Abstract

A prodrug is a chemically inert drug precursor, which upon biotransformation liberates the pharmacologically active parent compound. It is also called proagent, latentiated drug, bio reversible derivative and congeners. There are several reasons to utilize prodrug strategy in drug design. The drug is insufficient in solubility, absorption, distribution, lack of target site-specificity, prolonged-release, toxicity, instability, poor acceptance and formulation issues can be made to prodrug. The concept of prodrug acts as a significant alternative to solve pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic-related problems of drug molecules. Though a few studies have been concerned with some aspects of prodrugs, surprisingly there is no review on the complete information about prodrug and their recent applications. In the present study, an attempt had been made on the design, synthesis, development, bioactive pathway and latest research findings of newly synthesized prodrugs and their therapeutic uses.