Chandan Prasad
Texas Woman’s University, USA
Title: Pharmacobiology of cyclic dipeptides: Neuroceuticals to nutraceuticals
Biography
Biography: Chandan Prasad
Abstract
Cyclic dipeptides consist of a broad array of natural as well as products resulting from food processing that exhibit useful biological properties. Diketopiperazines are the smallest cyclic peptides that have been shown to exist in bacteria, fungi and higher organisms as well as processed food. These diketopiperazines have been shown to exhibit a variety of biological/pharmacologic activities including, antitumor, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, antiprion, antihyperglycemic, antineurotoxic and many others. The answer to the diversity of the biological/pharmacologic activities associated with these diketopiperazines perhaps lies in their structural differences and specificity in the mechanism of action. In this presentation, using cyclo (His-Pro) as an example, I will present a historical overview of this rapidly expanding field that will focus on mechanism of action when possible. Lastly, there will be a brief comment on the possible use of some of these diketopiperazines as nutraceuticals/pharmaceuticals.