Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of glutathione peptidomimetics as components of anti-Parkinson prodrugs

Plethoras of CNS-active drugs fail to effect their pharmacologic response due to their in vivo inability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The classical prodrug approach to overcome this frailty involves lipophilic derivatives of the polar drug, but we herein report a novel approach by which endogenous transporters at BBB are exploited for brain drug delivery. The crucial role played by glutathione in pathogenesis of Parkinson's and the presence of its influx transporters at the basolateral membrane of BBB served as the basis for our anti-Parkinson prodrug design strategy. A metabolically stable analogue of glutathione is used as a carrier for delivery of dopamine and adamantamine. An account of successful syntheses of these prodrugs along with their transport characteristics and stability determination is discussed.