(S)-zileuton

(S)-zileuton is the (S)-enantiomer of the racemic drug zileuton, a selective inhibitor of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO). Developed by Abbott Laboratories, (S)-zileuton was investigated for its ability to suppress the biosynthesis of leukotrienes, which are potent inflammatory mediators involved in the pathogenesis of asthma and allergic rhinitis. By inhibiting 5-LO, the drug prevents the conversion of arachidonic acid to leukotriene A4, subsequently reducing levels of LTB4 and the cysteinyl leukotrienes. Although (S)-zileuton (A-78773) and its (R)-counterpart (A-79175) were both studied for their pharmacological properties, the racemic mixture (A-64077) was the formulation eventually approved and marketed under the brand name Zyflo. Research indicated that while both enantiomers are active, they exhibit different pharmacokinetic profiles, with the (R)-enantiomer generally showing higher potency in human clinical models due to slower metabolic clearance.

Other names

(S)-(-)-zileutonS-zileuton(S)-N-(1-(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)ethyl)-N-hydroxyurea