Dhandeep Singh

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors as Alzheimer therapy: from nerve toxins to neuroprotection.

Acetylcholinesterase is a member of the α/β hydrolase protein super family, with a significant role in acetylcholine-mediated neurotransmission. Research in the modulators of AChEs has moved from a potent poison (Sarin, Soman) in war times to the potent medicine (physostigmine) in peaceful times. Natural anti-AChE includes carbamates, glycoalkaloids, anatoxins derived from green algae; synthetic anti-AChE includes highly poisonous organophosphates used as nerve gases and insecticides. Recently, the role of anti-AChE was reassessed from neurotoxins to neuron-protective in the diseases characterized by impaired acetylcholine-mediated neurotransmission like Alzheimers disease (AD). So, the AChE has been proven to be the most viable therapeutic target for the symptomatic treatment of AD. This review article gives a spectrum of strategies to design AChE inhibitors used in the Alzheimer therapy.

Ameliorative effects of amiloride and pralidoxime in chronic constriction injury and vincristine induced painful neuropathy in rats

The present study was designed to investigate the ameliorative effects of clinically available drugs, with Na+/Ca2+ and Na+/H+ exchange inhibitory actions, in chronic constriction injury and vincristine induced painful neuropathy in rats. Sciatic nerve ligation and vincristine treatment (50 microg/kg for 10 days) was employed to induce neuropathy in rats. Paw pressure, von Frey hair, acetone drop, and tail heat immersion tests were performed to assess degree of mechano-hyperalgesia, mechano-allodynia, cold chemical allodynia and spinal thermal sensation respectively. Axonal degeneration of sciatic nerve was assessed histopathologically. The levels of thio-barbituric acid reactive species, reduced glutathione, and total calcium were determined to assess biochemical alterations. Amiloride (15 mg/kg i.p.), Na+/Ca2+ and Na+/H+ exchange inhibitor, and pralidoxime (20 mg/kg i.p.), Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibitor, were administered for 10 consecutive days starting from the day of surgery or vincristine administration. Sciatic nerve ligation and vincristine treatment resulted in significant axonal degeneration, development of mechano-hyperalgesia, mechano-allodynia, cold chemical allodynia and spinal heat hyperalgesia and also resulted in rise in thio-barbituric acid reactive species, total calcium and decrease in reduced glutathione levels. Administration of amiloride and pralidoxime attenuated chronic constriction injury and vincristine induced axonal degeneration and reduction of nociceptive threshold along with reduction in calcium levels and oxidative stress. The observed anti-nociceptive effects of amiloride and pralidoxime may possibly be attributed to inhibition of Na+/Ca2+ and Na+/H+ exchangers with subsequent decrease in Ca2+ ions and oxidative stress.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of novel 5-substituted-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-2-methylbenzimidazole derivatives as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents

A series of novel 5-substituted-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-2-methylbenzimidazole derivatives have been synthesized. The structures of these compounds were established by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, Mass spectral data and elemental analyses. Compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity as well as gastric ulcerogenic effects. Derivatives 4a, 4b and 4c exhibited moderate to good anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and acetic acid-induced writhing in mice, respectively, with low ulcerogenicity compared with the standard drug indomethacin.

Ameliorative effects of Ocimum sanctum in sciatic nerve transection-induced neuropathy in rats

OBJECTIVES The present study was aimed at investigating the ameliorative effect of Ocimum sanctum in sciatic nerve transection (axotomy)-induced peripheral neuropathy in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sciatic nerve transection-induced axonal degeneration was assessed histopathologically. Paw pressure, Von Frey Hair, tail cold-hyperalgesia, motor in-coordination tests were performed to assess the extent of neuropathy. Biochemical estimations of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH), and total calcium levels were also performed. Methanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum at different doses (50, 100 and 200mg/kg p.o.) was administered for 10 consecutive days starting from the day of surgery. RESULTS Administration of Ocimum sanctum attenuated sciatic nerve transection-induced axonal degeneration, reduction of nociceptive threshold and motor in-coordination. Moreover, it also attenuated axotomy-induced rise in TBARS, total calcium and decrease in GSH levels in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION Anti-oxidant and calcium attenuating actions may be responsible for observed ameliorative effects of Ocimum sanctum in axotomy-induced neuropathy.

Possible involvement of erythropoietin in remote renal preconditioning-induced cardioprotection in rats.

Remote preconditioning is a unique phenomenon in which brief episodes of ischemia and reperfusion to remote organs protect the target organ against sustained ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced injury. Protective effects of remote renal preconditioning are well established in the heart, but their mechanisms still remain to be elucidated. Hence, the present study was designed to investigate the possible involvement of erythropoietin in remote renal preconditioning (RRPC)-induced cardioprotection in rats. RRPC was performed by 4 episodes of 5 min renal artery occlusion followed by 5 min reperfusion. Gentamicin (100 mg/kg intraperitoneal) was administered for 6 days for induction of renal failure. Isolated rat hearts were perfused on Langendorff apparatus and were subjected to global ischemia for 30 min ischemia followed by 120 min reperfusion. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) were measured in coronary effluent to assess the degree of myocardial injury. Extent of myocardial infarct size and coronary flow rate was also measured. RRPC prevented I/R-induced myocardial injury and produced cardioprotective effects. However, cardioprotective effects of RRPC were not observed in renal failure rats, indicating the protective role of humoral factor was released from functional kidneys. In renal failure rats, exogenous administration of rhEPO (5000 IU/kg intraperitoneal) with RRPC restored the cardioprotective effects of later. These results implicate that RRPC-induced cardioprotective effects may be mediated through release of erythropoietin from kidney.

Memory restorative role of statins in experimental dementia: an evidence of their cholesterol dependent and independent actions

The study was aimed at investigating the effects of pitavastatin, simvastatin (lipophilic statins) and fluvastatin (hydrophilic statin) on memory deficits associated with Alzheimers type dementia in mice. Dementia was induced with chronic administration of a high fat diet (HFD) or intracebroventricular streptozotocin (icv STZ, two doses of 3 mg/kg) in separate groups of animals. Memory of the animals was assessed by the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Brain thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were measured to assess total oxidative stress. Brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and total serum cholesterol levels were also measured. Icv STZ or HFD produced a significant impairment of learning and memory. Higher levels of brain AChE activity and TBARS and lower levels of GSH were observed in icv STZ- as well as HFD-treated animals. HFD-treated mice also showed a significant increase in total serum cholesterol levels. Pitavastatin and simvastatin each significantly attenuated STZ-induced memory deficits and biochemical changes; however, fluvastatin produced no significant effect on icv STZ-induced dementia or biochemical levels. Administration of any one of the three statins not only lowered HFD-induced rise in total serum cholesterol level but also attenuated HFD-induced memory deficits. Further pitavastatin and simvastatin administration also reversed HFD-induced changes in biochemicals level, while fluvastatin failed to produce any significant effect. This study demonstrates the potential of statins in memory dysfunctions associated with experimental dementia and provides evidence of their cholesterol-dependent and -independent actions.

Targeting mast cells: Uncovering prolific therapeutic role in myriad diseases

The mast cells are integral part of immune system and they have pleiotropic physiological functions in our body. Any type of abnormal stimuli causes the mast cells receptors to spur the otherwise innocuous mast cells to degranulate and release inflammatory mediators like histamine, cytokines, chemokines and prostaglandins. These mediators are involved in various diseases like allergy, asthma, mastocytosis, cardiovascular disorders, etc. Herein, we describe the receptors involved in degranulation of mast cells and are broadly divided into four categories: G-protein coupled receptors, ligand gated ion channels, immunoreceptors and pattern recognition receptors. Although, activation of pattern recognition receptors do not cause mast cell degranulation, but result in cytokines production. Degranulation itself is a complex process involving cascade of events like membrane fusion events and various proteins like VAMP, Syntaxins, DOCK5, SNAP-23, MARCKS. Furthermore, we described these mast cell receptors antagonists or agonists useful in treatment of myriad diseases. Like, omalizumab anti-IgE antibody is highly effective in asthma, allergic disorders treatment and recently mechanistic insight of IgE uncovered; matrix mettaloprotease inhibitor marimistat is under phase III trial for inflammation, muscular dystrophy diseases; ZPL-389 (H4 receptor antagonist) is in Phase 2a Clinical Trial for atopic dermatitis and psoriasis; JNJ3851868 an oral H4 receptor antagonist is in phase II clinical development for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, research is still in inchoate stage to uncover mast cell biology, mast cell receptors, their therapeutic role in myriad diseases.

Sulfatase inhibitors for recidivist breast cancer treatment: A chemical review.

Steroid sulfatase (STS) plays a momentous role in the conversion of sulfated steroids, which are biologically inactive, into biologically active un-sulfated steroid hormones, which support the development and growth of a number of hormone-dependent cancers, including breast cancer. Therefore, inhibitors of STS are supposed to be potential drugs for the treatment of breast and other steroid-dependent cancers. The present review concentrates on broad chemical classification of steroid sulfatase inhibitors. The inhibitors reviewed are classified into four main categories: Steroid sulfamate based inhibitors; Steroid non-sulfamate based inhibitors; Non-steroidal sulfamate based inhibitors; Non-steroidal non-sulfamate based inhibitors. A succinct overview of current treatment of cancer, estradiol precursors, STS enzyme and its role in breast cancer is herein described.

Potential of ezetimibe in memory deficits associated with dementia of Alzheimer's type in mice

Background: High cholesterol levels have been positively correlated with a higher incidence of memory impairment and dementia. Aim: The study was undertaken to investigate the potential of the lipid-lowering drug, ezetimibe, in memory deficits associated with dementia of Alzheimers (AD) type in mice. Methods: Dementia was induced with chronic administration of a high-fat diet (HFD) or intracebroventricular streptozotocin (ICV STZ, two doses of 3 mg/kg) in separate groups of animals. The memory of the animals was assessed by employing a Morris water maze. Brain thio barbituric acid-reactive species and reduced glutathione levels were measured to assess the total oxidative stress. Brain acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activity and total serum cholesterol levels were also measured. Results: STZ/HFD produced a significant impairment of memory along with an increase in brain AChE activity and oxidative stress. HFD mice also showed an increase in cholesterol levels. Ezetimibe (10 mg/kg, orally for 15 days) significantly attenuated STZ/HFD-induced memory deficits and biochemical changes. It also prevented HFD-induced rise in the cholesterol level. Conclusions: The memory-restorative effect of ezetimibe can be attributed to its cholesterol-dependent as well as cholesterol-independent effects. The study highlights the potential of ezetimibe in memory dysfunctions associated with dementia of AD.

Inundation of asthma target research: Untangling asthma riddles.

Asthma is an inveterate inflammatory disorder, delineated by the airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and airway wall remodeling. Although, asthma is a vague term, and is recognized as heterogenous entity encompassing different phenotypes. Targeting single mediator or receptor did not prove much clinical significant, as asthma is complex disease involving myriad inflammatory mediators. Asthma may probably involve a large number of different types of molecular and cellular components interacting through complex pathophysiological pathways. This review covers the past, present, and future therapeutic approaches and pathophysiological mechanisms of asthma. Furthermore, review describe importance of targeting several mediators/modulators and receptor antagonists involved in the physiopathology of asthma. Novel targets for asthma research include Galectins, Immunological targets, K + Channels, Kinases and Transcription Factors, Toll-like receptors, Selectins and Transient receptor potential channels. But recent developments in asthma research are very promising, these include Bitter taste receptors (TAS2R) abated airway obstruction in mouse model of asthma and Calcium-sensing receptor obliterate inflammation and in bronchial hyperresponsiveness allergic asthma. All these progresses in asthma targets, and asthma phenotypes exploration are auspicious in untangling of asthma riddles.