http://www.3dchem.com Molecule of the Month Updates en-gb Sat, 5 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Copyright: (C) Karl Harrison http://www.3dchem.com 12 http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=432http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=432Phentermine is an appetite suppressant of the amphetamine and phenethylamine class. It is approved as an appetite suppressant to help reduce weight in obese patients when used short-term and combined with exercise, diet, and behavioral modification. It is typically prescribed for individuals who are at increased medical risk because of their weight and works by helping to release certain chemicals in the brain that control appetite.Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=440http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=440Creatine is nitrogenous organic acid that occurs naturally in vertebrates and helps to supply energy to muscle and nerve cells. Creatine was identified in 1832 when Michel Eugčne Chevreul discovered it as a component of skeletal muscle, which he later named creatine after the Greek word for flesh, Kreas. In the human body, approximately half of the daily creatine is biosynthesized from three different amino acids - arginine, glycine, and methionine. The rest is taken in by alimentary sources; mainly from fresh fish and meat. Ninety-five percent of creatine is later stored in the skeletal muscles, with the rest predominantly in the brain, heart, testes, inner ear and hair cells.Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=431http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=431Rabeprazole is an antiulcer drug in the class of proton pump inhibitors. It was developed by Eisai Co. and is marketed by Janssen-Cilag as rabeprazole sodium under the brand names Aciphex and Pariet.Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=433http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=433Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor drug used for short-term treatment of erosion and ulceration of the esophagus caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=434http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=434Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor drug used for short-term treatment of erosion and ulceration of the esophagus caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=435http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=435Misoprostol is a drug that is FDA-approved in the United States for the prevention of NSAID-induced gastric ulcers. It is also used (and approved in other countries) to induce labor and as an abortifacient. It was invented and marketed by G.D. Searle & Company (now Pfizer) under the trade name Cytotec. Misoprostol stimulates increased secretion of the protective mucus that lines the gastrointestinal tract and increases mucosal blood flow, thereby increasing mucosal integrity. It is sometimes co-prescribed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent their common adverse effect of gastric ulceration (e.g. with Diclofenac in Arthrotec).Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=436http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=436Metoclopramide is primarily used to treat nausea and vomiting, and to facilitate gastric emptying in patients with gastroparesis. It is potent dopamine receptor antagonist used for its antiemetic and prokinetic properties. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=437http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=437Glucosamine is an amino sugar and a prominent precursor in the biochemical synthesis of glycosylated proteins and lipids. A type of glucosamine forms chitin, which composes the exoskeletons of crustaceans and other arthropods, cell walls in fungi and many higher organisms. Glucosamine is one of the most abundant monosaccharides. It is produced commercially by the hydrolysis of crustacean exoskeletons or, less commonly and more expensive to the consumer, by fermentation of a grain such as corn or wheat. Glucosamine is commonly used as a treatment for osteoarthritis, although its acceptance as a medical therapy varies.Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=438http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=438Dicycloverine is used to treat intestinal hypermotility, the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (also known as spastic colon). It relieves muscle spasms in the gastrointestinal tract by blocking the activity of a certain natural substance in the body. It is a smooth muscle relaxer.Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=439http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=439Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a natural steroid prohormone produced from cholesterol by the adrenal glands, the gonads, adipose tissue, brain and in the skin (by an autocrine mechanism). DHEA is the precursor of androstenedione, which can undergo further conversion to produce the androgen testosterone and the estrogens estrone and estradiol. Regular exercise is known to increase DHEA production in the bodyTue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=430http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=430Tadalafil is an orally administered drug used to treat male erectile dysfunction (impotence). It was initially developed by the biotechnology firm ICOS and subsequently developed and marketed worldwide by a joint venture of ICOS Corporation and Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly ICOS LLC) under the brand name Cialis. In the United States, tadalafil has Food and Drug Administration approval and became available in December, 2003 as the third impotence pill after sildenafil (Viagra) and vardenafil (Levitra). Due to its 36-hour effect it is also known as the weekend pill. As with sildenafil and vardenafil, it is recommended that tadalafil be used no more than once daily. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=429http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=429Tramadol is an atypical opioid which is a centrally acting analgesic, used for treating moderate to severe pain. It is a synthetic agent, as a 4-phenyl-piperidine analogue of codeine, and appears to have actions on the GABAergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic systems. Tramadol was developed by the German pharmaceutical company Grünenthal GmbH in the last years of 1970s and marketed under the trade name Tramal. Tramadol is usually marketed as the hydrochloride salt (tramadol hydrochloride) and is available in both injectable (intravenous and/or intramuscular) and oral preparations. It is also available in conjunction with paracetamol (acetaminophen). Tramadol is marketed as a racemic mixture with a weak affinity for the μ-opioid receptor (approximately 1/6th that of morphine). The (+)-enantiomer is approximately four times more potent than the (-)-enantiomer in terms of μ-opioid receptor affinity and 5-HT reuptake, whereas the (-)-enantiomer is responsible for noradrenaline reuptake effects (Shipton, 2000). These actions appear to produce a synergistic analgesic effect, with (+)-tramadol exhibiting 10-fold higher analgesic activity than (-)-tramadol (Goeringer et al., 1997).Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=428http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=428Vardenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It can assist men with this disorder in achieving and maintaining an erection during sexual activity. It is commonly marketed under the trade name Levitra (sold by Bayer AG). Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=427http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=427Hexamethylene triperoxide diamine, or HMTD is a high explosive organic chemical compound, first synthesised in 1885 by Legler. The theorised structure lent itself well to acting as an initiating, or primary explosive. While still quite sensitive to shock and friction, it was relatively stable compared to other initiating explosives of the time, such as mercury fulminate, and proved to be relatively inexpensive and easy to synthesise. As such, it was quickly taken up as a primary explosive in mining applications.Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=425http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=425Hyaluronan (also called hyaluronic acid or hyaluronate) is a glycosaminoglycan distributed widely throughout connective, epithelial, and neural tissues. It is one of the chief components of the extracellular matrix, contributes significantly to cell proliferation and migration, and may also be involved in the progression of some malignant tumors. The average 70-kg man has roughly 15 grams of hyaluronan in his body, one-third of which is turned over (degraded and synthesised) every day. Hyaluronan is a common ingredient in skin care product, and the branded version Restylane is used as injections to temporarily smooth wrinkles by adding volume under the skin or the brand Macrolane to increase breast size by adding volume using a natural tissue chemical.Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=426http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=426Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is one of the most poisonous naturally occurring substances in the world, and it is the most toxic protein, just 0.000 000 7 grams would kill most adults. Though it is highly toxic, it is used in minute doses both to treat painful muscle spasms, and as a cosmetic treatment in some parts of the world. It is sold commercially under the brand names Myobloc, Botox and Dysport for this purpose. Botox is manufactured by Allergan Inc (U.S.) for both therapeutic as well as cosmetic use. The formulation is best stored at cold temperature of 2-8 degrees Celsius. Dysport is a therapeutic formulation of the type A toxin developed and manufactured in Ireland and which is licenced for the treatment of focal dystonias and certain cosmetic uses in many territories world wide. Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=423http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=423Glucose (Glc), a monosaccharide (or simple sugar), is an important carbohydrate in biology. The living cell uses it as a source of energy and metabolic intermediate. Glucose is one of the main products of photosynthesis and starts cellular respiration in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The name comes from the Greek word glykys (γλυκύς), which means "sweet", plus the suffix "-ose" which denotes a sugar. Two stereoisomers of the aldohexose sugars are known as glucose, only one of which (D-glucose) is biologically active. This form (D-glucose) is often referred to as dextrose monohydrate, or, especially in the food industry, simply dextrose (from dextrorotatory glucose). This article deals with the D-form of glucose. The mirror-image of the molecule, L-glucose, cannot be metabolized by cells in the biochemical process known as glycolysis.Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=420http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=420Gulose is an aldohexose sugar. It is an unnatural monosaccharide that exists as a syrup with a sweet taste. It is soluble in water and slightly soluble in methanol. Both the D- and L-forms are not fermentable by yeast.Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=421http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=421Altrose is an aldohexose sugar. The D isomer is an unnatural monosaccharide. It is soluble in water and practically insoluble in methanol. L-altrose has been isolated from strains of the bacterium Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens.Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=422http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?id=422Mannose is a hexose sugar monomer. Mannose is present in numerous glycoconjugates including N-linked glycosylation of proteins. C-mannosylation is also abundant and can be found in collage-like regions. The name of both "mannose" and "manitol" comesis manna, which the Bible records as the food supplied to the Israelites during their journey through the Sinai Peninsula. Manna is a sweet secretion of several trees and shrubs, such as Fraxinus ornus.Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT