NZ540667A

NZ540667A - A method of preventing and/or treating asthma using parabromophenacyl bromide (PBPB)

Info

Publication number: NZ540667A
Application number: NZ540667A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Arjun Ram; Balaram Ghosh; Sharad Vishwanath Gangal
Original assignee: Council Scient Ind Res
Priority date: 2002-12-02
Filing date: 2002-12-02
Publication date: 2008-03-28

Abstract

Disclosed is a use of an effective pharmacological amount of parabromophenacyl bromide (PBPB) in the manufacture of a medicament for preventing and/or treating asthma in a subject which may be achieved by modulating levels of biomolecules to a subject. Also described in the specification is a method of preventing and/or treating asthma in a subject is disclosed, said method comprising step of administering effective pharmacological amount of parabromophenacyl bromide (PBPB) to the subject and a method of modulating levels of biomolecules to achieve the same.

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> WO 2004/050071 PCT/IB2002/005065 A METHOD OF PREVENTING AND/OR TREATING ASTHMA USING PARABROMOPHENACYL BROMIDE (PBPB) Technical field 5 The present invention relates to a method of preventing and/or treating asthma in a subject, said method comprising step of administering effective pharmacological amount of parabromophenacyl bromide (PBPB) to the subject and also, a method of modulating levels of biomolecules to achieve the same. Background Art 10 Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of airways, which is characterized by reversible airway obstruction, airway hyper reactivity, high serum IgE and eosinophils levels in the airways. This disease affects millions of people world wide and reaching epidemic proportions (Cookson, 1999). With the increasing understanding of the molecular mechanism of asthma, many therapeutic options such as glucocorticoids, mediators antagonists, cytokine modulators, phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, chromone 15 compounds, and immunotherapy have been reported (Barnes, 1999). However, steroids are still a mainstay for the management of asthma. Steroids therapy has many side effects such as osteoporosis, obesity, impaired wound healing, increased risk of infection, suppression of hypothamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, myopathy, hypertension etc. (stites et al., 1997) and there is no escape from its adverse side effects. Therefore, there exists a need of search for non-steroidal anti-asthmatic agents with very low or negligible 20 side effects. Phospholipase A2 (PL hi) is a key enzyme in generating various arachidonic acid metabolites, such as leukotrines and prostasglandins, which are involved pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases including asthma (bowton et al 1997, chilton et al 1996, drazen et al. 1999). PBPB has been found to block edema and myotoxicity (melo and ownby, 1999; evans and owriby, 1993). 25 Recently, it has been demonstrated to inhibit several other steps involved in the manifestation of inflammation. Tithof and coworkers demonstrated that PBPB inhibits polyvinylchloride-induced neutrophils superoxide (02) release (Tithof et al., 1996). Further, this compound is reported to inhibit the binding activity of NF-lcB (von puijenbrock et al., 1999), an important transcription factor involved in the expression of various inflammatory cytokines, to DNA. PBPB has also been 30 demonstrated to reduce the adhesion of certain bacterial cells to tie endothelial cells in guinea pig colon (Guhathakurta et al., 1999). an in-vitro study by Detsouli and coworkers (1985) demonstrated that I^BPB reduce the construction of lung parenchymal strips induced by platelet activating factor (PAF) or ovalbumin. Many of these parameters, i.e., increase of pi a2 activity (Bowton etal., 1997; Mehtaet WO 2004/050071 2 PCT/EB2002/005065 al., 1990), binding of NF-kb to DNA (Barnes., 1996), superoxide release (Barnes., 1990) and cell adhesion (Gundel et al., 1991) are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. However, till date there is no direct in-vivo experiment report that can demonstrate the effect of PBPB on asthmatic features either in human or animal model. Novelty of the invention is in first in-vivo demonstration of PBPB for alleviation the characteristic features of asthma produced in mouse such as allergen-induced early airway response (ear) and late airway response (LAR). Objects of the present invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of preventing and/or treating asthma in a subject in need thereof; and/or an improved method of modulating levels of biomolecules to help prevent and/or treat asthma; or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OP W.Z 10 AUG 2005 RECEIVFD WO 2004/050071 3 PCT/JB2002/005065 Summary of the present invention The present invention relates to a method of preventing and/or treating asthma in a subject, said method comprising step of administering effective pharmacological amount of parabromophenacyl bromide (PBPB) to the subject and also, a method of modulating 5 levels of biomolecules to achieve the same. Detailed description of the present invention Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method of preventing and/or treating asthma in a subject, said method comprising step of administering effective pharmacological amount of parabromophenacyl bromide (PBPB) to the subject and also, a method of 10 modulating levels of biomolecules to achieve the same. In an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a method of preventing and/or treating asthma in a subject, said method comprising step of administering effective pharmacological amount of parabromophenacyl bromide (PBPB) to a subject. In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a subject can be an animal 15 including human. