| abstract |
The present invention is directed to novel substituted α-hydroxy acid thereof, represented by general Formula (I), where R1-R5, X and Z are defined herein. The present invention also relates to the discovery that compounds having Formula (I) are potent inhibitors of caspases and apoptotic cell death. Therefore, the inhibitors of this invention can retard or block cell death in a variety of clinical conditions in which the loss of cells, tissues or entire organs occurs. |