Book Review Cite This: J. Nat. Prod. 2018, 81, 1917−1918
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Review of Discovery and Development of Neuroprotective Agents from Natural Products class of neuroprotective natural products is the subject of Chapter 6. It lists 47 potential natural alkaloids in a clear tabular format with structures, followed by a discussion of 10 classes of synthetic and semisynthetic alkaloids, and concludes with a summary of clinical studies conducted with six known alkaloids. Chapter 7 provides an update on the antiinflammatory effect of steroid analogues of plant origin. After a brief introduction on the etiology of neuroinflammation, focus is directed toward six chemotypes including flavones/ isoflavones, chalcones, curcumin, stilbenes, steroids/triterpenes, and lignans. For each of these chemotypes, the effects on proinflammatory molecules, enzyme activity, and gene expression are discussed. The chapter concludes with general methods of isolation and future research directions. Continuing with activity as the leading theme, Chapter 9 focuses on natural antioxidants with potential against ischemic brain stroke. The chapter provides a balanced discussion about the pathophysiology of brain stroke and therapeutic candidates with specific antioxidant mechanisms of action, such as apocynin and allopurinol (suppression of free radical production), lipoic acid, n-acetylcysteine, and melatonin (free radical scavenging), naringin and hesperidin (free radical degradation), mitoquinone and vitamin E (mitochondrial protection), and vitamins C and E (upregulation of endogenous antioxidants). Two of the later chapters, Chapters 8 and 10, provide brief overviews of nutraceuticals and mushrooms, respectively, in age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Chapter 8 lists the most common dietary ingredients in Asian and Mediterranean diets used against such disorders such as AD, PD, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and others. A few tables summarize neurodegenerative pathologies and significant antioxidants, vitamins, and marketed nutraceutical products as neuroprotective agents. Clinical studies for five natural products are also mentioned in brief. Chapter 10 discusses the in vitro and in vivo activities of constituents representing diverse chemotypes, such as nucleosides, fatty acid esters, and terpenes that are present in eight mushroom species of medicinal and/or culinary value. Chapter 11 adds a timely topic to the content with its focus on substance abuse and addiction. A comprehensive discussion is provided for ibogaine and salvinorin A, while other semisynthetic and synthetic compounds are briefly mentioned. The book concludes with a contribution by the author in Chapter 12, which provides a comprehensive update on the biosynthesis and total chemical synthesis of hyperforin, one of the main constituents with antidepressant activity of St. John’s Wort. A summary of the pharmacological activities and therapeutic potential of hyperforin is presented in the chapter’s concluding remarks. As health care providers continue to seek new and effective approaches for managing neurodegenerative diseases, Discovery
Discovery and Development of Neuroprotective Agents from Natural Products. By Goutam Brahmachari. Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2018. Paperback, 465 pp. $200. ISBN 978-0-12-809593-5.
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T
he health impact of neurodegenerative diseases is becoming more significant as life expectancy in human populations continues to increase. The search for novel therapeutic agents effective in different neurodegenerative conditions has thus intensified over the last two decades. A number of textbooks have also been published about the topic, including this book, which includes 12 chapters focusing on the neuroprotective activity of natural products. Except for the first introductory chapter, each of the remaining chapters has a specific theme related to a disease condition(s), specific chemotype(s), or both. The most prominent disease conditions mentioned in Chapters 3−8 and 10 are neurodegenerative diseases with special focus on Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Other conditions, namely, cerebral ischemia, depression, and drug addition, are discussed in Chapters 9, 11, and 12, respectively. Natural product chemotypes included in the book are phenolic compounds, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, terpenes: steroids and hyperforin, fatty acid derivatives, nucleosides, and vitamins. A few chapters utilize other classifications as their focal point: nutraceuticals (Chapter 8), antioxidants (Chapter 9), and mushrooms (Chapter 10). The book’s coverage of the literature is current and comprehensive, with an average of 175 references per chapter. Chapter 1 is an introduction by the editor that summarizes the content of the book with a brief overview of each chapter and mention of its lead author. Chapter 2 covers the potential of different natural phytoestrogens, such as flavonoids, stilbenes, and lignans, in Parkinson’s disease (PD). It includes information about the etiology and role of gonadal hormones in PD as well as chemical classification of phytoestrogens. The neuroprotective effect of 25 flavonoids and tanshinones are also summarized. In Chapter 3, focus shifts to AD with a brief overview of current treatments followed by a discussion of nine plant families that may provide candidates for AD therapy. Focus on AD continues in Chapter 4 with biophenols taking center stage as potential therapeutic agents. This chapter also starts with an overview on the pathophysiology and current treatments for AD before moving to biophenols as alternative treatments. The main bulk of the chapter describes general procedures for isolation of phenolic compounds from plant sources followed by a summary of 18 natural biophenols, such as curcumin, morin, resveratrol, and various phenolic acids, with promising in vitro and in vivo neuroprotective activities. Chapter 5 emphasizes coumarins as neuroprotective agents with a very comprehensive discussion on their structure− activity relationships (SAR), isolation/purification methods, synthetic approaches, and recent advances in the discovery and development of functionalized neuroprotective and antioxidant coumarins. Comprehensive coverage of alkaloids as another © 2018 American Chemical Society and American Society of Pharmacognosy
Published: August 13, 2018 1917
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00515 J. Nat. Prod. 2018, 81, 1917−1918
Journal of Natural Products
Book Review
and Development of Neuroprotective Agents f rom Natural Products attempts to narrow the drug discovery gap through its current and comprehensive coverage of the subject matter. The book provides a well-balanced content that spans major neurodegenerative diseases and potential therapeutic agents that may be obtained from natural sources and/or synthetic routes based on naturally occurring lead compounds. Except for Chapters 8, 10, and 11, which are relatively short, each chapter is thoughtfully and clearly presented, while utilizing figures, tables, and chemical structures as needed and guided by an exhaustive list of references. There are two messages to be taken from the overall content of the book. First is the role of synthetic chemistry in providing a sustainable source for promising natural product candidates and/or their analogues. Second is the necessity for clinical trials to be conducted in order to drive drug development beyond the initial bioassaybased discovery phases. The book should appeal to a broad audience with diverse backgrounds including chemistry, biology, pharmacy, and medicine. It can also be a valuable resource for researchers, academicians, and graduate students. In addition to enjoying the book’s content, its readers will probably be able to identify viable research directions for the discovery and development of new and promising neuroprotective agents.
Ehab A. Abourashed
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Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
AUTHOR INFORMATION
ORCID
Ehab A. Abourashed: 0000-0002-1940-5935 Notes
The author declares no competing financial interest.
1918
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00515 J. Nat. Prod. 2018, 81, 1917−1918
