Characteristics of plasma protein binding of tacrine hydrochloride: a new drug for Alzheimer's disease

: The most common reason behind dementia is Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and it is predicted to be the third lifethreatening disease apart from stroke and cancer for the geriatric population. Till now only four drugs are available in the market for symptomatic relief. The complex nature of disease pathophysiology and lack of concrete evidences of molecular targets are the major hurdles for developing new drug to treat AD. The the rate of attrition of many advanced drugs at clinical stages, makes the de novo discovery process very expensive. Alternatively, Drug Repurposing (DR) is an attractive tool to develop drugs for AD in a less tedious and economic way. Therefore, continuous efforts are being made to develop a new drug for AD by repursing old drugs through screening and data mining. For example, the survey in the drug pipeline for Phase III clinical trials (till February 2019) which has 27 candidates, and around half of the number are drugs which have already been approved for other indications. Although in the past the drug repurposing process for AD has been reviewed in the context of disease areas, molecular targets, there is no systematic review of repurposed drugs for AD from the recent drug development pipeline (2019-2020). In this manuscript, we are reviewing the clinical candidates for AD with emphasis on their development history including molecular targets and the relevance of the target for AD.

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Possible therapeutic interventions in COVID-19 induced ARDS by cotinine as an ACE-2 promoter and AT-1R blocker

Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1871526520666201218153554 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Author(s):

Tarun Sharma ◽

Sidharth Mehan

Keyword(s):

Protein Binding ◽

Plasma Protein Binding ◽

Plasma Protein ◽

Distress Syndrome ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Promising Candidate ◽

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽

Proinflammatory Effect ◽

Pulmonary Permeability

: In these challenging times of the pandemic, as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has taken over the planet, its complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have the potential to wipe out a large portion of our population. Whereas a serious lack of ventilators, vaccine being months away makes the condition even worse. That's why promising drug therapy is required. One of them was suggested in this article. It is the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) to which the COVID-19 virus binds and upon downregulation of which the pulmonary permeability increases and results in the filling of alveoli by proteinaceous fluids, which finally results in ARDS. ARDS can be assisted by angiotensinII type-1 receptor (AT-1R) blocker and ACE-2 upregulator. AT-1R blocker will prevent vasoconstriction, the proinflammatory effect seen otherwise upon its activation. ACE-2 upregulation will ensure less formation of angiotensin II, vasodilatory effects due to the formation of angiotensin (1-7), increased breakdown of bradykinin at lung level. Overall, decreased vasoconstriction of vessels supplying lungs and decreased vasodilation of lung tissues will ensure decreased pulmonary permeability and eventually relieve ARDS. It should also be considered that all components of the reninangiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) are located in the lung tissues. A drug with the least plasma protein binding is required to ensure its distribution across these lung tissues. Cotinine appears to be a promising candidate for COVID-19- induced ARDS. It acts across the board and acts as both an AT-1R blocker, ACE-2 upregulator. It also has a weak plasma protein binding that helps to spread through the lung tissues. In this review, we summarized that cotinine, along with COVID-19 virus replication blocker anti-virals, may prove to be a promising therapy for the treatment of COVID-19 induced ARDS.

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Ultrafiltration Method for Plasma Protein Binding Studies and Its Limitations

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr9020382 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 382

Author(s):

Camelia-Maria Toma ◽

Silvia Imre ◽

Camil-Eugen Vari ◽

Daniela-Lucia Muntean ◽

Amelia Tero-Vescan

Keyword(s):

Protein Binding ◽

Plasma Protein Binding ◽

Plasma Protein ◽

Specific Binding ◽

Critical Role ◽

Volume Ratio ◽

Binding Studies ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Key Aspects

Plasma protein binding plays a critical role in drug therapy, being a key part in the characterization of any compound. Among other methods, this process is largely studied by ultrafiltration based on its advantages. However, the method also has some limitations that could negatively influence the experimental results. The aim of this study was to underline key aspects regarding the limitations of the ultrafiltration method, and the potential ways to overcome them. The main limitations are given by the non-specific binding of the substances, the effect of the volume ratio obtained, and the need of a rigorous control of the experimental conditions, especially pH and temperature. This review presents a variety of methods that can hypothetically reduce the limitations, and concludes that ultrafiltration remains a reliable method for the study of protein binding. However, the methodology of the study should be carefully chosen.

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