N-acetylcysteine: an old drug with variable Anti-influenza properties

N-acetylcysteine as an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory drug and its some clinical applications

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) a derivative of amino acid L-cysteine is currently used mainly as an antioxidant. Sulfhydryl group (–SH) within its molecule makes possible to directly scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). Indirect antioxidant action of NAC rely on augmentation of the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) – a major body’s antioxidant. Since oxidative stress takes a part in pathogenesis of...

Piracetam--an old drug with novel properties?

Piracetam (2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine-acetamide), the most common of the nootropic drugs, is a cyclic derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid. The treatment with piracetam improves learning, memory, brain metabolism, and capacity. Piracetam has been shown to alter the physical properties of the plasma membrane by increasing its fluidity and by protecting the cell against hypoxia. It increases red cell d...

Antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties of N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) and comparison with N-acetylcysteine (NAC).

The antioxidant potential of N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA), also known as AD4, was assessed by employing different in vitro assays. These included reducing power, free radical scavenging capacities, peroxidation inhibiting activity through linoleic acid emulsion system and metal chelating capacity, as compared to NAC and three widely used antioxidants, alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and butyla...

Oseltamivir, an anti-influenza virus drug, produces hypothermia in mice.

Oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu), an anti-influenza virus drug, is hydrolyzed by carboxylesterase to an active metabolite. The metabolite inhibits the influenza virus-specific neuraminidase. In this study, the effects of oseltamivir on normal core body temperature were studied in mice. Oseltamivir (30-300 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.) and 100-1000 mg/kg, orally (p.o.)) dose-dependently lowered...

I'll have my N-acetylcysteine with an orange twist.