Intracellular Iron Binding and Antioxidant Activity of Phytochelators.

Phytochelators have been studied as templates for designing new drugs for chelation therapy. This work evaluated key chemical and biological properties of five candidate phytochelators for iron overload diseases: maltol, mimosine, morin, tropolone, and esculetin. Intra- and extracellular iron affinity and antioxidant activity, as well as the ability to scavenge iron from holo-transferrin, were studied in physiologically relevant settings.

The survey of the use of QSAR methods to determine intestinal absorption and oral bioavailability during drug design.

Only 10% of all compounds developed by pharmaceutical companies make it to the market. Of the 90% that do not make it to the market, 50% either have toxicity or pharmacokinetic issues. Thus, the need for ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity) optimization during the early stages of drug development is clear.