What is the Difference Between Cyclosporine and Cephalosporin

The key difference between cyclosporine and cephalosporin is that cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant medication originally derived from the fungus Tolypocldium infatum while cephalosporin is a β-lactam antibiotic originally derived from the fungus Acremonium.

Certain fungi produce metabolites that are medicinally important. They can also be induced to produce metabolites through biotechnology with the purpose of developing drugs. Though fungi products were used in traditional medicine a long time ago, the ability to extract beneficial active ingredients from fungi started with the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928. The fungal compounds successfully developed into drugs or under research include antibiotics, anticancer drugs, cholesterol, and ergosterol synthesis inhibitors, psychotropic drugs, immunosuppressants, and fungicides. Cyclosporine and cephalosporin are two types of active compounds extracted from medicinal fungi.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Cyclosporine 
3. What is Cephalosporin
4. Similarities – Cyclosporine and Cephalosporin
5. Cyclosporine vs Cephalosporin in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Cyclosporine vs Cephalosporin

What is Cyclosporine?

Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant medication originally derived from the fungus Tolypocldium infatum. It is a calcineurin inhibitor. Cyclosporine is thought to bind to the cytosolic protein cyclophilin of immunocompetent lymphocytes like T lymphocytes. This cyclosporine-cyclophilin complex inhibits the phosphatase calcineurin, which under normal circumstances induces the transcription process of interleukin-2. Moreover, cyclosporine also inhibits lymphokine production and interleukin release, which leads to a reduced function of effector T cells. It is a natural product. Normally, it is taken by mouth or by injection into a vein. Cyclosporine can be used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, nephritic syndrome, and organ transplants to prevent rejection. In addition, cyclosporine is also used as eye drops for dry eyes, known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

The common side effects of cyclosporine include high blood pressure, headache, kidney problems, increased hair growth, and vomiting. The other severe side effects may include an increased risk of infection, liver problems, and an increased risk of lymphoma. Furthermore, cyclosporine is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines.

What is Cephalosporin?

Cephalosporin is a β-lactam antibiotic originally derived from the fungus Acremonium. Together with cephamycins, cephalosporins make up a subgroup of β-lactam antibiotics called cephems. Cephalosporins were first discovered in 1945 and were first sold in 1964. For the first time, aerobic mold yielding cephalosporin C was found in the sea near Su Siccu in Sardinia by the Italian pharmacologist Giuseppe Brotzu in 1945.

The first-generation cephalosporins are active predominantly against Gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Therefore, they can be used for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections. On the other hand, cephalosporins of successive generations have increased activity against Gram-negative bacteria with reduced activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Cephalosporins of successive generations are used for the treatments of bronchitis, ear infections, sinus infections, UTIs, gonorrhoea, meningitis, and sepsis. Furthermore, the side effects of cephalosporins include stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, yeast infection, dizziness, blood abnormalities, and rash or itching.

What are the Similarities Between Cyclosporine and Cephalosporin?

• Cyclosporine and cephalosporin are two active compounds extracted from medicinal fungi.
• Both compounds were identified in the 20^th Century and are used for the treatment of various human diseases
• These compounds can be taken orally.
• Both have side effects.

What is the Difference Between Cyclosporine and Cephalosporin?

Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant medication originally derived from the fungus Tolypocldium infatum, while cephalosporin is a β-lactam antibiotic originally derived from the fungus Acremonium. Thus, this is the key difference between cyclosporine and cephalosporin.

The below infographic presents the differences between cyclosporine and cephalosporin in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Cyclosporine vs Cephalosporin

Cyclosporine and cephalosporin are two active compounds extracted from fungi. Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant medication originally derived from the fungus Tolypocldium infatum, while cephalosporin is a β-lactam antibiotic originally derived from the fungus Acremonium. So, this is the key difference between cyclosporine and cephalosporin.

Reference:

1. “Cyclosporine Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing.” WebMD.
2. “Cephalosporin.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Cyclosporine 3D” By Ph.David – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Cephalosporine 1.Generation V2” By Tamina212 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia