• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.176-183
• /
• 2015

Corticotropin-releasing actor receptors (CRFRs) activates the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, one of the 2 parts of the fight or flight response to stress. Increased CRH production has is associated with Alzheimer's disease and major depression and hypoglycemia. In this study, we report the important structural and chemical parameters for CRFR inhibitors using the derivatives of 8-substituted-2-aryl-5-alkylaminoquinolines. A 3D QSAR study, Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) was performed. The best predictions were obtained for the best CoMFA model with a $q^2$ of 0.607 with 6 components and $r^2$ of 0.991. The statistical parameters from the generated CoMFA models indicated that the data are well fitted and have high predictive ability. The contour map resulted from the CoMFA models might be helpful in the future designing of novel and more potent CRFR derivatives.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.7 no.5
• /
• pp.251-254
• /
• 2003

The present study was designed to examine whether the co-application of morphine with $Ca^{2+}$ channel antagonist $(Mn^{2+},\;verapamil)$, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist (2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid$[AP_5]$, $Mg^{2+}$) or protein kinase C inhibitor (H-7) causes the potentiation of morphine-induced antinociceptive action by using an in vivo electrophysiological technique. A single iontophoretic application of morphine or an antagonist alone induced weak inhibition of wide dynamic range (WDR) cell responses to iontophoretically applied NMDA and C-fiber stimulation. Although there was a little difference in the potentiating effects, the antinociceptive action of morphine was potentiated when morphine was iontophoretically applied together with $Mn^{2+}$, verapamil, $AP_5$, $Mg^{2+}$ or H-7. However, the potentiating action between morphine and each antagonist was not apparent, when the antinociceptive action evoked by morphine or the antagonist alone was too strong. These results suggest that the potentiating effect can be caused by the interaction between morphine and each antagonist in the spinal dorsal horn.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.121-129
• /
• 2018

CXCR6 is a major target in drug design as it is a determinant receptor in many diseases like AIDS, Type I Diabetes, some cancer types, atherosclerosis, tumor formation, liver disease and steatohepatitis. In this study, we propose the active site residues of CXCR6 molecule. We employed homology modelling and molecular docking approach to generate the 3D structure for CXCR6 and to explore its interaction between the antagonists and agonists. 3D models were generated using 14 different templates having high sequence identity with CXCR6. Surflex docking studies using pyridine and pyrimidine derivatives enabled the analysis of the binding site and finding of the important residues involved in binding. 3D structure of CXCL16, a natural ligand for CXCR6, was modelled using PHYRE and protein - protein docking was performed using ClusPro. The residues which were found to be crucial in interaction with the ligand are THR110, PHE113, TYR114, GLN160, GLN195, CYS251 and SER255. This study can be used as a guide for therapeutic studies of human CXCR6.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.442-451
• /
• 2019

Background: Ginseng has a wide range of beneficial effects on health, such as the mitigation of minor and major inflammatory diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. There are abundant data regarding the health-enhancing properties of whole ginseng extracts and single ginsenosides; however, no study to date has determined the receptors that mediate the effects of ginseng extracts. In this study, for the first time, we explored whether the antiinflammatory effects of Rg3-enriched red ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) are mediated by retinoid X receptor ${\alpha}$-peroxisome-proliferating receptor ${\gamma}$ ($RXR{\alpha}-PPAR{\gamma}$) heterodimer nuclear receptors. Methods: Nitric oxide assay, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, nuclear hormone receptor-binding assay, and molecular docking analyses were used for this study. Results: Rg3-RGE exerted antiinflammatory effects via nuclear receptor heterodimers between $RXR{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$ agonists and antagonists. Conclusion: These findings indicate that Rg3-RGE can be considered a potent antiinflammatory agent, and these effects are likely mediated by the nuclear receptor $RXR{\alpha}-PPAR{\gamma}$ heterodimer.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.187-192
• /
• 1995

