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Bioactive Compounds on Mental Disorders

A special issue of Current Issues in Molecular Biology (ISSN 1467-3045). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioorganic Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2022) | Viewed by 20098

Special Issue Editor


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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability which continues to grow with significant impacts on health and major social, human rights and economic consequences in all countries of the world. Personal and social factors are attributable to mental health in combination with stress, nutrition, infection, and genetic factors. Studies have revealed many divergent biological systems that are implicated in the pathophysiology of mental disorders and provided numerous pharmacological targets. Many central nervous system acting drugs have been developed and are in use for treatment.

Nevertheless, the exact pathogenesis of most mental disorders is not known, and therapeutic reagents have many problems, such as suboptimal effect, high recurrence, multiple side effects, and requiring long-term administration. Accordingly, there is a need of novel drugs with improved effects.

This Special Issue “Bioactive Compounds on Mental Disorders” aims to gather contributions from basic scientists and clinical researchers to examine the issue of novel bioactive molecules with therapeutic effects on mental disorders. 

This special issue has a Joint Special Issue with IJMS (IF 5.923).

Notes: The focus of this issue is describing the mechanism of bioactive molecules in improving mental disorders. We welcome submissions and studies on nutritional applications using biological, chemical, cellular, molecular, and immunological methods.

Prof. Dr. Sungho Maeng
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Current Issues in Molecular Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • natural products
  • schizophrenia
  • stress disorders
  • depression
  • bipolar disorder
  • anxiety
  • autism
  • dementia
  • mental health

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1914 KiB  
Article
Development of Novel Therapeutics for Schizophrenia Treatment Based on a Selective Positive Allosteric Modulation of α1-Containing GABAARs—In Silico Approach
by Vladimir Đorđević, Milan Petković, Jelena Živković, Goran M. Nikolić and Aleksandar M. Veselinović
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2022, 44(8), 3398-3412; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb44080234 - 29 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1687
Abstract
For the development of atypical antipsychotics, the selective positive allosteric modulation of the ionotropic GABAA receptor (GABAAR) has emerged as a promising approach. In the presented research, two unrelated methods were used for the development of QSAR models for selective positive allosteric modulation [...] Read more.
For the development of atypical antipsychotics, the selective positive allosteric modulation of the ionotropic GABAA receptor (GABAAR) has emerged as a promising approach. In the presented research, two unrelated methods were used for the development of QSAR models for selective positive allosteric modulation of 1-containing GABAARs with derivatives of imidazo [1,2-a]-pyridine. The development of conformation-independent QSAR models, based on descriptors derived from local molecular graph invariants and SMILES notation, was achieved with the Monte Carlo optimization method. From the vast pool of 0D, 1D, and 2D molecule descriptors, the GA-MLR method developed additional QSAR models. Various statistical methods were utilised for the determination of the developed models’ robustness, predictability, and overall quality, and according to the obtained results, all QSAR models are considered good. The molecular fragments that have a positive or negative impact on the studied activity were obtained from the studied molecules’ SMILES notations, and according to the obtained results, nine novel compounds were designed. The binding affinities to GABAAR of designed compounds were assessed with the application of molecular docking studies and the obtained results showed a high correlation with results obtained from QSAR modeling. To assess all designed molecules’ “drug-likeness”, their physicochemical descriptors were computed and utilised for the prediction of medicinal chemistry friendliness, pharmacokinetic properties, ADME parameters, and druglike nature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds on Mental Disorders)
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13 pages, 2087 KiB  
Article
Analgesic Effect of SH003 and Trichosanthes kirilowii Maximowicz in Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Mice
by Ji Hwan Lee, Bonglee Kim, Seong-Gyu Ko and Woojin Kim
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2022, 44(2), 718-730; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb44020050 - 31 Jan 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2984
Abstract
Pacliatxel is a taxol-based chemotherapeutic drug that is widely used to treat cancer. However, it can also induce peripheral neuropathy, which limits its use. Although several drugs are prescribed to attenuate neuropathies, no optimal treatment is available. Thus, in our study, we analyzed [...] Read more.
Pacliatxel is a taxol-based chemotherapeutic drug that is widely used to treat cancer. However, it can also induce peripheral neuropathy, which limits its use. Although several drugs are prescribed to attenuate neuropathies, no optimal treatment is available. Thus, in our study, we analyzed whether SH003 and its sub-components could alleviate paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain. Multiple paclitaxel injections (cumulative dose 8 mg/kg, i.p.) induced cold and mechanical allodynia from day 10 to day 21 after the first injection in mice. Oral administration of SH003, an herbal mixture extract of Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica gigas, and Trichosantheskirilowii Maximowicz (Tk), dose-dependently attenuated both allodynia. However, when administered separately only Tk decreased both allodynia. The effect of Tk was shown to be mediated by the spinal noradrenergic system as intrathecal pretreatment with α1- and α2-adrenergic-receptor antagonists (prazosin and idazoxan), but not 5-HT1/2, and 5-HT3-receptor antagonists (methysergide and MDL-72222) blocked the effect of Tk. The spinal noradrenaline levels were also upregulated. Among the phytochemicals of Tk, cucurbitacin D was shown to play a major role, as 0.025 mg/kg (i.p.) of cucurbitacin D alleviated allodynia similar to 500 mg/kg of SH003. These results suggest that Tk should be considered when treating paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds on Mental Disorders)
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16 pages, 2667 KiB  
Article
Effects of Radix Polygalae on Cognitive Decline and Depression in Estradiol Depletion Mouse Model of Menopause
by Gaeul Han, Junhyuk Choi, Seung-Yun Cha, Byung Il Kim, Hee Kyung Kho, Maeng-Jin Jang, Mi Ae Kim, Sungho Maeng and Heeok Hong
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2021, 43(3), 1669-1684; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb43030118 - 19 Oct 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2695
Abstract
Postmenopausal syndrome refers to symptoms caused by the gradual decrease in female hormones after mid-40 years. As a target organ of estrogen, decrease in estrogen causes various changes in brain function such as a decrease in choline acetyltransferase and brain-derived neurotrophic factor; thus, [...] Read more.
Postmenopausal syndrome refers to symptoms caused by the gradual decrease in female hormones after mid-40 years. As a target organ of estrogen, decrease in estrogen causes various changes in brain function such as a decrease in choline acetyltransferase and brain-derived neurotrophic factor; thus, postmenopausal women experience cognitive decline and more depressive symptoms than age-matched men. Radix Polygalae has been used for memory boosting and as a mood stabilizer and its components have shown neuroprotective, antidepressant, and stress relief properties. In a mouse model of estrogen depletion induced by 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide, Radix Polygalae was orally administered for 3 weeks. In these animals, cognitive and depression-related behaviors and molecular changes related to these behaviors were measured in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Radix Polygalae improved working memory and contextual memory and despair-related behaviors in 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide-treated mice without increasing serum estradiol levels in this model. In relation to these behaviors, choline acetyltransferase and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus and bcl-2-associated athanogene expression increased in the hippocampus. These results implicate the possible benefit of Radix Polygalae in use as a supplement of estrogen to prevent conditions such as postmenopausal depression and cognitive decline. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds on Mental Disorders)
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Review

