Racemic resolution of RS-baclofen using lipase from Candida cylindracea

Baclofen is chemically (RS)-beta-(aminomethyl)-4-chlorobenzene propanoic acid. It is used in therapy of pain and as a muscle relaxant. Baclofen produces analgesia by increasing the concentration of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), the major rapid inhibitory transmitter. Both the isomers of baclofen have different therapeutic activity with respect to their interaction to the receptors at the site of action. Lipase from Candida cylindracea has been used as a catalyst for resolving racemic mixtures of numerous drug molecules. The present investigation deals with the racemic resolution of RS-baclofen using lipase from Candida cylindracea and a study of the factors affecting resolution.