Ebselen (CCG-39161) is a organoselenium compound with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and cytoprotective activity. Ebselen acts as a glutathione peroxidase mimetic and is thereby able to prevent cellular damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, this agent inhibits the activity of a variety of enzymes including nitric oxide synthase (NOS), 5-lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase, protein kinase C (PKC), NADPH oxidase and gastric H+/K+-ATPase. Furthermore, ebselen may be neuroprotective due to its ability to neutralize free radicals upon NMDA receptor activation thus, reducing lipoperoxidation mediated by glutamate-induced excitotoxicity.
