Neurodegenerative diseases represent a challenge for biomedical research due to their high prevalence and lack of mechanism-based treatments. Because of the complex pathology of neurodegenerative disorders, multifunctional drugs have been increasingly recognized as potential treatments. We identified homobivalent γ-carbolinium salts as potent inihitors of both cholinesterases, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, and monoamine oxidases. Homobivalent γ-carbolines displayed similar structure-activity relationships on all tested targets and may present promising designed multiple ligands for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Nine novel β- and γ-carboline derivatives bearing either methyl-, propargyl- or phenethyl-residues at the indole nitrogen were synthesized and tested as potential anti-Alzheimer drugs. Antagonism of recombinantly expressed NMDA receptors, inhibition of cholinesterases, and radical scavenging properties were determined for all compounds. Some were additionally tested in vivo for their ability to reverse scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in an 8-arm radial maze experiment with rats. For the most promising candidates, the interaction with muscarinic M1 receptors was also investigated. With this set of compounds assays the influence of the scaffold itself and the substituents can be investigated separately. 5-Methyl-γ-carboline (6) was the most potent (0.25 μmol/100 g b.w.) compound in the in vivo test and might be a good starting point for the development of novel anti-Alzheimer drugs.

Facing the multifactorial nature of Alzheimer's disease, twelve dibenzofuran/carbazole derivatives, which can be considered as the D-ring opened analogs of galantamine, have been designed and synthesized as multifunctional anti-Alzheimer agents. In vitro tests revealed that compounds 3 and 5, which bear a nitrate moiety in the molecule, showed a potent inhibition activity towards AChE and compound 3 showed a good Aβ42 aggregation inhibitory activity. Moreover, 3 and 5 could also release a relative low concentration of NO in vitro and they did not show toxicity to neuronal cells, while exerted a neuroprotective effect against the Aβ-induced toxicity. More importantly, compound 3 showed a significant spatial memory improving effect in vivo, and a good safety in the ex vivo toxicity study.

We studied kidneys of rats intoxicated with uranylnitrate (UN) or subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy (NX) or after a combination of both procedures (NX-UN). Our observations indicate that UN causes impressive changes of ultrastructure (partial loss of brush border, appearance of intercellular clefts in the epithelial barrier) and altered protein expression (α-SMA, collagen I and III) in proximal tubule cells. Renal parameters (creatinine clearance, proteinuria) seemed to be unaffected. Blood pressure recovered to normal values within 12 months. However ultrastructural and functional restoration of modified proximal tubules was not complete. We conclude that changed proximal tubules may induce progression of interstitial fibrosis causing renal failure. NX animals and more pronounced NX-UN animals showed dramatic changes in renal function. We observed increased levels of proteinuria, blood pressure and decreased creatinine clearance. Progressive glomerular reorganization includes loss of filtration gaps and enhanced thickness of glomerular basement membranes (GBM) with increased immunoreactivity for collagen IV. Cells in vicinity of Bowman's capsule contained high amounts of immunoreactive α-smooth muscle actin. The NX-UN group showed more dramatic changes in ultrastructure of proximal tubules including apoptosis. Enhanced expression and secretion of extracellular matrix proteins (ECM e.g. collagens I, III, fibronectin) indicate progressive epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) leading to permanent impairment of renal function.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most threatening diseases affecting the aged with high incidence. Though AD has been defined for more than 100 years, it is still incurable. The drugs clinically used for the treatment of this disease, such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, can only provide a limited therapeutic effect. The need of effective drugs has stimulated the search for new compounds with potential clinical utility. Natural products are rich and unexplored sources for discovering novel leading compounds. Currently, a great number of natural products have been found possessing anti-AD property counteracting different etiological factors of AD. This review will give an update demonstration on the novel anti-AD natural products and their derivatives/analogues, which have been divided into five subgroups according to their different action mechanisms: AChEIs, antioxidants, neuroprotective agents, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, and tau hyperphosphorylation inhibitors. We put special emphasis on the findings in the past 5 years. Besides, the drug design strategy as well as the structure-activity relationship of the relevant compounds is also discussed when it is possible.

A codrug of the anti-Alzheimer drug tacrine and the natural product silibinin was synthesized. The codrug's biological and pharmacological properties were compared to an equimolar mixture of the components. The compound showed potent acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition. In a cellular hepatotoxicity model, analyzing the influence on viability and mitochondria of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), the toxicity of the codrug was markedly reduced in comparison to that of tacrine. Using a neuronal cell line (HT-22), a neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced toxicity could be observed that was absent for the 1:1 mixture of components. In subsequent in vivo experiments in rats, in contrast to the effects seen after tacrine treatment, after administration of the codrug no hepatotoxicity and no induction of the cytochrome P450 system were noticed. In a scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment model using Wistar rats, the codrug was as potent as tacrine in reversing memory dysfunction. The tacrine-silibinin codrug shows high AChE and BChE inhibition, neuroprotective effects, lacks tacrine's hepatotoxicity in vitro and in vivo, and shows the same pro-cognitive effects in vivo as tacrine, being superior to the physical mixture of tacrine and silibinin in all these regards.

Serotonin and dopamine play an important role in the aetiology of schizophrenia. Combination of the structural scaffolds of both neurotransmitters in a single molecule lead to aromatic [d,g]-bisannelated azecine derivatives, which have been shown to be nanomolar to subnanomolar dopamine D1-D5 receptor antagonists with a preference for the D1 family. In this work the potential antipsychotic activity of some azecine derivatives was predicted by their dopamine receptor affinities obtained in vitro from radioligand binding experiments and conclusively confirmed in vivo (rats) by applying a conditioned avoidance model. Furthermore, the compounds were tested in vivo for the development of catalepsy, which is a predictive parameter for extra-pyramidal side-effects caused by many antipsychotics. The investigated azecines displayed low cytotoxicity, and the affinities for human dopamine D1-D5 and serotonin 5-HT2 A receptors were in a nanomolar range. In vivo, their antipsychotic activities in the rat model were comparable with those of haloperidol and risperidone, but revealed a 2-5 times better therapeutic range with regard to catalepsy. Preliminary tests for oral bioavailability also revealed promising results for this new class of potential antipsychotic compounds. In conclusion, our in vivo experiments show that aromatic [d,g]-annelated azecines represent a novel and advantageous class of potential atypical neuroleptics.

β-Carbolines (BCs) belong to the heterogenous family of carbolines, which have been found exogenously, that is, in various fruits, meats, tobacco smoke, alcohol and coffee, but also endogenously, that is, blood, brain and CSF. These exogenous and endogenous BCs and some of their metabolites can exert neurotoxic effects, however, an unexpected stimulatory effect of 9-methyl-β-carboline (9-me-BC) on dopaminergic neurons in primary mesencephalic cultures was recently discovered. The aim of the present study was to extend our knowledge on the stimulatory effects of 9-me-BC and to test the hypothesis that 9-me-BC may act as a cognitive enhancer. We found that 10 days (but not 5 days) of pharmacological treatment with 9-me-BC (i) improves spatial learning in the radial maze, (ii) elevates dopamine levels in the hippocampal formation, and (iii) results after 10 days of treatment in elongated, more complex dendritic trees and higher spine numbers on granule neurons in the dentate gyrus of 9-me-BC-treated rats. Our results demonstrate that beyond its neuroprotective/neurorestorative and anti-inflammatory effects, 9-me-BC acts as a cognitive enhancer in a hippocampus-dependent task, and that the behavioral effects may be associated with a stimulatory impact on hippocampal dopamine levels and dendritic and synaptic proliferation.

Until now, no optimal local anaesthetic drug with long lasting effect and low toxicity has been developed. Fomocaine (CAS 17692-39-6), introduced in the German extrapharmacopoeia (DAC) in 1979, is a local anaesthetic, which is largely in accordance with these aspects. Now the basic ether fomocaine, its metabolites O/Se 9 (CAS 3006-96-0), O/Se 10 (CAS 31719-76-3), O/Se 11, O/Se 12 (CAS 64264-21-7) and M5 and its chiralic derivatives O/G 3 and O/G 5 were compared with procaine (CAS 59-46-1) and characterised more in detail in rats. The metabolism of fomocaine was investigated earlier with C-14-fomocaine in rats and beagle dogs. Rac-O/G 3 and pac-GIG 5 could be separated into the enantiomers via the diastereomeric salts. Basing on standard methods for the testing of the local anaesthetic effects (estimation of infiltration and conduction anaesthesia in rat tail, measurement of corneal anaesthesia) and using a couple of tests characterising the side effects and toxicity of local anaesthetic (paresis of the N. ischiadicus, tissue irritation, determination of the approximative i.p. LD50) it can be concluded that:a) The very good surface anaesthesia caused by fomocaine could be stated, but, as expected, concerning conduction anaesthesia, procaine is better qualified for clinical use.b) Fomocaine is much more effective in conduction and surface anaesthesia than its chiralic derivatives O/G 3 and O/G 5.c) Differences between the two enantiomers of the GIG-substances have been found, but these little discrepancies are without practical relevance. In the case of O/G 5, agonistic effects of both enantiomers could be shown.d) Fomocaine undergoes extensive biotransformation with subsequent formation of 14 metabolites. Five of them (O/Se 9-O/Se 12; M5) are N-free and do not show any pharmacological activity.e) Compared to other local anaesthetics, fomocaine is relatively non-toxic (nearly no tissue irritation, high approximative LD50), however, surprisingly the toxicity of the reference substance procaine has been found to be lower after i.p. administration instead of i.v. administration in comparison with fomocaine.

