BACKGROUND: Drugs to treat inflammation and pain in humans and animals are in constant demand. Though some such drugs already exist, there are many conditions for which a more potent treatment is desirable.

DESCRIPTION: Collaborating together, researchers at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution and University of California have isolated and characterized a class of bis(indole) alkaloid compounds with potent anti-inflammatory properties. Topical administration of the compounds in mice effectively inhibits both the immunogenic inflammatory effects of phorbol myristate acetate, and the neurogenic inflammatory effects of resiniferatoxin and capsaicin.

APPLICATIONS: The compounds may be useful for treatment of inflammation and pain, in such conditions as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, anaphylactic reactions, inflammatory bowel disease, nephritis, conjunctivitis, inflammatory gum disease, migraine, metastic carcinoma, blood vessel inflammation, acute asthmatic attack, and inflammation of the lung due to chemical exposure. They may be useful for providing effective treatment for chemical, radiation or thermal burns and may promote wound healing.

ADVANTAGES:

• The compounds block the immunogenic inflammatory response to phorbol myristate acetate more effectively than other known anti-inflammatory agents such as hydrocortisone, indomethacin and manoalide.
• The compounds block the neurogenic inflammatory response to resiniferatoxin.
• Potent analogs can be synthesized easily and economically.