The cytotoxic effects of hydrogen peroxide and neuroprotective effects of a variety of agents were investigated in newborn mouse forebrain tissue culture. In our experiments, oxygen radical was generated enzymatically by glucose oxidase and the values were expressed as a percentage of number of living cells by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cytotoxicity of oxygen radicals was prevented by catalase and (N, N, N', N', -tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine (TPEN), but N-tetra-ot-butyl-phenylnitrone (PBN), and deferoxamine (DFX), failed to show protective effects against oxygen radicals. Antagonists of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV), 7-chlorokynurenic acid (CKA), and MK801 (a non-competitive NMDA antagonist) were also not effective in blocking neurotoxicity induced by glucose oxidase generated oxygen radicals.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.85-94
• /
• 2017

Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) belongs to the family of receptor tyrosine kinase. They play important roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, development, migration, survival, wound healing, haematopoiesis and tumorigenesis. FGFRs are reported to cause several types of cancers in humans which make it an important drug target. In the current study, HQSAR analysis was performed on a series of recently reported 1H-Pyrazolo [3,4-b]pyridine derivatives as FGFR antagonists. The model was developed with Atom (A) and bond (B) connection (C), chirality (Ch), hydrogen (H) and donor/acceptor (DA) parameters and with different set of atom counts to improve the model. A reasonable HQSAR model ($q^2=0.701$, SDEP=0.654, NOC=5, $r^2=0.926$, SEE=0.325, BHL=71) was generated which showed good predictive ability. The contribution map depicted the atom contribution in inhibitory effect. A contribution map for the most active compound (compound 24) indicated that hydrogen and nitrogen atoms in the side chains of ring B as well as hydrogen atoms in the side chain of ring C and the nitrogen atom in the ring D contributed positively to the activity in inhibitory effect whereas, the lowest active compound (compound 04) showed negative contribution to inhibitory effect. Thus results of our study can provide insights in the designing potent and selective FGFR kinase inhibitors.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.6 no.5
• /
• pp.241-246
• /
• 2002

We studied the excitatory action of morphine on the responses of dorsal horn neuron to iontophoretic application of excitatory amino acid and C-fiber stimulation by using the in vivo electrophysiological technique in the rat. In 137 of the 232 wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons tested, iontophoretic application of morphine enhanced the WDR neuron responses to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), kainate, and graded electrical stimulation of C-fibers. Morphine did not have any excitatory effects on the responses of low threshold cells. Morphine-induced excitatory effect at low ejection current was naloxone-reversible and reversed to an inhibitory action at high ejection current. NMDA receptor, calcium channel and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ antagonists strongly antagonized the morphine-induced excitatory effect. These results suggest that changes in intracellular ionic concentration, especially $Ca^{2+},$ play an important role in the induction of excitatory effect of morphine in the rat dorsal horn neurons.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.447-456
• /
• 1994

