Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided conjugates of dithiocarbamates “DC”) and pharmacologically active agents (e.g., NSAIDs). Invention conjugates provide a new class of pharmacologically active agents (e.g., anti-inflammatory agents) which cause a much lower incidence of side-effects due to the protective effects imparted by modifying the pharmacologically active agents as described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel combinations of dithiocarbamate disulfide dimers with other active agents. In one method, the disulfide derivative of a dithiocarbamate is coadministered with a thiazolidinedione for the treatment of diabetes. In another embodiment, In another embodiment, invention combinations further comprise additional active agents such as, for example, metformin, insulin, sulfonylureas, and the like. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to compositions and formulations useful in such therapeutic methods.

Abstract: The preparation and use of a protected organic aldehyde is described wherein bioavailability of the orally administered therapeutic aldehyde is improved. The protected aldehyde is prepared by reacting the aldehyde with a protecting group, for example, condensing the aldehyde chemically with a thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid. The improved bioavailability of such orally administered drugs increases the feasibility of delivering sufficient amounts of vanillin or other therapeutic organic aldehydes in vivo to prevent sickling in sickle cell anemia. Combination therapy is also described wherein a protected organic aldehyde is administered to a subject in treatment of sickle cell anemia in conjunction with one or more other drugs, such as pain killers, used in treatment of the symptoms of sickle cell anemia or sickle cell disease.

Abstract: The preparation and use of a protected organic aldehyde is described wherein bioavailability of the orally administered therapeutic aldehyde is improved. The protected aldehyde is prepared by reacting the aldehyde with a protecting group, for example, condensing the aldehyde chemically with a thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid. The improved bioavailability of such orally administered drugs increases the feasibility of delivering sufficient amounts of vanillin or other therapeutic organic aldehydes in vivo to prevent sickling in sickle cell anemia. Combination therapy is also described wherein a protected organic aldehyde is administered to a subject in treatment of sickle cell anemia in conjunction with one or more other drugs, such as pain killers, used in treatment of the symptoms of sickle cell anemia or sickle cell disease.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided conjugates of physiologically compatible free radical scavengers (e.g., dithiocarbamate disulfides (DD)) and pharmacologically active agents (e.g., NSAIDS). Invention conjugates provide a new class of pharmacologically active agents (e.g., anti-inflammatory agents) which cause a much lower incidence of side-effects due to the protective effects imparted by modifying the pharmacologically active agents as described herein. In addition, invention conjugates are more effective than unmodified pharmacologically active agents because cells and tissues contacted by the pharmacologically active agent(s) are protected from the potentially damaging effects of free radical overproduction induced thereby as a result of the co-production of free radical scavenger (e.g., dithiocarbamate), in addition to free pharmacologically active agent, when invention conjugate is cleaved.

Abstract: The preparation and use of a protected organic aldehyde is described wherein bioavailability of the orally administered therapeutic aldehyde is improved. The protected aldehyde is prepared by reacting the aldehyde with a protecting group, for example, condensing the aldehyde chemically with a thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid. The improved bioavailability of such orally administered drugs increases the feasibility of delivering sufficient amounts of vanillin or other therapeutic organic aldehydes in vivo to prevent sickling in sickle cell anemia. Combination therapy is also described wherein a protected organic aldehyde is administered to a subject in treatment of sickle cell anemia in conjunction with one or more other drugs, such as pain killers, used in treatment of the symptoms of sickle cell anemia or sickle cell disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing pharmaceutical-grade particulate dithiocarbamates from secondary amines by vigorously contacting at least one secondary amine and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent that is a solvent for the carbon disulfide, but not for the secondary amine in an inert gas atmosphere, cooling the mixture so as to precipitate the dithiocarbamate therefrom, and separating the precipitated dithiocarbamate from the cooled mixture. The preferred solvent contains absolute ethanol. In alternative embodiments, the invention further provides methods for purifying a dithiocarbamate to obtain a pharmaceutical-grade dithiocarbamate particulate from a dithiocarbamate feed and methods for producing a sterile pharmaceutical-grade dithiocarbamate from a dithiocarbamate feed.