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein concentration of PBPB is ranging between 0.1 to 10 mg/kg body weight. In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein concentration of PBPB is about 1 mg/kg body weight. 20 In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the PBPB is administered for about one week. In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the PBPB is free of side effects. In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the PBPB is administered 25 through routes selected from a group comprising intra-peritoneum, and oral route. In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a method of modulating levels of biomolecules to help prevent and/or treat asthma, said method comprising steps of administering effective pharmacological amount of parabromophenacyl bromide (PBPB) to a subject and measuring the variation in the levels of biomolecules. 30 In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the PBPB helps maintains IFN-gamma levels. In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the PBPB helps attenuate IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels. WO 2004/050071 4 PCT/IB2002/005065 In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the PBPB prevents increase in IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels. In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the PBPB helps attenuate eosinophils levels. 5 In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the PBPB prevents increase in eosinophils levels. In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the PBPB helps attenuate IGE levels by about 50%. In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the PBPB prevents increase 10 in IGE levels. In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the PBPB helps prevent airway constriction (SGaw). In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the PBPB helps recover up to about 96% of basal level airway constriction (SGaw). 15 In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the PBPB helps prevent airway reactivity. In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the PBPB helps prevent airway reactivity. Brief description of the accompanying drawings: 20 Figure 1 shows protocol for both preventive and curative effect of PBPB. Figure 2 shows measurement of airway caliber using mouse as a model system. Figure 3 shows variation in levels of specific airway conductance before and after ova aerosol challenge in both control and PBPB treated mice. 25 Figure 4 shows reversal of SGaw, reflecting curative effect of PBPB in ova aerosol challenged mice. Figure 5 shows variation in levels of specific airway conductance before and after methacholine (MCh) challenge in both control and PBPB treated mice. Figure 6 shows reversal of SGaw, reflecting curative effect of PBPB in methacholine 30 (MCh) challenged mice. Figure 7 shows reducing effect of PBPB in serum IgE levels. Figure 8 shows inhibitoiy effect of PBPB in eosinophils in BAL fluid. hi another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the existing anti-asthmatic drugs particularly steroids have many side effects. There is intense need to develop certain non-steroidal anti- WO 2004/050071 5 PCT/IB2002/005065 asthmatic drugs. In this context, paia-bromophenacyi bromide (PBPB), a non-steroidal antiinflammatory compound, was tested for the anti-asthmatic activity using mouse model of asthma administration of pharmacologically effective dose of PBPB to mice during sensitization prevented the development ofboth tie asthmatic features (ear and lar). This finding showed a preventive effect ofPBPB 5 on tie development of asthma. The present invention also showed that PBPB, when administered orally to the animals already showing impaired airways features, alleviated the existing impaired features. PBPB has been found to retain IFN-y levels and attenuated IL4, IL-5, and eosinophils levels in tie bronchoalveolar lavage (bal) fluid the allergen-specific IgE levels in the sera samples was also reduced significantly. 