Discovery of new scaffolds for GABA(A) receptor modulators from natural origin

Gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors are the major inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in the central nervous system (CNS). These heteropentameric transmembrane proteins act as chloride ion channel upon activation by the endogenous ligand γ-amino butyric acid (GABA). Until now, 11 distinct GABAA receptor subtypes have been identified in the human brain. They differ in their subunit stoichiometry, tissue localization, functional characteristics, and pharmacological properties. Many CNS depressant drugs, such as the benzodiazepines exert their action via enhancement of the GABAergic neuronal inhibition. However, therapy may be accompanied by unwanted side-effects and specific clinical action is precluded due to the lack of GABAA receptor subtype selectivity. In a preliminary screen the lipophilic extracts of Piper nigrum fruits, Angelica pubescens roots, Acorus calamus roots, Biota orientalis leaves and twigs, and Kadsura longipedunculata fruits had shown positive GABAA receptor modulating activity in an in vitro functional, automated two-microelectrode voltage clamp assay with Xenopus laevis oocytes, which transiently expressed α1β2γ2S GABAA receptors. Aiming at the discovery of new scaffolds which act at the GABAA receptor, the active constituents of these five plant extracts were identified by means of an HPLC-based activity profiling approach. In total, we discovered 28 secondary metabolites with positive GABAA receptor modulating properties belonging to the structural classes of coumarins, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, phenylpropanes, piperamides, and lignans. Their structures were elucidated by a combination of powerful analytical methods such as HPLC-PDA-TOF-MS, highly sensitive microprobe NMR, and for chiral compounds, polarimetry and ECD. Determination of relative and absolute configuration was supported by conformational analysis and quantum chemical calculations. Furthermore, three yet unknown natural products could be identified. HPLC-based activity profiling with P. nigrum enabled the identification of 13 structurally related piperamides with minimum amount of extract. This allowed us to draw preliminary structure activity considerations for the scaffold of piperine, which was the main α1β2γ2S GABAA receptor modulator in this plant (EC50: 52.4 ± 9.4 μM, maximal stimulation of GABA induced chloride currents (IGABA) by 302% ± 27%). Sandaracopimaric acid and isopimaric acid from B. orientalis were tested for subtype selectivity at α1�3,5β1-3γ2S subtypes which revealed a comparatively high efficiency of both compounds at α2/3-subunit containing receptors. Additionally, sandaracopimaric acid exerted superior efficiency at receptors comprising β2-subunits. It showed EC50 values from 24.9 ± 6.3 μM to 82.2 ± 46.6 μM, and efficiencies ranging between 502% ± 56% to 1101% ± 98% potentiation of IGABA at the subtypes of investigation. A decrease of locomotor activity in the Open Field behavioral model was observed after intraperitoneal injection of 3 to 30 mg sandaracopimaric acid per kg bodyweight in mice. A trend towards anxiolytic-like activity could be observed with 1 and 3 mg/kg. Further “drug-like” GABAA receptor modulating scaffolds were discovered among the lignans from K. longipedunculata (potencies down to 12.8 ± 3.1 μM and efficiencies up to 886 ± 291% stimulation of IGABA) and among the sesquiterpenes from A. calamus (potencies down to 34.0 ± 6.7 μM and efficiencies up to 886 ± 105% stimulation of IGABA). These substances have potential for the further development as therapeutics acting at the GABAA receptor

GABAA receptor modulation by piperine and a non-TRPV1 activating derivative

AbstractThe action of piperine (the pungent component of pepper) and its derivative SCT-66 ((2E,4E)-5-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl))-N,N-diisobutyl-2,4-pentadienamide) on different gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A (GABAA) receptors, transient-receptor-potential-vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) receptors and behavioural effects were investigated.GABAA receptor subtypes and TRPV1 receptors were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Modulation of GABA-induced chloride currents (IGABA) by piperine and SCT-66 and activation of TRPV1 was studied using the two-microelectrode-voltage-clamp technique and fast perfusion. Their effects on explorative behaviour, thermoregulation and seizure threshold were analysed in mice. Piperine acted with similar potency on all GABAA receptor subtypes (EC50 range: 42.8±7.6μM (α2β2)–59.6±12.3μM (α3β2)). IGABA modulation by piperine did not require the presence of a γ2S-subunit, suggesting a binding site involving only α and β subunits. IGABA activation was slightly more efficacious on receptors formed from β2/3 subunits (maximal IGABA stimulation through α1β3 receptors: 332±64% and α1β2: 271±36% vs. α1β1: 171±22%, p<0.05) and α3-subunits (α3β2: 375±51% vs. α5β2:136±22%, p<0.05). Replacing the piperidine ring by a N,N-diisobutyl residue (SCT-66) prevents interactions with TRPV1 and simultaneously increases the potency and efficiency of GABAA receptor modulation. SCT-66 displayed greater efficacy on GABAA receptors than piperine, with different subunit-dependence. Both compounds induced anxiolytic, anticonvulsant effects and reduced locomotor activity; however, SCT-66 induced stronger anxiolysis without decreasing body temperature and without the proconvulsive effects of TRPV1 activation and thus may serve as a scaffold for the development of novel GABAA receptor modulators

