Current Medicinal Chemistry - Volume 7, Issue 6, 2000

Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) is the administration of therapeutic agents through intact skin for systemic effect. TDD offers several advantages over the conventional dosage forms such as tablets, capsules and injections. Currently there are about eight drugs marketed as transdermal patches. Examples of such products include nitroglycerin (angina pectoris), clonidine (hypertension), scopolamine (motion sickness), nic Read More

Thromboxane A 2 (TXA 2 ) and prostacyclin (PGI 2 ) are two labile products formed from arachidonic acid by the way of cyclooxygenase. An overproduction of thromboxane A 2 has been detected in a series of diseases whereby this prostanoid is assumed to contribute to the underlying pathomechanisms by its potent stimulation of platelet aggregation and smooth muscle contraction. This increased TXA 2 biosynthesis is Read More

This review summarizes our knowledge of biochemical, biological and medical applications and properties of phosphinic acid compounds. Phosphinic acid compounds (phosphinates) are derivatives of phosphinic acid H 2 P(O)(OH). The major attention of this article is focused on applications of phosphinates of a pseudopeptide character, however interesting examples of phosphinates of a non-peptide nature are Read More

The discovery of medicinal agents capable of specifically inhibiting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is urgently needed due to its globally widespread infection. Most of clinically useful anti-HIV agents are nucleosides but their use is limited due to their severe toxicity and emerging drug resistance. More than 50% of world marketed drugs have their origin of the nature. Natural products, of which structural diversity is so b Read More

Rational drug design utilizing available X-ray crystal structures of sialic acid analogues bound to the active site of influenza virus neuraminidase has led to the discovery of a series of potent carbocyclic influenza neuraminidase inhibitors. From this series, GS 4104 (oseltamivir, TAMIFLU) has emerged as a promising antiviral for the treatment and prophylaxis of human influenza infection. This article will summarize the design, Read More