Amino ceramide-like compounds and therapeutic methods of use

A compound of formula I:

• 6
• functional homologues, prodrugs, isomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and mixtures thereof, wherein
• R1 is a phenyl, a substituted phenyl group, or other acyclic group, t-butyl or other branched aliphatic group, or a long alkyl or alkenyl chain,
• R2 is an alkyl residue of a fatty acid, 2 to 10 carbons long;
• and
• R3 is a tertiary amine, preferably a cyclic amine such as pyrrolidine, azetidine, morpholine or piperidine, in which the nitrogen atom is attached to the kernel (i.e., a tertiary amine).