9-Carboxymethoxymethylguanine
9-Carboxymethoxymethylguanine (CMMG) is a nucleoside analogue and a metabolite of the antiviral drug acyclovir. It is primarily known for its role in the treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections.
Chemical Structure and Properties[edit | edit source]
9-Carboxymethoxymethylguanine is a derivative of guanine, one of the four main nucleobases found in DNA and RNA. The chemical structure of CMMG includes a carboxymethoxymethyl group attached to the ninth position of the guanine base. This modification is crucial for its antiviral activity.
Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]
CMMG, like its parent compound acyclovir, works by inhibiting the replication of viral DNA. It is incorporated into the viral DNA chain during replication, leading to premature chain termination. This action effectively halts the proliferation of the virus within the host cells.
Pharmacokinetics[edit | edit source]
After administration of acyclovir, CMMG is formed as a metabolite through the action of cellular enzymes. The pharmacokinetics of CMMG involve its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. It is primarily excreted through the renal system.
Clinical Uses[edit | edit source]
CMMG is not used directly as a therapeutic agent but is an important metabolite in the pharmacological activity of acyclovir. Acyclovir is widely used in the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections, including herpes labialis, genital herpes, and herpes zoster.
Side Effects and Toxicity[edit | edit source]
The side effects of CMMG are generally related to its parent compound, acyclovir. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In rare cases, high levels of CMMG can lead to neurotoxicity, manifesting as confusion, hallucinations, and seizures.
Research and Development[edit | edit source]
Ongoing research is focused on understanding the detailed mechanisms of CMMG and its potential applications in antiviral therapy. Studies are also investigating the development of new nucleoside analogues with improved efficacy and reduced toxicity.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD