Technology Description:

ARS researchers discovered and patented biologically-derived compounds, called hopanoids, which have topical anti-inflammatory properties. These natural compounds may be useful in treating asthma, atherosclerosis and skin inflammations. Current nonsteroidal anti_inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)–aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofin–inhibit a broad range of the bodies natural activities. Also, most NSAIDS have serious side_effects, including stomach irritation. This invention may offer some advantages over existing anti_inflammatory drugs, especially in treating inflammatory conditions associated with asthma and atherosclerosis. Hopanoid compounds could potentially be combined with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier for topical application, oral administration or injection. This invention may fill a unique niche currently not provided by existing drugs. The method in this invention could also potentially be used as an alternate organism (to yeast) for producing fuel ethanol. Commercially developing hopanoids would likely have a very positive impact on agriculture, especially if hopanoids could be produced as co-products during bacterial fermentation (as an alternative to conventional yeast fermentation) to make fuel ethanol.

Please refer to Patent Number 6,177,415, "The Use of Bacteriohopanetetrol and Related Compounds as Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs," which issued January 23, 2001.