10 In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein accordingly, present invention relates to novel use of para-bromophenacyl bromide as an anti-asthmatic agent and the method of use comprises of: a sensitizing the animals by an anti-IgEnic protein to induce characteristic asthmatic features, 15 b. estimating asthmatic features prior to, during and after sensitization of the animal^ c. administering pharmacologically active concentration of a solution of PBPB to healthy animals during and after sensitization, and d. measuring immunological features in the sacrificed animals after step (b) and (c). In another embodiment to the invention, the animal model used may be selected from 20 balb/c mice, rabbits and guinea pigs. In another embodiment to the invention the protein for sensitizing the animals may be administered through intraperitoneally injection or aerosol inhalation routes. In yet another embodiment to the invention, the protein solution in normal saline used for sensitization may be selected from ovalbumin, bovine serum albumin or any other ant-25 IgEnic protein, in a concentration ranging from 10-100 ng per injection or 1-5% for inhalation by aerosol in normal saline. In still another embodiment to the invention, PBPB may be administered orally to the animals in the concentration range of 0.1 to 10 mg/kg body weight. In yet another embodiment, the asthmatic features may be estimated by known methods of 30 measuring specific airway conductance or specific airway resistance. In still another embodiment to the invention the immunological features may be measured by estimating IgE, IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-5 and eosinophils levels by known methods. WO 2004/050071 6 PCT/IB2002/005065 la another embodiment of the present invention, wherein Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways which affects millions of people worldwide. The disease is reaching epidemic proportions [Cookson, 1999] and young lives are increasingly rendered unproductive. Asthma is characterized by airway obstruction, airway hyper reactivity, and high IgE levels in the serum and 5 eosinophils in the airways. The development of this disease is mediated by proinflammatoiy cytokines- IL-4, IL-13 and EL-5 secreted by th2 cells. The cytokine, interferon-gamma (EFN-y) secreted by the thl cells, on the other hand, inhibits the th2 cytokines. The asthmatic response may be divided into early-and late phase reactions. Hie eady phase begins immediately after secondary exposure to the allergen and is mediated by histamine and other lipid mediators, which result in inflammation and airway 10 constriction. The late phase reaction occurs 8-24 hours after and results in infiltration of inflammatory cells, e.g., eosinophils, neutrophils etc. in fee alveoli These cells release toxic granule proteins, which damage the epithelium, and also produce a variety of mediators including lipid response may be divided into early-and late phase reactions. The early phase begins immediately after secondary exposure to the allergen and is mediated by histamine and other lipid mediators, 15 which result in inflammation and airway constriction. The late phase reaction occurs 8-24 hours after and results in infiltration of inflammatory cells, e.g., eosinophils, neutrophils etc in the alveoli. These cells release toxic granule proteins, which damage the epithelium and also produce a variety of mediators including lipid mediators (Barnes et ah, 1998]. In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein with the increasing understanding of the 20 molecular mechanism of asthma, many therapeutic options have been reported (Barnes, 1999). However, after over 40 years use of steroids, there is no substitute so far and steroids are still a major drug along with beta2-adrenoceptor agonists for the management of asthma. There is no escape from its adverse side effects. Therefore, there is a need to search for non-steroidal antiasthmatic agents with very low or negligible side effects. 25 In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein in this context, PBPB was tested on mouse model of asthma. Mice were sensitized with intraperitoneally and aerosol inhalation of ova to develop the characteristic features of asthma such as allergen induced early airway response (ear) and late airway response (lar). These asthmatic features were characterized by measuring airway caliber in the term of specific airway conductance 30 (SGaw) by a non-invasive technique, dual-chamber whole body plethysmography. After developing the characteristic features (ear and lar) in mouse, the compound PBPB was given orally during whole sensitization period to test the preventive effect on the development of asthmatic features. To examine the therapeutic effect of PBPB on the asthmatic features, it was fed for one week to mice after sensitization and confirming their asthmatic features. WO 2004/050071 7 PCT/EB2002/005065 In another embodiment of Ihe present invention, wherein after testing the compound for the preventive as well as for therapeutic values in intact conscious mice, mice were sacrificed for collecting the blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (bal) fluid to measure the levels of IgE, cytokines 11-4, IL-5 and IFN-y and homophile. Ovalbumin specific IgE levels m the sera and the 5 levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-y in the BAL