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Published on: November 22, 2024
[Progress on hydrolases-targeting antiparasitic prodrugs]
1National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200025, China.
Summary
Prodrug strategies enhance drug delivery by overcoming formulation and absorption challenges. This review focuses on esterase and amidase enzymes for developing advanced antiparasitic prodrugs.
Area of Science:
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Drug Discovery
Context:
- Prodrugs are vital for optimizing drug properties, addressing limitations in pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics.
- Hydrolase enzymes, particularly esterases and amidases, are key mediators of prodrug activation.
- Parasitic infections remain a significant global health burden, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose:
- To review recent advancements in antiparasitic prodrug development.
- To highlight the role of esterase and amidase targets in prodrug design.
- To provide insights into future directions for antiparasitic drug optimization.
Summary:
- Prodrug strategies are employed to enhance drug efficacy and delivery.
- Esterases and amidases are the primary enzymes involved in prodrug biotransformation.
- This review consolidates current research on antiparasitic prodrugs targeting these hydrolases.
Impact:
- Facilitates the design of more effective antiparasitic agents.
- Offers a roadmap for overcoming drug delivery challenges in parasitic diseases.
- Contributes to the development of improved therapeutic options for neglected tropical diseases.
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