Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry - Volume 8, Issue 13, 2008

The main objective of the MRMC is to publish concise reviews on important developments in medicinal chemistry and related disciplines. Since the inaugural publication in May 2001, MRMC has gained a considerable stature in the field of medicinal chemistry and is now regarded as a very respectable review Journal (Impact Factor 3.06). The success of MRMC is based on the deep commitment of outstanding Regional Editor Read More

During the last two decades, protein kinases have emerged as a major target for cancer therapy and a large number of selective kinase inhibitors have been developed as potential anticancer drugs. To avoid unpredictable toxic effects, researchers usually aim at designing highly selective inhibitors. But since the formation and progression of a tumor has to be considered as a multifactorial process, which is dependent on di Read More

Poisoning with organophosphorus cholinesterase inhibitors (OPCs) poses a serious global threat. Therapy comprises the use of atropine and pyridinium oximes to reactivate acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Clinical experience with established oximes (pralidoxime and obidoxime) is disappointing and several experimental potential alternatives (K oximes) have been developed. This review summarizes data on these o Read More

Type 2 diabetes is a major health problem associated with excess mortality and morbidity. Vascular complications are one of the most serious consequences of this disorder. Moreover, type 2 diabetes is also a risk factor for cerebral complications, including cognitive impairment and dementia. However, it has been shown that tight glycemic control contributes to reduce the incidence of diabetes-associated complicati Read More

Chagas' disease is the major endemic disease in South and Central America caused by a trypanosomatid parasite (Trypanosoma cruzi). The current treatment relies on two old and nonspecific chemotherapeutic agents, Nifurtimox and Benznidazole. Despite the major advances that have been made in the identification of specific targets that afford selectivity, the drugs used today have serious side effects. Furthermore, differen Read More

Suramin is a polysulfonated polyaromatic symmetrical urea. It is currently used to treat African river blindness and African sleeping sickness. Suramin has also been extensively trialed recently to treat a number of other diseases, including many cancers. Here, we examine its modes of action and discuss its structure-activity relationships.

Alzheimer disease treatment has yet to yield a successful therapy that addresses the source of the damage found in brains. Of the varied proposed theories of AD etiology, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation is cited as a common factor. Efforts to reduce the pathology associated with ROS via antioxidants therefore offer new hope to patients suffering from this devastative disease.

During the last few decades microporous and mesoporous materials have been considered for medical use due to biological properties and stability in biological environment. Zeolites have been investigated as drug carriers, and as adjuvants in anticancer therapy, dietetic supplements or antimicrobial agents. This review gives a brief overview of the major aspects of molecular sieves applications in medicine.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is the main tyrosine kinase receptor dysregulated or overexpressed in brain cancer types and its expression is directly correlated with tumor malignancy and unfavorable prognosis. Recently, the availability of endogenous EGFR ligands has been reported to be also regulated indirectly by the activation of several G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in many cancer cell types. This Read More

The purpose of this review is to discuss the recent developments related to the chemistry and medicinal properties of flavonoids. Major flavonoids that show well categorized structures and well defined structure functionrelationships are: flavans, flavanones, flavones, flavanonols, flavonols, catechins, anthocyanidins and isoflavone. The biological properties of flavonoids include antioxidant, anti-inflamatory, antitumoral, antivi Read More