Eric J. Lien - Böcker

SAR focuses on the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) of the disposition and activities of various pharmacological groups – the first systematic approach for linking different side effects of drugs to their molecular structure and physiochemical properties.This unique monograph describes the application of molecular modification to the practical improvement of therapeutic agents; depicts the quantitative measurement of biological activity as it relates to QSAR; provides essential guidance on selecting suitable mathematical models, defining appropriate parameters in correlation studies and anticipating potential side effects during the tedious drug development process.

Traditional Chinese medicine has a strong scientific basis, but the science of these important preparations is often rarely discussed. Western approaches often simplify traditional Chinese medicine to drug discovery in Chinese plants, however, the majority of traditional Chinese medications use complex mixtures of plant extracts, rather than single purified drugs. The combination of different extracts is based on yin, yang and chi theories, which are often poorly understood in the West.Yin and yang are known to be the balance of agonists and antagonists, whereas chi derives from signalling processes in the body and regulates bodily functions. Traditional Chinese medical practitioners understand that yin, yang and chi constantly interact in the body to maintain health. Western medical practitioners understand how to use agonists and antagonists and how to modify signalling processes, but generally do not accept the use of complex plant extracts to perform these functions.Aimed at medical scientists, and including detailed explanations of the theories behind the science, this text may help researchers to understand Chinese medical practitioners and to communicate more effectively with them. It will also lead to greater acceptance of traditional medications in the West. Presenting a clear rationale for the use of traditional Chinese medications in Western medical facilities, it enables scientists to find new directions in experimental design and encourage examination of these useful, but often poorly understood, preparations in clinical trials.

Progress in Drug Research is a prestigious book series which provides extensive expert-written reviews on a wide spectrum of highly topical areas in current pharmaceutical and pharmacological research. It serves as an important source of information for researchers concerned with drug research and all those who need to keep abreast of the many recent developments in the quest for new and better medicines.

Der vorliegende 48. Band der Reihe "Fortschritte der Arzneimittelfor- schung" enthalt acht Beitrage, die wiederum von anerkannten Forschern verfasst wurden. Ausserdem sind auch in diesem Band ein Stichwortver- zeichnis des Bandes sowie ein Autoren-und Titelverzeichnis und ein Titel- verzeichnis aller 48 Bande enthalten. Der Leser hat dadurch die Mog- lichkeit, nicht nur den vorliegenden Band zu konsultieren, sondern auch alle bisher erschienenen Bande quasi als enzyklopadisches N achschla- gewerk zu benutzen. Da alle Beitrage umfangreiche Literaturnachweise enthalten, ist die Moglichkeit des Zugriffes auf Original-Publikationen gegeben, was dem aktiven Forscher besonders wichtig ist und seinen eige- nen Arbeiten Impulse geben kann. Die Artikel des 48. Bandes behandeln neue Entwicklungen der Genetik, der enzymatischen Herstellung von komplexen Peptiden und bringen die neuesten Erkenntnisse der Apoptose unserem Verstandnis naher.Immun- therapie bei Hirnerkrankungen und psychischen Storungen, der Einsatz vonNaturproduktenzur Vorbeugung von Krebserkrankungen, das beun- ruhigende Anwachsen der Arzneimittelresistenz, die Mannigfaltigkeit der Dopamin-Rezeptor-Wirkung und die faszinierende Darstellung einer grosseren Gruppe von neuartigen Nukleosiden als Arzneimittel runden den vorliegenden Band der "Fortschritte der Arzneimittelforschung" ab und bieten dem Leser viel Neuartiges und Interessantes.

Volume 46 of "Progress in Drug Research" contains seven reviews and the various indexes which facilitate its use and establish the connection with the previous volumes. The articles in this volume deal with endo- genous sodium pump inhibition, with neurotransmitters involved in the central regulation of the cardiovascular system, with leukotrienes and development of novel anti-inflammatory agents, with antithrombotic stra- tegies and drugs affecting the plasma fibrinogen levels, with natural ami- noglycosides and polyamines and their effects in the mammalian orga- nism, with the latest developments in antidepressant agents and with immunopharmacological and biochemical bases of Chinese herbal medi- cine. These reviews provide valuable information on several new deve- lopments in the complex domain of drug research. In the 37 years that PDR has existed, the Editor has enjoyed the valua- ble help and advice of many colleagues. Readers, the authors of the reviews and, last but not least, the reviewers have all contributed greatly to the success of this series of monographs.Although the comments received so far have generally been favorable, it is nevertheless necessary to analyze and to reassess the current position and the future direction of such publi- cations.