Scientists have developed a chemical compound that is able to block a key component of inflammatory response implicated in many cancers, Alzheimer's and cardiovascular diseases.
Previous research found that the drug mefenamic acid reversed memory loss and brain inflammation in a model of Alzheimer's disease.
Now, researchers from University of Manchester in the UK, in a ten year study, have developed new and more potent inhibitors of inflammation.
The findings, published in the journal Cell Chemical Biology, found that the new molecules inhibit a specific part of an inflammatory response called the 'inflammasome' which is implicated in Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer and many others.
It is becoming clear that inflammation is directly involved in many diseases and this is an exciting step towards specifically targeting harmful inflammation, researchers said.
"Our new molecules specifically hit an important inflammatory mechanism that occurs in disease," said David Brough from University of Manchester.
"It is a tremendous starting point for a new generation of molecules which can be developed to target inflammatory disease," said Sally Freeman from University of Manchester.
Researchers used powerful biological and chemical methods to generate new and effective molecules which can now be further developed and tested.
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