Química medicinal

Molecular Hybridization - An Emanating Tool in Drug Design

Abstract

Sunil RJ, Sarbani Pal and Jayashree A

Most of the diseases are multifactorial in nature. Moreover, the exploration of new drugs with appropriate absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion along with effective pharmacological activity and less toxicity for the treatment and cure of multifactorial diseases is a herculean task. There is new hope for the treatment of multifactorial diseases like cancer in recent years with the advent of Molecular hybridization. It is one of the approaches in the molecular modification of drug designing which involves the refinement of molecules. Chemists had learned well from nature about the significance of small changes in structures of drugs and its effect on biological activity. Molecular modification by nature has been going on since the beginning of life. Molecular hybridization is based on the combination of pharmacophores of different bioactive substances to produce a hybrid compound with improved affinity and efficacy when compared to the parent drugs. This strategy results in compounds with a modified selectivity profile, with different and/or dual modes of action and reduced undesired side effects. This technique focuses on the modulation of the pharmacophores giving rise to innovative hybrids. Molecular hybridization is a cropping up approach in drug discovery and development of medicinal chemistry during the latest years. The review article presents insights into the concept of molecular hybridization in designing better drugs.