Gaoxiao Zhang

Therapeutic effects of tetramethylpyrazine nitrone in rat ischemic stroke models

Free radical‐mediated neuronal cell damage is an important pathological process in ischemic stroke. We have previously reported a novel dual‐functional agent, 2‐[[(1,1‐dimethylethyl)oxidoimino]‐methyl]‐3,5,6‐trimethylpyrazine (TBN), a derivative of tetramethylpyrazine armed with anitrone moiety. In this report, we further evaluate TBNstherapeutic parameters in a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. Its abilities to cross the blood–brain barrier, scavenge free radicals, and inhibitCa2+ influx were also investigated. TBN showed significant activity in both the transient MCAO (t‐MCAO) and permanent MCAO (p‐MCAO) stroke models in the rat. The therapeutic time window is 8 hr in the t‐MCAO model. TBN readily crossed the blood–brain barrier and in vitro had strong activity in neutralizing ·OH, O− 2·, and ONOO− and significantly decreased intracellular Ca2+concentration. TBN is a promising new treatment forischemic stroke, with multiple mechanisms of action. It blocks Ca2+ overload and neutralizes ·OH, O−2·, and ONOO−.

Andrographolide derivative AL-1 improves insulin resistance through down-regulation of NF-κB signalling pathway

Andrographolide is the most active constituent of the medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata. Previously, we synthesized a novel andrographolide derivative AL‐1, conjugating andrographolide with lipoic acid. Although the antioxidative and/or anti‐inflammatory activity of AL‐1 contributes to its cytoprotective effects, whether AL‐1 can improve insulin resistance and the mechanisms responsible for its action have not been elucidated.

Design, Synthesis, and Preliminary Cardioprotective Effect Evaluation of Danshensu Derivatives

A series of (R)‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenyllactic acid Danshensu (DSS) derivatives were synthesized, and their cardioprotective effects were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Among the new derivatives, compound 14 showed significant protective effects in cultured myocardial cells and in the rat model of myocardial ischemia. The therapeutic efficacy of compound 14 was significantly higher than that of its parent compound DSS, and amlodipine, a first‐line treatment for angina pain. Compound 14 potently scavenged free radicals, significantly decreased the levels of LDH and MDA, and inhibited the leakage of CK in animal model of ischemia. We had previously found that compound 14 activated PI3K/Akt/GSK‐3β and Nrf2//Keap1/heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) signaling pathways in H9c2 cells. These results suggest that compound 14 has a unique mechanism of action, that is, multifunctional. Compound 14 may be a new potential therapy for ischemic heart diseases.

Synthesis and biological evaluations of novel apocynin analogues.

We have designed and synthesized a series of novel apocynin analogues, and evaluated their biological activity. Compound 10, an apocynin dimer analogue, compound 12, the lipoic acid (LA) and apocynin conjugate, were the most potent in protecting cells from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytotoxicity, had significant activity scavenging ROS induced by LPS, and greatly decreased LPS-induced P67(phox) protein expression. SAR analysis suggests that modification of apocynin can increase its activity. Our results demonstrate that arming apocynin with a powerful antioxidant such as lipoic acid is a valid strategy to design new apocynin analogues with enhanced biological activity.

Andrographolide derivative AL-1 ameliorates TNBS-induced colitis in mice: involvement of NF-кB and PPAR-γ signaling pathways

Andrographolide is a traditional herb medicine, widely used in Asia for conditions involving inflammation. The andrographlide-lipoic acid conjugate, AL-1, has been found being able to alleviate inflammation in our previous reports. Although the anti-inflammatory activity of AL-1 contributes to its cytoprotective effects, whether AL-1 can improve inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the underlying mechanisms of its action remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of AL-1 in C57BL/6 mice with trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. The body weight loss and length change of colon after TNBS instillation were more severe than those in normal mice. AL-1 treatment led to significant reductions in disease activity index (DAI), macroscopic score and colon mucosa damage index (CMDI) associated with TNBS administration. AL-1 inhibited the inflammatory response via lowering the level of inflammatory cytokines and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. AL-1 attenuated the expression of p-p65, p-IκBα and COX-2 in the colitis mice. The alleviation of colon injury by AL-1 treatment was also evidenced by the increased expression of PPAR-γ. These results indicated that AL-1 could protect intestinal tract from the injury induced by TNBS in mice, suggesting that AL-1 may have potential in treatment for IBD.

A Potent Multi-functional Neuroprotective Derivative of Tetramethylpyrazine

Neurodegenerative disorders are one of the leading causes of death among the elderly. Therapeutic approaches with a single target have proven unsuccessful in treating these diseases. Structural combination of multi-functional compounds may lead to a molecule with multiple properties. In this study, we designed and synthesized T-006, a novel analog derived from two multi-functional neuroprotective chemicals, tetramethylpyrazine and J147. The methoxyphenyl group of J147 was replaced by tetramethylpyrazine. Bioactivity evaluation showed that T-006 at very low concentrations had multi-functional neuroprotective effects including rescuing iodoacetic acid-induced neuronal loss, preventing oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity and reducing glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in vitro. Most importantly, T-006 significantly ameliorated memory impairments in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. These multiple functions of a single molecule suggest that T-006 is a promising novel neuroprotective agent for treating various neurodegenerative disorders, including and in particular Alzheimer’s disease.

Novel multi-functional nitrones for treatment of ischemic stroke.

Ischemic stroke resulting from obstruction of blood vessels is an enormous public health problem with urgent need for effective therapy. The co-administration of thrombolytic/antiplatelet agent and neuroprotective agent improves therapeutic efficacy and agent possessing both thrombolytic/antiplatelet and antiradical activities provides a promising strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke. We have previously reported a novel compound, namely TBN, possessing both antiplatelet and antiradical activities, showed significant neuroprotective effect in a rat stroke model. We herein report synthesis of a series of new pyrazine derivatives, and evaluation of their biological activities. Their mechanisms of action were also investigated. Among these new derivatives, compound 21, armed with two nitrone moieties, showed the greatest neuroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo. Compound 21 significantly inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation. In a cell free antiradical assay, compound 21 was the most effective agent in scavenging the three most damaging radicals, namely (·)OH, O(2)(·-) and ONOO(-).

Tetramethylpyrazine nitrone, a multifunctional neuroprotective agent for ischemic stroke therapy

TBN, a novel tetramethylpyrazine derivative armed with a powerful free radical-scavenging nitrone moiety, has been reported to reduce cerebral infarction in rats through multi-functional mechanisms of action. Here we study the therapeutic effects of TBN on non-human primate model of stroke. Thirty male Cynomolgus macaques were subjected to stroke with 4 hours ischemia and then reperfusion. TBN were injected intravenously at 3 or 6 hours after the onset of ischemia. Cerebral infarction was examined by magnetic resonance imaging at 1 and 4 weeks post ischemia. Neurological severity scores were evaluated during 4 weeks observation. At the end of experiment, protein markers associated with the stroke injury and TBN treatment were screened by quantitative proteomics. We found that TBN readily penetrated the blood brain barrier and reached effective therapeutic concentration after intravenous administration. It significantly reduced brain infarction and modestly preserved the neurological function of stroke-affected arm. TBN suppressed over-expression of neuroinflammatory marker vimentin and decreased the numbers of GFAP-positive cells, while reversed down-regulation of myelination-associated protein 2′, 3′-cyclic-nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase and increased the numbers of NeuN-positive cells in the ipsilateral peri-infarct area. TBN may serve as a promising new clinical candidate for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Protective effects of andrographolide derivative AL-1 on high glucose-induced oxidative stress in RIN-m cells.

AL-1 is a novel andrographolide derivative synthesized by conjugating andrographolide and alpha lipoic acid. AL-1 has been found to increase insulin secretion, decrease blood glucose level and protect β-cell mass and function in alloxan-induced diabetic mouse model. However, the protective mechanism of AL-1 on high glucose-induced pancreatic β-cell injury is still not clear. In the present study, we found that AL-1 reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) generation induced by high glucose in RIN-m cells, and which elevated the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). In addition, AL-1 increased the expression of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO- 1) proteins in RIN-m cells. These results suggest that AL-1 prevented RIN-m cells from high glucose-induced oxidative damage via upregulation of Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Protective Effect of Edaravone in Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons against Iodoacetic Acid-Induced Cell Injury

Edaravone (EDA) is clinically used for treatment of acute ischemic stroke in Japan and China due to its potent free radical-scavenging effect. However, it has yet to be determined whether EDA can attenuate iodoacetic acid- (IAA-) induced neuronal death in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the effect of EDA on damage of IAA-induced primary cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) and its possible underlying mechanisms. We found that EDA attenuated IAA-induced cell injury in CGNs. Moreover, EDA significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxidative stress production, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and caspase 3 activity induced by IAA. Taken together, EDA protected CGNs against IAA-induced neuronal damage, which may be attributed to its antiapoptotic and antioxidative activities.