Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cordycepin, a potential lead drug in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common cause of pain and loss of flexibility in joints. It is characterised by a loss of cartilage, changes in the bone structure and synovitis in the affected joint. Treatment options are currently largely limited to exercise, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, opioid pain killers and surgery.
Cordycepin (3’ deoxyadenosine) is isolated from a fungus that is used as a health food and traditional medicine throughout the Far East. We have previously shown that cordycepin has anti-inflammatory properties through its effects on polyadenylation, the last step of mRNA synthesis. The specificity of the effect of polyadenylation inhibition on inflammatory mRNAs opens up the possibility that cordycepin could be a lead drug for the treatment of inflammatory disease.
The purpose of this project is to assess the biopharmaceutical properties of cordycepin, including its pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in order to evaluate the potential of cordycepin for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Understanding where and how cordycepin is absorbed and how it distributes around the body is very important for the future development of better analogues with higher efficacy and low toxicity. This project will also help with the design of improved formulation and administration of unmodified cordycepin, e.g. it will indicate if intra-articular injection or a combination with a low dose of other compounds could improve the response.