Ural Federal University: Russia Created New Component for the Treatment of Lung Lesions
Scientists at Ural Federal University have developed a new series of chemical combinations capable of suppressing severe inflammation in the lungs. The development may bring new drugs for severe forms of influenza and Covid-19 to the pharmaceutical market. In contrast to their analogues, these compounds do not suppress immunity. The results of the study are published in the journal Pharmaceuticals.
Experts from the Ural Federal University have created a method for the synthesis of new chemical compounds. They include azoloazine heterocycles, substances capable of inhibiting the activity of interleukin-6. This is a group of molecules that plays an important role in the immune response. However, according to scientists, in some cases, excess interleukin causes uncontrolled inflammation, tissue destruction and is life-threatening for patients. New compounds can help keep this dangerous reaction in check.
“In general, the direction of our research is more fundamental, but based on this knowledge, we can create an applied product. Through our initial fundamental research, a number of drugs have already entered the pharmaceutical market,” commented Konstantin Savateev, a Researcher at the Fundamental Research Laboratory of Physiologically Active Substance at UrFU.
The therapeutic effect of heterocycles was confirmed by the specialists of Volgograd State Medical University. They observed experimental animals and conducted histological studies of their lungs. The mice were injected with new compounds and a special toxin causing inflammatory processes. Scientists noted that these are the same processes that occur when the lungs are severely affected.
The results of the study will provide new safe drugs to fight viral diseases. In particular, the scientists plan to use the substance to fight severe forms of influenza and Covid-19. The substance dexamethasone is currently used in medicine. It depresses the immune system, which in some cases is an unnecessary side effect. The new compounds show anti-inflammatory effects on the level of dexamethasone, but do not suppress immunity.
In the future, scientists will analyze the results of the study to identify the fragments of the molecule on which the anti-inflammatory effect depends. With this data, it will be possible to synthesize new heterocycles with even stronger properties. After that, the specialists plan to proceed to the creation of a drug with an application for preclinical trials to the Russian Ministry of Health.