Hybrid Compounds as Direct Multitarget Ligands: A Review

Area of Science:

• Medicinal Chemistry
• Drug Design

Background:

• Molecular hybridization is a rational drug design strategy.
• It involves combining pharmacophoric units from different bioactive compounds into a single molecule.
• The goal is to achieve improved drug properties and efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review molecular hybridization and multitarget profiling in rational drug design.
• To highlight applications in designing novel hybrid compounds.
• Focus on anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antiprotozoal activities over the last six years.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of molecular hybridization and multitarget profiling.
• Analysis of applications in drug discovery.
• Focus on studies published within the last six years.

Main Results:

• Molecular hybridization has shown promise for multifactorial diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cancer, inflammation, and hypertension.
• Hybrid compounds can exhibit enhanced affinity, efficacy, and selectivity.
• Potential for dual modes of action and reduced side effects.

Conclusions:

• Molecular hybridization is a valuable approach for developing novel therapeutics.
• It offers advantages such as improved pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles and reduced drug resistance.
• The review highlights successful applications in anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antiprotozoal drug discovery.