Fomocaine (CAS 56583-43-8) is a local anaesthetic (LA) with long lasting surface effect and low toxicity. Nevertheless, it is not optimal yet. Therefore, 7 newly synthesised derivatives, 4 diethanolamines (OE 6000, OE 7000, OE 8000, OE 9000) and 3 morpholines (OE 500, OE 1000, OE 5000) were compared with procaine-HCl (CAS 51-05-8) and tetracaine-HCl (CAS 136-47-0) in rats. Based on standard methods for the testing of LA effects and using two methods for characterising side effects and toxicity of LA (paresis of the N. ischiadicus, LD50) it can be concluded that: a) The very good surface anaesthesia caused by especially fomocaine and tetracaine could be stated but concerning conduction anaesthesia procaine is better qualified. b) Concerning conduction anaesthesia, diethanolamine derivatives are more potent compared to morpholine derivatives. c) Surface anaesthesia shows a different picture: the effect of fomocaine is in between. d) The paresis of the N. ischiadicus as a first sign of toxic side effects indicated that low effect is combined with short paresis. e) Compared to the LD50 of fomocaine, the toxicity of OE 500 and OE 5000 is only one half. On the basis of the experiments with fomocaine derivatives, distinct structure-activity relationships could be demonstrated for fomocaine derivatives concerning a) LA effects and b) toxicity. Altogether OE 9000 could be a promising candidate for systemic use.

Fibrates are widely prescribed in hyperlpidemic patients to prevent atherosclerosis. Their therapeutic use, however, can be associated with adverse effects like gastrointestinal disorders, myalgia, myositis and hepatotoxicity. In rodents large doses can even cause hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, interactions with the biotransformation of other compounds at the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system have been observed. Thus, the discovery of new substances or derivatives with less side effects is of great interest. In the present study the influence of a four-week daily oral administration of 2 mg/kg body weight ciprofibrate (CAS 52214-84-3) or of 100 mg/kg body weight clofibric acid (CAS 882-09-7) was compared to that of the respective doses of their newly synthesized glycine conjugates in adult male lean and obese Zucker rats. Although obese rats displayed distinctly higher serum lipid concentrations, after fibrate treatment values were significantly lowered in lean animals only. Livers of obese rats were significantly enlarged, histologically showing a fine-droplet like fatty degeneration and an increase in glycogen content, but no signs of inflammation. After fibrate administration histologically a hypertrophy, an eosinophilia, a reduced glycogen content and also hepatocyteapoptosis were observed. Livers of obese rats displayed higher CYP1A1 andCYP2E1 expression, but lower immunostaining for CYP2B1 and CYP3A2. No differences between the two groups of rats were seen with respect to CYP4A1 expression. Due to fibrate treatment especially CYP2E1 and CYP4A1, but also CYP1A1, 2B1 and 3A2 were induced. Resulting CYP mediated monooxygenase activities were also elevated in most cases. In general, effects of clofibric acid and clofibric acid glycinate (CAS 4896-55-3) were less distinct than those of ciprofibrate and its glycinate (CAS 640772-36-7). With no parameterinvestigated major differences were seen between the parent fibrates and their glycine conjugates. Thus, the present investigations revealed no noticeable advantages of the glycinates over ciprofibrate or clofibric acid.

