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Li S, Chen X, Tang J, Zhang D, Jiang Y, Zhang H, Song X, Wang W, Li Y. Genus Helleborus: a comprehensive review of phytochemistry, pharmacology and clinical applications. Nat Prod Res 2024:1-17. [PMID: 38372230 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2317880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The genus Helleborus belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, distributed in southeastern Europe and western Asia. In folk medicine, it is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic medicine for rheumatoid arthritis and bruises. Through reviewing recent articles, it was found that two hundred and twenty-six compounds have been isolated and identified from the genus Helleborus. These compounds include steroids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, lignans, anthraquinones, phenolics and others. Among them, the main chemical constituents are steroids. Pharmacological studies show Helleborus has anti-cancer, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-hyperglycaemic, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. This article reviews the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects and clinical applications of the genus Helleborus. Hopefully, it will provide a reference for in-depth research and exploitation of the genus Helleborus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixing Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, PR China
| | - Xiaolin Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, PR China
| | - Jiamei Tang
- School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, PR China
| | - Dongdong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, PR China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Research and Application of "Taibai Qi Yao", Xianyang, PR China
| | - Yi Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, PR China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Research and Application of "Taibai Qi Yao", Xianyang, PR China
| | - Huawei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, PR China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Research and Application of "Taibai Qi Yao", Xianyang, PR China
| | - Xiaomei Song
- School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, PR China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Research and Application of "Taibai Qi Yao", Xianyang, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, PR China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Research and Application of "Taibai Qi Yao", Xianyang, PR China
| | - Yuze Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, PR China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Research and Application of "Taibai Qi Yao", Xianyang, PR China
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He X, Chen X, Yang Y, Xie Y, Liu Y. Medicinal plants for epileptic seizures: Phytoconstituents, pharmacology and mechanisms revisited. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 320:117386. [PMID: 37956914 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that presents with recurring and spontaneous seizures. It is prevalent worldwide, affecting up to 65 million people, with 80% of cases found in lower-income countries. Medicinal plants are commonly employed for managing and treating epilepsy and convulsions due to their unique therapeutic properties. With increasing research and clinical application, medicinal plants are gaining attention globally due to their potent therapeutic effects and fewer side effects. The development of new plant-based antiepileptic/anticonvulsant agents has become a major focus in the pharmaceutical industry. AIM OF THE REVIEW This article summarizes recent research on medicinal plants with reported antiepileptic/anticonvulsant effects. It provides pharmacological and molecular mechanism of action information for the crude extracts and related active constituents evaluated in preclinical research for the treatment of epilepsy and convulsions, and offers a reference for the development of future related studies in this area. MATERIALS AND METHODS Articles related to ethnopharmacological and antiepileptic studies on plants or natural products from 2018 to 2023 were collected from PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus, etc. using keywords related to epilepsy, medicinal plants, and natural products, etc. RESULTS: Eighty plant species are commonly used to treat epilepsy and convulsions in African and Asian countries. Sixty natural products showing potential for antiepileptic/anticonvulsant effects have been identified from these medicinal plants. These products can be broadly classified as alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids and other compounds. The antiepileptic action of plant extracts and their active ingredients can be classified according to their abilities to modulate the GABAergic and glutamatergic systems, act as antioxidants, exhibit anti-neuroinflammatory effects, and provide neuroprotection. In addition, we highlight that some medicinal plants capable of pharmacologically relieving epilepsy and cognition may be therapeutically useful in the treatment of refractory epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS The review highlights the fact that herbal medicinal products used in traditional medicine are a valuable source of potential candidates for antiepileptic drugs. This confirms and encourages the antiepileptic/anticonvulsant activity of certain medicinal plants, which could serve as inspiration for further development. However, the aspects of structural modification and optimization, metabolism, toxicology, mechanisms, and clinical trials are not fully understood and need to be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xirui He
- Shool of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519041, China.
