Carbohydrates & the Pharmaceutical Industry

As the science of Pharmaceutics has made concrete findings on carbohydrates, it has been deduced that a large number of carbohydrates and carbohydrate derivatives can be used as therapeutics or diagnostic drugs.

Role of Carbohydrates in Development of Biopharmaceuticals

Despite their large scale accessibility, the medicinal aspect of carbohydrates remained an allusive mystery until last century when scientists first discovered the diagnostic properties of complex sugars. Carbohydrates were not extensively researched up till now as their complex structure and strong intermolecular bonds made it difficult to study them via conventional methods.

With the advent of higher technological inventions and methods in pharmaceutics, it was found out that carbohydrates play an important role in diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of various diseases such as tuberculosis, cancer, and diabetes. In this article, we talk about how glycans, an active class of carbohydrates, are significant in the manufacturing of various biopharmaceutical drugs.

Evolution of Glycan Structure in Drug Development

Functional Glycomics

Biological structures based on the configuration of a glycan molecule reflect their evolutionary history and functional aspects when it comes to differentiation, cell to cell recognition, inflammation, fertilization, development, and cell adhesion. The field of studying these evolutionary functions of glycans is known as Functional Glycomics.

Disease Fighting Capabilities of Glycans

Changes in the glycan component of glycoproteins lead to various medical conditions including congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs), rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and muscle dystrophy. Reports also indicate that some mutations in the glycan component may also lead to different types of cancer. As a result of heterogeneity of glycans, rooting in their complex, non-template structures which drive biosynthesis, glycans are isolated from other cells and tissues. However, they form strong bonds with molecules they have high chemical affinity with.

Screening of Glycans

It is vital to mention here that glycans can be controlled by the levels of glycosidases present, nucleotide transporters, degree of gene expression of the glycosyltransferases and glycosidases, substrate availability, and nucleotide donors. Thus, in order to know the degree of control glycans required in a chemical reaction, it is vital to have a thorough knowledge of Functioal Glycomics.

During screening the glycans for their functionality, high resolution, and highly sensitive analytical techniques are required for a high-throughput results. After screening and categorization, these glycans can be then studied to identify the trigger points which lead to afore mentioned medical conditions and how to avoid them.

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Carbohydrate Polymers: Properties and Applications

Carbohydrates play a key role in numerous biochemical and biological processes, which include cell differentiation and maturation, fertilization, and protein folding and degradation. The carbohydrate polymer branch of study encompasses the potential uses in industrial applications of carbohydrates, such as in food, paper, adhesives, textiles, biorefining, and pharmaceuticals.

This article will focus on the development in the field of carbohydrate binding modular applications in the biotechnological and pharmaceutical fields.

Introduction 

Polysaccharide Polymers

Polysaccharides belong to the class of complex carbohydrates which is made up of numerous monosaccharide units held together by glycosidic bonds. Polysaccharide film formation and its mechanical and chemical properties help find new horizons in pharmaceutical production.

Oligosaccharide Polymers

Furthermore, another class of carbohydrates, oligosaccharides, is making waves in the field of research and development in order to manufacture drugs with nutra-ceutical applications.

Carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) in Polymer Formation

These enzymes are essential in the manufacturing and breakdown of complex carbohydrates and glyco conjugates. Apart from belonging in the catalytic domain of enzymes, CAZymes also represent a substrate binding module, which is collectively known as carbohydrate binding catalytic domain.

Carbohydrate binding Catalytic Domain

This new domain has its own independent functions and folds in a chemical reaction. Almost 7% of the CAZymes exhibit nearly one carbohydrate binding module. Currently, fifty eight carbohydrate binding modules are extensively being studied. They present a considerable amount of heterogeneity and binding particulars towards crystalline and amorphous polysaccharides.

Carbohydrate binding Modules and Proteins

These carbohydrate binding modules are famous for initiating the activity of enzymes by targeting a prolonged interaction with the substrate. Carbohydrate binding modules are independent of other protein molecules, thus they make for an excellent option for several applications which involve enzyme proteolysis and DNA recombinant technology.

Carbohydrates are relatively an untapped resource in the field of pharmaceutics and drug development due to the extensive technological expertise required for their analysis, complex bond linkages, and intricate chemistries between the molecules.

This is why Watson International, an eminent chemical trading company, has invested time and energy in the research and development of carbohydrate based pharmaceutical drugs to offer an easier diagnostic and therapeutic option for the people. Ailments like tuberculosis and diabetes have shown positive results when treated with carbohydrate based drugs. The company also offers an array of chemical compounds from precious metal catalysts to cosmetics. For further information, please click here to view their products.