COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR SUPPRESSING AND/OR TREATING NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES AND/OR A CLINICAL CONDITION THEREOF

Abstract

Therapeutic compositions comprising one or more agents that inhibit CXXC5-DVL interface and/or that enhance the activity of GLP-1, and methods of administering those therapeutic compositions to model, treat, reduce resistance to treatment, prevent and diagnose a condition/disease associated with neurodegenerative diseases or a related clinical condition thereof, are disclosed.

Claims

1. A compound of Formula I for use in a method of treating a condition and/or disease associated with neurodegenerative diseases or a related clinical condition in a subject, ##STR00050## wherein: X is O or N optionally substituted with R.sup.1; R.sup.1 is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkenyl, or an alkoxy optionally substituted with alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, aryl, or benzyl; or R.sup.1 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, or an alkoxy substituted with butyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, aryl, or benzyl. R.sup.2 is hydrogen, nitro, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, or a carboxy. R.sup.3 is hydrogen, nitro, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, or a carboxy; or R.sup.3 is hydrogen, fluorine, iodine, astatine, alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, OCF.sub.3, ethoxy, propyloxy, butyloxy, haloalkoxy, or a carboxy, and/or wherein when R.sup.3 is bromine or chlorine, R.sup.4 is not hydrogen; and/or wherein when R.sup.3 is chlorine, R.sup.4 is not chlorine. R.sup.4 is hydrogen, nitro, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, or a carboxy; or R.sup.4 is hydrogen, nitro, fluorine, bromine, iodine, astatine, alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, or a carboxy; and/or wherein when R.sup.4 is chlorine, R.sup.3 is not hydrogen or nitro. R.sup.5 is hydrogen, nitro, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, or a carboxy.

2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein X is N and R.sup.1 is hydroxy or alkoxy optionally substituted with alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, aryl, or benzyl.

3. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R.sup.1 is alkoxy optionally substituted with alkyl, butyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, aryl, or benzyl.

4. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of, ##STR00051## ##STR00052##

5. A pharmaceutical composition for use in a method of treating a condition and/or disease associated with neurodegenerative diseases or a related clinical condition in a subject, comprising at least one compound according to claim 1 and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable hydrate, salt, metabolite, or carrier thereof.

6-9. (canceled)

10. A method of treating a neurodegenerative disease or a similar condition, comprising: administering to a subject at least one therapeutically effective dose of at least one agent that reduces and/or inhibits the CXXC5-DVL interaction; and/or administering to a subject at least one therapeutically effective dose of at least one agent comprising at least one compound according to claim 1.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: detecting upregulated expression of CXXC5 in the subject.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: identifying the subject as at risk for a neurodegenerative disease or a similar condition.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the subject exhibits abnormal GLP-1 levels, lipid profile, insulin resistance, and/or blood glucose levels.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the subject is diagnosed with or at risk of having dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and/or Parkinson's disease.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one agent that reduces and/or inhibits the CXXC5-DVL interaction comprises at least one compound according to claim 1.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the subject is a human or an animal.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one agent is administered to the subject orally, topically, nasally, parenterally, transmucosally, transdermally, intramuscularly, intravenously, intradermally, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, intraventricularly, intracranially, intratumorally, or by pulmonary delivery.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the therapeutically effective dose of the at least one agent is on the order of between: about 0.01 mg/kg to about 200 mg/kg; about 0.01 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg; about 0.01 mg/kg to about 80 mg/kg; about 0.01 mg/kg to about 60 mg/kg; about 0.05 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg; about 0.05 mg/kg to about 80 mg/kg; about 0.05 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg; about 0.1 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg; about 0.1 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg; about 0.2 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg; about 0.2 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg; about 0.5 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg; about 0.5 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg; about 100 mg/kg to about 200 mg/kg; about 100 mg/kg to about 150 mg/kg, and/or any combination thereof.

19. The method according to claim 10, the agent is administered to the subject at least once, twice, or three times per day.

20. The method according to claim 10, wherein the subject was previously or is being concomitantly treated with at least one medication including orlistat, lorcaserin, phentermine-topiramate, naltrexone-bupropion, liraglutide, benzphetamine, diethylpropion, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones, dipeptidylpeptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, insulin analog, alpha glucosidase inhibitor, SGL T2 inhibitors, sitagliptin, metformin, rosiglitazone, ocaliva, selonsertib, elafibranol, cenicriviroc, MGL-3196, GR-MD-02, aramchol, GLP-1 analogues, and/or GLP-1 receptor agonist.

21. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one agent that reduces and/or inhibits the CXXC5-DVL interaction comprises at least one composition according to claim 5.

22. A method of treating a neurodegenerative disease or a similar condition, comprising: administering to a subject at least one therapeutically effective dose of at least one agent that reduces and/or inhibits the CXXC5-DVL interaction; and/or administering to a subject at least one therapeutically effective dose of at least one agent comprising at least one composition according to claim 5.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the at least one agent that reduces and/or inhibits the CXXC5-DVL interaction comprises at least one compound according to claim 1.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the at least one agent that reduces and/or inhibits the CXXC5-DVL interaction comprises at least one composition according to claim 5.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0093] The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain embodiments. Some embodiments may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings alone or in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented.

[0094] FIG. 1A. Graphs illustrating the mRNA expression levels of GLP-1 and CXXC5 in the peripheral blood of untreated patients with stage 1 Parkinson's disease (PD) compared to the normal healthy control (mean±s.e.m., n=4, *P<0.05 and ***P<0.0005).

[0095] FIG. 1B. Graphs illustrating the mRNA expression levels of GLP-1 and CXXC5 in the peripheral blood of untreated patients with stage 1 Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared to the normal healthy control (mean±s.e.m., n=13, *P<0.05).

[0096] FIG. 1C. Graph illustrating the effect of pioglitazone, an anti-diabetes drug, on the expression of CXXC5 in a transgenic Alzheimer's disease mouse model (mean±s.e.m., n=7, *P<0.05).

[0097] FIG. 2A. Graph illustrating relative GLP-1 mRNA expression in various types of tissues (epiWAT, BAT, liver, muscle, pancreas, intestine spleen, kidney, and heart) in mice that were on high fat diet (HFD) or normal chow diet (NCD).

[0098] FIG. 2B. Graphs illustrating relative expression levels of GLP-1 and other Wnt/β-catenin signaling target genes (Tcf712, Axin2, Dvl1, Wisp1, and Fosl1) in epiWAT of Cxxc5.sup.+/+ and Cxxc5.sup.−/— mice that were on high fat diet (HFD).

[0099] FIG. 2C. Graphs illustrating relative expression levels of GLP-1 and other Wnt/β-catenin signaling target genes (Tcf712, Axin2, Dvl1, Wisp1, and Fosl1) in NCD-mice and HFD-mice that were treated with vehicle, A3334, and sitagliptin.

[0100] FIG. 3A. Graph illustrating the serum active GLP-1 levels in Cxxc5.sup.+/+ and Cxxc5.sup.−/− mice that were on high fat diet (HFD).

