Inhibition of cataract formation, diseases resulting from oxidative stress, and HIV replication by caffeic acid esters

摘要

A method of inhibiting the formation of a cataract in an eye by contacting the eye with a compound having the structure: ##STR1## is described. Also described is a method of inhibiting the progression of cataract formation in an eye. Methods comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising the above compound to inhibit the formation of a cataract in the eye of a subject and to inhibit progression of cataract formation in the eye of a subject are also described. The above compound also prevents diseases resulting from oxidative stress, including diseases comprising tumor formation resulting from oxidative stress, and also inhibits the progression of diseases resulting from oxidative stress. The above compound may furthermore be used to treat an HIV infection when combined in a pharmaceutical composition with a substance which inhibits HIV replication.