Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
Food Funct. 2021 Mar 7;12(5):2242-2256. doi: 10.1039/d0fo02208j. Epub 2021 Feb 17.
Depression and anxiety disorders contribute to the global disease burden. Ursolic acid (UA), a natural compound present in many vegetables, fruits and medicinal plants, was tested in vivo for its effect on (1) enhancing resistance to stress and (2) its effect on life span.
The compound was tested for its antioxidant activity in C. elegans. Stress resistance was tested in the heat and osmotic stress assay. Additionally, the influence on normal life span was examined. RT-PCR was used to assess possible serotonin targets.
UA prolonged the life span of C. elegans. Additionally, UA significantly lowered reactive oxygen species (ROS). Molecular docking studies, PCR analysis and microscale thermophoresis (MST) supported the results that UA acts through serotonin receptors to enhance stress resistance.
Considering the urgent need for new and safe medications in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders, our results indicate that UA may be a promising new drug candidate.
抑郁和焦虑障碍是全球疾病负担的主要原因。熊果酸（UA）是一种天然化合物，存在于许多蔬菜、水果和药用植物中，其体内作用被测试为（1）增强对压力的抵抗力和（2）对寿命的影响。
该化合物在秀丽隐杆线虫中被测试其抗氧化活性。通过热应激和渗透应激测定来测试应激抵抗能力。此外，还研究了对正常寿命的影响。通过 RT-PCR 评估可能的血清素靶标。
UA 延长了秀丽隐杆线虫的寿命。此外，UA 显著降低了活性氧（ROS）。分子对接研究、PCR 分析和微量热泳动（MST）支持 UA 通过血清素受体发挥作用以增强应激抵抗的结果。
鉴于治疗抑郁和焦虑障碍需要新的和安全的药物，我们的结果表明 UA 可能是一种有前途的新药候选物。
