ABSTRACT N-Arachidonoyl-ethanolamine (AEA) is an endocannabinoid (eCB) and endogenous lipid mimicking many of the effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, notably on brain functions, appetite, pain and inflammation. The eCBs and eCB-like compounds contain fatty acids, the main classes being the monoacylglycerols and the N-acyl-ethanolamines (NAEs). Thus, each long chain fatty acid likely exists under the form ofRead More
Discovery, optimization, and evaluation of non-bile acid FXR/TGR5 dual agonists
ABSTRACT Although several potent bile acid Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5, GPBAR1) dual agonists such as INT-767 have been reported, no non-bile acid FXR/TGR5 dual agonist has been investigated to date. Therefore, we attempted to discover potent non-bile acid FXR/TGR5 dual agonists and identified some non-bile acid FXR/TGR5 dual agonists,Read More
Discovery of a novel RORγ antagonist with skin-restricted exposure for topical treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis
ABSTRACT Clinical success of IL-17/IL-23 pathway biologics for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis suggests that targeting RORγt, a master regulator for the proliferation and function of Th17 cells, could be an effective alternative. However, oral RORγ antagonists (VTP43742, TAK828) with high systemic exposure showed toxicity in phase I/II clinical trials and terminated development.Read More
Antisense oligonucleotide development for the selective modulation of CYP3A5 in renal disease
ABSTRACT CYP3A5 is the primary CYP3A subfamily enzyme expressed in the human kidney and its aberrant expression may contribute to a broad spectrum of renal disorders. Pharmacogenetic studies have reported inconsistent linkages between CYP3A5 expression and hypertension, however, most investigators have considered CYP3A5*1 as active and CYP3A5*3 as an inactive allele. Observations of gender specificRead More
siRNAs containing 2′-fluorinated Northern-methanocarbacyclic (2′-F-NMC) nucleotides: in vitro and in vivo RNAi activity and inability of mitochondrial polymerases to incorporate 2′-F-NMC NTPs
ABSTRACT We recently reported the synthesis of 2′-fluorinated Northern-methanocarbacyclic (2′-F-NMC) nucleotides, which are based on a bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane scaffold. Here, we analyzed RNAi-mediated gene silencing activity in cell culture and demonstrated that a single incorporation of 2′-F-NMC within the guide or passenger strand of the tri-N-acetylgalactosamine-conjugated siRNA targeting mouse Ttr was generally well tolerated. Exceptions wereRead More
AGONISTS OF PEROXISOME PROLIFERATOR-ACTIVATED RECEPTOR ALPHA AND METHODS OF USE
ABSTRACT Benzyl derivative compounds having peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonistic activity, compositions containing such compounds, and methods of their use in enhancing PPARα activity for treating diseases and/or conditions involving inflammation and/or angiogenesis, particularly ocular diseases and/or conditions such as but not limited to retinal inflammation, retinal neovascularization, retinal vascular leakage, retinopathy of prematurity,Read More
Rheum rhaponticum Root Extract Improves Vasomotor Menopausal Symptoms and Estrogen-Regulated Targets in Ovariectomized Rat Model
ABSTRACT Ovarian insufficiency and ovariectomy are characterized by deregulated heat loss mechanisms. Unlike hormone therapy, ERr 731 (a standardized botanical extract of Siberian rhubarb Rheum rhaponticum L. high in rhaponticin) acts like a selective estrogen receptor modulator for ERβ receptors and may offer a higher degree of safety while maintaining the desired efficacy profile. InRead More
COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING CHOLESTATIC DISEASE
ABSTRACT The invention provides compositions and methods for use in the treatment and prevention of cholestatic diseases. To read the full Patent, click HERE. Date of publication: 14 January 2021; United States Patent Application 20210008128 Inventor Information: Nandakumar, Madhumitha (Arlington, MA, US), Liou, Alice Peiyu (Somerville, MA, US), Halvorsen, Elizabeth Moritz (Malden, MA, US), Mckenzie,Read More
Lipoxygenase catalyzed metabolites derived from docosahexaenoic acid are promising antitumor agents against breast cancer
ABSTRACT Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is known to inhibit breast cancer in the rat. Here we investigated whether DHA itself or select metabolites can account for its antitumor action. We focused on metabolites derived from the lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway since we previously showed that they were superior anti-proliferating agents compared to DHA; 4-OXO-DHA was the mostRead More
A thermoresponsive hydrogel system for long-acting corticosteroid delivery into the paranasal sinuses
ABSTRACT Delivering localized treatment to the paranasal sinuses for diseases such as chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is particularly challenging because of the small natural openings leading from the sinuses that can be further obstructed by presence of inflammation. As such, oral steroids, topical nasal sprays or irrigation, and surgery can be utilized to treat persistent sinonasalRead More