[0101] FIG. 3B. Graph illustrating the serum active GLP-1 levels in HFD-fed, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes Cxxc5.sup.+/+ mice and HFD-fed, STZ-induced diabetes Cxxc5.sup.−/− mice.

[0102] FIG. 4A. Graph illustrating the serum active GLP-1 levels in NCD-mice and HFD-mice that were treated with vehicle, A3334, and sitagliptin.

[0103] FIG. 4B. Graph illustrating the serum active GLP-1 levels in HFD-fed, STZ-induced diabetes that were treated with vehicle, A3334, and sitagliptin.

[0104] FIG. 5. Graph illustrating the serum active GLP-1 levels in HFD-fed, CCl.sub.4-induced NASH Cxxc5.sup.+/+ mice and HFD-fed, CCl.sub.4-induced NASH Cxxc5.sup.−/− mice.

[0105] FIG. 6A. Graph illustrating the serum active GLP-1 levels in NCD-mice (“Chow”) and RFD-fed, STZ-induced NASH mice that were treated with vehicle, A3334, A3051, selonsertib, and ocaliva.

[0106] FIG. 6B. Graph illustrating the serum active GLP-1 levels in NCD-mice (“Chow”) and RFD-fed, methionine-choline deficient diet (MCD)-induced NASH mice that were treated with vehicle, A3334, A3051, selonsertib, ocaliva (“OCA”), and A3486.

[0107] FIG. 7A. Photographs of rat neuronal stem cells (NSCs) illustrating an undifferentiated state (“+bFGF”) and a differentiated state (“−bFGF”). The undifferentiated NSCs were maintained in a culture medium containing 10 ng/ml of bFGF (“+bFGF”).

[0108] FIG. 7B. Photographs of rat neuronal stem cells (NSCs) illustrating the changes in morphology with the treatment of A3051 in various concentrations (0, 1, 5, and 10 μM). The undifferentiated NSCs were maintained in a culture medium containing 10 ng/ml of bFGF.

[0109] FIG. 8A. Western blots illustrating the expression of β-catenin, CXXC5 and inactivated form of GSK3β (p-GSK3β) in H4 wild-type (WT) cell (Control cell) and H4/SWE cell (APP Swedish mutant neuroglioma H4 cell line).

[0110] FIG. 8B. Graphs illustrating the relative expression levels of β-catenin, CXXC5 and p-GSK3β (S9) in H4 WT and H4/SWE cells.

[0111] FIG. 9A. Western blots illustrating the levels of β-catenin, CXXC5 and p-GSK3β (S9) and α-tubulin in H4/SWE cells that were treated with DMSO (control), A3334, A3051, A4733, A4735, indirubin, indirubin-3′-oxime (I3O), 6-Bromoindirubin-3′-oxime (BIO) and H4 WT cells.

[0112] FIG. 9B. Immunocytochemical images illustrating the level and localization of β-catenin in H4/SWE cells that were treated with DMSO, A3334, A3051, A4733, A4735, indirubin, I3O, BIO and H4 WT cells. Green signal represents the expression of β-catenin and blue signal represents nuclear staining with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI).

[0113] FIG. 10. Human Aβ-42 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showing the levels of secreted human amyloid β-42 in H4/SWE cells that were treated with DMSO, A3334, A3051, A4733, A4735, indirubin, I3O, BIO and H4 WT cells.

[0114] FIG. 11. Chemical structures of examples of indirubin analogs disclosed herein.

[0115] FIG. 12. Chemical structures of examples of indirubin analogs disclosed herein.

DEFINITIONS

[0116] “About” refers to a range of values plus or minus 10 percent, e.g. about 1.0 encompasses values from 0.9 to 1.1.

[0117] “CXXC5-DVL interface” refers to an interaction and/or association between CXXC5 (CXXC finger protein 5) and DVL (disheveled), which can induce biological activities known in the art. The interactions and/or associations can be physical or chemical interactions that would activate a CXXC5-DVL pathway within a subject. CXXC5-DVL interface can be present in a form of a complex.

[0118] “Inhibitor of CXXC5-DVL interface” refers to an agent that alters the function and/or activity of the CXXC5-DVL interface or induces conformational changes in the CXXC5-DVL interface. Examples of inhibitors of CXXC5-DVL interface include, but are not limited to, agents that alter association/dissociation between CXXC5 and DVL and/or agents that inhibit CXXC5-DVL complex assembly/function.

[0119] “Neurodegenerative disease or a similar condition” can include, but is not limited to, dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia, senile dementia, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Lewy body dementia (LBD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Huntington's disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or also known as Lou-Gehrig's disease), primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), progressive bulbar palsy (PBP), progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), pseudobulbar palsy, hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), cerebellar ataxia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and/or Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

[0120] “Metabolic disease or a similar condition” can include, but is not limited to, metabolic disorder, metabolic syndrome, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high serum triglycerides, hyperuricemia, fatty liver, polycystic ovarian syndrome, erectile dysfunction, acanthosis nigricans, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypoadiponectinemia, cirrhosis, portal hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, coronary artery disease, lipodystrophy, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and/or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

[0121] “Pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to approved or approvable by a regulatory agency of a government, such as the U.S. FDA or the EMA, or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia or other generally recognized pharmacopoeia for use in mammals and/or animals, and more particularly in humans.

[0122] “Pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle” or “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,” unless stated or implied otherwise, is used herein to describe any ingredient other than the active component(s) that can be included in a formulation. The choice of carrier will to a large extent depend on factors such as the mode of administration, the effect of the carrier on solubility and stability, and the nature of the dosage form.

[0123] “Pharmaceutical composition” refers to a therapeutically active inhibitor of CXXC5-DVL interface or a therapeutically active inhibitor of GSKβ, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle/carrier, with which the inhibitor of CXXC5-DVL interface and/or inhibitor of GSKβ is administered to a subject.

[0124] “Subject” refers to a human (adult and/or child), an animal, a livestock, a cell, and/or a tissue.

[0125] “Therapeutically effective amount” refers to the amount of an inhibitor of CXXC5-DVL interface, at least one compound disclosed herein, GLP-1 analogues, GLP-1 receptor agonist or inhibitor of GSKβ that when administered to a subject for treating a disease, or at least one of the clinical symptoms of a disease, is sufficient to affect such treatment of the disease or symptom thereof. The “therapeutically effective amount” can vary depending, for example, on the inhibitor of CXXC5-DVL interface, the disease and/or symptoms of the disease, severity of the disease and/or symptoms of the disease or disorder, the age, weight, and/or health of the subject to be treated, and the judgment of the prescribing physician.

[0126] “Therapeutically effective dose” refers to a dose that provides effective treatment of a disease or disorder in a subject. A therapeutically effective dose can vary from compound to compound, and from subject to subject, and can depend upon factors such as the condition of the subject and the route of delivery.

[0127] “Therapeutic regime(s)” and/or “therapeutic regimen(s)” include, but are not limited to, surgery, weight loss, healthy eating, physical activity, insulin therapy, and/or a medication/drug therapy. In some embodiments, the medication/drug therapy includes one or more treatments with at least one agent including, but is not limited to, orlistat, lorcaserin, phentermine-topiramate, naltrexone-bupropion, liraglutide, benzphetamine, diethylpropion, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors, insulin analog, alpha glucosidase inhibitor, SGL T2 inhibitors, sitagliptin, metformin, rosiglitazone, ocaliva, selonsertib, elafibranol, cenicriviroc, MGL-3196, GR-MD-02, aramchol, GLP-1 analogues, and/or GLP-1 receptor agonists.

[0128] “Treat,” “treating” or “treatment” of any disease or condition refers to reversing, alleviating, arresting, or ameliorating a disease or at least one of the clinical symptoms of a disease, reducing the risk of acquiring a disease or at least one of the clinical symptoms of a disease, inhibiting the progress of a disease or at least one of the clinical symptoms of the disease or reducing the risk of developing a disease or at least one of the clinical symptoms of a disease. In some embodiments, “treat,” “treating” or “treatment” also refers to inhibiting the disease, either physically, (e.g., stabilization of a discernible symptom), physiologically, (e.g., stabilization of a physical parameter), or both, and to inhibiting at least one physical parameter that can or cannot be discernible to the subject. In certain embodiments, “treat,” “treating” or “treatment” refers to delaying the onset of the disease or condition or at least one or more symptoms thereof in a subject which can be exposed to or predisposed to a disease or condition even though that subject does not yet experience or display symptoms of the disease.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0129] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology, reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments thereof, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, such alterations, modifications, and further applications of the principles of the novel technology being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates are within the scope of this disclosure and the claims.

[0130] Neurodegenerative diseases possess multiplex pathological status associated with functional disorders in various systems such as motor control, cognition, perception, sensory function, and the autonomic nervous system due to the loss or decrease in neuronal function. Neurodegenerative diseases have long been considered as incurable, complex conditions that no one drug or other intervention that can treat the conditions successfully. Current approaches focus on helping people maintain mental function, manage behavioral symptoms, and slow down the symptoms of disease. Accordingly, an effective medication that improves the overall condition of neurodegenerative diseases by targeting the systemic pathological process is not currently available.

[0131] Metabolic diseases possess multiplex pathological status associated with obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can be characterized as inflammation and damage in liver caused by accumulation of fat in the liver. Many affected patients exhibit obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and/or metabolic disease. Although incidences of NASH have been increasing worldwide with increase in obesity, its pathological mechanism(s) is not well understood.

[0132] Recent studies indicate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and/or Parkinson's disease (PD) possess multiplex pathological status associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The systemic insulin resistance accompanied by the T2DM may be associated with Parkinson's disease and patients with Parkinson's disease commonly show impaired glucose tolerance which can induce brain insulin resistance. Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, which are known as pathophysiological features of the T2DM, have also been demonstrated to have significant impact on cognitive impairment. Further, the impaired insulin signaling has not only been related to α-synuclein build-up and mitochondrial dysfunction, but also behavioral abnormalities seen in Parkinson's disease patients such as impaired cognition, anxiety and depressive disorders. It is postulated that the mechanisms for cognitive impairment include impairment in cerebral insulin signaling, change in amyloid metabolism, accumulation of advanced glycation end products, and oxidative stress. In addition, some studies identified that the insulin signaling pathway may play a role in Parkinson's disease, and that there may be a link between diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.

[0133] Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia among older adults, is an irreversible degeneration of the brain that causes disruptions in memory, cognition, personality, and other functions that eventually lead to death from complete brain failure. Parkinson's disease is the most prevalent form of dementia and is characterized by cognitive insufficiencies and behavioral changes that affect memory and learning abilities, daily functioning and quality of life. Parkinson's disease may be caused by predominate loss of dopamine-producing neurons in brain.

[0134] Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a 30-amino acid long peptide hormone derived from the proglucagon gene and secreted from the distal small intestine when food enters the duodenum. The GLP-1 receptors are found and prevalent in the central nervous system of the brain, and when stimulated, enhance cell survival and promote neuroprotection. GLP-1 affects neurological and cognitive functions, as well as its regulatory effect on glucose metabolism. Therefore, GLP-1 receptor agonist(s) has been considered for treating neurogenerative diseases, but an effective medication that improves the overall condition of neurodegenerative diseases by targeting the systemic pathological process is not currently available.

[0135] CXXC finger protein 5 (CXXC5) is a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, functioning via interaction with PDZ domain of disheveled (DVL) in the cytosol. Inhibition of the CXXC5-DVL interaction improved several pathophysiological phenotypes involving Wnt/β-catenin signaling including osteoporosis, longitudinal bone growth, cutaneous wounds, and hair loss through activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

[0136] As disclosed herein, CXXC5 expression were surprisingly increased in the brain tissues of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and/or Parkinson's disease. Further, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling target gene GLP-1 was found to be suppressed by inactivation of β-catenin signaling accompanied by the CXXC5 overexpression in the brain tissues of patients having Alzheimer's disease and/or Parkinson's disease. Further, Wnt/β-catenin pathway target genes such as GLP-1, TCF7L2, and FOSL1 were found to be suppressed in patients diagnosed with AD and/or PD. Cxxc5.sup.−/− mice did not develop any phenotypes of neurodegenerative diseases including AD and/or PD. The results disclosed herein suggest that CXXC5 contributes to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, the instant disclosure provides a novel function of CXXC5-DVL interface that may lead to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases including, but are not limited to, AD and/or PD.

[0137] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions and methods for treating a condition and/or disease associated with neurodegenerative disease and/or a related clinical condition in a subject. In certain embodiments, compositions and methods disclosed herein concern suppression of a side effect of a therapeutic regime. Other embodiments relate to compositions and methods for treating a subject diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease or having a condition contributed to dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia, senile dementia, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Lewy body dementia (LBD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Huntington's disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or also known as Lou-Gehrig's disease), primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), progressive bulbar palsy (PBP), progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), pseudobulbar palsy, hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), cerebellar ataxia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and/or Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

[0138] Methods disclosed herein include a method of treating a clinical condition, comprising administering to a subject at least one therapeutically effective dose of any one of the compounds and/or compositions disclosed herein. The subject can be diagnosed with a clinical condition selected from and/or comprising a neurodegenerative disease or a similar condition thereof. In certain embodiments, the methods disclosed herein further comprise administering to the subject at plurality of therapeutically effective doses of any one of the compounds and/or compositions disclosed herein.

[0139] In some embodiments, compositions disclosed herein comprise at least one agent that inhibits CXXC5-DVL interface in a subject. Consistent with these embodiments, the at least one agent that inhibits CXXC5-DVL interface comprises at least one compound disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the at least one agent that inhibits CXXC5-DVL interface can disrupt conformation of the CXXC5-DVL interface physically and/or chemically. Yet in some embodiments, the at least one compound disclosed herein enhances the expression and/or the activity of GLP-1 in a subject.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

[0140] Pharmaceutical compositions provided by the present disclosure can comprise a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compositions disclosed herein, together with a suitable amount of one or more pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles to provide a composition for proper administration to a subject. Suitable pharmaceutical vehicles are described in the art.

