Riluzole and Edavarone: The Hope Against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is one of the most frequent motor neuron illnesses. Motor neuron illnesses are various disorders that include upper and lower motor neuron abnormalities. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis accounts for roughly 80% of motor neuron disorders. ALS is a fatal motor neuron disease that involves the loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain, resulting in gliosis and muscle weakening and wasting in the upper, lower, and respiratory muscles, reducing life expectancy to 2-5 years from the onset of symptoms. Up until now, oral riluzole, a glutamatergic neurotransmitter inhibitor, has been used to manage ALS, the only drug for the management of ALS that has been approved by the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In recent studies, edaravone has been used through intravenous mode to halt the progression of ALS. We conducted a systematic search on PubMed; we selected Google Scholar, PubMed, websites regarding ALS, WebMD, Researchgate, als.org, consultant360, and the relevant articles for the review. It shows us riluzole and edaravone's efficacy for managing A.L.S. and how it can increase the life span of the patients.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Long-COVID Scenario and the Therapeutic Potential of the Purinergic System in Neuromodulation

“…Despite the positive effects of these drugs, considering the severity of ALS and the absence of a final effective therapy for this neurodegenerative disease, more pharmaceutical targets must be explored [56]. In this sense, purinergic modulation has presented very interesting results in ALS control through pathways different from the currently known drugs, which act through other pathways by promoting anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects, reduction in oxidative stress, and modulation of neuronal ion channel activities [57][58][59].…”

GM1 ganglioside exerts protective effects against glutamate‐excitotoxicity via its oligosaccharide in wild‐type and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis motor neurons

“…Indeed, riluzole, a glutamatergic neurotransmitter inhibitor, is currently used to manage ALS and has been demonstrated to extend the life span of patients up to 2 years. Additionally, Edaverone was recently approved for treatment of ALS and its therapeutic activity is likely to be linked to its antioxidant properties [75]. The GM1 oligosaccharide seems to possess all the characteristics to counteract the multifactorial aspects underlying neurodegenerative diseases, and, in the specific case of ALS, to counteract glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, ROS overproduction and protein misfolding, thus ensuring neuronal survival.…”

Overview of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and medications for disease progression

“…Edaravone is a free radical scavenger that can neutralize ROS and reduce oxidative stress. It is thought to work by protecting neurons from oxidative damage and reducing inflammation (Rokade et al, 2022). [8,9] By reducing oxidative stress, edaravone may help to slow the progression of ALS and improve symptoms.…”

“…It is thought to work by protecting neurons from oxidative damage and reducing inflammation (Rokade et al, 2022). [8,9] By reducing oxidative stress, edaravone may help to slow the progression of ALS and improve symptoms. Edaravone is typically given over a period of 14 days, followed by a 14-day break, and then another 14-day treatment cycle.…”