PHOrgChem (Lecture) | Module 8 (Part 3: LIST OF DRUGS ALDEHYDE, and KETONE)

Formaldehyde

Use of Drug: Disinfectant, vaccine preservative

Formaldehyde

Effect of Functional Group: The aldehyde group is highly reactive, allowing it to crosslink proteins for sterilization but making it chemically unstable due to easy oxidation and polymerization.

Pyridoxal (Vitamin B6 form)

Use of Drug: Nutritional supplement (coenzyme in metabolism)

Pyridoxal (Vitamin B6 form)

Effect of Functional Group: The aldehyde group forms Schiff bases with amino groups in enzymes, enabling catalytic activity but making the compound sensitive to oxidation.

Retinal (Vitamin A aldehyde)

Use of Drug: Visual pigment in the eye

Retinal (Vitamin A aldehyde)

Effect of Functional Group: The aldehyde group binds to opsin to form rhodopsin, essential for vision, but is light-sensitive and undergoes photoisomerization.

Methyldopa

Use of Drug: Antihypertensive (central acting agent)

Methyldopa

Effect of Functional Group: Metabolized into an aldehyde intermediate that contributes to CNS action, though aldehydes are reactive and may affect stability.

Furazolidone

Use of Drug: Antibacterial and antiprotozoal

Furazolidone

Effect of Functional Group: Generates reactive aldehyde intermediates upon metabolism, contributing to DNA damage in microbes but increasing oxidative instability.

Progesterone

Use of Drug: Hormone therapy, contraception

Progesterone

Effect of Functional Group: The ketone group enables receptor binding and hormonal activity but is moderately sensitive to UV and reduction.

Testosterone

Use of Drug: Male hormone therapy

Testosterone

Effect of Functional Group: The ketone group is essential for binding to androgen receptors and maintaining hormonal function, though it can be reduced in metabolism.

Dexamethasone

Use of Drug: Anti-inflammatory corticosteroid

Dexamethasone

Effect of Functional Group: The ketone group enhances glucocorticoid receptor binding and anti-inflammatory potency while being chemically stable.

Hydrocortisone

Use of Drug: Corticosteroid for inflammation and adrenal insufficiency

Hydrocortisone

Effect of Functional Group: The ketone group is critical for corticosteroid receptor activation and maintains moderate stability under physiological conditions.

Cortisone

Use of Drug: Prodrug corticosteroid

Cortisone

Effect of Functional Group: The ketone allows enzymatic conversion to active hydrocortisone, making it useful as a prodrug but requiring in vivo activation