Polyfunctional Drugs: Search, Development, Use in Medical Practice, and Environmental Aspects of Preparation and Application (A Review)

Abstract— The literature data on the preparation, physicochemical characteristics, and structure of pentaene macrolide antibiotic lienomycin with various biological activities were systematized. Prospects for obtaining and using polyfunctional (multi-target) drugs were considered. The results of the search for hybrid drugs with improved medical and biological properties were generalized. The published data on chemical modification of antibiotics, which affords low-toxic, highly effective semi-synthetic derivatives with an extended spectrum of biological action, were discussed. The prospects for use of genetic engineering techniques for obtaining antibiotic derivatives were noted. The directions for the search of polyfunctional drugs with the view of improving the ecological situation associated with their development and application in medical practice were considered.