4-Methylumbelliferone, an hyaluronan synthase inhibitor, prevents the development of oncological, inflammatory, degenerative and autoimmune disorders

In present review we consider numerous experiments on tissue cultures, animal models of diseases and the first clinical studies providing the prospects of creating new drugs based on 4-MU. We believe that along with many receptors and transcription factors, the main pharmacological target of 4-MU is the hyaluronan synthase, which produces the main component of the extracellular matrix, glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronic acid (HA). The pharmacological effects of 4-MU in oncological, autoimmune, degenerative and hypercompensated regenerative processes (fibrosis, scarring) are associated with inhibition of HA synthesis. Clinical drugs based on 4-MU will be the first in the class for the treatment of a wide range of diseases.