Antidepressant effect of PT-31, an α₂-adrenoceptor agonist, on lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive-like behavior in mice.

Increasing evidence indicates that neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neurotrophic factors play a key role in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). In addition, the attenuation of inflammatory response has been considered a putative mechanism for MDD treatment. PT-31 is an imidazolidine derivative and a putative α₂-adrenoceptor agonist that has previously demonstrated antinociceptive activity.

Biomarkers of methylmercury neurotoxicity and neurodevelopmental features: A systematic review.

The issue of MeHg contamination is a significant concern due to its detrimental impact on the environment. This study aimed to thoroughly investigate the effects of MeHg on neurodevelopmental biomarkers, as there is a lack of systematic reviews in this area. We conducted a comprehensive search of three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and found 522 records, which were then meticulously reviewed by two independent reviewers.

Fluoxetine and Curcumin Prevent the Alterations in Locomotor and Exploratory Activities and Social Interaction Elicited by Immunoinflammatory Activation in Zebrafish: Involvement of BDNF and Proinflammatory Cytokines.

The increase in proinflammatory cytokine expression causes behavioral changes consistent with sickness behavior, and this led to the suggestion that depression might be a psychoneuroimmunological phenomenon. Here, we evaluated the effects of the pretreatment with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p.

Caveolin-1 influences mitochondrial plasticity and function in hepatic stellate cell activation.

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is an integral membrane protein present in all organelles, responsible for regulating and integrating multiple signals as a platform. Mitochondria are extremely adaptable to external cues in chronic liver diseases, and expression of Cav-1 may affect mitochondrial flexibility in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation. We previously demonstrated that exogenous expression of Cav-1 was sufficient to increase some classical markers of activation in HSCs.

Antidepressant-like effect of a seeds in mice: Involvement of the monoaminergic system.

Background And Aim: Berg. (Myrtaceae) present several pharmacological actions, but there are no reports on its antidepressant-like potential. This study investigated the antidepressant-like effect and mechanism of action of seeds extract obtained from supercritical CO (40 °C, 250 bar).

Biological Properties of (Gillies & Hook.) Tronc. (Verbenaceae).

is a plant native to America, with applications in folk medicine for a wide range of diseases, such as bronchial infections, lung disorders, nervous system disorders (depression, anxiety), and inflammatory processes, among others. However, investigations about this species and its biological actions are still scarce. This literature review was carried out using articles published in the past 30 years on the PubMed, SciELO, and Web of Science platforms, with the focus on the method of extraction, chemical composition, and clinical and preclinical studies on the pharmacological properties of .

Curcumin and n-acetylcysteine cocrystal produced with supercritical solvent: characterization, solubility, and preclinical evaluation of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.

Curcumin presents a promising anti-inflammatory potential, but its low water-solubility and bioavailability hinder its application. In this sense, cocrystallization represents a tool for improving physicochemical properties, solubility, permeability, and bioavailability of new drug candidates. Thus, the aim of this work was to produce curcumin cocrystals (with n-acetylcysteine as coformer, which possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities), by the anti-solvent gas technique using supercritical carbon dioxide, and to test its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential.

Investigation of the anti-inflammatory effects of stigmasterol in mice: insight into its mechanism of action.

Stigmasterol is a phytosterol that presents pharmacologic properties. However, its anti-inflammatory mechanism and antinociceptive effect are not yet elucidated. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of stigmasterol and its mechanism of action in mice.

Investigation on the Anticonvulsant Potential of Luteolin and Micronized Luteolin in Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Epilepsy affects around 50 million people worldwide, and an important number of patients (30%) fail to respond to any available antiepileptic drug. Previous studies have shown that luteolin presents a promising potential as an anticonvulsant. On the other hand, different studies showed that luteolin does not promote anticonvulsant effects.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Seed Extract Obtained from Supercritical CO.

is a plant species traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes, fever, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and urinary tract diseases. The anti-inflammatory effects of leaves in mice were already known. Nevertheless, studies on the anti-inflammatory activity of its seeds are still lacking.

