Discovery of a potent, Kv7.3-selective potassium channel opener from a Polynesian traditional botanical anticonvulsant.

ABSTRACT: Plants remain an important source of biologically active small molecules with high therapeutic potential. The voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel formed by Kv7.2/3 (KCNQ2/3) heteromers is a major target for anticonvulsant drug development. Here, we screened 1444 extracts primarily from plants collected in California and the US Virgin Islands, for their ability to activate Kv7.2/3 but not inhibit Kv1.3, to select against tannic acid being the active component. We validated the 7 strongest hits, identified Thespesia populnea (miro, milo, portia tree) as the most promising, then discovered its primary active metabolite to be gentisic acid (GA). GA highly potently activated Kv7.2/3 (EC₅₀, 2.8 nM). GA is, uniquely to our knowledge, 100% selective for Kv7.3 versus other Kv7 homomers;

SUBMITTER: Abbott GW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11467302 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature