Find a drug that exists as a racemic mixture or as an enantiomer (this can be th

Question

Find a drug that exists as a racemic mixture or as an enantiomer (this can be the same drug from Unit 2 if it is applicable). Discuss which enantiomer is the biologically active (if applicable) and either post a picture of the molecule or link to the image. You can also include a discussion about what the drug’s indicated action is (is it a pain reliever? Lower cholesterol? Etc.) Also, see if you can find information about how the molecule binds to the appropriate receptors in the body. Identify those receptors and postulate where the molecule might fit into the receptor. (That is likely to take an educated guess!)

Then, find the asymmetric centers in the molecule. Your initial post should be a minimum of 150 words and include a minimum of 1 APA formatted referenc

Explanation / Answer

Salbutamol is a drug that is sold in the market as a racemic mixture. The R- and S- enantiomers of salbutamol are shown in the image below:

Image source: Wikipedia

Salbutamol acts as a medication for asthma, exerciser-induced bronchospasm or in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Salbutamol also finds use in the treatment of high blood potassium level and is often used by inhaler or nebulizer. Salbutamol is a short-acting “receptor agonist” and the mode of action is by relaxing of airway muscles.

Although salbutamol is sold in the market as a racemic mixture, the R- enantiomer is infact, more biologically active.

Salbutamol works as a receptor agonist and activates 2-adrenergic receptors in lungs. This results in the relaxation of bronchial smooth muscles. Salbutamol activates adenylate cyclase and increases cAMP production. This leads to increase in intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations. Increased concentrations of cyclic AMP leads to reduction in calcium concentrations, thereby opening up bronchial muscles.

The assymetric or chiral centers in the R and S enantiomers of salbutamol are indicated above.

Information for the above article is retrieved from the following three sources:

1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salbutamol

2) http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01001

3) http://salbutamol.org/

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