Sedative Effects of Daidzin, Possibly Through the GABAA Receptor Interaction Pathway: In Vivo Approach with Molecular Dynamic Simulations
Abstract: The soy isoflavone daidzin (DZN) has been considered a hopeful bioactive compound having diverse biological activities, including anxiolytic, memory-enhancing, and antiepileptic effects, in experimental animals. However, its sedative and hypnotic effects are yet to be discovered. This study aimed to evaluate its sedative/hypnotic effect on Swiss mice. Additionally, in silico studies were also performed to see the possible molecular mechanisms behind the tested neurological effect. For this, male Swiss albino mice were treated with DZN (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p.) with or without the standard GABAergic medication diazepam (DZP) and/or flumazenil (FLU) and checked for the onset and duration of sleeping time using thiopental sodium-induced as well as DZP-induced sleeping tests. A molecular docking study was also performed to check its interaction capacity with the α1 and β2 subunits of the GABAA receptor. Findings suggest that DZN dose-dependently and significantly reduced the latency while increasing the duration of sleep in animals. In combination therapy, DZN shows synergistic effects with the DZP-2 and DZP-2 + FLU-0.01 groups, resulting in significantly (p < 0.05) reduced latency and increased sleep duration. Further, molecular docking studies demonstrate that DZN has a strong binding affinity of − 7.2 kcal/mol, which is closer to the standard ligand DZP (− 8.3 kcal/mol) against the GABAA (6X3X) receptor. Molecular dynamic simulations indicated stability and similar binding locations for DZP and DZN with 6X3X. In conclusion, DZN shows sedative effects on Swiss mice, possibly through the GABAA receptor interaction pathway.
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Botanical sources, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of Palmatine and its derivatives in the management of cancer: A comprehensive mechanistic analysis
Abstract: Natural compounds and their derivatives have been identified as valuable sources of therapeutic ingredients for cancer treatment. The naturally occurring phytochemical palmatine (isoquinoline alkaloid) is extracted from plant parts (rhizomes, roots, stems, stem barks, and others) and has protective effects including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer. This study aims to summarize the anticancer potential of palmatine and its derivatives in the treatment of numerous types of cancer with molecular mechanisms. We also include the pharmacokinetic features, botanical origin, and toxicological characteristics of palmatine and its derivatives. For this, data have been collected from plausible different electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, PubChem, Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, Springer Link, and Wiley Online. The findings demonstrate that palmatine and its derivatives have a protective anticancer effect against a variety of cancers, including breast, colorectal, gastric, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, skin, hepatocellular cancer, and mammary gland tumors. They provoke their anticancer properties against various cancer cell lines via modifying molecular mechanisms like induction of oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, inhibition of cell invasion and migration, arresting the cell cycle at the S phase, anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic effects. It is suggested that palmatine and its derivatives may be a good option in the development of novel drugs for cancer therapy in the future.
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The list of articles in 2024 affiliated by BioLuster Research Center Limited