Carbohydrate drugs: current status and development prospect

Drug Discov Ther. 2015 Apr;9(2):79-87. doi: 10.5582/ddt.2015.01028.

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a great effort devoted to the investigation of the roles of carbohydrates in various essential biological processes and the development of carbohydrates to therapeutic drugs. This review summarizes the carbohydrate drugs which have been recorded in several pharmacopoeias, marketed, and under development. A prospect of the future development of carbohydrate drugs is discussed as well.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carbohydrates / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Humans
  • Oligosaccharides / chemical synthesis
  • Pharmacopoeias as Topic
  • Vaccines / immunology

Substances

  • Carbohydrates
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Vaccines