1
|
Abdelgalil MH, Elhammamy RH, Ragab HM, Sheta E, Wahid A. The hepatoprotective effect of 4-phenyltetrahydroquinolines on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats through autophagy inhibition. Biol Res 2024; 57:32. [PMID: 38797855 PMCID: PMC11129499 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-024-00510-4] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The liver serves as a metabolic hub within the human body, playing a crucial role in various essential functions, such as detoxification, nutrient metabolism, and hormone regulation. Therefore, protecting the liver against endogenous and exogenous insults has become a primary focus in medical research. Consequently, the potential hepatoprotective properties of multiple 4-phenyltetrahydroquinolines inspired us to thoroughly study the influence of four specially designed and synthesized derivatives on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury in rats. METHODS AND RESULTS Seventy-seven Wistar albino male rats weighing 140 ± 18 g were divided into eleven groups to investigate both the toxicity profile and the hepatoprotective potential of 4-phenyltetrahydroquinolines. An in-vivo hepatotoxicity model was conducted using CCl4 (1 ml/kg body weight, a 1:1 v/v mixture with corn oil, i.p.) every 72 h for 14 days. The concurrent treatment of rats with our newly synthesized compounds (each at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight, suspended in 0.5% CMC, p.o.) every 24 h effectively lowered transaminases, preserved liver tissue integrity, and mitigated oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, the histopathological examination of liver tissues revealed a significant reduction in liver fibrosis, which was further supported by the immunohistochemical analysis of α-SMA. Additionally, the expression of the apoptotic genes BAX and BCL2 was monitored using real-time PCR, which showed a significant decrease in liver apoptosis. Further investigations unveiled the ability of the compounds to significantly decrease the expression of autophagy-related proteins, Beclin-1 and LC3B, consequently inhibiting autophagy. Finally, our computer-assisted simulation dockingonfirmed the obtained experimental activities. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that derivatives of 4-phenyltetrahydroquinoline demonstrate hepatoprotective properties in CCl4-induced liver damage and fibrosis in rats. The potential mechanism of action may be due to the inhibition of autophagy in liver cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Hussein Abdelgalil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Reem H Elhammamy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Hanan M Ragab
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Eman Sheta
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Wahid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sorour A, Aly RG, Ragab HM, Wahid A. Structure Modification Converts the Hepatotoxic Tacrine into Novel Hepatoprotective Analogs. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:2491-2503. [PMID: 38250371 PMCID: PMC10795119 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c07126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The liver is responsible for critical functions such as metabolism, secretion, storage, detoxification, and the excretion of various compounds. However, there is currently no approved drug treatment for liver fibrosis. Hence, this study aimed to explore the potential hepatoprotective effects of chlorinated and nonchlorinated 4-phenyl-tetrahydroquinoline derivatives. Originally developed as tacrine analogs with reduced hepatotoxicity, these compounds not only lacked hepatotoxicity but also displayed a remarkable hepatoprotective effect. Treatment with these derivatives notably prevented the chemically induced elevation of hepatic indicators associated with liver injury. Additionally, the compounds restored the activities of defense antioxidant enzymes as well as levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-6), apoptotic proteins (Bax and Bcl2), and fibrogenic mediators (α-SMA and TGF-β) to normal levels. Histopathologic analysis confirmed the hepatoprotective activity of tetrahydroquinolines. Furthermore, computer-assisted simulation docking results were highly consistent with those of the observed in vivo activities. In conclusion, the designed tacrine analogs exhibited a hepatoprotective role in acute liver damage, possibly through their antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amani
A. Sorour
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt
| | - Rania G. Aly
- Department
of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria
University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt
| | - Hanan M. Ragab
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Wahid
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rastegari A, Safavi M, Vafadarnejad F, Najafi Z, Hariri R, Bukhari SNA, Iraji A, Edraki N, Firuzi O, Saeedi M, Mahdavi M, Akbarzadeh T. Synthesis and evaluation of novel arylisoxazoles linked to tacrine moiety: in vitro and in vivo biological activities against Alzheimer's disease. Mol Divers 2021; 26:409-428. [PMID: 34273065 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-021-10248-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is now ranked as the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer. There is no definite cure for AD due to the multi-factorial nature of the disease, hence, multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) have attracted lots of attention. In this work, focusing on the efficient cholinesterase inhibitory activity of tacrine, design and synthesis of novel arylisoxazole-tacrine analogues was developed. In vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition assay confirmed high potency of the title compounds. Among them, compounds 7l and 7b demonstrated high activity toward AChE and BChE with IC50 values of 0.050 and 0.039 μM, respectively. Both compounds showed very good self-induced Aβ aggregation and AChE-induced inhibitory activity (79.4 and 71.4% for compound 7l and 61.8 and 58.6% for compound 7b, respectively). Also, 7l showed good anti-BACE1 activity with IC50 value of 1.65 µM. The metal chelation test indicated the ability of compounds 7l and 7b to chelate biometals (Zn2+, Cu2+, and Fe2+). However, they showed no significant neuroprotectivity against Aβ-induced damage in PC12 cells. Evaluation of in vitro hepatotoxicity revealed comparable toxicity of compounds 7l and 7b with tacrine. In vivo studies by Morris water maze (MWM) task demonstrated that compound 7l significantly reversed scopolamine-induced memory deficit in rats. Finally, molecular docking studies of compounds 7l and 7b confirmed establishment of desired interactions with the AChE, BChE, and BACE1 active sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arezoo Rastegari
- Persian Medicine and Pharmacy Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Safavi
- Department of Biotechnology, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Vafadarnejad
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Najafi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Roshanak Hariri
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Syed Nasir Abbas Bukhari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Aljouf, 2014, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aida Iraji
- Stem Cells Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Central Research laboratory, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Najmeh Edraki
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Omidreza Firuzi
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mina Saeedi
- Persian Medicine and Pharmacy Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mahdavi
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahmineh Akbarzadeh
- Persian Medicine and Pharmacy Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Merged Tacrine-Based, Multitarget-Directed Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors 2015-Present: Synthesis and Biological Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21175965. [PMID: 32825138 PMCID: PMC7504404 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21175965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholinesterase is an important biochemical enzyme in that it controls acetylcholine-mediated neuronal transmission in the central nervous system, contains a unique structure with two binding sites connected by a gorge region, and it has historically been the main pharmacological target for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Given the large projected increase in Alzheimer's disease cases in the coming decades and its complex, multifactorial nature, new drugs that target multiple aspects of the disease at once are needed. Tacrine, the first acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used clinically but withdrawn due to hepatotoxicity concerns, remains an important starting point in research for the development of multitarget-directed acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. This review highlights tacrine-based, multitarget-directed acetylcholinesterase inhibitors published in the literature since 2015 with a specific focus on merged compounds (i.e., compounds where tacrine and a second pharmacophore show significant overlap in structure). The synthesis of these compounds from readily available starting materials is discussed, along with acetylcholinesterase inhibition data, relative to tacrine, and structure activity relationships. Where applicable, molecular modeling, to elucidate key enzyme-inhibitor interactions, and secondary biological activity is highlighted. Of the numerous compounds identified, there is a subset with promising preliminary screening results, which should inspire further development and future research in this field.
