scholarly journals Discovery of a Potent and Selective JNK3 Inhibitor with Neuroprotective Effect against Amyloid β-Induced Neurotoxicity in Primary Rat Neurons

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (20) ◽  
pp. 11084
Author(s):  
Joon-Hong Jun ◽  
Ji-Hyun Baek ◽  
Song-Yi Yang ◽  
Hyung-Woo Moon ◽  
Hye-Jin Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Neuronal Cell Death ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Neuroprotective Agents ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Excellent Selectivity

As members of the MAPK family, c-Jun-N-terminal kinases (JNKs) regulate the biological processes of apoptosis. In particular, the isoform JNK3 is expressed explicitly in the brain at high levels and is involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study, we prepared a series of five 6-dihydroxy-1H-benzo[d]imidazoles as JNK3 inhibitors and found them have potential as neuroprotective agents. Following a previous lead scaffold, benzimidazole moiety was modified with various aryl groups and hydroxylation, and the resulting compounds exhibited JNK3 inhibitory activity with improved potency and selectivity. Out of 37 analogues synthesized, (S)-cyclopropyl(3-((4-(2-(2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxin -6-yl)-5,6-dihydroxy-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)pyrimidin-2-yl)amino) piperidin-1-yl)methanone (35b) demonstrated the highest JNK3 inhibition (IC50 = 9.7 nM), as well as neuroprotective effects against Aβ-induced neuronal cell death. As a protein kinase inhibitor, it also showed excellent selectivity over other protein kinases including isoforms JNK1 (>1000 fold) and JNK2 (–10 fold).

scholarly journals Neuroprotective Effect of Antioxidants in the Brain

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (19) ◽  
pp. 7152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyung Hee Lee ◽  
Myeounghoon Cha ◽  
Bae Hwan Lee
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Neuronal Damage ◽  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Neuronal Cell Death ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Antioxidant Compounds ◽  
The Brain

The brain is vulnerable to excessive oxidative insults because of its abundant lipid content, high energy requirements, and weak antioxidant capacity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase susceptibility to neuronal damage and functional deficits, via oxidative changes in the brain in neurodegenerative diseases. Overabundance and abnormal levels of ROS and/or overload of metals are regulated by cellular defense mechanisms, intracellular signaling, and physiological functions of antioxidants in the brain. Single and/or complex antioxidant compounds targeting oxidative stress, redox metals, and neuronal cell death have been evaluated in multiple preclinical and clinical trials as a complementary therapeutic strategy for combating oxidative stress associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we present a general analysis and overview of various antioxidants and suggest potential courses of antioxidant treatments for the neuroprotection of the brain from oxidative injury. This review focuses on enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms in the brain and examines the relative advantages and methodological concerns when assessing antioxidant compounds for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

scholarly journals Neuroprotective effects of donepezil through inhibition of GSK-3 activity in amyloid-β-induced neuronal cell death

2009 ◽  
Vol 108 (5) ◽  
pp. 1116-1125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-Young Noh ◽  
Seong-Ho Koh ◽  
Youngchul Kim ◽  
Hyun Young Kim ◽  
Goang Won Cho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Neuronal Cell Death ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects

scholarly journals A Leaf Extract of Harrisonia abyssinica Ameliorates Neurobehavioral, Histological and Biochemical Changes in the Hippocampus of Rats with Aluminum Chloride-Induced Alzheimer’s Disease

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 947
Author(s):  
Hend Mohamed Anwar ◽  
Gehan S. Georgy ◽  
Sherin Ramadan Hamad ◽  
Wafaa K. Badr ◽  
Mohamed A. El Raey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Extract ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Neuronal Cell Death ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Reference Drug ◽  
Central Target ◽  
The Brain

