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[3] [4] In some plant families (of the order Caryophyllales), l-DOPA is the central precursor of a biosynthetic pathway that produces a class of pigments called betalains. [5] l-DOPA can be manufactured and in its pure form is sold as a drug with the INN Tooltip International Nonproprietary Name levodopa. Trade names include Sinemet, Pharmacopa ...
Levodopa (L-DOPA), a prodrug of dopamine which is used to treat Parkinson's disease and certain other conditions. A neurotransmitter prodrug, or neurotransmitter precursor, is a drug that acts as a prodrug of a neurotransmitter. A variety of neurotransmitter prodrugs have been developed and used in medicine.
Levodopa crosses the protective blood–brain barrier, whereas dopamine itself cannot. [3] [4] Thus, levodopa is used to increase dopamine concentrations in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, Parkinsonism, dopamine-responsive dystonia and Parkinson-plus syndrome. The therapeutic efficacy is different for different kinds of symptoms.
The synthesis of dopamine consists of three stages. The synthesis process starts with an amino acid, called L-tyrosine. In the second stage L-DOPA (levodopa) is formed by adding a phenol group to the benzene ring of L-tyrosine. The formation of L-DOPA from L-tyrosine is catalyzed by the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase.
A prodrug is a pharmacologically inactive medication or compound that, after intake, is metabolized (i.e., converted within the body) into a pharmacologically active drug. [1] [2] Instead of administering a drug directly, a corresponding prodrug can be used to improve how the drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted ().
DopAmide, or L-DopAmide, is a synthetic levodopa (L-DOPA) analogue that can serve as a levodopa and dopamine prodrug and is of potential interest in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] DopAmide has an amide rather than the carboxyl group of L -DOPA, [ 2 ] [ 3 ] which imparts greater water solubility .
Monoamine precursors are precursors of monoamines and monoamine neurotransmitters in the body. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] The amino acids L -tryptophan and L -5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP; oxitriptan) are precursors of serotonin and melatonin , while the amino acids L -phenylalanine , L -tyrosine , and L -DOPA (levodopa) are precursors of dopamine , epinephrine ...
Levodopa is a precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is administered to increase its levels in the central nervous system.However, most levodopa is decarboxylated to dopamine before it reaches the brain, and since dopamine is unable to cross the blood–brain barrier, this translates to little therapeutic gain with strong peripheral side effects.