Pyrimidine derivatives: Their significance in the battle against malaria, cancer and viral infections
Faculty of Pharmacy, Sri Satya Sai University of Technology and Medical Sciences, Sehore, M.P. India – 466001.
Review Article
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2023, 25(02), 076–083.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscbps.2023.25.2.0451
Publication history:
Received on 20 September 2023; revised on 30 October 2023; accepted on 02 November 2023
Abstract:
Pyrimidine derivatives play a significant role in combating viral infections, malaria, and cancer due to their diverse pharmacological properties.
Pyrimidine derivatives, particularly nucleoside analogs, have been widely used as antiviral agents. They interfere with viral replication by inhibiting DNA or RNA synthesis.Examples include drugs like acyclovir (used against herpes viruses), lamivudine (for HIV and hepatitis B), and remdesivir (for COVID-19). These compounds help to manage and treat various viral infections, reducing their severity and spread. Pyrimidine derivatives are key components of antimalarial drugs like pyrimethamine and proguanil. They target the parasite Plasmodium falciparum's dihydrofolate reductase enzyme, essential for its survival. These drugs have been instrumental in combating malaria, a major global health concern, by inhibiting the growth of the malaria parasite within the human body. Pyrimidine analogs are used in chemotherapy to target rapidly dividing cancer cells. Drugs like 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cytarabine inhibit DNA synthesis in cancer cells, leading to cell death. These derivatives have been crucial in the treatment of various cancers, helping to slow down tumor growth and improve patient outcomes.
Overall, this article aims to consolidate existing knowledge on the topic, synthesize relevant information, and contribute to a better understanding of the potential applications of pyrimidine derivatives in the fields of oncology, virology, and tropical medicine.
Keywords:
Pyrimidine Derivatives; Malaria; Cancer; Viral Infection; DNA; Combination Therapy
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Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0
