Drug Chemistry

BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL OF PIROGOV UNIVERSITY (MOSCOW, RUSSIA)

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Issue 1, 2026

Topic Specific therapy for measles

Contents

New articles

Rudakova MA, Negrebetsky VV

The review evaluates contemporary strategies in developing multi-target drugs for neurodegenerative diseases based on sulfonic acid derivatives and heterocyclic compounds. Special emphasis is placed on taurine and homotaurine as promising pharmacophores with a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuromodulatory effects. Data from both experimental and clinical trials are evaluated, indicating that these agents effectively target critical pathways in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ischemic brain damage, and other disorders of the central nervous system. The underlying molecular mechanisms of their action are reviewed, including the regulation of GABAergic transmission, attenuation of neuroinflammation, inhibition of beta-amyloid aggregation, and preservation of neuronal survival under oxidative stress. Information on the neuropharmacological potential of pyridine, pyrimidine, and uracil derivatives is also presented, highlighting their capacity to act as multi-target agents through interactions with diverse molecular targets. The prospects of creating hybrid molecules that combine the properties of aminosulfonic acids and heterocyclic fragments to enhance the efficacy, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic profiles of neuroprotective agents are discussed. The conclusion is made about the high prospects of this field for development of novel therapeutic agents capable of simultaneously targeting multiple pathogenetic mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases.

Received: 2026-06-12

Published online: 2026-06-30

DOI: DOI: 10.24075/dc.2026.013

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VIEWS 96

Kalinin EV, Chechina PA, Yermolaeva SA

Growth factors (GFs) are molecules that regulate cellular proliferation, differentiation, migration and survival. The review delves into nine basic families of the molecules and how they are utilized in medicine. The most substantial clinical evidence supporting medical applications has been established for EGF (epidermal growth factor), PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor), and FGF (fibroblast growth factor), which are primarily indicated for the treatment of chronic, non-healing wounds, particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus. Data from recent systematic overviews indicate that EGF yields the highest efficacy in terms of healing rate and complete wound closure. In Russia, an EGF-based pharmaceutical agent (Heberprot-P®) has obtained regulatory approval. It is officially included in national medical recommendations. Globally, approved pharmaceutical analogs incorporating PDGF, FGF, NGF, and proteins are employed to promote bone tissue regeneration. Furthermore, key limitations are addressed: precise delivery of these molecules to target tissues, safety of chronic utilization, and a critical need for further extensive investigations. Novel approaches are explored, such as the screening for substances capable of substituting natural growth factors, as well as combined therapies. The role of these signaling systems in tumorigenesis and development of anti-cancer drugs is also discussed.

Received: 2026-05-29

Published online: 2026-06-21

DOI: 10.24075/dc.2026.012

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VIEWS 120

Gusev RA, Kramarova EP, Volchenkov TI, Korlyukov AA, Lagunin AA, Baukov YuI, Shmigol TA, Negrebetsky VV

A comprehensive study of 10 N-sulfopropylated uracil derivatives (7–16), differing in substituents at positions C(5) and C(6) (H, CH3, NO2, Br, Cl, I, NH2), including 36 possible tautomeric forms, was carried out using methods of quantum chemistry (ωB97X-3c, CPCM) and prediction of the spectrum of biological activity in silico (PASS and PharmaExpert programs, version 2024). In every case, diketo-tautomer a is the dominant form in the condensed phase (ΔΔG=0). Depending on the substituent, the relative Gibbs energy values for keto-enol tautomers b and c range from 36 to 122 kJ/mol. It has been shown that the introduction of a sulfopropyl group does not violate the tautomeric preferences of unsubstituted uracil. A wide range of biological activity of the investigated structures was predicted using QSAR analysis. Antiviral effects (including HIV activity), antibacterial effects, anti-ischemic activity, and neuroprotective effects associated with inhibition of beta-amyloid aggregation were the most highly anticipated outcomes. The potential risks of hemotoxicity and peripheral neuropathy for nitro derivatives have been revealed (9). Diketo forms of N-sulfopropylated uracils with moderate electron-donor substituents are promising candidates for the development of multitargeted neuroprotective and antiviral drugs.

Received: 2026-05-29

Published online: 2026-06-16

DOI: 10.24075/dc.2026.011

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VIEWS 135

Sepp VV, Rusakov VM

This mini-review of scientific literature highlights novel approaches that assess bioavailability and bioequivalence of drugs using the In Vitro Permeation Test (IVPT). The test is widely applied to explore transdermal and skin permeation of drugs. IVPT is an essential tool of preclinical and regulatory quantitative assessment of the rate and extent of active substance permeation via the skin under controlled lab conditions. The interest in this approach has risen significantly in recent years, as it was necessary to develop more sensitive, reproducible and ethically acceptable methods assessing drugs for topical administration. Emphasis is given on analyzing the possibilities of IVPT to confirm bioequivalence of original and reproduced drugs and comparing the method with traditional clinical and pharmacokinetic approaches. Moreover, the existing limitations of IVPT associated with variability of biological models and complex extrapolation of the obtained data to clinical conditions are discussed. The prospects for standardization, optimization and subsequent adaptation of this method and its role in novel programs assessing quality, effectiveness and therapeutic equivalence of topical drugs have been explored.

Received: 2026-04-19

Published online: 2026-06-13

DOI: 10.24075/dc.2026.010

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VIEWS 149

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Popular articles

Popov NS, Gavrilenko DA, Baranov MS, Kaurova DE, Myasnyanko IN, Balabanyan VYu, Ivanov DS

Sydnonimines represent a promising class of chemical compounds for the development of new drugs, exhibiting a wide spectrum of pharmacological activity. Due to their ability to release nitric oxide and exert a vasodilatory effect, these compounds are potential candidates for the development of drugs for correcting cerebral circulation disorders. The present study is aimed at optimizing lead compounds of the sydnonimine group to create a drug candidate possessing predominant cerebral vasodilatory activity. The objects of the study were N-(ethoxycarbonyl)sydnonimine derivatives containing various substituents at the 3-position of the 1,2,3-oxadiazole ring. In a pharmacological experiment on rats, using a validated chromatographic-mass spectrometric method, the concentration of lead compounds in blood plasma and brain tissues was assessed after a single intragastric administration, and tissue distribution coefficients were calculated. The mean brain/plasma tissue distribution coefficients significantly differ among the studied substances. Compounds with radicals in their structure such as decyl, octyl, and 4-methylhexan-2-yl (BBP2023) predominate in CNS tissues compared to blood plasma throughout the entire observation period. Among the studied substances, the lead compound BBP2023 is of greatest interest, for which cerebral vasodilatory activity, an optimal pharmacokinetic profile, and pleiotropic effects (procognitive, psychostimulant) have been established. This drug candidate is recommended for further expanded preclinical studies.

Received: 2026-02-16

Published online: 2026-03-13

DOI: 10.24075/dc.2026.003

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VIEWS 523

Melchenko MA, Yarovaya OI

Protecting against ionizing radiation is a critical challenge in medicine and radiobiology due to the increasing use of radiotherapy in oncology and the risk of radiation accidents. The development of effective and safe radioprotective agents remains associated with significant problems and limitations. The paper explores recent data on radioprotectors (preventive agents) and radiomitigators (agents that mitigate the effects of radiation), as well as current problems of their development and application. Classical synthetic aminothiols (amifostine) as well as modern strategies, including proinflammatory cytokine inhibitors (TGF-β), statins, ACE inhibitors, probiotics, and natural antioxidants, were analyzed. Fundamental limitations hindering widespread clinical use including a narrow therapeutic window, toxicity, and lack of selectivity toward healthy tissues during radiation therapy, have been identified. Although an ideal radioprotective drug has not been developed yet, modern research has advanced, shifting focus toward comprehensive radiation mitigation strategies to address delayed effects of radiation exposure.

Received: 2025-11-19

Published online: 2026-03-12

DOI: 10.24075/dc.2026.004

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VIEWS 423