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Žunec S, Vadlja D, Ramić A, Zandona A, Maraković N, Brekalo I, Primožič I, Katalinić M. Profiling Novel Quinuclidine-Based Derivatives as Potential Anticholinesterase Drugs: Enzyme Inhibition and Effects on Cell Viability. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:155. [PMID: 38203326 PMCID: PMC10778980 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010155] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The cholinergic system, relying on the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), plays a significant role in muscle contraction, cognition, and autonomic nervous system regulation. The enzymes acetylcholinesterase, AChE, and butyrylcholinesterase, BChE, responsible for hydrolyzing ACh, can fine-tune the cholinergic system's activity and are, therefore, excellent pharmacological targets to address a range of medical conditions. We designed, synthesized, and profiled 14 N-alkyl quaternary quinuclidines as inhibitors of human AChE and BChE and analyzed their impact on cell viability to assess their safety in the context of application as potential therapeutics. Our results showed that all of the 14 tested quinuclidines inhibited both AChE and BChE in the micromolar range (Ki = 0.26 - 156.2 μM). The highest inhibition potency was observed for two bisquaternary derivatives, 7 (1,1'-(decano)bis(3-hydroxyquinuclidinium bromide)) and 14 (1,1'-(decano)bis(3-hydroxyiminoquinuclidinium bromide)). The cytotoxic effect within 7-200 μM was observed only for monoquaternary quinuclidine derivatives, especially those with the C12-C16 alkyl chain. Further analysis revealed a time-independent mechanism of action, significant LDH release, and a decrease in the cells' mitochondrial membrane potential. Taking all results into consideration, we can confirm that a quinuclidine core presents a good scaffold for cholinesterase binding and that two bisquaternary quinuclidine derivatives could be considered as candidates worth further investigations as drugs acting in the cholinergic system. On the other hand, specific cell-related effects probably triggered by the free long alkyl chain in monoquaternary quinuclidine derivatives should not be neglected in future N-alkyl quaternary quinuclidine derivative structure refinements. Such an effect and their potential to interact with other specific targets, as indicated by a pharmacophore model, open up a new perspective for future investigations of these compounds' scaffold in the treatment of specific conditions and diseases other than cholinergic system-linked disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzana Žunec
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska c. 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.Ž.); (A.Z.); (N.M.)
| | - Donna Vadlja
- Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, Trg Kralja Petra Krešimira IV br. 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Alma Ramić
- Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.R.); (I.B.); (I.P.)
| | - Antonio Zandona
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska c. 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.Ž.); (A.Z.); (N.M.)
| | - Nikola Maraković
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska c. 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.Ž.); (A.Z.); (N.M.)
| | - Iva Brekalo
- Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.R.); (I.B.); (I.P.)
| | - Ines Primožič
- Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.R.); (I.B.); (I.P.)
| | - Maja Katalinić
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska c. 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.Ž.); (A.Z.); (N.M.)
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Ramírez-Cruz A, Gómez-González B, Baiza-Gutman LA, Manuel-Apolinar L, Ángeles-Mejía S, López-Cervantes SP, Ortega-Camarillo C, Cruz-López M, Gómez-Olivares JL, Díaz-Flores M. Nicotinamide, an acetylcholinesterase uncompetitive inhibitor, protects the blood‒brain barrier and improves cognitive function in rats fed a hypercaloric diet. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 959:176068. [PMID: 37775016 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176068] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress and inflammation induced by abundant consumption of high-energy foods and caloric overload are implicated in the dysfunction of the blood‒brain barrier (BBB), cognitive impairment, and overactivation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). These enzymes hydrolyse acetylcholine, affecting anti-inflammatory cholinergic signalling. Our aim was to evaluate whether nicotinamide (NAM) attenuates the impairment of the BBB and cognitive function, improving cholinergic signalling. Forty male rats were distributed into five groups: one group was fed a standard diet, and the remaining groups were fed a high-fat diet and a beverage with 40% sucrose (HFS; high-fat sucrose). In three of the HFS groups, the carbohydrate was replaced by drinking water containing different concentrations of NAM for 5 h every morning for 12 weeks. The biochemical profile, levels of stress and inflammation markers, cholinesterase activities, BBB permeability, and cognitive capacity were evaluated. The results showed that the HFS diet disturbed the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, causing insulin resistance. Simultaneously, AChE and BChE activities, levels of proinflammatory cytokines, oxidation of proteins and lipoperoxidation increased along with decreased antioxidant capacity in serum. In the hippocampus, increased activity of cholinesterases, protein carbonylation and lipoperoxidation were associated with decreased antioxidant capacity. Systemic and hippocampal changes were reflected in increased BBB permeability and cognitive impairment. In contrast, NAM attenuated the above changes by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation through decreasing cholinesterase activities, especially by uncompetitive inhibition. NAM may be a potential systemic and neuroprotective agent to mitigate cognitive damage due to hypercaloric diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ramírez-Cruz
- Posgrado en Biología Experimental, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México, Mexico; Unidad de Investigación Médica en Bioquímica, Hospital de Especialidades "Bernardo Sepúlveda Gutiérrez" Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - B Gómez-González
- Departamento de Biología de La Reproducción, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de La Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - L A Baiza-Gutman
- Laboratorio de Biología Del Desarrollo, Unidad de Morfología y Función, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Estado de México, Mexico.
