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Xu JW, Xu X, Ling Y, Wang YC, Huang YJ, Yang JZ, Wang JY, Shen X. Vincamine as an agonist of G-protein-coupled receptor 40 effectively ameliorates diabetic peripheral neuropathy in mice. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:2388-2403. [PMID: 37580494 PMCID: PMC10692181 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01135-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes, which has yet no curable medication. Neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction are tightly linked to DPN pathology. G-protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) is predominantly expressed in pancreatic β-cells, but also in spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, regulating neuropathic pain. We previously have reported that vincamine (Vin), a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid extracted from Madagascar periwinkle, is a GPR40 agonist. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of Vin in ameliorating the DPN-like pathology in diabetic mice. Both STZ-induced type 1 (T1DM) and db/db type 2 diabetic (T2DM) mice were used to establish late-stage DPN model (DPN mice), which were administered Vin (30 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.p.) for 4 weeks. We showed that Vin administration did not lower blood glucose levels, but significantly ameliorated neurological dysfunctions in DPN mice. Vin administration improved the blood flow velocities and blood perfusion areas of foot pads and sciatic nerve tissues in DPN mice. We demonstrated that Vin administration protected against sciatic nerve myelin sheath injury and ameliorated foot skin intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density impairment in DPN mice. Moreover, Vin suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation through either β-Arrestin2 or β-Arrestin2/IκBα/NF-κB signaling, improved mitochondrial dysfunction through CaMKKβ/AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling and alleviated oxidative stress through Nrf2 signaling in the sciatic nerve tissues of DPN mice and LPS/ATP-treated RSC96 cells. All the above-mentioned beneficial effects of Vin were abolished by GPR40-specific knockdown in dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve tissues. Together, these results support that pharmacological activation of GPR40 as a promising therapeutic strategy for DPN and highlight the potential of Vin in the treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Wen Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xu Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery & Center of Sleep Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Yun Ling
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yan-Chun Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yu-Jie Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Juan-Zhen Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jia-Ying Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Xu Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
- National Key Laboratory on Technologies for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process Control and Intelligent Manufacture, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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Ren Y, DeRose K, Li L, Gallucci JC, Yu J, Douglas Kinghorn A. Vincamine, from an antioxidant and a cerebral vasodilator to its anticancer potential. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 92:117439. [PMID: 37579526 PMCID: PMC10530545 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117439] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Vincamine is a naturally occurring indole alkaloid showing antioxidant activity and has been used clinically for the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular disorders and insufficiencies. It has been well documented that antioxidants may contribute to cancer treatment, and thus, vincamine has been investigated recently for its potential antitumor activity. Vincamine was found to show cancer cell cytotoxicity and to modulate several important proteins involved in tumor growth, including acetylcholinesterase (AChE), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and T-box 3 (TBX3). Several bisindole alkaloids, including vinblastine and vincristine and their synthetic derivatives, vindesine, vinflunine, and vinorelbine, have been used as clinically effective cancer chemotherapeutic agents. In the present review, the discovery and development of vincamine as a useful therapeutic agent and its antioxidant and antitumor activity are summarized, with its antioxidant-related mechanisms of anticancer potential being described. Also, discussed herein are the design of the potential vincamine-based oncolytic agents, which could contribute to the discovery of further new agents for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Ren
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States.
| | - Kevin DeRose
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Leyan Li
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Judith C Gallucci
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Jianhua Yu
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, United States
| | - A Douglas Kinghorn
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States.