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18 pages, 1515 KiB  
Review
Therapeutic Anti-Depressant Potential of Microbial GABA Produced by Lactobacillus rhamnosus Strains for GABAergic Signaling Restoration and Inhibition of Addiction-Induced HPA Axis Hyperactivity
by Fernanda-Marie Tette, Samuel K. Kwofie and Michael D. Wilson
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2022, 44(4), 1434-1451; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb44040096 - 22 Mar 2022
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 7802
Abstract
The role of the microbiota–gut–brain (MGB) axis in mood regulation and depression treatment has gained attention in recent years, as evidenced by the growing number of animal and human studies that have reported the anti-depressive and associated gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) effects of probiotics [...] Read more.
The role of the microbiota–gut–brain (MGB) axis in mood regulation and depression treatment has gained attention in recent years, as evidenced by the growing number of animal and human studies that have reported the anti-depressive and associated gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) effects of probiotics developed from Lactobacillus rhamnosus bacterial strains in the gut microbiome. The depressive states attenuated by these probiotics in patients suffering from clinical depression also characterize the severe and relapse-inducing withdrawal phase of the addiction cycle, which has been found to arise from the intoxication-enabled hyperregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s major stress response system, and a corresponding attenuation of its main inhibitory system, the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling system. Therefore, the use of probiotics in the treatment of general cases of depression provides hope for a novel therapeutic approach to withdrawal depression remediation. This review discusses potential therapeutic avenues by which probiotic application of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains can be used to restore the central GABAergic activity responsible for attenuating the depression-inducing HPA axis hyperactivity in addiction withdrawal. Also, information is provided on brain GABAergic signaling from other known GABA-producing strains of gut microbiota. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds on Mental Disorders)
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Other

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16 pages, 1575 KiB  
Systematic Review
A Systematic Review on the Effect of Nutraceuticals on Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunctions: From Basic Principles to Clinical Applications
by Carmen Concerto, Alessandro Rodolico, Valeria Meo, Donatella Chiappetta, Marina Bonelli, Ludovico Mineo, Giulia Saitta, Sebastiano Stuto, Maria Salvina Signorelli, Antonino Petralia, Giuseppe Lanza and Eugenio Aguglia
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2022, 44(8), 3335-3350; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb44080230 - 25 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3835
Abstract
Sexual dysfunctions are common side effects reported by patients during antidepressant treatment. When they occur, patients often discontinue psychopharmacological therapy, with a negative impact on the underlying psychiatric disease. Recently, great attention has been paid to the use of nutraceuticals in the management [...] Read more.
Sexual dysfunctions are common side effects reported by patients during antidepressant treatment. When they occur, patients often discontinue psychopharmacological therapy, with a negative impact on the underlying psychiatric disease. Recently, great attention has been paid to the use of nutraceuticals in the management of psychiatric disorders, although a systematic review on their effects as a treatment option for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunctions (AISD) is lacking. Here, we conducted a systematic search in the following databases: MEDLINE (through PubMed), EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science. We searched eligible studies among parallel or crossover randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adult populations. After this process, a total of 10 articles that evaluated the effect of six different nutraceuticals versus placebo were included: Maca Root, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), Rosa Damascena, Ginkgo Biloba, Saffron, and Yohimbine. Overall, a high dose of Maca Root and the use of SAMe or Saffron may improve AISD. Additionally, the administration of Rosa Damascena seemed to be more effective in men than in women, whereas no evidence of effects emerged for Gingko Biloba and Yohimbine. Given the mixed results still available, future RCTs should consider larger samples and confounding factors, such as depressive status and individual vulnerability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds on Mental Disorders)
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