Melatonin Receptors Agonistic Activities of Phenols from Gastrodia elata

Gastrodia elata is a famous traditional Chinese herb with medicinal and edible application.In this study,three new polybenzyls,gastropolybenzylols G-I(1-3)were isolated from the EtOAc extract of G.elata.Their structures were identified by extensive spectroscopic analyses involving HRESIMS,UV,IR,1D and 2D NMR.Compound 1 showed agonistic effects on MT1 and MT_(2) receptors with agonistic rates of 55.91±4.84%and 165.13±5.65%at the concentration of 0.5 mM,respectively,and an EC_(50) value of 76.24μM on MT_(2) receptor.

Seasonal variation of melatonin secretion across various segments of the gastrointestinal tract in rats

Objective:To investigate whether melatonin(MT)secretion in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract(GIT)exhibits seasonal variations and its correlation with immune regulation.Methods: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control and model groups,and the pineal gland was removed in the model group.Stomach,jejunum,ileum,and colon tissues were obtained during the spring equinox,summer solstice,beginning of autumn,autumn equinox,and winter solstice.The levels of MT,MT receptors(MR),arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase(AANAT),hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase(HIOMT),interleukin-2(IL-2),and interleukin-10(IL-10)in the GIT were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: Except for the stomach,the jejunum,ileum,and the colon showed seasonal tendencies in MT secretion.In the control group,MT secretion in the jejunum and ileum was the highest in the long summer,and colonic MT secretion was the highest in winter.In the model group,MT levels in the colon were highest in the summer.The seasonal rhythms of the MR,AANAT,HIOMT,IL-2,and IL-10 in the colon were roughly similar to those of MT,and changed accordingly after pinealectomy.Conclusions: Gastrointestinal MT secretion is related to seasonal changes,and MT secretion in each intestinal segment is influenced by different seasons.The biological effects of MT in the gut are inextricably linked to the mediation of MR,and a hormone-receptor linkage exists between MT and MR.The effect of seasonal changes on the gastrointestinal immune system may be mediated through the regulation of seasonal secretion of MT.

Changes of melatonin and its receptors in synchronizing turbot(Scophthalmus maximus)seasonal reproduction and maturation rhythm

In most fish,reproduction is seasonal or periodic under the suitable conditions.In turbot(Scophthalmus maximus)farms,one of the most economically important marine flatfish species,changes in daylength could cause changes in the spawning time.In this study,to characterize the regulation of reproductive physiology following light signals,three melatonin receptors(Mtnr)investigated in turbot were named sm Mtnr1,sm Mtnr2,and sm Mtnr1 c.Distinct expression profiles demonstrated that Mtnr m RNAs were concentrated in the brain(as detected in the hypothalamus(Hy)and mesencephalon(Me)),gonad and eye.The most abundant Mtnr1 and Mtnr2 m RNA expression levels were detected in the central nervous system at the beginning of the breeding season,suggesting that Mtnr1 and Mtnr2 may play vital roles in the regulation of turbot gonadal development.In addition,the melatonin profiles gradually increased and reached to the highest level at the spawning stage,indicating that melatonin is a potent hormone in the regulation of fish oocyte growth and maturation.The results of this study suggested that melatonin is the primary factor that transduces the light signal and regulates the physiological functions of turbot seasonal reproduction.Moreover,the results of this study may establish a foundation for further research seeking to identify fish melatonin receptors involved in the gonadal development and gamete maturation.

UFLC‑PDA‑MS/MS Profling of Seven Uncaria Species Integrated with Melatonin/5‑Hydroxytryptamine Receptors Agonistic Assay

Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis(Gou-Teng),the dried hook-bearing stems of several Uncaria plants(Rubiaceae),is a wellknown herbal medicine in China.The clinical application of Gou-Teng is bewildered for the morphological and chemical similarity between diferent species.In order to discern their chemical and biological diference,an ultra-fast liquid chromatography equipped with ion trap time-of-fight mass spectrometry(UFLC-IT/TOF-MS)combining with melatonin(MT1 and MT2)and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT1A and 5-HT2C)receptors agonistic assay in vitro was conducted on seven Uncaria species.As a result,57 compounds including 35 indole alkaloids,ten favonoids,fve triterpenoids,fve chlorogenic analogues,and two other compounds were characterized based on their MS/MS patterns and UV absorptions.Specifcally,cadambine-type and corynanthein-type alkaloids were exclusively present in U.rhynchophylla and U.scandens,whereas corynoxine-type alkaloids were commonly detected in all the seven Uncaria plants.Three Uncaria species,U.rhynchophylla,U.macrophylla,and U.yunnanensis showed obviously agnostic activity on four neurotransmitter receptors(MT1,MT2,5-HT1A,and 5-HT_(2C)).This frst-time UFLCMS-IT-TOF analyses integrated with biological assay on seven Uncaria plants will provide scientifc viewpoints for the clinical application of Gou-Teng.

