Chiral Pharmacology
Broader Concept:
Stereopharmacology
Associated Concept:
Chiral Drug
Narrower Concepts:
Chiral Pharmacodynamics
|
Chiral Pharmacokinetics
Definition: Chiral pharmacology is the branch of pharmacology that studies how molecular chirality influences the
pharmacological behavior of drugs. It examines the stereoselective differences between enantiomers in terms of
pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, therapeutic efficacy, toxicity, and clinical outcomes.
Context: Most biological macromolecules-including receptors, enzymes, ion channels, transport proteins, and nucleic
acids-are inherently chiral. Consequently, individual enantiomers of a chiral drug often interact differently with these
biological targets, leading to distinct pharmacological and toxicological profiles. Chiral pharmacology provides the
scientific basis for understanding these stereoselective interactions and supports the rational design, development,
regulatory evaluation, and clinical use of single-enantiomer drugs.
Example: Esomeprazole, the (S)-enantiomer of omeprazole, exhibits improved pharmacokinetic properties and more
consistent acid suppression than the racemic formulation. Likewise, levobupivacaine demonstrates reduced cardiotoxicity
compared with racemic bupivacaine, illustrating the clinical significance of chiral pharmacology.
Related Terms: Chirality, Stereochemistry, Enantiomer, Chiral Drug, Stereoselectivity, Chiral Pharmacodynamics,
Chiral Pharmacokinetics, Eutomer, Distomer, Chiral Switch.
Reference: Hutt, A. J., & Caldwell, J. (1985). The importance of stereochemistry in drug action and disposition.
Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 29(2), 245-263.
Caldwell, J. (1995). Chiral pharmacology and the regulation of new drugs. Chemistry and Industry, 6, 176-179.
Ariens, E. J. (1984). Stereochemistry, a basis for sophisticated nonsense in pharmacokinetics and clinical pharmacology.
European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 26, 663-668.
Agranat, I., Caner, H., & Caldwell, J. (2002). Putting chirality to work: The strategy of chiral switches. Nature
Reviews Drug Discovery, 1(10), 753-768.
Nguyen, L. A., He, H., & Pham-Huy, C. (2006). Chiral Drugs: An Overview. International Journal of Biomedical Science,
2(2), 85-100.
Smith, S. W. (2009). Chiral Toxicology: It's the Same Thing... Only Different. Toxicological Sciences, 110(1), 4-30.
