Investigational drugs for treating major depressive disorder

Machine-learning repurposing of DrugBank compounds for opioid use disorder

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic and relapsing condition that involves the continued and compulsive use of opioids despite harmful consequences. The development of medications with improved efficacy and safety profiles for OUD treatment is urgently needed. Drug repurposing is a promising option for drug discovery due to its reduced cost and expedited approval procedures. Computational approaches based on machine learning enable the rapid screening of DrugBank compounds, identifying those with the potential to be repurposed for OUD treatment. We collected inhibitor data for four major opioid receptors and used advanced machine learning predictors of binding affinity that fuse the gradient boosting decision tree algorithm with two natural language processing (NLP)-based molecular fingerprints and one traditional 2D fingerprint. Using these predictors, we systematically analyzed the binding affinities of DrugBank compounds on four opioid receptors. Based on our machine learning predictions, we were able to discriminate DrugBank compounds with various binding affinity thresholds and selectivities for different receptors. The prediction results were further analyzed for ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity), which provided guidance on repurposing DrugBank compounds for the inhibition of selected opioid receptors. The pharmacological effects of these compounds for OUD treatment need to be tested in further experimental studies and clinical trials. Our machine learning studies provide a valuable platform for drug discovery in the context of OUD treatment.

Psychoendocrinology: arginine vasopressin and resilience in patients with major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND

There is a burgeoning body of evidence suggesting that arginine vasopressin (AVP) acts as a neuromodulator of the stress response. AVP stimulates the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone, synergistic to corticotropin-releasing hormone, which might explain AVP's role in resilience. Personal hardiness is the bedrock of resilience. Numerous studies have demonstrated elevated plasma levels of AVP in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), suggesting an etiopathogenetic role as well as a novel therapeutic target.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between AVP and resilience in patients with MDD and to determine AVP levels in serum of patients with MDD.

METHODS

Forty patients with MDD and 40 healthy control subjects were studied using the Dispositional Resilience (Hardiness) Scale by Barton, the Quality of Life Scale, the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Biochemical analysis of plasma levels of AVP, using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was performed for all participants.

RESULTS

Levels of AVP were statistically significantly elevated in patients with MDD compared with healthy controls. Psychological hardiness was decreased in patients with MDD compared with healthy controls, a finding also statistically significant. There was a negative correlation between plasma AVP level and psychological hardiness.

CONCLUSION

AVP and psychological hardiness are negatively correlated, reflecting lower stress resilience. AVP levels are indeed higher in patients struggling with MDD.

Congenital anomalies and spontaneous abortion in mice resulting from the use of escitalopram

CONTEXT

Escitalopram (ESC) use during pregnancy has not been associated with teratogenic effects in fetuses.

AIMS

To investigate whether ESC administered during pregnancy in mice induces maternal toxicity and teratogenicity in offspring.

METHODS

Treated mice groups G1 and control G0 (n =15 per group). Administration of ESC (G1) and saline solution (G0) during pregnancy and euthanasia on the 18thday. Pregnant female mice were treated with ESC (20mg/kg, via gavage) or saline solution (control group) from the 5th to the 17thday of gestation, when implantation was consolidated. During intraembryonic development until the day before delivery, the drug had an influence on the development of alterations from its maintenance in the uterine environment and its development to the disturbance causing skeletal or visceral malformations.

KEY RESULTS

The intrauterine development parameters that were altered by ESC treatment were: number of resorptions (G0: [0.93±0.24]); G1: [3.33±0.51]), post-implantation loss (G0: [3.95±1.34], G1: [13.75±3.62]) and reduced fetal viability: [97.30±1.00]; G1: [81.09±6.22]). Regarding fetal formation, the treated group had visceral malformations with a significant frequency: cleft palate (G0: [1.0%], G1: [11.86%]) and reduced kidneys (G0: [0%]; G1: [10.17%]). Regarding skeletal malformations, a higher frequency was observed in the following parameters: incomplete supraoccipital ossification (G0: [0%], G1: [15.25]), absence of ribs (G0: [0%], G1 (G0: [0%], G1 [15.25%]) and absence of one or more of the foot phalanges (G0: [1.0%]; 64%]).