| | - Xufei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Western Resource Biology and Modern Biotechnology, Northwest University, 710065, Shaanxi, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Shool of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519041, China
| | - Yulu Xie
- Shool of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519041, China
| | - Yujie Liu
- Shool of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519041, China
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Łuszczki JJ, Bojar H, Jankiewicz K, Florek-Łuszczki M, Chmielewski J, Skalicka-Woźniak K. Anticonvulsant effects of isopimpinellin and its interactions with classic antiseizure medications and borneol in the mouse tonic-clonic seizure model: an isobolographic transformation. Pharmacol Rep 2023; 75:1533-1543. [PMID: 37821793 PMCID: PMC10661746 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-023-00532-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overwhelming evidence indicates that some naturally occurring coumarins and terpenes are widely used in folk medicine due to their various therapeutic effects affecting the brain. Antiseizure medications (ASMs) are the principal treatment option for epilepsy patients, although some novel strategies based on naturally occurring substances are intensively investigated. This study was aimed at determining the influence of isopimpinellin (ISOP-a coumarin) when administered either separately or in combination with borneol (BOR-a monoterpenoid), on the antiseizure potencies of four classic ASMs (carbamazepine (CBZ), phenytoin (PHT), phenobarbital (PB), and valproate (VPA)) in the mouse model of maximal electroshock-induced (MES) tonic-clonic seizures. MATERIALS Tonic-clonic seizures were evoked experimentally in mice after systemic (ip) administration of the respective doses of ISOP, BOR, and classic ASMs. Interactions for two-drug (ISOP + a classic ASM) and three-drug (ISOP + BOR + a classic ASM) mixtures were assessed isobolographically in the mouse MES model. RESULTS ISOP (administered alone) had no impact on the anticonvulsant potencies of four classic ASMs. Due to the isobolographic transformation of data, the combination of ISOP + VPA exerted an antagonistic interaction, whereas the two-drug mixtures of ISOP + CBZ, ISOP + PHT, and ISOP + PB produced additive interactions in the mouse MES model. The three-drug combinations of ISOP + BOR with CBZ and PHT produced additive interactions, while the three-drug combinations of ISOP + BOR with PB and VPA exerted synergistic interactions in the mouse MES model. CONCLUSIONS The most intriguing interaction was that for ISOP + VPA, for which the addition of BOR evoked a transition from antagonism to synergy in the mouse MES model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarogniew J Łuszczki
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Hubert Bojar
- Department of Toxicology and Food Safety, Institute of Rural Health, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Jankiewicz
- 2nd Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954, Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Jarosław Chmielewski
- Institute of Environmental Protection, National Research Institute, 02-170, Warsaw, Poland
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Chitolina R, Gallas-Lopes M, Reis CG, Benvenutti R, Stahlhofer-Buss T, Calcagnotto ME, Herrmann AP, Piato A. Chemically-induced epileptic seizures in zebrafish: A systematic review. Epilepsy Res 2023; 197:107236. [PMID: 37801749 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2023.107236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
The use of zebrafish as a model organism is gaining evidence in the field of epilepsy as it may help to understand the mechanisms underlying epileptic seizures. As zebrafish assays became popular, the heterogeneity between protocols increased, making it hard to choose a standard protocol to conduct research while also impairing the comparison of results between studies. We conducted a systematic review to comprehensively profile the chemically-induced seizure models in zebrafish. Literature searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, followed by a two-step screening process based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Qualitative data were extracted, and a sample of 100 studies was randomly selected for risk of bias assessment. Out of the 1058 studies identified after removing duplicates, 201 met the inclusion criteria. We found that the most common chemoconvulsants used in the reviewed studies were pentylenetetrazole (n = 180), kainic acid (n = 11), and pilocarpine (n = 10), which increase seizure severity in a dose-dependent manner. The main outcomes assessed were seizure scores and locomotion. Significant variability between the protocols was observed for administration route, duration of exposure, and dose/concentration. Of the studies subjected to risk of bias assessment, most were