Patent Application
20180353520
The present invention pertains to a method for treating stroke or reducing nerve injury.
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA), commonly known as stroke, refers to the rapid loss of brain function caused by abnormality in supplying the brain with blood. The most common factors are thrombus, embolism, and hemorrhage. It is caused by the destruction of the brain's blood supply, making the brain cells unable to get enough nutrients and oxygen, resulting in nerve function injury. The stroke can be divided into hemorrhage stroke and ischemia stroke. Both ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke may cause brain dysfunction. Hemorrhagic stroke comes from intracerebral hemorrhage, usually having higher mortality. Ischemic stroke comes from cerebral ischemia caused by brain thrombosis and brain embolism, which has lower mortality in usual but easily leading to injury on neurobehavioral ability. Common symptoms of stroke include incapable of moving unilateral limbs or unilateral body anesthesia, unable to understand words from other people, unable to speak, feeling dizzy, losing unilateral vision and so on. Stroke patients may also have long-term sequelae such as pneumonia and urinary incontinence.
The main risk factor of stroke is high blood pressure. Other factors include age, history of stroke, transient ischemic heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, atrial fibrillation etc. Therefore, common drugs nowadays for treating and preventing strokes are anticoagulants (e.g. Warfarin TAB, COFaRin TAB, Dabigatran), antiplatelet agent (e.g. Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Ticlopidine, Dipyridamole, Aggrenox), brain metabolism improved agents (Pentoxifylline, gingko extract, Piracetam, Nicametate), anticoagulants, hypotensive agents, statins and so on.
In view of the side effects of the above-mentioned drugs, those skilled in the art are actively looking for alternative drugs which are low in biological toxicity, having fewer side effects, and having ability to protect nerve injury of the brain after stroke. For example, a Chinese Patent, CN 101406569 B, discloses a pharmaceutical composition for treating cerebrovascular disease using a traditional Chinese medicine. U.S. Pat. No. 9,333,207 B2 discloses the use of “1-adamantylethyloxy-3-morpholino-2-propanol” for treating cerebrovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases in the central nervous system. Taiwan Patent No. 1461204 discloses the efficacy of Antrodia camphorata in treating stroke. U.S. Pat. No. 8,486,460 B2 discloses a Chinese herbal medicine composition for reducing the likelihood of stroke and a method for treating a stroke.
It is still desired to develop a new method/pharmaceutical composition for treating stroke with no side effect and low toxicity.
The present invention provides a new method for treating stroke or reducing nerve injury. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or (II) below:
wherein W is
and
R is H or C1-C6 alkyl group.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the compound of formula (I) is
(dehydrotumolosaeure).
In one embodiment of the present invention, the compound of formula (I) is
(dehydrotumulosic acid).
In one embodiment of the present invention, the compound of formula (I) is
(3-epi-dehydrotumulosic acid).
In one embodiment of the present invention, the compound of formula (I) is
(dehydrosulphurenic acid; dehydrosulfurenic acid).
In one embodiment of the present invention, the compound of formula (I) is
(dehydrotumolosaeure-methylester).
In one embodiment of the present invention, the compound of formula (I) is
((20ξ)-3β,15α,16α-trihydroxy-24-methyllanosta-7,9(11),24(241)-trien-21-oic acid; 15α-hydroxydehydrotumulosic acid).
In one embodiment of the present invention, the compound of formula (I) is
(methyl 25-hydroxy-3-epidehydrotumulosate(methyl)).
In one embodiment of the present invention, the compound of formula (I) is
(dehydropachymic acid).
In one embodiment of the present invention, the compound of formula (I) is
(15α-acetyldehydrosulfurenic acid).
In one embodiment of the present invention, the compound of formula (I) is
(15α-acetyldehydrosulphurenic acid).
In one embodiment of the present invention, the compound of formula (I) is
(dehydrosulphurenic acid).
In one embodiment of the present invention, the compound of formula (I) is
(29-hydroxydehydropachymic acid; (3β,16α)-3-(acetyloxy)-16,29-dihydroxy-24-methylidenelanosta-7,9(11)-dien-21-oic acid).
In one embodiment of the present invention, the compound of formula (I) is
(dehydroeburicoic acid).
In one embodiment of the present invention, the compound of formula (II) is
(4,7-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole).
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stroke is ischemia stroke.
In further aspect, the invention also provides a use of a compound for preparing a medicament for treating stroke or reducing nerve injury, wherein the compound has the formula of (I) or (II).
In yet aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for use in treating stroke or reducing nerve injury, which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of formula (I) or (II) and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention.
The patent or application file contains at least one color drawing. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing will be provided by the USPTO upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred.
In the drawings:
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention belongs.
The present invention provides the use of a compound for preparing a medicament for treating stroke or reducing nerve injury. The compound has the formula of (I) or (II) below:
wherein W is
and
R is H or C1-C6 alkyl group.
