Leukotriene receptor antagonists, such as montelukast, zafirlukast, and pranlukast,[2][3] and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors, like zileuton and Hypericum perforatum,[4][5][6][7] can be used to treat these diseases.
[10] Examples of 5-LOX inhibitors include drugs, such as meclofenamate sodium[11] and zileuton.
[11][4] Some chemicals found in trace amounts in food, and some dietary supplements, also have been shown to inhibit 5-LOX, such as baicalein,[11] caffeic acid,[11] curcumin,[11] hyperforin[5][6][7] and St John's wort.
[5][6][7] Agents such as montelukast and zafirlukast block the actions of cysteinyl leukotrienes at the CysLT1 receptor on target cells such as bronchial smooth muscle via receptor antagonism.
[citation needed] These modifiers have been shown to improve asthma symptoms, reduce asthma exacerbations and limit markers of inflammation such as eosinophil counts in the peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.