| abstract |
The present invention provides polyunsaturated fatty acid compounds having antimalarial and/or neutrophil stimulatory activity. The polyunsaturated fatty acids contain 18-25 carbons and 1-6 double bonds and are characterized in that they have one or two substitutions selected from the group consisting of beta oxa, gamma oxa, beta thia and gamma thia. It is also preferred that the polyunsaturated fatty acid compound includes a further substitution selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, hydroperoxy, peroxy, carboxymethyl substitutions or attached to an amino acid. The invention also provides a method of producing an unsaturated oxa substituted fatty acid comprising reacting an unsaturated fatty acid alcohol with a carbene that is inserted in the OH bond of the alcohol, the invention further provides a method of treating inflammation with a composition comprising at least one hydroxy, hydroperoxy or peroxy derivative of a polyunsaturated fatty acid having a C18-24 carbon chain and 1-6 cis or trans double bonds. |