Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors are compounds that slow or stop the action of the arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (5-lipoxygenase or 5-LOX) enzyme, which is responsible for the production of inflammatory leukotrienes. The overproduction of leukotrienes is a major cause of inflammation in asthma, allergic rhinitis, and osteoarthritis.David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox. Lehninger's Principles of Biochemistry, Fifth Edition. W.H. Freeman and Co., 2008, p. 359.
Examples of 5-LOX inhibitors include the pharmaceutical drugs meclofenamate sodium, zileuton and the natural products myxochelins/pseudochelin as well as nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA).
Some chemicals found in trace amounts in food, as well as some dietary supplements, have been shown to inhibit 5-LOX; these include baicalein, caffeic acid, curcumin, hyperforin and St John's wort. 1. Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase ...Specific function: Catalyzes the first step in leukotriene biosynthesis, and thereby plays a role in inflammatory processes ...2. Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1 ... General function: Involved in peroxidase activity
Acetyl-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA), one of the bioactive boswellic acids found in Boswellia serrata (Indian Frankincense) has been found to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase strongly as an allosteric inhibitor. Boswellia administration has been shown to reduce brain edema in patients irradiated for brain tumor and it is believed to be due to 5-lipoxygenase inhibition.
See also Antileukotriene agents Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase ALOX5-inhibiting drugs
References
External links
Human Metabolome Database – Metabolites of 5-LOX