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.
May 22, 2025
Indian scientists find drugs with potential to treat neurodegenerative disorders
"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.
Key Points
1 Synthetic molecules mimic
protein structures to combat neurological disorders
2 Peptidomimetics show enhanced
stability for brain drug delivery
3 Research targets neuronal
growth and survival mechanisms
4 Potential applications beyond
neurodegenerative diseases
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.
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