title: Enolate-Forming Compounds as a Novel Approach to Cytoprotection.
abstract: Evidence from laboratory studies and clinical trials suggests that plant-derived polyphenolic compounds such as curcumin, resveratrol, or phloretin might be useful in the treatment of certain diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease) and acute tissue injury states (e.g., spinal cord trauma). However, despite this potential, the corresponding chemical instability, toxic potential, and low bioavailability of these compounds could limit their ultimate clinical relevance. We have shown that pharmacophores of curcumin (e.g., 2-acetylcyclopentanone) and phloretin (e.g., 2',4',6'-trihydroxyacetophenone; THA) can provide cytoprotection in cell culture and animal models of oxidative stress injury. These pharmacophores are 1,3-dicarbonyl and polyphenol derivatives, the enol groups of which can ionize in biological solutions to form an enolate. This carbanionic moiety can chelate metal ions and, as a nucleophile, can scavenge toxic electrophiles (e.g., acrolein, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, and N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine) involved in many pathogenic conditions. Aromatic derivatives such as THA can also trap free oxygen and nitrogen radicals and thereby provide another layer of cytoprotection. The multifunctional character of these enolate-forming compounds suggests an ability to block pathogenic processes (e.g., oxidative stress) at several steps. The purpose of this review is to discuss research supporting our theory that enolate formation is a significant cytoprotective property that represents a platform for development of pharmacotherapeutic approaches to a variety of toxic and pathogenic conditions. Our discussion will focus on mechanism and structure-activity studies that define enolate chemistry and their corresponding relationships to cytoprotection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx, New York 10461, United States.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1903-4908
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: LoPachin
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx, New York 10461, United States.
authors.forename: Brian C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Geohagen
authors.affiliation: Chemical Synthesis & Biology Core Facility, Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx, New York 10461, United States.
authors.forename: Lars Ulrik
authors.initials: LU
authors.lastname: Nordstrøm
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Iona College , New Rochelle, New York 10801, United States.
authors.forename: Terrence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gavin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019610:Cytoprotection; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000737:chemistry; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D059808:Polyphenols