Carbamate caspase inhibitors and uses thereof

摘要

This invention provides caspase inhibitors of formula I: wherein Z is oxygen or sulfur; R¹is hydrogen, -CHN₂, R, CH₂OR, CH₂SR, or -CH₂Y; Y is an electronegative leaving group; R² is CO₂H, CH₂CO₂H, or esters, amides or isosteres thereof; R³ is a group capable of fitting into the S2 subsite of a caspase enzyme; R⁴ and R⁵ are taken together with the intervening nitrogen to form heterocyclic ring and R is as described in the specification. The compounds are effective inhibitors of apoptosis and IL-1beta secretion.