Lagatar24 Desk
Vadodara: In a significant advancement towards safer tuberculosis (TB) treatment, researchers from MS University’s Faculty of Pharmacy have identified novel compounds that could minimize the harmful side effects of current TB medications on the liver and kidneys. This discovery could pave the way for the development of new anti-TB drugs with reduced toxicity.
The research team, led by Dr. Prashant R. Murumkar, screened over two lakh compounds to identify these promising anti-TB agents. Their work focuses on inhibiting an enzyme responsible for the adverse reactions of TB drugs, which often lead to organ damage.
“We utilized advanced pharmacophore models and molecular modeling techniques to virtually screen the compounds,” explained Dr. Murumkar. Together with his PhD student, Dr. Monica Chauhan, Dr. Murumkar has secured a patent from the Government of India for their groundbreaking discovery. Their findings have also been published in the prestigious UK-based Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics.
Current TB treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotics such as isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. However, these drugs can cause serious side effects, including hepatotoxicity (liver injury) and nephrotoxicity (kidney damage), which can complicate treatment.
“Our research took a different approach by targeting an enzyme exclusive to mycobacteria, the bacteria responsible for TB,” said Dr. Murumkar. The compounds developed by the team are designed to block the DprE1 enzyme, which is crucial for the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall. By inhibiting this enzyme, the bacteria are effectively killed, while the risk of side effects in humans, particularly liver and kidney damage, is significantly reduced.
The newly developed molecules are the first of their kind, representing a novel class of compounds with DprE1 inhibitory activity, specifically containing a pyrazolo-pyrimidine scaffold. This innovation holds the potential to revolutionize TB treatment, making it safer and more effective for patients.
