| abstract |
Novel beta lactam compounds having potent elastase inhibition activity are disclosed. These compounds are characterized by the general structural formulae I, II, and III:n n These compounds are further characterized such that X and Y are each -S- or -CH₂-, with at least one of X and Y being -S-, or alternatively, X is -SO- or -SO₂- and Y is -CH₂-; R¹ is hydrogen, tri(lower alkyl)-silyl, -COOR˝ or -CONHR˝′, wherein R˝ and R˝′ are each lower alkyl or phenyl(lower alkyl), and may be the same or different; R³ is hydrogen, lower alkyl or (lower alkyl)oxy; one of B and D is (lower alkyl)oxycarbonyl, (lower alkenyl)oxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl or phenyl(lower alkyl)oxycarbonyl; and the other of B and D is hydrogen or lower alkyl. n The compounds are useful as anti-inflammatory agents, particularly in the treatment of adult respiratory distress syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. |