Neurotrophin peptidomimetic drugs offer promise for treating neurodegenerative disorders, finds researchers

Neurotrophin peptidomimetics are developed to target specific biological functions and can be valuable tools in drug discovery, especially when natural peptides have limitations like poor oral bioavailability or susceptibility to degradation.

One of the significant advantages of peptidomimetics is their improved stability and bioavailability compared to endogenous neurotrophins. This means they can be delivered more effectively to the brain and maintain their therapeutic activity for a longer duration. Additionally, peptidomimetics can be designed to be more specific to their target receptors, reducing the risk of side effects.

A team of scientists at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IASST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has been exploring peptidomimetics, synthetic compounds designed to mimic neurotrophins, as a potential solution to these limitations.

Led by Prof. Ashis K. Mukherjee, the IASST researchers have conducted extensive studies on neurotrophin peptidomimetics. Their research, published in the Journal Drug Discovery Today focused on understanding the signaling pathways involved in neuronal growth and survival, the potential pharmacological targets of peptidomimetics, and their therapeutic applications for NDs.

The researchers have highlighted the potential of peptidomimetics to treat NDs by promoting neuronal growth and survival. They have also explored the possibility of repurposing existing peptidomimetic drugs for other diseases, such as cancer, and the potential for developing new drug prototypes based on neurotrophins mimetics.

"As research progresses, the hope is that peptidomimetics could become a key therapeutic strategy, offering new hope for managing and treating neurodegenerative disorders for future generations," Ministry of Science & Technology stated in a release