2-ARYL-PROPIONIC ACIDS AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING THEM

摘要

The present invention is directed to (R) and (S) 2-aryl-propionic acids of formula (I) (see formula I) wherein Ar is a substituted phenyl ring, and pharmaceutical compositions that contain them. They are useful in inhibiting chemotactic activation of neutrophils (PMN leukocytes) induced by the interaction of Interleukin-8 (IL-8) with CXCR1 and CXCR2 membrane receptors. The acids are used for the prevention and treatment of pathologies deriving from said activation. In particular, the (R) enantiomers of said acids are lacking cyclo-oxygenase inhibition activity and are particularly useful in the treatment of neutrofil-dependent pathologies such as psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, melanoma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bollous pemphigo, rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic fibrosis, glomerulonephritis and in the prevention and treatment of damages caused by ischemia and reperfusion.