CONCLUSION

Results indicate that ESC is an embryotoxic and teratogenic drug.

IMPLICATIONS

Until further studies are performed, greater caution is necessary in prescribing the drug to pregnant women.

Role of Quercetin in Depressive-Like Behaviors: Findings from Animal Models

Depressive-like behavior is a highly prevalent worldwide neuropsychiatric disorder that owns a complex pathophysiologic mechanism. The available pharmacotherapy is ineffective for most patients and shown several adverse effects. Therefore, it is important to find efficacy and safe antidepressive compounds. Some phytochemicals compounds regulate the same genes and pathways targeted by drugs; therefore, diets rich in fruits and vegetables could be considered novel treatment approaches. Currently, the functional properties of quercetin acquired great interest, due to its beneficial effects on health. Quercetin is a flavonoid ubiquitously present in vegetables and fruits, interestingly for its strong antioxidant properties. The purpose of this review is to summarize the preclinical studies present in the literature, in the last ten years, aimed at illustrating the effects of quercetin pre-treatment in depressive-like behaviors. Quercetin resulted in antidepressant-like actions due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. This pointed out the usefulness of this flavonoid as a nutraceutical compound against the development of psychological stress-induced behavioral perturbation. Therefore, quercetin or a diet containing it may become a prospective supplementation or an efficient adjuvant therapy for preventing stress-mediated depressive-like behavior.

Glutamate and depression: Reflecting a deepening knowledge of the gut and brain effects of a ubiquitous molecule

The versatility of glutamate as the brain’s foremost excitatory neurotransmitter and modulator of neurotransmission and function is considered common knowledge. Years of research have continued to uncover glutamate’s effects and roles in several neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression. It had been considered that a deeper understanding of the roles of glutamate in depression might open a new door to understanding the pathological basis of the disorder, improve the approach to patient management, and lead to the development of newer drugs that may benefit more patients. This review examines our current understanding of the roles of endogenous and exogenous sources of glutamate and the glutamatergic system in the aetiology, progression and management of depression. It also examines the relationships that link the gut-brain axis, glutamate and depression; as it emphasizes how the gut-brain axis could impact depression pathogenesis and management via changes in glutamate homeostasis. Finally, we consider what the likely future of glutamate-based therapies and glutamate-based therapeutic manipulations in depression are, and if with them, we are now on the final chapter of understanding the neurochemical milieu of depressive disorders.

The preclinical discovery and development of agomelatine for the treatment of depression

INTRODUCTION

Under the treatment of commonly used antidepressants, many patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) do not achieve remission. All previous first-line treatments for depression have focused on the enhancement of monoaminergic activity. Agomelatine was the first antidepressant with a mechanism of action extending beyond monoaminergic neurotransmission.

AREAS COVERED

The aim of this case history is to describe the discovery strategy and development of agomelatine. The pharmacodynamic profile of the drug is briefly presented. The article summarizes (a) the preclinical behavioral data on agomelatine's effects on depressive-like behavior, anxiety, and circadian rhythmicity disruptions, and (b) the results of early preclinical studies on safety, efficacy in MDD, and the risk-benefit pharmacological profile. Furthermore, the article examines findings of post-marketing research on safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of the drug.

EXPERT OPINION

There is now evidence supporting the clinical efficacy and safety profile of agomelatine in the acute-phase treatment of MDD. Agomelatine may be more effective in specific subgroups of MDD patients, those with severe anxiety symptoms or disturbed circadian profiles. Its antidepressant and anxiolytic activities are due to synergy between its melatonergic and 5-hydroxytryptaminergic effects. Since its discovery, novel compounds acting on the melatonergic system have been under investigation for the treatment of MDD.