fluid were measured by Elisa kits. The prevalence of eosinophils was determined in BAL fluid by flow cytometry. In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein Ihe present invention provides an effective compound for preventing the development of the characteristic features of asthma in an animal, for example, there was prevention of the development of airway constriction and 10 airway reactivity in mice treated orally PBPB during sensitization In another embodiment of the presort invention, wherein the present invention also demonstrates that PBPB is effective when given to mice after sensitization i.e., after developing airway hyper reactivity. PBPB administered orally for one week to airway hyper reactive animals, inhibited both allergen induced airway constriction and airway hyper reactivity to 15 methacholine. This showed the therapeutic potential of this compound. In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the present invention also showed that PBPB reduces sensitization as reduced serum IgE levels indicate it; and retained IFN-y levels in the BAL fluid. In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein PBPB administration to the mice both 20 during sensitization as well as after sensitization reduced significantly the prevalence of eosinophils in the BAL fluid. This finding suggests that PBPB inhibits inflammation by administering its pharmacologically effective dose. The effective dose was found to be 1 mg/kg body weight. The present invention provides an effective agent, para-bromophenacyl bromide (PBPB) which prevents the 25 development of characteristic features of asthma such as allergen-induced early airway response (ear) and late airway response (lar) in an animal model by administering a pharmacologically effective dose to the said animal, the invention also provides that PBPB can attenuate already developed ear and lar in the said animal giving its pharmacologically effective dose after sensitization, this showed the therapeutic effect of this compound, the present invention also demonstrates that that PBPB attenuates the alteration of certain 30 immunological parameters, viz, eosinophils, IgE, IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-y, associated with asthma, thus, PBPB, being a non-steroidal compound, can be used as a lead molecule in the development of anti-asthmatic drag. The present invention relates to novel use of para-bromophenacyl bromide as an asthmatic agent. Para-bromophenacyl bromide (PBPB) has been shown here to have potential as a lead molecule for the development of anti-asthmatic drug for the treatment of clinical asthma WO 2004/050071 8 PCT/IB2002/005065 The following examples are given for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments of the inventions and are not meant to limit the present invention in any fashion. Example 1- Animals sensitization: BALB/c male mice, eight-ten weeks old, weighing 18-22 grams were acclimatized for one week under 5 the laboratory conditions. Mice were sensitized by injecting intraperitoneally 0.2 ml of saline containing 10 micrograms ovalbumin (ova) (sigma, USA) adsorbed on 2 mg aluminum hydroxide gel on days 0,7 and 14 followed by aerosol inhalation for 5 consecutive days, from day 19 to 23 with 2% ova (in saline w/v) for 30 minutes daily. Aerosol challenge was performed by placing mice in Plexiglas chamber (20 x 20 x 10 cm3) and ova or saline alone was aerosolized using a nebulizer (devilbiss, model 645, USA) at an 10 airflow rate of 7 litre/minute, sham-sensitized mice received 0.2 ml of saline containing only 2 mg al(oh)3 on days, 0,7 and 14 followed by inhalation of aerosol of saline without ova for 5 consecutive days. Example 2- Treatment of mice with PBPB The compound PBPB (sigma, USA) was dissolved in absolute alcohol (10 mg/ml). PBPB (20ul by volume) was given orally to each mouse. To evaluate the effect of PBPB on sensitization and the 15 development of impaired airway sensitivity (preventive effect, fig 1 a), five groups (six mice in each) of mice were used. One group was sham-sensitized control and another group was kept as sensitized control. The remaining three groups were given orally three different concentrations of PBPB (0.1, and 10 mg/kg body weight) daily starting from first to the last day of the sensitization, the sham-sensitized and sensitized control mice were given only vehicle (20 ul alcohol) in a similar fashion. Initial measurements of 20 specific airway conductance and airway reactivity of all the animals were carried out before starting the experiment, ovalbumin induced airway constriction and airway reactivity were measured after sensitization protocol was over, the measurements were done as described below (example 3,4 and 5). To examine the therapeutic effect of PBPB on sensitized mice (therapeutic effect, fig. ib), mice were sensitized as before without PBPB treatment and airway constriction to ova and airway reactivity to 25 methacholine were measured as described below, animals showing at least 40% fall in specific airway conductance to ova aerosol challenge were selected for this