Preface

Development of new therapeutics requires a strong science base in terms of understanding the diseases at the molecular levels, and then identifying new drug leads against novel targets. The world scientific literature is now inundated with a lot of work in this field, and it is often difficult for a researcher to find focused and comprehensive accounts of the topic of his interest. The book series, “Frontiers in Drug Design and Discovery” was an attempt to fill this important gap. Volume 10 of the series is a collection of four scholarly written reviews and a research article, contributed by leading experts in the field of drug discovery and development.

Ansari et al. have contributed an excellent review on the recent progress made in the research, manufacture, and quality assurance of various classes of industrial, therapeutic and diagnostic proteins. Collectively termed biopharmaceuticals, these proteins are used for the treatment of haemophilia, insulin-dependent diabetes, and various immune and cardiovascular diseases. Recombinant expression systems used in the production of biopharmaceuticals are the focus of this article. Another review by Hefferon et al. provides an excellent insight into the emerging field of virus like particles (VLP), various nanoparticles (VNP), and the safe and effective applications in drug delivery and transportation of biomedical agents. Badavath and Jayaparakash have contributed an article on the recent development of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOAs) as new and effective antidepressants. Among the MOAs, 4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole derivatives have special merit due to their interesting molecular architecture, and nanomolar inhibitory potential against MOA enzymes from various sources. Korkotian et al. have focused on the problems associated with the treatment of alcohol intoxication. They propose to employ polyphenolic substances of plant origin, collectively called flavonoids, for this purpose. Flavonoids are known to possess a wide range of biological activities. The authors have presented the effects of flavonoids from plants of Scrophulariacae family on functional properties of rat hippocampal neural cultures in the presence of ethanol. The last review of Barradas et al. is an account of the development of novel drug delivery systems, based on smart polymeric scaffolds, for topical applications. Their physicochemical properties, safety, and stimuli-response characteristics as effective drug nanocarriers are presented.

We are extremely grateful to authors for their excellent scholarly contributions, and for the timely submission of their reviews. The 10th volume of the ebook series is the result of the efficient coordination and excellent management Ms. Mariam Mehdi (Assistant Manager Publications), and team leader Mr. Mahmood Alam (Director Publications). We are confident that this volume will receive wide appreciation from students, young researchers, and established scientists.