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Mevastatin

Generic Name
Mevastatin
Drug Type
Small Molecule
Chemical Formula
C23H34O5
CAS Number
73573-88-3
Unique Ingredient Identifier
1UQM1K0W9X

Overview

Mevastatin or compactin is a cholesterol-lowering agent isolated from Penicillium citinium. It was the first discovered agent belonging to the class of cholesterol-lowering medications known as statins. During a search for antibiotic compounds produced by fungi in 1971, Akira Endo at Sankyo Co. (Japan) discovered a class of compounds that appeared to lower plasma cholesterol levels. Two years later, the research group isolated a compound structurally similar to hydroxymethylglutarate (HMG) that inhibited the incorporation of acetate. The compound was proposed to bind to the reductase enzyme and was named compactin. Mevastatin is a competitive inhibitor of HMG-Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase with a binding affinity 10,000 times greater than the HMG-CoA substrate itself. Mevastatin is a pro-drug that is activated by in vivo hydrolysis of the lactone ring. It has served as one of the lead compounds for the development of the synthetic compounds used today.

Background

Mevastatin or compactin is a cholesterol-lowering agent isolated from Penicillium citinium. It was the first discovered agent belonging to the class of cholesterol-lowering medications known as statins. During a search for antibiotic compounds produced by fungi in 1971, Akira Endo at Sankyo Co. (Japan) discovered a class of compounds that appeared to lower plasma cholesterol levels. Two years later, the research group isolated a compound structurally similar to hydroxymethylglutarate (HMG) that inhibited the incorporation of acetate. The compound was proposed to bind to the reductase enzyme and was named compactin. Mevastatin is a competitive inhibitor of HMG-Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase with a binding affinity 10,000 times greater than the HMG-CoA substrate itself. Mevastatin is a pro-drug that is activated by in vivo hydrolysis of the lactone ring. It has served as one of the lead compounds for the development of the synthetic compounds used today.

Indication

Not used therapeutically due to its many side effects.

Associated Conditions

No associated conditions information available.

Clinical Trials

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No clinical trials found

No clinical trials found for this drug

FDA Drug Approvals

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No FDA approvals found for this drug.

EMA Drug Approvals

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No EMA approvals found for this drug.

HSA Drug Approvals

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No HSA approvals found for this drug.

NMPA Drug Approvals

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PPB Drug Approvals

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No PPB approvals found for this drug.

TGA Drug Approvals

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No TGA approvals found for this drug.
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