title: Peptide prodrugs for the treatment of CNS disorders: a perspective for new drugs.
abstract: The treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases is a major challenge. The presence of the barrier intended to protect the brain from unwanted molecules also impairs the efficacy of CNS-targeted drugs. The discovery of drug targets for CNS diseases opens a door for the selective treatment of these diseases. However, the physicochemical properties of drugs, including their hydrophilic properties and their peripheral metabolism, as well as the blood-brain barrier, can adversely affect the therapeutic potential of CNS-targeted drugs. Although peptides are often metabolized by enzymes, they are of particular interest for the treatment of CNS diseases or as carriers to deliver drugs to the brain. In this review, we discuss the use of peptides as potential prodrugs for the treatment of CNS diseases.
authors.forename: Chung Man
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Diego Eidy
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Chiba
authors.forename: Marcella Gabrielle Mendes
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Ednir de Oliveira
authors.initials: Ede O
authors.lastname: Vizioli
authors.affiliation: Lapdesf- Laboratory of Drug Design, Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo State - UNESP, Rodovia Araraquara-Jaú Km 1, CEP. 14801-902, Araraquara, SP, Brazil. chungmc@fcfar.unesp.br.
authors.forename: Jean Leandro dos
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000378:metabolism; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D011355:Prodrugs