study, the sensitized mice were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 mice in each group, three groups of mice were given daily three different concentrations of PBPB in 20 ul of alcohol adjusted to contain PBPB in a dose of 0.1, and 10 mg/kg body weight respectively for week, fourth group was fed only 20 ul alcohol for one week to be used as sensitized 3 0 control, airway constriction and airway reactivity were again measured thereafter. Example 3 measurement of airways calibre: Airway calibre was measured in tie term of specific airway conductance (SGaw). SGaw is a measure of the airway caliber and was estimated using a dual-chamber whole body WO 2004/050071 9 PCT/IB2002/005065 plethysmograph (Agrawal, 1981). The dual-chambo- whole body plethysmograph was designed in our laboratory to suit Ihe size of mouse (fig 2). The change in the box pressure in response to breathing of the housed mouse was determined with a transducer (validyne mp 45 + 2 cmh20) and carrier amplifier (validyne model CD 15 carrier demodulator) that were connected to the x-channel of an oscilloscope Tektronix, model 6116, USA). The pneumotachograph attached to the anterior chamber of the plethysmograph was used to detect tie airflow at the naies of the mouse. This signal was amplified by another set of the same type of transducer and amplifier which in turn were connected to the y-cbannel of tie oscilloscope these two channels (x-y) of box pressure versus air flow were joined and displayed as a loop on tie oscilloscope. The slope (tan 0) of the early inspiratory limb of x-y loop provided the data for computing SGaw. The SGaw is the ratio of air flow change to flow-related change in box pressure during the transition from expiration to inspiration of breathing mice which comes after derivation as SGaw = tan 0 x ml/sec/riiv on ordinate x 1 ml/div on abscissa {pressure (barometer) - pressure (vapour)} Animals were acclimatized in the body box in the beginning of the study and at the time of recording the loop, each individual mouse was housed for 10 minutes to set the basal loop correctly. Values of the slopes were recorded on getting at least three similar loops. Several loops were examined before selecting the similar three loops for recording the values. The above formula was used to calculate the values of SGaw (Agrawal, 1981). Example 4 - PBPB inhibits acute ova-induced airway constriction: Airway constriction of mice was determined in terms of fall of SGaw due to ova aerosol challenge as described in example 3. In order to study the preventive effect of PBPB on airway-constriction produced by sensitization, the mice were treated with PBPB 0.1,1, and 10 mg/kg body weight) during sensitization period. The levels of SGaw were measured before and after ova aerosol challenge in all the groups (fig. 3). The sham-sensitized mice did not show any significant decrease in their basal level of SGaw after ova challenge. The sensitized mice showed a fall of 48% from the basal value in SGaw level on challenge with ova. The oral treatment of animals with different doses of PBPB during sensitization period prevented the fall of SGaw levels in response to ova challenge in comparison to sensitized mice in a dose dependent manner. The mice treated with 0.1 mg PBPB/kg body weight showed a fall of SGaw level of only 17% while the animals which received mg PBPB/kg body weight had only 4% fall of SGaw from their basal levels. Further increase in the dose of PBPB to lo mg/kg body weight did not show any additional effect (fig. 3). In order to study the therapeutic effect, PBPB (0.1,1, and 10 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally for a period of one week to already sensitized animals. As shown in fig. 4, it showed a reversal (curative WO 2004/050071 10 PCT/IB2002/005065 effect) of SGaw in a dose dependent manner, a dose of mg/kg body weight recovered SGaw levels up to 86% of normal basal levels and the dose, 10 mg PBPB/kg body weight showed almost recovered (96%) to its basal SGaw levels (fig. 4). Example 5: PBPB reduces airway reactivity to methacholine (MCh) Airway reactivity to acetyl-beta-methacholine (sigma, USA) was determined 24 hours after the last ova aerosol inhalation challenge. Aerosol of different concentration of methacholine (3.1, 6.25,12.5, 50,100 mg/ml) were given for 60 seconds. MCh PD35 values were determined in sham-sensitized, sensitized and PBPB treated mice during sensitization and after as shown in the fig. 5, there was no change in the MCh PD35 values of sham-sensitized animals before and after challenge with ova, whereas there was a significant M in the MCh PD35 values (86%) in sensitized mice 24 hrs after ova challenge as compared to its initial values ( p < 0.005). a decrease in MCh PD35 of airways of these sensitized mice clearly indicated their increased airway hyper reactivity to MCh as also observed in terms of fell in SGaw levels, the treatment of mice with PBPB during sensitization markedly attenuated MCh pd35 values towards basal level The degree of attenuation of MCh PD35 was dose dependent and a recovery of 93% of its initial