1. Heparin: An old drug for new clinical applications.
- Author
-
Wang P, Chi L, Zhang Z, Zhao H, Zhang F, and Linhardt RJ
- Subjects
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents pharmacology, Anti-Inflammatory Agents therapeutic use, Anticoagulants chemistry, Anticoagulants pharmacology, Anticoagulants therapeutic use, Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight chemistry, Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight pharmacology, Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight therapeutic use, Humans, Heparin chemistry, Heparin pharmacology, Heparin therapeutic use, COVID-19 Drug Treatment
- Abstract
Heparin, an old but first-line anticoagulant, has been used over a century. It is a heterogeneous, linear, highly sulfated, anionic glycosaminoglycan with a broad distribution in relative molecular weight and charge density. These structural properties allow heparin to selectively interact with multiple proteins, leading to heparin's various pharmacological functions, such as anticoagulant, anti-viral, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities. Clinical data suggest that unfractionated heparin or low molecule weight heparin could decrease mortality in COVID-19 patients with sepsis-induced hypercoagulation through the anticoagulant, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory activities of these drugs. Thus, the non-anticoagulant activity of heparin has again aroused attention. This review highlights recent advances in the preparation of heparin-derived drugs and clinical research on its non-anticoagulant properties over the past decade, to further the development and utilization of these important drugs., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF