Pharmaceutical Chemistry - Unlocking the potential to transform healthcare

We’ve all been brought up hearing this particularly well-known adage that goes ‘’The greatest wealth is health”.

But do we consider our health to be nearly as important as our wealth? The world is progressing at an alarming rate and in the pursuit of materialistic pleasures, we often tend to ignore the repercussions it has on our health. Being aware of the same, the advent of pharmaceutical chemistry in the medical fraternity presents itself as a blessing to humankind.

Pharmaceutical chemistry (or medicinal chemistry) in layman’s terms is essentially the study of drugs that involves their discovery, development, absorption, and metabolism. The main aim of these drugs is to synthesize new chemical molecules that can enable the discovery of new pharmaceuticals or modify the structures and properties of the already existing ones.

Reflecting on the present lifestyles of people, their dietary modifications, and the ease of technology invoking lethargy, scientists are constantly unearthing new pharma-drugs which are capable of handling diseases and health complications such as malaria, blood-sugar levels, or even the recent corona infection. DRDO launched its new anti-Covid oral drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) a couple of days ago. This drug is expected to be effective against any strain, irrespective of origin, and any level of mutation.

To spread awareness on the kind of pharmaceutical drugs in use right now, as well as to shed some light on their working and efficiency, here are 3 very prominent pharma-drugs present in the market.

1) Atorvastatin (C33H35FN2O5) – Sold under the brand name Lipitor, is a dihydroxy monocarboxylic acid that is a member of the drug class known as statins. It is primarily used for lowering blood cholesterol and for preventing cardiovascular diseases. Atorvastatin competitively inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. By preventing the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, statin medications decrease cholesterol production in the liver. It also modulates immune responses by suppressing MHC II (major histocompatibility complex II).

It is available as atorvastatin calcium tablets in strengths of 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg.  The raw materials used to make these tablets are atorvastatin calcium, lactose, calcium carbonate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, sucrose stearate, and magnesium stearate. The tablets are then compressed and coated with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, titanium dioxide, and polyethylene mixture. This medication can be administered with or without food and should be taken at the same time every day.

2) Donepezil (C24H29 NO3.HCl) – Sold under the brand name Aricept, is the hydrochloride salt of a piperidine derivative with neurocognitive-enhancing activity. It inhibits acetylcholinesterase, thereby blocking the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This in turn increases its activity. It also works as an enzyme blocker by restoring the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. It does not cure Alzheimer's disease completely, but it may improve memory and awareness.

It is available for oral administration in film-coated tablets containing 5, 10, or 23 mg of donepezil hydrochloride, and other inactive ingredients such as carrageenan, mannitol, colloidal silicon dioxide, and polyvinyl alcohol. Additionally, the 10 mg tablet contains ferric oxide (yellow) as a coloring agent.

3) Fexofenadine - It is a piperidine-based anti-histamine compound, derived from an isobutyric acid. It is an anti-allergic agent, which relieves symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, itching eyes or nose, and sneezing. It works by blocking a certain natural substance (histamine) that the body makes during an allergic reaction. Each tablet contains 168 mg of fexofenadine, powdered cellulose, mannitol (E421), maize starch, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate. Its mechanism of action is to selectively antagonize H1 receptors on the surface of cells of different organ systems. 

With further advancements in science and technology, it is a possibility that pharmaceutical chemistry may provide a solution to cure deadly diseases such as AIDS. There lies untapped potential in this field and what it can provide in terms of medicinal value. Notwithstanding that, it should be known that these pharma-drugs are a preventative measure, not a one-way ticket to fitness, to prevent the body from degenerating after it has been afflicted with an ailment. In contrast, maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercising are key essentials in leading a healthy lifestyle.

-Divya Shivanand