Hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology include acetylcholine (ACh) deficiency and plaque deposition. Emerging studies suggest that acetylcholinesterase (AChE) may interact with amyloid β (Aβ) to promote aggregation of insoluble Aβ plaques in brains of patients. Current therapeutic options available for AD patients, such as AChE inhibitors, provide only symptomatic relief. In this study, we screened four natural compounds believed to harbor cognitive benefits—curcumin, piperine, bacoside A, and chebulinic acid. In the first section, preliminary screening through computational molecular docking simulations gauged the suitability of the compounds as novel AChE inhibitors. From here, only compounds that met the in silico selection criteria were selected for the second section through in vitro investigations, including AChE enzyme inhibition assay, 3-(4,5-dimenthylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-dimethyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, Thioflavin T (ThT) assay, and biochemical analysis via a neuronal cell line model. Of the four compounds screened, only curcumin (−9.6 kcal/mol) and piperine (−10.5 kcal/mol) showed favorable binding affinities and interactions towards AChE and were hence selected. In vitro AChE inhibition demonstrated that combination of curcumin and piperine showed greater AChE inhibition with an IC 50 of 62.81 ± 0.01 μg/ml as compared to individual compounds, i.e., IC 50 of curcumin at 134.5 ± 0.06 μg/ml and IC 50 of piperine at 76.6 ± 0.08 μg/ml. In the SH-SY5Y cell model, this combination preserved cell viability up to 85%, indicating that the compounds protect against Aβ-induced neuronal damage ( p < 0.01). Interestingly, our results also showed that curcumin and piperine achieved a synergistic effect at 35 μM with an synergism quotient (SQ) value of 1.824. Synergistic behavior indicates that the combination of these two compounds at lower concentrations may provide a better outcome than singularly used for Aβ proteins. Combined curcumin and piperine managed to inhibit aggregation (reduced ThT intensity at 0.432 a.u.; p < 0.01) as well as disaggregation (reduced ThT intensity at 0.532 a.u.; p < 0.01) of fibrillar Aβ42. Furthermore, combined curcumin and piperine reversed the Aβ-induced up-regulation of neuronal oxidative stress ( p < 0.01). In conclusion, curcumin and piperine demonstrated promising neuroprotective effects, whereas bacoside A and chebulinic acid may not be suitable lead compounds. These results are hoped to advance the field of natural products research as potentially therapeutic and curative AD agents.

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are congenital anomalies resulting from the failure of neural tube closure during embryogenesis. The precise molecular mechanisms underlying this multifactorial disease is poorly understood, although single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes involved in the one-carbon metabolism cycle are believed to contribute towards NTD development. Among them is 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase reductase (MTRR). Protein function prediction algorithms (PolyPhen-2, PROVEAN, SIFT, SMART-Ensembl) were employed to evaluate its pathogenicity potential caused by the replacement of isoleucine with methionine. Seven NTD patients and 12 of their parents were recruited for this study. DNA samples were collected through blood or saliva whereby the extracted DNAs were then sent for whole exome sequencing (WES). Zygosity of the variant was confirmed from WES data of each subject and further validated through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. The results revealed that 57% of patients and 83% of parents carried rs1801394 mutation in their MTRR gene, based on either homozygous (G/G) or heterozygous (A/G) genotypes. Bioinformatics analysis of this missense mutation predicted that this change is damaging to MTRR protein function by 2 of the 3 predictor algorithms and that the change from isoleucine to methionine amino acid affects flavodoxin domain of the protein. This impacts enzyme activity within the one-carbon metabolism pathway, which is linked to the aetiology of NTDs. From population databases, this variant was considered common with a MAF >0.3, however, it was not found in the Singapore Genome Variation Project (SGVP), whose population is a closer representation of the Malaysian subjects investigated here. Hence, we explored the prevalence of this variant in other studies and found that its association with NTDs differed across populations worldwide. Finally, we conclude that rs1801394 may be an NTD risk factor in the Malaysian population and should be further investigated as a potential prenatal screening tool.

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common birth defects with a complex genetic etiology. Mouse genetic models have indicated a number of candidate genes, of which functional mutations in some have been found in human NTDs, usually in a heterozygous state. This study focuses on Ephs-ephrins as candidate genes of interest owing to growing evidence of the role of this gene family during neural tube closure in mouse models. Eph-ephrin genes were analyzed in 31 Malaysian individuals comprising seven individuals with sporadic spina bifida, 13 parents, one twin-sibling and 10 unrelated controls. Whole exome sequencing analysis and bioinformatic analysis were performed to identify variants in 22 known Eph-ephrin genes. We reported that three out of seven spina bifida probands and three out of thirteen family members carried a variant in either EPHA2 (rs147977279), EPHB6 (rs780569137) or EFNB1 (rs772228172). Analysis of public databases shows that these variants are rare. In exome datasets of the probands and parents of the probands with Eph-ephrin variants, the genotypes of spina bifida-related genes were compared to investigate the probability of the gene–gene interaction in relation to environmental risk factors. We report the presence of Eph-ephrin gene variants that are prevalent in a small cohort of spina bifida patients in Malaysian families.

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common of birth defects. Despite the many gene candidates identified in certain population; none have thus far been regarded as compelling enough as a candidate for different populations. As candidate genes for NTDs, this study focussed on Ephs and ephrins owing to growing evidence for the role of this gene family during neural tube closure in mouse models. Eph and ephrin genes were analysed in 31 Malaysian individuals comprising 7 individuals with sporadic spina bifida, 14 parents and siblings and 10 unrelated controls. Whole exome sequencing analysis was performed to identify variants in 22 known EphAs, EphBs, ephrinAs and ephrinBs genes. All candidate variants in Eph-ephrin genes were subjected to bioinformatics analysis to determine possible pathogenicity. We reported 3 out of 7 spina bifida probands and 3 out of 13 parents and 1 twin-sibling, carried a variant in either EPHA2 (rs147977279), EPHB6 (rs780569137) or EFNB1 (rs772228172). Analysis of public databases like 1000 Genome phase 3, GnomAD, ExAC, ESP, TOPMED and SGVP shows that these variants are rare, and they were not present in any of the unrelated controls. In exome datasets of the probands and parent of the probands with Eph and ephrin variants, the genotypes of spina bifida-related genes were compared to investigate the probability of the gene-gene interaction in relation to environmental risk factors. In summary, we report the presence of Eph and ephrin gene variants that are prevalent in a small cohort of spina bifida patients in Malaysian families.