Abietane Diterpenoids from Salvia sahendica - Antiprotozoal Activity and Determination of Their Absolute Configurations

In a screening of Iranian plants for antiprotozoal activity, an n-hexane extract of the roots of Salvia sahendica potently inhibited the growth of Plasmodium falciparum K1 strain. Subsequent HPLC-based activity profiling led to the identification of seven known and one new abietane-type diterpenoid. Structure elucidation was achieved by analysis of spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR. The absolute configuration of sahandol (7) and sahandone (8) were assigned by comparison of experimental ECD spectra with calculated ECD data, using time-dependent density functional theory and methanol as the solvent. In vitro biological activity against P. falciparum and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense STIB 900 strain and cytotoxicity in rat myoblast (L6) cells were determined. The IC50 values of the compounds ranged from 0.8 µM to over 8.8 µM against P. falciparum, and from 1.8 µM to over 32.3 µM against T. brucei rhodesiense. The cytotoxic IC50 values ranged from 0.5-15.5 µM. Selectivity indices for P. falciparum were 0.1 to 18.2, and 0.1 to 1.2 for T. brucei rhodesiense

Identification of GABAA receptor modulators in Kadsura longipedunculata and assignment of absolute configurations by quantum-chemical ECD calculations

A petroleum ether extract of Kadsura longipedunculata enhanced the GABA-induced chloride current (I(GABA)) by 122.5 ± 0.3% (n = 2) when tested at 100 μg/ml in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing GABA A receptors (α(1)β(2)γ(2S) subtype) in two-microelectrode voltage clamp measurements. Thirteen compounds were subsequently identified by HPLC-based activity profiling as responsible for GABA A receptor activity and purified in preparative scale. 6-Cinnamoyl-6,7-dihydro-7-myrceneol and 5,6-dihydrocuparenic acid were thereby isolated for the first time. The determination of the absolute stereochemistry of these compounds was achieved by comparison of experimental and calculated ECD spectra. All but one of the 13 isolated compounds from K. longipedunculata potentiated I(GABA) through GABA A receptors composed of α(1)β(2)γ(2S) subunits in a concentration-dependent manner. Potencies ranged from 12.8 ± 3.1 to 135.6 ± 85.7 μM, and efficiencies ranged from 129.7 ± 36.8% to 885.8 ± 291.2%. The phytochemical profiles of petroleum ether extracts of Kadsura japonica fruits (114.1 ± 2.6% potentiation of I(GABA) at 100 μg/ml, n = 2), and Schisandra chinensis fruits (inactive at 100 μg/ml) were compared by HPLC-PDA-ESIMS with that of K. longipedunculata

Positive GABAA receptor modulators from Acorus calamus L. , and structural analysis of (+) dioxosarcoguaiacol by 1D and 2D NMR and molecular modeling

[Image: see text] In a two-microelectrode voltage clamp with Xenopus laevis oocytes, a petroleum ether extract of Acorus calamus rhizomes enhanced the GABA-induced chloride current through GABA(A) receptors of the α(1)β(2)γ(2S) subtype by 277% ± 9.7% (100 μg/mL). β-Asarone (1), (+)-dioxosarcoguaiacol (2), (+)-shyobunone (3), and (+)-preisocalamenediol (4) were subsequently identified as main active principles through HPLC-based activity profiling and targeted isolation. The compounds induced maximum potentiation of the chloride current ranging from 588% ± 126% (EC(50): 65.3 ± 21.6 μM) (2) to 1200% ± 163% (EC(50): 171.5 ± 34.6 μM) (1), whereas (−)-isoshyobunone (5) and (−)-acorenone (6) exhibited weak GABA(A) modulating properties (5: 164% ± 42.9%; EC(50): 109.4 ± 46.6 μM and 6: 241% ± 23.1%; EC(50): 34.0 ± 6.7 μM). The relative configuration of 2 was established as 4R*8S*10R* by NOESY experiments and conformational analysis