A Review on Medicinal and Organic Chemistry

Dr. Mahtab Khan^*

Department of Organic Chemistry and psychosocial research, University of Science and Technology, Iran

Received: 31-Mar-2023, Manuscript No. jmoc-23-95409; Editor assigned: 03-April-2023, PreQC No. jmoc-23- 95409; Reviewed: 17-April-2023, QC No jmoc-23-95409; Revised: 21-April-2023, Manuscript No. jmoc-23-95409 (R); Published: 28-April-2023; DOI: 10.37532/ jmoc.2023.6(2).25-27

Abstract

Medicinal chemistry and organic chemistry are two closely related fields that have played a significant role in the development of modern medicine. Organic chemistry is the study of the structure, properties, and reactions of organic compounds, which are primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen, and other non-metals. Medicinal chemistry, on the other hand, is the application of chemical principles and techniques to the design, synthesis, and development of drugs for the treatment of various diseases. Medicinal and organic chemistry are two closely related fields that are crucial for the development of new drugs and treatments. Organic chemistry focuses on the study of carbon-based compounds, including those found in living organisms, while medicinal chemistry involves the design, synthesis, and testing of new drugs. In medicinal chemistry, researchers use their knowledge of organic chemistry to design and synthesize compounds that can interact with specific targets in the body, such as enzymes or receptors. These compounds are then tested in vitro and in vivo to evaluate their efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics. Organic chemistry plays a vital role in drug discovery, as many drugs are derived from natural products or are inspired by them. Natural products are complex organic molecules produced by living organisms, such as plants, bacteria, and fungi, and have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.

Keywords

Medicinal chemistry • Organic chemistry • Treatment of various diseases • Plants • Bacteria, fungi • Natural • Living organisms

Introduction

The development of modern medicine owes much to the advancements made in organic chemistry. The discovery of penicillin, the first antibiotic, was a result of the isolation and identification of the active ingredient in a mold by the Scottish biologist Alexander Fleming [1]. This discovery led to the development of numerous other antibiotics, which have saved countless lives over the years. In addition to antibiotics, organic chemistry has contributed to the development of a wide range of drugs, including painkillers, antihistamines, antidepressants, and many others. One of the key areas of focus in medicinal chemistry is drug design. This involves the identification of a target molecule, usually a protein or enzyme that is involved in a particular disease process [2]. Once the target is identified, medicinal chemists use various techniques to design and synthesize compounds that interact with the target in a specific way, either by inhibiting or enhancing its activity [3]. This process can be very challenging, as the target molecule may have a complex structure and be involved in multiple pathways in the body.

Another important aspect of medicinal chemistry is drug metabolism. After a drug is administered to a patient, it undergoes a series of metabolic transformations in the body, which can affect its efficacy and safety. Medicinal chemists study these metabolic pathways and use this information to design drugs that are more stable and have fewer side effects [4]. Organic chemistry also plays a key role in the development of natural products-based drugs. Many drugs, including some of the most widely used antibiotics, are derived from natural sources such as plants, fungi, and bacteria [5]. Organic chemists study the chemical structures of these natural products and use this knowledge to synthesize new compounds with improved efficacy and safety. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using organic chemistry to develop new drugs for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes [6]. These diseases are often very complex and involve multiple pathways in the body, making them difficult to treat with traditional drugs. However, the use of organic chemistry techniques such as structure-based drug design and combinatorial chemistry has led to the development of new drugs with improved efficacy and safety. Medicinal chemistry and organic chemistry are two important fields that are closely related to each other [7]. Medicinal chemistry involves the design, synthesis, and evaluation of new chemical compounds that can be used as drugs to treat diseases. Organic chemistry, on the other hand, is the study of the structure, properties, and reactions of organic compounds, which are molecules that contain carbon [8].

Medicinal chemistry is an interdisciplinary field that combines principles from various disciplines, including chemistry, biology, pharmacology, and medicine, to develop new drugs that can treat diseases effectively. The process of drug discovery and development involves several stages, starting from the identification of a target molecule in the body that is involved in a disease process, followed by the design and synthesis of small molecules that can bind to and modulate the activity of the target molecule [9]. Organic chemistry plays a crucial role in drug discovery and development, as it provides the tools and techniques for synthesizing and manipulating complex organic molecules. Organic chemists are responsible for designing and synthesizing new drug candidates, optimizing their pharmacological properties, and developing new synthetic methodologies to improve the efficiency of drug synthesis [10].

Conclusion

Chemistry and organic chemistry are two closely related fields that have played a significant role in the development of modern medicine. Through the application of chemical principles and techniques, medicinal chemists have been able to design and synthesize drugs for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Organic chemistry has also contributed to the development of natural products-based drugs and new drugs for the treatment of complex diseases. As our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of disease continues to grow, these fields will remain critical in the development of new and effective treatments for a wide range of health conditions. Advances in organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry have led to the development of new drugs that target a wide range of diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders. The integration of these two fields has enabled the development of more effective and safer drugs, as well as a deeper understanding of how they interact with the body. In organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry have led to the development of new drugs that target a wide range of diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders. The integration of these two fields has enabled the development of more effective and safer drugs, as well as a deeper understanding of how they interact with the body.

The fields of medicinal chemistry and organic chemistry are essential for the development of new drugs that can improve human health and quality of life. By understanding the chemical and biological properties of complex molecules, medicinal and organic chemists can design and synthesize new drugs that are more effective, safer, and easier to manufacture.

References

1. Booth FW, Chakravarthy MV. Physical activity and dietary intervention for chronic diseases: a quick fix after all. J Appl Physiol. 100, 1439-40 (2006).

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

2. Roberts CK, Won D, Pruthi S et al. Effect of a short-term diet and exercise intervention on oxidative stress, inflammation, MMP-9, and monocyte chemotactic activity in men with metabolic syndrome factors. J Appl Physiol. 100, 1657-65 (2006).

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

3. Chandalia M, Lutjohann D, von Bergmann K et al. Beneficial effects of high dietary fiber intake in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med. 342, 1392-8 (2000).

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

4. Schwartz SE, Levine RA, Weinstock RS et al. Sustained pectin ingestion: effect on gastric emptying and glucose tolerance in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Am J Clin Nutr 48, 1413-7 (1988).

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

5. Makam AN, Nguyen OK, An Evidence-Based Medicine Approach to Antihyperglycemic Therapy in Diabetes Mellitus to Overcome Overtreatment. Circulation. 135,180-195 (2017).

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

6. Qaseem A, Vijan S, Snow V et al. Glycaemic control and type 2 diabetes mellitus: the optimal haemoglobin A1C targets, a guidance statement from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine. 147, 417-422 (2007).

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

7. Schellenberg ES, Dryden DM, Vandermeer B et al. Lifestyle interventions for patients with and at risk for type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 159, 543-551 (2013).

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

8. Schwingshackl L, Hoffmann G, Lampousi AM et al. Food groups and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Eur J Epidemiol 32, 363-375 (2017).

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

9. Reynolds A, Mann J, Cummings J et al. Carbohydrate quality and human health: a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Lancet. 393, 434-445 (2019).

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

10. Mannucci E, Giaccari A, Gallo M et al. Self-management in patients with type 2 diabetes: Group-based versus individual education a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized trails. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 32, 330-336 (2022).

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref