title: Morphinan neuroprotection: new insight into the therapy of neurodegeneration.
abstract: Neuro-inflammation plays a pivotal role in numerous neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Traditional anti-inflammatory drugs have limited therapeutic use because of their narrow spectrum and severe side effects after long-term use. Morphinans are a class of compounds containing the basic morphine structure. The following review will describe novel neuroprotective effects of several morphinans in multiple inflammatory disease models. The potential therapeutic utility and underlying mechanisms of morphinan neuroprotection are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Neuropharmacology Section, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Chemistry, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA. zhang11@niehs.nih.gov
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jau-Shyong
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Hyoung-Chun
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Wanqin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Block
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005911:Gliosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D009019:Morphinans / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D009019:Morphinans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents