Arylmethyl Phenyl Ethers

Oxidative metabolites of arachidonic acid produced by the 5-lipoxygenase pathway are potent mediators of hypersensitivity and inflammation (see O’Flaherty, 1982; Lewis and Austen, 1984 for reviews). Their proposed roles in the pathophysiology of asthma, chronic inflammation, and psoriasis have prompted an intense search for specific inhibitors of their biosynthesis (Bach, 1984). Three years ago a program was initiated at Revlon Health Care Group to find compounds that would modulate the biosynthesis of leukotrienes or antagonize their spasmogenic actions on smooth muscle. In particular, we sought specific and stable inhibitors of the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enzyme, utilizing a cellular assay as our primary screening tool.