pharmacology

Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, Published online: 07 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41573-026-01514-3 There are currently no approved therapies for sarcopenia, the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. This Review discusses advances in understanding of the cellular, molecular and metabolic mechanisms driving muscle wasting with ageing, while assessing emerging therapeutic approaches…

IntroductionMolecular hybridization is an effective approach employed to synthesize molecules that possess the ability to function as dual inhibitors, thereby addressing the issue of growing resistance. Resistance by the malaria parasite is one such example. Therefore, the study aims to develop hybrid compounds consisting of 4-aminoquinoline and 4-thiazolidinone, utilizing molecular docking for s…

Novo Nordisk has stopped two trials of a drug that aims to tame inflammation as a way to improve cardiovascular health, another blow for the approach.

Metformin has been used for decades to help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar. Now scientists are asking a much bigger question: could this common, inexpensive medicine also help the body age more slowly? A recent scientific review brought together decades of research on metformin, ranging from experiments in cells and animals […] The post Could Diabetes Drug Metformin Help Yo…

Millions of people with obstructive sleep apnea struggle to breathe normally while they sleep. A large late-stage clinical trial now suggests that a once-nightly pill could offer a new treatment option for some people who cannot or do not want to use a breathing machine. The experimental medicine, called AD109, was tested in a phase […] The post Nightly Pill Shows Promise for Sleep Apnea appeared…

Hyperprolactinemia (HPRL) is a common adverse reaction induced by antipsychotic therapy in patients with schizophrenia, which greatly undermines medication adherence and impairs physiological functions of multiple body systems. In this real-world study, we analyzed retrospective prolactin testing data to compare the incidence of HPRL between schizophrenia patients and patients with other psychiat…

UIC researchers have identified two therapeutic targets for pulmonary arterial hypertension, an as-yet incurable disease that can be caused by a parasite laying eggs in the abdomen.

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), remains a major global health challenge, necessitating the identification of novel drug targets with high specificity and therapeutic potential. Maltosyltransferase (GlgE) is a critical enzyme in the biosynthesis of cytosolic α-glucan, a key component required for maintaining cell wall integrity and intracellular survival of the path…

Neuropsychopharmacology, Published online: 06 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41386-026-02551-7 Psilocybin as an emerging anxiolytic: mechanisms, evidence, and open questions

Neuropsychopharmacology, Published online: 05 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41386-026-02538-4 NMDA subunit 2B-selective negative allosteric modulator satoprodil (BI 1569912) as mono- and adjunctive therapy in patients with major depressive disorder: results from two phase 2 randomized, controlled trials

A new study finds that taking the antidepressant escitalopram in the days leading up to menstruation reduces irritability, anger, and impulsive behavioral responses in women suffering from severe premenstrual symptoms.

A new clinical trial suggests the weight-loss drug semaglutide could help treat alcohol use disorder. While it didn't eliminate laboratory-assessed cravings, the medication significantly reduced heavy drinking days and overall alcohol-related problems in treatment-seeking adults.

A medicine found in pharmacies around the world is attracting attention from scientists who study aging. Metformin, best known as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, may affect biological processes that influence how quickly the body grows old. The idea is appealing because metformin is not a futuristic drug developed specifically for longevity. Doctors have […] The post An Old Diabetes Drug May Hel…

Doctors have been looking for safer ways to prevent blood clots after emergency heart treatment without causing too much bleeding. A large Japanese trial now suggests that using the powerful anti-clotting drug prasugrel by itself from the start is not enough for patients with a severe type of heart attack. The study involved people with […] The post One-Drug Strategy Falls Short After Severe Hear…

In a breakthrough study, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center discovered that psilocybin given before chemotherapy prevented the onset of nerve injury in preclinical models, even after repeated treatment cycles. The findings could help prevent pain, numbness and other common chemotherapy side effects. The study, published in Science and co-led by […]

Abstract The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is a key antiviral drug target due to its essential role in the pathogen’s replication cycle. The development of potent next-generation Mpro inhibitors is of great importance to ensure the availability of safe and effective COVID-19 therapeutics. Associated research necessitates robust and highly sensitive biochemical assays for the early kinetic chara…