Abstract: Administering water-soluble or dispersible synthetic analogs or derivatives of astaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, or lycophyll and/or other carotenoids to a subject may reduce some of the adverse effects of inflammation in a body organ or tissue. The analogs or derivatives may be incorporated into pharmaceutical, over-the-counter, or nutraceutical preparations. Administration of the analogs or derivatives described herein may reduce deposition of inflammatory mediators such as C-reactive protein, complement system proteins or the membrane attack complex (MAC) in tissues. Reduced deposition of these molecules in tissues may reduce cell damage and/or lysis in the tissues.

Abstract: Administering water-soluble or dispersible synthetic analogs or derivatives of astaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, or lycophyll and/or other carotenoids to a subject may reduce some of the adverse effects of inflammation in a body organ or tissue. The analogs or derivatives may be incorporated into pharmaceutical, over-the-counter, or nutraceutical preparations. Administration of the analogs or derivatives described herein may reduce deposition of inflammatory mediators such as C-reactive protein, complement system proteins or the membrane attack complex (MAC) in tissues. Reduced deposition of these molecules in tissues may reduce cell damage and/or lysis in the tissues.

Abstract: The presently described embodiments are directed to compositions that include one or more carotenoid analogs or derivatives for use in the treatment of a disorder associated with platelet aggregation. Certain embodiments provide for the use of said carotenoid analogs or derivatives in preparing compositions suitable for use in such treatments. Further embodiments provide for pharmaceutical compositions that include one or more carotenoid analogs or derivatives in combination with one or more additional compositions or medicaments suitable for the treatment of a disorder associated with platelet aggregation.

Abstract: The presently described embodiments are directed to compositions that include one or more carotenoid analogs or derivatives for use in the treatment of a disorder associated with platelet aggregation. Certain embodiments provide for the use of said carotenoid analogs or derivatives in preparing compositions suitable for use in such treatments. Further embodiments provide for pharmaceutical compositions that include one or more carotenoid analogs or derivatives in combination with one or more additional compositions or medicaments suitable for the treatment of a disorder associated with platelet aggregation.

Abstract: A method is described for synthesizing and administering carotenoid compounds with improved antioxidant characteristics. In some embodiments, extension or improvement of conjugation may be employed in structural modification of carotenoids. In other embodiments, reduction of ring/chain steric hindrance may improve the lambda max, and hence, the overall antioxidant capability, of particular compounds. In other embodiments, introduction and/or increase in synthetic handles for conjugation may improve the stoichiometric ratios of conjugating moieties to the polyene backbone. The methods may be used to improve natural and/or synthetic compounds for medicinal application in the treatment of disease.

Abstract: Administering carotenoids, and in particular xanthophyll carotenoids, or analogs or derivatives of astaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycoxanthin, lycophyll, or lycopene to a subject undergoing treatment with COX-2 inhibitor drugs may reduce at least a portion of the adverse side effects associated with administration of COX-2 selective inhibitor drugs. The carotenoids, or analogs or derivatives thereof may be administered to a subject prior to, at the same time as, or after the commencement of COX-2 selective inhibitor drug therapy. The carotenoids, or analogs or derivatives thereof may be administered to a subject concurrently with COX-2 selective inhibitor drugs therapy. The carotenoids, or analogs or derivatives thereof may be incorporated into pharmaceutical preparation in combination with the COX-2 selective inhibitor drug or may be administered separately.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing intermediates for use in the synthesis of carotenoid synthetic intermediates, carotenoid analogs, and/or carotenoid derivatives. The carotenoid analog, derivative, or intermediate may be administered to a subject for the inhibition and/or amelioration of any disease that involves production of reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, radicals and/or non-radicals. In some embodiments, the invention may include methods for synthesizing chemical compounds including an analog or derivative of a carotenoid. Carotenoid analogs or derivatives may include acyclic end groups. In some embodiments, a carotenoid analog or derivative may include at least one substituent. The substituent may enhance the solubility of the carotenoid analog or derivative such that the carotenoid analog or derivative at least partially dissolves in water.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing intermediates for use in the synthesis of carotenoid synthetic intermediates, carotenoid analogs, and/or carotenoid derivatives. The carotenoid analog, derivative, or intermediate may be administered to a subject for the inhibition and/or amelioration of any disease that involves production of reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, radicals and/or non-radicals. In some embodiments, the invention may include methods for synthesizing chemical compounds including an analog or derivative of a carotenoid. Carotenoid analogs or derivatives may include acyclic end groups. In some embodiments, a carotenoid analog or derivative may include at least one substituent. The substituent may enhance the solubility of the carotenoid analog or derivative such that the carotenoid analog or derivative at least partially dissolves in water.

Abstract: A method used for synthesizing intermediates for use in the synthesis of carotenoids and carotenoid analogs, and/or carotenoid derivatives. In some embodiments, the invention includes methods for synthesizing optically active intermediates useful for the synthesis of optically active carotenoids. Synthesis of optically active carotenoids, in one embodiment, may be accomplished by forming an optically active dihydroxy intermediate from ketoisopherone. The optically active dihydroxy intermediate may be converted into optically active astaxanthin derivatives.