Applications of phytochemicals against nerve agents in counterterrorism
(2021) p.69-118- Abstract
Terrorism comes in various forms, clear and sometimes ambiguous, by terrorist cells and sometimes by state players. Nerve agent poisoning represents one of the notorious applications of chemistry in the world. Nerve agents have historically instigated major casualties in various parts, heavily impacting lives of civilians by causing debilitating neurological and psychiatric injuries. Nerve agents generally mediate their effects by irreversibly binding the enzyme acetylcholinesterase and imparting nervous fatigue, with eventual systemic failure and subsequent death. Throughout history, countermeasures against nerve agent poisoning have been taken from laboratory, across clinic to field settings. These entail acetylcholinesterase... (More)
Terrorism comes in various forms, clear and sometimes ambiguous, by terrorist cells and sometimes by state players. Nerve agent poisoning represents one of the notorious applications of chemistry in the world. Nerve agents have historically instigated major casualties in various parts, heavily impacting lives of civilians by causing debilitating neurological and psychiatric injuries. Nerve agents generally mediate their effects by irreversibly binding the enzyme acetylcholinesterase and imparting nervous fatigue, with eventual systemic failure and subsequent death. Throughout history, countermeasures against nerve agent poisoning have been taken from laboratory, across clinic to field settings. These entail acetylcholinesterase reversible inhibitors, receptor modulators, as well as chemical and biochemical decontamination involving nerve agent degradation and elimination. This chapter presents antinerve agent poisoning approaches with emphasis on the role of chemical molecules in resuscitating the functionality of covalently inhibited acetylcholinesterase via competitive reversible inhibition and allosteric modulation. We also pinpoint the progress in the conventional prophylactic and therapeutic regimens entailing both enzymatic and receptor modulation antidotes. This is an area where phytochemicals can come in to provide natural starting material for various synthetic routes in the search for therapeutic and prophylactic agents. We further critically analyze the progress in research integrating the potential of emerging chemical and biological technologies in the pursuit of substances with better efficacy toward in vitro, in vivo, and battlefield management of chemical warfare.
(Less)
- author
- Maghembe, Reuben S. ; Mtewa, Andrew G. and Bvunzawabaya, Jonathan T.
- publishing date
- 2021-01
- type
- Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Acetyl cholinesterase, Antidotes, Biological approach, Chemical approach, Chemical warfare, Cholinesterases, Nerve agents, Organophosphorus, Prophylactic agents
- host publication
- Phytochemistry, the Military and Health : Phytotoxins and Natural Defenses - Phytotoxins and Natural Defenses
- pages
- 50 pages
- publisher
- ScienceDirect, Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85126406877
- ISBN
- 9780128215562
- DOI
- 10.1016/B978-0-12-821556-2.00020-7
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- no
- id
- 6a704cfa-37ef-496e-af75-4ab13b7d8afe
- date added to LUP
- 2022-05-02 15:39:57
- date last changed
- 2022-05-02 15:39:57
@inbook{6a704cfa-37ef-496e-af75-4ab13b7d8afe,
abstract = {{<p>Terrorism comes in various forms, clear and sometimes ambiguous, by terrorist cells and sometimes by state players. Nerve agent poisoning represents one of the notorious applications of chemistry in the world. Nerve agents have historically instigated major casualties in various parts, heavily impacting lives of civilians by causing debilitating neurological and psychiatric injuries. Nerve agents generally mediate their effects by irreversibly binding the enzyme acetylcholinesterase and imparting nervous fatigue, with eventual systemic failure and subsequent death. Throughout history, countermeasures against nerve agent poisoning have been taken from laboratory, across clinic to field settings. These entail acetylcholinesterase reversible inhibitors, receptor modulators, as well as chemical and biochemical decontamination involving nerve agent degradation and elimination. This chapter presents antinerve agent poisoning approaches with emphasis on the role of chemical molecules in resuscitating the functionality of covalently inhibited acetylcholinesterase via competitive reversible inhibition and allosteric modulation. We also pinpoint the progress in the conventional prophylactic and therapeutic regimens entailing both enzymatic and receptor modulation antidotes. This is an area where phytochemicals can come in to provide natural starting material for various synthetic routes in the search for therapeutic and prophylactic agents. We further critically analyze the progress in research integrating the potential of emerging chemical and biological technologies in the pursuit of substances with better efficacy toward in vitro, in vivo, and battlefield management of chemical warfare.</p>}},
author = {{Maghembe, Reuben S. and Mtewa, Andrew G. and Bvunzawabaya, Jonathan T.}},
booktitle = {{Phytochemistry, the Military and Health : Phytotoxins and Natural Defenses}},
isbn = {{9780128215562}},
keywords = {{Acetyl cholinesterase; Antidotes; Biological approach; Chemical approach; Chemical warfare; Cholinesterases; Nerve agents; Organophosphorus; Prophylactic agents}},
language = {{eng}},
pages = {{69--118}},
publisher = {{ScienceDirect, Elsevier}},
title = {{Applications of phytochemicals against nerve agents in counterterrorism}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-821556-2.00020-7}},
doi = {{10.1016/B978-0-12-821556-2.00020-7}},
year = {{2021}},
}