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 an analog or derivative of a
carotenoid. The carotenoid analog or derivative may be synthetic. The carotenoid analog may include a
conjugated polyene with between 7 to 14 double bonds. The
conjugated polyene may include an acyclic
alkene including at least one
substituent and / or a cyclic ring including at least one
substituent. In some embodiments, a carotenoid analog or derivative may include at least one
substituent. The substituent may enhance the
solubility of the carotenoid analog or derivative such that the carotenoid analog or derivative at least partially dissolves in water. 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.