| | - L Manuel-Apolinar
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Endocrinas, Hospital de Especialidades "Bernardo Sepúlveda Gutiérrez" Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - S Ángeles-Mejía
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Bioquímica, Hospital de Especialidades "Bernardo Sepúlveda Gutiérrez" Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - S P López-Cervantes
- Posgrado en Biología Experimental, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - C Ortega-Camarillo
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Bioquímica, Hospital de Especialidades "Bernardo Sepúlveda Gutiérrez" Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - M Cruz-López
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Bioquímica, Hospital de Especialidades "Bernardo Sepúlveda Gutiérrez" Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - J L Gómez-Olivares
- Laboratorio de Biomembranas, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de La Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - M Díaz-Flores
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Bioquímica, Hospital de Especialidades "Bernardo Sepúlveda Gutiérrez" Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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Zandona A, Madunić J, Miš K, Maraković N, Dubois-Geoffroy P, Cavaco M, Mišetić P, Padovan J, Castanho M, Jean L, Renard PY, Pirkmajer S, Neves V, Katalinić M. Biological response and cell death signaling pathways modulated by tetrahydroisoquinoline-based aldoximes in human cells. Toxicology 2023:153588. [PMID: 37419273 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
The uncharged 3-hydroxy-2-pyridine aldoximes with protonatable tertiary amines are studied as antidotes in toxic organophosphates (OP) poisoning. Due to some of their specific structural features, we hypothesize that these compounds could exert diverse biological activity beyond their main scope of application. To examine this further, we performed an extensive cell-based assessment to determine their effects on human cells (SH-SY5Y, HEK293, HepG2, HK-2, myoblasts and myotubes) and possible mechanism of action. As our results indicated, aldoxime having a piperidine moiety did not induce significant toxicity up to 300µM within 24hours, while those with a tetrahydroisoquinoline moiety, in the same concentration range, showed time-dependent effects and stimulated mitochondria-mediated activation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway through ERK1/2 and p38-MAPK signaling and subsequent activation of initiator caspase 9 and executive caspase 3 accompanied with DNA damage as observed already after 4hour exposure. Mitochondria and fatty acid metabolism were also likely targets of 3-hydroxy-2-pyridine aldoximes with tetrahydroisoquinoline moiety, due to increased phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase. In silico analysis predicted kinases as their most probable target class, while pharmacophores modeling additionally predicted the inhibition of a cytochrome P450cam. Overall, if the absence of significant toxicity for piperidine bearing aldoxime highlights the potential of its further studies in medical counter-measures, the observed biological activity of aldoximes with tetrahydroisoquinoline moiety could be indicative for future design of compounds either in a negative context in OP antidotes design, or in a positive one for design of compounds for the treatment of other phenomena like cell proliferating malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Zandona
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, POB 291, HR-10001 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Josip Madunić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, POB 291, HR-10001 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Katarina Miš
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Nikola Maraković
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, POB 291, HR-10001 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | | | - Marco Cavaco
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | | | | | - Miguel Castanho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Ludovic Jean
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, CiTCoM (UMR 8038), F-75006, Paris, France.
| | - Pierre-Yves Renard
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSA Rouen, CNRS, COBRA (UMR 6014), 76000 Rouen, France.