rated as low risk of bias for selective reporting (94%), baseline characteristics of the animals (67%), and blinded outcome assessment (54%). Randomization procedures and incomplete data were rated unclear in 81% and 68% of the studies, respectively. None of the studies reported the sample size calculation. Overall, these findings underscore the need for improved methodological and reporting practices to enhance the reproducibility and reliability of zebrafish models for studying epilepsy. Our study offers a comprehensive overview of the current state of chemically-induced seizure models in zebrafish, highlighting the common chemoconvulsants used and the variability in protocol parameters. This may be particularly valuable to researchers interested in understanding the underlying mechanisms of epileptic seizures and screening potential drug candidates in zebrafish models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Chitolina
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Laboratório de Psicofarmacologia e Comportamento (LAPCOM), Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Matheus Gallas-Lopes
- Brazilian Reproducibility Initiative in Preclinical Systematic Review and meta-Analysis (BRISA) Collaboration, Brazil; Laboratório de Neurobiologia e Psicofarmacologia Experimental (PsychoLab), Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Carlos G Reis
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Laboratório de Psicofarmacologia e Comportamento (LAPCOM), Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Radharani Benvenutti
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Thailana Stahlhofer-Buss
- Laboratório de Psicofarmacologia e Comportamento (LAPCOM), Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria Elisa Calcagnotto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Laboratório de Neurobiologia e Neuroquímica da Excitabilidade Neuronal e Plasticidade Sináptica (NNNESP Lab), Departamento de bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana P Herrmann
- Brazilian Reproducibility Initiative in Preclinical Systematic Review and meta-Analysis (BRISA) Collaboration, Brazil; Laboratório de Neurobiologia e Psicofarmacologia Experimental (PsychoLab), Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Angelo Piato
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Laboratório de Psicofarmacologia e Comportamento (LAPCOM), Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Segneanu AE, Vlase G, Vlase T, Sicoe CA, Ciocalteu MV, Herea DD, Ghirlea OF, Grozescu I, Nanescu V. Wild-Grown Romanian Helleborus purpurascens Approach to Novel Chitosan Phyto-Nanocarriers-Metabolite Profile and Antioxidant Properties. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3479. [PMID: 37836219 PMCID: PMC10574898 DOI: 10.3390/plants12193479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The current nanomedicinal approach combines medicinal plants and nanotechnology to create new scaffolds with enhanced bioavailability, biodistribution and controlled release. In an innovative approach to herb encapsulation in nanosized chitosan matrices, wild-grown Romanian Helleborus purpurascens was used to prepare two new chitosan nanocarriers. The first carrier preparation involved the nanoencapsulation of hellebore in chitosan. The second carrier emerged from two distinct stages: hellebore-AgNPs phyto-carrier system succeeded by nanoencapsulation in chitosan. The morphostructural characteristics and thermal behavior of these newly prepared nanocarriers were examined using FT-IR, XRD, DLS, SEM, EDS and thermogravimetric analyses. In addition, the encapsulation yield, encapsulation efficiency and encapsulation contents were investigated. The antioxidant activity was estimated using four in vitro, noncompetitive methods: total phenolic assay; 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay; phosphomolybdate (i.e., total antioxidant capacity); and iron(III)-phenanthroline antioxidant assay. Moreover, this study reports the first low-molecular-weight metabolite profile of wild-grown Romanian Helleborus purpurascens Waldst. & Kit. A total of one hundred and five secondary metabolites were identified in the mass spectra (MS)-positive mode from fourteen secondary metabolite categories (alkaloids, butenolides, bufadienolides, phytoecdysteroids, amino acids and peptides, terpenoids, fatty acids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, sterols, glycosides, carbohydrates, nucleosides and miscellaneous). The collective results suggest the potential application is a promising new antioxidant vehicle candidate in tumor therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adina-Elena Segneanu
- Institute for Advanced Environmental Research-West, University of Timisoara (ICAM-WUT), Oituz Nr. 4, 300086 Timisoara, Romania; (G.V.); (T.V.)
| | - Gabriela Vlase
- Institute for Advanced Environmental Research-West, University of Timisoara (ICAM-WUT), Oituz Nr. 4, 300086 Timisoara, Romania; (G.V.); (T.V.)
