Rationale of reverse pharmacology

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

NetRUM had two back to back discussions on topics related to rational use of analgesics. Now we will be starting with the topic "Rationale of Reverse Pharmacology" which will run today onwards till 28th Mar 08.

According to WHO definition of drug (medicine) "It is any substance or product that is used or is intended to be used to modify or explore physiological systems or pathological states for the benefit of the recipient." As we all know Pharmacology is study of drug. So the question comes into mind that which of the phase in study of medicine is reversed so as to call it as Reverse Pharmacology.

I would like to unfold this topic with the help of all NetRUMians under the following headings

What is Reverse Pharmacology (RP)?

Define its place in and contribution to modern medicine.

Correlate between traditional medicine , complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and RP.

Two sides of RP

How RP serves purpose of rational use of medicine?

RP in India

International status of RP

Though concept is ancient, terminology and the field itself is newer. Additional points are welcome to make the discussion fruitful.

Regards,

Dr Smita Mali

GMC, Nagpur.

[Guest guest]

Smita, Please could you explain the term Reverse Pharmacology in detail? Dr A Vaidya from Mumbai has also presented papers on this topic. But I am still unclear as to what this really is. -Anupamasmita mali <smt_mali@...> wrote: Hello Sir, Indeed it is very good information regarding reserpine. This medicine as said has not only given one of the way to treat the hypertension

but also due to keen observations of the outcomes shown targets for other major diaseases. This very protocol defines the reverse pharmacology. It is definitely to be proud of that milestone event occured at your university. Ayurveda, Unani are traditional medicines being practiced in India. Many academia in the country are dedicated to work on research activity related to these fields. I request our senior NetRUMians to come forward and enlighten the group by sharing information regarding RP at their places. Regards, Smita From: ibnsinaacademy <ibnsinaacademygmail>Subject: Re: Rationale of reverse pharmacologynetrum Date: Wednesday, 26 March, 2008, 12:16

AM Dear Dr. Smita Mali Its good to read your valuable posting on reverse pharmacology along with significant examples. Related to Rauwolfia serpentina, I would like to add that it was firstly Prof. Saleemuzzaman Siddiqui who worked on Rauwolfia serpentina during 1920s when Hakim Ajmal Khan (a renowned Unani Physician) suggested him to work on this plant roughly a decade before

Sen and Bose (famous scientists of Kolkata). The alkaloid Ajmalcine (or Ajmalin) is named by Saleemuzzaman Siddiqui after the name of Hakim Ajmal Khan.. The isolation of the alkaloid was done at the Department of Chemistry of our University. Regards, S. Ziaur Rahman Rationale of reverse pharmacology Hello NetRUMians, Basic pharmacology starts with various sources

of medicine. Plants claim its first place in the list. Clinical uses found were serendipitous in some of the cases. In India Ayurveda, the science in itself is known and being practiced since ages. Also Unani, Homeopathy, Chinese medications are being followed in different regions worldwide. These experiences can be used to derive hits for new medicine development. Because of the long term use being followed in community we get the assurance of safety for these new molecules and hence shortens the drug development path. Following are the examples of plant derivatives leading to the establishment of group of medicine in various treatments or discovering the target for the same. Medicinal plant Clinical effect Experimental correlate Curare tomentosum Paralysis and death Neuromuscular block Papaverum somniferum Analgesia Opioid receptors Physostigma venenosum Ordeal poison Anticholinesterase Cinchona officinalis Antipyrexia Antimalarial Digitalis purpurea Dropsy relief Na+,K+-ATPase Salix alba Fever and pain relief Prostaglandins Strychnos nuxvomica CNS stimulant Glycinergic receptors Rauwolfia serpentina Benth

(Sarpagandha) Sen and Bose not only showed the antihypertensive effects of R. serpentina, but were also astute clinicians to note certain side effects such as Parkinsonism, depression, gynecomastia, acid peptic symptoms and so on. There was almost a gap of two decades in discovering the pharmacological basis of these actions. The storage vesicles are rendered dysfunctional as a result of their interaction with reserpine and the depletion of biogenic amines explained the actions by mechanistic correlates. As a spin off of the side effects of R. serpentina, several new drugs were developed such as L-dopa, antidepressants, bromo-ergocriptine, and H 2 receptor blockers and so on. The alkaloids of R. serpentina, reserpine and ajmalcine, have served as research tools in many experiments. Regards, Smita Mali 5, 50, 500, 5000 - Store N number of mails in your inbox. Click here.

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