Current Drug Targets - Volume 1, Issue 3, 2000

Calcium flow through the ion channel of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) has been implicated as contributing to a variety of neuropathologies. This receptor is a complex heteromeric oligomer consisting of different types of subunits, the nature of which governs its properties, as well as its response to a variety of agonists, antagonists, and other types of inhibitors. A new natural series of NMDAR inhi Read More

Phenothiazines and its related compounds have shown diverse biological activities including psychotropic, anticancer and other pharmacological activities. Recent studies have suggested the possible interactions between phenothiazines and their physiological targets or potential receptors. New types of phenothiazine, such as half-mustard type phenothiazines and benzo[a]phenothiazines, have been synthesized. These comp Read More

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem, particularly in older men. The production of penile erection involves an interplay between autonomic nerves and locally released vasoactive mediators. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a peptide released from endothelium in the corpus cavernosum, which causes smooth muscle contraction. Recent studies have investigated the physiological significance of ET-1 in the control of erectil Read More

Over the last 30 years or so, the incidence of invasive fungal infections in man has risen dramatically. Patients that become severely immunocompromised because of underlying diseases such as leukemia or recently, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or patients who undergo cancer chemotherapy or organ transplantation, are particularly susceptible to opportunistic fungal infections. Although Candida species Read More

Abnormal platelet reactivity has been linked to unstable angina, myocardial infarction, post angioplasty stenosis, cerebral ischemia, thrombotic stroke and a variety of inflammatory vascular disorders associated with transplantation. Drugs that inhibit blood coagulation, promote fibrinolysis or block platelet activation are important therapeutic agents in cardiovascular medicine. However, many of the current antiplatelet modalit Read More

Chronic interstitial lung diseases including pneumoconiosis have pathological characteristics which alter the lung structure and function consequent to the accumulation and activation of inflammatory cells in the lower respiratory tract. These activated cells usually secrete the inflammatory and fibrogenic mediators. Of the diffuse parenchymal lung diseases, the majority have no known etiology and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (I Read More