Aluminum (Al) is an omnipresent mineral element in the environment. The brain is a central target of Al toxicity, being highly susceptible to oxidative damage. Therefore, recognition of drugs or natural products that guard against Al-mediated neuronal cell death is a powerful strategy for prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. This work aimed to explore the potential of a leaf extract from Harrisonia abyssinica to modulate the neurobehavioral, biochemical and histopathological activities induced experimentally by Al in vivo. Rats subjected to Al treatment displayed a reduction in learning and memory performance in a passive avoidance test accompanied by a decrease in the hippocampal monoamine and glutamate levels in addition to suppression of Bcl2 expression. Moreover, malondialdehyde (MDA), inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β), apoptotic markers (caspase-3 and expression of Bax) and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK1/2) levels were elevated along with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, histological changes and marked deposition of amyloid β plaques in the hippocampus region of the brain tissues being observed in Al-treated animals. Concomitant administration of the high dose of H. abyssinica (200 mg/kg b.w.) restored nearly normal levels of all parameters measured, rather than the low dose (100 mg/kg b.w.), an effect that was comparable to the reference drug (rivastigmine). Molecular docking revealed the appropriate potential of the extract components to block the active site of AChE and ERK2. In conclusion, H. abyssinica leaf extract conferred neuroprotection against Al-induced neurotoxic effects, most likely due to its high phenolic and flavonoid content.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Tryptophan Catabolism Is Associated With Neuroprotection During Zika Virus Infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Martins Marim ◽  
Danielle Cunha Teixeira ◽  
Celso Martins Queiroz-Junior ◽  
Bruno Vinicius Santos Valiate ◽  
Jose Carlos Alves-Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zika Virus ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Neuronal Cell Death ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Kynurenine Pathway ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
The Brain

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus belonging to Flaviviridae family that emerged as a global health threat due to its association with microcephaly and other severe neurological complications, including Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). ZIKV disease has been linked to neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death. Neurodegenerative processes may be exacerbated by metabolites produced by the kynurenine pathway, an important pathway for the degradation of tryptophan, which induces neuronal dysfunction due to enhanced excitotoxicity. Here, we exploited the hypothesis that ZIKV-induced neurodegeneration can be rescued by blocking a target enzyme of the kynurenine pathway, the Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO-1). RT-PCR analysis showed increased levels of IDO-1 RNA expression in undifferentiated primary neurons isolated from wild type (WT) mice infected by ZIKV ex vivo, as well as in the brain of ZIKV-infected A129 mice. Pharmacological inhibition of IDO-1 enzyme with 1-methyl-D-tryptophan (1-MT), in both in vitro and in vivo systems, led to significant reduction of ZIKV-induced neuronal death without interfering with the ability of ZIKV to replicate in those cells. Furthermore, in vivo analyses using both genetically modified mice (IDO-/- mice) and A129 mice treated with 1-MT resulted in reduced microgliosis, astrogliosis and Caspase-3 positive cells in the brain of ZIKV-infected A129 mice. Interestingly, increased levels of CCL5 and CXCL-1 chemokines were found in the brain of 1-MT treated-mice. Together, our data indicate that IDO-1 blockade provides a neuroprotective effect against ZIKV-induced neurodegeneration, and this is amenable to inhibition by pharmacological treatment.

scholarly journals Calcium/Calmodulin–Dependent Protein Kinase II in Cerebrovascular Diseases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuejing Zhang ◽  
Jaclyn Connelly ◽  
Edwin S. Levitan ◽  
Dandan Sun ◽  
Jane Q. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Neuronal Cell Death ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Dependent Protein Kinase ◽  
Calcium Calmodulin Dependent ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
The Brain

AbstractCerebrovascular disease is the most common life-threatening and debilitating condition that often leads to stroke. The multifunctional calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a key Ca2+ sensor and an important signaling protein in a variety of biological systems within the brain, heart, and vasculature. In the brain, past stroke-related studies have been mainly focused on the role of CaMKII in ischemic stroke in neurons and established CaMKII as a major mediator of neuronal cell death induced by glutamate excitotoxicity and oxidative stress following ischemic stroke. However, with growing understanding of the importance of neurovascular interactions in cerebrovascular diseases, there are clearly gaps in our understanding of how CaMKII functions in the complex neurovascular biological processes and its contributions to cerebrovascular diseases. Additionally, emerging evidence demonstrates novel regulatory mechanisms of CaMKII and potential roles of the less-studied CaMKII isoforms in the ischemic brain, which has sparked renewed interests in this dynamic kinase family. This review discusses past findings and emerging evidence on CaMKII in several major cerebrovascular dysfunctions including ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and vascular dementia, focusing on the unique roles played by CaMKII in the underlying biological processes of neuronal cell death, neuroinflammation, and endothelial barrier dysfunction triggered by stroke. We also highlight exciting new findings, promising therapeutic agents, and future perspectives for CaMKII in cerebrovascular systems.

scholarly journals Neuroprotective Effects of Chrysin Mediated by Estrogenic Receptors Following Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion in Male Rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-162
Author(s):  
Maryam Khombi Shooshtari ◽  
◽  
Yaghoob Farbood ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Taghi Mansouri ◽  
Mohammad Badavi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Ischemia ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Neuronal Cell Death ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Male Wistar Rats

