Preface

In recent times, Medicinal Chemistry has emerged in Chemistry as a very fascinating and challenging area to cope with mysterious diseases, as a result of which this branch of Chemistry has attained prime importance. From the beginning of civilization in ancient times, Chemistry has been designed to serve humankind through Ayurveda, herbal medicines and metals in nano-size for drug delivery. In the Himalayas, there were very good and well-known plants used for the treatment of severe ailments. The ancient concept of Swarna bhasma, iron bhasma, and other bhasmas is nothing but modern time nano drugs. Lead and silver bhasmas were also in practice. There is no doubt that Medicinal Chemistry plays a significant role in the discovery of therapeutic agents or bioactive molecules for use in the treatment of various human ailments. It generally involves chemical, synthetic and computational aspects of identification and modification of molecules known as drugs either from natural or synthetic products.

This book, titled "Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry," contains diverse topics from different areas of Medicinal Chemistry, including developments in drug discovery and design, identifying new targets for existing drugs through drug repurposing, along screening new and emerging drug targets. In addition, carcinogenicity due to hexavalent chromium and arsenic with a probable mechanism of mismatch DNA repair and proteotoxic stress have been discussed in the chapter of the book. Biosynthetic pathways, biotechnology, biochemistry, molecular biology and related topics from food science have also been incorporated in the book.

I do hope that this book will serve as an important repository of scientific information on Medicinal Chemistry to students, researchers and a broad scientific spectrum. We had long sittings in the calmness of the night and even under the fading stars of dawn, completely away from the din and bustle to complete this monumental treatise. We express our sincere thanks to Senior Research Fellow Sri Sachin Verma “Heavy Metal Remediation Laboratory’’ for providing his computer skills and expertise. I also express my thanks to Dr. Ujjwal Kumar, AIIMS Patna, for showing interest in the present book.

Last but not least, we express our deep sense of gratitude to Prof. D.C Mukherjee for constant encouragement. We sincerely thank and appreciate Bentham Science Publishers for providing an opportunity to complete this project. Finally, we bow before the Almighty, Creator of the Universe, for instilling inner strength in us to complete this arduous task.