Identification of Marine Neuroactive Molecules in Behaviour-Based Screens in the Larval Zebrafish

作者:Long Si Mei; Liang Feng Yin; Wu Qi; Lu Xi Lin; Yao Xiao Li; Li Shi Chang; Li Jing; Su Huanxing; Pang Ji Yan*; Pei Zhong
来源:Marine Drugs, 2014, 12(6): 3307-3322.
DOI:10.3390/md12063307

摘要

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.

  • 单位
    中山大学; 1