Dynamic chemical instabilities in living cells may provide a novel route in drug development

Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated assembly and...

Stimuli-activated drug delivery systems are designed to release drugs in response to specific physical, chemical, or biological stimuli. These systems often utilize hydrogels—three-dimensional, hydrophilic polymer networks capable of swelling in aqueous environments and retaining significant fluid volumes. Upon exposure to particular stimuli, these hydrogels undergo structural transitions that allow the embedded drug to be released. Due to this adaptive behavior, such systems are also called...

Alternative drug dissolution methods include the rotating bottle, intrinsic dissolution test, peristalsis, and the Franz diffusion cell method. The rotating bottle method involves meticulously rotating tightly capped controlled-release beads in a temperature-controlled bath. Periodic decanting of samples allows for residue assay, followed by refilling with fresh medium and testing at various pH levels to emulate the gastrointestinal tract conditions.In contrast, the intrinsic dissolution test...

Drug discovery is a multifaceted process involving extensive screening, testing, and optimization of lead compounds to identify potential new drugs for therapeutic use. It combines several approaches, including screening large numbers of natural products, chemical modification of known active molecules, identification of new drug targets, and rational design based on biological mechanisms and drug-receptor structure. These approaches are carried out in both academic research laboratories and...

pH plays a critical role in maintaining normal cellular activities. It helps maintain the structure and function of various proteins, dictates the charge on cellular membranes, and is crucial for metabolic reactions inside the cell. Moreover, cells use the energy from the proton motive force to generate ATP.
Cytosolic pH
Under physiological conditions, the cytosolic pH is slightly more acidic than the extracellular pH. However, cells must prevent further acidification of their cytosol to...

In vitro dissolution and drug release tests assess how quickly and how much of a drug is released from its dosage form into an aqueous medium under standardized laboratory conditions. These tests are essential tools in pharmaceutical development and quality assurance, offering insight into the drug's performance before clinical use.During formulation development, dissolution testing identifies incomplete or inconsistent drug release issues. It also supports decisions on selecting the optimal...