Current Medicinal Chemistry - Volume 23, Issue 6, 2016

In the late 1980s, reports emerged describing experimental antibacterial quinolones having significant potency against eukaryotic Type II topoisomerases (topo II) and showing cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines. As a result, several pharmaceutical companies initiated quinolone anticancer programs to explore the potential of this class in comparison to conventional human topo II inhibiting antitumor drugs such a Read More

Janus kinase-2 (JAK2) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase signaling molecule that mediates the effects of various hormones and cytokines, including interferon, erythropoietin, leptin, and growth hormone. It also fosters tumor growth and modifies the activity of several nutrient transporters. JAK2 contributes to the regulation of the cell volume, protectS cells during energy depletion, proliferation, and aids the survival of tumor cells. Read More

Biomaterials play a vital role in the field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. To date, a large number of biomaterials have been used in cardiovascular research and application. Recently, biomaterials have held a lot of promise in cardiac stem cell therapy. They are used in cardiac tissue engineering to form scaffolds for cellular transplantation, promote angiogenesis, enhance transplanted cell engraftment or influe Read More

Animal venoms are a mixture of bioactive compounds produced as weapons and used primarily to immobilize and kill preys. As a result of the high potency and specificity for various physiological targets, many toxins from animal venoms have emerged as possible drugs for the medication of diverse disorders, including cardiovascular diseases. Captopril, which inhibits the angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE), was the first succ Read More

The overproduction of cortisol is associated with many severe and life-threatening diseases, such as Cushing’s syndrome (CS) and chronic wound healing. 11β-Hydroxylase (CYP11B1) is considered as an attractive target for treating these diseases, since it is a key enzyme responsible for the last step in cortisol biosynthesis. Nowadays, medical therapy has become increasingly important for CS patients, especially for those wh Read More