Cited by 236Barrier Structure and Function StudiesDrug Transport and Resistance MechanismsComputational Drug Discovery Methods

Strategies for Structural Modification of Small Molecules to Improve Blood–Brain Barrier Penetration: A Recent Perspective

Xiong, Baichen, Wang, Yuanyuan, Chen, Ying, Xing, Shuaishuai, Liao, Qinghong, Chen, Yao, Li, Qi, Li, Wei +1 more·2021·Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

Abstract

In the development of central nervous system (CNS) drugs, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts many drugs from entering the brain to exert therapeutic effects. Although many novel delivery methods of large molecule drugs have been designed to assist transport, small molecule drugs account for the vast majority of the CNS drugs used clinically. From this perspective, we review studies from the past five years that have sought to modify small molecules to increase brain exposure. Medicinal chemists make it easier for small molecules to cross the BBB by improving diffusion, reducing efflux, and activating carrier transporters. On the basis of their excellent work, we summarize strategies for structural modification of small molecules to improve BBB penetration. These strategies are expected to provide a reference for the future development of small molecule CNS drugs.

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Crossref · 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00910

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135 of 135 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Xiong, B., Wang, Y., Chen, Y., Xing, S., Liao, Q., Chen, Y., Li, Q., Li, W., & Sun, H.
Affiliations
  • China Pharmaceutical University (CN)
  • Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (CN)
  • Qingdao University (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Li, Qi
  • Li, Wei
  • Sun, Haopeng
Venue
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Published
2021-09-10
Volume
64
Issue
18
Pages
13152-13173
ISSN
  • 0022-2623 (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-4804
OpenAlex
W3196964953
Cited by
232
References
135
Citations by year
2026: 49 · 2025: 66 · 2024: 58 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 2
FWCI
3.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • China Pharmaceutical University (CPU2018GF11, CPU2018GY34)
  • Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20191411)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (81573281, 81872728, 81973207)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Barrier Structure and Function Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Drug Transport and Resistance Mechanisms
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computational Theory and Mathematics › Computational Drug Discovery Methods
Keywords
blood-brain barrier, blood-brain barrier penetration, structural modification, brain drug delivery, passive diffusion, efflux pumps, carrier-mediated transport, CNS drug development
MeSH terms
Animals, Blood-Brain Barrier, Central Nervous System Agents, Humans, Hydrogen Bonding, Permeability, Molecular Structure, Transcytosis, Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions

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