Calanolide A: Difference between revisions

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An article about Calanolide A, an anti-HIV compound

Calanolide A

Calanolide A is a naturally occurring chemical compound that has garnered interest for its potential use as an antiretroviral drug in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. It is a member of the class of compounds known as coumarins, which are known for their diverse biological activities.

Discovery and Source

Calanolide A was first isolated from the tropical tree Calophyllum lanigerum, which is native to the rainforests of Malaysia. The compound was discovered during a screening program aimed at identifying new agents with activity against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Chemical Structure

Calanolide A is a complex molecule with a unique structure that includes a coumarin core. Its chemical formula is C₂₀H₁₈O₅. The presence of multiple hydroxyl groups and a lactone ring is characteristic of its structure, contributing to its biological activity.

Mechanism of Action

Calanolide A acts as a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). It binds to a specific site on the reverse transcriptase enzyme of HIV, inhibiting its activity and preventing the virus from replicating its genetic material. This mechanism is similar to other NNRTIs used in antiretroviral therapy.

Research and Development

Research into Calanolide A has been conducted by various institutions, including Craun Research Sdn Bhd, which has been involved in the development and potential commercialization of this compound. Studies have shown that Calanolide A exhibits potent activity against HIV-1, the most common strain of the virus.

Potential Benefits and Challenges

The potential benefits of Calanolide A include its novel mechanism of action and its effectiveness against drug-resistant strains of HIV. However, challenges remain in its development, including the need for further clinical trials to establish its safety and efficacy in humans.

Related pages

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-'''Calanolide A''' is a naturally occurring [[non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor]] (NNRTI) derived from the [[Calophyllum]] tree species. It was first discovered in the 1990s during a large-scale screening of plant extracts for anti-HIV activity. Calanolide A has been the subject of extensive research due to its potential use in the treatment of [[HIV/AIDS]].
+{{Short description|An article about Calanolide A, an anti-HIV compound}}
-== History ==
+==Calanolide A==
+[[File:Craun_Research_Sdn_Bhd_signage.jpg|thumb|right|Craun Research Sdn Bhd, involved in the research of Calanolide A]]
+'''Calanolide A''' is a naturally occurring [[chemical compound]] that has garnered interest for its potential use as an [[antiretroviral drug]] in the treatment of [[HIV/AIDS]]. It is a member of the class of compounds known as [[coumarins]], which are known for their diverse biological activities.
-Calanolide A was first isolated from the [[Calophyllum lanigerum]] tree in Sarawak, Malaysia, as part of a United States National Cancer Institute (NCI) program that aimed to identify potential anti-HIV compounds from natural sources. The compound was found to have significant anti-HIV activity, leading to further research and development.
+==Discovery and Source==
+Calanolide A was first isolated from the tropical tree ''[[Calophyllum lanigerum]]'', which is native to the [[rainforests]] of [[Malaysia]]. The compound was discovered during a screening program aimed at identifying new agents with activity against the [[human immunodeficiency virus]] (HIV).
-== Structure and Properties ==
+==Chemical Structure==
+Calanolide A is a complex molecule with a unique structure that includes a coumarin core. Its chemical formula is C<sub>20</sub>H<sub>18</sub>O<sub>5</sub>. The presence of multiple [[hydroxyl groups]] and a [[lactone]] ring is characteristic of its structure, contributing to its biological activity.
-Calanolide A is a [[dipyranocoumarin]], a type of [[coumarin]] derivative. It has a complex structure that includes a [[lactone]] ring and a [[pyran]] ring. The compound is chiral, meaning it has a non-superimposable mirror image. The stereochemistry of Calanolide A is important for its anti-HIV activity.
+==Mechanism of Action==
+Calanolide A acts as a [[non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor]] (NNRTI). It binds to a specific site on the [[reverse transcriptase]] enzyme of HIV, inhibiting its activity and preventing the virus from replicating its [[genetic material]]. This mechanism is similar to other NNRTIs used in [[antiretroviral therapy]].
-== Mechanism of Action ==
+==Research and Development==
+Research into Calanolide A has been conducted by various institutions, including [[Craun Research Sdn Bhd]], which has been involved in the development and potential commercialization of this compound. Studies have shown that Calanolide A exhibits potent activity against HIV-1, the most common strain of the virus.
-Calanolide A acts as a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). [[Reverse transcriptase]] is an enzyme that HIV uses to replicate its genetic material. By inhibiting this enzyme, Calanolide A prevents the virus from replicating and spreading to new cells.
+==Potential Benefits and Challenges==
+The potential benefits of Calanolide A include its novel mechanism of action and its effectiveness against drug-resistant strains of HIV. However, challenges remain in its development, including the need for further clinical trials to establish its safety and efficacy in humans.
-== Clinical Development ==
+==Related pages==
+* [[HIV/AIDS]]
+* [[Antiretroviral drug]]
+* [[Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor]]
+* [[Coumarin]]
-The clinical development of Calanolide A has involved preclinical studies, phase I clinical trials, and phase II clinical trials. These studies have shown that Calanolide A has a good safety profile and is effective in reducing HIV viral load in patients. However, the development of drug resistance is a potential concern.
+[[Category:Antiretroviral drugs]]
+[[Category:Coumarins]]
-== Future Prospects ==
+[[Category:HIV/AIDS research]]
-While Calanolide A has shown promise as an anti-HIV drug, further research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits and risks. The development of new formulations and combination therapies may help to overcome some of the challenges associated with this compound.
-[[Category:Pharmacology]]
-[[Category:Antiviral drugs]]
-[[Category:HIV/AIDS]]
-{{Pharma-stub}}
-{{HIV-stub}}