| abstract |
The present invention relates to quaternary nitrogen-containing phosphate compounds, and the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts and esters thereof having the general structure: <IMAGE> wherein: Z is a saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic carbocycle or monocyclic or polycyclic heterocycle containing one or more heteroatoms selected from O, S, or N; Y is N+(R8)2 or C(R1)2 and when Y is C(R1)2, at least one R2 must be N+(R8)3; R1, R2, R5, and R8 are defined in claim 1, m and n are integers from 0 to 10; m+n is from 0 to 10; R is COOH; PO3H2; SO3H; or P(O)(OH)R4, wherein R4 is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl of 1-8 carbons atoms. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compostions containing a safe and effective amount of a compound of the present invention, and pharmaceutically-acceptable excipients. Finally, the present invention relates to methods for treating or preventing pathological conditions characterized by abnormal calcium and phosphate metabolism such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis in humans or other mammals and to methods for treating or preventing dental calculus, plaque, and gingivitis. |