Structure–activity relationship of 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (edaravone)

Abstract

This paper describes the discovery of a novel free radical scavenger, 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (edaravone, 1), as a potent antioxidant agent against lipid peroxidation. The structure-activity relationship of edaravone indicated that lipophilic substituents were essential to show its lipid peroxidation-inhibitory activity. In vivo studies revealed that edaravone showed brain-protective activity in a transient ischemia model.     

Electron spin resonance and spin trapping technique provide direct evidence that edaravone prevents acute ischemia-reperfusion injury of the liver by limiting free radical-mediated tissue damage

A novel free radical scavenger, 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (edaravone), is used for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke and is protective in several animal models of organ injury. We tested whether edaravone is protective against acute liver warm ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat by acting as a radical scavenger. When edaravone was administered prior to ischemia and at the time of initiation of the reperfusion, liver injury was markedly reduced. Production of oxidants in the liver in this model was assessed in vivo by spin-trapping/electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Ischemia/reperfusion caused an increase in free radical adducts rapidly, an effect markedly blocked by edaravone. Furthermore, edaravone treatment blunted ischemia/reperfusion-induced elevation in pro-inflammatory cytokines, infiltration of leukocytes and lipid peroxidation in the liver. These results demonstrate that edaravone is an effective blocker of free radicals in vivo in the liver after ischemia/reperfusion, leading to prevention of organ injury by limiting the deleterious effects of free radicals.     

Electron spin resonance and spin trapping technique provide direct evidence that edaravone prevents acute ischemia–reperfusion injury of the liver by limiting free radical-mediated tissue damage

A novel free radical scavenger, 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (edaravone), is used for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke and is protective in several animal models of organ injury. We tested whether edaravone is protective against acute liver warm ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat by acting as a radical scavenger. When edaravone was administered prior to ischemia and at the time of initiation of the reperfusion, liver injury was markedly reduced. Production of oxidants in the liver in this model was assessed in vivo by spin-trapping/electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Ischemia/reperfusion caused an increase in free radical adducts rapidly, an effect markedly blocked by edaravone. Furthermore, edaravone treatment blunted ischemia/reperfusion-induced elevation in pro-inflammatory cytokines, infiltration of leukocytes and lipid peroxidation in the liver. These results demonstrate that edaravone is an effective blocker of free radicals in vivo in the liver after ischemia/reperfusion, leading to prevention of organ injury by limiting the deleterious effects of free radicals.     

Edaravone protects against lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion in rat

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a critical and triggering event in the development of distal organ dysfunction, frequently involving the lungs. Respiratory failure is a common cause of death and complications after intestinal I/R. In this study we investigated the effects of edaravone (3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazoline-5-one) on the prevention of lung injury induced by intestinal I/R in rats. Edaravone has been used for protection against I/R injury in patients with cerebral infarction. When rats were subjected to 180 min of intestinal ischemia, a high incidence of mortality was observed within 24 h. In this situation, intravenous administration of edaravone just before the start of reperfusion reduced the mortality in a dose-dependent manner. To examine the efficacy of edaravone on the lung injury induced by intestinal I/R in more detail, we performed 120 min of intestinal ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Edaravone treatment decreased the neutrophil infiltration, the lipid membrane peroxidation, and the expression of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 mRNA in the lungs after intestinal I/R compared to the I/R-treated rat lungs without edaravone treatment. Histopathological analysis also indicated the effectiveness of edaravone. In conclusion, edaravone ameliorated the lung injury induced by intestinal I/R, resulting in a reduction in mortality.     

A theoretical investigation on DPPH radical-scavenging mechanism of edaravone

The mechanism of edaravone (3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one) to scavenge DPPH radical is clarified by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It is revealed that H-atom-abstraction rather than electron-transfer reaction is involved in the radical-scavenging process of edaravone, and H-atom at position 4 is readily to be abstracted. The C-H bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) of edaravone is higher than the O-H BDE of alpha-tocopherol, accounting for the activity difference between the two antioxidants. As substituents have little influence on the C-H BDE, 2-pyrazolin-5-one is recognized as the active center for edaravone.     

