognitive function of the fish. The docking study of EMB showed a higher affinity toward gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptor as compared to the standard diazepam, raising the possibility of EMB working via the alpha subunit of the GABA receptor. EMB was found to modulate several genes, neurotransmitters, and also neuronal growth, all of which play an important role in improving cognitive status after epileptic seizures. Healthy zebrafish treated with EMB alone were found to have no behavioral and biochemical interference or side effects. The immunohistochemistry data suggested that EMB also promotes neuronal protection and neuronal migration in zebrafish brains. Major Conclusions: It was perceived that EMB suppresses seizure-like behavior via GABAA receptor pathway and has a positive impact on cognitive functions. The observed effect was supported by docking study, T-maze behavior, neurotransmitter and gene expression levels, and immunohistology study. The apparatus such as the T-maze and seizure scoring behavior tank were found to be a straightforward technique to score seizure and test learning ability after acute epileptic seizures. These research findings suggest that EMB could be a promising molecule for epilepsy induced learning and memory dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uday Praful Kundap
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Montreal Hospital Centre (CRCHUM), Montreal, Canada.,Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Brandon Kar Meng Choo
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yatinesh Kumari
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nafees Ahmed
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Iekhsan Bin Othman
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Farooq Shaikh
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Kundap UP, Paudel YN, Kumari Y, Othman I, Shaikh MF. Embelin Prevents Seizure and Associated Cognitive Impairments in a Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Zebrafish Model. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:315. [PMID: 31057394 PMCID: PMC6478791 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neuronal disorder associated with several neurological and behavioral alterations characterized by recurrent spontaneous epileptic seizures. Despite having more than 20 anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), they only provide a symptomatic treatment. As well as, currently available AEDs also displayed cognitive alterations in addition to retarding seizure. This leads to the need for exploring new molecules that not only retard seizure but also improve cognitive impairment. Embelin (EMB) is a benzoquinone derivative which has already demonstrated its pharmacological potentials against arrays of neurological conditions. The current study developed a chronic kindling model in adult zebrafish by using repeated administration of small doses of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and a single dose of Kainic acid (KA) to investigate the associated memory impairment. This has been done by using the three-axis maze which is a conventional method to test the learning ability and egocentric memory in zebrafish. As well as, the ameliorative potential of EMB has been evaluated against chronic epilepsy-related memory alterations. Moreover the expression level of pro-inflammatory genes such as C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were evaluated. The level of several neurotransmitters such as γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acetylcholine (Ach) and glutamate (Glu) was evaluated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The results showed that daily dose of PTZ 80 mg/kg for 10 days successfully induces a kindling effect in zebrafish, whereas the single dose of KA did not. As compared to control, the PTZ and KA group demonstrates impairment in memory as demonstrated by the three-axis maze. The PTZ group treated with a series of EMB doses (ranging from 0.156 to 0.625 mg/kg) was found to have retarded seizure as well as significantly reduces epilepsy-induced memory alteration. In addition, EMB treatment reduces the expression of inflammatory markers implicating its anti-inflammatory potential. Moreover, levels of GABA, Ach, and glutamate are increased in EMB administered group as compared to the PTZ administered group. Overall, findings demonstrate that EMB might be a potential candidate against chronic epilepsy-related cognitive dysfunction as EMB prevents the seizures, so we expect it to prevent the associated neuroinflammation and learning deficit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uday Praful Kundap
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.,University of Montreal Hospital Centre (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yam Nath Paudel
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Yatinesh Kumari
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Iekshan Othman
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Farooq Shaikh
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
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