Small molecules play a pivotal role in Endocrinology Research. These are low molecular weight compounds that have a significant impact on the endocrine system, hormones, and their receptors. Here are some key aspects of how small molecules are involved in this field:
Hormone Mimetics and Inhibitors: Small molecules are used to develop synthetic compounds that mimic the actions of hormones or inhibit their effects. For example, drugs like metformin for diabetes management and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) for breast cancer treatment are used to either mimic or block hormonal activity.
Receptor Modulation: Small molecules can bind to hormone receptors and modulate their activity. This is crucial in developing drugs that target specific hormone receptors, like the use of small molecule agonists and antagonists to regulate thyroid hormone receptors.
Metabolism Regulation: Endocrinology research often focuses on metabolism and how hormones like insulin regulate it. Small molecules are employed to understand and develop drugs targeting enzymes involved in metabolism, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists for diabetes treatment.
Steroid Hormone Production: Small molecules may be utilized to influence the production of steroid hormones in the adrenal glands or gonads. This is essential for conditions like Cushing's syndrome or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Hormone Assays: In laboratory research, small molecules are used as tracers or markers in hormone assays. For instance, small molecule fluorophores can be attached to antibodies to detect hormone levels in blood samples.
Drug Development: Endocrinology research relies on small molecules as potential drug candidates. Researchers design and test small molecules for their effectiveness in modulating hormonal pathways, with the goal of developing new therapies for endocrine disorders. In summary, small molecules are indispensable tools in Endocrinology Research, enabling scientists to better understand the endocrine system's intricacies and develop novel treatments for a wide range of hormonal disorders and conditions. Their versatility and specificity make them valuable assets in advancing our knowledge of endocrinology and improving patient care.
18α-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18α-GA) is a bioactive triterpenoid found in licorice. It shows selective inhibition of 11-HSD1 (11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1).
Ginsenoside Rk1, one of the main elements of Sung Ginseng, has been confirmed as a new endothelial barrier enhancer recently and has anti-cancer activity.
(-)-DHMEQ, the eutomer of DHMEQ , is a newly developed NF-kB inhibitor, inhibits nuclear factor kB activation with IC50 value of 20 ug/mL, the activity is stronger than (+)-DHMEQ.
CBL0137(CBL-0137) activates p53 and inhibits NF-kB with EC50s of 0.37 μM and 0.47 μM in the cell-based p53 and NF-kB reporter assays, respectively. It also inhibits histone chaperone FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription complex).
Cynaropicrin is a sesquiterpene lactone originally isolated from artichoke (C. scolymus) that has diverse biological activities. It inhibits the growth of SKOV3, LOX-IMVI, A549, MCF-7, HCT15, and PC-3 cancer cells (IC50s = 1.1-8.7 μg/ml).
CBL0137 is a FACT inhibitor that functionally inactivates the facilitates chromatin transcription complex (FACT), driving the effects on p53 and NF-κB and promoting cancer cell death.
CDDO-dhTFEA (RTA dh404) is a synthetic oleanane triterpenoid compound which potently activates Nrf2 and inhibits the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB.
Dexanabinol exhibits not only the antioxidant and neuroprotective activities in brain but also anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting NF-κB and decreasing cytokines such as TNFα and interleukin-6, which could ensure the integrity of BBB and reduce cell apoptosis and death.
TAK-243 (MLN7243) is a first-in-class, selective ubiquitin activating enzyme, UAE (UBA1) inhibitor (IC50=1 nM), which blocks ubiquitin conjugation, disrupting monoubiquitin signaling as well as global protein ubiquitination.
DMAPT (Dimethylamino Parthenolide), a water soluble analogue of Parthenolide (PTL), is an oral active NF-κB inhibitor, with a LD50 of 1.7 μM for cell population in AML cells. Has potential anti-cancer and anti-metastatic effect.
Tomatidine hydrochloride acts as an anti-inflammatory agent by blocking NF-κB and JNK signaling. Tomatidine hydrochloride activates autophagy either in mammal cells or C elegans.
