blood-brain barrier

Elamipretide (MTP-131) is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant tetrapeptide (D-Arg-dimethylTyr-Lys-Phe-NH2) that reduces toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and stabilizes cardiolipin, with blood-brain-barrier permeability. It is a potential therapeutic agent in the rare disease of Barnes syndrome.

Carbetocin is an obstetric drug used to control postpartum hemorrhage and bleeding after giving birth.

TAT-Gap19 acetate is a specific inhibitor of connexin43 hemichannel (Cx43 HC). TAT-Gap19 acetate traverses the blood-brain barrier and alleviates liver fibrosis in mice. TAT-Gap19 acetate does not inhibit the corresponding Cx43 GJCs.

Certain chronic neurologic disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, are caused by an insufficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine secondary to the degeneration of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons. N-(α-Linolenoyl) tyrosine (NALT) is a simple α-amide conjugate between the ω-3 essential fatty acid α-linolenate and the amino acid tyrosine. α-Linolenate is an important precursor to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a prominent brain polyunsaturated fatty acid, while tyrosine is the metabolic precursor for neuronal dopamine synthesis. NALT was prepared as a method for enhancing central nervous system (CNS) dopamine content by facilitated transport of the tyrosine precursor across the blood-brain barrier. In experimental rat models of dopamine insufficiency, NALT increased CNS dopamine levels and exhibited an activity profile consistent with an anti-Parkinson's therapeutic agent.

Relamorelin (RM-131) acetate is a pentapeptide ghrelin analog that acts as a selective agonist for the ghrelin growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). It exhibits a high affinity for the GHS-1a receptor, with a Ki value of 0.42 nM. Notably, Relamorelin acetate can cross the blood-brain barrier and target the central nervous system. This compound effectively increases growth hormone levels and promotes faster gastric emptying. Due to these properties, Relamorelin acetate holds promise for its potential applications in research related to cachexia, gastroparesis, and gastric intestinal dysmobility disorders [4] [5].

TfR-T12 is a transferrin receptor (TfR) binding peptide that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB), exhibiting a high binding affinity within the nanomolar (nM) range.

MIF-1 TFA (Melanostatin), an intrinsic brain peptide, serves as a powerful allosteric modulator of the dopamine receptor. It plays a crucial role in regulating melanin production and modifies the analgesic efficacy by inhibiting the opioid receptor's effects. Significantly, MIF-1 TFA can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) directly, facilitating its access from the bloodstream to the central nervous system (CNS) [1] [2] [3].

Relamorelin (RM-131) TFA, a pentapeptide ghrelin analog, is a potent and selective agonist for the ghrelin growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), exhibiting a K_i of 0.42 nM for the GHS-1a receptor. This compound can cross the blood-brain barrier and effectively increases growth hormone levels while promoting faster gastric emptying, showing significant research potential for conditions such as cachexia, gastroparesis, and disorders related to gastric intestinal motility [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].

TAT-Gap19 TFA, a Cx mimetic peptide and specific connexin43 hemichannel (Cx43 HC) inhibitor, does not inhibit corresponding Cx43 gap junction channels (GJCs). It crosses the blood-brain barrier and has shown efficacy in alleviating liver fibrosis in mice [1] [2] [3].

Cyclotraxin B TFA, a cyclic peptide, is a highly potent and selective non-competitive inhibitor of TrkB, effectively impeding BDNF-triggered TrkB activity without altering BDNF binding affinity, with an IC50 of 0.30 nM. It crosses the blood-brain barrier, demonstrating analgesic and anxiolytic-like behavioral effects [1] [2] [3].

CTAP TFA, a potent and highly selective μ opioid receptor antagonist that effectively crosses the blood-brain barrier, exhibits a significant inhibition concentration (IC50) of 3.5 nM. It demonstrates extraordinary selectivity, being over 1200-fold more specific to μ opioid receptors than to δ opioid (IC50 = 4500 nM) and somatostatin receptors. This compound is primarily leveraged for researching L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID) and opiate overdose or addiction [1] [2].