Crosstalk between the microbiota-gut-brain axis and depression

Nutritional and microbiological psychiatry, especially the contribution of the gut microbiota to depression, has become a promising research field over the past several decades. An imbalance in the "microbiota-gut-brain axis", which reflects the constant bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract, has been used as a hypothesis to interpret the pathogenesis of depression. Alterations in gut microbiota composition could increase the permeability of the gut barrier, activate systemic inflammation and immune responses, regulate the release and efficacy of monoamine neurotransmitters, alter the activity and function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and modify the abundance of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), eventually leading to depression. In this article, we review changes in gut microbiota in depressive states, the association between these changes and depression-like behavior, the potential mechanism linking gut microbiota disruptions and depression, and preliminary attempts at using gut microbiota intervention for the treatment of depression. In summary, although the link between gut microbiota and depression and the potential mechanism have been discussed, a more detailed mechanistic understanding is needed to fully realize the importance of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in depression. Future efforts should aim to determine the potential causative mechanisms, which will require further animal and clinical research as well as the development of analytical approaches.

Quercetin Alleviates LPS-Induced Depression-Like Behavior in Rats via Regulating BDNF-Related Imbalance of Copine 6 and TREM1/2 in the Hippocampus and PFC

Quercetin is a polyphenol with multiple biological activities, and results of our preliminary study showed that it could shorten the immobility time of mice in the forced swimming test and tail suspending test. The aim of this study was to investigate its effects on the behavioral performance of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged rats and explore the potential mechanism. The results showed that intragastrical administration of quercetin (40 mg/kg) could improve the bodyweight gain of LPS-challenged rats, increase the saccharin preference index in the saccharin preference test and the novel arm preference index in the Y-maze, and decrease the immobility time in the FST. However, it showed no significant effect on the performance of LPS-challenged rats in the Morris water maze and the plasma concentrations of nesfatin-1, C-reactive protein (CRP), and IL-6. Results of western blot showed that the expression levels of BDNF, Copine 6, p-TrkB, and the triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells (TREM) 1 were decreased in both the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of LPS-challenged rats, while the expression of TREM2 was increased. The protein expression of synapsin-1 was decreased in the hippocampus without significant changes in the PFC. These imbalance protein expressions could be balanced by treatment with quercetin. The results suggested that quercetin could alleviate LPS-induced depression-like behaviors and impairment of learning and memory in rats, the mechanism of which might be involved with regulating the BDNF-related imbalance expression of Copine 6 and TREM1/2 in the hippocampus and the PFC.

New flavonoid - N,N-dibenzyl(N-methyl)amine hybrids: Multi-target-directed agents for Alzheimer´s disease endowed with neurogenic properties

The design of multi-target directed ligands (MTDLs) is a valid approach for obtaining effective drugs for complex pathologies. MTDLs that combine neuro-repair properties and block the first steps of neurotoxic cascades could be the so long wanted remedies to treat neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). By linking two privileged scaffolds with well-known activities in ND-targets, the flavonoid and the N,N-dibenzyl(N-methyl)amine (DBMA) fragments, new CNS-permeable flavonoid - DBMA hybrids (1-13) were obtained. They were subjected to biological evaluation in a battery of targets involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other NDs, namely human cholinesterases (hAChE/hBuChE), β-secretase (hBACE-1), monoamine oxidases (hMAO-A/B), lipoxygenase-5 (hLOX-5) and sigma receptors (σ₁R/σ₂R). After a funnel-type screening, 6,7-dimethoxychromone - DBMA (6) was highlighted due to its neurogenic properties and an interesting MTD-profile in hAChE, hLOX-5, hBACE-1 and σ₁R. Molecular dynamic simulations showed the most relevant drug-protein interactions of hybrid 6, which could synergistically contribute to neuronal regeneration and block neurodegeneration.