[0141] Pharmaceutical compositions of the present disclosure suitable for oral administration can be presented as discrete units, such as a capsule, cachet, tablet, or lozenge, each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient; as a powder or granules; as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous liquid or non-aqueous liquid such as a syrup, elixir or a draught, or as an oil-in-water liquid emulsion or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion. The composition can also be presented as a bolus, electuary, or paste. A tablet can be made by compressing or moulding the active ingredient with the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Compressed tablets can be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine the active ingredient in a free-flowing form, such as a powder or granules, in admixture with, for example, a binding agent, an inert diluent, a lubricating agent, a disintegrating and/or a surface-active agent. Moulded tablets can be prepared by moulding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered active ingredient moistened with an inert liquid diluent. The tablets can optionally be coated or scored and can be formulated to provide slow or controlled release of the active ingredient.

[0142] Pharmaceutical compositions of the present disclosure suitable for parenteral administration include aqueous and non-aqueous sterile injection solutions, and can also include an antioxidant, buffer, a bacteriostat and a solution which renders the composition isotonic with the blood of the recipient, and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which can contain, for example, a suspending agent and a thickening agent. The formulations can be presented in a single unit-dose or multi-dose containers and can be stored in a lyophilized condition requiring the addition of a sterile liquid carrier prior to use.

[0143] Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include salts of compounds provided by the present disclosure that are safe and effective for use in mammals and that possess a desired therapeutic activity. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include salts of acidic or basic groups present in compounds provided by the present disclosure. Pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include, but are not limited to, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, nitrate, sulfate, bisulfate, phosphate, acid phosphate, isonicotinate, acetate, lactate, salicylate, citrate, tartrate, pantothenate, bitartrate, ascorbate, succinate, maleate, gentisinate, fumarate, gluconate, glucaronate, saccharate, formate, benzoate, glutamate, methanesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, benzensulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate and pamoate (i.e., 1,1′-methylene-bis-(2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate)) salts. Certain disclosed compounds may form pharmaceutically acceptable salts with various amino acids. Suitable base salts include, but are not limited to, aluminum, calcium, lithium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc, and diethanolamine salts. For additional information on some pharmaceutically acceptable salts that can be used to practice the methods described herein please review articles such as Berge, et al., 66 J. PHARM. SCI. 1-19 (1977), Haynes, et al, J. Pharma. Sci., Vol. 94, No. 10, October 2005, pgs. 2111-2120, and the like.

[0144] In some embodiments, the composition can contain pharmaceutically acceptable lubricant(s). The pharmaceutically acceptable lubricant(s) prevent the components of the pharmaceutical composition from clumping together and from sticking to the pellet press that generates the disclosed compositions. The lubricant(s) also ensure that the formation of the pellet, as well as its ejection from the pellet press, occurs with low friction between the composition and the wall of the die press. In some embodiments, the lubricant(s) are added to a pharmaceutical composition to improve processing characteristics, for example to help increase the flexibility of the compositions, thereby reducing breakage.

[0145] The type of lubricant that can be used in the disclosed pharmaceutical compositions can vary. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable lubricant is selected from talc, silica, vegetable stearin, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, calcium stearate, glyceryl behenate, glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl palmitostearate, mineral oil, polyethylene glycol, sodium stearyl fumarate, sodium lauryl sulfate, vegetable oil, zinc stearate, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable lubricant is stearic acid.

[0146] The type of vehicles that can be used in the disclosed pharmaceutical compositions can vary. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles are selected from binders, fillers and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle is selected from ascorbic acid, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30 (povidone K-30), glyceryl monostearate (GMS) or glyceryl monostearate salts, glyceryl behenate, glyceryl palmitostearate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, sugars, dextran, cornstarch, dibasic calcium phosphate, dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, calcium sulfate, dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, lactose, cellulose including microcrystalline cellulose, mannitol, sodium chloride, dry starch, pregelatinized starch, compressible sugar, mannitol, lactose monohydrate, starch, dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, calcium sulfate, dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, powdered cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, glucose, fructose, sucrose, mannose, dextrose, galactose, the corresponding sugar alcohols and other sugar alcohols, such as mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, and combinations of any of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle is polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30, also known as povidone K-30. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle is polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30, also known as povidone K-30, having an average molecular weight of MW of 40,000 (CAS 9003-39-8). In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle is selected from glyceryl monostearate (GMS) or glyceryl monostearate salts, glyceryl behenate and glyceryl palmitostearate. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle is glyceryl monostearate (GMS) or glyceryl monostearate salts. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle is glyceryl behenate. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle is glyceryl palmitostearate.

[0147] In some embodiments, the antioxidants prevent oxidation of the other components of the disclosed compositions. Oxidation can occur, for example, during sterilization where free radicals are generated. Addition of the antioxidants, or free radical scavengers, significantly reduces oxidation and makes the composition more pharmaceutically acceptable for use in subjects.

[0148] The type of antioxidants that can be used in the disclosed pharmaceutical compositions can vary. In some embodiments, the antioxidant is selected from methyl paraben and salts thereof, propyl paraben and salts thereof, vitamin E, vitamin E TPGS, propyl gallate, sulfites, ascorbic acid (aka L-ascorbic acid, also including the L-enantiomer of ascorbic acid, vitamin C), sodium benzoate, citric acid, cyclodextrins, peroxide scavengers, benzoic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and salts thereof, chain terminators (e.g., thiols and phenols), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and combinations thereof.

Uses or Methods of Treatment

[0149] The methods and compositions disclosed herein can be used to treat subjects suffering from neurodegenerative diseases, disorders, conditions, and symptoms for which inhibitors of CXXC5-DVL interface and/or GSKβ are known to provide or are later found to provide therapeutic benefit.

[0150] In some embodiments, methods disclosed herein include a method of treating a neurodegenerative disease or a clinical condition thereof, comprising administering to a subject at least one therapeutically effective dose of any of the compositions disclosed herein. The subject can be diagnosed with a clinical condition selected from and/or comprising dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia, senile dementia, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Lewy body dementia (LBD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Huntington's disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or also known as Lou-Gehrig's disease), primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), progressive bulbar palsy (PBP), progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), pseudobulbar palsy, hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), cerebellar ataxia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and/or Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), and/or any other conditions associated with, induced by, or that are already resistant to drug treatments, therapies and/or surgical treatments. In certain embodiments, the methods disclosed herein further comprise administering to the subject at least one additional therapeutically effective dose of any of the compositions disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the at least one therapeutically effective dose of any of the compositions disclosed herein can be administered orally, parenterally, subcutaneously, intravenously, by inhalation and/or transdermally.

[0151] Yet other embodiments can include methods for reducing a side effect of a therapeutic regime, comprising administering to a subject at least one therapeutically effective dose of at least one agent that inhibits CXXC5-DVL interface in a subject and/or that enhances the expression and/or activity of GLP-1; wherein the subject has received at least one therapeutic regime comprising drug treatments, surgery, therapy, and wherein the subject experiences at least one side effect derived from the therapeutic regime. Consistent with these embodiments, side effects can include, but are not limited to, drug-resistance and/or relapse.

Kits

[0152] In a further aspect, kits are provided by the present disclosure, such kits comprising: one or more pharmaceutical compositions, each composition sterilized within a container, means for administration of the pharmaceutical compositions to a subject, and instructions for use.

