# 11C-Labeling of a Flavanone Extracted from a South American Native Species for Evaluation of Its Interaction with GSK-3β

## TL;DR

Scientists labeled a natural compound from a South American plant with carbon-11 to study its interaction with a key enzyme linked to neurodegenerative diseases.

## Contribution

The synthesis and evaluation of an 11C-labeled derivative of glabranin for GSK-3β interaction studies.

## Key findings

- The 11C-labeled glabranin derivative interacts with GSK-3β in vitro.
- The compound shows potential as a radiotracer for studying bioactive compounds.
- It exhibits neuronal uptake in Alzheimer’s-affected brain regions.

## Abstract

Natural products play a crucial role in drug discovery, primarily due to their structural complexity. The prenylated flavanone glabranin ((S)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-2-phenylchroman-4-one), isolated from the Dalea elegans plant species, has demonstrated neuroprotective effects, attributed to its inhibition of GSK-3β, as per our previous in silico studies. Given the enzyme’s diverse functions and its potential as a target for neurodegenerative diseases, our group synthesized and evaluated an 11C-labeled derivative of glabranin. We present its in vitro biological activity, including IC50, neuronal uptake in Alzheimer’s-affected brain regions, key physicochemical properties, and animal studies. This study confirms [11C]FLA’s interaction with GSK-3β in vitro, highlighting the potential of radiotracers in bioactive compound research.