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Zhao T, Zhou Z, Zhao S, Wan H, Li H, Hou J, Wang J, Qian M, Shen X. Vincamine as an agonist of G protein-coupled receptor 40 effectively ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis in mice. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 118:154919. [PMID: 37392673 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is an irreversible and fatal lung disease with limited therapeutic options. G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) has been developed as a promising therapeutic target for metabolic disorders and functions potently in varied pathological and physiological processes. Vincamine (Vin) is a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid originated from Madagascar periwinkle and was reported as a GPR40 agonist in our previous work. PURPOSE Here, we aimed to clarify the role of GPR40 in PF pathogenesis by using the determined GPR40 agonist Vin as a probe and explore the potential of Vin in ameliorating PF in mice. METHODS Pulmonary GPR40 expression alterations were assessed in both PF patients and bleomycin-induced PF mice (PF mice). Vin was used to evaluate the therapeutic potential of GPR40 activation for PF and the underlying mechanism was intensively investigated by assays against GPR40 knockout (Ffar1-/-) mice and the cells transfected with si-GPR40 in vitro. RESULTS Pulmonary GPR40 expression level was highly downregulated in PF patients and PF mice. Pulmonary GPR40 deletion (Ffar1-/-) exacerbated pulmonary fibrosis as evidenced by the increases in mortality, dysfunctional lung index, activated myofibroblasts and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in PF mice. Vin-mediated pulmonary GPR40 activation ameliorated PF-like pathology in mice. Mechanistically, Vin suppressed ECM deposition by GPR40/β-arrestin2/SMAD3 pathway, repressed inflammatory response by GPR40/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and inhibited angiogenesis by decreasing GPR40-mediated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the region of interface to normal parenchyma in pulmonary fibrotic tissues of mice. CONCLUSION Pulmonary GPR40 activation shows promise as a therapeutic strategy for PF and Vin exhibits high potential in treating this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhiruo Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shimei Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Huiqi Wan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Honglin Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jiwei Hou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Jiaying Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; National Key Laboratory on Technologies for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process Control and Intelligent Manufacture, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Minyi Qian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Xu Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; National Key Laboratory on Technologies for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process Control and Intelligent Manufacture, Nanjing 210023, China.
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Sanz FJ, Solana-Manrique C, Paricio N. Disease-Modifying Effects of Vincamine Supplementation in Drosophila and Human Cell Models of Parkinson's Disease Based on DJ-1 Deficiency. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023. [PMID: 37289979 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder caused by the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Current therapies are only symptomatic and are not able to stop or delay its progression. In order to search for new and more effective therapies, our group carried out a high-throughput screening assay, identifying several candidate compounds that are able to improve locomotor ability in DJ-1β mutant flies (a Drosophila model of familial PD) and reduce oxidative stress (OS)-induced lethality in DJ-1-deficient SH-SY5Y human cells. One of them was vincamine (VIN), a natural alkaloid obtained from the leaves of Vinca minor. Our results showed that VIN is able to suppress PD-related phenotypes in both Drosophila and human cell PD models. Specifically, VIN reduced OS levels in PD model flies. Besides, VIN diminished OS-induced lethality by decreasing apoptosis, increased mitochondrial viability, and reduced OS levels in DJ-1-deficient human cells. In addition, our results show that VIN might be exerting its beneficial role, at least partially, by the inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels. Therefore, we propose that these channels might be a promising target in the search for new compounds to treat PD and that VIN represents a potential therapeutic treatment for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco José Sanz
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Valencia, Burjassot 46100, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Burjassot 46100, Spain
| | - Cristina Solana-Manrique
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Valencia, Burjassot 46100, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Burjassot 46100, Spain
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Europea de Valencia, Valencia 46010, Spain
| | - Nuria Paricio
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Valencia, Burjassot 46100, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Burjassot 46100, Spain
