Isnihaya Magumpara Grade 11 Block B

In early days of chemistry, chemists understood that molecules were made of atoms connected
through chemical bonds. However, the three-dimensional shapes of molecules were utterly unclear,
since they couldnt observe directly. Molecules were represented using simple connectivity graphs. It
was clear to savvy chemists of 19th century that these flat representation couldnt explain many of their
observation. In 1874, chemists named Jacobus Vant Hoff published a theory supporting optical
rotation. He noticed that only compounds containing a central carbon bound to different four atoms or
groups rotated plane-polarized light. Clearly theres something unique about this compounds. He saw
a characteristic of two molecules with similarly the same, but in mirror image that we might attempt to
conclude that theyre just the same if we concern ourselves of what theyre made of. However, if you
overlay the two molecules in any rotation, you will find that they dont that just match and fit at their
corners or what we call not superimposable. Just like our hands, they are a mirror image of each other
with the same composition but still theyre certainly not the same in function. This behavior is what we
call chirality. A chiral object is not really the same as its mirror image. Chiral objects are very special
in both chemistry and daily life. Screws for example are also chiral. Thats why we need the term right
or left handed screws because they have different uses in construction cases. Drugs that possess this
behavior are called chiral drugs. According to (Ghosh & Fischer, 2006), two chiral molecules were
placed under a beam of light to see the interaction. Remarkably, the two compounds interact differently
with those light. As a result, these compounds have different properties in terms of function. These
understanding is a must especially in biotechnological processes of medicines to know the optimized
proper usage of the drugs as they have different reactions in our body. Therefore, drug developers must
know these molecular recognition to avoid such harmful complications and promote the purpose of the
drugs function and usage.

Modafinil

Modafinil or known as provigil is used for treatment of disorders such as narcolepsy, shift
work sleep disorder, and excessive daytime sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apneas.
According to DrugBank, it is a medication that promotes wakefulness. It is thought to work by altering
Isnihaya Magumpara Grade 11 Block B

the natural chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain. Even though modafinil doesnt have an addictive
property, it used by abusers with the purposes not listed in the medication guide like which makes your
body sick. Some side effects like dizziness, muscle pain, feeling nervous, upset stomach can be
experienced if taking this drug. Modafinil is composed of equal ratio of its R and S enantiomer.
According to (Seeman & Guan, 2009), the function of R enantiomer of modafinil is to bind with a
dopamine receptor and activate the effect while S enantiomer is inactive to dopamine receptors. They
also differ in duration of their effectiveness, R-modafanil has a half-life of 12-15 hours and S-modafinil
has a half-life of 4 hours. The reason why modafinil need to be biphasic is for S-modafinil to
counterpart the effect of R-modafanil once it is absorbed by the body to avoid shock of nervous system
because body absorbs S-modafinil faster. Recently, theres a pure form R-modafanil named armodafinil
but its usage is prescribed by doctors only for those people who have to take concentration more than
65% in a very small dosage compared with modafinil (Darwish, 2016). Not only that, but there are some
laboratory test that the patients have to undergo before taking armodafinil to see if their body is able to
handle the effect level of the drug. However, it is also armodafinil have the advantage in terms longer
duration of effectiveness. In summary, the both drugs have identical mechanisms in the brain but differ
in terms of pharmacokinetic (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion).
Isnihaya Magumpara Grade 11 Block B

References
Darwish, K. (2016). Armodafinil and modafinil have substantially different pharmacokinetic profiles
despite having the same terminal half-lives: analysis of data from three randomized, single-
dose, pharmacokinetic studies. . Brain pro tips cognitive health, 3.

Ghosh, A., & Fischer, P. (2006). Chiral molecules split light: Reflection and refraction in a chiral liquid.
PubMed.gov, 1-2.

Seeman, P., & Guan, H. (2009). Dopamine D2High receptors stimulated by phencyclidines, lysergic
acid diethylamide, salvinorin A, and modafinil. Synapse, 63.