According to the invention, the compound of formula (I) may be:
(dehydrotumolosaeure),
(dehydrotumulosic acid),
(3-epi-dehydrotumulosic acid),
(dehydrosulphurenic acid; dehydrosulfurenic acid),
(dehydrotumolosaeure-methylester),
((20ξ)-3β,15α,16α-trihydroxy-24-methyllanosta-7,9(11),24(241)-trien-21-oic acid; 15α-hydroxydehydrotumulosic acid),
(methyl 25-hydroxy-3-epidehydrotumulosate(methyl)),
(dehydropachymic acid),
(15α-acetyldehydrosulfurenic acid),
(15α-acetyldehydrosulphurenic acid),
(dehydrosulphurenic acid), and
(29-hydroxydehydropachymic acid; (3β,16α)-3-(acetyloxy)-16,29-dihydroxy-24-methylidenelanosta-7,9(11)-dien-21-oic acid), or
(dehydroeburicoic acid).
According to the invention, the compound of formula (II) may be
(4,7-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole).
In the invention, the compound is proved to be effective for treating stroke, particularly ischemic stroke, and reducing nerve injury. In particular, dehydroeburicoic acid, 4,7-Dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole and dehydrosulphurenic acid (dehydrosulfurenic acid) provide significant effects in treating stroke and reducing nerve injury.
Accordingly, the invention provides the use of the compound of formula (I) or (II) for preparing a medicament for treating stroke or reducing nerve injury.
On the other hand, the invention provides a method for treating stroke or reducing nerve injury. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of formula (I) or (II).
The term “therapeutically effective amount” as used herein refers to an amount of a compound or pharmaceutical agent which, as compared to a corresponding subject who has not received such amount, results in an effect in treatment, healing, prevention, or amelioration of a disease, disorder, or side effect, or a decrease in the rate of advancement of a disease or disorder. The term also includes within its scope amounts effective to enhance normal physiological function.
For use in therapy, the therapeutically effective amounts of the compound is formulated as a pharmaceutical composition for administration. Accordingly, the invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of formula (I) or (II) and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carriers” used herein refers to a carrier(s), diluent(s) or excipient(s) that is acceptable, in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the subject to be administered with the pharmaceutical composition. Any carrier, diluent or excipient commonly known or used in the field may be used in the invention, depending to the requirements of the pharmaceutical formulation.
According to the invention, the pharmaceutical composition may be adapted for administration by any appropriate route, including but not limited to oral, rectal, nasal, topical, vaginal, or parenteral route. In one particular example of the invention, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for oral administration. Such formulations may be prepared by any method known in the art of pharmacy.
The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which should be construed as illustrative only and not in any way limit the remainder of the present invention. Without further illustration, it is believed that those skilled in the art will be able to make the best use of the present invention based on the description herein.
100 grams of antrodia camphorata fruiting body was heat-recirculated with methanol for 6 hours, and the extract was collected and dried under reduced pressure to obtain 15 grams of the antrodia camphorate methanol extract.
Fifteen (15) grams of the antrodia camphorate methanol extract as obtained above was taken, filled with silicon dioxide, and subjected to a gradient elution with the eluant “hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol” in a column separation (3×12 cm) to obtain dehydroeburicoic acid (No.: AR-04-41S), 4,7-Dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole (No.: AR-04-15S), and dehydrosulphurenic acid (dehydrosulfurenic acid) (No.: AR-04-1822S).
It was found that the four compounds below were obtained:
dehydroeburicoic acid (No. AR-04-41S) having the following formula:
4,7-Dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole (No. AR-04-15S) having the following formula:
and
dehydrosulphurenic acid (dehydrosulfurenic acid) (No. AR-04-1822S) having the following formula:
Experimental Animals
In the experiment, 7-week-old male SD rats purchased from LASCO Taiwan Co., Ltd. were used, which were domesticated and quarantined for 1 week. The rats were used for ischemic stroke assessment.
Rearing Environment
The rats were reared in the biomedical experimental animal station of the Industrial Technology Research Institute. The illumination time of the rearing area was automatically controlled for 12 hours bright, 12 hours dark, room temperature: 23±2° C., and relative humidity: 40-70%. The rats were free to get adequate food and water. During the quarantine and testing period, the veterinarians and test personnel of the institute performed observation and recordation daily to ensure the health status of the experimental animals.
Animals Observation
Clinical observations were made daily during the tests and recorded if the animals had other clinical symptoms or death. The clinical symptoms were observed as usual during holiday. Death and all abnormal symptoms (with different degrees of severity) were found and recorded in the animal clinical symptom observation record. Dead rats may also be under dissection to find possible causes of death.
Animal Grouping and Individual Identification
After 1 week of domestication on the experimental animals, the rats in good health condition were chosen. After weighing them, S-type grouping were performed. With 3 animals in one feeding cage, a number was tagged on the ears to distinguish between the experimental rats. Cage cards were pasted to mark cage numbers, strains, week ages, animal numbers, test numbers, test groups, admission dates, and test periods.
