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Al-Harrasi A, Khan A, Rehman NU, Al-Shidhani S, Karim N, Khan I, Halim SA, Al-Rawahi A, Hussain J, Csuk R. Evidence for the involvement of a GABAergic mechanism in the effectiveness of natural and synthetically modified incensole derivatives in neuropharmacological disorders: A computational and pharmacological approach. Phytochemistry 2019; 163:58-74. [PMID: 31015070 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In the course of our continuing exploration for novel bioactive lead compounds (s) from the species Boswellia, we have recently reported incensole derivatives isolated from Boswellia papyrifera Hochst. Given the known antidepressant-like effects of incensole and incensole acetate, we herein present that the low dose intraperitoneal administration of incensole derivatives, namely, incensfuran and incensone, showed significant antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Furthermore, these compounds were evaluated for their anxiolytic potential in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and light dark box (LDB) tests and anticonvulsant effects in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure tests. In the EPM test, administration of these compounds led to dose-dependent increases in open arm entries and in the time spent in EPM open arms. Similar results were obtained in the LDB test, wherein compounds these caused significant increases in the number of transitions between lit and dark compartments and the time spent in the lit compartment. The anxiolytic-like effects in the EPM were not reversed by pretreatment with flumazenil, whereas PTZ and bicuculline (BIC) completely abolished the anxiolytic effects, showing the involvement of the non-benzodiazepine binding sites of GABAA receptors. All four compounds induced significantly elevated brain GABA levels, indicating the involvement of a GABAergic mechanism. Additionally, molecular docking was conducted to elucidate the mode of action for the anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects of these derivatives. Moreover, these compounds also possess drug-like properties and excellent ADMET profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Al-Harrasi
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, PO Box 33, 616 Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa, Oman.
| | - Ajmal Khan
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, PO Box 33, 616 Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Najeeb Ur Rehman
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, PO Box 33, 616 Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Sulaiman Al-Shidhani
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, PO Box 33, 616 Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Nasiara Karim
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Dir (Lower), KPK, Pakistan
| | - Imran Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Swabi, KPK, Pakistan; Department of Biochemistry, Kinnaird College for Women, 93-Jail Road, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan
| | - Sobia Ahsan Halim
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, PO Box 33, 616 Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Ahmed Al-Rawahi
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, PO Box 33, 616 Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Javid Hussain
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, PO Box 33, 616 Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Rene Csuk
- Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Organic Chemistry, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 2, D-06120 Halle (Saale) Germany
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Al-Harrasi A, Csuk R, Khan A, Hussain J. Distribution of the anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant compounds: Incensole and incensole acetate in genus Boswellia. Phytochemistry 2019; 161:28-40. [PMID: 30802641 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2018] [Revised: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Incensole and its acetate have shown anti-inflammatory and anti-depression activities due to their ability to activate ion channels in the brain to alleviate anxiety or depression. The natural occurrence of these two structurally and medicinally fascinating 14-membered diterpenoids was reported mainly from the genus Boswellia. Incensole and incensole acetate were detected in and isolated from both essential oils and resins of frankincense. One total synthesis was reported for incensole. Both incensole and its acetate served as precursors for several synthetic transformations. Given the fact that no specific enzymes were isolated from Boswellia trees, the major sources for incensole and incensole acetate, the biosynthetic pathway of these two compounds was only speculated. Recent studies on incensole and incensole acetate including ours have revealed another secret of the ancient drug. Understanding their mode of action will open a door in modern neurobiology and provides new insights on the mysterious diseases of the nervous system. This review interpretatively discusses the natural existence of incensole and incensole acetate, the variation of their percentages in different Boswellia species and other sources, their synthetic modifications, their biosynthesis and their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Al-Harrasi
- Natural and Medical Sciences Center, University of Nizwa, P. O. Box 33, Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa 616, Oman.
| | - Rene Csuk
- Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Organic Chemistry, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 2, D-06120 Halle (Saale) Germany
| | - Ajmal Khan
- Natural and Medical Sciences Center, University of Nizwa, P. O. Box 33, Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa 616, Oman
| | - Javid Hussain
- Natural and Medical Sciences Center, University of Nizwa, P. O. Box 33, Birkat Al Mauz, Nizwa 616, Oman
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