Mechanism of Action of Hydroxychloroquine as an Antirheumatic Drug Abstract The antimalarial agents chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have been used widely for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. These compounds lead to improvement of clinical and laboratory parameters, but their slow onset of action distinguishes them from glucocorticoids and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine increase pH within intracellular vacuoles and alter processes such as protein degradation by acidic hydrolases in the lysosome, assembly of macromolecules in the endosomes, and posttranslation modification of proteins in the Golgi apparatus. It is proposed that the antirheumatic properties of these compounds results from their interference with "antigen processing" in macrophages and other antigen-presenting cells. Acidic cytoplasmic compartments are required for the antigenic protein to be digested and for the pept
Introduction: In recent years, the discourse surrounding climate change and environmental sustainability has reached a critical juncture. With scientific consensus confirming the reality of climate change and its far-reaching consequences, the urgency to take action has never been greater. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of climate change, explore its impact on the environment and society, and discuss strategies for mitigating its effects and fostering sustainability. Understanding Climate Change: At its core, climate change refers to long-term shifts in global or regional climate patterns. While variations in climate are natural phenomena, human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly accelerated the pace of climate change. The emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming and alterations in weather