Pharmacology

1. Introduction/Overview The traditional paradigm of pharmacology centers on the biochemical interaction between a drug molecule and its biological target. However, a more comprehensive understanding of drug action must account for the physical context in which these interactions occur. Mechanopharmacology is an emerging interdisciplinary field that investigates how physical forces and the mechanical properties of … Read more

1. Introduction/Overview The traditional paradigm of pharmacology has predominantly focused on the biochemical interactions between drug molecules and their biological targets. However, a more comprehensive understanding of drug action necessitates the integration of physical principles. Mechanopharmacology emerges as an interdisciplinary field that investigates how mechanical forces and the physical properties of tissues and cells govern … Read more

1. Introduction The relationship between the dose of a pharmacologically active substance and the magnitude of the effect it produces constitutes one of the most fundamental principles in pharmacology and therapeutics. This relationship, graphically represented as a dose-response curve, provides a quantitative framework that underpins rational drug therapy. The principle that increasing the dose of … Read more

1. Introduction The concept of receptor theory serves as the central dogma of modern pharmacology, providing the fundamental framework for understanding how drugs produce their biological effects. At its core, receptor theory posits that drugs act by binding to specific macromolecular targets, termed receptors, to initiate a cascade of events leading to a physiological response. … Read more

Introduction/Overview The fate of a drug within the body, from administration to elimination, is governed by the fundamental principles of pharmacokinetics. This discipline, often summarized by the acronym ADME—Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion—describes the time course of drug concentration in various body fluids and tissues. A comprehensive understanding of these processes is not merely an … Read more

1. Introduction The rational and effective use of therapeutic agents is predicated upon a fundamental understanding of two complementary pharmacological disciplines: pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. These domains represent the core conceptual framework that explains what drugs do to the body and what the body does to drugs, respectively. Their interplay is often described metaphorically as the … Read more

1. Introduction/Overview Hematinics constitute a fundamental class of therapeutic agents employed to correct deficiencies in essential substrates required for normal erythropoiesis. These agents—primarily iron, vitamin B12 (cobalamin), and folic acid—are critical for the synthesis of hemoglobin and the proper maturation of red blood cells. Deficiencies in any of these hematinic factors lead to distinct forms … Read more

Introduction/Overview The fibrinolytic system represents a crucial endogenous mechanism for the degradation of fibrin clots, maintaining vascular patency and preventing pathological thrombosis. Pharmacological modulation of this system constitutes a cornerstone in the management of thrombotic and hemorrhagic disorders. Fibrinolytic agents, often termed thrombolytics, are employed to dissolve pathological thrombi, while antifibrinolytic agents are utilized to … Read more

Introduction/Overview Myocardial infarction (MI), commonly termed a heart attack, represents a critical manifestation of acute coronary syndrome characterized by myocardial necrosis secondary to a sustained interruption of blood supply. The underlying pathophysiology typically involves the rupture or erosion of an atherosclerotic plaque, leading to platelet adhesion, activation, and aggregation, culminating in coronary artery thrombosis. The … Read more