Calanolide A
Encyclopedia
Calanolide A is a new, experimental non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) first acquired from Calophyllum lanigerum trees in Malaysia. The U.S. National Cancer Institute
tested calanolide A as a possible cancer
treatment, but had no effect. It was later found to have potent anti-HIV
activity. Since the plant source is relatively rare, a total synthesis
was developed in 1996. The form in current use is formulated for oral administration and produced by Sarawak MediChem in Lemont, Illinois
.
Calanolide A is unique among NNRTIs in that it may bind two distinct sites in reverse transcriptase
.
National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute is part of the National Institutes of Health , which is one of 11 agencies that are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The NCI coordinates the U.S...
tested calanolide A as a possible cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
treatment, but had no effect. It was later found to have potent anti-HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
activity. Since the plant source is relatively rare, a total synthesis
Total synthesis
In organic chemistry, a total synthesis is, in principle, the complete chemical synthesis of complex organic molecules from simpler pieces, usually without the aid of biological processes. In practice, these simpler pieces are commercially available in bulk and semi-bulk quantities, and are often...
was developed in 1996. The form in current use is formulated for oral administration and produced by Sarawak MediChem in Lemont, Illinois
Lemont, Illinois
Lemont is a village located in Cook, DuPage, and Will Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois, and is roughly southwest of Chicago. The population was 16,625 at the 2007 Special Census.-History:...
.
Calanolide A is unique among NNRTIs in that it may bind two distinct sites in reverse transcriptase
Reverse transcriptase
In the fields of molecular biology and biochemistry, a reverse transcriptase, also known as RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, is a DNA polymerase enzyme that transcribes single-stranded RNA into single-stranded DNA. It also helps in the formation of a double helix DNA once the RNA has been reverse...
.
Further reading
- http://www.natural-medicinal-herbs.com/herbs/calanolide-a.htm
- http://news.mongabay.com/2005/0913-AIDS.html
- http://www.aidsmap.com/cms1032372.asp