Novel Medical Countermeasures for Nerve Agent and Pharmaceutical Based Agent Poisoning

Nerve agents are organophosphorus compounds which inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme. Existing AChE reactivators (Oximes) have several limitations in mean of reactivation potential, broad action spectrum, and penetration rate through blood-brain barrier. Ongoing studies focus on design and synthesis of novel oximes. Pharmaceutical based agents like fentanyl abuse becomes an important public health threat. Naloxone and naltrexone that are centrally acting opioid receptor antagonists, are used for reversing the effects of the opioid overdose.