Introduction: Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Neuroprotective strategies were reported to attenuate cognitive deficits after ischemic incidents. Here we studied the neuroprotective potential of chrysin in a rat model of cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion (I/R) in the presence or absence of Estrogen Receptors (ERs). Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were pretreated with chrysin (CH) (CH; 30 mg/kg; gavage; for 21 consecutive days) alone or with selective ERs antagonists (ERα antagonist MPP; ERβ antagonist PHTPP; IP) or nonselective ERs antagonist (ICI182780; IP). Then, the bilateral common carotid arteries were occluded for 20 min, which was followed by 72 h reperfusion. Subsequently, cognitive performance was evaluated by Morris Water Maze (MWM) and shuttle box tasks, and afterward, their hippocampi were removed for ELISA assays and H&E staining. Oxidative indicators Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), as well as inflammation mediators interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), were measured using commercial kits. Results: Results of the current study showed that the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of CH are possible mechanisms that could improve cognitive deficits and prevent neuronal cell death following I/R (P<0.001). These effects were reversed by ICI182780 (P>0.05). Furthermore, when chrysin was co-treated with ERβ antagonist, PHTPP showed a weak neuroprotective effect in I/R rats. However, these parameters were not significantly different when chrysin was combined with ERα antagonist MPP. Conclusion: Our data confirm that chrysin could potentially serve as a neuroprotective agent against devastating effects of cerebral I/R injury, which may be mediated via its interaction with ERs, especially ERβ.

The antioxidant Rutin counteracts the pathological impact of α-synuclein on the enteric nervous system in vitro

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Christmann ◽  
Manuela Gries ◽  
Patrik Scholz ◽  
Pascal L. Stahr ◽  
Jessica Ka Yan Law ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Neuronal Cell Death ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
The Brain ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Abstract Motoric disturbances in Parkinson’s disease (PD) derive from the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Intestinal dysfunctions often appear long before manifestation of neuronal symptoms, suggesting a strong correlation between gut and brain in PD. Oxidative stress is a key player in neurodegeneration causing neuronal cell death. Using natural antioxidative flavonoids like Rutin, might provide intervening strategies to improve PD pathogenesis. To explore the potential effects of micro (mRutin) compared to nano Rutin (nRutin) upon the brain and the gut during PD, its neuroprotective effects were assessed using an in vitro PD model. Our results demonstrated that Rutin inhibited the neurotoxicity induced by A53T α-synuclein (Syn) administration by decreasing oxidized lipids and increasing cell viability in both, mesencephalic and enteric cells. For enteric cells, neurite outgrowth, number of synaptic vesicles, and tyrosine hydroxylase positive cells were significantly reduced when treated with Syn. This could be reversed by the addition of Rutin. nRutin revealed a more pronounced result in all experiments. In conclusion, our study shows that Rutin, especially the nanocrystals, are promising natural compounds to protect neurons from cell death and oxidative stress during PD. Early intake of Rutin may provide a realizable option to prevent or slow PD pathogenesis.

scholarly journals Death-Associated Protein Kinase 1 Phosphorylation in Neuronal Cell Death and Neurodegenerative Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 3131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nami Kim ◽  
Dongmei Chen ◽  
Xiao Zhen Zhou ◽  
Tae Ho Lee
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Neuronal Cell Death ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Death Associated Protein Kinase ◽  
The Brain

Regulated neuronal cell death plays an essential role in biological processes in normal physiology, including the development of the nervous system. However, the deregulation of neuronal apoptosis by various factors leads to neurodegenerative diseases such as ischemic stroke and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) is a calcium/calmodulin (Ca2+/CaM)-dependent serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) protein kinase that activates death signaling and regulates apoptotic neuronal cell death. Although DAPK1 is tightly regulated under physiological conditions, DAPK1 deregulation in the brain contributes to the development of neurological disorders. In this review, we describe the molecular mechanisms of DAPK1 regulation in neurons under various stresses. We also discuss the role of DAPK1 signaling in the phosphorylation-dependent and phosphorylation-independent regulation of its downstream targets in neuronal cell death. Moreover, we focus on the major impact of DAPK1 deregulation on the progression of neurodegenerative diseases and the development of drugs targeting DAPK1 for the treatment of diseases. Therefore, this review summarizes the DAPK1 phosphorylation signaling pathways in various neurodegenerative diseases.

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