Rujee K. Duke

Modulation of Ionotropic GABA Receptors by Natural Products of Plant Origin

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the modulation of ionotropic γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors by natural products of plant origin. There is an impressive array of natural products that are known to influence the function of ionotropic receptors for GABA, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. The major chemical classes of such natural products are flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, and polyacetylenic alcohols. The interaction of flavonoids with benzodiazepine modulatory sites on GABAA receptors lead to the great interest in flavonoids as positive modulators of such receptors, many of the interactions between flavonoids and GABAA receptors do not involve classical flumazenil‐sensitive benzodiazepine sites. There are significant synergistic interactions between some of these positive modulators such as between substances isolated from Valeriana officinalis. Thus, the sleep inducing effects of hesperidin are potentiated by 6‐methylapigenin, while the sedating and sleep inducing effects of valerenic acid are potentiated when co‐administered with the flavonoid glycoside linarin. The discovery of second order positive modulators adds new dimension to the concept of the allosteric modulation of GABAA receptors. Second order positive modulators act only in conjunction with a specific first order positive modulator.

Bilobalide, a sesquiterpene trilactone from Ginkgo biloba, is an antagonist at recombinant α1β2γ2L GABAA receptors

Abstract The sesquiterpene trilactone bilobalide is one of the active constituents of the 50:1 Ginkgo biloba leaf extract widely used to enhance memory and learning. Bilobalide was found to antagonise the direct action of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on recombinant α1β2γ2L GABAA receptors. The effect of bilobalide on the direct action of GABA at α1β2γ2L GABAA receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes using two-electrode voltage-clamp method was evaluated and compared with the effects of the classical GABAA receptor competitive antagonist bicuculline and noncompetitive antagonist picrotoxinin. Bilobalide (IC50=4.6±0.5 μM) was almost as potent as bicuculline and pictrotoxinin (IC50=2.0±0.1 and 2.4±0.5 μM, respectively) at α1β2γ2L GABAA receptors against 40 μM GABA (GABA EC50). While bilobalide and picrotoxinin were clearly noncompetitive antagonists, the potency of bilobalide decreased at high GABA concentrations suggesting a component of competitive antagonism.

(+)‐ and (‐)‐cis‐2‐Aminomethylcyclopropanecarboxylic Acids Show Opposite Pharmacology at Recombinant ρ1 and ρ2 GABAC Receptors

Abstract: The effects of the enantiomers of (±)‐CAMP and(±)‐TAMP [(±)‐cis‐ and(±)‐trans‐2‐aminomethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acids,respectively], which are cyclopropane analogues of GABA, were tested onGABAA and GABAC receptors expressed in Xenopuslaevis oocytes using two‐electrode voltage clamp methods. (+)‐CAMP wasfound to be a potent and full agonist at homooligomeric GABACreceptors (KD∼40 μM andImax∼100% at ρ1;KD∼17 μM and Imax∼100% at ρ2) but a very weak antagonist atα1β2γ2L GABAAreceptors. In contrast, (‐)‐CAMP was a very weak antagonist at bothα1β2γ2L GABAAreceptors and homooligomeric GABAC receptors (IC50∼900 μM at ρ1 and ∼400 μM atρ2). Furthermore, (+)‐CAMP appears to be a superior agonist tothe widely used GABAC receptor partial agonistcis‐4‐aminocrotonic acid (KD∼74μM and Imax∼78% at ρ1;KD∼70 μM and Imax∼82% at ρ2). (‐)‐TAMP was the most potent of thecyclopropane analogues on GABAC receptors (KD∼9 μM and Imax∼40% atρ1; KD∼3 μM andImax∼50‐60% at ρ2), but it was also amoderately potent GABAA receptor partial agonist(KD∼50‐60 μM and Imax∼50% at α1β2γ2LGABAA receptors). (+)‐TAMP was a less potent partial agonist atGABAC receptors (KD∼60 μM andImax∼40% at ρ1; KD∼30 μM and Imax∼60% atρ2) and a weak partial agonist atα1β2γ2L GABAAreceptors (KD∼500 μM andImax∼50%). None of the isomers of (±)‐CAMP and(±)‐TAMP displayed any interaction with GABA transport at theconcentrations tested. Molecular modeling based on the present resultsprovided new insights into the chiral preferences for either agonism orantagonism at GABAC receptors.

A new synthesis resolution and in vitro activities of (R)- and (S)-β-Phenyl-Gaba

Abstract β-Phenyl-GABA (2) was resolved by separation by crystallization and/or h.p.l.c. of the diastereoisomeric (R)-(-)-pantolactone esters of the N-phthalimido protected β-phenyl-GABA. The absolute stereochemical assignments obtained from chiroptical studies of the enantiomers(8a) and(8b) and an X-ray crystallographic study of the diastereoisomer(7a) were supported by the activities of the enantiomers(8a) and(8b) in binding and electrophysiological studies. Details of synthesis, binding, electrophysiological, chiroptical and X-ray crystallographic studies are reported.

