NewKerala.com

Key Points

A groundbreaking study by Indian scientists at IASST has revealed promising drug strategies for neurodegenerative disorders using peptidomimetics. These synthetic molecules can effectively mimic natural proteins, potentially offering more stable and targeted treatments for challenging neurological conditions. The research highlights the ability of these drugs to promote neuronal growth and survival, overcoming limitations of traditional neurotrophin treatments. This innovative approach could revolutionize how we manage and treat complex brain diseases in the future.

Key Points: IASST Scientists Unveil Breakthrough Drugs for Neurodegenerative Care

  • Synthetic molecules mimic protein structures to combat neurological disorders
  • Peptidomimetics show enhanced stability for brain drug delivery
  • Research targets neuronal growth and survival mechanisms
  • Potential applications beyond neurodegenerative diseases
2 min read

Indian scientists find drugs with potential to treat neurodegenerative disorders

Indian researchers discover innovative peptidomimetic drugs offering promising treatment for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases

"Neurotrophin peptidomimetics are valuable tools in drug discovery - Prof. Ashis K. Mukherjee, IASST"

New Delhi, May 21

A team of scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has found drugs with potential to treat neurodegenerative disorders -- a major global health challenge.

In the study, published in the Journal Drug Discovery Today, the team highlighted the potential of peptidomimetics to treat neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, by promoting neuronal growth and survival.

Peptidomimetic drugs -- or synthetic molecules that mimic the structure of natural proteins -- can be repurposed to provide an effective therapeutic strategy to treat neurodegenerative diseases by promoting neuronal growth and survival.

While neurotrophins, proteins crucial for neuronal survival and function, have shown promise as potential treatments, their instability and rapid degradation have hindered their therapeutic application.

IASST scientists have been exploring peptidomimetics, synthetic compounds designed to mimic neurotrophins, as a potential solution to these limitations.

"Neurotrophin peptidomimetics are developed to target specific biological functions and can be valuable tools in drug discovery, especially when natural peptides have limitations like poor oral bioavailability or susceptibility to degradation," said the team led by Prof. Ashis K. Mukherjee.

"One of the significant advantages of peptidomimetics is their improved stability and bioavailability compared to endogenous neurotrophins. This means they can be delivered more effectively to the brain and maintain their therapeutic activity for a longer duration," the team added.

In addition, peptidomimetics can be designed to be more specific to their target receptors, reducing the risk of side effects.

The research focused on understanding the signaling pathways involved in neuronal growth and survival, the potential pharmacological targets of peptidomimetics, and their therapeutic applications for neurodegenerative diseases.

The team also explored the possibility of repurposing existing peptidomimetic drugs for other diseases, such as cancer, and the potential for developing new drug prototypes based on neurotrophins mimetics.

As research progresses, the team said that peptidomimetics could become a key therapeutic strategy, offering new hope for managing and treating neurodegenerative disorders for future generations.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This is fantastic news! My grandfather suffered from Parkinson's and we saw firsthand how limited treatment options were. Proud of our Indian scientists for making breakthroughs that could help millions worldwide. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
P
Priya M.
As someone working in pharma research, I know how challenging neurodegenerative diseases are. The peptidomimetics approach is brilliant - mimicking nature while improving stability. Hope the government provides adequate funding to take this forward!
A
Amit S.
Great achievement but will these drugs be affordable for common people? Often such advanced treatments remain out of reach due to high costs. Hope DST ensures price controls if this reaches commercialization stage.
S
Sunita R.
My mother has early Alzheimer's symptoms. This gives me hope! 🙏 When can we expect clinical trials? The article mentions future generations but what about current patients? Would love more details on timeline.
V
Vikram J.
Interesting that they're exploring repurposing for cancer too. Indian researchers are really thinking outside the box. But I wonder - how does this compare to similar research happening in Western countries? Are we leading or catching up?
N
Neha P.
The potential to reduce side effects is crucial. Many current neurological medications have terrible side effects that sometimes make treatment worse than the disease itself. Kudos to Prof. Mukherjee's team for their hard work!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50