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Li L, Wu X, Gong J, Wang Z, Dai W, Qiu L, Zuo H, Yi M, Yuan H, Hu M, Gao Z, Tian F. Activation of GABA type A receptor is involved in the anti-insomnia effect of Huanglian Wendan Decoction. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1389768. [PMID: 38846089 PMCID: PMC11153716 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1389768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Huanglian Wendan Decoction (HWD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescribed to patients diagnosed with insomnia, which can achieve excellent therapeutic outcomes. As positively modulating the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptors (GABAARs) is the most effective strategy to manage insomnia, this study aimed to investigate whether the activation of GABAARs is involved in the anti-insomnia effect of HWD. We assessed the metabolites of HWD using LC/MS and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database and tested the pharmacological activity in vitro and in vivo using whole-cell patch clamp and insomnia zebrafish model. In HEK293 cells expressing α1β3γ2L GABAARs, HWD effectively increased the GABA-induced currents and could induce GABAAR-mediated currents independent of the application of GABA. In the LC-MS (QToF) assay, 31 metabolites were discovered in negative ion modes and 37 metabolites were found in positive ion modes, but neither three selected active metabolites, Danshensu, Coptisine, or Dihydromyricetin, showed potentiating effects on GABA currents. 62 active metabolites of the seven botanical drugs were collected based on the TCMSP database and 19 of them were selected for patch-clamp verification according to the virtual docking simulations and other parameters. At a concentration of 100 μM, GABA-induced currents were increased by (+)-Cuparene (278.80% ± 19.13%), Ethyl glucoside (225.40% ± 21.77%), and β-Caryophyllene (290.11% ± 17.71%). In addition, (+)-Cuparene, Ethyl glucoside, and β-Caryophyllene could also serve as positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) and shifted the GABA dose-response curve (DRC) leftward significantly. In the PCPA-induced zebrafish model, Ethyl glucoside showed anti-insomnia effects at concentrations of 100 μM. In this research, we demonstrated that the activation of GABAARs was involved in the anti-insomnia effect of HWD, and Ethyl glucoside might be a key metabolite in treating insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Li
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Zhongshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Zhongshan, China
| | - Xiaorong Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Zhongshan, China
| | - Jili Gong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Zhongshan, China
| | - Zhuqiang Wang
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Zhongshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Zhongshan, China
| | - Weibo Dai
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Zhongshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Zhongshan, China
| | - Li Qiu
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Zhongshan, China
- School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Hongyuan Zuo
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Zhongshan, China
| | - Mengqin Yi
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Zhongshan, China
| | - Hui Yuan
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Zhongshan, China
- School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Mei Hu
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Zhongshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Zhongshan, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Zhongshan, China
| | - Zhaobing Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Zhongshan, China
- School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Fuyun Tian
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Zhongshan, China
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Schäfer E, Seibold PS, Bartram S, Trottmann F, Haensch VG, Gressler M, Chadeayne AR, Hertweck C, O'Connor SE, Hoffmeister D. A "Magic Mushroom" Multi-Product Sesquiterpene Synthase. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300511. [PMID: 37614035 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300511] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Psilocybe "magic mushrooms" are chemically well understood for their psychotropic tryptamines. However, the diversity of their other specialized metabolites, in particular terpenoids, has largely remained an open question. Yet, knowledge on the natural product background is critical to understand if other compounds modulate the psychotropic pharmacological effects. CubA, the single clade II sesquiterpene synthase of P. cubensis, was heterologously produced in Escherichia coli and characterized in vitro, complemented by in vivo product formation assays in Aspergillus niger as a heterologous host. Extensive GC-MS analyses proved a function as multi-product synthase and, depending on the reaction conditions, cubebol, β-copaene, δ-cadinene, and germacrene D were detected as the major products of CubA. In addition, mature P. cubensis carpophores were analysed chromatographically which led to the detection of β-copaene and δ-cadinene. Enzymes closely related to CubA are encoded in the genomes of various Psilocybe species. Therefore, our results provide insight into the metabolic capacity of the entire genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike Schäfer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans Knöll Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Winzerlaer Str. 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Paula S Seibold
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans Knöll Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Winzerlaer Str. 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan Bartram
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department Natural Product Biosynthesis, Hans-Knöll-Strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Felix Trottmann
- Department Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Veit G Haensch
- Department Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Markus Gressler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans Knöll Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Winzerlaer Str. 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Christian Hertweck
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Department Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Sarah E O'Connor
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department Natural Product Biosynthesis, Hans-Knöll-Strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Dirk Hoffmeister
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans Knöll Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Winzerlaer Str. 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743, Jena, Germany
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Li Y, Vogel C, Kalinichenko LS, Hübner H, Weikert D, Schaefer N, Gmeiner P, Villmann C, Pischetsrieder M, Müller CP. The beer component hordenine inhibits alcohol addiction-associated behaviours in mice. Addict Biol 2023; 28:e13305. [PMID: 37500485 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13305] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol consumption is a widespread behaviour that may eventually result in the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Alcohol, however, is rarely consumed in pure form but in fruit- or corn-derived preparations, like beer. These preparations add other compounds to the consumption, which may critically modify alcohol intake and AUD risk. We investigated the effects of hordenine, a barley-derived beer compound on alcohol use-related behaviours. We found that the dopamine D2 receptor agonist hordenine (50 mg/kg) limited ongoing alcohol consumption and prophylactically diminished relapse drinking after withdrawal in mice. Although not having reinforcing effects on its own, hordenine blocked the establishment of alcohol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). However, it independently enhanced alcohol CPP retrieval. Hordenine had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on locomotor activity. Chronic hordenine exposure enhanced monoamine tissue levels in many brain regions. Further characterization revealed monoaminergic binding sites of hordenine and found a strong binding on the serotonin and dopamine transporters, and dopamine D3 , and adrenergic α1A and α2A receptor activation but no effects on GABAA receptor or glycinergic signalling. These findings suggest that natural ingredients of beer, like hordenine, may work as an inhibitory and use-regulating factor by their modulation of monoaminergic signalling in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Food Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christina Vogel
- Food Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Liubov S Kalinichenko
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Harald Hübner
- Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dorothee Weikert
- Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Natascha Schaefer
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carmen Villmann
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Monika Pischetsrieder
- Food Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian P Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Nutt DJ, Tyacke RJ, Spriggs M, Jacoby V, Borthwick AD, Belelli D. Functional Alternatives to Alcohol. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14183761. [PMID: 36145137 PMCID: PMC9505959 DOI: 10.3390/nu14183761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The consumption of alcohol is associated with well-known health harms and many governments worldwide are actively engaged in devising approaches to reduce them. To this end, a common proposed strategy aims at reducing alcohol consumption. This approach has led to the development of non-alcoholic drinks, which have been especially welcome by younger, wealthier, health-conscious consumers, who have been turning away from alcohol to look toward alternatives. However, a drawback of non-alcoholic drinks is that they do not facilitate social interaction in the way alcohol does, which is the main reason behind social drinking. Therefore, an alternative approach is to develop functional drinks that do not use alcohol yet mimic the positive, pro-social effects of alcohol without the associated harms. This article will discuss (1) current knowledge of how alcohol mediates its effects in the brain, both the desirable, e.g., antistress to facilitate social interactions, and the harmful ones, with a specific focus on the pivotal role played by the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter system and (2) how this knowledge can be exploited to develop functional safe alternatives to alcohol using either molecules already existing in nature or synthetic ones. This discussion will be complemented by an analysis of the regulatory challenges associated with the novel endeavour of bringing safe, functional alternatives to alcohol from the bench to bars.
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