Method for activating AMPK and the use of Adenine

Abstract

The present invention relates to adenine which is useful to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the use of adenine in the prevention or treatment of conditions or disease and thereby prevent or treat conditions or diseases which can be ameliorated by AMPK in a mammal.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for treating an inflammatory condition or disease, comprising administrating to a mammal in need thereof with an effective amount of adenine and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the inflammatory condition or disease is selected from the group consisting of ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, dermatitis, diverticulitis, fibromyalgia, hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematous, nephritis, and neurodegenerative disease. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the arthritis is selected from the group consisting of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinocerebellar ataxia, and spinal muscular atrophy. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the inflammatory bowel disease is selected from the group consisting of Crohn's disease, colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the colitis is ulcerative colitis. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the effective amount is in a range of from 0.01 mg/kg body weight to 30 mg/kg body weight.