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Hu W, Yan G, Ding Q, Cai J, Zhang Z, Zhao Z, Lei H, Zhu YZ. Update of Indoles: Promising molecules for ameliorating metabolic diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 150:112957. [PMID: 35462330 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity and metabolic disorders have gradually become public health-threatening problems. The metabolic disorder is a cluster of complex metabolic abnormalities which are featured by dysfunction in glucose and lipid metabolism, and results from the increasing prevalence of visceral obesity. With the core driving factor of insulin resistance, metabolic disorder mainly includes type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), micro and macro-vascular diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), dyslipidemia, and the dysfunction of gut microbiota. Strategies and therapeutic attention are demanded to decrease the high risk of metabolic diseases, from lifestyle changes to drug treatment, especially herbal medicines. Indole is a parent substance of numerous bioactive compounds, and itself can be produced by tryptophan catabolism to stimulate glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion and inhibit the development of obesity. In addition, in heterocycles drug discovery, the indole scaffold is primarily found in natural compounds with versatile biological activity and plays a prominent role in drug molecules synthesis. In recent decades, plenty of natural or synthesized indole deriviatives have been investigated and elucidated to exert effects on regulating glucose hemeostasis and lipd metabolism. The aim of this review is to trace and emphasize the compounds containing indole scaffold that possess immense potency on preventing metabolic disorders, particularly T2DM, obesity and NAFLD, along with the underlying molecular mechanisms, therefore facilitate a better comprehension of their druggability and application in metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine and School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Guanyu Yan
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine and School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Jianghong Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine and School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Zhongyi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine and School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Ziming Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine and School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Heping Lei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coronary Heart Disease Prevention, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yi Zhun Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine and School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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6
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Peng YH, Wang P, He XQ, Hong MZ, Liu F. Micro ribonucleic acid-363 regulates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/threonine protein kinase axis by targeting NOTCH1 and forkhead box C2, leading to hepatic glucose and lipids metabolism disorder in type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Diabetes Investig 2021; 13:236-248. [PMID: 34739190 PMCID: PMC8847119 DOI: 10.1111/jdi.13695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims/Introduction Glucose metabolic disorder is the main cause for type 2 diabetes progression. Exploring the molecular mechanisms of metabolic disorder are crucial for type 2 diabetes treatment. Materials and Methods Micro ribonucleic acid (miR)‐363, NOTCH1 and forkhead box C2 (FOXC2) expressions in high glucose (HG)‐treated HepG2 cells and the livers of type 2 diabetes mellitus rats were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Protein levels of NOTCH1, FOXC2 and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/serine/threonine protein kinase (Akt)‐related proteins were evaluated using western blot. Lipid accumulation was determined using Oil Red O staining. Then glucose consumption, blood glucose level and glycogen content were detected using kits. Finally, dual luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the binding relationship between miR‐363 and NOTCH1, and the binding relationship between miR‐363 and FOXC2. Results MiR‐363 was significantly upregulated in the livers of diabetic rats and HG‐induced HepG2 cells, whereas NOTCH1 and FOXC2 were downregulated. In HG‐induced HepG2 cells, miR‐363 inhibitor markedly increased glucose consumption and uptake, and reduced accumulation of lipid droplets. Then NOTCH1 and FOXC2 were identified as downstream targets of miR‐363. NOTCH1 overexpression or FOXC2 overexpression could ameliorate glucose and lipids metabolism disorder in type 2 diabetes model cells. In addition, we found that FOXC2 inhibition abolished the effect of NOTCH1 overexpression on HG‐induced HepG2 cells. Finally, we proved that the PI3K/Akt pathway was the downstream pathway of FOXC2. Conclusion MiR‐363 was considered as a key regulator of glucose and lipids metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus, which regulated PI3K/Akt axis by targeting NOTCH1 and FOXC2, thus leading to hepatic glucose and lipids metabolism disorder in type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Huan Peng
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiao-Qun He
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ming-Zhao Hong
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
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Rani L, Grewal AS, Sharma N, Singh S. Recent Updates on Free Fatty Acid Receptor 1 (GPR-40) Agonists for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Mini Rev Med Chem 2021; 21:426-470. [PMID: 33100202 DOI: 10.2174/1389557520666201023141326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has enthused the development of new antidiabetic targets with low toxicity and long-term stability. In this respect, free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1), which is also recognized as a G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40), is a novel target for the treatment of T2DM. FFAR1/GPR40 has a high level of expression in β-cells of the pancreas, and the requirement of glucose for stimulating insulin release results in immense stimulation to utilise this target in the medication of T2DM. METHODS The data used for this review is based on the search of several scienctific databases as well as various patent databases. The main search terms used were free fatty acid receptor 1, FFAR1, FFAR1 agonists, diabetes mellitus, G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40), GPR40 agonists, GPR40 ligands, type 2 diabetes mellitus and T2DM. RESULTS The present review article gives a brief overview of FFAR1, its role in T2DM, recent developments in small molecule FFAR1 (GPR40) agonists reported till now, compounds of