Neuropsychopharmacological understanding for therapeutic application of morphinans.
Morphinans are a class of compounds containing the basic structure of morphine. It is well-known that morphinans possess diverse pharmacological effects on the central nervous system. This review will demonstrate novel neuroprotective effects of several morphinans such as, dextromethorphan, its analogs and naloxone on the models of multiple neurodegenerative disease by modulating glial activation associated with the production of a host of proinflammatory and neurotoxic factors, although dextromethorphan possesses neuropsychotoxic potentials. The neuroprotective effects and the therapeutic potential for the treatment of excitotoxic and inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases, and underlying mechanism of morphinans are discussed.
Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology Program, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chunchon, Korea.
Eun-Joo
EJ
Shin
Jau-Shyong
JS
Hong
Hyoung-Chun
HC
Kim
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003915:Dextromethorphan / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009019:Morphinans / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009270:Naloxone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D009019:Morphinans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009270:Naloxone; D003915:Dextromethorphan