Hydroxyl radical scavenging by edaravone derivatives: Efficient scavenging by 3-methyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-5-pyrazolone with an intramolecular base

We synthesized various 3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-pyrazolone (edaravone) derivatives and evaluated their oxidation potential and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. It was found 3-methyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-5-pyrazolone had a much higher ability to scavenge the radical than did edaravone itself. Its efficient radical scavenging activity was assumed to be due to the increase of its anion form, an active form, by a hydrogen-bonded intramolecular base.     

Edaravone guards dopamine neurons in a rotenone model for Parkinson's disease

3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (edaravone), an effective free radical scavenger, provides neuroprotection in stroke models and patients. In this study, we investigated its neuroprotective effects in a chronic rotenone rat model for Parkinson's disease. Here we showed that a five-week treatment with edaravone abolished rotenone's activity to induce catalepsy, damage mitochondria and degenerate dopamine neurons in the midbrain of rotenone-treated rats. This abolishment was attributable at least partly to edaravone's inhibition of rotenone-induced reactive oxygen species production or apoptotic promoter Bax expression and its up-regulation of the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) expression. Collectively, edaravone may provide novel clinical therapeutics for PD.     

Edaravone directly reacts with singlet oxygen and protects cells from attack

AimsProtective effects of edaravone, an approved medicine for acute brain infarction in Japan, on cell death induced by singlet oxygen (¹O₂) were examined.Main methodThe ¹O₂ scavenging activity was examined by direct analysis of near-infrared luminescence in a cell-free system and by fluorospectrometry in the presence of cells. The protective effects of edaravone on ¹O₂-induced cell death were examined, using rat neuronal B50 cells. Cell death was evaluated by mitochondrial respiration (MTT assay), confocal microscopy and time-lapse imaging. The chemical reaction of edaravone with ¹O₂ was examined by production analysis using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Key findingsWhen rose Bengal (RB) in D₂O was irradiated by a 514 nm laser beam, the signal of ¹O₂ was observed. Edaravone suppressed the ¹O₂ signal more potently than azide, a ¹O₂ scavenger. When B50 cells were irradiated by 525 nm green light in the RB solution, production of ¹O₂ and induction of cell death were observed. The fluorospectrometric study and the MTT assay revealed that 100–400 µM edaravone suppressed the ¹O₂ production and attenuated cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. Confocal microscopy and the time-lapse imaging revealed that edaravone prevented the impairment of membrane integrity and the progression of cell death induced by ¹O₂. The HPLC study revealed that edaravone chemically reacted with ¹O₂ and changed another compound.SignificanceSince ¹O₂ is possibly involved in post-ischemic neuronal damage, the clinically approved curative effects of edaravone on acute brain infarction might be attributed to its potent ¹O₂ scavenging activity.     

Edaravone protects human peripheral blood lymphocytes from γ-irradiation-induced apoptosis and DNA damage

Radiation-induced cellular injury is attributed primarily to the harmful effects of free radicals, which play a key role in irradiation-induced apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the radioprotective efficacy of edaravone, a licensed clinical drug and a powerful free radical scavenger that has been tested against γ-irradiation-induced cellular damage in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes in studies of various diseases. Edaravone was pre-incubated with lymphocytes for 2 h prior to γ-irradiation. It was found that pretreatment with edaravone increased cell viability and inhibited generation of γ-radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in lymphocytes exposed to 3 Gy γ-radiation. In addition, γ-radiation decreased antioxidant enzymatic activity, such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as the level of reduced glutathione. Conversely, treatment with 100 μM edaravone prior to irradiation improved antioxidant enzyme activity and increased reduced glutathione levels in irradiated lymphocytes. Importantly, we also report that edaravone reduced γ-irradiation-induced apoptosis through downregulation of Bax, upregulation of Bcl-2, and consequent reduction of the Bax:Bcl-2 ratio. The current study shows edaravone to be an effective radioprotector against γ-irradiation-induced cellular damage in lymphocytes in vitro. Finally, edaravone pretreatment significantly reduced DNA damage in γ-irradiated lymphocytes, as measured by comet assay (% tail DNA, tail length, tail moment, and olive tail moment) (p < 0.05). Thus, the current study indicates that edaravone offers protection from radiation-induced cytogenetic alterations.     

依达拉奉对毒死蜱所致大鼠脑损伤的保护作用及其机制

目的:探讨依达拉奉在毒死蜱诱导的神经元凋亡中的保护作用及其线粒体机制。方法:在随机双盲的原则下,将大鼠分为对照组、毒死蜱组、依达拉奉组(n=6);以毒死蜱(18 mg/0.7 ml/kg, sc.)造模,在注射毒死蜱1 h后用依达拉奉(10 mg/1.6 ml/kg, ip.)治疗。连续注射毒死蜱及依达拉奉28 d后,通过旷场和水迷宫试验测试大鼠学习记忆能力。在心脏灌流后取大鼠脑组织,通过HE染色检测大脑海马区的神经元损伤情况以及透射电子显微镜观察线粒体和细胞核损伤情况。测定Na⁺-K⁺-ATP酶、ATP含量判断线粒体损伤情况。用免疫组织化学和免疫印迹法测定线粒体分裂蛋白DRP1及DRP1的Ser 637位点磷酸化的表达。结果:与对照组相比,毒死蜱组大鼠在旷场实验的3 min内的总运动距离和平均速度明显减小(P<0.01),在水迷宫试验中的1 min内的逃避潜伏期明显延长、平台穿越次数明显减少(P<0.01),脑组织的ATP酶活性明显降低(P<0.01)且ATP含量下降(P<0.05)、线粒体DRP1的Ser637位点...     

Therapeutic effect of edaravone on inner ear barotrauma in the guinea pig

Inner ear barotrauma (IEB) that is caused by acute pressure changes can often lead to permanent severe sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). However, the mechanism that causes IEB is still unknown. In the current study, we assessed the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in IEB and the therapeutic effect of 3-methyl 1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (edaravone), which is a free radical scavenger. To create the IEB model, guinea pigs were subjected to quick pressure changes that resulted in acute SNHL. The animals were then divided into two groups, an edaravone-treated IEB group and a non-treated IEB group that only received normal saline. Immunohistochemical analyses for 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) were performed to examine the amount of oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation that occurred in guinea pig cochlea. To assess the curative efficacy of edaravone, auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing was performed to evaluate auditory function. Strong immunoreactivities against 8-OHdG and 4-HNE were observed in the inner ear tissues of the non-treated IEB group. Lesser amounts of immunoreactivity were observed in the same region of the edaravone-treated IEB group as compared to the non-treated IEB group. Furthermore, ABR measurement revealed that there was a faster improvement in the threshold shift for the edaravone-treated IEB group as compared to that of the non-treated IEB group. At the final 7-week time point, the threshold shift for the edaravone-treated IEB group was significantly smaller as compared to the non-treated IEB group. These results strongly suggest that ROS is produced in the cochlea in response to acute pressure changes and that ROS plays an important role in the pathophysiology of IEB. Furthermore, edaravone treatment had a therapeutic effect on IEB-induced acute SNHL and thus, edaravone might possibly be able to be used as a therapeutic treatment for IEB.     

Edaravone inhibits rheumatoid synovial cell proliferation and migration

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by synovial proliferation and migration which is induced by proinflammatory cytokines or oxidative stress, followed by joint destruction. Edaravone, clinically available free radical scavenger in Japan, is confirmed to be beneficial in the acute stage of cerebral infarction. We aimed to investigate whether edaravone suppressed in vitro proliferation and migration of synovial cells (SC) induced by IL-1β. SC proliferation and migration induced by IL-1β were dose-dependently suppressed by edaravone at the clinically available concentration. These data suggest that edaravone has potential effects to suppress SC proliferation and migration, followed by suppression of synovial proliferation in RA. Therefore, edaravone, an antioxidant agent, might be a novel therapeutic agent which develops the new strategy for treatment of RA, and more detailed studies are required to establish the therapeutic effect of edaravone on RA in vivo.     

Beneficial effects of edaravone, a novel antioxidant, in rats with dilated cardiomyopathy

Edaravone, a novel antioxidant, acts by trapping hydroxyl radicals, quenching active oxygen and so on. Its cardioprotective activity against experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) was reported. Nevertheless, it remains to be determined whether edaravone protects against cardiac remodelling in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The present study was undertaken to assess whether edaravone attenuates myocardial fibrosis, and examine the effect of edaravone on cardiac function in rats with DCM after EAM. Rat model of EAM was prepared by injection with porcine cardiac myosin 28 days after immunization, we administered edaravone intraperitoneally at 3 and 10 mg/kg/day to rats for 28 days. The results were compared with vehicle-treated rats with DCM. Cardiac function, by haemodynamic and echocardiographic study and histopathology were performed. Left ventricular (LV) expression of NADPH oxidase subunits (p47(phox), p67(phox), gp91(phox) and Nox4), fibrosis markers (TGF-β(1) and OPN), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers (GRP78 and GADD 153) and apoptosis markers (cytochrome C and caspase-3) were measured by Western blotting. Edaravone-treated DCM rats showed better cardiac function compared with those of the vehicle-treated rats. In addition, LV expressions of NADPH oxidase subunits levels were significantly down-regulated in edaravone-treated rats. Furthermore, the number of collagen-III positive cells in the myocardium of edaravone-treated rats was lower compared with those of the vehicle-treated rats. Our results suggest that edaravone ameliorated the progression of DCM by modulating oxidative and ER stress-mediated myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis.     

依达拉奉联合克林澳对急性脑梗死患者血清MMP-3、MMP-9、TIMP-1、EPCs的影响及疗效观察

目的:研究依达拉奉联合克林澳对急性脑梗死患者血清MMP-3(基质金属蛋白酶-3)、MMP-9(基质金属蛋白酶-9)、TIMP-1(组织基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂1)、EPCs(内皮祖细胞)的影响及疗效观察。方法:选取我院收治的114例急性脑梗死患者,按照随机数表法分为联合治疗组(n=57)和单独治疗组(n=57)。单独治疗组仅应用依达拉奉治疗,联合治疗组则联合克林澳治疗。观察并比较两组患者临床治疗效果、NIHSS(美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表)评分变化情况、实验室指标水平变化情况、血脂水平变化情况以及不良反应发生情况。结果:治疗后,联合治疗组基本痊愈和显著进步的患者达到49例,其总有效率为85.96%,而单独治疗组基本痊愈和显著进步的患者仅为39例,其总有效率为68.42%,两组比较差异显著(P0.05)。治疗14 d和28 d后,患者的评分均较治疗前有明显下降,同时,联合治疗组下降水平明显优于单独治疗组(P0.05)。两组患者MMP3和MMP9水平较治疗前显著下降,而TIMP-1和EPCs水平则明显上升,且联合治疗组MMP3和MMP9水平下降情况和TIMP-1和EPCs水平上升情况均明显优于单独治疗组(P0.05)。治疗14 d和28 d后,患者血脂各指标水平均较前一次测量有明显下降,且单独治疗组较联合治疗组下降更为明显(P0.05)。联合治疗组不良反应发生率为5.26%;单独治疗组不良反应发生率为10.53%,不良反应发生率比较无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:依达拉奉联合克林澳应用于治疗急性脑梗死患者疗效确切,有效改善血清MMP-3、MMP-9、TIMP-1、EPCs以及患者血脂异常情况,促进血管新生,保护患者脑组织。     

Survivin is involved in the anti-apoptotic effect of edaravone in PC12 cells

Edaravone (3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one), a newly developed hydroxy radical scavaging agent which has been widely used for protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury is highly effective in preventing cell apoptosis. However, the exact intracellular mechanism(s) underlying the protective action of edaravone is not clear. We observed that in PC12 cells cultured under serum deprivation (DEPV) condition, the levels of survivin were positively correlated with the anti-apoptotic action of edaravone. Survivin RNA interference (RNAi) increased DEPV-induced PC12 cell apoptosis, whereas the anti-apoptotic effect of edaravone was blunted by survivin RNAi. Moreover, survivin overexpression provided protection against DEPV-induced PC12 cell apoptosis. Inhibition of ERK and PI₃-K/AKT prevented edaravone’s ability to decrease apoptosis and increase survivin. In conclusion, the present study provides the first direct evidence that survivin involves in the anti-apoptotic effects of edaravone via a pathway involving ERK and PI₃-K/AKT.     

