7-8-3--trihydroxyflavone and 6-7-dihydroxyflavone

Neurotrophins (NTs) play essential roles in the development and survival of neurons in PNS and CNS. In the cochlea, NTs [e.g., NT-3, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)] are required for the survival of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Preservation of SGNs in the cochlea of patients suffering sensorineural deafness caused by loss of hair cells is needed for the optimal performance of the cochlear implant. Directly applying exogenous BDNF into the cochlea prevents secondary degeneration of SGNs when hair cells are lost. However, a common translational barrier for in vivo applications of BDNF is the poor pharmacokinetics, which severely limits the efficacy. Here we report that 7,8-dihydroxyflavone and 7,8,3'-trihydroxyflavone, both small-molecule agonists of tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB), promoted SGN survival with high potency both in vitro and in vivo. These compounds increased the phosphorylated TrkB and downstream MAPK and protected the SGNs in a TrkB-dependent manner. Their applications in the bulla of conditional connexin26 null mice offered significant protection for SGN survival. The function of survived SGNs was assessed by measuring evoked action potentials (APs) in vitro and electrically evoked auditory brainstem response (eABR) thresholds in vivo. APs were reliably evoked in cultured single SGNs treated with the compounds. In addition, eABR thresholds measured from the treated cochleae were significantly lower than untreated controls. Our findings suggest that these novel small-molecule TrkB agonists are promising in vivo therapeutic agents for preventing degeneration of SGNs.

Topics: Action Potentials; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; Cochlea; Connexin 26; Connexins; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; Female; Flavones; Gentamicins; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; Nerve Degeneration; Nerve Growth Factors; Neurites; Neurons; Phosphorylation; Receptor, trkB; Spiral Ganglion; Tubulin

7,8-Dihydroxyflavone is a recently identified small molecular tropomyosin-receptor-kinase B (TrkB) agonist. Our preliminary structural-activity relationship (SAR) study showed that the 7,8-dihydroxy groups are essential for the agonistic effect. To improve the lead compound's agonistic activity, we have conducted an extensive SAR study and synthesized numerous derivatives. We have successfully identified 4'-dimethylamino-7,8-dihydroxyflavone that displays higher TrkB agonistic activity than that of the lead. This novel compound also exhibits a more robust and longer TrkB activation effect in animals. Consequently, this new compound reveals more potent antiapoptotic activity. Interestingly, chronic oral administration of 4'-dimethylamino-7,8-dihydroxyflavone and its lead strongly promotes neurogenesis in dentate gyrus and demonstrates marked antidepressant effects. Hence, our data support that the synthetic 4'-dimethylamino-7,8-dihydroxyflavone and its lead both are orally bioavailable TrkB agonists and possess potent antidepressant effects.

Topics: Animals; Antidepressive Agents; Apoptosis; Flavones; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Neurogenesis; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Structure-Activity Relationship