High-throughput behavior-based screen in zebrafish is a powerful approach for the discovery of novel neuroactive small molecules for treatment of nervous system diseases such as epilepsy. To identify neuroactive small molecules, we first screened 36 compounds (1–36) derived from marine natural products xyloketals and marine isoprenyl phenyl ether obtained from the mangrove fungus. Compound 1 demonstrated the most potent inhibition on the locomotor activity in larval zebrafish. Compounds 37–42 were further synthesized and their potential anti-epilepsy action was then examined in a PTZ-induced epilepsy model in zebrafish. Compound 1 and compounds 39, 40 and 41 could significantly attenuate PTZ-induced locomotor hyperactivity and elevation of c-fos mRNA in larval zebrafish. Compound 40 showed the most potent inhibitory action against PTZ-induced hyperactivity. The structure-activity analysis showed that the OH group at 12-position played a critical role and the substituents at the 13-position were well tolerated in the inhibitory activity of xyloketal derivatives. Thus, these derivatives may provide some novel drug candidates for the treatment of epilepsy.
基于行为的斑马鱼高通量筛选是发现治疗癫痫等神经系统疾病的新型神经活性小分子的有力方法。为了发现具有神经活性的小分子,我们首先筛选了 36 个化合物(1-36),这些化合物来自海洋
天然产物二酮和海洋
异戊基苯基醚,它们都是从红树林真菌中获得的。化合物 1 对斑马鱼幼虫的运动活性具有最强的抑制作用。化合物 37-42 被进一步合成,并在
PTZ 诱导的斑马鱼癫痫模型中检验了其潜在的抗癫痫作用。化合物 1 以及化合物 39、40 和 41 能显著减弱
PTZ 诱导的斑马鱼幼鱼运动机能亢进和 c-fos mRNA 的升高。化合物 40 对
PTZ 诱导的运动机能亢进具有最强的抑制作用。结构-活性分析表明,在二酮衍
生物的抑制活性中,位于 12 位的 OH 基团起着关键作用,而位于 13 位的取代基则具有良好的耐受性。因此,这些衍
生物可能为治疗癫痫提供一些新型候选药物。