| | - Sergej Pirkmajer
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Vera Neves
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Maja Katalinić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, POB 291, HR-10001 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Zandona A, Zorbaz T, Miš K, Pirkmajer S, Katalinić M. Cytotoxicity-related effects of imidazolium and chlorinated bispyridinium oximes in SH-SY5Y cells. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2022; 73:277-284. [PMID: 36607726 PMCID: PMC9985343 DOI: 10.2478/aiht-2022-73-3688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Current research has shown that several imidazolium and chlorinated bispyridinium oximes are cytotoxic and activate different mechanisms or types of cell death. To investigate this further, we analysed interactions between these oximes and acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) and how they affect several signalling pathways to find a relation between the observed toxicities and their effects on these specific targets. Chlorinated bispyridinium oximes caused time-dependent cytotoxicity by inhibiting the phosphorylation of STAT3 and AMPK without decreasing ATP and activated ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signal cascades. Imidazolium oximes induced a time-independent and significant decrease in ATP and inhibition of the ERK1/2 signalling pathway along with phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, AMPK, and ACC. These pathways are usually triggered by a change in cellular energy status or by external signals, which suggests that oximes interact with some membrane receptors. Interestingly, in silico analysis also indicated that the highest probability of interaction for all of our oximes is with the family of G-coupled membrane receptors (GPCR). Furthermore, our experimental results showed that the tested oximes acted as acetylcholine antagonists for membrane AChRs. Even though oxime interactions with membrane receptors need further research and clarification, our findings suggest that these oximes make promising candidates for the development of specific therapies not only in the field of cholinesterase research but in other fields too, such as anticancer therapy via altering the Ca2+ flux involved in cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Zandona
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tamara Zorbaz
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Katarina Miš
- University of Ljubljana Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sergej Pirkmajer
- University of Ljubljana Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Katalinić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
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Gladis EHE, Nagashri K, Krishnendu A. Synthesis, structural elucidation, DNA binding, cleavage, AChE and BuChE cholinesterase efficiencies of metal complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline scaffold. NUCLEOSIDES, NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 41:285-313. [PMID: 35080488 DOI: 10.1080/15257770.2021.2011915] [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: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A series of metal complexes containing a 1,10-phenanthroline scaffold [ML] (L-1,10-Phenanthroline derivative comprises conjugated aromatic core and electron withdrawing -NO2 group); M = Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II), and Zn(II) ions were designed and synthesized to obtain effective anti-cholinesterase efficiencies of metal chelates. Analytical and spectroscopic studies were used to determine the structural features. An octahedral structure with moderate distortion was attributed to the above metal chelates based on spectroscopic data. S. aureus, A. niger, C. albicans, B.subtilis, A. flavus, and E. coli were used to test the antibacterial efficacy of the synthesized ligands and metal complexes. Using agarose gel electrophoresis, the DNA fragmentation proficiency of prepared metal complexes was tested on pUC 18 DNA. The distorted octahedral geometry of the copper(II) complex to DNA (Kb = 4.11 × 105 M-1) is stronger than that of ethidium bromide (EB) to DNA (Kb = 3.3 × 105 M-1) and other metal complexes, respectively. The synthesized 1,10-phenanthroline derivative had the best inhibitory effects against acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, with IC50 values of 0.45 and 3.6 M, respectively, which were lower than the reference molecules. Our experimental results may contribute to the development of new drug molecules particularly in the treatment of neurological disorders including glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes. The actions of inhibitors on the glycosidase enzyme help to delay the breakdown and release of sugar molecules into the bloodstream, and they can be used as therapeutic factors in the treatment of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- E H Edinsha Gladis
- Department of Chemistry, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
- Department of Chemistry, Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education, Kumaracoil, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - K Nagashri
- Department of Chemistry, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tamil Nadu, Tirunelveli, India
| | - A Krishnendu
- Department of Chemistry, Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education, Kumaracoil, Tamil Nadu, India
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Zandona A, Maraković N, Mišetić P, Madunić J, Miš K, Padovan J, Pirkmajer S, Katalinić M. Activation of (un)regulated cell death as a new perspective for bispyridinium and imidazolium oximes. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:2737-2754. [PMID: 34173857 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03098-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Oximes, investigated as antidotes against organophosphates (OP) poisoning, are known to display toxic effects on a cellular level, which could be explained beyond action on acetylcholinesterase as their main target. To investigate this further, we performed an in vitro cell-based evaluation of effects of two structurally diverse oxime groups at concentrations of up to 800 μM, on several cell models: skeletal muscle, kidney, liver, and neural cells. As indicated by our results, compounds with an imidazolium core induced necrosis, unregulated cell death characterized by a cell burst, increased formation of reactive oxygen species, and activation of antioxidant scavenging. On the other hand, oximes with a pyridinium core activated apoptosis through specific caspases 3, 8, and/or 9. Interestingly, some of the compounds exhibited a synergistic effect. Moreover, we generated a pharmacophore model for each oxime series and identified ligands from public databases that map to generated pharmacophores. Several interesting hits were obtained including chemotherapeutics and specific inhibitors. We were able to define the possible structural features of tested oximes triggering toxic effects: chlorine atoms in combination with but-2(E)-en-1,4-diyl linker and adding a second benzene ring with substituents such as chlorine and/or methyl on the imidazolium core. Such oximes could not be used in further OP antidote development research, but could be introduced in other research studies on new specific targets. This could undoubtedly result in an overall improved wider use of unexplored oxime database created so far in OP antidotes field of research in a completely new perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Zandona
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, POB 291, 10001, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nikola Maraković
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, POB 291, 10001, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Josip Madunić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, POB 291, 10001, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Katarina Miš
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Sergej Pirkmajer
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Katalinić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, POB 291, 10001, Zagreb, Croatia.
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