Selective chiral inhibitors of 5‐lipoxygenase with anti‐inflammatory activity

The studies described here, using enantiomers of an optically‐active methoxy alkyl thiazole ICI216800 (1‐methoxy‐6‐(naphth‐2‐yl‐methoxy)‐1‐(thiazol‐2‐yl)indane), provide unequivocal evidence for a specific, chiral interaction with 5‐lipoxygenase. In accordance with their biochemical efficacy these compounds also demonstrate enantio‐specific anti‐inflammatory activity in a leukotriene‐mediated model of inflammation. This is the first class of compounds for which 5‐lipoxygenase inhibition and anti‐inflammatory activity have been shown to be mediated via a specific chiral interaction.