| abstract |
In accordance with the present invention, there are provided conjugates of physiologically compatible free radical scavengers (e.g., dithiocarbamate disulfides (DD)) and pharmacologically active agents (e.g., NSAIDS). Invention conjugates provide a new class of pharmacologically active agents (e.g., anti-inflammatory agents) which cause a much lower incidence of side-effects due to the protective effects imparted by modifying the pharmacologically active agents as described herein. In addition, invention conjugates are more effective than unmodified pharmacologically active agents because cells and tissues contacted by the pharmacologically active agent(s) are protected from the potentially damaging effects of free radical overproduction induced thereby as a result of the co-production of free radical scavenger (e.g., dithiocarbamate), in addition to free pharmacologically active agent, when invention conjugate is cleaved. |