Celastrol: A Potential Natural Lead Molecule for New Drug Design, Development and Therapy for Memory Impairment.

Abstract

Celastrol is a naturally occurring chemical isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f., root extracts widely known for their neuroprotective properties. In this review, we focus on the efficacy of celastrol in mitigating memory impairment (MI) in both in vivo and in vitro models. Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science databases were utilised to locate pertinent literatures that explore the effects of celastrol in the brain, including its pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, behavioral effects and some of the putative mechanisms of action on memory in many MI models. To date, preclinical studies strongly suggest that celastrol is highly effective in enhancing the cognitive performance of MI animal models, particularly in the memory domain, including spatial, recognition, retention and reference memories, via reduction in oxidative stress and attenuation of neuro-inflammation, among others. This review also emphasised the challenges and potential associated enhancement of medication delivery for MI treatment. Additionally, the potential structural alterations and derivatives of celastrol in enhancing its physicochemical and drug-likeness qualities are examined. The current review demonstrated that celastrol can improve cognitive performance and mitigate MI in several preclinical investigations, highlighting its potential as a natural lead molecule for the design and development of a novel neuroprotective medication.

• Authors: Muhamad Azrul Amir Yusri, Mahendran Sekar, Ling Shing Wong, Siew Hua Gan, Subban Ravi, Vetriselvan Subramaniyan, Nur Najihah Izzati Mat Rani, Kumarappan Chidambaram, M Yasmin Begum, Mohankumar Ramar, Sher Zaman Safi, Siddharthan Selvaraj, Yuan Seng Wu, Palanisamy Revathy, Shivkanya Fuloria, Neeraj Kumar Fuloria, Pei Teng Lum, Sinouvassane Djearamane
• Journal: Drug design, development and therapy (Drug Des Devel Ther) Vol. 17 Pg. 1079-1096 ( 2023) ISSN: 1177-8881 [Electronic] New Zealand
• PMID: 37064431 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: © 2023 Amir Yusri et al.

Chemical References

• celastrol
• Triterpenes
• Pentacyclic Triterpenes

Topics

• Animals
• Triterpenes (pharmacology, therapeutic use, chemistry)
• Pentacyclic Triterpenes (pharmacology)
• Oxidative Stress
• Drug Design