210 likes | 261 Vues
Medicines. Advanced Higher Chemistry Unit 3(e). DRUGS. Substances which alter the biochemical processes in the body. Those with beneficial effects are called medicines . HISTORY. The first drugs came from plant brews. Pharmacologically active products in plant extracts were identified.
E N D
Medicines Advanced Higher Chemistry Unit 3(e)
DRUGS • Substances which alter the biochemical processes in the body. • Those with beneficial effects are called medicines.
HISTORY • The first drugs came from plant brews. • Pharmacologically active products in plant extracts were identified. • These compounds (and derivatives of them) were synthesised where possible.
HOW MEDICINES FUNCTION • Most work by bonding to receptors. • Receptors are usually protein molecules that are on the surface of cells where they interact with small biological molecules. • Alternatively, they are enzymes which catalyse chemical reactions (catalytic receptors).
PHARMACOPHORE • The structural fragment of the molecule which gives it pharmocological activity. • The shape of the pharmocophore complements that of the receptor site, allowing it to fit into the receptor. • The functional groups on each (pharmocophore and receptor) are correctly positioned to interact and bind the receptor to the medicine. • By comparing the structure of medicines with similar activity, the pharmocophore can be identified.
AGONISTS and ANTAGONISTS • AGONISTS – enhance the body’s natural responses (produces a response like the body’s naturally active compound); • ANTAGONISTS – block the body’s natural responses. (produces no response but prevents the body’s naturally active compound).
Salbutamol: agonist • Used to treat acute asthma or prevent exercise-induced asthma. • Can be injected intravenously to relax uterine smooth muscle and prevent premature labour. • Has widely been replaced by nifidepine.
Nifidipine: antagonist • A calcium channel blocker. • Used in the long-term treatment of hypertension.
Propranolol: antagonist • A beta blocker. • Used to treat hypertension.
Sulphanilamides: antagonists • Antibiotics.
Penicillin: antagonist • Another antibiotic
Dopamine • A neurotransmitter produced in the brain. • Is greatly reduced in suffers of Parkinson’s disease. • Can be given as a drug to increase heart rate or blood pressure. • However, does not cross the blood-brain barrier so cannot be used to affect the central nervous system. • Instead, precursors can be administered e.g. L-DOPA.
Dopamine L-DOPA
Apomorphine: agonist • Issued via subcutaneous injection. • Has a side-effect of a marked increase in problem gambling.