The invention relates to methods, compounds, compositions and vehicles for delivering 3-amino-1-propanesulfonic acid (3APS) in a subject, preferably a human subject. The invention encompasses compounds that will yield or generate 3APS, either in vitro or in vivo. Preferred compounds include amino acid prodrugs of 3APS for use, including but not limited to, the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include substituted riluzole prodrugs useful for the treatment of cancers including melanoma, breast cancer, brain cancer, and prostate cancer through the release of riluzole. Prodrugs of riluzole have enhanced stability to hepatic metabolism and are delivered into systemic circulation by oral administration, and then cleaved to release riluzole in the plasma via either an enzymatic or general biophysical release process.

Hydrophilic auristatin compounds are described, including Drug-Linker compounds, Ligand-Drug Conjugate compounds, methods of use, and preparations thereof.

The present invention provides a method of efficiently deprotecting a protected organic compound by catalytic hydrogenation. Specifically, the present invention provides a method of deprotecting an organic compound having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a carboxy group, an amino group and a hydroxy group, which is protected by a protecting group represented by the formula (I):
R.sup.1C(R.sup.2)(R.sup.3)-L.sup.1-(I)
[wherein R.sup.1 is an aryl group optionally having substituent(s), R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each independently, a hydrogen atom or an aryl group optionally having substituent(s), and L.sup.1 is a single bond, OCO or OCH.sub.2], comprising hydrogenation in the presence of a metal catalyst and halogenated acetic acid.

The invention relates to an improved method for a 5+3+2 solution phase syntheses of Icatibant acetate (1) comprising coupling of suitably protected peptide fragments which on deprotection followed by treatment with acetic acid provide Icatibant acetate (1) having desired purity.

The proteasome inhibitors of this invention include peptide-based compounds with a short linear sequence of amino acids. An oxo or thio group is attached to the N-terminal amino acid. A protein-reactive electrophilic group such as an epoxyketone, an aziridinylketone, or a beta-lactone is attached to the C-terminal amino acid. Upon contact with a proteasome complex in a target cell, the electrophilic group reacts with a functional group in or near a binding pocket or active site of the proteasome, forming a covalent bond and thereby inactivating the proteasome. These and other proteasome inhibitors can be screened for binding affinity and an ability to selectively eliminate senescent cells or cancer cells. Compounds that selectively remove senescent cells can be developed for the treatment of conditions such as osteoarthritis, ophthalmic disease, pulmonary disease, and atherosclerosis.

Disclosed are a mild and efficient preparation method for an -acyloxyenamide compound and a use thereof in the synthesis of an amide and a polypeptide. The -acyloxyenamide compound is obtained by an addition reaction of a ynamide and a carboxylic acid in dichloromethane under conditions where the temperature is 0 C. to 50 C.; the produced -acyloxyenamide compound can react with an amine compound to produce an amide or a polypeptide; the two reactions can be carried out step by step, and can also be carried out in one pot. According to the invention, the reaction conditions are mild and no metal catalyst is required; when the carboxylic acid, which has chirality on an alpha site of carboxyl, forms an amide bond or a peptide bond, no racemization occurs; and the operation is simple and the application range is wide.

The invention provides novel compounds having the general formula (I)

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, A, X and R.sup.11 are as described herein, compositions including the compounds and methods of using the compounds.

The present invention relates to a peptide separated from the fraction of oyster enzyme hydrate displaying the ability of suppressing angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease comprising the said peptide as an active ingredient. Particularly, the peptide separated from the fraction of the oyster enzyme hydrate of the present invention significantly inhibits ACE activity, and thus brings blood pressure regulating effect and antihypertensive effect. Therefore, the fraction of the oyster enzyme hydrate of the invention or the peptide separated from the same can be effectively used as an active ingredient of a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disease.

The present invention relates to a peptide separated from the fraction of oyster enzyme hydrolysate displaying the ability of suppressing angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease comprising the said peptide as an active ingredient. Particularly, the peptide separated from the fraction of the oyster enzyme hydrolysate of the present invention significantly inhibits ACE activity, and thus brings blood pressure regulating effect and antihypertensive effect. Therefore, the fraction of the oyster enzyme hydrolysate of the invention or the peptide separated from the same can be effectively used as an active ingredient of a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disease.