[0153] Some embodiments include kits for carrying out the methods disclosed herein. Such kits typically comprise two or more components required for treating a clinical condition. Components of the kit include, but are not limited to, one or more of agents/compositions disclosed herein, reagents, containers, equipment and/or instructions for using the kit. Accordingly, the compositions and methods described herein can be performed by utilizing pre-packaged kits disclosed herein.

EXAMPLES

[0154] The following examples illustrate various aspects of the disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, both to materials and methods, can be practiced without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0155] CXXC5-type zinc finger protein 5 (CXXC5) is a negative feedback regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway that functions via Disheveled (Dvl) binding. CXXC5 plays various pathophysiological roles involving regenerative tissue remodeling, especially at the specific pathophysiological status. However, the role of CXXC5 in the process of neurodegenerative diseases has not been defined yet. In the present disclosure, it was found unexpectedly that CXXC5 was highly expressed in brain tissues and/or peripheral blood of AD and/or PD patients, and thereby, experiencing reduced the expression of Wnt/β-catenin target genes such as GLP-1.

[0156] As disclosed herein, small molecules interfering CXXC-DVL protein-protein interaction (PPI) including, but are not limited to, A3334 and/or A3051, were identified and characterized as potential drugs that can improve expression and the activity of GLP-1 in patients diagnosed with AD and PD. The indirubin derivatives exerts these functions by activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling target genes involving metabolism including the GLP-1 via release of the negative feedback function of this pathway by CXXC5. Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to the use of indirubin analogs disclosed herein in inducing/activating GLP-1 in a subject, differentiating neural stem cells into dopamine producing neural cells and treating neurodegenerative diseases including AD and PD.

[0157] Bioinformatics data analysis. Cross-species comparison of CXXC5 and GLP-1 mRNA expression was performed in the space of molecular pathway gene sets from GEO databases and with statistically significant dysregulation defined by student's t-test in either of the two human Parkinson's disease and human/mouse Alzheimer's disease transcriptome datasets: normal (n=4) vs. Parkinson's disease patients (n=4) subjects, normal (n=13) vs. Alzheimer disease patients (n=13) subjects, and Control (n=7) vs. Pioglitazone (n=7).

[0158] Blood chemistry. Total blood of mice was collected by cardiac puncture. The blood was allowed to clot for 30 min and was then centrifuged for 30 min at 3,000×g to obtain supernatant to measure active GLP-1 concentration. ELISA assay kits were used to assess serum active GLP-1 (7-36).

[0159] Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Total RNA was extracted from ground tissue powder using TRIzol reagent (Invitrogen) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Reverse transcription was performed with M-MLV reverse transcriptase (Invitrogen) using 2 μg of total RNA. Synthesized cDNA was diluted to a concentration of 100 ng/μl. Quantitative PCR analyses were performed in the Rotor-gene Q real-time PCR cycler (Qiagen) using SYBR green reagent (Qiagen) with conditions of 95° C. for 10 min followed by 40 cycles at 95° C. for 5 s and 60° C. for 15 s. Relative quantification of mRNA levels was estimated using the comparative Ct method (ΔΔCt). Glp-1 mRNA values were normalized with respect to GAPDH.

[0160] Neural stem cell (NSCs) culture. NSCs were extracted from the forebrain of E14.5 rats and maintained in an undifferentiated state by culturing in medium containing 10 ng/ml of bFGF (Peprotech). Undifferentiated NSCs (1×10.sup.5) were treated with of each compound (10 μM) and cell morphology was assessed by capturing black and white images of the cells after 24 h.

[0161] Animals. The generation of Cxxc5.sup.−/− mice has been described previously. Cxxc5 heterozygous mice were intercrossed for four generations to obtain littermate wild-type and Cxxc5.sup.−/− mice and were maintained on a C57BL/6 background. Six-week-old Cxxc5.sup.+/+ and Cxxc5.sup.−/− mice were fed HFD for 8 weeks. Wild-type male C57BL/6 mice (KOATECH, Seoul, Korea) were fed HFD consisting of 60% calories from fat (Research Diet, D12492) for 8 weeks. To validate that the insulin resistance mouse model was successfully established, fasting glucose levels were assessed with a One Touch Ultra glucometer (LifeScan). Subsequently, each HFD-fed mouse with a fasting glucose level higher than 16.7 mmol/L was orally administered A3334 (25 mg kg.sup.−1), sitagliptin (50 mg kg.sup.−1), or metformin (100 mg kg.sup.−1) each day for 5 days at weeks 8 and 12. After the removal of the drugs, mice were maintained for 3 weeks on the HFD. To monitor pancreas regeneration, six-week-old Cxxc5.sup.+/+ and Cxxc5.sup.−/− mice were fed an HFD as above. After dietary treatment for 4 weeks, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with STZ (50 mg/kg/d) for 1 week and the control group were injected with saline. After 2 weeks, Cxxc5.sup.+/+ mice were administered A3334 or A3051 (25 mg kg.sup.−1) and sitagliptin (50 mg kg.sup.−1) per day by oral gavage for 4 weeks.

[0162] Dvl-CXXC5 in vitro binding assay. For the Dvl-CXXC5 in vitro binding assay, 100 μl of 5 mg/ml purified Dvl PDZ domain was added into 96-well Maxibinding Immunoplate (SPL) and incubated overnight in a 4° C. chamber. After washing with PBS, 10 μM PolyR-DBM.sup.37 was added to each well and incubated for 3 h at room temperature. After washing with PBS, 100 μl of 1, 5, and 10 μM A3334 in PBS was added to each well and incubated for 1 h at room temperature. After washing with PBS three times, the fluorescence of each well was measured using a Fluorstar Optima microplate reader (BGM Lab Technologies). A3334 used in screening were designed and synthesized by Dr Gyoonhee Han (Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea).

[0163] Western blot assay. H4 and H4/SWE Cells were ground with a mortar and pestle before lysis in RIPA buffer (150 mM NaCl, 10 mM Tris, pH 7.2, 0.1% SDS, 1.0% Triton X-100, 1% sodium deoxycholate, and 5 mM EDTA). Samples were separated on 6-12% SDS polyacrylamide gels and transferred onto PROTRAN nitrocellulose membranes (Schleicher and Schuell Co.). The membranes were blocked with PBS containing 5% non-fat dry skim milk and 0.07% (vol/vol) Tween 20 and incubated with antibody specific for β-catenin (1:1,000, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.), CXXC5 (1:500, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.), p-GSK3β(S9) (1:500, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.). The membranes were then incubated with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-rabbit (1:5,000, Bio-Rad Laboratories) or anti-mouse (1:5000, Cell Signaling Technology) IgG secondary antibody. Protein bands were visualized with enhanced chemiluminescence (GE Healthcare) using a luminescent image analyzer, LAS-3000 (Fujifilm). Western blot bands were analyzed using Multi-Gauge V3.0 software (Fujifilm).

[0164] Immunocytochemical analysis. H4 or H4/SWE cells treated with each compound were washed with PBS and fixed in 4% (wt/vol) paraformaldehyde (PFA) in PBS for 15 min at room temperature. The cells were then washed with PBS and permeabilized with 0.1% (vol/vol) Triton X-100 in PBS for 15 min. After washing with PBS, the cells were incubated with 10% bovine serum albumin (BSA) in PBS for 30 min and then with antibodies specific for β-catenin (1:100; BD) overnight at 4° C. The cells were washed in PBS and incubated with Alexa Fluor 488—conjugated IgG secondary antibody (1:400; Molecular Probes) at room temperature for 1 h. Cell nuclei were counterstained with DAPI for 10 min and the stained samples were examined under a LSM510 META microscope.

[0165] Human Aβ42 ELISA assay. H4 or H4/SWE cells were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM, Gibco) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and grown to confluence in a 5% CO.sub.2 and 95% air humidified atmosphere. The cells were seeded in 6-well plate in DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS and allowed to adhere overnight. The cells were treated with each compound (1˜20 uM) for 24 h and collected in 1 ml of medium. The samples were treated with protease inhibitor cocktail (PIC) to avoid the degradation of Amyloid β by protease and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 3 min. Experiments were performed according to the guidance of Human Aβ42 ELISA Kit protocol (Invitrogen). The amount of secreted Amyloid β was normalized by measuring total protein concentration.

[0166] Statistical analysis. Data are presented as means±standard deviation (SD). Statistical analyses were performed using unpaired two-tailed Student's t-test. Asterisks denote statistically significant differences (*, P<0.05; **, P<0.01; ***, P<0.005).

5,6-dichloroindirubin-3′-methoxime (A3051)

[0167] ##STR00020##

5-methoxylindirubin-3′-oxim (A3334)

[0168] ##STR00021##

Indirubin-3′-oxime (I3O or IO)

[0169] ##STR00022##

6-Bromoindirubin-3′-oxime (BIO)

[0170] ##STR00023##

Indirubin

[0171] ##STR00024##

5,6-dichloroindirubin-3′-propyloxim (A3486)

[0172] ##STR00025##

5.6-chloroindirubin-3′-benzyloxime (A3538)

[0173] ##STR00026##

(Z)-5′-bromo-6′-nitro-[2,3′-biindolinylidene]-2′,3-dione (A2785)

[0174] ##STR00027##

6-Nitro-5-trifuloromethoxyindirubin-3′-methoxime (A2794)

[0175] ##STR00028##

5-trifluoromethoxyindirubin-3′-ehtyloxime (A4733)

[0176] ##STR00029##

5-trifluoromethoxyindirubin-3′-benzyloxime (A4735)

[0177] ##STR00030##

[0178] Screening for compounds that inhibit the CXXC5-DVL interaction. To initially identify small molecules that inhibited the CXXC5-DVL interaction, chemical libraries (2,280 compounds: 1,000 from ChemDiv and 1,280 from SigmaLOPAC) were screened by in vitro binding assay that was previously described. See e.g., Kim et al. (2015) CXXC5 is a negative-feedback regulator of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway involved in osteoblast differentiation. CELL. DEATH. DIFFER. 22, 912-920. Briefly, 5 mg/ml purified DVL-PDZ domain was incubated in each well of a 96-well Maxibinding Immunoplate (SPL, Seoul, Korea) at 4° C. for 16 h. After the addition of 10 μM FITC-tagged PTD-DBMP to each well, each compound in the chemical library or control (DMSO) was treated to the well at a final concentration of 30 μM. The fluorescence intensity was measured using a Fluorstar Optima microplate reader (BGM Lab Technologie, Ortenberg, Germany) and normalized as follows: “(‘compounds-treated group’−‘blank’)/(‘DMSO-treated control’−‘blank’)*100”.

[0179] Nineteen compounds were selected as initial hits which suppress the CXXC5-DVL (PZD-DVL-PTD-DBMP (FITC) interaction more than 90%, and their capabilities of activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway was confirmed by using the HEK293 cells harboring the pTOPFlash reporter in its chromosome. Among these compounds, indirubin analogs including BIO and I3O were identified. A summary of the high-throughput screening results is provided in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Summary of high-throughput screening results Category Parameter Description Assay Type of assay In vitro binding assay Target CXXC5-DVL interaction Primary measurement Fluorescence intensity Key reagents FITC-tagged PTD-DBM peptide and DVL-PZD domain protein Assay protocol The protocol was provided in “Small molecule inhibitors of the Dishevelled-CXXC5 interaction are new drug candidates” Library Library size 2280 compounds assayed in 96-well plates as Library composition single compounds at 10 mM in DMSO Source Small molecules ChemDiv and Sigma LOPAC 1280 Screen Format 96-well black polystyrene plates Concentration(s) tested Constant 30 μM concentration, 0.3% DMSO Plate controls DMSO-treated group Reagent/compound Reagents and compounds were dispensed dispensing system manually Detection instrument and FLUOstar OPTIMA (BMG LABTECH) software Assay validation/QC Z-factor > 0.7 Correction factors N/A Normalization The sample result was normalized to positive control and is represented as % CXXC5-DVL interaction Post-HTS Hit criteria <10% inhibition analysis Hit rate 1%

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 List of top-ranked compounds screened through an in vitro CXXC5-DVL PPI inhibition assay using chemical libraries that includes 2,280 small molecules CXXC5-DVL Empirical inhibitory Compound Structure Formula activity (%) 1 [00031] C.sub.18H.sub.16N.sub.4O.sub.3 85.25 2 [00032] C.sub.16H.sub.16F.sub.3N.sub.3O.sub.4 90.63 3 [00033] C.sub.17H.sub.15N.sub.3O.sub.4S 88.19 4 [00034] C.sub.20H.sub.19FN.sub.2O.sub.3 87.58 5 [00035] C.sub.14H.sub.7Br.sub.2NO.sub.5S.sub.2 90.48 6 [00036] C.sub.22H.sub.26N.sub.4O.sub.3S 58.24 7 [00037] C.sub.25H.sub.24N.sub.2O.sub.6 90.87 8 [00038] C.sub.16H.sub.10BrN.sub.3O.sub.2 103 9 [00039] C.sub.17H.sub.17NO.sub.3•HBr 89.41 10 [00040] C.sub.9H.sub.11NO.sub.5 90.32 11 [00041] C.sub.13H.sub.10O.sub.5 90.05 12 [00042] C.sub.16H.sub.11N.sub.3O.sub.2 89 13 [00043] C.sub.15H.sub.10O.sub.8 85.22 14 [00044] C.sub.10H.sub.13NO.sub.4 85.22 15 [00045] C.sub.15H.sub.10O.sub.7 • xH.sub.2O 85.41 16 [00046] C.sub.23H.sub.27N.sub.3O.sub.7 • HCl 87.9 17 [00047] C.sub.14H.sub.12O.sub.4 85.25 18 [00048] C.sub.19H.sub.27NO.sub.3 • HCl 86.81 19 [00049] C.sub.34H.sub.34N.sub.4O.sub.4 89.44

[0180] Indirubin analog compounds (#8 and #12; Table 2) were repeatedly identified as CXXC5-DVL inhibitors and showed effectiveness in the activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway using reporter assay. To obtain functionally improved compound, about 60 indirubin derivatives were newly synthesized by replacing the functional groups at the R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 sites of the indirubin backbone based on the structure of indribin-3′-oxim (I3O) (#12; Table 2). Newly synthesized indirubin derivatives are described in Tables 3-5 and the structures of these compounds are shown FIG. 11 and FIG. 12.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 List of chemically synthesized compounds shown to at least partially inhibit the activity of CXXC5-DVL. C: control R1 R2 Compound # IUPAC name 4 5 6 7 3′ C Indirubin Indirubin H H H H O 1 A2735 6-Chloro-5-nitroindirubin H NO.sub.2 Cl H O 2 A2736 6-Chloro-5-nitro indirubin-3′-oxime H NO.sub.2 Cl H NOH 3 A2941 5,6-dichloroindirubin H Cl Cl H O 4 A3050 5,6-dichloroindirubin-3′-oxime H Cl Cl H NOH 5 A3051 5,6-dichloroindirubin-3′-methoxime H Cl Cl H NOCH.sub.3 6 A3471 5,6-dichloroindirubin-3′-ethyloxime H Cl Cl H NOCH.sub.2CH.sub.3 7 A3486 5,6-dichloroindirubin-3′-propyloxime H Cl Cl H NOCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.3 8 A2813 6-Chloroindirubin H H Cl H O 9 A2853 6-Chloroindirubin-3′-oxime H H Cl H NOH 10 A2793 6-Chloroindirubin-3′-methoxime H H Cl H NOCH.sub.3 11 A3473 6-Chloroindirubin-3′-ethyloxime H H Cl H NOCH.sub.2CH.sub.3 12 A3481 6-Chloroindirubin-3′-propyloxime H H Cl H NOCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.3 13 A3538 6-Chloroidirubin-3′-benzyloxime H H Cl H NOCH.sub.2Ph 14 A2851 5-Chloroindirubin H Cl H H O 15 A3439 5-Chloroindirubin-3′-oxime H Cl H H NOH 16 A3440 5-Chloroindirubin-3′-methoxime H Cl H H NOCH.sub.3 17 A3470 5-Chloroindirubin-3′-ethyloxime H Cl H H NOCH.sub.2CH.sub.3 18 A3485 5-Chloroindirubin-3′-propyloxime H Cl H H NOCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.3 19 A3536 5-Chloroindirubin-3′-benzyloxime H Cl H H NOCH.sub.2Ph 20 A3331 5-Methoxyindirubin H OCH.sub.3 H H O 21 A3334 5-Methoxyindirubin-3′-oxime H OCH.sub.3 H H NOH 22 A3441 5-Methoxyindirubin-3′-methoxime H OCH.sub.3 H H NOCH.sub.3 23 A3484 5-Methoxy indirubin-3′-ethyloxime H OCH.sub.3 H H NOCH.sub.2CH.sub.3 24 A3483 5-Methoxyindirubin-3′-proyloxime H OCH.sub.3 H H NOCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2 25 A3330 5-Methylindirubin H CH.sub.3 H H O 26 A3335 5-Methylindirubin-3′-oxime H CH.sub.3 H H NOH 27 A3442 5-Methylindirubin-3′-methoxime H CH.sub.3 H H NOCH.sub.3 28 A3533 5-Methylindirubin-3′-ethyloxime H CH.sub.3 H H NOCH.sub.2CH.sub.3 29 A3534 5-Methylindirubin-3′-propyloxime H CH.sub.3 H H NOCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2 30 A3535 5-Methylindirubin-3′-benzyloxime H CH.sub.3 H H NOCH.sub.2Ph

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 List of chemically synthesized compounds shown to at least partially inhibit the activity of CXXC5-DVL. C: control R1 R2 Compound # IUPAC name 4 5 6 7 3′ C I3O Indirubin-3′-oxime H H H H NOH 31 A3332 5-Bromoindirubin H Br H H O 32 A3390 5-bromoindirubin-3′-oxime H Br H H NOH 33 A3391 5-bromoindirubin-3′-methoxime H Br H H NOCH.sub.3 34 A3472 5-bromoindirubin-3′-ethyloxime H Br H H NOCH.sub.2CH.sub.3 35 A3482 5-bromoindirubin-3′-propyloxime H Br H H NOCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.3 36 A3537 5-bromoindirubin-3′-benzyloxime H Br H H NOCH.sub.2Ph 37 A2784 5-Chloro-6-nitroindirubin H Cl NO.sub.2 H O 38 A2848 5-Chloro-6-nitroindirubin-3′-oxime H Cl NO.sub.2 H NOH 39 A3049 5-Chloro-6-nitroindirubin-3′-methoxime H Cl NO.sub.2 H NOCH.sub.3 40 A2849 5-Nitroindirubin H H NO.sub.2 H O 41 A2854 5-Nitroindirubin-3′-oxime H H NO.sub.2 H NOH 42 A3333 5-Trifluoromethoxyindirubin H OCF.sub.3 H H O 43 A3392 5-Trifluoromethoxyindirubin H OCF.sub.3 H H NOH 44 A3393 5-Trifluoromethoxyindirubin-3′-methoxime H OCF.sub.3 H H NOCH.sub.3 45 A2942 6 -Methylindirubin H H CH.sub.3 H O 46 A2943 6-Methylindirubin-3′-oxime H H CH.sub.3 H NOH 47 A2944 6-Methylindirubin-3′-methoxime H H CH.sub.3 H NOCH.sub.3 48 A2852 6-Methyl-5-nitroindirubin H NO.sub.2 CH.sub.3 H O 49 A3336 6-Methyl-5-nitroindirubin-3′-oxime H NO.sub.2 CH.sub.3 H NOH 50 A3337 6-Methyl-5-nitroindirubin-3′-methoxime H NO.sub.2 CH.sub.3 H NOCH.sub.3 51 A2802 6-Nitro-5-Trifluoromethoxyindirubin H OCF.sub.3 NO.sub.2 H O 52 A2801 6-Nitro-5-trifluoromethoxyindirubin-3′-oxime H OCF.sub.3 NO.sub.2 H NOH 53 A2794 6-Nitro-5-trifluoromethoxyindirubin-3′-methoxime H OCF.sub.3 NO.sub.2 H NOCH.sub.3 54 A3307 Indirubin-7-carboxylic acid H H H COOH O 55 A3309 Indirubin-7-carboxylic acid-3′-oxime H H H COOH NOH 56 A3308 7-Trifluoromethylindirubin H H H CF.sub.3 O 57 A3310 7-Trifluoromethylindirubin-3′-oxime H H H CF.sub.3 NOH 58 A3311 4-Bromoindirubin Br H H H O 59 A2783 4-Bromoindirubin-3′-oxime Br H H H NOH 60 A3312 4-Chloroindirubin H H H H O

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 List of chemically synthesized compounds shown to at least partially inhibit the activity of CXXC5-DVL No. Compound # IUPAC Name 3′ moiety 1 A4664 5-Fluoroindirubin O 2 A4665 5-Fluoroindirubin-3′-oxime NOH 3 A4666 6-Bromoindirubin O 4 A4667 6-Bromoindirubin-3′-oxime NOH

[0181] The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a role in the pathological process, and its response genes can be used as therapeutic targets for the metabolic diseases. CXXC5-type zinc finger protein 5 (CXXC5), a negative regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway functioning via Disheveled (Dvl) binding. As provided herein, the functional role of CXXC5 in neurodegenerative diseases and the relationship between CXXC5 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling were investigated in human brain tissue, blood, and a mouse model. CXXC5 is unexpectedly overexpressed in brain and central nervous systems in AD and/or PD patients.