levels was seen on treatment with mg/kg body weight The dose, 10 mg/kg body weight of PBPB showed still a better response, increasing the SGaw (115%) of its initial MCh pd35 values (fig. 5). In addition, when the sensitized animals already having airway hyper reactivity (MCh pd.35 5.5 ± 0.06 to 8.7 ± 2.2) were treated orally with different concentrations of PBPB, their MCh PD35 values were also recovered in a dose dependent manner (fig. 6). the values were recovered by over 81% of the basal value at the dose 1 mg/kg body weight (fig. 6) and the dose 10 mgkg body weight showed a recovery of 94% of the basal MCh pd35 value, in sham-sensitized mice, aerosol challenge by different doses of methacholine did not demonstrate any change in MCh pdj5 values from its initial values after ova challenge. Example 6. PBPB treatment during and after sensitization reduces serum IgE levels. Serum IgE levels were measured in all the groups of mice by Elisa (figure 7). Ova-specific IgE levels were measured by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (Elisa). The IgE level increased markedly (384 ± 22.8 ng/ml) in the sensitized mice as compared to the sham-sensitized group (30 ± ng/ml) (fig. 7). Interestingly, the oral administration of PBPB to the mice undergoing sensitization prevented the rise in serum IgE levels in a dose dependent manner. The mean serum IgE level of mice fed with PBPB (1 mg/kg body weight) was significantly lower (40 %) compared to those of sensitized animals, however, treatment with 10 mg of PBPB/ kg body weight did not show additional effect on IgE levels, also, when PBPB (1 mg/kg body weight) was fed for one week to already sensitized mice, there was a significant (p <0.05) fall in the IgE levels in the serum (47%) as compared to those of the vehicle treated sensitized mice (fig 7). WO 2004/050071 11 PCT/IB2002/005065 10 15 Example 7: PBPB inhibits eosinophils in BAL fluid. The levels of eosinophils in BAL fluid were detected by flowcytometry (facsVantage, Becton Dickinson, USA) using the method described by bedner et al (1999). The cells were gated on the basis of the size and fluorescence (FSC versus FL 1) and the percentage of the gated cells was determined by cell quest software. The data is represented as average values of six mice. As shown in fig 8, the levels of eosinophils in BAL fluid were markedly elevated in ova sensitized mice as compared to those of sham-sensitized mice. The oral PBPB treatment (1 mg/kg body weight) during sensitization prevented the rise in flie eosinophils levels. In already sensitized mice, treatment with PBPB (1 mg/kg body weight) also reduced the levels of eosinophils significantly (p< 0.01) as compared to those of the sensitized mice treated with only vehicle. Example 8 PBPB increases IFN-gamma and decreases EL-4 and IL-5 in BAL fluid. The cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-5 were measured in the BAL fluid by enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (Elisa) kits (BD pharmingen, USA) as per the manufacturer's protocol. Table-1 Treatment Cyto ones IFN-y (pg/ml) IL-4 (pg/ml) IFNy:IL=4 IL-5 (pg/ml) Sham-sensitized 495.0 ± 152.5 77.0 ± 14.9 6.4 104.8 ± 15.2 Sensitized 162.0 ±45.2 143.0 ± 3.0 1.1 158.7 ±22.5 PBPB during Sensitization 402 ± 14.4 * 91.0 ±13.2* 4.4 75.1 ±7.4* PBPB after Sensitization 425.1 ±54.0* 42.4 ±4.9* 10.0 53.4 ±2.2* 20 25 The mice were treated with PBPB (lmg/kg body weight) during sensitization and after sensitization. The cytokines levels in BAL fluid were measured after sensitization and treatment with PBPB. Data are expressed as mean 1 SEM (n = 4 in each group). ^Significantly different (p < 0.05) from the group of sensitized mice. The results were given in pg/ml of each sample. The results (table 1) showed that PBPB affects the level cytokines. The levels of IL-4 (143.0+3.0 pg/ml) and IL-5 (158.7+22.5) were increased in sensitized mice as compared to those of sham-sensitized mice (77.0 + 14.9 pg/ml and 104.8 + 15.2 pg/ml respectively). The PBPB treatment during sensitization protocol or after sensitization were reduced significantly (p. 0.05) as compared to sensitized mice. On the other hand PBPB attenuated the levels of IFN-y to towards the levels of sham-sensitized mice. In both the groups of mice treated wilh PBPB during sensitization and after sensitization, there was an increase in the ratio of IFN-y to IL-4 (4.4 and 10 respectively) as compared to those of sensitized control mice (1.1). WO 2004/050071 12 PCT/IB2002/005065 The main advantages of the present invention: 1. This is the first demonstration that PBPB inhibits the characteristic features of asthma produced in an animal model and can be used for development of effective drugs for asthma therapy. 5 2. PBPB, being a non-steroidal compound, may have lesser side effects than the existing therapeutic steroids. 3. This compound is inexpensive and readily available. 4. The use of PBPB may not be restricted only to anti-asthmatic agent, but to other inflammatory conditions where elevations of IgE, reduction in IL-4, IL-5 and eosinophils 10 levels play significant roles. 13 </div>

