| abstract |
The invention relates to a class of polycyclic compounds that reacts with and neutralizes a reactive oxygen species, such as a free oxygen radical, in a patient and which can then be regenerated back to their original reactive chemical form by a naturally occurring enzyme in said patient. These compounds are useful to treat diseases in a patient characterized by a reactive oxygen species. Moreover, because these compounds can be regenerated back to their original, reactive chemical state in vivo, a single molecule can neutralize multiple molecules of the reactive species. This allows for the use of lower dosages for the treatment of disease, as compared to compounds presently used to treat that same disease, thus avoiding side effects associated with higher dosages. |