natural/plant origin, recent patents published in the last few years, mechanism of FFAR1 activation by the agonists, and clinical status of the FFAR1/GPR40 agonists. CONCLUSION The agonists of FFAR1/GRP40 showed considerable potential for the therapeutic control of T2DM. Most of the small molecule FFAR1/GPR40 agonists developed were aryl alkanoic acid derivatives (such as phenylpropionic acids, phenylacetic acids, phenoxyacetic acids, and benzofuran acetic acid derivatives) and thiazolidinediones. Some natural/plant-derived compounds, including fatty acids, sesquiterpenes, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, isoquinoline, and indole alkaloids, were also reported as potent FFAR1 agonists. The clinical investigations of the FFAR1 agonists demonstrated their probable role in the improvement of glucose control. Though, there are some problems still to be resolved in this field as some FFAR1 agonists terminated in the late phase of clinical studies due to "hepatotoxicity." Currently, PBI-4050 is under clinical investigation by Prometic. Further investigation of pharmacophore scaffolds for FFAR1 full agonists as well as multitargeted modulators and corresponding clinical investigations will be anticipated, which can open up new directions in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lata Rani
- Chitkara University School of Basic Sciences, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Ajmer Singh Grewal
- Chitkara University School of Basic Sciences, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Neelam Sharma
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Sukhbir Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
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Zhu Y, Zhao J, Luo L, Gao Y, Bao H, Li P, Zhang H. Research progress of indole compounds with potential antidiabetic activity. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 223:113665. [PMID: 34192642 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
New types of antidiabetic agents are continually needed with diabetes becoming the epidemic in the world. Indole alkaloids play an important role in natural products owing to their variable structures and versatile biological activities like anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities, which are a promising source of novel antidiabetic drugs discovery. The synthesized indole derivatives possess similar properties to natural indole alkaloids. In the last two decades, more and more indole derivatives have been designed and synthesized for searching their bioactivities. This present review describes comprehensive structures of indole compounds with the potential antidiabetic activity including natural indole alkaloids and the synthetic indole derivatives based on the structure classification, summarizes their approaches isolated from natural sources or by synthetic methods, and discusses the antidiabetic effects and the mechanisms of action. Furthermore, this review also provides briefly synthetic procedures of some important indole derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqian Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jinran Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Longbiao Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Yang Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - He Bao
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Pengfei Li
- Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Hailong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
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Governa P, Caroleo MC, Carullo G, Aiello F, Cione E, Manetti F. FFAR1/GPR40: One target, different binding sites, many agonists, no drugs, but a continuous and unprofitable tug-of-war between ligand lipophilicity, activity, and toxicity. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 41:127969. [PMID: 33771587 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.127969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The progress made so far in the elucidation of the structure of free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1) and its secondary and ternary complexes with partial and full allosteric ligands led to the discovery of various putative binding regions on the FFAR1 surface. Attempts to develop FFAR1 agonists culminated with the identification of TAK-875 (1), whose phase 3 clinical trials were terminated due to potential liver toxicity. In the search of safer agonists, numerous classes of new compounds were designed, synthesized, and tested. Chemical decoration of the scaffolds was rationalized to reach a good balance between lipophilicity, activity, and toxicity. Today, targeting FFAR1 with positive modulators represents an attractive pharmacological tool for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), mainly because of the lack of hypoglycaemic side effects associated with several antidiabetic drugs currently available. Moreover, considering the involvement of FFAR1 in many physio-pathological processes, its agonists are also emerging as possible therapeutic tools for alleviating organ inflammation and fibrosis, as well as for the treatment of CNS disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Governa
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy-Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Caroleo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences-Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Calabria, Ed. Polifunzionale, I-87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Gabriele Carullo
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy-Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Aiello
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences-Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Calabria, Ed. Polifunzionale, I-87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy.
| | - Erika Cione
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences-Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Calabria, Ed. Polifunzionale, I-87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy.
| | - Fabrizio Manetti
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy-Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy.
