Mehrdad Faizi

Interaction between the protective effects of cannabidiol and palmitoylethanolamide in experimental model of multiple sclerosis in C57BL/6 mice.

Cannabinoids (CBs) have recently been approved to exert broad anti-inflammatory activities in experimental models of multiple sclerosis (MS). It has been demonstrated that these compounds could also have effects on neurodegeneration, demyelination, and autoimmune processes occurring in the pathology of MS. However, the clinical use of CBs is limited by their psychoactive effects. Among cannabinoid compounds, cannabidiol (CBD) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) have no psychotropic activities. We induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of MS, by injecting myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) to C57BL/6 mice. We assessed the effects of CBD, PEA, and co-administration of CBD and PEA on neurobehavioral scores, immune cell infiltration, demyelination, axonal injury, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines by using histochemistry methods and real-time RT-PCR. Treatment with either CBD (5mg/kg) or PEA (5mg/kg) during disease onset reduced the severity of the neurobehavioral scores of EAE. This effect of CBD and PEA was accompanied by diminished inflammation, demyelination, axonal damage and inflammatory cytokine expression while concurrent administration of CBD (5mg/kg) and PEA (5mg/kg) was not as effective as treatment with either drug per se. These results suggest that, CBD and PEA, non-psychoactive CBs, attenuate neurobehavioral deficits, histological damage, and inflammatory cytokine expression in MOG-immunized animals. However, there is an antagonistic interaction between CBD and PEA in protection against MOG-induced disease.

Synthesis and calcium antagonist activity of 1,4-dihydropyridines containing phenylaminoimidazolyl substituents

Alkyl ester analogues of nifedipine, in which the ortho-nitrophenyl group at position 4 is replaced by 2-methylthio-1-phenylamino-5-imidazolyl substituent, were synthesized and evaluated as calcium-channel antagonists using the high K(+) contraction of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle. The results for the symmetrical esters showed that in the series of alkyl esters increasing the length of methylene chain in C-3 and C-5 ester substituents for more than two methylene units decreases activity. In the phenylalkyl ester series increasing the length of methylene chain also decreases activity. The results demonstrate that most of the compounds had similar activity to the reference drug nifedipine. In addition, two compounds, 5b and 5f were more active than the nifedipine.

Novel agonists of benzodiazepine receptors: design, synthesis, binding assay and pharmacological evaluation of 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidinone and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole derivatives.

Agonists of benzodiazepine (BZD) binding site in GABA receptors are widely used in clinical practice. In spite of their benefits they have several side effects, so synthesis of new agonists of these receptors to get more specific effect and better profile of adverse drug reactions is still continued. Novel BZD agonists were designed based on the pharmacophore/receptor model of BZD binding site of GABAA receptor. Energy minima conformers of the designed compounds and estazolam, a known BZD receptor agonist, were well superimposed in conformational analysis. Docking studies revealed that the carbonyl group of the compound 4c, 3-(2-chlorobenzyl)-5-methyl-2-phenyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7(3H)-one, was near the nitrogen moiety of triazole ring of estazolam providing the hydrogen bond acceptor in proper direction in the BDZ-binding site of GABAA receptor model (α1β2ϒ2). The designed compounds were synthesized and their in vitro affinity for the central BZD receptor was determined. Most of the novel compounds had better affinity for the BZD site of action on GABAA receptor complex than diazepam. Finally, the novel compound 4c with the best affinity in radioligand receptor binding assay (Ki=0.42 nM and IC50=0.68 nM) was selected as candidate for in vivo evaluation. This compound showed significant hypnotic activity and weak anticonvulsant effect with no impairment on learning and memory performance in mouse. The pharmacological effects of the compound 4c were antagonized by flumazenil, a BZD antagonist, which confirms the involvement of BZD receptors in the biological effects of the novel ligand.

