Novel treatment of allergic diseases such as asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. According to the World Health Organization, asthma affects 235 million people. Inflammation is due to certain factors such as allergens.

Leukotrienes promote inflammation and bronchoconstriction. 5-lipoxygenase is the enzyme that catalyzes leukotrienes synthesis. The invention refers to novel tocotrienol derivatives that specifically inhibit 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) activity and leukotrienes formation.

To date, no therapy is able to trigger complete resolution of inflammation and asthma. The only 5-LO inhibitor registered by the FDA has unfavorable pharmacocinetics and significant side-effects.

Novel tocotrienol derivatives strongly inhibit 5-LO activity at very low concentrations (nanomolar levels) thus preventing leukotriene synthesis and inflammation. Those compounds are produced with good yields starting from plant molecules thanks to an easy process.