Natural Bisbenzylisoquinoline Derivatives Protect Zebrafish Lateral Line Sensory Hair Cells from Aminoglycoside Toxicity

In a study aimed at preventing hearing loss caused by aminoglycoside antibiotics, researchers screened a library of 502 natural compounds using the larval zebrafish lateral line model, which is analogous to mammalian inner ear hair cells. They discovered four bisbenzylisoquinoline derivatives—berbamine, E6 berbamine, hernandezine, and isotetrandrine—that effectively protected hair cells from aminoglycoside-induced damage. These compounds were shown to reduce the uptake of antibiotics into hair cells without compromising the antibiotics' effectiveness against infections. The study demonstrated that hair cells remained functional during and after treatment with E6 berbamine, suggesting these natural derivatives could be potential otoprotective agents for patients undergoing aminoglycoside therapy.