In order to elucidate the characterization of receptors involved in inestinal motility of Israeli carp, spontaneously contracting Israeli carp intestinal preperations were prepared and mounted in the organ chambers for contraction traicings using a polygraph. Various contractile agonists were treated and their dose-response curves were constructed. $EC_{50}$ values$(pD_2)$ of each agonist on specific receptors, $pA_2$ values of competitive antagonists against some agonists, and $K_1$, values of noncompetitive antagonists against some agonists were analyzed for characterization of receptors related with the intestinal contraction. Results obtained through the experiments were summarized as follows: 1. Acetylcholine(ACh) exhibited biphasic dose-response curves: initial ACh-induced dose dependent contractions were observed in pM levels but followed by decreased response in in-between concentration levels. Dose dependent contractions reappeared in ${\mu}M$ level. The peaks in pM and ${\mu}M$ levels appeared in $10^{-13}M$ and $3{\times}10^{-5}M$, respectvely. 2. Carbachol(CaCh) exhibited dose dependent contractions from $10^{-9}M$ to $10^{-5}M$, and its $pD_2$ values were higher than those of ACh($5.60{\pm}0.11$). ACh and CaCh exhibited equiactive contractions. Nicotine had no effects on contractile responses of Israeli carp intestine. 3. ACh-induced responses were inhibited by atropine($K_1:7{\times}10^{-8}M$), a muscarinic antagonist, in a non-competitive manner. But CaCh-induced responses were inhibited by both antimuscarinic atropine($pA_2:9.52{\pm}0.14$) and selective $M_2$ antagonistic 4-DAMP($pA_2:8.16{\pm}0.09$), in competitive manners. Nicotine receptor antagonistic decamethonium and hexamethonium had no effects on ACh-and CaCh-induced contractions. Therefore, the cholinergic receptor related to intestinal motility of Israeli carp was assumed as $M_2$ type. 4. In Israeli carp intestine, 5-HT (serotonin) exhibited dose dependent contractions in concentration range from $10^{-8}M$ to $10^{-5}M$. The maximal responses, however, were corresponded to about 50% of those of ACh or CaCh. 5-HT induced contractions were inhibited by $5-HT_2$ antagonistic ketanserin ($K_1: 7.8{\times}10^{-4}M$) in a non-competitive manner, but not by both of anti $5-HT_1$, spiperone and anti $5-HT_3$, MDL-72222. Hence, $5-HT_2$ receptors are suggested to be existed in Isreli carp intestine.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.41-46
• /
• 2014

The possible roles of spinal histamine receptors in the regulation of the blood glucose level were studied in ICR mice. Mice were intrathecally (i.t.) treated with histamine 1 (H1) receptor agonist (2-pyridylethylamine) or antagonist (cetirizine), histamine 2 (H2) receptor agonist (dimaprit) or antagonist (ranitidine), histamine 3 (H3) receptor agonist (${\alpha}$-methylhistamine) or antagonist (carcinine) and histamine 4 (H4) receptor agonist (VUF 8430) or antagonist (JNJ 7777120), and the blood glucose level was measured at 30, 60 and 120 min after i.t. administration. The i.t. injection with ${\alpha}$-methylhistamine, but not carcinine slightly caused an elevation of the blood glucose level. In addition, histamine H1, H2, and H4 receptor agonists and antagonists did not affect the blood glucose level. In D-glucose-fed model, i.t. pretreatment with cetirizine enhanced the blood glucose level, whereas 2-pyridylethylamine did not affect. The i.t. pretreatment with dimaprit, but not ranitidine, enhanced the blood glucose level in D-glucose-fed model. In addition, ${\alpha}$-methylhistamine, but not carcinine, slightly but significantly enhanced the blood glucose level D-glucose-fed model. Finally, i.t. pretreatment with JNJ 7777120, but not VUF 8430, slightly but significantly increased the blood glucose level. Although histamine receptors themselves located at the spinal cord do not exert any effect on the regulation of the blood glucose level, our results suggest that the activation of spinal histamine H2 receptors and the blockade of spinal histamine H1 or H3 receptors may play modulatory roles for up-regulation and down-regulation, respectively, of the blood glucose level in D-glucose fed model.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.241-248
• /
• 2016

Corticotropin-releasing factor receptors (CRFRs) activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is an integral part of the fight or flight response to stress. Increase in CRH level is observed in Alzheimer's disease and major depression and hypoglycemia. Here, we report on the relevant physicochemical parameters required for the CRFR inhibitors. Comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) was performed with the derivatives of 8-substituted-2-aryl-5-alkylaminoquinolinesas CRFR inhibitors. The best predictions were obtained for the best CoMSIA model with a $q^2$ of 0.576 with 6 components and $r^2$ of 0.977. The statistical parameters from the generated CoMSIA models indicated that the data are well fitted and have high predictive ability. CoMSIA contour maps could be useful in the designing of more potent and novel CRFR derivatives.