Uses of indole-ketones or indolidones as neuro-protective drugs
AssigneesUniversity of Macau, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
InventorsMing Yuen Lee, Yifan Han, Chung Lit Choi, Zaijun Zhang, Wei Cui
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method of using indole-ketone or indolidone to treat or prevent a neurodegenerative disease or disorder. In one embodiment, the neurodegenerative disease is Parkinson's disease. In another embodiment, the neurodegenerative disease or disorder is associated with excessive neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase (nNOS) activity. Examples of indole-ketone include, but are not limited to, SU4312, SU5416, SU11248 (Sunitinib), and indirubin-3-oxime.
Claims18
1-17. (canceled)
A method for treating or preventing a neurodegenerative disease or disorder in a subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprising compound SU4312, SU5416, or SU11248, or their optical isomers, salts, or derivatives.
A method of modulating function or enzymatic activities in neurodegenerative disease cells, comprising the step of contacting an indole-ketone or indolidone with said cells, wherein contacting with said indole-ketone or indolidone results in one or more of the following:
- decrease the function or expression of monoamine oxidase-B;
- decrease the function or expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase;
- increase the function or expression of tyrosine hydroxylase;
- and
- increase movement of the cells.
A method of screening for a candidate compound for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disease, comprising the steps of
- contacting the candidate compound with a population of cells;
- and
- examining the function or expression of one or more of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 tyrosine kinase (VEGFR-2 TK), monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), tyrosine hydroxylase, neurotoxic protection, mitochondrial function, and movement functions in said cells,
- wherein changes in the function or expression of the above in the presence of said candidate compound as compared to a control compound indicates that said candidate compound is useful for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disease.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.