Protective Effects of Edaravone in Adult Rats with Surgery and Lipopolysaccharide Administration-Induced Cognitive Function Impairment

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by cognitive declines in patients after surgery. Previous studies have suggested that surgery contributed to such impairment. It has been proven that neuroinflammation may exacerbate surgery-induced cognitive impairment in aged rats. The free radical scavenger edaravone has high blood brain barrier permeability, and was demonstrated to effectively remove free radicals from the brain and alleviate the development of POCD in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy, suggesting its potential role in preventing POCD. For this reason, this study was designed to determine whether edaravone is protective against POCD through its inhibitory effects on inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. First, Sprague Dawley adult male rats were administered 3 mg/kg edaravone intraperitoneally after undergoing a unilateral nephrectomy combined with lipopolysaccharide injection. Second, behavioral parameters related to cognitive function were recorded by fear conditioning and Morris Water Maze tests. Last, superoxide dismutase activities and malondialdehyde levels were measured in the hippocampi and prefrontal cortex on postoperative days 3 and 7, and microglial (Iba1) activation, p-Akt and p-mTOR protein expression, and synaptic function (synapsin 1) were also examined 3 and 7 days after surgery. Rats that underwent surgery plus lipopolysaccharide administration showed significant impairments in spatial and working memory, accompanied by significant reductions in hippocampal-dependent and independent fear responses. All impairments were attenuated by treatment with edaravone. Moreover, an abnormal decrease in superoxide dismutase activation, abnormal increase in malondialdehyde levels, significant increase in microglial reactivity, downregulation of p-Akt and p-mTOR protein expression, and a statistically significant decrease in synapsin-1 were observed in the hippocampi and prefrontal cortices of rats at different time points after surgery. All mentioned abnormal changes were totally or partially reversed by edaravone. To our knowledge, few reports have shown greater protective effects of edaravone on POCD induced by surgery plus lipopolysaccharide administration from its anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as maintenance of Akt/mTOR signal pathway activation; these might be closely related to the therapeutic effects of edaravone. Our research demonstrates the potential use of edaravone in the treatment of POCD.     

依达拉奉通过Nrf2信号分子调节氧化应激减轻脑缺血再灌注诱导的神经损伤

本研究旨在探讨依达拉奉(edaravone,ED)在脑缺血再灌注损伤中发挥神经元保护作用与Nrf2信号分子间的关系。体内实验利用脑内脑中动脉闭塞(middle cerebral artery occlusion model,MCAO)建立SD大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤模型,体外实验采用过氧化氢(H2O2)损伤PC12细胞建立氧化应激模型。通过TTC染色、HE染色、Nissl染色来检测大脑的病理状态。测定活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)、丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)活性,来反映氧化应激水平。此外,通过Hoechst 33342染色和线粒体膜电位(mitochondrial membrane potential,MTP)测定,探究细胞水平的损伤。采用免疫组织化学和蛋白质印记测定Nrf2的表达。构建Nrf2敲除的PC12细胞系,证实Nrf2信号分子抑制氧化应激损伤的作用。结果提示,经依达拉奉给药后,在动物体内水平,TTC染色证实,脑缺血再灌注损伤(cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury,CIRI)大鼠的脑组织梗死体积减小(P<0.001),ROS和MDA水平下降(P<0.01),SOD活性上升(P<0.01);在细胞水平,凋亡细胞减少(P<0.05),MTP上升(P<0.01),ROS和MDA水平下降,SOD活性上升(P<0.01);在分子水平,免疫组化和Western印迹结果均提示,Nrf2蛋白质含量较正常组增加。H2O2诱导Nrf2基因敲除的PC12细胞损伤加重,且依达拉奉的治疗效果明显削弱。综上所述,Nrf2在依达拉奉减轻脑缺血再灌注诱导的氧化应激损伤中发挥关键作用。