Biological Activity Spectrum (BAS)

Biological Activity Spectrum (BAS) of a compound represents the complex of pharmacological effects, physiological & biochemical mechanisms of action, specific toxicity (mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity & embryotoxicity) which can be revealed in compound's interaction with biological system. Biological Activity Spectrum describs the intrinsic properties of the compound depended on its the structural particularities. They may be revealed in experiment under any conditions (dosage, route of administration, biological object, age, sex, etc.).

Most of known biologically active substances have many different biological activities that caused both main (therapeutic) and supplementary (side) actions. One part of these activities is found during the initial preclinical study of a compound; another part is found in clinical trials; some activities are discovered in many years after the first launching of a drug. An example of FLUOROURACIL's activities shows which and when known activities of this substance were discovered. This experimental list of activities is not comprehensive and one may expect that some new activities can be found for this molecule. Sometimes these, newly found, activities provides the reason for new therapeutic indications. Some examples of compounds which were launched for more than one indication are presented.

FLUOROURACIL's known activities (CAS No. 51-21-8)

Activity

Year

Antineoplastic 1962
Embryotoxic 1966
Antiviral 1971
Thimidine Triph. Synthesis Inhibition 1977
RNA Synthesis Inhibition 1980
Protein Synthesis Inhibition 1987
Lipid Metabolism Regulator 1990
Immunosuppressant 1990
Antimetabolite 1991
Antiviral (AIDS) 1996

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Examples of pharmaceuticals, which additionally discovered activity was used for another indicatio

Pharmaceutical

Therapeutic Effect

Year

Acetazolamide Diuretic
Antiepileptic
1954
1956
Anxiolytic
Antiepileptic
1989
Antihelmintic
Immunostimulant
1968
1980
Alprostadil Antiagregant
Erectant
1988
1994
Aspirin Analgesic
Antiagregant
1899
1971

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Prous J. Drug Years News 1995 .