How polyamine synthesis inhibitors and cinnamic acid affect tropane alkaloid production

Hairy roots of Brugmansia candida produce the tropane alkaloids scopolamine and hyoscyamine. In an attempt to divert the carbon flux from competing pathways and thus enhance productivity, the polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors cyclohexylamine (CHA) and methylglyoxal-bis-guanylhy, drazone (MGBG) and the phenylalamine-ammonia-lyase inhibitor cinnamic acid were used. CHA decreased the specific productivity of both alkaloids but increased significantly the release of scopolamine (approx 500%) when it was added in the mid-exponential phase. However, when CHA was added for only 48 h during the exponential phase, the specific productivity of both alkaloids increased (approx 200%), favoring scopolamine. Treatment with MGBG was detrimental to growth but promoted release into the medium of both alkaloids. However, when it was added for 48 h during the exponential phase, MGBG increased the specific productivity (approx 200%) and release (250–1800%) of both alkaloids. Cinnamic acid alone also favored release but not specific productivity. When a combination of CHA or MGBG with cinnamic acid was used, the results obtained were approximately the same as with each polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor alone, although to a lesser extent. Regarding root morphology, CHA inhibited growth of primary roots and ramification. However, it had a positive effect on elongation of lateral roots.     

Development of CE-C4D Method for Determination Tropane Alkaloids

A fast method for the determination of tropane alkaloids, using a portable CE instrument with a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector (CE-C⁴D) was developed and validated for determination of atropine and scopolamine in seeds from Solanaceae family plants. Separation was obtained within 5 min, using an optimized background electrolyte consisting of 0.5 M acetic acid with 0.25% (w/v) β-CD. The limit of detection and quantification was 0.5 µg/mL and 1.5 µg/mL, respectively, for both atropine and scopolamine. The developed method was validated with the following parameters—precision (CV): 1.07–2.08%, accuracy of the assay (recovery, RE): 101.0–102.7% and matrix effect (ME): 92.99–94.23%. Moreover, the optimized CE-C⁴D method was applied to the analysis of plant extracts and pharmaceuticals, proving its applicability and accuracy.     

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/positive ion tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of cimetropium in human plasma by liquid-liquid extraction

We have developed and validated a simple detection system with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with positive ion electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) for determining cimetropium levels in human plasma using scopolamine butyl bromide as an internal standard (I.S.). The acquisition was performed in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, by monitoring the transitions: m/z 357.9 > 103.1 for cimetropium and m/z 359.9 > 103.1 for butyl-scopolamine. The method involves a simple single-step liquid-liquid extraction with dichloromethane. The analyte was chromatographed on an YMC C18 reversed-phase chromatographic column by isocratic elution with 10 mM ammonium formate buffer-methanol (19:81, v/v; adjusted to pH 4.0 with formic acid). The results were linear over the studied range (0.2-100 ng ml(-1)), with r2 = 1.0000, and the total analysis time for each run was 2 min. Intra- and interassay precisions were 0.70-8.54% and 1.08-4.85%, respectively, and intra- and interassay accuracies were 97.56-108.23% and 97.48-103.91%, respectively. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.2 ng ml(-1). At this concentration, mean intra- and interassay precisions were 8.54% and 4.85%, respectively, and mean intra- and interassay accuracies were 97.56% and 98.91%, respectively. The mean recovery ranged from 62.71 +/- 4.06 to 64.23 +/- 2.32%. Cimetropium was found to be stable in plasma samples under typical storage and processing conditions. The devised assay was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of cimetropium bromide administered as a single oral dose (150 mg) to healthy volunteers.     

芬太尼联合东莨菪碱预处理对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的影响

目的 探讨芬太尼联合东莨菪碱预处理对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注后的心肌保护效应.方法 24只雌性大鼠随机分为3组（每组8只）：即C组（心肌缺血再灌注组）、F组（芬太尼组）、F＋D组（芬太尼＋东莨菪碱组）.记录缺血前、再灌注即刻、再灌注30 min、再灌注120 min等的心率（HR）、左心室收缩压峰值（LVSP）、左心室舒张末压（LVEDP）、左心室收缩及舒张最大压力变化速率（±dp/dtmax）.再灌注120 min后,均取动脉血样3 mL,测定血清超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活力、血清丙二醛（MDA）浓度、一氧化氮（NO）的浓度进行统计分析.结果 血液动力学的各组时间节点间的HR和LVEDP无显著差异（P＞0.05）,LVSP、±dp/dtmaxF组在再灌注30 min、120 min时较C组显著升高（P＜0.05）,F＋D组则显著高于F组（P＜0.05）.生化指标中F＋D组的SOD活力与C组和F组比较无显著差异（P＞0.05）,F＋D组的MDA浓度显著低于其余两组（P＜0.05）,F组和F＋D组的NO浓度都明显高于C组（P＜0.05）.各组心律失常严重程度评分,F＋D组最低（P＜0.05）.结论 芬太尼联合东莨菪碱比单纯使用芬太尼预处理具有更好的对心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用.     

LC-MS/MS法测定毛曼陀罗中莨菪碱、东莨菪碱和山莨菪碱的含量

目的建立LC-MS/MS测定毛曼陀罗中莨菪碱、东莨菪碱和山莨菪碱含量的方法。方法利用盐酸与浓氨水和三氯甲烷提取毛曼陀罗根部中的生物碱,以乙腈-(0.05%甲酸)水溶液=68:32为流动相;Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18(2.1 mm×100 mm,3.5μm)的色谱柱;柱温25℃;流速0.3 mL/min;进样量:2μL。结果莨菪碱、东莨菪碱和山莨菪碱在分别为1～200 ng/mL;1～1000 ng/mL;1～1000 ng/mL的范围内有良好的线性关系。线性方程依次为:Y=813.8904X+2165.3000(r2=0.9922);Y=714.1221X+517.4311(r2=0.9892);Y=872.9971X+1024.4247(r2=0.9952);平均加样回收率分别为97.17%、97.2%、92.68%,RSD分别为1.02%、1.31%、1.41%。通过对12批曼陀罗根中莨菪碱、东莨菪碱和山莨菪碱的测定,其浓度范围分别为1～20 ng/mL;1～18 ng/mL;1～19 ng/mL。结论该方法简单、灵敏度高、稳定性好可用于毛曼陀罗中莨菪碱、东莨菪碱和山莨菪碱含量的测定。     

Friedelin Attenuates Neuronal Dysfunction and Memory Impairment by Inhibition of the Activated JNK/NF-κB Signalling Pathway in Scopolamine-Induced Mice Model of Neurodegeneration

Oxidative stress (OS) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) are both key indicators implicated in neuro-inflammatory signalling pathways and their respective neurodegenerative diseases. Drugs targeting these factors can be considered as suitable candidates for treatment of neuronal dysfunction and memory impairment. The present study encompasses beneficial effects of a naturally occurring triterpenoid, friedelin, against scopolamine-induced oxidative stress and neurodegenerative pathologies in mice models. The treated animals were subjected to behavioural tests i.e., Y-maze and Morris water maze (MWM) for memory dysfunction. The underlying mechanism was determined via western blotting, antioxidant enzymes and lipid profile analyses. Molecular docking studies were carried out to predict the binding modes of friedelin in the binding pocket of p-JNK protein. The results reveal that scopolamine caused oxidative stress by (1) inhibiting catalase (CAT), peroxidase enzyme (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione enzyme (GSH); (2) the up-regulation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in mice brain; and (3) affecting the neuronal synapse (both pre- and post-synapse) followed by associated memory dysfunction. In contrast, friedelin administration not only abolished scopolamine-induced oxidative stress, glial cell activation, and neuro-inflammation but also inhibited p-JNK and NF-κB and their downstream signaling molecules. Moreover, friedelin administration improved neuronal synapse and reversed scopolamine-induced memory impairment accompanied by the inhibition of β-secretase enzyme (BACE-1) to halt amyloidogenic pathways of amyloid-β production. In summary, all of the results show that friedelin is a potent naturally isolated neuro-therapeutic agent to reverse scopolamine-induced neuropathology, which is characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.     

幼兔侧脑室注入东莨菪域对迷走──加压反应的影响

实验动物为４～３０日龄幼兔，侧脑室注射东莨菪碱对４～１５日龄幼兔的迷走──加压反应有增强效应，对２０日龄左右幼兔的迷走──加压反应无明显作用，对２５、３０日龄幼兔的迷走──加压反应表现程度不同的抑制效应．提示，家兔在个体发育初期，中枢胆碱能系统尚未发育完善，对迷走──加压反应不起主导作用．     

穴位埋线联合东莨菪碱治疗对吗啡依赖大鼠十二指肠表达5-羟色胺的影响

摘要: 目的探讨穴位埋线加东莨菪碱治疗对吗啡依赖大鼠十二指肠5-羟色胺( 5-HT) 免疫反应( IＲ) 细胞的影响。方法本试验将大鼠随机分为正常组、自然戒断组( 简称戒断组) 、东莨菪碱治疗组( 简称西药组) 、穴位埋线治疗组( 简称穴位埋线组) 及穴位埋线加东莨菪碱治疗组( 简称穴位埋线加西药组) 。腹腔注射吗啡建立吗啡依赖大鼠模型,经不同的方法干预后,观察戒断症状,并于干预后7d 和14d 分别取材。观察十二指肠5-HT-IＲ 细胞形态特点,并比较各组十二指肠组织匀浆中5-HT 的含量。结果吗啡依赖大鼠戒断症状明显,其十二指肠黏膜5-HT-IＲ细胞数和组织匀浆中5-HT 含量均明显增加( P ＜ 0. 01) ; 治疗7d,与自然戒断组比较,各治疗组均有明显效果( P ＜0. 05) ,并以穴位埋线加西药组改善最为显著( P ＜ 0. 01) ,几乎恢复到正常水平; 治疗时间延长至14d,除自然戒断组外,各治疗组的检测指标均接近正常组( P ＞ 0. 05) 。结论西药治疗与穴位埋线治疗对吗啡依赖所致大鼠的戒断症状及十二指肠分泌5-HT 的功能均有逆转作用,两种方法结合可缩短治疗时间,治疗效果更佳。     

Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum (Lamiaceae) Essential Oil Prevents Behavioral and Oxidative Stress Changes in the Scopolamine Zebrafish Model

Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum has been used as medicinal herbs promoting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective activities. We investigated the protective effects and the mechanism of O. vulgare ssp. hirtum essential oil (OEO) on cognitive impairment and brain oxidative stress in a scopolamine (Sco)-induced zebrafish (Danio rerio) model of cognitive impairment. Our results show that exposure to Sco (100 µM) leads to anxiety, spatial memory, and response to novelty dysfunctions, whereas the administration of OEO (25, 150, and 300 µL/L, once daily for 13 days) reduced anxiety-like behavior and improved cognitive ability, which was confirmed by behavioral tests, such as the novel tank-diving test (NTT), Y-maze test, and novel object recognition test (NOR) in zebrafish. Additionally, Sco-induced brain oxidative stress and increasing of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were attenuated by the administration of OEO. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were used to elucidate the OEO composition, comprising thymol (38.82%), p-cymene (20.28%), and γ-terpinene (19.58%) as the main identified components. These findings suggest the ability of OEO to revert the Sco-induced cognitive deficits by restoring the cholinergic system activity and brain antioxidant status. Thus, OEO could be used as perspective sources of bioactive compounds, displaying valuable biological activities, with potential pharmaceutical applications.     

东莨菪碱大鼠肠内菌代谢研究

用液相色谱-电喷雾离子阱串联质谱(LC-ESIITMSn)联用法进行了东莨菪碱大鼠肠内菌中的代谢研究.以东莨菪碱优化色谱及质谱条件,总结其色谱及质谱行为规律.将东莨菪碱与大鼠肠内菌体外厌氧温孵培养,和空白样品及东莨菪碱标准品相比较,依据被测物的多级质谱数据,鉴定代谢物并阐述其结构.结果在温孵液中发现了东莨菪碱的水解代谢产物莨菪品.该方法灵敏度高、专属性好、样品前处理简单、快速,适合于药物代谢分析.