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Jo J, Lee D, Park YH, Choi H, Han J, Park DH, Choi YK, Kwak J, Yang MK, Yoo JW, Moon HR, Geum D, Kang KS, Yun H. Discovery and optimization of novel 3-benzyl-N-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamides as bifunctional antidiabetic agents stimulating both insulin secretion and glucose uptake. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 217:113325. [PMID: 33765605 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
A novel series of 3-benzyl-N-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamides was designed, synthesized and evaluated for their biological activities on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). The cytotoxicity of all 41 novel compounds was screened to assess their pharmacological safety in pancreatic β-cells. A two-step optimization process was carried out to establish the structure-activity relationship for this class and subsequently we identified the most active analogue 26. Further modification study of 26 evidenced the necessity of N-hydrogens in the core architecture. Protein expression analysis suggested that 26 increases insulin secretion via the activation of the upstream effector of pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX-1), which is an important factor promoting GSIS. Moreover, the administration of 26 effectively augmented glucose uptake in C2C12 myotube cells via the suppression of Mitsugumin 53 (MG53), an insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) ubiquitination E3 ligase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeyun Jo
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Dahae Lee
- College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam, 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeong Hye Park
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeonjin Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhee Han
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Do Hwi Park
- College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam, 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - You-Kyung Choi
- College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam, 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinsook Kwak
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Kyu Yang
- Mother's Pharmaceutical, Seoul, 08506, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Wook Yoo
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Ryong Moon
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongho Geum
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University Medical School, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Sung Kang
- College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam, 13120, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hwayoung Yun
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Koyama R, Ookawara M, Watanabe M, Moritoh Y. Chronic Exposure to SCO-267, an Allosteric GPR40 Full Agonist, Is Effective in Improving Glycemic Control in Rats. Mol Pharmacol 2021; 99:286-293. [PMID: 33547250 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.120.000168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Full agonist-mediated activation of free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1/GPR40) alleviates diabetes in rodents. Considering that diabetes is a chronic disease, assessment of treatment durability of chronic exposure to a GPR40 full agonist is pivotal for treating patients with diabetes. However, the physiologic significance of chronic in vitro and in vivo exposure to GPR40 full agonists is largely unclear. Here, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo effects of chronic treatment with SCO-267, a GPR40 full agonist, on signal transduction and glucose control. In vitro experiments showed that SCO-267 is an allosteric full agonist for GPR40, which activates the Gα q, Gα s, and Gα 12/13 pathways and β-arrestin recruitment. The calcium signal response was largely sustained in GPR40-overexpressing CHO cells even after prolonged incubation with SCO-267. To evaluate the in vivo relevance of chronic exposure to GPR40 full agonists, SCO-267 (1 and 10 mg/kg) was administered once daily to neonatally streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for 15-33 days, and glucose control was evaluated. After 15 days of dosing followed by the drug washout period, SCO-267 improved glucose tolerance, most likely by increasing insulin sensitivity in rats. After 33 days, repeated exposure to SCO-267 was highly effective in improving glucose tolerance in rats. Furthermore, chronic exposure to SCO-267 increased pancreatic insulin content. These results demonstrated that even after chronic exposure, SCO-267 effectively activates GPR40 in cells and rats, suggesting the clinical application of SCO-267 in treating chronic diseases including diabetes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: GPR40 is a validated therapeutic target for diabetes. This study showed that even after chronic exposure, SCO-267, an allosteric GPR40 full agonist, effectively activates GPR40 in cells and rats; these results suggest a durable efficacy of SCO-267 in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryokichi Koyama
- Research Division, SCOHIA PHARMA, Inc., Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Mitsugi Ookawara
- Research Division, SCOHIA PHARMA, Inc., Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | - Yusuke Moritoh
- Research Division, SCOHIA PHARMA, Inc., Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
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12
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Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of vincamine derivatives as potential pancreatic β-cells protective agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 188:111976. [PMID: 31918073 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A series of vincamine derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as pancreatic β-cells protective agents for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Most of the compounds displayed potent pancreatic β-cells protective activities and five derivatives were found to exhibit 20-50-fold higher activities than vincamine. Especially for compounds Vin-C01 and Vin-F03, exhibited a remarkable EC50 value of 0.22 μM and 0.27 μM, respectively. Their pancreatic β-cells protective activities increased approximately 2 times than vincamine. In cell viability assay, compounds Vin-C01 and Vin-F03 could effectively promote β-cell survival and protect β-cells from STZ-induced apoptosis. Further cellular mechanism of action studies demonstrated that their potent β-cells protective activities were achieved by regulating IRS2/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The present study evidently showed that compounds Vin-C01 and Vin-F03 were two more potent pancreatic β-cells protective agents compared to vincamine and might serve as promising lead candidates for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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