neuroscience-and-neuropharmacology-research

Nature Communications, Published online: 22 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74698-2 A study in mice and humans reveals that a placental enzyme AOC1 and the molecule spermidine help time labor through regulating autophagy. Boosting spermidine prevented preterm birth, suggesting a potential therapy for human premature labor.

BackgroundBiktarvy, a second-generation integrase strand-transfer inhibitor, is approved for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in patients with no known resistance to its components. This study compared adverse events (AEs) associated with biktarvy based on data from the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database and real-world evidence fr…

BackgroundPlant-Derived Exosome-Like nanoparticles (PELNs) are vital bioactive vesicles from medicinal plants, containing protective flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, polysaccharides, and microRNAs. These compounds play crucial roles in PELNs’ anti-inflammatory and other pharmacological effects. PELNs show promise as a treatment in animal experiments for ulcerative colitis…

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases remain an urgent global health concern addressed by multiple clinical guidelines. Atherothrombosis is characterised by thrombus formation following disruption of atherosclerotic plaque, leading to major adverse cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Platelet hyperactivity is a key driver of these outcomes, leading causes of morbidity and…

ObjectiveF. africana Lehm (Poaceae) is a perennial grass traditionally used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and wound healing. Despite its traditional relevance, its phytochemical composition and pharmacological activities remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize the phytochemical and elemental profiles of Fingerhuthia africana a…

BackgroundLecanemab and donanemab are anti-amyloid-β (Aβ) monoclonal antibodies recently approved for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although both agents have demonstrated therapeutic potential, their post-marketing adverse event reporting profiles remain insufficiently characterized and compared in spontaneous reporting systems. This study aimed to systematically compare adverse even…

BackgroundLigustilide (LIG), a natural phthalide compound mainly isolated from Angelica sinensis and Ligusticum chuanxiong, has attracted increasing attention because of its diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective effects. Emerging studies suggest that LIG may have therapeutic relevance in central nervous system (CNS) disor…

Ischemic stroke currently lacks evidence-based neuroprotective agents, primarily due to the challenge of timely intervention, which often occurs after the onset of irreversible neuronal damage. To address this, this study investigates the PARthanatos pathway, a form of regulated cell death triggered by DNA damage. Utilizing MNNG-induced cellular PARthanatos models, we screened a library of 2,939 …

BackgroundThis study aims to investigate the potential association between 13 disease-modifying immunosuppressive drugs used to treat multiple sclerosis and intervertebral disc herniation, thereby filling a gap in pharmacovigilance research in this field.Materials and methodsWe extracted adverse event reports from the FAERS database covering 2005 to 2025. Disproportionality analyses using four es…

A new study led by researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso found that use of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and other GLP-1s is associated with a lower risk of developing alcohol, opioid, nicotine and cocaine use disorders.

Social media rumblings and high-profile celebrity comments suggest more people than ever are popping beta blockers, a medication traditionally used in cardiac care, when they face something anxiety-provoking.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first new sunscreen ingredient to be permitted for over-the-counter consumer use in the U.S. since 1999.

Scientists have found a promising way for astronauts to produce their own medicine when resupply from Earth is no longer possible.

Preliminary study finds that testosterone levels increase or stabilize in people taking GLP-1 medications

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone produced primarily in the gut that helps regulate blood sugar levels, appetite, food cravings, and eating behavior. Scientists have developed modified, longer-lasting versions called GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) that can be used as medications - and potentially treat alcohol use disorder (AUD). Findings from both rodent and human studies will be …

Nature Communications, Published online: 21 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74481-3 Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation drives liver fibrosis. Here, the authors show that apoptosis-resistant E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (AREL1) is upregulated in HSCs of patients with metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and promotes fibrosis via the ILK–PI3K–AKT pathway. Targeting AREL1 with vitamin …

Preliminary study finds that testosterone levels increase or stabilize in people taking GLP-1 medications.

Medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists have become some of the most talked-about drugs in recent years. They were first developed to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. Later, doctors discovered that these medicines could also help people lose weight by reducing appetite and making them feel full for longer. As […] The post Popular Diabetes and Weight-Loss Drugs Ma…

Compounds responsible for the aroma of cannabis and many other plants may offer a surprising new way to relieve chronic pain. Researchers found that several cannabis-derived terpenes significantly reduced pain in mouse models of fibromyalgia and post-surgical pain, with one terpene, geraniol, showing especially strong effects. Unlike THC, these compounds are not associated with psychoactive effec…