The Regulatory Role and Mechanism of Circadian Rhythm in Hemoglobin Co-cultured Neurovascular Unit

Objective Intracranial hemorrhage(ICH),the second most common subtype of stroke,exacerbates the disruption of the blood-brain barrier(BBB),leading to vasogenic edema,plasma protein extravasation,and infiltration of neurotoxic substances.The clearance capacity of the brain plays a crucial role in maintaining BBB homeostasis and facilitating patient recovery after hemorrhage.This study aimed to investigate the effect of circadian rhythms on BBB function,neuronal damage,and clearance capabilities.Methods The transwell model and hemoglobin were co-cultured to simulate the BBB environment after ICH.After intervention with different light groups,neuronal apoptosis was determined,glial phagocytosis was analyzed,the expression of endogenous clearing-related proteins aquaporin 4(AQP4)and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1(LRP1)was detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence dual standard method,and the expression of the tight junction protein occludin and melatonin receptor 1A(MTNR1A)was quantitatively analyzed.Results Circadian rhythms play a key role in maintaining the integrity of the BBB,reducing oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage,and improving microglial phagocytosis.Meanwhile,the expression of occludin and MTNR1A in neurovascular unit(NVU)co-cultured with hemoglobin improved the expression of AQP4 and LRP1,the key proteins in the NVU's endogenous brain clearance system.Conclusion Circadian rhythm(alternating black and white light)protects the NVU BBB function after ICH,promotes the expression of proteins related to the clearance of the hematoma,provides new evidence for the clinical treatment of patients recovering from ICH,and improves the circadian rhythm to promote brain metabolism and hematoma clearance.

Melatonin Enhances Object Recognition Memory through Melatonin MT1 and MT2 Receptor-Mediated and Non-Receptor-Mediated Mechanisms in Male Mice

Melatonin (MEL) has been reported to have acute enhancing effects on some aspects of cognition. Recently, we revealed that N1-acetyl-5-methoxyquinuramine (AMK), a brain metabolite of MEL, is much more potent than MEL in converting short-term memory (STM) to long-term memory (LTM) with a single administration immediately after the acquisition trial of the novel object recognition (NOR) task. These data suggest that the memory-enhancing effects of MEL may be mediated by mechanisms independent of the activation of MEL MT1 and MT2 receptors. In the present study, we examined the contribution of MT1 and MT2 receptor-mediated and non-receptor-mediated mechanisms to the acute memory-enhancing effects of MEL using NOR task. Mice were administered with either MEL, AMK, or a highly selective MT1/MT2 receptor agonist ramelteon (RAM) immediately after the acquisition trial and the effects of varying doses of these drugs on both STM and LTM performance were compared. We found that both AMK and RAM were more potent than MEL in both facilitating STM and promoting LTM formation. We also found that pretreatment with luzindole, a MT1/MT2 receptor antagonist, markedly suppressed only the effects of RAM. These results suggest that acutely administered MEL enhances NOR memory through both MT1 and MT2 receptor-mediated and non-receptor-mediated mechanisms.

Pharmacological advantages of melatonin in immunosenescence by improving activity of T lymphocytes

Melatonin plays a critical role in regulating photoperiodic signals and has recently been shown to decrease immunosenescence with age. In this study, we examined whether melatonin activates T lymphocytes as major adaptive immune cells in in vitro and in vivo models. Splenocytes, CD4＋, and naive CD4 T lymphocytes were isolated from the spleen of BALB/c mice and the cell population patterns and mRNA profiles associated with T cell activation （CD28 and p21） and the melatonin receptor （MT1A and MT1B） were assessed. The T cell activation- related proteins Ki67 and Bcl2 were also evaluated to confirm the relationship between gene and protein levels. Our data clearly revealed that CD28, p21, MT 1 A, and MT 1B mRNA were highly expressed in the presence of melatonin. Co-culture of CD4＋ T lymphocyte and peritoneal macrophage 7 days after melatonin administration to young and aged mice significantly increased APRIL mRNA, suggesting induction or maintenance of T lymphocyte responses. We also found that the intracellular amount of Ki67 and Bcl2 proteins were significantly upregulated in aged CD4＋ T lymphocytes, suggesting enhancing T cell proliferation and ling-term maintenance of memory T cells. Taken together, we conclude that melatonin supplementation may enhance immunity in aged individuals by upregulating immunosenescence indices in association with T lymphocytes and may be an attractive pharmacological candidate for aged and immunocompromised individuals.

