Drug Design Glossary
Students in this course encounter many terms which have specific meaning in the context of drug design and medicine. You may find our glossary helpful when reading some of the assigned papers. If you encounter a term that is not in this dictionary, you could try a specialized medicinal chemistry glossary at www.chem.qmw.ac.uk/iupac/medchem ,an on-line dictionary at www.dictionary.com or an on-line encyclopedia at www.wikipedia.com . Feel free to send any additions and suggestions to Kalju Kahn
- Agonist
- A compound that binds to a receptor and triggers a response similar to that of the natural ligand
- Analgesic
- Medicine that reduces pain
- Anxiolytic
- Medicine that reduces anxiety. Anxiolytics are also known as ""minor" tranquilizers"
- Antagonist
- A compound that binds to a receptor and blocks the action of a the natural ligand
- Anticoagulant
- Medicine that stops or slows blood from clotting
- Arthritis
- Group of diseases that cause problems of joints. As of today, there is no cure.
- Cerebrovascular
- Related to blood vessels that supply brain.
- Diabetes mellitus
- Diabetis, a disease characterized by high blood glucose levels
- Diuretic
- Medicine that increases the discharge of urine
- Inverse agonist
- A compound that binds to a receptor and triggers a response opposite to that of the natural ligand
- Nephritis
- Inflammantion of kidneys. Can lead to permanent kidney failure
- Neuroleptic
- Medicine that specifically relieves the symptoms of mental illness
- Osteoporosis
- Disease, in which bones become porous and fragile
- Septicemia
- Infection of blood with bacteria. Can rapidly lead to septic shock and death
- Tranquilizer
- Medicine that slow down the central nervous system (depressant)
- Ulcer
- Open sore, typically in mucous membrane, caused by bacterial infecttion
- Vasodilatation
- Widening of blood vessels. This leads to drop in blood pressure
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