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Molecular and Pharmacological Insights into Bioactive Compounds: Pathways to Therapeutics

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Dear Colleagues,

Bioactive compounds that are synthetically modified or obtained from natural sources have significant potential for therapeutic applications. Understanding their molecular and pharmacological mechanisms is essential to promote the discovery and clinical application of new drugs. This Special Issue focuses on the complex biological pathways through which bioactive compounds exert their effects, including interactions with cell signaling networks, epigenetic modifications, metabolic reprogramming, and immune modulation. It highlights innovative research on the role of bioactive compounds in combating diseases such as infectious diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative metabolic, and genetic and cardiovascular disorders. We welcome studies exploring mechanisms of drug resistance and new therapeutic strategies.

We invite original research articles and reviews that elucidate the molecular basis, efficacy, and therapeutic potential of bioactive compounds.

Dr. Mosharraf Sarker
Dr. Talat Nasim
Guest Editors

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12 pages, 1832 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Increased Brain Glutathione Levels by Intranasal Insulin Administration

by Taisuke Kawashima, Wattanaporn Bhadhprasit, Nobuko Matsumura, Chisato Kinoshita and Koji Aoyama

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(4), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47040284 - 17 Apr 2025

Viewed by 197

Abstract

Background: This paper investigates the effect of intranasal insulin administration on brain glutathione (GSH) levels and elucidates the potential mechanism by which insulin enhances antioxidant defenses in the brain. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were intranasally administered insulin (2 IU/day) or saline for 7 days. GSH levels were measured in the brain and liver. Blood glucose concentrations and daily food intake were also monitored. Protein levels of excitatory amino acid carrier-1 (EAAC1), its interaction with glutamate transport-associated protein 3-18(GTRAP3-18), and activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) were assessed. Results: Insulin-treated mice exhibited significantly higher GSH levels in the hippocampus and midbrain compared to saline-treated controls, while no significant differences were found in liver GSH levels, blood glucose concentrations, or food intake. EAAC1 expression increased in both the cytosolic and plasma membrane fractions of insulin-treated mouse brains. Furthermore, the interaction between EAAC1 and its negative regulator, GTRAP3-18, along with activated AMPK levels, was reduced in insulin-treated mice. Conclusions: Intranasal insulin administration enhances brain GSH levels through a mechanism involving EAAC1 upregulation and reduced AMPK activation. These findings suggest that intranasal insulin could be a promising strategy for enhancing antioxidant defenses against neurodegeneration in the brain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular and Pharmacological Insights into Bioactive Compounds: Pathways to Therapeutics)

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