Collapse
|
5
|
Synthesis, biological evaluation and modeling of hybrids from tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolines as dual cholinestrase and COX-2 inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2020; 100:103895. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
6
|
Das D, Sahoo G, Biswas A, Samanta R. Rh
III
‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Highly Substituted 2‐Pyridones using Fluorinated Diazomalonate. Chem Asian J 2020; 15:360-364. [DOI: 10.1002/asia.201901620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Debapratim Das
- Department of ChemistryIndian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Kharagpur 721302 India
| | - Gopal Sahoo
- Department of ChemistryIndian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Kharagpur 721302 India
| | - Aniruddha Biswas
- Department of ChemistryIndian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Kharagpur 721302 India
| | - Rajarshi Samanta
- Department of ChemistryIndian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Kharagpur 721302 India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abdelaziz BM, Helmy MW, Katary MA, Abd-Alhaseeb MM, Ghoneim AI. Protective effects of Astragalus kahiricus root extract on ethanol-induced retrograde memory impairments in mice. JOURNAL OF HERBMED PHARMACOLOGY 2019; 8:295-301. [DOI: 10.15171/jhp.2019.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that has no definite cure. Currently, there is great interest in using plant-based medicines to treat AD. In the present study, the neuroprotective effects of Astragalus kahiricus root extract were evaluated in a retrograde amnesia model. Methods: Male albino mice were given four training sessions in the Morris water maze for seven consecutive days. Treated groups were administered A. kahiricus (25 or 50 mg/kg, i.p.) before ethanol (3.5 gm/kg, i.p) injection. All animals were given a test session in the Morris water maze apparatus. Acetylcholinesterase activity and the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers were also measured. Results: Memory impairment was observed, after ethanol administration, as increased escape latency time and path length travelled by the animals. On the other hand, A. kahiricus significantly reduced both escape latency time and path length. In addition, the extract demonstrated an inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase activity and total nitrite level. Moreover, A. kahiricus significantly increased the level of reduced glutathione in mice brain. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the potential behavioural and biochemical neuroprotective properties of A. kahiricus root extract, which might further be considered an important candidate for the treatment of AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Basma M. Abdelaziz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Maged W. Helmy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A. Katary
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Mohammad M. Abd-Alhaseeb
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Asser I. Ghoneim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Przybyłowska M, Kowalski S, Dzierzbicka K, Inkielewicz-Stepniak I. Therapeutic Potential of Multifunctional Tacrine Analogues. Curr Neuropharmacol 2019; 17:472-490. [PMID: 29651948 PMCID: PMC6520589 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x16666180412091908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract: Tacrine is a potent inhibitor of cholinesterases (acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase) that shows limiting clinical application by liver toxicity. In spite of this, analogues of tacrine are considered as a model inhibitor of cholinesterases in the therapy of Alzheimer’s disease. The interest in these compounds is mainly related to a high variety of their structure and biological properties. In the present review, we have described the role of cholinergic transmission and treatment strategies in Alzheimer’s disease as well as the synthesis and biological activity of several recently developed classes of multifunctional tacrine analogues and hybrids, which consist of a new paradigm to treat Alzheimer’s disease. We have also reported potential of these analogues in the treatment of Alzheimer’s diseases in various experimental systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maja Przybyłowska
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, 11/12 G. Narutowicza Street, 80-233, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Szymon Kowalski
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, Debinki 1 Street, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Krystyna Dzierzbicka
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, 11/12 G. Narutowicza Street, 80-233, Gdansk, Poland
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ragab HM, Teleb M, Haidar HR, Gouda N. Chlorinated tacrine analogs: Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of their anti-cholinesterase activity as potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Bioorg Chem 2019; 86:557-568. [PMID: 30782574 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In search of potent acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors with low hepatotoxicity for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, introduction of a chloro substitution to tacrine and some of its analogs has proven to be beneficial in maintaining or potentiating the cholinesterase inhibitory activity. Furthermore, it was found to be able to reduce the hepatotoxicity of the synthesized compounds, which is the main target of the study. Accordingly, a series of new 4-(chlorophenyl)tetrahydroquinoline derivatives, was synthesized and characterized. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro and in vivo anti-cholinesterase activity using tacrine as a reference standard. Furthermore, they were investigated for their hepatotoxicity compared to tacrine. The obtained biological results revealed that all synthesized compounds displayed equivalent or significantly higher anti-cholinesterase activity and lower hepatotoxicity in comparison to tacrine. In addition, in silico drug-likeness of the synthesized compounds were predicted and their practical logP were assessed indicating that all synthesized compounds can be considered as promising hits/leads. Furthermore, docking study of the compound showing the highest in vitro anticholinesterase activity was performed and its binding mode was compared to that of tacrine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanan M Ragab
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed Teleb
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt
| | - Hassan R Haidar
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Noha Gouda
- Noha Gouda, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|