Claims

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims"> CLAIMS:

1. Use of an effective pharmacological amount of parabromophenacyl bromide (PBPB) in the manufacture of a medicament for preventing and/or treating asthma in a subject.

2. Use as claimed in claim 1, wherein the subject can be an animal including human.

3. Use as claimed in claim 1, wherein concentration of PBPB is ranging between 0.1 to 10 mg/kg body weight.

4. Use as claimed in claim 1, wherein concentration of PBPB is about 1 mg/kg body weight.

5. Use as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PBPB is formulated for administration for about one week.

6. Use as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PBPB is free of side effects.

7. Use as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PBPB is formulated for administration through routes selected from a group comprising intra-peritoneum, and oral route.

8. Use of an effective pharmacological amount of parabromophenacyl bromide (PBPB) in the manufacture of a medicament for modulating levels of biomolecules to help prevent or treat asthma, as claimed in claim 1, whereby variations in the levels of biomolecules in the subject can be measured.

9. Use as claimed in claim 8, wherein the PBPB helps maintains IFN-gamma levels.

10. Use as claimed in claim 8, wherein the PBPB helps attenuate IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels.

11. Use as claimed in claim 8, wherein the PBPB prevents increase in IL-4, IL- 5, and IL-13 levels.

12. Use as claimed in claim 8, wherein the PBPB helps attenuate eosinophils levels.

13. Use as claimed in claim 8, wherein the PBPB prevents increase in eosinophils levels.

14. Use as claimed in claim 8, wherein the PBPB helps attenuate IgE levels by about 50%.

15. Use as claimed in claim 8, wherein the PBPB prevents increase in IgE levels.

16. Use as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PBPB helps prevent airway constriction.

17. Use as claimed in claim 16, wherein the PBPB helps recover up to about 96% of basal level airway constriction. G:\190758NZ NB amended clairas.907.doc 14

18. Use as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PBPB helps prevent airway reactivity.

19. Use as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the examples included herein and/or any one or more of the accompanying figures.

20. Use as claimed in claim 8 and substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the examples included herein and/or any one or more of the accompanying figures. END OF CLAIMS G:\190758NZNB amended claims.907.doc </div>