Subject Pharm 209 - Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Organic Chemistry

Title Role of Chemical Bonding, Conformation and Stereochemistry on Drug’s

Specificity to Target Receptor
Activity No No. 2.1. Drug Target
Introduction The use of chemical compounds to treat disease has its origins in the use of plants and
other natural substances by primitive cultures. These cultures were attempting to
mitigate the influences of evil spirits and superstitions believed to be the cause of
illnesses. Over time and much research it became evident that compounds could affect
pharmacological activity in either a selective or non-selective way. Nonselective
drugs interact will all body cells and compartments (general anesthetics, nitrogen
mustards), and changes in their structure have little effect on their pharmacological
activity. On the other hand, many drugs act selectively and small changes in their
chemical structure can produce profound differences in their pharmacological
activity. The selective nature of these drugs stems from their affinity for specific
cellular components which have been identified as receptors.

Objective(s) At the end of the activity, the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate understanding of the molecular structures of major
macromolecular targets in the body.
Materials and
Equipment

Preparation
Laptop and Internet Connection Power point
Presentation Published Articles

Procedure/ Preparation

1. Select a drug from any drug class.

2. Conduct a research on the following;
a. The mechanism of action the chosen drug and its target receptor b. The
type of chemical bonding between the drug and the target c. The
conformational theory that is true for the drug-receptor interaction d. The
stereoisomers available for the drug

A. Introduction

Provide a brief Atropine is a tropane alkaloid and anticholinergic medication used to treat certain
introduction about types of nerve agent and pesticide poisonings as well as some types of slow
heart the drug. rate, and to decrease saliva production during surgery. It is typically given
(Indication/ Current intravenously or by injection into a muscle.
use, Products or
preparation Indications:
available) - Atropine is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of low heart rate
(bradycardia), reduce salivation and bronchial secretions before surgery or as
an antidote for overdose of cholinergic drugs or mushroom poisoning.
- Atropine carries indications for anti-sialagogue/anti-vagal effect,
organophosphate/muscarinic poisoning, and bradycardia.
- Atropine acts as a competitive, reversible antagonist of muscarinic receptors: an
anticholinergic drug.
- Atropine/diphenoxylate is an antimotility agent that can be useful in the
treatment of diarrhea as second-line therapy, by allowing the central acting
opioid effect of diphenoxylate and capitalization on its anticholinergic side effect
of constipation to slow motility.

Products Available:
- AtroPen.
- Sal-Tropine
- Isopto Atropine
 - Isopto Atropine

B. Mechanism of The most important therapeutic action of atropine is the inhibition of smooth
Action. muscle and glands innervated by postganglionic cholinergic nerves. It also has
Identify the central nervous system activity, which may be stimulating or depressing
mechanism of depending upon the dose. Following the administration of usual clinical doses,
action of the drug. atropine produces stimulation of the medulla and higher cerebral centers. This
Include the drug effect is manifested by mild central vagal excitation and moderate respiratory
target in its MOA. stimulation. Atropine sulfate also acts peripherally as a competitive antagonist
of the muscarinic actions of acetylcholine. It does not prevent the release of
acetylcholine but antagonizes the effect of acetylcholine on the effector cells.
These actions include vasodilation, drying of the mouth, an increase in the pulse
rate, inhibition of contractions of the gastrointestinal tract, ureter, and bladder,
and reduction of salivary, bronchial, gastric and sweat gland secretions.
Following clinical and larger doses, atropine sulfate causes dilation of the pupils
and paralysis of accommodation and in narrow-angle glaucoma, can increase
intraocular pressure.

C. Type of The type of bonding that is exhibited between atropine and muscarinic
Bonding receptors is reversible bond. Atropine acts as a competitive antagonist of
Identify the type of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. It binds to muscarinic receptors
bonding involved in thereby preventing ACh from binding to and activating the receptor. By
its attachment to the blocking the actions of ACh, Atropine very effectively block the effects of
receptor. Explain its vagal nerve activity on the heart and other parasympathetic actions of
effect on its Ach.
mechanism of
action.
(e.g., reversible
bond, weak but
sufficient to support
bonding to
receptors)

D. Conformation

Identify the theory

that may be true that
may support the
biologic action of
the drug. Explain.
Identify whether the
drug acts as a full
agonist, partial
agonist or
antagonist.
One theory states that atropine may reduce milk production or milk
letdown during long-term use. This may be true since anticholinergic
agents such as atropine can inhibit lactation in animals, via inhibition
of growth hormone and oxytocin secretion. These agents can also
reduce serum prolactin in nonnursing women, but decreased levels
in an established nursing mother should not affect her ability to
breast feed. Atropine is a competitive antagonist of the actions of
acetylcholine and other muscarinic agonists.

D. Isomers.

Identify the isomers Atropine is a mixture of optical isomers and is also referred to as
available for the dl-hyoscyamine. It is formed during extraction (from Atropa
drug. Which of the
belladonna and Datura stramonium) by the racimization of 1-
isomers are
biologically active. hyoscyamine.
Explain what made
it more biologically
active than the other(s).
 dl-hyoscyamine, the active optical isomer of atropine, is a tertiary
amine anticholinergic gastrointestinal agent. It is biologically active as it
functions as a non-selective, competitive antagonist of muscarinic
receptors, thereby inhibiting the parasympathetic activities of
acetylcholine on the salivary, bronchial, and weat glands, as well as the
eye, heart, bladder and gastrointestinal tract. These inhibitory effects
cause a decrease in saliva, bronchial mucus, gastric juices, and sweat.
Furthermore, its inhibitory action on smooth muscle prevents bladder
contraction and decreases gastrointestinal motility.

Conclusions/ Despite the medical usefulness of atropine, it also exhibit mild to

Realizations severe side effects when taken beyond the right dose, which needs be
taken with close attention to avoid further risk. Thus, taking the right
dose is a great help to prevent atropine intoxication.

References: Thomas L. Lemke. Foye’s Principles of Medicinal Chemistry. (7th Edition)

Name: Queennie Rose B. Andaya Date of activity: June 18, 2021 Sec: B Group: 1 Laboratory instructor
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