St. John's Wort reduces neuropathic pain through a hypericin-mediated inhibition of the protein kinase C γ and ɛ activity

Galeotti, Nicoletta; Vivoli, Elisa; Bilia, Anna Rita; Vincieri, Franco Francesco; Ghelardini, Carla

doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2009.12.016

Cited by 58 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…It is endowed with anti-inflammatory activity following topic (Sosa et al 2007) and systemic administration (Mattace Raso et al 2002). Recently, the analgesic activity against acute pain (Galeotti et al 2010a) and the capability to relieve from neuropathic pain (Galeotti et al 2010b) were observed after oral administration of SJW.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reversal of NO-induced nociceptive hypersensitivity by St. John’s wort and hypericin: NF-κB, CREB and STAT1 as molecular targets

Galeotti¹,

Ghelardini²

2012

Psychopharmacology

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Rationale Hypericum perforatum, popularly called St. John's wort (SJW), is a medicinal plant mainly used as antidepressant with a favorable safety profile than standard antidepressants. Some studies have also documented other SJW bioactivities, including pain modulation. Objectives The aim of this study was to demonstrate the capability of SJW to relieve nitric oxide (NO)-induced nociceptive hypersensitivity and identify the effective component. Methods Nociceptive hypersensitivity induced by administration of the NO donors nitroglycerin (GTN) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was assessed by cold and hot plate tests. The cellular pathways and molecular targets involved were investigated by Western blotting. Results GTN and SNP produced a prolonged allodynia and hyperalgesia in mice. A single oral administration of low doses of an SJW dried extract or purified hypericin reversed the NO donor-induced nociceptive behavior whereas hyperforin and flavoinoids were ineffective. Investigating into the cellular pathways involved, an increased CREB and STAT1 phosphorylation, and activation of NF-κB were detected within PAG and thalamus following NO donors' administration. These cellular events were prevented by SJW or hypericin. Since hypericin showed PKC blocking properties, a role of PKC as an upstream modulator of these transcription factors was hypothesized. NO donors increased expression and phosphorylation of protein kinase C (PKC) γ and ε isoforms, molecular events prevented by SJW or hypericin. Conclusions SJW reversed NO-induced nociceptive hypersensitivity through the blockade of a supraspinal signaling pathway involving a PKC-dependent CREB, STAT1 and NF-κB activation due to presence of hypericin. These data indicate SJW/hypericin as a therapeutic perspective for pain treatment.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reversal of NO-induced nociceptive hypersensitivity by St. John’s wort and hypericin: NF-κB, CREB and STAT1 as molecular targets

Galeotti¹,

Ghelardini²

2012

Psychopharmacology

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“…28 These tests were not performed with compounds 6a and 6e because they could not be dissolved in a mixture of 0.5% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) in water. All the other compounds were tested with 10 mg kg -1 doses in mice.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Synthesis and in vivo evaluation of 5-chloro-5-benzobarbiturates as new central nervous system depressants

Vieira¹,

Gomes²,

Matheus³

et al. 2011

J. Braz. Chem. Soc.

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Uma nova família de barbituratos, ácidos 5-cloro-5-benzilbarbitúricos, foi preparada usando um método simples e eficiente a partir de aldeídos aromáticos e ácido barbitúrico, seguido de redução e cloração usando ácido tricloroisocianúrico, com rendimento global de 53 a 70%. Por avaliação in vivo com camundongos, os produtos apresentaram atividade tranqüilizante.A new family of barbiturates, 5-chloro-5-benzylbarbituric acids, was prepared using a simple efficient synthetic method from aromatic aldehydes and barbituric acid, followed by reduction and chlorination with trichloro-isocyanuric acid, affording overall yields of 53 to 70%. The in vivo evaluation with mice showed that these compounds present tranquilizing activity.Keywords: 5-chloro-5-benzylbarbituric acids, tranquilizers, benzylidenebarbiturates, trichloroisocyanuric acid, rota-rod tests IntroductionBarbiturates are very well known drugs with activity at the central nervous system (CNS), with specific activity as anticonvulsants, anxiolytics, tranquilizers and sedatives-hypnotics. 1 The mechanism of action of barbiturates at the CNS is not well known, but it has been shown that they are able to interfere with acetylcholine, norepinephrine and glutamate activity and also that they can inhibit the calcium uptake of nerve terminals, thus allowing their use as analgesics. 2,3 In fact, today barbiturates are commonly used to induce anesthesia in surgery procedures. They are also known as GABA-mimetics, thus functioning as agonists of GABA receptors. 3,4 For many years the barbiturates were the main drugs used to cause effects on the CNS. However, after the discovery of the very effective benzodiazepines, their use became less common simply because benzodiazepines have less potential for lethal overdoses. 5,6 The main cause of death by overdoses of barbiturates is respiratory failure, because they are very potent respiratory depressants. Today, the main uses of barbiturates are the induction of anesthesia and for the treatment of refractory status epilepticus. 7 Regarding the significant historical and actual use of barbiturates as neurological drugs, and the importance of this type of disease in the actual condition of mankind, we developed a very simple new family of barbiturates with CNS activity. Interestingly, 5-chlorobarbituric acid and their derivatives have been rarely investigated. The only similar compounds that have been reported as anticonvulsants are the 5-chloro-5-phenyl barbiturates. 8 Surprisingly, 5-benzyl-5-chlorobarbituric acids have not been reported in the literature. We developed a very simple and efficient method for the preparation of this new family of barbiturates as potential tranquilizers. Results and DiscussionOur strategy for the preparation of 5-benzyl-5-chlorobabiturates was based on the use of benzylidenebarbiturates as intermediates, which are very easy to prepare. [9][10][11][12] Benzylidenebarbiturates are employed in several well known reactions in the literature 10,13-17 and have even been used as methionine aminopeptidas...

