Description

• General description: Chemical structure: macrolide
• Application: Clarithromycin is a semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic that is derived from erythromycin. Clarithromycin may be bacteriostatic or bactericidal depending on the organism and drug concentration . Clarithromycin may be used to attenuate cardiac transplantation rejection via matrix metalloproteinase suppression[1]. Clarithromycin has been used to study inflammatory markers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)[2]. It is used to study bacterial protein synthesis and peptide translation.
• Biochem/physiol Actions: Clarithromycin inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit. Binding inhibits peptidyl transferase activity and interferes with amino acid translocation. Clarithromycin is first metabolized to 14-OH clarithromycin, which is active and works synergistically with its parent compound. Clarithromycin penetrates the bacteria cell wall and reversibly binds to domain V of the 23S ribosomal RNA of the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, blocking translocation of aminoacyl transfer-RNA and polypeptide synthesis. Clarithromycin also inhibits the hepatic microsomal CYP3A4 isoenzyme and P-glycoprotein, an energy-dependent drug efflux pump.
• Preparation Note: Practically insoluble in water, soluble in acetone and methylene chloride, slightly soluble in methanol.
• Other Notes: Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Keep in a dry place.