(R)-(+)-Thalidomide (CAS 2614-06-4)

(R)-(+)-Thalidomide is one of the enantiomers of thalidomide, a compound that has been widely studied due to its interesting chemical and biological properties. The (R)-enantiomer of thalidomide has been a subject of extensive research in the field of chirality and its effects on biological activity. R)-(+)-Thalidomide has been examined for its ability to modulate the immune system and influence the production of various cytokines and growth factors. This compound has been found to selectively inhibit the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), a critical cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and a key target in studies of inflammatory diseases. Researchers explore how this modulation occurs by investigating the binding of (R)-(+)-Thalidomide to the cereblon complex, a part of the ubiquitin ligase complex, affecting the degradation of specific transcription factors. Beyond immunomodulation, (R)-(+)-Thalidomide has been used in research to understand its effects on cellular mechanisms like angiogenesis. The compound′s ability to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels under certain conditions is linked to its impact on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) pathways. (R)-(+)-Thalidomide is also a valuable tool in chiral chemistry research, particularly in studying the mechanisms behind the differential biological activities of enantiomers. It helps in understanding how the stereochemistry of a molecule influences its interaction with various biological targets.