Carbetocin acetate is an obstetric drug used to control postpartum hemorrhage and bleeding after giving birth.

BH3 hydrochloride, a peptide that crosses the blood-brain barrier, induces apoptosis either through direct activation of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax Bak or by inhibiting anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bcl-w, Mcl-1, and A-1) through their BH3 domain [1][2].

SARS-CoV-2-IN-34 (S-20-1) is a broad-spectrum pan-coronavirus (CoV) fusion inhibitor that penetrates the blood-brain barrier and exhibits extensive inhibitory activity against both pseudotyped and authentic SARS-CoV-2, as well as pseudotyped variants of concern (VOCs). It shows high affinity for the receptor-binding domain (RBD) in the S1 and the heptad repeat 1 (HR1) domain in the S2 of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein, making it a valuable tool for infection research [1].

Epobis, a dendrimeric peptide and recombinant form of erythropoietin, acts as a potent erythropoietin receptor agonist. It fosters neuritogenesis in primary motoneurons, reduces TNF release, and effectively crosses the blood-brain barrier. Additionally, Epobis exhibits anti-inflammatory properties and enhances memory [1].

NNZ 2591, a synthetic analogue of cyclic glycine-proline (cGP), exhibits oral activity and the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. This compound demonstrates neuroprotective properties following ischemic brain injury and improves motor function in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. NNZ 2591 holds research potential for ischemic brain injury and Angelman syndrome [1] [2] [3].

HAIYPRH hydrochloride is a targeting ligand that specifically binds to the transferrin receptor (TfR) and facilitates the transport of nanocarriers across the blood-brain barrier [1].

TfR-T12 TFA, a transferrin receptor (TfR)-binding peptide capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), exhibits nanomolar (nM) binding affinity [1] [2].

Biphalin TFA is an opioid peptide analog that penetrates the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and encompasses two active enkephalin pharmacophores. It exhibits high affinity for opioid receptors and demonstrates analgesic effects in acute, neuropathic, and chronic animal pain models. Additionally, Biphalin TFA possesses antiviral, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties [1].

TAT-NEP1-40, a blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeable peptide, confers protection to PC12 cells against oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) while promoting neurite outgrowth. Furthermore, it enhances neurologic outcomes post-ischemia by mitigating apoptosis in affected cerebral regions. This compound holds potential for central nervous system (CNS) injury research, including studies on axonal regeneration and post-stroke functional recovery [1].

TAT-NEP1-40 TFA, a blood-brain barrier-permeable peptide, safeguards PC12 cells against oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) and fosters neurite outgrowth. Additionally, it enhances neurological outcomes post-ischemia by curtailing apoptosis in ischemic cerebral tissues. This compound has utility in investigating central nervous system (CNS) injuries, encompassing axonal regeneration and functional recuperation following a stroke [1].

γ-Fibrinogen377-395 TFA is an inhibitory peptide derived from fibrinogen, which also functions as a fibrinogen epitope. It effectively blocks microglial activation and impedes fibrin-Mac-1 interactions in vitro. Additionally, it exhibits in vivo efficacy by suppressing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. This compound has applications in researching multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neuroinflammatory diseases linked to blood-brain barrier disruption and microglial activation [1].

γ-Fibrinogen377-395 is a peptide derived from fibrinogen, functioning both as an inhibitory molecule and an epitope. It inhibits microglial activation, disrupts fibrin-Mac-1 interactions in vitro, and mitigates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in murine models in vivo. This compound is relevant for research into multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neuroinflammatory disorders characterized by blood-brain barrier compromise and microglial activation [1].

Type A Allatostatin III (allatostatin 3), a neuropeptide capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and exhibiting reversibility, suppresses hormone production in juvenile female cockroaches, with applications in pesticide research [1].