scholarly journals Innovative solutions to novel drug development in mental health

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 2438-2444 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.R. Insel ◽  
V. Voon ◽  
J.S. Nye ◽  
V.J. Brown ◽  
B.M. Altevogt ◽  
...  
2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle J. Boyle ◽  
Mark Skidmore ◽  
Benjamin Dickerman ◽  
Lynsay Cooper ◽  
Anthony Devlin ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Despite recent successful control efforts, malaria remains a leading global health burden. Alarmingly, resistance to current antimalarials is increasing and the development of new drug families is needed to maintain malaria control. Current antimalarials target the intraerythrocytic developmental stage of the Plasmodium falciparum life cycle. However, the invasive extracellular parasite form, the merozoite, is also an attractive target for drug development. We have previously demonstrated that heparin-like molecules, including those with low molecular weights and low anticoagulant activities, are potent and specific inhibitors of merozoite invasion and blood-stage replication. Here we tested a large panel of heparin-like molecules and sulfated polysaccharides together with various modified chemical forms for their inhibitory activity against P. falciparum merozoite invasion. We identified chemical modifications that improve inhibitory activity and identified several additional sulfated polysaccharides with strong inhibitory activity. These studies have important implications for the further development of heparin-like molecules as antimalarial drugs and for understanding merozoite invasion.


2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 50-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ighodaro Igbe ◽  
Osaze Edosuyi ◽  
Agbonlahor Okhuarobo

Summary Cussonia barteri Seem (Araliaceae) is a deciduous tree growing in savannah of Africa. Ethnomedicinally, it is used in Africa as an analgesic, anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory, anti-anaemic, anti-diarhoea, anti-poison, ani-pyschotic and anti-epileptic agent. This review provides a brief summary on the phytochemical screenings, ethnomedicinal and pharmacological applications of various parts of C. barteri. Leaves, stem bark and seed of C. barteri have been shown to be rich in saponins, flavonoids, phenols, sugars and alkaloids. Some of these constituents have been isolated and elucidated from C. barteri. Several compounds isolated from plant include triterpenes, saponins, polyenyne and quinic esters. Phytochemical constituents are also partly responsible for biological activities of C. barteri. Extracts and components isolated from the plant have demonstrated neuropharmacological, anti-larvicidal, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Overall, the insights provided by this review reinforce the potential of C. barteri for drug development and create the need for further scientific probe of constituents of the plant with the aim of developing novel drug candidates.


Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1058
Author(s):  
Zheng Yao Low ◽  
Isra Ahmad Farouk ◽  
Sunil Kumar Lal

Traditionally, drug discovery utilises a de novo design approach, which requires high cost and many years of drug development before it reaches the market. Novel drug development does not always account for orphan diseases, which have low demand and hence low-profit margins for drug developers. Recently, drug repositioning has gained recognition as an alternative approach that explores new avenues for pre-existing commercially approved or rejected drugs to treat diseases aside from the intended ones. Drug repositioning results in lower overall developmental expenses and risk assessments, as the efficacy and safety of the original drug have already been well accessed and approved by regulatory authorities. The greatest advantage of drug repositioning is that it breathes new life into the novel, rare, orphan, and resistant diseases, such as Cushing’s syndrome, HIV infection, and pandemic outbreaks such as COVID-19. Repositioning existing drugs such as Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir, Ivermectin and Baricitinib shows good potential for COVID-19 treatment. This can crucially aid in resolving outbreaks in urgent times of need. This review discusses the past success in drug repositioning, the current technological advancement in the field, drug repositioning for personalised medicine and the ongoing research on newly emerging drugs under consideration for the COVID-19 treatment.


CNS Drugs ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariela Frieder ◽  
Madeleine Fersh ◽  
Rachel Hainline ◽  
Kristina M. Deligiannidis

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