1. Animal Model Experiment for Inducing Ischemic Stroke (MCAO)
Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion, MCAO/Reperfusion Model
Test animals (250-350 g of male SD rats in this example) were anesthetized with 2% isoflurane in N2O/O2 (70%/30%). The right common carotid artery (right CCA), external carotid artery (ECA), and internal carotid artery (ICA) were isolated.
Cutting along the midline of the scalp, the nylon monofilament (the front of the nylon monofilament was covered with polysiloxane) was inserted through the external carotid artery along the internal carotid artery and extending to circle of Willis of the brain, resulting in obstruction of the middle cerebral artery. After an hour of ischemia, the nylon monofilament was removed and the brain's blood was reperfused. After 24 hours, the brain of the rat was taken out and sliced, each having a thickness of 2 mm and with total 7 slices, so as to perform brain embolism area analysis.
Experimental Design and Grouping
Two batches of experiments were performed with each batch being divided into four groups, each group having 5 rats. There were 40 rats in total.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a prevention mode experiment was adopted as shown in
The above-mentioned prevention model experiment further comprised a blank control group (sham) which were undergone no MCAO surgery and administered without the compound; and a vehicle control group (Vehicle) which was undergone MCAO surgery and administered with water in place of the compound.
Results
I. Analysis of Neurobehavioral Assessment
Neurobehavioral assessment in one embodiment of the present invention was performed on the rats at 0.5, 1.5 and 24 hours after MCAO surgery on each group of rats, and scored according to the following states. The purpose of the analytical assessment was to assess the severity of brain damage on rats.
Score 0: lifting the rat by its tail to about 20 to 30 cm above the ground and observing the state of stretching the forelimbs, at which state the forelimb of the rat could stretch towards the ground with balance and no occurrences of other nerve injuries is shown in
Score 1: lifting the rat by its tail to about 20 to 30 cm above the ground and observing the state of stretching the forelimb. The contraction of the forelimbs towards the contralateral of damaged area of the brain was shown in
Score 2: the rat was placed on the ground and a lateral thrust was applied. The resistance of the rat to the thrust ipsilateral to the damaged area of the brain was decreased. The experimental method was shown in
Score 3: the rat continued to go around in circles towards the contralateral side of damaged area of the brain and incapable of going straight when it was set free to exercise.
Score 4: due to severe nerve injury, limbs of the rat showed paralysis or epilepsy.
The results of neurobehavioral assessment at 0.5, 1.5, and 24 hours after MCAO surgery in each of the control and experimental groups were shown in
II. Analysis of Brain Infarct Region
The brains of the rats were taken out at 24 hours after the MCAO surgery and placed in a low-temperature oxygenated physiological saline (0.95% normal saline). The coronal section of each of the brains was sliced into seven pieces with each piece having a thickness of 2 mm. The forefront (1 mm) of the brain was removed. The brain tissue slices were then infiltrated with 1% 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) and reacted in an incubator of 37° C. for 30 minutes. The slices were fixed in 4% formalin solution and were recorded by a photographic system (MarcoPATH Digital Image System) as shown in
As shown in
III. Weight Analysis
Table 1 below shows the changes in body weights of the rats during the operation of the middle cerebral artery occlusion, MCAO/reperfusion model before surgery (0 hr) and 24 hours (24 hr) after surgery.
In Table 1, AVG means average value, SEM means standard error of the mean, and T-test means Student's T test, which can be also referred to
In summary, dehydroeburicoic acid (No. AR-04-41S), 4,7-Dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole (No. AR-04-15S), and dehydrosulphurenic acid (dehydrosulfurenic acid) provided a significant effects in reducing nerve injury in the rats after 24 hours from the MCAO surgery, and also in reducing the brain infarct volume caused by MCAO surgery. Among them, dehydroeburicoic acid (No. AR-04-41S) at the dose of 50 mg/kg and dehydrosulphurenic acid (dehydrosulfurenic acid) (No. AR-04-1822S) at the dose of 50 mg/kg had statistically significant effect in reducing nerve injury as compared with the vehicle control group (Vehicle). All of dehydroeburicoic acid (No. AR-04-41S) at the dose of 50 mg/kg, dehydrosulphurenic acid (dehydrosulfurenic acid) (No. AR-04-1822S) at the dose of 50 mg/kg, and 4,7-Dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole (No. AR-04-15S) at the dose of 50 mg/kg had statistically significant effect in reducing the brain infarct volume caused by MCAO surgery in the rats as compared with the vehicle control group (Vehicle).
While the present invention has been disclosed by way preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person of ordinary skill in the art may, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, shall be allowed to perform modification and embellishment. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be governed by which defined by the claims attached subsequently.
