Medicinal Chemistry of Polyphenols : their potential use as bioactive compounds
Introduction :
A team from the Department of Medicinal Chemistry is expert in the extraction of natural active substances as well as in the development and synthesis of analogues. These new synthesized compounds can prove to be highly advantageous to companies interested in identifying new molecules of therapeutic and cosmetic value.
The department has patented a number of inventions related to the use of polyphenol derivatives in pharmacy and cosmetology which in turn have led to the commercialization of active polyphenols in cosmetology. These factors may differentiate the department from other laboratories and can potentially lead to reduced lead times necessary for synthesizing or extracting new molecules.
Aculeatins belong to a novel family of molecules recently isolated from the plant Amonum aculeatum commonly used in Papua New Guinea as a traditional medicine to treat fever and malaria. Researchers at the Molecular Pharmacochemistry department, University Joseph Fourier, have developed a unique synthesis pathway giving access to a wide range of aculeatin derivatives. This highly flexible diversity-oriented approach enables the synthesis of numerous and complex derivatives, some of which already demonstrate enhanced anti-plasmodium activities and reduced cell toxicity. This new method of synthesis can result in opportunities regarding both the molecular optimization of aculeatins, as well as an understanding of their mode of action.
