See Also: lovastatin(medicine)
Lovastatin(health)
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lovastatin (medicine)


lovastatin
<chemical> A fungal metabolite isolated from cultures of aspergillus terreus. The compound is a potent anticholesteraemic agent. It inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase (hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductases), which is the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. It also stimulates the production of low-density lipoprotein receptors in the liver. Several studies have shown that because of its enzyme inhibitory activity it acts as an antineoplastic agent for certain tumours.

Pharmacological action: anticholesteraemic agents, antineoplastic agent, hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors.

Chemical name: Butanoic acid, 2-methyl-, 1,2,3,7,8,8a-hexahydro-3,7-dimethyl-8-(2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl)-1-naphthalenyl ester, (1S-(1alpha(R*),3alpha,7beta,8beta(2S*,4S*),8abeta))-