METHOD OF TREATING ASTHMA, ALLERGIC RHINITIS, AND SKIN DISORDERS

1 - 3 . (canceled)

4 . A method for the treatment of asthma, allergic rhinitis, or a skin disorder in a mammal, which comprises administering to the mammal a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound of formula I:

wherein

R 1 is C 2 H 5 , CO 2 R, CONR 2 R 2 , CH 2 OR 4 , 1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-yl, or CH 2 NR 5 R 6 , where:

R is H, C 1-6 straight chain or branched alkyl, C 3-6 cycloalkyl, or phenyl, or R 1 is a carboxylate salt of formula CO 2 − R + , where R + is Li + , Na + , K + , or an ammonium moiety of formula + NR 10 R 11 R 12 R 13 ;

R 2 , R 3 are independently H, C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-6 cycloalkyl, benzyl, phenyl, OH, OCH 3 , or OC 2 H 5 , provided that at most only one of R 2 , R 3 is OH, OCH 3 , or OC 2 H 5 ;

R 4 is H, C(O)R 14 , C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-6 cycloalkyl, benzyl, or phenyl;

R 5 , R 6 are independently H, C(O)R 14 , C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-6 cycloalkyl, benzyl, phenyl, OH, OCH 3 , or OC 2 H 5 , provided that at most only one of R 2 , R 3 is OH, OCH 3 , or OC 2 H 5 ;

R 7 , R 8 , and R 9 are independently H, CH 3 , C 2 H 5 , C(O)R 14 , or CO 2 R 15 ;

or R 7 and R 8 or R 8 and R 9 together constitute a carbonyl group (C═O), thus forming a cyclic carbonate;

or OR 8 R 1 together form a cyclic ester;

R 10 -R 13 are independently H or C 1-6 alkyl, group optionally bearing an OH or OCH 3 substituent;

R 14 is H, C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-6 cycloalkyl, benzyl, or phenyl; and

R 15 is C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-6 cycloalkyl, benzyl, or phenyl;

wherein the skin disorder is selected from the group consisting of allergic dermatitis; contact hypersensitivity; urticaria; rosacea; and psoriasis.

5 . (canceled)

6 . (canceled)

7 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the compound of formula I is selected from the group consisting of:

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the pharmaceutically effective amount of compound is from 0.001 to 5% (w/v).

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the pharmaceutically effective amount is from 0.1 to 5% (w/v).

10 - 13 . (canceled)