The influence of age on (1) cognition and (2) scopolamine (CAS 51-34-3) induced memory impairment in female rats was measured in the radial maze paradigm (RAM).(1) First training trials were done with 3 and 12 months old rats. Rats were trained to find all eight food baits in the RAM without errors and within 1 min. Both 3- and 12-month old rats need about 15 trials for the first-time learning of the RAM task. After intervals of 3 and 6 months, respectively, initially young rats were re-trained with an age of 6 and 12 months. Surprisingly, re-trained rats successfully completed the maze runs already after one re-training trial. Thus the phenomenon of preserved spatial memory was approved for female rats.(2) Memory impairment by scopolamine in the RAM was tested for the first time in rats with an age of 3 months. After a control run, the rats received an i.p. injection of either scopolamine hydrochloride (0.05 mg/100 g b. wt.) or saline vehicle. The effect of scopolamine on working memory was measured 20 min after administration. Training procedure and scopolamine administration were repeated at an age of 6, 12, 18, and 24 months in the same manner. The cognition impairment after scopolamine (number of errors: control: <1; scopolamine: 5-6) remains constant between 3 and 24 months of age. The only significant difference was the increase in run time in rats older than 18 months caused by degenerative changes developing with age.It can be concluded that the drug effect on cognition and working memory can be measured in young and old-aged female rats with the same results.

Fomocaine (CAS 56583-43-8) is a basic ether-type local anaesthetic used in dermatological practice for surface anaesthesia. For many years, modifications of the fomocaine molecule have been pursued, e.g. to improve its affinity to the sodium channel and also in view of possible new (systemic) applications. In the present study fomocaine and eight fomocaine derivatives with an additional alkyl chain in 2- or 3-position of different length (C1 up to C4), or with a branched C3 chain in 3-position, respectively, at the morpholine ring were evaluated in vitro for possible structure-activity relationships with respect to the interactions with cytochrome P450 (CYP) mediated monooxygenase and oxidase functions using rat liver 9000 g supernatants or microsomes. Results were compared to in vivo data from rats on toxicity (LD50), paresis of the N. ischiadicus and surface and conduction anaesthesia (cornea, N. ischiadicus). In general, the influence of the derivatives on the CYP system was less than that of fomocaine, showing a further decline with enlarging chain length. Toxicity of the derivatives was comparable to that of fomocaine and lower only with the compound with a C4 alkyl chain in 2-position. The derivatives caused a stronger surface anaesthesia than fomocaine, exhibiting an additional increase with enlarging chain length. No clear-cut structure-activity relationships were observed with respect to paresis of the N. ischiadicus and to conduction anaesthesia. Especially the derivatives having a C2 or C4 chain in 2- or a C3 chain in 3-position, respectively, may be of interest for further investigations. In comparison to fomocaine they caused a stronger surface anaesthesia combined with a lower interaction capacity with the CYP system.

Fibrates are widely prescribed in hyperlipidemic patients to prevent atherosclerosis. Their therapeutic use, however, can be associated with adverse effects like gastrointestinal disorders, myalgia, myositis and hepatotoxicity. In rodents large doses can even cause hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, interactions with the biotransformation of other compounds at the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system have been observed. Thus, the discovery of new substances or derivatives with less side effects is of great interest. In the present study the influence of a four-week daily oral administration of 2 mg/kg body weight ciprofibrate (CAS 52214-84-3) or of 100 mg/kg body weight clofibric acid (CAS 882-09-7) was compared to that of the respective doses of their newly synthesized glycine conjugates in adult male lean and obese Zucker rats. Although obese rats displayed distinctly higher serum lipid concentrations, after fibrate treatment values were significantly lowered in lean animals only. Livers of obese rats were significantly enlarged, histologically showing a fine-droplet like fatty degeneration and an increase in glycogen content, but no signs of inflammation. After fibrate administration histologically a hypertrophy, an eosinophilia, a reduced glycogen content and also hepatocyte apoptosis were observed. Livers of obese rats displayed higher CYP1A1 and CYP2E1 expression, but lower immunostaining for CYP2B1 and CYP3A2. No differences between the two groups of rats were seen with respect to CYP4A1 expression. Due to fibrate treatment especially CYP2E1 and CYP4A1, but also CYP1A1, 2131 and 3A2 were induced. Resulting CYP mediated monooxygenase activities were also elevated in most cases. In general, effects of clofibric acid and clofibric acid glycinate (CAS 4896-55-3) were less distinct than those of ciprofibrate and its glycinate (CAS 640772-36-7) With no parameter investigated major differences were seen between the parent fibrates and their glycine conjugates. Thus, the present investigations revealed no noticeable advantages of the glycidates over ciprofibrate or clofibric acid.

