Scopus İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12573/395
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Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 1Targeting Cholinergic Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation through Rationally Designed Thieno[3,2-d]Pyrimidine Hybrids(Academic Press Inc Elsevier Science, 2026-07) Acar, Ozden Ozgun; Acar, Busra; Senol, Halil; Tokali, Feyzi Sinan; Sen, Alaattin; Demir, Yeliz; Cakir, FurkanNeurodegenerative diseases involve the convergence of cholinergic dysfunction, neuronal loss, and sustained neuroinflammatory responses, necessitating the development of multifunctional therapeutic agents. In this study, a series of novel thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine-phenolic Mannich base hybrids were rationally designed, synthesized, and evaluated as dual cholinesterase inhibitors with neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory potential. The synthesized compounds exhibited potent inhibition against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), with inhibition constants in the low nanomolar range. Among them, compounds 5 and 9 emerged as the most active derivatives, displaying Ki values of 8.79 and 14.11 nM for AChE and 7.04 and 11.75 nM for BChE, surpassing the reference inhibitors tacrine and donepezil. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations supported the experimental findings, and Molecular Mechanics-Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) binding free energy calculations further confirmed their superior binding affinities compared with donepezil. Cytotoxicity profiling in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells and RAW 264.7 and THP-1 immune cells identified a narrow sub-cytotoxic concentration window (EC05-EC10 = 1.2-2.1 mu M), ensuring biological effects independent of nonspecific cell damage. Within this range, both compounds exerted pronounced antineuroinflammatory activity. Notably, compound 9 significantly downregulated pro-inflammatory mediators, reducing IL-1 beta, IL-6, and NF-kappa B1 gene expression by up to 2.78-, 3.37-, and 4.84-fold, respectively. Consistently, it suppressed nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated macrophages to levels comparable with ascorbic acid and markedly decreased Iba1 expression in activated THP-1 cells. This integrated enzymatic, computational, and cellular investigation identifies compounds 5 and 9 as promising multifunctional lead combining dual cholinesterase inhibition with robust anti-neuroinflammatory activity. The results provide a strong foundation for future in vivo studies and further optimization toward disease-modifying agents for neurodegenerative disorders.Article Citation - WoS: 2Citation - Scopus: 2Neuroinflammatory Human Brain Organoids Enable Comprehensive Drug Screening Studies: Fingolimod and Its Analogues in Focus(Bentham Science Publishing Ltd, 2025-10-08) Acar, Busra; Pepe, Nihan Aktas; Zivkovic, Aleksandra; Stark, Holger; Sen, AlaattinIntroduction The absence of physiologically relevant models for neuroinflammatory brain disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), highlights the need for improved drug screening platforms. To bridge this gap, this study aimed to develop a human brain organoid (hBO) model incorporating essential neural cell types, including astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes.Methods hBOs were generated from H9 stem cells, and neuroinflammatory characteristics were elicited by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The expression of specific neuronal and inflammatory markers was assessed through qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence staining (IFS), and ELISA.Results IFS of mature hBOs with anti-SOX2, anti-SATB2, anti-MAPT, anti-GFAP, anti-MBP, and anti-IBA1 antibodies and images collected with the confocal microscope confirmed the differentiation of H9 cells into cortical neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocyte cell types. Elevated GFAP, IBA1, NF-kappa B, and IL-6 levels, along with reduced CNPase expression with LPS treatment, were considered reflective of MS-like pathology and were used to test fingolimod and its derivatives. Fingolimod and all its derivatives, specifically ST-1505, decreased MAPT (2.1-fold in ELISA, 1.7-fold in IFS), GFAP (1.8-fold in IFS), TNF alpha (5.4-fold in qRT-PCR), and FABP (1.5-fold in ELISA) levels, and increased IL-10 (11-fold in qRT-PCR) and MBP (2.9-fold in IFS) levels.Discussion The present data collectively showed LPS to evoke neuroinflammation in the hBO model, while fingolimod and its derivatives, particularly ST-1505, exhibited significant anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties by counteracting these evoked changes in the hBO model.Conclusion The findings supported the applicability of brain organoids as a model system for drug screening studies for neuroinflammatory brain diseases.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 1Interaction of Inula Viscosa (L.) Aiton with IBA1 via Rosmarinic Acid and Rutin: Insights from Computational Models and Biological Effects(Wiley-VCH verlag GmbH, 2025-10-29) Aktas Pepe, Nihan; Acar, Busra; Ceylan Ekiz, Yagmur; Senol, Ayse Merve; Semiz, Gurkan; Sen, Alaattin; Celik Turgut, GurbetInula viscosa (L.) Aiton is a traditional medicinal plant extensively utilized in Mediterranean nations for the treatment of rheumatic pain, inflammatory disorders, diabetes, anemia, and cancer. This study further explored its anti-inflammatory mechanisms through the highest components, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, and rutin, on the expression of the ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) on monocyte-derived macrophage-like cells. Iba1 is known to contribute pathogenesis of diverse inflammatory diseases. HPLC analysis identified 13 major phenolic compounds, with rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, and rutin as major components. The aqueous extract of the plant and its major components exhibited dose-dependent antiproliferative activity on pTHP-1, RAW264.7, and PCS-201-012 cells. Immunofluorescence staining revealed a significant reduction in Iba1 protein expression, which is associated with inflammation, at the high dose of I. viscosa and rutin. Molecular docking studies indicated that rosmarinic acid and rutin had the strongest predicted interactions with Iba1, with docking scores of -12.403 and -12.301 kcal/mol and MM/GBSA binding energies of -64.47 and -84.20 kcal/mol, respectively. I. visoca and its major components were observed to significantly suppress iNOS activity in LPS-stimulated cells; these findings were also supported by RT-PCR results. Treatment with the high dose of I. viscosa resulted in 9.45% necrotic cells and caused cell cycle arrest in the S phase (59.2 +/- 5.23%). This suggests that it may potentially reduce the proliferation of activated macrophages. In the fibroblast migration assays, the relative wound closure rate was found to be significant 27.06 +/- 18.09% at the low dose of I. viscosa and 31.59 +/- 22.42% at the high dose of I. viscosa. Although the relatively low wound closure rate limits tissue repair, it may benefit chronic wounds and fibrosis by suppressing excessive cell proliferation and inflammation. These results suggest that I. viscosa is a promising natural source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in anti-inflammatory drug development.Article Citation - WoS: 6Citation - Scopus: 7Therapeutic Potential of Nitrogen-Substituted Oleanolic Acid Derivatives in Neuroinflammatory and Cytokine Pathways: Insights From Cell-Based and Computational Models(Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, 2025-04-22) Turgut, Gurbet Celik; Pepe, Nihan Aktas; Ekiz, Yagmur Ceylan; Senol, Halil; Sen, AlaattinThis study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of the potential and anti-inflammatory properties of nitrogen-substituted oleanolic acid derivatives that can be used to treat neuroinflammatory diseases. Nitrogen-containing oleanolic acid derivatives have been evaluated for their anti-neuroinflammatory effects in vitro in neuronal and monocytic cell lines at nontoxic doses, and the production of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-17), the inflammatory enzyme induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NF-kappa B signalling under LPS-stimulated conditions, and the expression of genes associated with Alzheimer's disease have been assessed. In addition, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation assessments are conducted in silico. Key protein markers of neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease and neuroinflammation, TAU protein levels, and microglial activation, as well as ionised calcium-binding adaptor protein-1 (IBA1) levels, were significantly reduced with the addition of oleanolic acid derivatives. LPS-induced NF-kappa B luciferase reporter activity and iNOS activity were significantly inhibited, approaching the levels in uninduced controls. The mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines critical for neuroinflammation, such as TNF-alpha, NF-kappa B, IL-6 and IL-17, was reduced twofold to sevenfold. Furthermore, the molecular docking and MD simulation analyses revealed potential interactions with the TNF-alpha and NF-kappa B proteins. These findings underscore the potential of oleanolic acid derivatives, particularly compound 16, as candidates for further development as therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative diseases associated with chronic inflammation.Article Citation - WoS: 31Citation - Scopus: 30Synthesis of Nitrogen-Containing Oleanolic Acid Derivatives as Carbonic Anhydrase and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors(Springer Birkhauser, 2023-02-13) Senol, Halil; Turgut, Gurbet Celik; Sen, Alaattin; Saglamtas, Rueya; Tuncay, Salih; Gulcin, Ilhami; Topcu, Guelacti; Çelik Turgut, GurbetIn this study, a total of 13 compounds (5-17) were synthesized starting from oleanolic acid (OA), a natural triterpenoid. Five new compounds (10, 11, 12, 15 and 17), are the main targets of the study, which were synthesized for the first time in this work as oxime, imine and hydrazone derivatives of OA. Other compounds were previously obtained as natural or semi-synthetically. NMR and HRMS analyses were carried out to determine of structures of all the synthesized molecules. The inhibitory effects of the synthesized compounds on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), human carbonic anhydrase I (hCA I) and II (hCA II) were evaluated. Compounds 13 and 15 showed better inhibitory activity than the other compounds against both hCA I and hCA II isoenzymes, which are competing with AZA. In addition, compound 15 showed the strongest AChE inhibitory activity among all the tested compounds, with an IC50 value of 34.46 mu M.