Prenylated cinnamate and stilbenes from Kangaroo Island propolis and their antioxidant activity

A prenylated cinnamic acid derivative as well as six prenylated tetrahydroxystilbenes were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of propolis that originated from Kangaroo Island, Australia. Furthermore, six known stilbenes and two known flavanones were also identified from the same sample. Stilbenes are not common in propolis; therefore, Kangaroo Island propolis is considered a unique type of propolis that is rich in prenylated stilbenes. Stilbene propolis from Kangaroo Island showed a stronger scavenging activity towards DPPH free radical than Brazilian green propolis. This strong activity can be explained by the presence of large number of stilbenes, most of them showed strong free radical scavenging activity.

Binding Sites for Bilobalide, Diltiazem, Ginkgolide, and Picrotoxinin at the 5-HT3 Receptor

Bilobalide (BB), ginkgolide B (GB), diltiazem (DTZ), and picrotoxinin (PXN) are 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists in which the principal sites of action are in the channel. To probe their exact binding locations, 5-HT3 receptors with substitutions in their pore lining residues were constructed (N−4′Q, E−1′D, S2′A, T6′S, L7′T, L9′V, S12′A, I16′V, D20′E), expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, and the effects of the compounds on 5-HT-induced currents were examined. EC50 values at mutant receptors were less than 6-fold different from those of wild type, indicating that the mutations were well tolerated. BB, GB, DTZ, and PXN had pIC50 values of 3.33, 3.14, 4.67, and 4.97, respectively. Inhibition by BB and GB was abolished in mutant receptors containing T6′S and S12′A substitutions, but their potencies were enhanced (42- and 125-fold, respectively) in S2′A mutant receptors. S2′A substitution also caused GB ligand trap. PXN potency was modestly enhanced (5-fold) in S2′A, abolished in T6′S, and reduced in L9′V (40-fold) and S12′A (7-fold) receptors. DTZ potency was reduced in L7′T and S12′A receptors (5-fold), and DTZ also displaced [3H]granisetron binding, indicating mixed competitive/noncompetitive inhibition. We conclude that regions close to the hydrophobic gate of M2 are important for the inhibitory effects of BB, GB, DTZ, and PXN at the 5-HT3 receptor; for BB, GB, and PXN, the data show that the 6′ channel lining residue is their major site of action, with minor roles for 2′, 9′, and 12′ residues, whereas for DTZ, the 7′ and 12′ sites are important.

Modulation of P-glycoprotein-mediated anticancer drug accumulation, cytotoxicity, and ATPase activity by flavonoid interactions

Flavonoids are components of plant foods and of many herbal medicines taken in combination with anticancer drugs. We have examined the potential of flavonoids to affect the accumulation and cytotoxicity of 3 cytotoxic drugs [vinblastine (VLB), daunorubicin (DNR), and colchicine (COL)] that are substrates for the ABC transporter, P-glycoprotein in a vinblastine-resistant T-cell leukemia, CEM/VBL100, that overexpresses P-glycoprotein. The effects of the flavonoids on accumulation and cytotoxicity of these drugs were different depending on the P-gp substrate used. Most of the 30 flavonoids tested decreased DNR accumulation in the VBL-resistant, but not sensitive, leukemia cells. By contrast, flavonoids that inhibited DNR accumulation enhanced the accumulation of fluorescently labeled vinblastine. None of these flavonoids affected COL accumulation. The effects of the flavonoids on the cytotoxicities of these drugs paralleled their effects on accumulation; the same flavonoids decreased DNR cytotoxicity but increased VLB cytotoxicity and had no effect on COL. Verapamil reversed the accumulation deficit and cytotoxicity of all three P-gp substrates. These effects correlated with the effects of flavonoids on P-gp-ATPase activity. Flavonoids that decreased DNR accumulation stimulated DNR-activated P-gp ATPase, whereas flavonoids that increased fluorescently labeled VLB accumulation inhibited VBL-stimulated P-gp ATPase activity, thereby accounting for the decrease or increase in cancer drug accumulation in resistant cells. We conclude that flavonoids often ingested by cancer patients may have different effects on anticancer drugs and that these findings should be considered in designing future combination treatments for cancer patients.

trans-4-Amino-2-methylbut-2-enoic acid (2-MeTACA) and (±)-trans-2-aminomethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid ((±)-TAMP) can differentiate rat ρ3 from human ρ1 and ρ2 recombinant GABAC receptors

This study investigated the effects of a number of GABA analogues on rat ρ3 GABAC receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes using 2‐electrode voltage clamp methods. The potency order of agonists was muscimol (EC50=1.9±0.1 μM) (+)‐trans‐3‐aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acids ((+)‐TACP; EC50=2.7±0.9 μM) trans‐4‐aminocrotonic acid (TACA; EC50=3.8±0.3 μM) GABA (EC50=4.0±0.3 μM) > thiomuscimol (EC50=24.8±2.6 μM) > (±)‐cis‐2‐aminomethylcyclopropane‐carboxylic acid ((±)‐CAMP; EC50=52.6±8.7 μM) > cis‐4‐aminocrotonic acid (CACA; EC50=139.4±5.2 μM). The potency order of antagonists was (±)‐trans‐2‐aminomethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid ((±)‐TAMP; KB=4.8±1.8 μM) (1,2,5,6‐tetrahydropyridin‐4‐yl)methylphosphinic acid (TPMPA; KB=4.8±0.8 μM) > (piperidin‐4‐yl)methylphosphinic acid (P4MPA; KB=10.2±2.3 μM) 4,5,6,7‐tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4‐c]pyridin‐3‐ol (THIP; KB=10.2±0.3  μM) imidazole‐4‐acetic acid (I4AA; KB=12.6±2.7 μM) > 3‐aminopropylphosphonic acid (3‐APA; KB=35.8±13.5 μM). trans‐4‐Amino‐2‐methylbut‐2‐enoic acid (2‐MeTACA; 300 μM) had no effect as an agonist or an antagonist indicating that the C2 methyl substituent is sterically interacting with the ligand‐binding site of rat ρ3 GABAC receptors. 2‐MeTACA affects ρ1 and ρ2 but not ρ3 GABAC receptors. In contrast, (±)‐TAMP is a partial agonist at ρ1 and ρ2 GABAC receptors, while at rat ρ3 GABAC receptors it is an antagonist. Thus, 2‐MeTACA and (±)‐TAMP could be important pharmacological tools because they may functionally differentiate between ρ1, ρ2 and ρ3 GABAC receptors in vitro.

The effects of cyclopentane and cyclopentene analogues of GABA at recombinant GABAC receptors

The pharmacological effects of the enantiomers of cis-3-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acids ((+)- and (-)-CACP), the enantiomers of trans-3-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acids ((+)- and (-)-TACP), and the enantiomers of 4-aminocyclopent-1-ene-1-carboxylic acids ((+)- and (-)-4-ACPCA) were studied on human homomeric rho(1) and rho(2) GABA(C) receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes using two-electrode voltage clamp methods. These compounds are conformationally restricted analogues of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) held in a five-membered ring. (+)-TACP (EC(50) (rho(1))=2.7+/-0.2 microM; EC(50) (rho(2))=1.45+/-0.22 microM), (+)-CACP (EC(50) (rho(1))=26.1+/-1.1 microM; EC(50) (rho(2))=20.1+/-2.1 microM) and (-)-CACP (EC(50) (rho(1))=78.5+/-3.5 microM; EC(50) (rho(2))=63.8+/-23.3 microM) were moderately potent partial agonists at rho(1) and rho(2) GABA(C) receptors, while (-)-TACP (100 microM inhibited 56% and 62% of the current produced by 1 microM GABA at rho(1) and rho(2) receptors, respectively) was a weak partial agonist with low intrinsic activity at these receptors. In contrast, (+)-4-ACPCA (K(i) (rho(1))=6.0+/-0.1 microM; K(i) (rho(2))=4.7+/-0.3 microM) did not activate GABA(C) rho(1) and rho(2) receptors but potently inhibited the action of GABA at these receptors, while (-)-4-ACPCA had little effect as either an agonist or an antagonist. The affinity order at both GABA(C) rho(1) and rho(2) receptors was (+)-TACP>(+)-4-ACPCA >> (+)-CACP>(-)-CACP >> (-)-TACP >> (-)-4-ACPCA. This study shows that the cyclopentane and cyclopentene analogues of GABA affect GABA(C) receptors in a unique manner, defining a preferred stereochemical orientation of the amine and carboxylic acid groups when binding to GABA(C) receptors. This is exemplified by the partial agonist, (+)-TACP, and the antagonist, (+)-4-ACPCA.

R-(−)-β-phenyl-GABA is a full agonist at GABAB receptors in brain slices but a partial agonist in the ileum

R-(-)-beta-phenyl-GABA has been compared at GABAB receptors using cortical and ileal preparations. R-(-)-beta-phenyl-GABA (EC50 = 25 microM) was a less potent full agonist than R,S-(+/-)-baclofen (EC50 = 2.5 microM), in depressing CA1 population spikes of rat hippocampal slices, and 5 times less potent in attenuating the spontaneous discharges of rat neocortex. However, R-(-)-beta-phenyl-GABA (100-400 microM) was only a weak partial agonist in the ileum. All these actions were sensitive to CGP 35348 (3-aminopropyl-(P-diethoxymethyl)-phosphinic acid) and therefore mediated by GABAB receptors.