| Bioactivity | Alendronate (sodium hydrate) is a farnesyl diphosphate synthase inhibitor with IC50 of 460 nM. |
| Target | IC50: 460 nM (farnesyl diphosphate synthase) |
| Invitro | Alendronate, acting directly on osteoclasts, inhibits a rate-limiting step in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, essential for osteoclast function[1]. Alendronate inhibits the isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway and interferes with protein prenylation, as a result of reduced geranylgeranyl diphosphate levels. Alendronate inhibits the incorporation of [3H]mevalonolactone into proteins of 18-25 kDa and into nonsaponifiable lipids, including sterols in osteoclasts[2]. Alendronate causes a dose-dependent inhibition of [3H]MVA incorporation into sterols and a concomitant increase in incorporation of radiolabel into IPP and DMAPP[3]. |
| In Vivo | Alendronate causes erosions in the rabbit stomach, but not antral ulceration in rats. Alendronate increases the incidence and size of indomethacin-induced antral ulcers. Alendronate also enhances indomethacin-induced gastricdamage in the rat, and delays gastric ulcer healing[4]. Alendronate (0.04-0.1 mg/kg twice weekly or 0.1 mg/kg weekly) partially blocks the establishment of bone metastases by human PC-3 ML cells and results in tumor formation in the peritoneum and other soft tissues. Alendronate pretreatment of mice (0.1 mg/kg twice weekly or weekly) and dosing along with taxol (10-50 mg/kg/day, twice weekly, or weekly) blocks the growth of PC-3 ML tumors in the bone marrow and soft tissues in a statistically significant manner and improves survival rates significantly by 4-5 weeks[5]. |
| Name | Alendronate sodium hydrate |
| CAS | 121268-17-5 |
| Formula | C4H18NNaO10P2 |
| Molar Mass | 325.12 |
| Appearance | Solid |
| Transport | Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere. |
| Storage | 4°C, sealed storage, away from moisture *In solvent : -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (sealed storage, away from moisture) |
| Reference | [1]. Fisher JE, et al. Alendronate mechanism of action: geranylgeraniol, an intermediate in the mevalonate pathway, prevents inhibition of osteoclast formation, bone resorption, and kinase activation in vitro. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999 Jan 5;96(1):133-8 [2]. Bergstrom JD, et al. Alendronate is a specific, nanomolar inhibitor of farnesyl diphosphate synthase. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2000 Jan 1;373(1):231-41. [3]. Keller RK, et al. Mechanism of aminobisphosphonate action: characterization of alendronate inhibition of the isoprenoid pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1999 Dec 20;266(2):560-3. [4]. Elliott SN, et al. Alendronate induces gastric injury and delays ulcer healing in rodents. Life Sci. 1998;62(1):77-91. [5]. Stearns ME, et al. Effects of alendronate and taxol on PC-3 ML cell bone metastases in SCID mice. Invasion Metastasis. 1996;16(3):116-31. |