Chirality - A New Era of Therapeutics

Y.   K.   Agrawal; H.   G.   Bhatt; H.   G.   Raval; P.   M.   Oza; P.   J.   Gogoi

doi:10.2174/138955707780619617

Abstract

To develop the newer pharmaceuticals and to spur the strong growth, being a general property of ‘handedness’, chirality plays a major role. The Easson-Stedman principle shows the differences in the biological activity between enantiomers resulted from selective reactivity of one enantiomer with its receptor. It helps to improve the pharmacokinetic properties and to remove undesirable side effects by virtue of the unique activity of enantiomers. Racemic switching and marketing drug combinations are used as tools for drug life-cycle management and to redevelop racemic mixtures as single enantiomers.

Keywords: Chirality, enantiomers, stereoselectivity, racemic switching, drug combination, pharmacokinetics