(S,S)-formoterol

Description

**(S,S)-formoterol** is a specific enantiomer of the drug **formoterol**. Let's break down what that means and why it's significant in research:

**Enantiomers**

* **Chiral molecules** are molecules that have a non-superimposable mirror image. Think of your hands – they're mirror images, but you can't make them perfectly overlap.
* **Enantiomers** are pairs of chiral molecules that are mirror images of each other.
* Drugs often exist as enantiomers.

**Formoterol**

* Formoterol is a **long-acting beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist**. This means it relaxes the muscles in the airways, making it a key drug for treating asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
* It's typically sold as a **racemic mixture**, meaning it contains an equal mixture of both (R,R)-formoterol and (S,S)-formoterol enantiomers.

**(S,S)-formoterol**

* **Higher potency:** Studies have shown that the (S,S)-enantiomer of formoterol is significantly more potent than the (R,R)-enantiomer. This means it's more effective at lower doses.
* **Longer duration of action:** The (S,S)-enantiomer also has a longer duration of action than the (R,R)-enantiomer.

**Importance for Research**

* **Understanding drug efficacy:** By studying (S,S)-formoterol, researchers can better understand the specific mechanisms of action of the drug and how its structure relates to its therapeutic properties. This could lead to the development of more potent and targeted therapies.
* **Development of new drugs:** The understanding gained from studying (S,S)-formoterol could be applied to the design of new drugs with improved efficacy and reduced side effects.
* **Pharmacokinetic studies:** Researchers can investigate how (S,S)-formoterol is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated from the body. This information is crucial for optimizing drug dosage and minimizing side effects.
* **Clinical trials:** (S,S)-formoterol could be used in clinical trials to compare its effectiveness and safety to the racemic mixture of formoterol or other asthma treatments.

**In conclusion,** the study of (S,S)-formoterol is important because it allows researchers to explore the unique properties of this specific enantiomer and its potential advantages over the racemic mixture. This research could lead to advancements in asthma and COPD treatments.

formoterol : A racemate consisting of equal amounts of arformoterol (the active enantiomer) and (S,S)-formoterol (the inactive enantiomer). Its fumaric acid salt is used as a direct-acting sympathomimetic and bronchodilator for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (any progressive respiratory disease that makes it harder to breathe over time, such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema). [Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI), Hastings J, Owen G, Dekker A, Ennis M, Kale N, Muthukrishnan V, Turner S, Swainston N, Mendes P, Steinbeck C. (2016). ChEBI in 2016: Improved services and an expanding collection of metabolites. Nucleic Acids Res]

(S,S)-formoterol : An N-[2-hydroxy-5-(1-hydroxy-2-{[1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propan-2-yl]amino}ethyl)phenyl]formamide in which both of the stereocentres have S configuration. [Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI), Hastings J, Owen G, Dekker A, Ennis M, Kale N, Muthukrishnan V, Turner S, Swainston N, Mendes P, Steinbeck C. (2016). ChEBI in 2016: Improved services and an expanding collection of metabolites. Nucleic Acids Res]