Structure
Lovastatin Chemical Structure – C24H36O5
Mode of action
The drug lovastatin lowers cholesterol.
The enzyme that catalyses the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme-A reductase (also known as HMG-CoA reductase), is inhibited by lovastatin.
Mevalonate is responsible for the synthesis of cholesterol.
Lovastatin acts as a reversible competitive inhibitor for HMG-CoA, which binds to the HMG-CoA reductase, and prevents the generation of mevalonate, which is a necessary component for cholesterol biosynthesis.
Uses
It is used to control high plasma level of cholesterol and plasma lipids.
It is used to prevent coronary artery disease.
It is also used in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.