A compound of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a carboxyl group which may optionally be esterified or amidated; R.sup.2 represents a cyclic group which may optionally be substituted or a polar group; n is an integer of 0 to 6; R.sup.3 represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbon residue which may optionally be substituted; R.sup.4 represents (1) a hydrocarbon residue which is substituted by an optionally protected amino group or (2) an alkenyl group; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be combined with the adjacent nitrogen atom to form a heterocyclic group containing at least two hetero atoms, or a salt thereof. The compound or a salt thereof of the present invention inhibits thiol proteases such as cathepsin L and B and serves well as a prophylactic/therapeutic agent for bone diseases such as osteoporosis.
一种通式为:##STR1## 的化合物,其中R.sup.1代表羧基,可以选择酯化或酰胺化;R.sup.2代表环状基团,可以选择取代或极性基团;n为0至6的整数;R.sup.3代表氢或可选择取代的烃基残基;R.sup.4代表(1)可选择保护的
氨基团取代的可选择取代的烃基残基或(2)烯基基团;或者R.sup.3和R.sup.4可以与相邻的氮原子结合形成含有至少两个杂原子的杂环基团,或其盐。本发明的化合物或其盐抑制巯基
蛋白酶如L和B型
蛋白酶,并且可作为骨疾病如骨质疏松的预防/治疗剂。