ABSTRACT
Ever since their structural identification1, leukotrienes have been implicated in a number of disease states. One important inflammatory state in which their powerful physiological action is manifested is asthma. Based on this recognition, a number of pharmaceutical companies have been working towards the discovery of substances that either neutralize the physiological action or prevent the biosynthesis of leukotrienes. 5-Lipoxygenase is one of the critical enzymes in the leukotriene biosynthetic pathway that transforms arachidonic acid to LTA4 and further to LTD4. Therefore, inhibition of this enzyme has been the target of extensive research efforts at a number of pharmaceutical companies. This effort has. already culminated in success inasmuch that the 5-Lipoxygenase inhibitor compound Zileuton,ld marketed by Abbott Laboratories, was approved in 1996 by the FDA for the treatment of asthmatic disorders.