Reversal effects of crocin on amyloid β-induced memory deficit: Modification of autophagy or apoptosis markers

Crocin, as a carotenoid, is one of the main and active constituents of saffron stigmas (Crocus sativus L.) that is widely used in folk medicine. Several studies have pointed out the potent antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of crocin which may have therapeutic values for management of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimers disease. Alzheimers disease is the most common form of dementia among the elderly and is characterized by massive neuronal loss and progressive cognitive impairment. Beta amyloid hypothesis is the main theoretical research framework for Alzheimers disease which states that extracellular aggregation of beta amyloid results in synaptic loss and eventually cell apoptosis. Recent findings suggest that autophagy and apoptosis are extensively involved in Alzheimers disease. In order to investigate therapeutic values of crocin, we examined the effect of crocin on memory, cell apoptosis, and autophagy using in vivo models of Alzheimers disease. We also compared the effect of crocin administration on spatial memory with nicotine as positive control. Morris water maze results show that intra-peritoneal and intra-hippocampal administration of crocin significantly improve spatial memory indicators such as escape latency, traveled distance and time spent in target quadrant when compared to beta amyloid injection. Furthermore, we measured certain biomarkers of cell autophagy and apoptosis using Western blot analysis. Our results reveal that crocin administration does not cause any significant alteration in Beclin-1 and ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I compared to the group received beta amyloid by hippocampal injection. However, in contrast to autophagy, crocin administration significantly decreases Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cleaved Caspase-3 level. This demonstrates that crocin inhibits beta amyloid induced apoptosis, which is possibly associated with its antioxidant properties. Our results further confirm the neuroprotective properties of crocin as a potential pharmaceutical agent for management of Alzheimers disease.

Design, synthesis, pharmacological evaluation, and docking study of new acridone-based 1,2,4-oxadiazoles as potential anticonvulsant agents

A number of acridone-based oxadiazoles 11a-n have been synthesized and evaluated for their anticonvulsant activity against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)- and maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizures in mice. Also, their neurotoxicity was evaluated by the rotarod test. Most of the compounds exhibited better anticonvulsant activity and higher safety respect to the standard drug, phenobarbital. Among the tested derivatives, compounds 11l with ED50 value of 2.08 mg/kg was the most potent compound in the PTZ test. The anticonvulsant effect of compound 11l was blocked by flumazenil, suggesting the involvement of benzodiazepine (BZD) receptors in the anticonvulsant activity of prototype compound 11l. Also, docking study of compound 11l in the BZD-binding site of GABAA receptor confirms possible binding of compound 11l with BZD receptors.

Assessment of possible protective roles of selenium, zinc, and cis-Stilbene oxide against acute T-2 toxin poisoning: A preliminary report

The efficacy of two free radical scavengers, selenium and zinc, and a microsomal epoxide hydrolase-inducing agent, cis-stilbene oxide on the acute toxicity of T-2 toxin, a potent cytotoxic trichothecene, was investigated. Mice were pretreated daily for 3 consecutive days with either zinc sulfate (4.4 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]), sodium selenite (1, 2, and 3 mg/kg i.p.) or cis-stilbene oxide (50 mg/kg i.p.). A full 24-hr after the final dosing with these agents, mice were given T-2 toxin (2, 2.5, or 3 mg/kg i.p.). The acute lethal toxicity of T-2 toxin (2.5 mg/kg) was reduced by administration of only sodium selenite (3 mg/kg) and cis-stilbene oxide (50 mg/kg). No significant effect on weight gain was observed.

Toxicity of cuprizone a Cu2+ chelating agent on isolated mouse brain mitochondria: a justification for demyelination and subsequent behavioral dysfunction

Abstract Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex disease with an unknown etiology and no effective cure, despite decades of extensive research that led to the development of several partially effective treatments. In this study we aimed to investigate brain mitochondrial dysfunction in demyelination induced by cuprizone in mice. Cuprizone was used for induction of demyelination in mice through a diet containing 0.2% w/w cuprizone for 5 weeks. Behavioral tests for proving of MS was performed and then mitochondria from brain of animals were isolated and afterwards parameters of mitochondrial dysfunction examined. Results of mitochondrial dysfunction parameters such as mitochondrial swelling, production ROS, collapse of the membrane potential showed that isolated mitochondria from cuprizone treated mice have been damaged compared to those of untreated control mice. It is likely that demyelination induced mitochondrial damage led to increased mitochondrial ROS formation and progression of oxidative damages in neurons. It is suggested that cuprizone which is a Cu2+ chelating agent causes impairment of electron transport chain (complex IV) and antioxidant system (SOD) in mitochondria leading to decreased ATP production and increased ROS formation.

