Use of tellurium compounds for inhibition of interleukin-converting enzyme

1. A method of treating a condition in which inhibition of interleukin-1β-converting enzyme is beneficial, the condition being selected from the group consisting of epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colits, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of at least one tellurium-containing compound having general Formula I:

wherein:

t, u and v are each 0;

each of R 1 , R 8 , R 9 and R 10 is hydrogen;

X is chloro; and

Y is ammonium, the compound being ammonium trichloro(dioxyethylene-O,O′)tellurate (AS101).

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said therapeutically effective amount ranges from about 0.01 mg/m 2 /day to about 20 mg/m 2 /day.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one tellurium-containing compound forms a part of a pharmaceutical composition, said pharmaceutical composition further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein a concentration of said at least one tellurium-containing compound ranges from about 0.01 weight percent to about 50 weight percents of the total weight of said composition.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein a concentration of said at least one tellurium-containing compound ranges from about 0.1 weight percents to about 25 weight percents of the total weight of said composition.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition further comprises at least one additional active agent selected from the group consisting of an antibiotic agent, an antimicrobial agent, an antibacterial agent, an antifungal agent, an antiviral agent, a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, an anesthetic agent, an antipruriginous agent, an antiprotozoal agent, an anti-oxidant, an antineoplastic agent, an immunomodulator, an interferon, an antidepressant, an anti histamine, a vitamin, and a hormone.