Afobazole
Encyclopedia
Afobazole is an anxiolytic
drug
launched in Russia in the early 2000s. It produces anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects without any sedative
or muscle relaxant
actions, making it more selective in action than many currently used drugs for this application. Its mechanism of action remains poorly defined however, with GABAergic, NGF
and BDNF release promoting, MT1
receptor antagonism, MT3
receptor antagonism, and sigma agonism
all thought to have some involvement. Clinical trials have shown afobazole to be well tolerated and reasonably effective for the treatment of anxiety, although it has yet to be introduced into widespread clinical use outside of Russia.
Anxiolytic
An anxiolytic is a drug used for the treatment of anxiety, and its related psychological and physical symptoms...
drug
Drug
A drug, broadly speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.In pharmacology, a...
launched in Russia in the early 2000s. It produces anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects without any sedative
Sedative
A sedative or tranquilizer is a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement....
or muscle relaxant
Muscle relaxant
A muscle relaxant is a drug which affects skeletal muscle function and decreases the muscle tone. It may be used to alleviate symptoms such as muscle spasms, pain, and hyperreflexia. The term "muscle relaxant" is used to refer to two major therapeutic groups: neuromuscular blockers and spasmolytics...
actions, making it more selective in action than many currently used drugs for this application. Its mechanism of action remains poorly defined however, with GABAergic, NGF
Nerve growth factor
Nerve growth factor is a small secreted protein that is important for the growth, maintenance, and survival of certain target neurons . It also functions as a signaling molecule. It is perhaps the prototypical growth factor, in that it is one of the first to be described...
and BDNF release promoting, MT1
Melatonin receptor 1A
Melatonin receptor type 1A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MTNR1A gene.-Further reading:...
receptor antagonism, MT3
MT3
Metallothionein-3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MT3 gene.-Further reading:...
receptor antagonism, and sigma agonism
Sigma receptor
The sigma receptors σ1 and σ2 bind to ligands such as 4-PPBP, SA 4503, ditolylguanidine, dimethyltryptamine and siramesine.- Classification :...
all thought to have some involvement. Clinical trials have shown afobazole to be well tolerated and reasonably effective for the treatment of anxiety, although it has yet to be introduced into widespread clinical use outside of Russia.