A method for treating the disease state in mammals caused by mammalian cells involved in the inflammatory response is disclosed. Mammalian cells participating in the inflammatory response are contacted with an inflammatory suppressor selected from the group consisting of alpha-keto acids and their salts which reduce the undesired inflammatory response and is an antioxidant. The inflammatory suppressor may further provide a cellular energy source and be a building block in the cellular synthesis of other cellular components. Compositions for reducing and treating undesired inflammatory response such as pain, swelling, erythema, crusting, scarring, itching, also disclosed.