Author Profile

Lusia Charlton received her Ph.D. in organic chemistry in 2006 and later found her current job at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital while attending a technical meeting held by SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicano and Native Americans).She is an assistant faculty member in the Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. As part of St. Jude's mission to find new treatments for cancer and catastrophic pediatric diseases, her laboratory isolates, characterizes, and synthesizes novel natural products from various natural sources. These compounds are tested for their potential to treat a broad range of cancers and infectious diseases. Her primary responsibility includes to synthesize polymer derivatives for testing in different market applications. Lusia and approximately 50 colleagues work in various subgroups supporting products and technologies that are in the R&D stage. One of the benefits of her job is that, depending on the project, she may get to perform a variety of functions, from doing syntheses to participating in market analysis.

About The Book

Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry is an essential science textbook that bridges the gap between synthetic organic chemistry and clinical pharmacology. It explores the rational design, development, and molecular interactions of therapeutic agents, serving as a comprehensive guide for students navigating the complex world of modern drug discovery. The book breaks down the life cycle of a medicine, from identifying a biological target and a "lead compound" to optimizing its chemical structure for maximum efficacy. Readers learn exactly how subtle modifications in a chemical's backbone (such as functional group changes) alter its potency and side-effect profile. The text examines what the body does to the drug (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) and what the drug does to the body (mechanisms of action) at the molecular level. Whether you are a student striving to master the fundamentals of medicinal chemistry or an educator seeking a comprehensive syllabus companion, this book is designed to equip you with the deep, molecular level knowledge required to succeed in modern pharmacy. This book is specifically designed to provide readers, whether aspiring pharmacists, medicinal chemists, or pharmaceutical scientists with a clear understanding of the rational design of drugs and their synthesis. By correlating theoretical chemical outcomes with practical applications, this book prepares the next generation of scientists to not only understand existing therapeutics but also to contribute to future innovations in the pharmaceutical industry.

Table of Contents

Preface
1.
INTRODUCTION TO
PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY............................................................1
1.1 Introduction To Pharmaceutical Chemistry
1.2 Sources And Types Of Errors, Accuracy,
Precision, Significant Figures
1.3 Impurities In Pharmaceuticals
1.4 Limit Tests
2.
PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
AND DRUG ACTION.................................................................................24
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Ferguson Principle
2.3 Ionization
2.4 Solubility
2.5 Partition Coefficient
2.6 Hydrogen Bonding
2.7 Protein Binding
2.8 Complexation
2.9 Surface-Activity
2.10 Oxidation-Reduction Potentials
2.11 Bio-Isosterlsm
2.12 Optical And Geometrical Isomerism
3.
DRUG METABOLISM.................................................................................47
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Metabolic Biotrans-Formation Of Drugs: Phase I Reactions
3.3 Conjugation Reactions or Phase II Reactions
3.4 Cytochrome Oxidase Enzymes
3.5 Factors Influencing Metabolic Pathways Of The Drug
3.6 Inducers Of Drug Metabolism
3.7 Inhibitors Of Drug Metabolism
4.
DRUGS ACTING ON
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM.........................................................75
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Nervous System
4.3 Neuro-Chemical Transmitters
4.4 Autonomic Nervous System
4.5 Divisions Of Autonomic Nervous System
4.6 Acetylcholine And Epinephrine As Neurotransmitters
4.7 Neurotransmitters Present In Central Nervous System
5.
SYMPATHOMIMETIC AGENTS...............................................................93
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Biosynthesis Of Neurotransmitter
5.3 Synaptic Interactions
5.4 Pharmacological Actions Of Catecholamines
5.5 Metabolism
5.6 Adrenoceptors
5.7 Classification
5.8 Design Of Drugs Affecting Adrenergic Nervous System
6.
CHOLINERGIC NEUROTRANSMITTERS ...........................................130
6.1 Acetylcholine
6.2 Cyclic Analogues Of Acetylcholine
6.3 Cholinergic Receptors
6.4 Metabolism Of Acetylcholine
6.5 Cholinomimetics Or Cholinergic Agonists
6.6 Anticholinesterase
6.7 Structural Features Of Cholinesterase Enzyme
6.8 Classification Of Anticholine-Sterases
6.9 Therapeutic Uses
6.10 Antidotes For Nerve Gases
6.11 Urinary Antispasmodic (M3-Antagonisits)
7.
SEDATIVES AND HYPNOTICS..............................................................164
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Classification
8.
ANTIPSYCHOTICS..................................................................................181
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Neuroleptics
8.3 Mechanism Of Action Of Anti-Psychotic Or Neuroleptic Drugs
8.4 Therapeutic Applications
9.
ANTICONVULSANT DRUGS................................................................204
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Types Of Epilepsy
9.3 Classification Of Anticonvulsant Drugs
10.
GENERAL ANESTHETICS......................................................................231
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Characteristics Of General Anaesthetic
10.3 Stages Of Anaesthesia
10.4 Inhalation Anesthetics
10.5 Ultrashort Acting Barbiturates
10.6 Miscellaneous Agents
11.
OPIOID ANALGETICS............................................................................239
1.1 Introduction
11.2 Opium Alkaloids
11.3 Opioid Receptors
11.4 Chemistry Of Opioids
11.5 Narcotic Antagonists
11.6 Endogenous Opioids
12.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ANALGESICS.................................................265
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Classification
12.3 Salicylic Acid Derivatives
12.4 Para-Amino Phenol Derivatives
12.5 Treatment Of Gout
Bibliography...............................................................................................287
Index...........................................................................................................297