- Research Centre for Thermal Analysis Environmental Problems, West University of Timisoara, Pestalozzi St. 16, 300115 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Titus Vlase
- Institute for Advanced Environmental Research-West, University of Timisoara (ICAM-WUT), Oituz Nr. 4, 300086 Timisoara, Romania; (G.V.); (T.V.)
- Research Centre for Thermal Analysis Environmental Problems, West University of Timisoara, Pestalozzi St. 16, 300115 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Crina Andreea Sicoe
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biology, Geography, West University of Timisoara, Pestalozzi St. 16, 300115 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Maria Viorica Ciocalteu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, St. Petru Rareș 2, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (M.V.C.); (V.N.)
| | - Dumitru Daniel Herea
- National Institute of Research and Development for Technical Physics, 47 Mangeron Blvd., 700050 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Ovidiu-Florin Ghirlea
- Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, square Eftimie Murgu No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Ioan Grozescu
- CAICON Department, University Politehnica Timisoara, 300006 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Valentin Nanescu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, St. Petru Rareș 2, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (M.V.C.); (V.N.)
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Tsiftsoglou OS, Stefanakis MK, Kalpourtzi EN, Hadjipavlou-Litina DI, Lazari DM. Chemical constituents isolated from the aerial parts of Helleborus cyclophyllus (A. Braun) Boiss. (Ranunculaceae), evaluation of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and virtual screening of molecular properties and bioactivity score. Nat Prod Res 2022; 36:6031-6038. [DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2022.2041009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olga St. Tsiftsoglou
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Health sciences, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michalis K. Stefanakis
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, School of Sciences and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Eirini N. Kalpourtzi
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Health sciences, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitra I. Hadjipavlou-Litina
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Diamanto M. Lazari
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Health sciences, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Bertoncello KT, Bonan CD. Zebrafish as a tool for the discovery of anticonvulsant compounds from botanical constituents. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 908:174342. [PMID: 34265297 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Epilepsy affects about 65 million people in the world, which makes this disease a public health problem. In addition to the incidence of recurrent seizures, this neurological condition also culminates in cognitive, psychological, behavioral, and social consequences to the patients. Epilepsy treatment is based on the use of drugs that aim to inhibit repetitive neuronal discharges, and consequently, the recurrence of seizures. However, despite the large number of antiepileptic drugs currently available, about 30-40% of patients with epilepsy do not respond satisfactorily to treatments. Therefore, the investigation of new therapeutic alternatives for epilepsy becomes relevant, especially the search for new compounds with anticonvulsant properties. The therapeutic potential of plant-derived bioactive compounds has been a target for alternative treatments for epilepsy. The use of animal models for drug screening, such as zebrafish, contributes to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in seizures and for investigating methods and alternative treatments to decrease seizure incidence. The sensitivity of zebrafish to chemoconvulsants and its use in genetic approaches reinforces the contribution of this animal to epilepsy research. Moreover, we summarize advances in zebrafish-based studies that focus on plant-derived bioactive compounds with potential antiseizure properties, contributing to the screening of new drugs for epilepsy treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanandra Taisa Bertoncello
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Psicofarmacologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Carla Denise Bonan
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Psicofarmacologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Abstract