Bipolar depression: a major unsolved challenge

Depression in bipolar disorder (BD) patients presents major clinical challenges. As the predominant psychopathology even in treated BD, depression is associated not only with excess morbidity, but also mortality from co-occurring general-medical disorders and high suicide risk. In BD, risks for medical disorders including diabetes or metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disorders, and associated mortality rates are several-times above those for the general population or with other psychiatric disorders. The SMR for suicide with BD reaches 20-times above general-population rates, and exceeds rates with other major psychiatric disorders. In BD, suicide is strongly associated with mixed (agitated-dysphoric) and depressive phases, time depressed, and hospitalization. Lithium may reduce suicide risk in BD; clozapine and ketamine require further testing. Treatment of bipolar depression is far less well investigated than unipolar depression, particularly for long-term prophylaxis. Short-term efficacy of antidepressants for bipolar depression remains controversial and they risk clinical worsening, especially in mixed states and with rapid-cycling. Evidence of efficacy of lithium and anticonvulsants for bipolar depression is very limited; lamotrigine has long-term benefit, but valproate and carbamazepine are inadequately tested and carry high teratogenic risks. Evidence is emerging of short-term efficacy of several modern antipsychotics (including cariprazine, lurasidone, olanzapine-fluoxetine, and quetiapine) for bipolar depression, including with mixed features, though they risk adverse metabolic and neurological effects.

Sub-Acute Oral Toxicity of a Novel Derivative of Agomelatine in Rats in a Sex-Dependent Manner

Agomelatine (AGO) is a new type of antidepressant with demonstrated antidepressant effects and a unique modulating circadian rhythm action. However, AGO has hepatotoxicity, which limits its clinical application. In order to develop new drugs that cause less liver injury than AGO, a series of derivatives were synthesized; compound GW117 was screened from derivatives due to its high receptor affinity. This study will investigate its sub-acute oral toxicity profile in rats in a sex-dependent manner. GW117 and AGO was administrated by gavage (200, 400, or 800 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. Hematological, biochemical tests, organ weights, histopathological examinations were carried out, the results showed that AGO and GW117 had adverse effects on platelet, liver and kidney, and had sex-differences in some indicators. Hematological tests showed that AGO and GW117 reduced the platelet count in male animals but had no effect in females. AGO increased plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin in male animals, and GW117 had no effect on these two indicators. For females, AGO moderately elevated ALT, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin, while GW117 only elevated ALP slightly. Two drugs could increase liver weight and coefficient, and cause liver pathological injury, including hepatic sinusoidal dilatation, hepatocyte fatty deposition and dotted cell necrosis in two genders. AGO caused mild to moderate hepatocyte and hepatobiliary injury in both genders, while only a mild hepatobiliary injury was caused by GW117 in females. Renal function tests showed that both drugs can increase blood urea nitrogen levels in males, while AGO, but not GW117, can slightly increase blood creatinine and urea nitrogen in females. The kidney weight and coefficient could be significantly increased by two drugs in males, and by AGO medium and GW117 high and low doses in females. The kidney pathological damage was mainly characterized by tubule dilatation, a thinning of the renal cortex. Kidney damage caused by GW117 was less than that of AGO, and there was no sex-difference. In summary, GW117 can cause mild liver and kidney damage in both genders, as well as mild platelets reduction in males, while degree of damage is less severe than AGO. Therefore, as an excellent derivative, GW117 deserves further development as an antidepressant.

The use of antidepressants in oncology: a review and practical tips for oncologists

Background

The use of psychotropic drugs, namely those with an antidepressant profile (ADs), is a mandatory part of an integrated treatment of psychiatric disorders among cancer patients. We aimed to synthetize the most relevant data emerging from published studies to provide tips about the use of ADs in oncology.

Design

A search was made of the major databases over the last 30 years (Embase/Medline, PsycLIT, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library), including narrative reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analyses summarizing the results from observational studies and randomized clinical trials assessing effectiveness, safety profile, interactions, contraindications and use of ADs in oncology with regard to both psychiatric (depressive spectrum, stress-related, anxiety disorders) and cancer-related symptoms (e.g. pain, hot flashes and fatigue).

Results

The weight of evidence supports the efficacy of ADs for more severe major depression in individuals with cancer and as an adjuvant treatment in cancer-related symptoms, although the methodological limitations of reported randomized controlled trials do not permit definite conclusions. Data also indicate that there should be caution in the use of ADs in cancer patients in terms of their safety profile and potential clinically significant interactions with other prescribed medications. Practical recommendations that have been made for the use of ADs in cancer patients, in the context of a multimodal approach to depression treatment, have been summarized here.

