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Abstract: Marine cyanobacteria represent a unique source in the field of drug discovery due to the secondary metabolites they produce and the structural similarity these compounds have to endogenous mammalian receptor ligands. A series of cyanobacteria were subjected to extraction, fractionation by column chromatography and screened for affinity against CNS targets with a focus on serotonin receptors (5‐HTRs). Out of 276 fractions screened, 21% had activity at 5‐HTRs and/or the 5‐HT transporter (SERT). One sample, a cyanobacterium identified by 16S rRNA sequencing as Leptolyngbya from Las Perlas archipelago in Panama, contained a fraction with noted affinity for the 5‐HT7 receptor (5‐HT7R). This fraction (DUQ0002I) was screened via intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections in mice using depression and anxiety assays including the forced swim, tail suspension, elevated zero maze, and light‐dark preference tests. DUQ0002I decreased depression and anxiety‐like behaviors in males and did not have effects in 5‐HT7R knockout or female mice. Administration of DUQ0002I to the CA1 of the hippocampus induced antidepression‐like, but not anxiolytic‐like behaviors. Testing of further purified materials showed no behavioral effects, leading us to hypothesize that the behavioral effects are likely caused by a synergistic effect between multiple compounds in the fraction. Finally, DUQ0002I was used in a model of neuropathic pain with comorbid depression (spared nerve injury—SNI). DUQ0002I had a similar antidepressant effect in animals with SNI, suggesting a role for the 5‐HT7R in the development of comorbid pain and depression. These results demonstrate the potential that cyanobacterial metabolites have in the field of neuropharmacognosy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest in global health education within the pharmacy curriculum has increased significantly in recent years. However, discussion of different models and methods to evaluate course structures are limited. The overall objective was to (1) describe the structure of our global health elective for pharmacy students, and (2) assess educational outcomes related to perceived/formal knowledge and attitudes associated with global health. Our elective was designed using a competency-centered approach to global health education, incorporating reflection, projects, service and game-learning. In addition to course assessments, a pre-post survey questionnaire assessing attitudes, knowledge perception, formalized knowledge and opinions was utilized. Overall, students demonstrated appropriate performance on course assessments, temporally improving throughout longitudinal projects. The survey demonstrated significant increases in knowledge perception as a result of the course; however, no change in formalized knowledge was evident through the survey assessment. Additionally, the incorporation of game-learning into the course was well received by students. Future iterations of the course will focus on utilization of different assessment methods to meet learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural products have a long history as a source of psychoactive agents and pharmacological tools for understanding the brain and its circuitry. In the last two decades, marine cyanobacteria have become a standard source of natural product ligands with cytotoxic properties. The study of cyanobacterial metabolites as CNS modulatory agents has remained largely untapped, despite the need for new molecules to treat and understand CNS disorders. We have generated a library of 301 fractions from 37 field collected cyanobacterial samples and screened these fractions against a panel of CNS receptors using radiolabeled ligand competitive-binding assays. Herein we present an analysis of the screening data collected to date, which show that cyanobacteria are prolific producers of compounds which bind to important CNS receptors, including those for 5-HT, DA, monoamine transporters, adrenergic, sigma, and cannabinoid receptors. In addition to the analysis of our screening efforts, we will also present the isolation of five compounds from the same cyanobacterial collection to illustrate how pre-fractionation followed by radioligand screening can lead to rapid identification of selective CNS agents. The systematic screening of natural products sources, specifically filamentous marine cyanobacteria, will yield a number of lead compounds for further development as pharmacological tools and therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]