| abstract |
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) which are "metabolically programmed" metal chelators, e.g. lipophilic, absorbable (e.g. orally absorbable) and potent metal chelators which are converted in vivo to their Hydrophilic non-toxic metabolites. The present invention also provides compounds of formula (II) which are also "metabolicly programmed" metal chelators. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, kits, methods and uses comprising the compounds described herein. The compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, kits and methods are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases (e.g., metal overload, oxidative stress, diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, cancer, radiation injury, neurological or neurodegenerative disease, Friedel Western ataxia (FRDA), macular degeneration, blunt head injury, irritable bowel syndrome, reperfusion injury, metal poisoning, or infectious disease). |