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 1Synthesis, Characterization, and Comprehensive in Vitro and in Silico Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Novel 1,2,3-Triazole–Arylidenehydrazide/Thiazolidinone Hybrids(Wiley-VCH verlag GmbH, 2025-09) Pepe, Nihan Aktas; Cakir, Furkan; Atalay, Tugba; Acar, Busra; Turgut, Gurbet Celik; Sen, Alaattin; Senol, HalilFive novel 1,2,3-triazole/arylidenehydrazide/thiazolidinone hybrid compounds (7-11) were synthesized and characterized using NMR, HRMS, IR, and HPLC purity analysis. The cytotoxicity of these compounds was evaluated on fibroblasts and THP-1 cells, showing that all compounds were nontoxic at the tested concentrations. The wound healing assay revealed that compounds 7, 9, and 10 significantly enhanced wound closure, with a 7.74%-32.69% improvement in treated cells. Compounds 8 and 11 showed moderate effects. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed through qRT-PCR, demonstrating that compound 10 led to the most significant reduction in proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and NF-kappa B1. In addition, the expression of Iba1 protein in THP-1 cells confirmed that compound 8 showed the strongest anti-inflammatory effect, surpassing that of aspirin. Compound 10 showed the highest inhibition of NF-kappa B signaling and iNOS activity. Molecular docking studies revealed that compounds 10 and 11 had strong binding affinities to TNF-alpha and iNOS, with compound 11 showing the most stable interactions. Molecular dynamics simulations supported these findings, indicating that compound 11 demonstrated more stable binding to both targets. Overall, the results suggest that compounds 10 and 11 are promising anti-inflammatory candidates with potential for further development in therapeutic applications for inflammatory diseases.Article Citation - WoS: 16Citation - Scopus: 15Role of AHR, NF-kB and CYP1A1 Crosstalk With the X Protein of Hepatitis B Virus in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells(Elsevier, 2023-02) Celik-Turgut, Gurbet; Olmez, Nazmiye; Koc, Tugba; Ozgun-Acar, Ozden; Semiz, Asli; Dodurga, Yavuz; Sen, AlaattinIn this study, it was aimed to elucidate the interaction between aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), nuclear factor -kappa B (NF-kB), and cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) with hepatitis B virus X protein (HBX) in a human liver cancer cell line (HepG2) transfected with HBX. First, AHR, NF-kB, and CYP1A1 genes were cloned into the appropriate region of the CheckMate mammalian two-hybrid recipient plasmids using a flexi vector system. Renilla and firefly luciferases were quantified using the dual-luciferase reporter assay system to measure the interactions. Secondly, transient transfections of CYP1A1 and NF-kB (RelA) were performed into HBX-positive and HBX-negative HepG2 cells. The mRNA expression of CYP1A1 and NF-kB genes were confirmed with RT-PCR, and cell viability was measured by WST-1. Further verification was assessed by measuring the activity and protein level of CYP1A1. Additionally, CYP1A1/HBX protein-protein interactions were performed with co-immunoprecipitation, which demonstrated no interaction. These results have clearly shown that the NF-kB and AHR genes interact with HBX without involving CYP1A1 and HBX protein-protein interactions. The present study confirms that AHR and NF-kB interaction plays a role in the HBV mechanism mediated via HBX and coordinating the carcinogenic or inflammatory responses; still, the CYP1A1 gene has no effect on this interaction.Article Citation - Scopus: 1Possible Drug-Drug Interactions Between Mesalamine and Tricyclic Antidepressants Through CYP2D6 Metabolism - in Silico and in Vitro Analyses(Georg Thieme Verlag, 2025-04-01) Ozen, Melek B.; Gazioğlu, Işil; Ozgun-Acar, Özden; Guner, Hüseyin; Semiz, Gürkan; Sen, Alaattin; Ozgun Acar, OzdenMesalamine (mesalazine, 5-aminosalicylic acid, 5-ASA) is an essential anti-inflammatory agent both used for therapy and as a remission control in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis (UC). Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are used to alleviate remaining symptoms in patients already receiving IBD therapy or with quiescent inflammation. The cytochrome P4502D6 enzyme is involved in the metabolism of TCAs. Hence, it is crucial to investigate the role of CYP2D6 in 5-ASA metabolism. Initially, in silico analysis involving the docking of 5-ASA to CYP2D6 and molecular dynamics simulations was conducted. Next, the rate of O-demethylation of a nonfluorescent probe 3-[2-(N,N-diethyl-N-methylammonium)-ethyl]-7-methoxy-4-methylcoumarin (AMMC) into a fluorescent metabolite AMHC (3-[2-(N,N-diethyl-N-methylammonium)ethyl]-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin) was optimized with baculosomes co-expressing human CYP2D6 and human P450 oxidoreductase (hCPR) to monitor CYP2D6 activity in a microtiter plate assay. The apparent Km and Vmax were found to be 1.30 μM and 32.68 pmol/min/mg of protein for the O-demethylation of AMMC to AMHC, and the reaction was linear for 40 min. Then, nonselective inhibition of CYP2D6 activity with various concentrations of 5-ASA was detected. Finally, the conversion of AMMC to metabolites was analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS spectrometry, and none were identified. Thus, this study suggests that concurrent use of mesalamine with TCA may lead to adverse effects, and CYP2D6 genotyping should be routinely performed on these patients to eliminate possible threats. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Article Citation - WoS: 4Citation - Scopus: 4Natural Diterpenoid Alysine a Isolated from Teucrium Alyssifolium Exerts Antidiabetic Effect via Enhanced Glucose Uptake and Suppressed Glucose Absorption(Tubitak Scientific & Technological Research Council Turkey, 2019-10-07) Sen, Alaattin; Ayar, Buket; Yilmaz, Anil; Acar, Ozden Ozgun; Turgut, Gurbet Celik; Topcu, GulactiTeucrium species have been used in folk medicine as antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, antiulcer, and antibacterial agents. We have explored in vitro antidiabetic impacts of 2 natural diterpenoids, alysine A and alysine B, isolated from Teucrium alyssifolium. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay, glucose uptake test, glucose utilization (glycogen content) test, glucose transport test, glucose absorption (a-glucosidase activity) test, insulin secretion test, RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis assay, qPCR quantification assays, and statistical analyses were carried out in the present study. Alysine A exerted the following effects at non-cytotoxic doses: Enhanced the glucose uptake, as much as the insulin in the C2C12, HepG2, and 3T3-L1 cells Increased the glycogen content in the C2C12 and HepG2 liver cells, significantly higher than the insulin and metformin Suppressed the alpha-glucosidase and the GLUT2 expression levels in the Caco-2 cells Suppressed the SGLT1 and GLUT1-5 expression levels in the Caco-2 cells Induced the insulin receptor substrate (IRS)1 and GLUT2 expression levels of the BTC6 pancreatic cells Induced the insulin receptor (INSR), IRS2, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), GLUT4, and protein kinase (PK) expression levels of the 3T3-L1 and C2C12 cells Increased glucose transport through the Caco-2 cell layer Did not influence insulin secretion in the pancreatic BTC6 cells Consequently, these data strongly emphasized the antidiabetic action of alysine A on the particularly critical model mechanisms that assume a part in glucose homeostasis, such as glucose uptake, utilization, and storage. Moreover, the expression level of the essential genes in glucose metabolism and insulin signaling was altered in a way that the results would be antihyperglycemic. A blend of in vitro and in situ tests affirmed the antihyperglycemic action of alysine A and its mechanism. Alysine A has exercised significant and positive results on the glucose homeostasis; thus, it is a natural and pleiotropic antidiabetic agent. Advanced in vivo studies are required to clarify the impact of this compound on glucose homeostasis completely.Article Citation - WoS: 2Citation - Scopus: 2Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Extract Incorporated Electrospun Poly(Lactic Acid)/ Gelatin Membrane as a New Wound Dressing(Elsevier, 2025-08) Tarhan, Seray Zora; Pepe, Nihan Aktas; Sen, Alaattin; Isoglu, Ismail AlperIn this study, we fabricated poly(lactic acid)/gelatin electrospun membranes containing various concentrations of Cinnamomum zeylanicum extract and evaluated them as a novel wound dressing. The electrospun membranes were chemically, morphologically, and mechanically characterized, and the results were discussed in comparison with the literature. Electrospun membranes' biodegradability, swelling, and release properties were evaluated, with the CE7.5 membrane having values of 29.60 f 7.20 and 542.1 f 48.3 % and 66.9 %, respectively. Antibacterial activity was observed in CE7.5 and CE10 membranes against E. coli and S. aureus strains. At the highest concentration (CE10), 111.7 f 5.6 % and 96 f 12.375 % cell viability were detected in fibroblasts and differentiated LPS-induced THP-1 cells. Cell viability was further evaluated by Annexin-V/PI staining, revealing that 97.95 f 1.63 % of the cells remained viable in the CE7.5-treated membranes, while only 1.85 f 1.49 % of necrotic cells were detected in the treated cell population. Fibroblasts treated with the CE7.5 membrane showed a 42 % improvement in wound closure compared to non-treated cells. The anti-inflammatory properties of the electrospun membranes were also investigated. Treatment with the conditioned CE7.5 membrane downregulated Tba1 and tau proteins by 45.1 and 51.055 %, respectively. This study concluded that the newly developed Cinnamomum zeylanicum extract incorporated poly(lactic acid)/gelatin electrospun membranes could be a promising wound dressing material.