Targeting xanthine oxidase by natural products as a therapeutic approach for mental disorders

Miquel Martorell*, Xavier Lucas, Pedro Alarcón-Zapata, Xavier Capó, Maria Magdalena Quetglas-Llabrés, Silvia Tejada, Antoni Sureda

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mental disorders comprise diverse human pathologies, including depression, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia that affect millions of people around the world. The causes of mental disorders are unclear, but growing evidence suggests that oxidative stress and the purine/adenosine system play a key role in their development and progression. Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a flavoprotein enzyme essential for the catalysis of the oxidative hydroxylation of purines-hypoxanthine and xanthine-to generate uric acid. As a consequence of the oxidative reaction of XO, reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide are produced and, further, contribute to the pathogenesis of mental disorders. Altered XO activity has been associated with free radical-mediated neurotoxicity inducing cell damage and inflammation. Diverse studies reported a direct associa-tion between an increased activity of XO and diverse mental diseases including depression or schizophrenia. Small-molecule inhibitors, such as the well-known allopurinol, and dietary flavonoids, can modulate the XO activity and subsequent ROS production. In the present work, we review the available literature on XO inhibition by small molecules and their potential therapeutic application in mental disorders. In addition, we discuss the chemistry and molecular mechanism of XO inhibitors, as well as the use of structure-based and computational methods to design specific inhibitors with the capability of modulating XO activity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)367-382
Number of pages16
JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Design
Volume27
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Targeting xanthine oxidase by natural products as a therapeutic approach for mental disorders'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this