Two tacrine-ferulic acid hybrids (1 A, 1 B) and three beta-carboline derivatives (BCs; 2A, 2B, 2C) were tested in vivo on 3-month-old female rats as multi-potent anti-Alzheimer drug candidates. In vitro, the two tacrine-ferulic acid hybrids show higher acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity and comparable butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity compared to tacrine (CAS 1684-40-8). However, in vivo both substances have no beneficial effect on scopolamine (CAS 51-34-3) induced cognition impairment. On the contrary, 1B even worsen the scopolamine induced cognition impairment. The beta-carboline derivatives 2A, 2B, and 2 C, the inhibitory potency of which at AChE reaching tacrine activity does not antagonize scopolamine induced impairment of cognition in rats measured in radial maze paradigm. Compounds 2A and 1B might act as positive allosteric modulators of scopolamine action at the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. On the basis of these results it can be concluded that both ferulic acid- (CAS 537-98-4) and BC-derivatives are not qualified as cognition improving drugs and further studies in this field should be focussed on other pharmaceutical leads to find effective anti-Alzheimer drugs.

Fomocaine (CAS 56583-43-8) is a local anaesthetic (LA) with good surface anaesthesia and low toxicity, monographed in the German Extra Pharmacopoeia MAC). In previous experiments it could be shown that both fomocaine and a couple of its derivatives need further pharmaceutical investigations. Therefore, five new C-alkylmorpholine derivatives, (OW 1, OW 3, OW 5, OW 9, and OW 11) and five 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion compounds of fomocaine or OE 7000, OE 9000, OL/4, and 01,140, respectively, were compared with fomocaine and/or the respective non-cyclodextrin formulations in rats. Basing on standard methods for testing of LA effects and using two methods to characterising toxicity of LA (paresis of the N. ischiadicus, LD50) it can be concluded that:a) The good surface anaesthesia caused by fomocaine is not surpassed by its atkylmorpholine derivatives OW1 - 11. Only OW I I seems to induce longer lasting conductance anaesthesia; the other OW substances (I - 9) are in the same range like fomocaine. The toxicity is quite comparable for fomocaine and its OW derivatives.b) Substituted cyclodextrins are often a useful help if the water solubility of compounds is insufficient. The use of these cyclodextrin inclusion compounds resulted in slightly improved LA effects of complexed fomocaine, whereas there were nearly no significant differences between OE 7000 or OE 9000 and their cyclodextrin formulations. The toxicity of the complexed fomocaine was lower compared to fomocaine whereas the toxicity of both OE 7000 and OE 9000 was the same for the original compound and their cyclodextrin formulations. Obviously the paresis of N. ischiadicus is less pronounced after administration of the inclusion compounds.c) The cyclodextrin formulations of the new meta-fomocaines (OL/4 and OL/40) are, compared to the complexed fomocaine, without practically relevant LA effect. But OLA complexed is even more toxic than complexed fomocaine.On the basis of the experiments done with altogether five new fomocaine derivatives and five complexed fomocaines it can be summarized that neither the new derivatives nor their inclusion compounds seem to have any therapeutic advantage compared with the known mother substance fomocaine. Only the longer lasting effect of high doses of OW I I as conductance LA could be of practical relevance.

Tacrine (CAS 321-64-2) is a reversible acetylcholine esterase inhibitor that, despite exerting beneficial effects on Alzheimer's disease (AD), displays marked hepatotoxicity. Searching for safer drugs and taking into account the multi-pathogenesis of AD, two tacrine-NO donor hybrid molecules (FL16, FL38) as well as a tacrine-ferulic acid hybrid (FL67) were synthesized. NO donors coupled to the tacrine moiety may exert an additional beneficial effect on AD via an increased blood supply to the brain and by reducing inflammation. Ferulic acid is an antioxidant.To investigate the hepatotoxicity and effects on the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system of the liver, female rats were treated with the highest tolerated dose of tacrine or equimolar doses of the novel compounds 24 or 36 h, respectively, before sacrifice.Tacrine caused pericentral necrosis and fatty degeneration of the hepatocytes, loss of liver glycogen and (indicating oxidative stress) induction of heme oxygenase (HO)-1. No histopathological changes were observed with the hybrids, but a glycogen deficit and an elevation of HO-1 was noticed after FL38 or FL67 treatment. Both tacrine and the hybrids, but mainly FL38 and FL67, caused an induction of CYP1A1, 2B1 and 3A2 expression. CYP activity was noticeably increased after treatment with FL38 and FL67 only.Thus, since it displays much less hepatotoxicity and interaction potential at the CYP system than tacrine and the other hybrids, FL16 is a good candidate for further investigations.