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Chem Presentation

The document compares the chirality and effectiveness of natural drugs versus their synthetic counterparts, highlighting key examples like L-Dopa and cocaine. L-Dopa is biologically active and used in treating Parkinson's disease, while its synthetic form, D-Dopa, lacks medicinal application. Similarly, natural cocaine has significant effects and medical uses, whereas synthetic cocaine is primarily of academic interest and has milder effects.

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3 views8 pages

Chem Presentation

The document compares the chirality and effectiveness of natural drugs versus their synthetic counterparts, highlighting key examples like L-Dopa and cocaine. L-Dopa is biologically active and used in treating Parkinson's disease, while its synthetic form, D-Dopa, lacks medicinal application. Similarly, natural cocaine has significant effects and medical uses, whereas synthetic cocaine is primarily of academic interest and has milder effects.

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znp1eyt
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Natural vs.

Synthetic
Drugs
Objective: To compare the chirality and effectiveness of naturally occurring drugs versus
their synthetic counterparts.
Introduction
• The chirality of drugs is an extreme factor in the
pharmaceutical industry. It’s often overlooked in the
aspects of pharmacology. The idea that natural existing
drugs have certain outcomes that their synthetic mirror
compound do not is fascinating. In some cases, both
have completely opposite uses that can lead to fatal
mistakes when delivering prescriptions.
L-Dopa
(dihydroxyphenylalanine)
• L-Dopa (levodopa) is a naturally occurring compound that can be found in
certain foods and has effects in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and
overall neurodegenerative problems that are characterized by the deficiency
of dopamine in the brain. L-Dopa is widely used to “top-up” dopamine levels
in the brain. This can improve motor symptoms caused by Parkinson’s
disease, such as: rigidity, and tremor. L-Dopa is not a dopamine drug. It is a
precursor to the conversion of dopamine – meaning it is used and then
converted into dopamine in the brain (specifically the corpus striatum).
• D-Dopa is the synthetic enantiomer of L-Dopa. It does not have the same
effects as L-Dopa – which is its inability to be used as a dopamine inducing
drug. Therefore, it’s uses are limited in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
and medicinally as a whole. However, scientists have been able to use such a
drug to research and understand the metabolic effects of the drug and the
stereospecificity of amino acids and neurotransmitters in the brain. D-Dopa
does not behave as biologically active, thus it does not have any side effects
that may be associated to it’s mirror twin – D-Dopa – however it may have
certain effects on other biological systems that are not currently understood.
• Key Differences:
• L-Dopa is biologically active whereas D-Dopa is not.
• L-Dopa is widely used medicinally as a precursor to dopamine whereas L-
Dopa cannot.
• L-Dopa is converted to dopamine in the brain to alleviate symptoms of
dopamine deficiency whereas D-Dopa has no significant medical application.
• CONCLUSION: L-Dopa is a crucial medication, whereas D-Dopa is more of an
academic interest.
Adrenaline (Epinephrine)
Adrenaline is a well-known hormone produced in the body.
C9H13NO3

R-Epinephrine is approx. 15 to 40 times more pharmacologically


active than its S- enantiomer (D-Adrenaline). Therefore, high
purity of the “right” enantiomer has to be ensured by the
production process and efficiently analytically controlled.

Intro and Difference


Effects and Uses
Menthol
• E.g. Minty scent / effect
(+) and (-) versions of Cocaine
• Naturally occurring cocaine is found as a form of (-) cocaine in the leaves of a coca plant
(Erythroxylum coca). This is the form that is commonly associated with the drug name “Cocaine”. It
has limited medical uses but is sabotaged for its effects on the human body and thus exploited
recreationally. Cocaine has a general use as a local anesthetic (meaning you do not lose
consciousness when under its influence). It’s particularly used in procedures that involve ENT (Ears,
Nose, Throat). This is due to its capability to numb tissues and constrict blood vessels (less blood flow
causes less feeling in that region). This drug also has stimulating and euphoric effects leading to its
exploited recreational stereotypical drug use. The effects of this are strong enough to cause severe
addiction and numerous adverse health effects. Similar to previously sought ideas of dopamine,
cocaine causes a person to want to achieve a new “high” – specifically, to feel the same pleasure they
initially felt taking the drug again, and again. This often leads to drug abuse due to the body tolerance
build up. A tolerance causes the body to require more drugs to feel the same effect it would cause
someone who were not involved with the drug whatsoever. The mechanisms of cocaine works by
inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain which leads to an
increased level of these neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft (the gap between two neurons in a
synapse). The results are a heightened alertness, energy, and sense of euphoria. The side effect of
this drug is cardiovascular issues, neurological effects (e.g. seizures), and psychological problems
(e.g. anxiety and paranoia) – also aging.
• Synthetically produced cocaine is typically synthesized in a lab – unless you’re up to no good (pun
intended) lol. Synthetic cocaine – otherwise known as (+) Cocaine - does not generally get
synthesized in significantly large amounts (unless you work for a cartel or mafia group). Scientists do
not truly synthesize cocaine for many medical uses as there are better alternatives but do so to study
the pharmacology and stereospecificity of cocaine with receptors in the brain. It is important to know
that synthesized cocaine has a much milder stimulant effect that naturally occurring cocaine – known
as (-) Cocaine – does which are primarily the characterizing effects of Cocaine. Fortunately,
synthesized cocaine is considered as non-psychoactive and is not associated with risks of addiction or
other adverse effects related to cocaine abuse (this doesn’t mean you should do it).
• Key Differences:
• Natural is from a leaf of a plant and synthesized is an enantiomer from a lab
• Natural cocaine has a stronger effect than the synthesized enantiomer of it
• Cocaine has medicinal uses but is often used for research as there are much better alternatives with
less side effects than it
• CONCLUSION: Natural cocaine is a notorious medical and recreational drug for its euphoric and
anesthetic stimulating properties but synthesized cocaine is an enantiomer that is fonder of research
than uses in medical procedures or medicine in general.

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