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“…Estudos mais recentes realizados por Galeotti e colaboradores (Galeotti, et al 2010) indicam que o efeito analgésico ocorre através da inibição de isoformas de proteína quinase C (PKC) e a fosforilação dessas enzimas.…”

Section: Atividade Antinociceptivaunclassified

Aspectos botânicos, químicos, farmacológicos e terapêuticos do Hypericum perforatum L.

Alves

Moraes

Freitas

et al. 2014

Rev. bras. plantas med.

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RESUMO: Estima-se que aproximadamente 25% das drogas prescritas em todo o mundo são oriundas de espécies vegetais. Dentre as plantas com alto potencial medicinal, se destaca o Hypericum perforatum L. (HP), planta herbácea perene, pertencente à família Hypericaceae. Extratos orgânicos e aquosos de HP têm sido utilizados na medicina popular e em testes pré-clínicos para o tratamento e prevenção de diversas doenças através de efeitos nefroprotetores, atividades antioxidante, antifúngica, ansiolítica, antiviral e cicatrizante. Estudos clínicos indicaram que esta espécie pode ser útil no tratamento de desordens originadas do sistema nervoso central, especialmente na depressão unipolar. HP contém, ao menos, dez classes de compostos biologicamente ativos, dentre eles antraquinonas/naftodiantronas, derivados de floroglucinol, flavonoides, biflavonas, xantonas, óleos voláteis, aminoácidos, vitamina C, cumarinas, taninos e carotenoides. Ao mesmo tempo em que os constituintes possuem relevantes efeitos farmacológicos, os mesmos podem prejudicar, por antagonismo farmacocinético (interação com algumas enzimas do citocromo), a eficácia de outros fármacos. Devido a relevante importância do HP como agente terapêutico, ressalta-se a importância do desenvolvimento de novos estudos com o intuito de elucidar questões ainda controversas acerca do extrato de HP, e.g., dose, melhor horário para colheita, padronização dos extratos, e possíveis efeitos tóxicos, podendo assim, definir claramente os riscos e benefícios da utilização desta planta. Palavras-chave:Hypericum perforatum, depressão, hiperforina, hipericina.ABSTRACT: Botanical, chemical, pharmacological and therapeutic aspects of Hypericum perforatum L. It is estimated that approximately 25% of prescribed drugs are derived from plant species. Among the plants with high medicinal potential, it highlights the Hypericum perforatum L. (HP), perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the family Hypericaceae. Organic and aqueous extracts of HP have been used in folk medicine and in pre-clinical testing for the treatment and prevention of several diseases through effects nefroprotetores, antioxidant, antifungal, anxiolytic, wound healing and antiviral activities. Clinical studies indicated that this specie can be useful in the treatment of central nervous system disorders, especially to unipolar depression. HP contains at least ten classes of biologically active compounds, including anthraquinones/ naftodiantronas, phloroglucinol derivatives, flavonoids, biflavones, xanthones, volatile oils, amino acids, vitamin C, coumarins, carotenoids and tannins. At the same time that the secondary metabolites have important pharmacological effects, they can impair the effectiveness of other drugs by pharmacokinetic antagonism.

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St. John's Wort reduces neuropathic pain through a hypericin-mediated inhibition of the protein kinase C γ and ɛ activity

Cited by 58 publications

References 43 publications

Reversal of NO-induced nociceptive hypersensitivity by St. John’s wort and hypericin: NF-κB, CREB and STAT1 as molecular targets

Reversal of NO-induced nociceptive hypersensitivity by St. John’s wort and hypericin: NF-κB, CREB and STAT1 as molecular targets

Synthesis and in vivo evaluation of 5-chloro-5-benzobarbiturates as new central nervous system depressants

Aspectos botânicos, químicos, farmacológicos e terapêuticos do Hypericum perforatum L.

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