Genistein attenuates amyloid-beta-induced cognitive impairment in rats by modulation of hippocampal synaptotoxicity and hyperphosphorylation of Tau.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by extracellular accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide, which induces synaptic dysfunction, alteration of intracellular signaling pathways, hyperphosphorylation of the Tau protein, and cognitive impairment. Genistein, one of the major isoflavones present in soy and soy products, has been shown to modulate some of the pathogenic events associated with the neurodegeneration process. However, its underlying mechanisms remain to be clarified.

Genistein protects against amyloid-beta-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells by regulation of Akt and Tau phosphorylation.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by extracellular deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide and hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein, which ultimately leads to the formation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and cell death. Increasing evidence indicates that genistein, a soy isoflavone, has neuroprotective effects against Aβ-induced toxicity. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in its neuroprotection are not well understood.

The anticancer estrogen receptor antagonist tamoxifen impairs consolidation of inhibitory avoidance memory through estrogen receptor alpha.

Over two-thirds of women with breast cancer have positive tumors for hormone receptors, and these patients undergo treatment with endocrine therapy, tamoxifen being the most widely used agent. Despite being very effective in breast cancer treatment, tamoxifen is associated with side effects that include cognitive impairments. However, the specific aspects and mechanisms underlying these impairments remain to be characterized.

Administration of a Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor into the Basolateral Amygdala Enhances Memory Consolidation, Delays Extinction, and Increases Hippocampal BDNF Levels.

Gene expression related to the formation and modification of memories is regulated epigenetically by chromatin remodeling through histone acetylation. Memory formation and extinction can be enhanced by treatment with inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs). The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is a brain area critically involved in regulating memory for inhibitory avoidance (IA).

Histone deacetylase inhibition prevents the impairing effects of hippocampal gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonism on memory consolidation and extinction.

Hippocampal gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPR) regulate memory formation and extinction, and disturbances in GRPR signaling may contribute to cognitive impairment associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Histone acetylation is an important epigenetic mechanism that regulates gene expression involved in memory formation, and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) rescue memory deficits in several models. The present study determined whether inhibiting histone deacetylation would prevent memory impairments produced by GRPR blockade in the hippocampus.

TrkB blockade in the hippocampus after training or retrieval impairs memory: protection from consolidation impairment by histone deacetylase inhibition.

Relatively little is known about the requirement of signaling initiated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), in the early phases of memory consolidation, as well as about its possible functional interactions with epigenetic mechanisms. Here we show that blocking TrkB in the dorsal hippocampus after learning or retrieval impairs retention of memory for inhibitory avoidance (IA). More importantly, the impairing effect of TrkB antagonism on consolidation was completely prevented by the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor sodium butyrate (NaB).

Two waves of proteasome-dependent protein degradation in the hippocampus are required for recognition memory consolidation.

Healthy neuronal function and synaptic modification require a concert of synthesis and degradation of proteins. Increasing evidence indicates that protein turnover mediated by proteasome activity is involved in long-term synaptic plasticity and memory. However, its role in different phases of memory remains debated, and previous studies have not examined the possible requirement of protein degradation in recognition memory.

Alterations on Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase activities induced by amyloid-β peptide in rat brain and GM1 ganglioside neuroprotective action.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder whose pathogenesis involves production and aggregation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ). Aβ-induced toxicity is believed to involve alterations on as Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, prior to neuronal death. Drugs able to prevent or to reverse these biochemical changes promote neuroprotection.

In vivo comparison of the accuracy of two electronic apex locators.

The aim of this study was to analyse in vivo the accuracy of two apex locators, Root ZX and Novapex, to determine the position of the apical constriction. Twenty-three human single-rooted teeth to be extracted for periodontal reasons constituted the experiment. Endodontic access was obtained and the apical constriction was determined by one of the apex locators after initial crown-down preparation.