Carboxylic acids and derivatives thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing them

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided therapeutically effective compounds comprising an amphipathic carboxylate of the formula R—COOH, or a salt or an ester or amide of such compound, where R designates a saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain of 10-24 carbon atoms, one or more of which may be replaced by heteroatoms, where one or more of said carbon or heteroatom chain members optionally forms part of a ring, and where said chain is optionally substituted by a hydrocarbyl radical, heterocyclyl radical, lower alkoxy, hydroxyl-substituted lower alkyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl, halogen, phenyl or (hydroxy-, lower alkyl-, lower alkoxy-, lower alkenyl- or lower alkinyl)-substituted phenyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl or (hydroxy-, lower alkyl-, lower alkoxy-, lower alkenyl- or lower alkinyl)-substituted C3-C7 cycloalkyl wherein said amphipathic carboxylate is capable of being endogenously converted to its respective coenzyme A thioester.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.