Experimental Evaluation of the Antiarrhythmic Effect of Epigalloxatechin-3-Gallate in Cardiac Channelopathies
Swiss partners
- Universität von Bern: Hugues Abriel (main applicant)
Partners in the MENA region
- Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco: Mohamed Yassine Amarouch (main applicant)
Présentation du projet
To initiate the current project, theoretical methods were used to investigate the interaction mode between cell membrane and Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG). In this line, molecular dynamic simulations were carried out in collaboration with Prof Lucie Delmotte, Department of Applied Physics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden. Project experiments were performed by Prof Amarouch (the Moroccan PI) in the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (IBMM), University of Bern, Switzerland. Prof Amarouch has joined Prof Abriel’s Lab (the main Swiss applicant) as a guest scientist for 3 months (From June to August 2019). During his stay in Switzerland, the Moroccan PI characterized the pharmacological and biophysical effects of EGCG on the cardiac sodium channel Nav1.5, evaluated the potential antiarrhythmic effect of EGCG in the context of cardiac channelopathies. To this aim, the gain-offunction mutation Nav1.5-p.I141V, associated with an exercise induced polymorphic ventricular tachycardia phenotype, was studied.
Besides the main project (EGCG effect on the cardiac sodium channels), Prof Amarouch has worked on an ongoing project, which is in its first life-span stages in his own institution. This project aims to investigate the effects of activated charcoal, produced by the MENA partner laboratory, on mercury-induced toxicity in a biological context. Moreover, a new collaborative project has been initiated between the two partners. This project focuses on the pharmacological characterization of Ajuga iva (AI) extract on cardiac electrophysiology. This medicinal plant is considered as a panacea in Moroccan pharmacopoeia. Preliminary results have revealed a powerful pharmacological effect of AI on mice electrocardiogram. Based on these promising scientific results, the two partners plead in favour of future collaboration. Finally, as a guest scientist in the IBMM, Prof Amarouch participated to the mini-symposium, organized by Prof Abriel on July 3, 2019. In this meeting, the Moroccan PI shared with Swiss scientists the experience of Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taza in teaching cardiac electrophysiology using computational approaches.
Article published in Molecules (2020)
Episode of the podcast "Sabbatique en Afrique francophone" (2020-2024)