Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry - Volume 6, Issue 3, 2006

Chemicals and metal ions often induce allergic contact dermatitis. We review here recent advances in the development of in vitro assays for prediction of skin sensitizing potency based on chemical and biological reactivity as well as in the identification of physiological binding partners and immunological pathomechanisms of chemical and metal ion induced disease.

Endocannabinoids are amides, esters and ethers of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which act as new lipidic mediators. Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine; AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2- AG) are the main endogenous agonists of cannabinoid receptors, able to mimic several pharmacological effects of (-)-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active principle of Cannabis sativa preparations like hashish a Read More

Nerve agents (sarin, soman, cyclosarin, tabun and VX agent) and pesticides (paraoxon, chlorpyrifos, TEPP) represent extremely toxic group of organophosphorus compounds (OPCs). These compounds inhibit enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) via its phosphorylation or phosphonylation at the serine hydroxy group in its active site. Afterwards, AChE is not able to serve its physiological function and intoxic Read More

In this review we present recent studies on the effects of the protein phosphatase inhibitor microcystin on mammalian cells. Whereas high concentrations of microcystin promote liver cell death induced by ROS signalling without the involvement of typical apoptotic proteins, intermediate doses activate classic apoptotic pathways. Low concentrations however, increase liver cell survival and proliferation, and can cause pri Read More

Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 recognizes synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing unmethylated deoxycytidyl-deoxyguanosine (CpG) motifs and mimics the immunostimulatory activity of bacterial DNA. Both innate and adaptive immune systems are activated through TLR9 signaling and thus its synthetic agonists or inhibitors have potential significance as a target for therapeutic use in immunological disorders. Interestingly, TL Read More

This review covers our recent advances in the synthesis of unusual amino acids in optically pure form, and their introduction into naturally occurring peptides with specific biological properties, or into modified bioactive peptides, aiming to obtain analogues displaying enhanced performances in term of activity, bioavailability and resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis.

Various environmental, physical and chemical stresses on cells may induce either an overproduction of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) or a deficiency of antioxidant enzymes. ROS are responsible for various cellular anomalies like protein damage, deactivation of enzymes, alteration of DNA and lipid peroxidation which in turn leads to pathological conditions like carcinogenesis, reperfusion injury, rheumatoid arthritis, dia Read More

Diabetes is associated with a marked increase in the risk of atherosclerotic vascular disorders, including coronary, cerebrovascular, and peripheral artery disease. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) could account for disabilities and high mortality rates in patients with diabetes. In this paper, we review the molecular mechanisms for accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetes, especially focusing on postprandial hyperglycemia, advan Read More

Antisense technology has advanced substantially in the past few decades and now is a wellestablished therapeutic approach in medicinal chemistry, and it may prove to be a valuable tool in the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides are among the most important and promising antisense agents. However, the key drawback lies in their polydiastereomerism, which manifests itself in the dif Read More

Genistein is a well known protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It is structurally similar to 17β- estradiol and exerts antiestrogenic effects. It also affects the signal transduction components Akt, FAK, ErbB-2 and Bcl-2. Key enzymes implicated in cancer invasion are also affected by genistein. A critical evaluation of the effects of genistein on breast cancer growth, signaling and gene expression is presented in this review.

In asthma, inflammatory and structural cells contribute to increased bronchoconstriction acutely and more chronically to airway remodelling. Current asthma therapy doesn't inhibit these features satisfactorily. This review discusses Rho-kinase as a potential drug target, since increasing evidence suggests a central role for this pathway in acute and chronic airway hyperresponsiveness.

In order to evaluate the anti-hyperglycemic effect of natural compounds via the inhibition of α- glucosidase (AGH), the potential inhibitory effect of anthocyanins, caffeic acid analogs, and caffeoylquinic acid analogs have been reviewed. A new AGH assay system to mimic the membrane-bound AGH at the small intestine was proposed and evaluated.

Cardiac hypertrophy is a response of the heart to a wide range of extrinsic stimuli, such as arterial hypertension, valvular heart disease, myocardial infarction, and cardiomyopathy. Although this process is initially compensatory for an increase workload, its prolongation frequently results in congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, and sudden death. Cardiac hypertrophy is associated with an increase in glucose utilization and a d Read More