Development of novel anti-methylmercuric drug based on oleanolic acid glucoside

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K15468
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Natural medicines
• Research Institution: Kitasato University
• Principal Investigator: Ryosuke Nakamura 北里大学, 薬学部, 助教 (50383659)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: メチル水銀 / 抗メチル水銀薬 / サポニン化合物 / オレアノール酸サポニン誘導体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Oleanolic acid（OA) 3-ortoester was found as compounds exhibiting anti-methylmercury (MeHg) activity, in addition to OA 3-glucoside which has already been shown to exhibit anti-MeHg activity by suppressing mercury accumulation in organs.
OA 3-glucoside not only suppressed mercury accumulation in organs but also ameliorated motor dysfunction due to MeHg by supressing neuropathy caused by MeHg.
In addition, OA orthoester suppressed the accumulation of mercury in the organ under low concentration MeHg exposure condition.

Free Research Field

毒性学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

我々は食餌を介して微量ながらも絶えずMeHgにばく露し続けている。本研究で見出したOA3-グルコシドおよびOA3位オルトエステル体は、腸管におけるMeHgの吸収を抑制することで効果を発揮しているものと考えられ、日常的に摂取することで低濃度MeHgの影響を予防する効果も期待できる。これは、日常的に魚介類の摂食等によりばく露される量のMeHgが胎児へのリスクとなりうる妊婦において特に有効性が高いと考えられる。