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Cavalloro V, Marchesi N, Linciano P, Rossi D, Campagnoli LIM, Fossati A, Ahmed KM, Malacrida A, Miloso M, Mazzeo G, Abbate S, Longhi G, Ambrosio FA, Costa G, Alcaro S, Pascale A, Martino E, Collina S. Neurodegeneration: can metabolites from Eremurus persicus help? Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1309766. [PMID: 38370479 PMCID: PMC10873958 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1309766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The number of patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases is increasing worldwide, and no effective treatments have been developed yet. Although precision medicine could represent a powerful tool, it remains a challenge due to the high variability among patients. To identify molecules acting with innovative mechanisms of action, we performed a computational investigation using SAFAN technology, focusing specifically on HuD. This target belongs to the human embryonic lethal abnormal visual-like (ELAV) proteins and plays a key role in neuronal plasticity and differentiation. The results highlighted that the molecule able to bind the selected target was (R)-aloesaponol-III-8-methyl ether [(R)-ASME], a metabolite extracted from Eremurus persicus. Notably, this molecule is a TNF-α inhibitor, a cytokine involved in neuroinflammation. To obtain a suitable amount of (R)-ASME to confirm its activity on HuD, we optimized the extraction procedure. Together with ASME, another related metabolite, germichrysone, was isolated. Both ASME and germichrysone underwent biological investigation, but only ASME confirmed its ability to bind HuD. Given the multifactorial nature of neurodegenerative diseases, we decided to investigate ASME as a proteasome activator, being molecules endowed with this kind of activity potentially able to counteract aggregations of dysregulated proteins. ASME was able to activate the considered target both in enzymatic and cellular assays. Therefore, ASME may be considered a promising hit in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Cavalloro
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | | | | | - Daniela Rossi
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Alice Fossati
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Karzan Mahmood Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry, College of Education, University of Garmian, Kalar, Iraq
| | - Alessio Malacrida
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Experimental Neurology Unit, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Miloso
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Experimental Neurology Unit, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mazzeo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Università di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sergio Abbate
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Università di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanna Longhi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Università di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Alessandra Ambrosio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Campus “S. Venuta”, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giosuè Costa
- Department of Health Sciences, Campus “S. Venuta”, “Magna Græcia” University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Net4Science Academic Spin-Off, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Campus “S. Venuta”, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Stefano Alcaro
- Department of Health Sciences, Campus “S. Venuta”, “Magna Græcia” University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Net4Science Academic Spin-Off, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Campus “S. Venuta”, Catanzaro, Italy
- Associazione CRISEA–Centro di Ricerca e Servizi Avanzati per l’Innovazione Rurale, Italy
| | - Alessia Pascale
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Emanuela Martino
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona Collina
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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