Painful History - Lecture 16 - Drug Discovery and Disease PDF

painful history - lecture 16 Created @December 10, 2024 10:10 PM Class drug discovery and disease Introduction to Pharmacology Definition: Study of the effects of drugs on living systems....

painful history - lecture 16 Created @December 10, 2024 10:10 PM Class drug discovery and disease Introduction to Pharmacology Definition: Study of the effects of drugs on living systems. Pharmacology ≠ Pharmacy: Pharmacology: The science of drug mechanisms and effects. Pharmacy: Focuses on drug regulations, prescriptions, and administration. Key Concepts: Drugs: Chemical substances with known structures, producing biological effects. Excludes nutrients or dietary essentials. Medicines: Contain drugs plus stabilizers, buffers, flavorings, etc. Drugs are the active ingredients in medicines. Development of Pharmacology Origins: Dates back to mid-1800s. Initially primitive and random. Now experimental, data-driven, and precise. Interdisciplinary Nature: Chemistry: Understanding drug structures and interactions. Physiology: Body function in health and disease. painful history - lecture 16 1  Pathology: Identifying disease mechanisms. Historical Evolution Ancient Practices: Early references: Ebers Papyrus (1550 BC). Asthma: Inhaling herbs. Constipation: Prune mixtures (still relevant today). Cancer: Limited understanding or solutions. Treatments were based on superstition and trial-and-error. Roman and Greek Contributions: Dioscorides (40–90 AD): Compiled "De Materia Medica," the first pharmacopoeia (encyclopedia of drugs). Transition to Modern Pharmacology Key Figures: Rudolf Boeheim: Emphasized drug "mode of action." Developed structured experimentation. Oswald Schmiedeberg: Published "Outline of Pharmacology" (late 1800s). Distinguished roles of pharmacologists (scientists) and clinicians. Progression: Shifted from anecdotal remedies to mechanism-based, evidence-driven science. Focus: Pain Management & Analgesics painful history - lecture 16 2  Understanding Pain: Acts as a warning signal for tissue damage. Historically tied to spiritual beliefs and seen as a test of faith. Primitive Approaches: Included spells, bleeding, purging, and scalding painful areas. Opium in Ancient Medicine: Derived from opium poppy sap. Used since 4000 BC for: Pain relief. Inducing sleep. Euthanasia. Calming children. Key Developments in Opium and Morphine Friedrich Sertürner (1804): Isolated morphine, the primary active ingredient of opium. Morphine: Named after Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams. Characteristics: Potent analgesic but highly addictive. Led to issues like "soldier’s disease" (morphine addiction during the American Civil War). Advancements: Introduction of the hypodermic needle (Alexander Wood, late 1800s): Enabled intravenous (IV) drug delivery. Increased morphine's potency and addiction risks. Emergence of Heroin painful history - lecture 16 3  Diacetylmorphine (Heroin): Semi-synthetic derivative of morphine. Marketed by Bayer as a "non-addictive" substitute for morphine. Turned out to be one of the most addictive substances known. Understanding Drug Mechanisms Drug Targets: Receptors: Bind hormones or neurotransmitters. Enzymes: Catalysts in biochemical reactions. Ion Channels: Regulate ion flow across membranes. Carriers: Transport molecules across cell membranes. Challenges: Limited understanding of: Pain communication pathways. Exact drug binding targets (e.g., for morphine). Key Takeaways 1. Pharmacology's Evolution: From random remedies to a systematic and controlled discipline. 2. Opium's Legacy: Foundation of modern analgesics but also a cautionary tale about addiction. 3. Future Outlook: Continued exploration of drug mechanisms and improved understanding of pain. painful history - lecture 16 4