[0182] Relative mRNA expression of GLP-1 and other Wnt/β-catenin signaling target genes in Cxxc5.sup.−/− mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) were increased. These results provided herein suggest CXXC5 as a therapeutic target for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. A small molecule inhibiting the CXXC5-Dvl interaction restored the phenotypes as observed in HFD-fed Cxxc5.sup.−/− mice. Administration of at least one of compounds and/or compositions described herein increased serum active GLP-1 levels of HFD-fed mice. In contrast to the effect of the DDP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin, the increase in serum active GLP-1 levels were significantly higher in HFD-fed, STZ-induced diabetes mice. Overall, inhibition of CXXC5 activity by a small molecule-mediated interference of Dvl binding can be a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases including AD and PD.

[0183] Elevated CXXC5 levels and reduced GLP-1 levels in the brains of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's and/or Parkinson's disease. Referring now to FIG. 1A-1B, the expression of CXXC5 was significantly increased in the peripheral blood or blood mononuclear cells of the patients diagnosed with AD or PD while the expression of GLP-1 in these patients were significantly lower than the healthy control. Pioglitazone, a diabetes drug designed to control CEBPα/PPARβ, suppressed the expression of CXXC5, indicating that inhibitory effect by CXXC5 overexpression in the neurodegenerative diseases can be suppressed by controlling diabetes (FIG. 1C). Overall, these results provide that GLP-1 expression can be suppressed by CXXC5 overexpression, which inhibits the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by the mechanism of CXXC5-DVL PPI.

[0184] GLP-1 mRNA expression is lower in epididymal white adipose tissue (epiWAT), pancreas, and intestine of the mice fed with HFD compared to the mice fed with normal Chow diet (NCD). Referring now to FIG. 2A-2C, relative expression levels of GLP-1 and other Wnt/β-catenin signaling target genes (Tcf712, Axin2, Dvl1, Wisp1, and Fosl1) in epiWAT were reduced when Cxxc5.sup.+/+ mice were fed on high fat diet (HFD) as compared to those in Cxxc5.sup.+/+ mice on normal Chow diet (NCD). When Cxxc5.sup.−/− mice were fed on HFD, the relative expression levels of GLP-1 and other Wnt/β-catenin signaling target genes (Tcf712, Axin2, Dvl1, Wisp1, and Fosl1) in epiWAT were restored (FIG. 2B). Treatment with A3334 restored the phenotypes as observed in HFD-fed Cxxc5.sup.−/− mice while the sitagliptin treatment did not (FIG. 2C).

[0185] Serum active GLP-1 level was restored in Cxxc5.sup.−/− HFD-mice or STZ induced Cxxc5.sup.−/− HFD-mice. Diabetes is one of the major metabolic diseases and the current clinically available drugs including sulfonylureas, SGLT2 inhibitors, PPARγ agonists, DPP4 inhibitors, and biguanides can control blood glucose levels by acting on peripheral insulin target tissues such as the pancreas, intestine, muscle, and liver. One example of drug candidates, A3334, which restores the suppressed Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the diet-induced obesity and diabetes models, showed an initial temporal effect similar to that of the major anti-diabetes drugs, the DPP4 inhibitor sitagliptin and the biguanide medication metformin (data not shown). Referring now to FIG. 3A-3B, low serum active GLP-1 levels induced by HFD were restored in both Cxxc5.sup.−/− mice and STZ-induced diabetic Cxxc5.sup.−/− mice. The A3334 treatment in both HFD-mice and STZ-induced diabetic HFD-mice restored the serum active GLP-1 levels to the levels comparable to the mice fed on NCD. Sitagliptin, the anti-diabetes drug designed stabilize GLP-1 by DPP4 inhibition, was also used as a positive control. The A3334 treatment significantly rescued (increased) active GLP-1 expression in blood serum when compared to the effect observed from the sitagliptin treatment.

[0186] Serum active GLP-1 level was restored in CCl.sub.4 induced Cxxc5.sup.−/− HFD-mice. Referring now to FIG. 5, HFD and CCl.sub.4 induced suppression of serum active GLP-1 level was restored by the CXXC5 knock out in a NASH mouse model. The treatment with A3334 or A3051 significantly rescued (increased) active GLP-1 expression in blood serum and mimicked the effects observed by the CXXC5 knock out. However, treatment with selonsertib and ocaliva did not have any effect (FIG. 6A-6B).

[0187] A3051 induced neural differentiation of the rat neuronal stem cells (NSCs). Referring now to FIG. 7A-7B, NSCs were isolated form E14 mice embryos, and maintained in the maintenance medium (supplemented) with bFGF and EGF. The neuronal differentiation was induced by treating different concentrations of A3051. Cell morphologies were captured at 24 hours after treatment of the indirubin analog 3051 using a bright-field optical microscope.

[0188] Elevated CXXC5 levels and reduced β-catenin levels in the APP Swedish mutant neuroglioma H4 cell line. Referring now to FIG. 8A-8B, expression of CXXC5 and β-catenin was confirmed using H4/SWE cells with a Swedish mutation (K595N/M1596L) of amyloid precursor protein (APP-swe) that causes early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Western blot analyses showed that the H4/SWE cell line had lower expression levels of β-catenin, GSK3 inactive form (p-GSK3β (S9)) and higher expression level of CXXC5 than the H4 WT cell line.

[0189] Several indirubin analog compounds, including A3051 and A3334, increased the level and nuclear translocation of β-catenin in H4/SWE cells. Referring now to FIG. 9A-9B, H4/SWE cells showed lower β-catenin expression compared to H4 WT cells. Several compounds including A3334, A3051, indirubin, I3O, and BIO restored the level of β-catenin lowered in H4/SWE cells and increased p-GSK3β (S9) as shown by western blot analyses (FIG. 9A). A3334 and A3051 also decreased the level of CXXC5 in these cells (FIG. 9A). Immunocytochemical analyses also demonstrated that several indirubin analog compounds, especially A3334 and A3051, increased the nuclear translocation of β-catenin in H4/SWE cells (FIG. 9B).

[0190] A3051 and A3334 suppressed elevated Aβ-42 secretion in H4/SWE cells. Referring now to FIG. 10, treatment with A3051 and A3334, especially A3051, inhibited the secretion of Aβ-42 in H4/SWE cells.

[0191] While the novel technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the novel technology are desired to be protected. As well, while the novel technology was illustrated using specific examples, theoretical arguments, accounts, and illustrations, these illustrations and the accompanying discussion should by no means be interpreted as limiting the technology. All patents, patent applications, and references to texts, scientific treatises, publications, and the like referenced in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the extent they are not inconsistent with the explicit teachings of this specification.