| Autor: |
Basagni F; Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy., Di Paolo ML; Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Via G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy., Cozza G; Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Via G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy., Dalla Via L; Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy.; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121 Firenze, Italy., Fagiani F; Department of Drug Sciences (Pharmacology Section), University of Pavia, V.le Taramelli 14, 27100 Pavia, Italy.; Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy., Lanni C; Department of Drug Sciences (Pharmacology Section), University of Pavia, V.le Taramelli 14, 27100 Pavia, Italy., Rosini M; Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy., Minarini A; Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy. |
| Abstrakt: |
Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation play a pivotal role in triggering the neurodegenerative pathological cascades which characterize neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In search for potential efficient treatments for these pathologies, that are still considered unmet medical needs, we started from the promising properties of the antidiabetic drug pioglitazone, which has been repositioned as an MAO-B inhibitor, characterized by promising neuroprotective properties. Herein, with the aim to broaden its neuroprotective profile, we tried to enrich pioglitazone with direct and indirect antioxidant properties by hanging polyphenolic and electrophilic features that are able to trigger Nrf2 pathway and the resulting cytoprotective genes' transcription, as well as serve as radical scavengers. After a preliminary screening on MAO-B inhibitory properties, caffeic acid derivative 2 emerged as the best inhibitor for potency and selectivity over MAO-A, characterized by a reversible mechanism of inhibition. Furthermore, the same compound proved to activate Nrf2 pathway by potently increasing Nrf2 nuclear translocation and strongly reducing ROS content, both in physiological and stressed conditions. Although further biological investigations are required to fully clarify its neuroprotective properties, we were able to endow the pioglitazone scaffold with potent antioxidant properties, representing the starting point for potential future pioglitazone-based therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders. |
