A method for inhibiting and/or ameliorating the occurrence of diseases
associated with reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species,
radicals and/or non-radicals in a subject whereby a subject is
administered a carotenoid analog or derivative, either alone or in
combination with another carotenoid analog or derivative, or
co-antioxidant formulation. The analog or derivative is administered such
that the subject's risk of experiencing diseases associated with reactive
oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, radicals and/or non-radicals
may be thereby reduced. The analog or analog combination may be
administered to a subject for the inhibition and/or amelioration of any
disease that involves production of reactive oxygen species, reactive
nitrogen species, radicals and/or non-radicals. In some embodiments, the
invention may include a pharmaceutical composition including a carotenoid
analog or derivative. The carotenoid analog may include a conjugated
polyene with between 7 to 14 double bonds. The conjugated polyene may
include a cyclic ring including at least one substituent. In some
embodiments, a cyclic ring of a carotenoid analog or derivative may
include at least one substituent. The substituent may be coupled to the
cyclic ring with an ether functionality. In some embodiments, a
pharmaceutical composition may include a biologically inactive carrier.
The pharmaceutical composition may be adapted to be administered to a
human subject.