Filtration of Natural Derivatives as MAO Inhibitors by Virtual Screening: A Potential Lead for Neurodegenerative Disorders

AIM

The purpose of the current study was to explore the virtual library for the screening against Monoamine oxidase (MAO) isoforms. An in-house library of natural based ligands was docked within the active sites of MAO isoforms and their in vitro study was also conducted.

OBJECTIVE

The prime objective of the current study was to screen and validate the natural-based derivatives for MAO inhibitory action with the least adverse effects and get molecular aspects about further structural modifications on the most active leads.

BACKGROUND

The importance of MAOs in controlling the activity of the central nervous system has been extensively studied. Our goal in this work is to identify a prospective natural lead molecule that has a stronger affinity for the MAO enzyme in order to produce a more effective natural candidate for a neurological agent.

RESULTS

In order to get insight into how different categories of natural compounds interact with the targeted protein, we virtually screened the numerous natural compound categories in the current study. Rhamnetin, quercetin, piperine, eugenol, and umbelliferone showed the highest dock scores in the case of MAO-B, with scores of -10.57, -9.938, -9.445, and 7.821, respectively. For MAO-A, umbelliferone, curcumin, caffeic acid, and quercetin, the corresponding dock scores were -8.001, -7.941, -7.357, and -6.658. Additionally, an in vitro MAO inhibitory experiment was utilized to assess the top-ranked compounds with the best docking scores. The most potent Human Monoamine oxidase (hMAO-A) inhibitor, with an IC50 of 10.98±0.006 M and a selectivity index (SI) of 0.607, was discovered to be the compound umbelliferone. Rhamnetin, the lead chemical, has demonstrated hMAO-B activity with a value of 10.32±0.044 M (SI value of 3.096).

CONCLUSION

These natural potential ligands have been found remarkable to the standard compounds against MAO-A and MAO-B, and they could be used as a lead chemical in the development of novel therapeutic candidates. The in silico screening results and in vitro hMAO inhibitory efficacy exhibited strong correlations.

Effectiveness of the Neuroimaging Techniques in the Recognition of Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of RCTs

BACKGROUND

Neuroimaging has helped us learn about the stages of brain development from infancy to maturity. Neuroimaging helps physicians diagnose mental illnesses and find novel treatments for them. It can distinguish depression from neurodegenerative diseases or brain tumors, and it can reveal structural defects that cause psychosis. Psychosis has been linked to lesions in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain, as well as the thalamus and hypothalamus, which can be detected using a brain scan for mental illnesses. Neuroimaging uses quantitative and computational methods to explore the central nervous system. It can detect brain injuries and psychological illnesses. Thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials using neuroimaging to detect psychiatric disorders assessed their efficacy and benefits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Appropriate articles were searched from PubMed, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL databases using the appropriate keywords as per the PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials and open-label studies were included as per the predefined PICOS criteria. Meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan software, and statistical parameters like odds ratio and risk difference were calculated.

RESULTS

Twelve randomized controlled clinical trials with a total of 655 psychiatric patients were included following the criteria from the year 2000 to 2022. We included studies that use different neuroimaging techniques for the detection of organic brain lesions that would help diagnose psychiatric disorders. The primary outcome was detecting brain abnormalities in diverse psychiatric illnesses with neuroimaging versus conventional methods. We found the odds ratio value of 2.29 (95% CI 1.49-3.51). The results were heterogeneous with a Tau2 value of 0.38, chi2 value of 35.48, df value of 11, I2 value of 69%, the z value of 3.78, and p-value less than 0.05. The risk difference is 0.20 (95% CI 0.09 -0.31) with heterogeneity of Tau2 value of 0.03, chi2 value of 50, df value of 11, I2 value of 78%, the z value of 3.49, and p-value less than 0.05.

CONCLUSION

The present meta-analysis strongly recommends the use of neuroimaging techniques for the detection of psychiatric disorders.

Psychometric properties of the Persian version of emotions and attitudes towards MRI" (MRI-EMA)

Background

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) should have magnetic resonance imaging evaluation regularly. They will experience anxiety before this examination. We conducted this study to evaluate the validity and reliability of emotions and attitudes towards MRI" (MRI-EMA).

Methods

One hundred-nine patients with MS were asked to fill the valid and reliable Persian version of Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and MRI-EMA, questionnaires. Two weeks later, twenty cases were asked to fill the questionnaire again to assess reliability. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha analysis were used. The correlation coefficient between BAI and MRI-EMA was calculated. Five neurologists assessed content validity by content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI).

Results

The mean age was 37.2±1.2 years and 77% were females. CVI and CVR for all questions were 100%. The correlation coefficient between BAI and MRI-EMA was r=0.1, P=0.1 and only fear of MRI subscale was significantly correlated with BAI. The ICC of all questions was between 0.79 and 0.98.

Conclusion

Patients with MS have to be routinely screened with MRI which provides anxiety for them. Considering MRI related anxiety is crucial for these cases. The Persian version of the MRI-EMA questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring MRI related anxiety in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Methyl Jasmonate: Behavioral and Molecular Implications in Neurological Disorders

Methyl jasmonate (MJ) is a derivative of the jasmonate family which is found in most tropical regions of the world and present in many fruits and vegetables such as grapevines, tomato, rice, and sugarcane. MJ is a cyclopentanone phytohormone that plays a vital role in defense against stress and pathogens in plants. This has led to its isolation from plants for studies in animals. Many of these studies have been carried out to evaluate its therapeutic effects on behavioral and neurochemical functions. It has however been proposed to have beneficial potential over a wide range of neurological disorders. Hence, this review aims to provide an overview of the neuroprotective properties of MJ and its probable mechanisms of ameliorating neurological disorders. The information used for this review was sourced from research articles and scientific databases using 'methyl jasmonate', 'behavior', 'neuroprotection', 'neurodegenerative diseases', and 'mechanisms' as search words. The review highlights its influences on behavioral patterns of anxiety, aggression, depression, memory, psychotic, and stress. The molecular mechanisms such as modulation of the antioxidant defense, inflammatory biomarkers, neurotransmitter regulation, and neuronal regeneration, underlying its actions in managing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases are also discussed. This review, therefore, provides a detailed evaluation of methyl jasmonate as a potential neuroprotective compound with the ability to modify behavioral and molecular biomarkers underlying neurological disorders. Hence, MJ could be modeled as a guided treatment for the management of brain diseases.

Personality traits in an italian sample: relationship with anxiety and depression

Personality traits provide a description of individual emotional and cognitive processes that modulate thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Few studies have investigated the relationship of personality traits with depression and anxiety in the general Italian population. The aim of the present study was to replicate previous evidences about the association of personality traits with anxiety and depression in a general Italian population sample.We recruited 418 volunteers through different sources; such as university, newspaper advertisement, hospital, and elderly association. 327 subjects accepted to participate to the study and were screened with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) in order to assess DSM-IV Axis I disorders and with the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) in order to measure personality traits.Based on the assessment made by the MINI, the whole sample consisted of 266 (81%) subjects without and 61 subjects (19%) with life-time DSM-IV Axis I disorders. Volunteers with life-time anxiety and depressive disorders showed high scores in Harm Avoidance as well as low scores in Self-Directedness and in the Novelty Seeking subscale "Exploratory Excitability".Our results support previous evidences showing that personality traits, in particular Harm Avoidance and Self-Directedness, could represent markers of vulnerability for depression and anxiety disorders.