Conclusions

ADs are a relatively safe and effective treatment for more severe major depression in cancer patients. However, more research is urgently needed regarding the efficacy of ADs in different cancer types and cancer settings, their interactions with anticancer agents and their additive benefit when integrated with psychosocial interventions.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology CIV: The Neurobiology of Treatment-resistant Depression: From Antidepressant Classifications to Novel Pharmacological Targets

Major depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent and life-threatening forms of mental illnesses and a major cause of morbidity worldwide. Currently available antidepressants are effective for most patients, although around 30% are considered treatment resistant (TRD), a condition that is associated with a significant impairment of cognitive function and poor quality of life. In this respect, the identification of the molecular mechanisms contributing to TRD represents an essential step for the design of novel and more efficacious drugs able to modify the clinical course of this disorder and increase remission rates in clinical practice. New insights into the neurobiology of TRD have shed light on the role of a number of different mechanisms, including the glutamatergic system, immune/inflammatory systems, neurotrophin function, and epigenetics. Advances in drug discovery processes in TRD have also influenced the classification of antidepressant drugs and novel classifications are available, such as the neuroscience-based nomenclature that can incorporate such advances in drug development for TRD. This review aims to provide an up-to-date description of key mechanisms in TRD and describe current therapeutic strategies for TRD before examining novel approaches that may ultimately address important neurobiological mechanisms not targeted by currently available antidepressants. All in all, we suggest that drug targeting different neurobiological systems should be able to restore normal function but must also promote resilience to reduce the long-term vulnerability to recurrent depressive episodes.

A rapid LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of quetiapine and duloxetine in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic interaction study

Combinations of new antidepressants like duloxetine and second-generation antipsychotics like quetiapine are used in clinical treatment of major depressive disorder, as well as in forensic toxicology scenarios. The drug–drug interaction (DDI) between quetiapine and duloxetine is worthy of attention to avoid unnecessary adverse effects. However, no pharmacokinetic DDI studies of quetiapine and duloxetine have been reported. In the present study, a rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous determination of quetiapine and duloxetine in rat plasma. A one-step protein precipitation with acetonitrile was applied for sample preparation. The analytes were eluted on an Eclipse XDB-C₁₈ column using the mixture of acetonitrile and 2 mM ammonium formate containing 0.1% formic acid at a gradient elution within 6.0 min. Quantification was performed in multiple-reaction-monitoring mode with the ion transitions m/z 384.4 → 253.2 for quetiapine, m/z 298.1→154.1 for duloxetine and m/z 376.2→165.2 for IS (haloperidol), respectively. Good linearity was obtained in the range of 0.50–100 ng/mL for quetiapine (r² = 0.9972) and 1.00–200 ng/mL for duloxetine (r² = 0.9982) using 50 μL of rat plasma, respectively. The method was fully validated with accuracy, precision, matrix effects, recovery and stability. The validated data have met the acceptance criteria in FDA guideline. The method was applied to a pharmacokinetic interaction study and the results indicated that quetiapine had significant effect on the enhanced plasma exposure of duloxetine in rats under combination use. This study could be readily applied in therapeutic drug monitoring of major depressive disorder patients receiving such drug combinations.

The Link between Depression and Chronic Pain: Neural Mechanisms in the Brain

Chronic pain, as a stress state, is one of the critical factors for determining depression, and their coexistence tends to further aggravate the severity of both disorders. Unfortunately, their association remains unclear, which creates a bottleneck problem for managing chronic pain-induced depression. In recent years, studies have found considerable overlaps between pain- and depression-induced neuroplasticity changes and neurobiological mechanism changes. Such overlaps are vital to facilitating the occurrence and development of chronic pain and chronic pain-induced depression. In this review, we summarized the role of neuroplasticity in the occurrence and development of the two disorders in question and explored individualized application strategies of analgesic drugs and antidepressants that have different pharmacological effects in the treatment of chronic pain-induced depression. Therefore, this review may provide new insights into the understanding of association between chronic pain and depression.