Danio rerio (zebrafish) are a powerful experimental model for genetic and developmental studies. Adaptation of zebrafish to study seizures was initially established using the common convulsant agent pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Larval PTZ-exposed zebrafish exhibit clear behavioral convulsions and abnormal electrographic activity, reminiscent of interictal and ictal epileptiform discharge. By using this model, our laboratory developed simple locomotion-based and electrophysiological assays to monitor and quantify seizures in larval zebrafish. Zebrafish also offer multiple advantages for rapid genetic manipulation and high-throughput phenotype-based drug screening. Combining these seizure assays with genetically modified zebrafish that represent Dravet syndrome, a rare genetic epilepsy, ultimately contributed to a phenotype-based screen of over 3500 drugs. Several drugs identified in these zebrafish screens are currently in clinical or compassionate-use trials. The emergence of this 'aquarium-to-bedside' approach suggests that broader efforts to adapt and improve upon this zebrafish-centric strategy can drive a variety of exciting new discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott C Baraban
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Weill Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco,CA 94143-0350, USA
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Brillatz T, Jacmin M, Queiroz EF, Marcourt L, Morin H, Shahbazi N, Boulens N, Riva A, Crawford AD, Allémann E, Wolfender JL. Identification of Potential Antiseizure Agents in Boswellia sacra using In Vivo Zebrafish and Mouse Epilepsy Models. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1791-1801. [PMID: 33926190 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The resin of the tree Boswellia sacra Flueck. (synonym: B. carterii; Burseraceae), also known as "frankincense", is a traditional remedy used for central nervous system disorders in East Africa. Here we report the evaluation of its antiseizure activity in zebrafish and mouse epilepsy models to identify novel antiseizure compounds. The resin was extracted by solvents of increasing polarity. The hexane extract demonstrated the strongest antiseizure activity and was therefore subjected to bioactivity-guided isolation, which leaded to the isolation of eight terpene derivatives. A new prenylbicyclogermacrene derivative (2) was isolated along with seven other compounds (1, 3-8). Among them, the triterpene β-boswellic acid (5) showed the strongest activity and reduced 90% of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures at 100 μg/mL. In parallel to B. sacra, a commercial extract of Boswellia serrata was also evaluated and showed moderate bioactivity (45% reduction at 30 μg/mL). The extract of B. serrata was subjected to targeted isolation of other boswellic acid derivatives (9-13), which were evaluated for antiseizure activity in comparison with 5. In the whole series, β-boswellic acid (5) was the most active (60% reduction at 200 μM), and its potency was also confirmed with its purchased standard (S5). Pure nanoparticles of S5 and a commercially formulated extract of B. serrata were tested in a PTZ-kindling mouse seizure model. This notably revealed that the S5 administration reduced seizures by 50% in this mouse model, which was consistent with its detection and quantification in plasma and brain samples. This study and the preclinical evaluation performed indicate that β-boswellic acid, common to various species of Boswellia, has some potential as an antiseizure agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Théo Brillatz
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, CMU−Rue Michel-Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, CMU−Rue Michel-Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Maxime Jacmin
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, Université du Luxembourg, 6, avenue du Swing, 4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Theracule S.á r.l., 9, avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, 4362 Belval, Luxembourg
| | - Emerson F. Queiroz
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, CMU−Rue Michel-Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, CMU−Rue Michel-Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Laurence Marcourt
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, CMU−Rue Michel-Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, CMU−Rue Michel-Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Hugo Morin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, CMU−Rue Michel-Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, CMU−Rue Michel-Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Nargess Shahbazi
- Department of Preclinical Sciences & Pathology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Nathalie Boulens
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, CMU−Rue Michel-Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, CMU−Rue Michel-Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | | | - Alexander D. Crawford
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, Université du Luxembourg, 6, avenue du Swing, 4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Theracule S.á r.l., 9, avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, 4362 Belval, Luxembourg
- Department of Preclinical Sciences & Pathology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Eric Allémann
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, CMU−Rue Michel-Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, CMU−Rue Michel-Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Luc Wolfender
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, CMU−Rue Michel-Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, CMU−Rue Michel-Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
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