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Disease-Modifying Activity of Huperzine A on Alzheimer's Disease: Evidence from Preclinical Studies on Rodent Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315238. [PMID: 36499562 PMCID: PMC9738397 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Huperzine A, a natural cholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor isolated from the Chinese herb Huperzia Serrata, has been used as a dietary supplement in the United States and a drug in China for therapeutic intervention on Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review aims to determine whether Huperzine A exerts disease-modifying activity through systematic analysis of preclinical studies on rodent AD models. (2) Methods: Sixteen preclinical studies were included based on specific criteria, and the methodological qualities were analyzed by SYRCLE's risk of bias tool. Some outcomes were meta-analyzed: latencies and time spent in quadrant of Morris water maze, soluble amyloid-β (Aβ) level measured by ELISA in the cortex and hippocampus, Aβ plaque numbers measured by immunohistochemistry in hippocampus, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, and AChE activity. Finally, the mechanisms of Huperzine A on AD models were summarized. (3) Conclusions: The outcomes showed that Huperzine A displayed AChE inhibition, ChAT activity enhancement, memory improvement, and Aβ decreasing activity, indicating the disease-modifying effect of Huperzine A. However, due to the uneven methodological quality, the results need to be rationally viewed, and extensively repeated.
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A Synopsis of Multitarget Potential Therapeutic Effects of Huperzine A in Diverse Pathologies-Emphasis on Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:1166-1182. [PMID: 35122609 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03530-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Numerous challenges are confronted when it comes to the recognition of therapeutic agents for treating complex neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD). The perplexing pathogenicity of AD embodies cholinergic dysfunction, amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation, neurofibrillary tangle formation, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial disruption along with vicious production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating oxidative stress. In this frame of reference, drugs with multi target components could prove more advantageous to counter complex pathological mechanisms that are responsible for AD progression. For as much as, medicinal plant based pharmaco-therapies are emerging as potential candidates for AD treatment keeping the efficacy and safety parameters in terms of toxicity and side effects into consideration. Huperzine A (Hup A) is a purified alkaloid compound extracted from a club moss called Huperzia serrata. Several studies have reported both cholinergic and non-cholinergic effects of this compound on AD with significant neuroprotective properties. The present review convenes cumulative demonstrations of neuroprotection provided by Hup A in in vitro, in vivo, and human studies in various pathologies. The underlying molecular mechanisms of its actions have also been discussed. However, more profound evidence would certainly promote the therapeutic implementation of this drug thus furnishing decisive insights into AD therapeutics and various other pathologies along with preventive and curative management.
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Wojtunik-Kulesza K, Oniszczuk T, Mołdoch J, Kowalska I, Szponar J, Oniszczuk A. Selected Natural Products in Neuroprotective Strategies for Alzheimer's Disease-A Non-Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1212. [PMID: 35163136 PMCID: PMC8835836 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) are distinguished by the irreversible degeneration of central nervous system function and structure. AD is characterized by several different neuropathologies-among others, it interferes with neuropsychiatrical controls and cognitive functions. This disease is the number one neurodegenerative disorder; however, its treatment options are few and, unfortunately, ineffective. In the new strategies devised for AD prevention and treatment, the application of plant-based natural products is especially popular due to lesser side effects associated with their taking. Moreover, their neuroprotective activities target different pathological mechanisms. The current review presents the anti-AD properties of several natural plant substances. The paper throws light on products under in vitro and in vivo trials and compiles information on their mechanism of actions. Knowledge of the properties of such plant compounds and their combinations will surely lead to discovering new potent medicines for the treatment of AD with lesser side effects than the currently available pharmacological proceedings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tomasz Oniszczuk
- Department of Thermal Technology and Food Process Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 31, 20-612 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Jarosław Mołdoch
- Department of Biochemistry and Crop Quality, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (J.M.); (I.K.)
| | - Iwona Kowalska
- Department of Biochemistry and Crop Quality, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (J.M.); (I.K.)
| | - Jarosław Szponar
- Toxicology Clinic, Clinical Department of Toxicology and Cardiology, Medical University of Lublin, Stefan Wyszyński Regional Specialist Hospital, Al. Kraśnicka 100, 20-718 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Anna Oniszczuk
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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Chen X, Drew J, Berney W, Lei W. Neuroprotective Natural Products for Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2021; 10:1309. [PMID: 34070275 PMCID: PMC8225186 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the number one neurovegetative disease, but its treatment options are relatively few and ineffective. In efforts to discover new strategies for AD therapy, natural products have aroused interest in the research community and in the pharmaceutical industry for their neuroprotective activity, targeting different pathological mechanisms associated with AD. A wide variety of natural products from different origins have been evaluated preclinically and clinically for their neuroprotective mechanisms in preventing and attenuating the multifactorial pathologies of AD. This review mainly focuses on the possible neuroprotective mechanisms from natural products that may be beneficial in AD treatment and the natural product mixtures or extracts from different sources that have demonstrated neuroprotective activity in preclinical and/or clinical studies. It is believed that natural product mixtures or extracts containing multiple bioactive compounds that can work additively or synergistically to exhibit multiple neuroprotective mechanisms might be an effective approach in AD drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC 27506, USA
| | - Joshua Drew
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC 27506, USA
| | - Wren Berney
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC 27506, USA
| | - Wei Lei
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC 29325, USA
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Ma Y, Yang MW, Li XW, Yue JW, Chen JZ, Yang MW, Huang X, Zhu LL, Hong FF, Yang SL. Therapeutic Effects of Natural Drugs on Alzheimer's Disease. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1355. [PMID: 31866858 PMCID: PMC6904940 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized as a chronic neurodegenerative disease associated with aging. The clinical manifestations of AD include latent episodes of memory and cognitive impairment, psychiatric symptoms and behavioral disorders, as well as limited activities in daily life. In developed countries, AD is now acknowledged as the third leading cause of death, following cardiovascular disease and cancer. The pathogenesis and mechanism of AD remain unclear, although some theories have been proposed to explain AD, such as the theory of β-amyloid, the theory of the abnormal metabolism of tau protein, the theory of free radical damage, the theory of the inflammatory response, the theory of cholinergic damage, etc. Effective methods to predict, prevent or reverse AD are unavailable, and thus the development of new, efficient therapeutic drugs has become a current research hot spot worldwide. The isolation and extraction of active components from natural drugs have great potential in treating AD. These drugs possess the advantages of multiple targets in multiple pathways, fewer side effects and a long duration of curative effects. This article summaries the latest research progress regarding the mechanisms of natural drugs in the treatment of AD, providing a review of the literature and a theoretical basis for improving the clinical treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ma
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Man-Wen Yang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xin-Wei Li
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jian-Wei Yue
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jun-Zong Chen
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Mei-Wen Yang
- Department of Nurse, Nanchang University Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Xuan Huang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lian-Lian Zhu
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Fen-Fang Hong
- Department of Experimental Teaching Center, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shu-Long Yang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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