Pharmacology: Ancient to Modern Drug Formulas

Ancient Drug Formulas

• Ancient drug formulas often used weights and measures that are not easily understood today.
• Common practices included amulets, sacrifice, augury/prophecy, divination, cursing, advice, teaching, trances, and communication with animals or the dead.

Healers

• Healers were often seen as both spiritual and physical healers.
• They could be male or female.
• Healers introduced mercury-based compounds to the pharmacopeia.
• Ibn Sina (Avicenna) (980-1037 CE) wrote the book "Al Qanun" which contains more than 700 drug preparations.

Drug Formulas Today

• Modern approaches to ancient drug formulas are often unsuccessful because the formulas cannot be easily mass-produced or transported.
• The formulas may lead to new research pathways for isolating effective trace elements.

Pharmacology Learning Outcomes

• Differentiate between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
• Describe the three types of drug names and their characteristics.
• Identify the four groups of human proteins that are commonly drug targets.
• Explain the action of a select number of drugs in terms of drug target classification, drug target, drug action, and clinical use.
• Describe the major characteristics of four receptor superfamilies.
• Define terms such as agonist, antagonist, affinity, efficacy, concentration/dose-response relationship, potency, and EC50.
• Explain the therapeutic index.
• Describe the action of morphine in the context of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

PHAR1101 and the Pharmacology Major

• PHAR1101 is a course that explores drugs that have changed the world.
• It covers historical aspects, pharmacological aspects, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and clinical applications of a range of drugs.
• It builds a foundation for further study in the Pharmacology major.

Pharmacokinetics vs. Pharmacodynamics

• Pharmacokinetics: What the body does to a drug
• Pharmacodynamics: What a drug does to the body

Drugs

• A drug is a substance that produces a biological effect when introduced into the body.
• Drugs may treat symptoms but do not generally cure the underlying cause.
• Some exceptions include antimicrobial drugs and anti-HIV drugs.
• Drugs can be used for treatment and prevention.

Drug Types

• Small Molecules : chemical compounds with low molecular weight. Examples: Morphine, Penicillin
• Biologics: Large and complex molecules derived from living organisms. Examples: Antibodies, Peptides (enfuvirtide)

Types of Drug Names

• Chemical Name : Describes the complex chemical structure of the drug. Used by medicinal chemists.
• Generic Name : Stems/roots indicate origins, use, actions or structure. Used by pharmacologists. Often shorter and easier to remember than chemical names.
• Brand Name (Trade Name) : Invented by drug companies for marketing purposes. Can be catchy and memorable. A single drug can have different brand names in different countries or by different manufacturers.

Drug Targets

• Drug targets are molecules, often proteins, whose function can be modulated by drugs to produce a biological effect.
• Small molecules and biologics can both target different molecules.
• Examples of target molecules include pathogen proteins, human proteins, and other human biomolecules.

Drug Targets - Human Proteins

• Receptors (R): Proteins that bind to signaling molecules (ligands) and initiate a cellular response.
• Ion Channels (C): Proteins that form pores in cell membranes, allowing the passage of ions.
• Transporters (T): Proteins that move molecules across cell membranes.
• Enzymes (E): Proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions.

Explore the evolution of drug formulas from ancient practices to contemporary pharmacology. This quiz covers the roles of healers, the impact of historical texts like Ibn Sina's 'Al Qanun', and the challenges modern science faces in applying these ancient methods. Gain insights into pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics while tracing the lineage of drug preparation.