Distribution,function and physiological role of melatonin in the lower gut

Melatonin is a hormone with endocrine, paracrine andautocrine actions. It is involved in the regulation of multiple functions, including the control of the gastroin-testinal (GI) system under physiological and pathophys-iological conditions. Since the gut contains at least 400times more melatonin than the pineal gland, a reviewof the functional importance of melatonin in the gutseems useful, especially in the context of recent clinicaltrials. Melatonin exerts its physiological effects throughspecific membrane receptors, named melatonin-1 re-ceptor (MT1), MT2 and MT3. These receptors can befound in the gut and their involvement in the regulationof GI motility, inflammation and pain has been reportedin numerous basic and clinical studies. Stable levels ofmelatonin in the lower gut that are unchanged follow-ing a pinealectomy suggest local synthesis and, further more, implicate physiological importance of endogenous melatonin in the GI tract. Presently, only a small number of human studies report possible beneficial and also possible harmful effects of melatonin in case reports and clinical trials. These human studies include patients with lower GI diseases, especially patients with irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. In this review, we summarize the presently available information on melatonin effects in the lower gut and discuss available in vitro and in vivo data. We furthermore aim to evaluate whether melatonin may be useful in future treatment of symptoms or diseases involving the lower gut.

Emerging pharmacological strategies for the treatment of fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia(FM) has been described as a chronic clinical condition related to multisensory hypersensitivitypresenting with a complex of symptoms dominated by chronic widespread pain associated with the existence of a range of co-morbidities, such as fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression. Current treatments include drugs that target serotonin and noradrenaline levels within the central nervous system, e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, and voltage-gated calcium channel subunit ligands, e.g., gabapentin and pregabalin. Investigation of a range of novel targets, such as melatoninergic, cannabinoid, dopamine, NMDA, angiotensin, orexin and opioid receptors, and ion channels, in addition revisiting bioamine modulation and subunits has provided efficacy outcomes that improve the health status of patients with FM. Nevertheless, modest and limited efficacy is often observed reflecting the heterogeneity of FM with existence of subpopulations of patients, the contribution of peripheral and central components to the pathophysiology, and the extensive range of accompanying co-morbidities. The complexity and multidimensional nature of FM is emphasized by the diversity of pharmacological targets gaining interest. Clues to underlying mechanisms which offer themselves as novel and potential targets for new medications are being provided by advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of FM.

Orofacial inflammatory pain affects the expression of MT1 and NADPH-d in rat caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus and trigeminal ganglion

Very little is known about the role of melatonin in the trigeminal system, including the function of melatonin receptor 1. In the present study, adult rats were injected with formaldehyde into the right vibrissae pad to establish a model of orofacial inflammatory pain. The distribution of melatonin re- ceptor 1 and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase in the caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus and trigeminal ganglion was determined with immunohistochemistry and histo- chemistry. The results show that there are significant differences in melatonin receptor 1 expression and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase expression in the trigeminal ganglia and caudal spinal nucleus during the early stage of orofacial inflammatory pain. Our findings sug- gest that when melatonin receptor 1 expression in the caudal spinal nucleus is significantly reduced, melatonin＇s regulatory effect on pain is attenuated.

Role of melatonin receptor 1B gene polymorphism and its effect on the regulation of glucose transport in gestational diabetes mellitus

Melatonin receptor 1B(MT2,encoded by the MTNR1B gene),a high-affinity receptor for melatonin,is associated with glucose homeostasis including glucose uptake and transport.The rs10830963 variant in the MTNR1B gene is linked to glucose metabolism disorders including gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM);however,the relationship between MT2-mediated melatonin signaling and a high birth weight of GDM infants from maternal glucose abnormality remains poorly understood.This article aims to investigate the relationship between rs10830963 variants and GDM development,as well as the effects of MT2 receptor on glucose uptake and transport in trophoblasts.TaqMan-MGB(minor groove binder)probe quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)assays were used for rs10930963 genotyping.MT2 expression in the placenta of GDM and normal pregnant women was detected by immunofluorescence,western blot,and qPCR.The relationship between MT2 and glucose transporters(GLUTs)or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ(PPARγ)was established by western blot,and glucose consumption of trophoblasts was measured by a glucose assay kit.The results showed that the genotype and allele frequencies of rs10830963 were significantly different between GDM and normal pregnant women(P<0.05).The fasting,1-h and 2-h plasma glucose levels of G-allele carriers were significantly higher than those of C-allele carriers(P<0.05).Besides,the protein and messenger RNA(mRNA)expression of MT2 in the placenta of GDM was significantly higher than that of normal pregnant women(P<0.05).Melatonin could stimulate glucose uptake and GLUT4 and PPARγprotein expression in trophoblasts,which could be attenuated by MT2 receptor knockdown.In conclusion,the rs10830963 variant was associated with an increased risk of GDM.The MT2 receptor is essential for melatonin to raise glucose uptake and transport,which may be mediated by PPARγ.

Effects of Kaixin Powder(开心散)on Melatonin Receptor Expression and ^(125)I-Mel Binding Affinity in A Rat Model of Depression

Objective： To explore the effects of Kaixin Powder （开心散, KXP） on melatonin receptor （MR） expression and 1261-Mel binding affinity in a depression rat model. Methods： Seventy-two male Wistar rats were divided into six groups： a blank control group, model group, ramelteon group, KXP high-dosage group （HKXP）, medium-dosage group （MKXP） and low-dosage group （LKXP）. To establish the depression model, all groups except the blank control group were singly housed and exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress. Weight gain, sucrose consumption and the open-field test were used to evaluate induction of depression. KXP at 260, 130 and 65 mg/（kg·d） was also respectively administered to the rats in the HKXP, MKXP and LKXP groups for 21 days. Ramelteon [0.83 mg/（kg·d）] was given to the positive drug control group. An equivalent volume of physiological saline was given to the blank and model groups. The liquid chip method was used to measure the concentration of plasma melatonin （MT）. Mell a （MT1） and Mellb （MT2） expression levels were determined by Western blotting. In addition, a radioactive ligand-binding assay was used to analyze the specific binding properties and dynamic characteristics between MR and 125I-Mel. Results： The results of weight gain, sucrose consumption and the open-field test showed that our model successfully produced depressive symptoms and depressive-like behavior. The concentration of plasma MT in the model group decreased significantly at night but increased in the MKXP group （P〈0.05）. The HKXP group showed significantly increased expression of MT1 （P〈0.05）; however, the expression of MT2 in all groups exhibited no significant differences （P〉0.05）. The maximum binding capacity （Bmax） for specific binding between MR and 125I-Mel in the MKXP group was significantly higher than that in the model group （P〈0.05）, but no significant differences were found in the equilibrium dissociation constant （Kd） of each group （P〉0.05）. Conclusions： KXP may have a similar effect as ramelteon. KXP improved depressive-like behavior by increasing the concentration of plasma MT and MT1 expression, thereby increasing three Bmax of MR tO achieve the desired antidepressant effect.

Role of the Volatile Components in the Anti-insomnia Effect of Jiao-Tai-Wan in PCPA-induced Insomnia Rats

Background:Jiao-Tai-Wan(JTW)is widely used for insomnia in traditional Chinese medicine.It has been found that berberine in JTW has a potential anti-insomnia effect,but the anti-insomnia effect of volatile oil,which is another major component in JTW,remains unclear.Objective:To comprehensively analyze the anti-insomnia effect of volatile oil through chemical analysis,phar-macological research and network pharmacology methods.Methods:Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)analysis and network pharmacology platform were used to elucidate the material basis,effect and mechanism of JTW in the treatment of insomnia.A rat model of insomnia induced by p-Chlorophenylalanine(PCPA)was used to verify its anti-insomnia effect.The levels of Melatonin(MT)and Melatonin receptor type 1b(MTNR1B)in the brain and serum of rats were detected by ELISA,Western blot and Real-time PCR methods.Results:Eighteen volatile oil ingredients of JTW were identified by GC-MS,containing six new components which were found in JTW for the first time.Cinnamaldehyde,Behenic alcohol,Tetradecanal,and Gleenol can promote sleep by targeting MTNR1B according to the predicted results of network-pharmacology.Compared with the model group,JTW can increase the level of MTNR1B in rats’prefrontal cortex and brain stem,while reducing the level of MT in rats’brain stem.Conclusion:The volatile oil components,such as Cinnamaldehyde,Tetradecanal,and Gleenol,might also be playing a critical role in the anti-insomnia effect of JTW by target MTNR1B.