Enzymatic drugs are molecules that can be broken down in the human body into smaller units. The more enzymes there are, the less likely it is for them to bind with one another and become toxic or harmful. For example, an enzyme could be taken to treat a blood clot in a child’s body. There are many types of enzymes and each type uses different mechanisms to break them down:
Acidases–These work best when they have enough hydroxyl groups in their structures to get across the water and into molecules that are otherwise impossible for enzymes to cross (like lipids)
Mers–These are usually two carbon monoxide atoms that bond to form a molecule with two hydroxyls. This causes the breaking down of molecules called “mesylates” that cannot cross to other molecules.
Deoxyribonucleic acid–This breaks apart DNA, which then gets integrated into the cell’s genetic material. Since DNA is used in all cells, it is important that those break down correctly. In the lab, this happens by adding hydrogen atoms on either side of the bases (and also, sometimes, chlorine atoms) as they sit directly on either side of them.
There are numerous molecules that make up these enzymes, but a common key to them being effective is that they have enough hydroxyl groups in their structure to cross water easily. If you have too little hydroxyl group, it will not be able to take any molecules on top, so there is no way that these molecules will cross. A good example of how this works is to have an enzyme that breaks down lipids, like cholesterol, from your cholesterol. Once the lipids get through the enzyme, you’re good to go!
Enzymes do not need to come into contact with any other molecules to break down. They can even act independently, though they do require co-occurring molecules, such as a phosphodiester bond. These hydroxyl bonds can be formed in the same ways as the water in the phosphodiesters, and with the phosphate atoms making two bonds together. Phosphodiesters can make chemical pacts with water and other molecules, and they can also make chemical bonds with themselves if they are made out of just two hydroxyls.
An enzyme often has a single pair of carbon atoms linked to two hydroxyl groups, and that bond is what takes on the majority of hydroxyl molecules. This means that as long as hydroxyls are available, enzymes seem to work extremely well, and are perfect for medicines and treatments. While most proteins make use of their hydroxyls to hold onto other molecules, enzymes don’t have to; some enzyme drugs already exist that can be taken orally. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen, both of which can be taken at your local pharmacy, and they are used to relieve pain.
When combined, acetaminophen and ibuprofen are often used to alleviate symptoms associated with migraines and arthritis. Both treatments work very well because they make use of acetaminophen. These two drugs are actually made of three ingredients that make them work best: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and chlorpheniramine. Acetaminophen’s function is to reduce the flow of acetaminophen molecules into the body. Ibuprofen’s function is to stop those acetaminophen molecules from moving into the body and blocking the flow of acetaminophen molecules out of the body.
Chlorpheniramine (or Cyproheptadine) is a drug that acts just like acetaminophen. It is usually used as a treatment for migraine headaches as well as other conditions. Studies of people taking Cyproheptadine for headaches, migraines, and migraines showed that their symptoms reduced significantly if they took Cyproheptadine for 30 days rather than 10 days and then again after the first Cyproheptadine had been taken. Although studies were conducted in conjunction with acetaminophen and ibuprofen, Cyproheptadine is just as effective in relieving symptoms with each drug as each drug alone.
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