ZOLPIDEM-INDUCED SUICIDE ATTEMPT: A CASE REPORT

Zolpidem is a popular drug indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Side effects are not uncommon with zolpidem. Herein we describe an Iranian 27-year-old man with no known mood disorder or neuropsychological disease who attempted suicide upon taking zolpidem. There are two interesting facts about this case: Firstly, the patient had not history of suicide attempt or thinking. Secondly, this case had experienced suicide ideation after taking 20 mg of zolpidem, suggesting a possible correlation between zolpidem psychological effects and dangerous psychological behaviors.

Hydroalcoholic extract of Myrtus communis can alter anxiety and sleep parameters: a behavioural and EEG sleep pattern study in mice and rats

Abstract Context: Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae), myrtle, is an evergreen shrub with strong antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activities. Also, it is used as a sedative-hypnotic plant in Iranian traditional medicine. Objective: This study evaluates the effect of 80% ethanolic extract of M. communis leaves on sleep and anxiety in mice and rats. Materials and methods: Male NMRI mice were subjected to open field, righting reflex, grip strength and pentylentetrazole-induced seizure tests. Male Wistar rats were used to evaluate the alterations in rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM (NREM) sleep. They were treated with 25–400 mg/kg doses of the extract intraperitoneally. Results: The applied doses (50–200 mg/kg) of M. communis extract increased vertical (ED50 = 40.2 ± 6.6 mg/kg) and vertical and horizontal activity (ED50 = 251 ± 55 mg/kg), while treatment with 200 and 400 mg/kg attenuated muscle tone significantly compared to vehicle treated animals (p < 0.001 for all) in a dose-independent manner. Also, a significant hypnotic and not anticonvulsant effect was observed when animals were treated with 200 mg/kg of the extract (p < 0.01). In this regard, electroencephalography results showed that REM sleep time was decreased (2.4 ± 0.5%), while total and NREM sleep times were increased significantly compared to the control group of mice (82.5 ± 7.6%). Discussion and conclusion: The data show the anxiolytic and muscle relaxant effect of the extract without anticonvulsant activities. The anxiolytic, myorelaxant and hypnotic effects without effect on seizure threshold are in line with the effect of a alpha 2 GABA receptor agonist.

Comparison [3H]-flumazenil binding parameters in rat cortical membrane using different separation methods, filtration and centrifugation

Radioligand receptor binding assays are a common method to evaluate the affinity of newly synthesized benzodiazepine ligands for the receptor. [(3)H]-flumazenil is an antagonist of benzodiazepine receptors and is generally used as a radioligand. In this study, the binding parameters of [(3)H]-flumazenil to rat cortical membranes were evaluated using two separation methods: filtration with GF/C filters and centrifugation. Additionally, the effects of vacuum pressure, exposure time to the cocktail, and geometry on the filtration method were studied. The binding parameters of [(3)H]-flumazenil (Kd and Bmax) were determined through saturation studies using two methods. The results from this study showed that the filtration method is time consuming and requires more steps to be completed. Because filtration causes partial elution of bound [(3)H]-flumazenil into the liquid scintillation cocktail, the results are not reproducible, which result in inaccurate estimation of the binding parameters. The centrifugation method in contrast to filtration is straightforward and produces reproducible as well as reliable results, all of the steps are performed in a single polypropylene tube, which eliminates the loss of tissue and avoids other systematic errors associated with transfer and handling.