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Background: Nepeta deflersiana (Lamiaceae) is a perennial herb used in the Saudi and Yemeni folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, carminative, and antirheumatic agent.Purpose: This study explores the phytochemistry of the plant and the cardioprotective effect of N. deflersiana ethanolic extract (NDEE) against isoproterenol (ISP)-induced myocardial injury in rats.Design/methods: Cardiac function, serum cardiac enzymes, myocardial antioxidants, inflammatory, and apoptotic biomarkers, and histopathological parameters were studied in ISP-injured Wistar rat heart tissues.Results: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the isolation of nine secondary metabolites from this plant: 1α-hydroxy-7α,14α,18-triacetoxy-isopimara-8,15-diene (1), β-sitosterol (2), lupeol (3), ursolic acid (4), 2,3-dihydroxy ursolic acid (5), caffeic acid (6), methyl rosmarinate (7), rosmarinic acid (8), and an irridoid glucoside 8-epi-7-deoxyloganic acid (9). To explain the mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective effect of NDEE, we evaluated the redox-sensitivity of NDEE in ISP-induced cardiac injury. The oral administration of NDEE (50 and 100 mg/kg b.w) prevented the depletion of endogenous antioxidants (CAT, SOD, NP-SH, and NO) and myocyte injury marker enzymes and inhibited lipid peroxidation (MDA, MPO). Moreover, NDEE downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-6, and IL-10) and apoptotic markers (caspase-3 and Bax) and upregulated the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2. Furthermore, NDEE pretreatment significantly downregulated cardiac NF-κB (p65) expression, NF-κB-DNA binding activity, and MPO activity. Histological data showed that NDEE pretreatment reduced myonecrosis, edema, and infiltration of inflammatory cells and restored the architecture of cardiomyocytes.Conclusion: NDEE demonstrated strong antioxidant, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic potential against myocardial damage. This further endorses the use of N. deflersiana in Yemeni folk medicine against cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of certain novel Schiff bases as fenamate isosteres ( VI : a – k ) were synthesized to locate analgesic, anti-inflammatory agent with minimal ulcerogenic potential. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were elucidated on the basis of their elemental analysis as well as IR, and NMR and mass spectroscopic data. All the compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan induced paw oedema method. The compounds possessing good anti-inflammatory activity were further tested for analgesic, ulcerogenic, lipid peroxidation potentials and liver toxicity. Compounds ( VI - c ), ( VI - f ), ( VI - h ) and ( VI - i ) showed the best anti-inflammatory and significant analgesic activities at doses comparable to that of the standard drug Indomethacin. However, compounds ( VI - c ) and ( VI - f ) could be considered the most potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic molecules with maximum reduction in gastro-intestinal ulceration with no hepatocyte necrosis or liver degeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer disease (AD), Parkinson disease (PD), and Huntington disease (HD) represent a major socio-economic challenge in view of their high prevalence yet poor treatment outcomes affecting quality of life. The major challenge in drug development for these NDs is insufficient clarity about the mechanisms involved in pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation are common pathways that are linked to neuronal abnormalities and initiation of these diseases. Thus, elucidating the shared initial molecular and cellular mechanisms is crucial for recognizing novel remedial targets, and developing therapeutics to impede or stop disease progression. In this context, use of multifunctional compounds at early stages of disease development unclogs new avenues as it acts on act on multiple targets in comparison to single target concept. In this review, we summarize overview of the major findings and advancements in recent years focusing on shared mechanisms for better understanding might become beneficial in searching more potent pharmacological interventions thereby reducing the onset or severity of various NDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]