Medicinal Chemistry Reviews - Online (Discontinued) - Volume 2, Issue 1, 2005

Several antiresorptive agents have been developed for the treatment of osteoporosis and bone disorders. Few agents have been introduced that stimulate bone formation. Treatment with parathyroid hormone induces, however, a potent increase in hip and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) and is now available in some countries. The present review focuses on growth hormone (GH) / GH secretagogues (GHSs). GH / GHSs sti Read More

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) represents a functional interface between the blood stream and the neuronal microenvironment. Distinct cellular and molecular features of brain microvessel endothelial cells result in barrier and carrier functions that guarantee exclusion of adverse components such as neurotoxic metabolites on the one hand and selective passage of essential nutrients on the other hand. The retina, as an integr Read More

The metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) system plays a critical role to foster the proper development of an organism. Yet, what has unfolded over the last decade is the vital interplay between the mGluR system and the fate of a cell during both acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders. Through the coupling to guanosine-nucleotide-binding proteins, the mGluR system drives a series of cellular pathways that im Read More

The inflammation in the airways of allergic patients is the result of a complex process involving several cytokines. Modulation of the effect of these cytokines can provide alternative and more specific treatment approach to currently widely used systemic immunosuppression by glucocorticoids. Theoretically, cytokine modulation can be achieved via several pathways, including inhibition of released cytokines by using antibodies o Read More

Both epidemiological and laboratory studies have suggested an inverse association between consumption of green tea and the prevalence of some cancers. The anti-tumorigenicity of green tea has been related to its content of specific polyphenols. The molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer and antiangiogenic effects of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) are currently under intensive investigation. The purpose of this ar Read More

Although the aetiology of drug psychosis or schizophrenia is still unknown, molecular and biochemical researches have recently made significant advances in the search for the candidate genes of these disorders. Among such studies are animal models of drug psychosis or schizophrenia such as amphetamine-induced behavioural sensitisation or phencyclidine-treated animals. In this review, it is suggested that amphetamine or Read More

Two recent lines of data open the way to development of subunit vaccines. It is now clearly established that ligands of TLR or signalling receptors of DCs could be used as potent adjuvants for vaccination purposes. In addition, it is possible to potentiate DNA vaccines by including cytokine genes.

Chemotherapy is currently the most important medical modality of treatment of cancer. Several studies have shown that most, if not all, chemotherapeutic agents exert their anticancer activity by inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death). Although successful treatment of some malignancies has been achieved, most of solid tumors are scarcely responsive to chemotherapeutic agents. The progress made in the a Read More

The most established nucleic acid based approach to gene suppression at the RNA level is through antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs). These compounds form heteroduplex with target RNA, which are thought to either block its function or mediate its destruction by activation of RNase H. Alternatively, RNA can be targeted by catalytic RNA such as the hammerhead ribozyme. Ribozymes have the advantage of being equipp Read More