Discovery of new anti-inflammatory agents

We have synthesized a series of novel hydrazines and hydrazino alcohols that specifically inhibit vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1), a human endothelial cell adhesion molecule with a well-documented role in inflammation. VAP-1 is a semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO), and the enzyme activity has been demonstrated to have a role in VAP-1 function. An indane hydrazino alcohol was able to reduce clinical symptoms of inflammation in experimental arthritis in rodents and has the potential to be a novel anti-inflammatory drug.