Safety and immunogenicity of the anti-cocaine vaccine UFMG-VAC-V4N2 in a non-human primate model.

A promising strategy for cocaine addiction treatment is the anti-drug vaccine. These vaccines induce the production of anticocaine antibodies, capable of linking to cocaine, and decrease the passage of cocaine throughout the blood-brain barrier, decreasing drug activity in the brain. Our research group developed a new vaccine candidate, the UFMG-V4N2, to treat cocaine use disorders (CUD) using an innovative carrier based on calixarenes.

Synthesis of 2-(2-(4-thioxo-3H-1,2-dithiole-5-yl) phenoxy)ethyl)isoindole-1,3-thione, a novel hydrogen sulfide-releasing phthalimide hybrid, and evaluation of its activity in models of inflammatory pain.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is a gaseous mediator that modulates several physiological and pathological processes. Phthalimide analogues, substances that have the phthalimide ring in the structure, belong to the group of thalidomide analogues. Both HS donors and phthalimide analogues exhibit activities in models of inflammation and pain.

Calix[]arene-based immunogens: A new non-proteic strategy for anti-cocaine vaccine.

Introduction: Cocaine use disorder is a significant public health issue without a current specific approved treatment. Among different approaches to this disorder, it is possible to highlight a promising immunologic strategy in which an immunogenic agent may reduce the reinforcing effects of the drug if they are able to yield sufficient specific antibodies capable to bind cocaine and/or its psychoactive metabolites before entering into the brain. Several carriers have been investigated in the anti-cocaine vaccine development; however, they generally present a very complex chemical structure, which potentially hampers the proper assessment of the coupling efficiency between the hapten units and the protein structure.

Cocaethylene, the in vivo product of cocaine and ethanol, is a narcotic more potent than its precursors.

The molecular conformation and supramolecular architecture of cocaethylene [systematic name: ethyl (1R,2R,3S,5S)-3-benzoyloxy-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2-carboxylate], CHNO, have been determined for the first time.

From nature to market: examples of natural products that became drugs.

Nature is an irrefutable source of inspiration for the modern man in many aspects. The observation and understanding of nature have allowed the development of new materials, new sources of energies, new drugs etc. Specifically, natural products provide a great contribution to the development of new agents for the treatment of infections and antitumor agents.