the present invention relates to monosaccharide derivatives as anti - inflammatory agents . the compounds of this invention can be useful for inhibition and prevention of inflammation and associated pathologies , including inflammatory and autoimmune diseases , for example , bronchial asthma , rheumatoid arthritis , type i diabetes , multiple sclerosis , allograft rejection or psoriasis . the present invention also relates to pharmacological compositions containing these monosaccharide derivatives , as well as methods of treating bronchial asthma , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , rheumatoid arthritis , multiple sclerosis , type i diabetes , psoriasis , allograft rejection , and other inflammatory and / or auto immune disorders .