Abstract
Certain biological ‘receptors’ are known to generate disease conditions in the animal/human body. Small molecules, determined by the nature of their groups and shape in three dimensions, fit into the cavities of these receptors and deactivate them, thereby acting as ‘drugs’. Several factors, such as pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, metabolism, toxicology and clinical trials, play a crucial role in evaluating any drug. Drugs may be chiral, achiral or racemic in nature. These may be obtained either by extraction from a natural source or by semi-synthetic or synthetic methods.
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Acknowledgement
The authors are deeply indebted to Dr P. V. Varaprasada Reddy and Mr D. Krishnamacharyulu of NOSCH Labs. Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, for their technical support.
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Pramod Kumar Dubey retired as Professor of Chemistry from J. N. Technological University, Hyderabad, in 2013. His research interests are in organic & medicinal chemistry and chemical education.
Bireddy Srinivasa Reddy did his PhD in chemistry from J. N. Technological University, Hyderabad, in 2013. His research interests are in synthetic organic chemistry and chemical education.
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Reddy, B.S., Dubey, P.K. Chirality and Drug Activity. Reson 28, 447–464 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-023-1565-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-023-1565-9