Discovery of a novel pharmacological and structural class of gamma secretase modulators derived from the extract of Actaea racemosa.
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ABSTRACT: A screen of a library of synthetic drugs and natural product extracts identified a botanical extract that modulates the processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in cultured cells to produce a lowered ratio of amyloid-beta peptide (1-42) (A?42) relative to A?40. This profile is of interest as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The extract, from the black cohosh plant (Actaea racemosa), was subjected to bioassay guided fractionation to isolate active components. Using a combination of normal-phase and reverse-phase chromatography, a novel triterpene monoglycoside, 1, was isolated. This compound was found to have an IC(50) of 100 nM for selectively reducing the production of amyloidogenic A?42 while having a much smaller effect on the production of A?40 (IC(50) 6.3 ?M) in cultured cells overexpressing APP. Using IP-MS methods, this compound was found to modulate the pool of total A? produced by reducing the proportion of A?42 while increasing the relative amounts of shorter and less amyloidogenic A?37 and A?39. Concentrations of 1 sufficient to lower levels of A?42 substantially (up to 10 ?M) did not significantly affect the processing of Notch or other aspects of APP processing. When 1 (10 ?g) was administered to CD-1 normal mice intracerebroventricularly, the level of A?42 in brain was reduced. Assays for off-target pharmacology and the absence of overt signs of toxicity in mice dosed with compound 1 suggest a comparatively selective pharmacology for this triterpenoid. Compound 1 represents a new lead for the development of potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease via modulation of gamma-secretase.
SUBMITTER: Findeis MA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3509716 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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