The present invention provides novel hydroquinone derivatives of formula (I), processes of preparation, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating and/or preventing e.g. autoimmune, immunological, rheumatology, vascular disorders, ophthalmologic disorders, fibrotic disorders, metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders, neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, neoplasms and cancer associated disorders, hormone related diseases and immunological disorders resulting from viral and bacterial infectious diseases and complications thereof. wherein R.sub.1 is COOR.sub.4, (CH.sub.2)nCOOR.sub.4, SO.sub.3H, (CH.sub.2)nSO.sub.3H or CONH—R.sub.10; one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is H and the other is R.sub.5.

##STR00001##

The specification generally relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where A, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 have the meanings defined herein. Such compounds are modulators of RXFP1 and may be useful as therapeutic agents. The specification also relates to the use of such compounds to treat or prevent diseases and conditions including heart failure, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury. The specification further relates to compositions comprising such compounds, intermediates useful in processes for preparing such compounds, and processes for preparing such compounds using such intermediates.

The specification generally relates to compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where A, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 have the meanings defined herein. Such compounds are modulators of RXFP1 and may be useful as therapeutic agents. The specification also relates to the use of such compounds to treat or prevent diseases and conditions including heart failure, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury. The specification further relates to compositions comprising such compounds, intermediates useful in processes for preparing such compounds, and processes for preparing such compounds using such intermediates.

An object of the present invention is to provide a DP receptor antagonist. A compound represented by general formula (I):

##STR00001## (wherein all symbols are as shown in the specification) and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof have DP receptor antagonistic activity and are also highly safe, and thus are useful as active ingredients of pharmaceuticals for DP receptor-mediated diseases. In addition, the compound represented by the general formula (I) and the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof also have good transferability to the central nervous system, and thus are particularly useful as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for diseases associated with DP receptors present in the central nervous system among DP receptor-mediated diseases, that is, sleep-wake disorders.

An object of the present invention is to provide a DP receptor antagonist. A compound represented by general formula (I):

##STR00001## (wherein all symbols are as shown in the specification) and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof have DP receptor antagonistic activity and are also highly safe, and thus are useful as active ingredients of pharmaceuticals for DP receptor-mediated diseases. In addition, the compound represented by the general formula (I) and the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof also have good transferability to the central nervous system, and thus are particularly useful as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for diseases associated with DP receptors present in the central nervous system among DP receptor-mediated diseases, that is, sleep-wake disorders.

Disclosed are compounds that can modulate DDAH and the amount of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in a subject. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, as well as methods of using these compositions to treat and/or prevent diseases associated with elevated or low levels of DDAH and ADMA.

Disclosed are compounds that can modulate DDAH and the amount of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in a subject. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, as well as methods of using these compositions to treat and/or prevent diseases associated with elevated or low levels of DDAH and ADMA.

Compounds described herein are inhibitors of retinoic acid inducible P450 (CYP26) enzymes, and are useful for treating diseases that are responsive to retinoids. Certain compounds have retinoid activity, are resistant to CYP26-mediated catabolism, and are used for treating diseases that are responsive to retinoids.

Compounds described herein are inhibitors of retinoic acid inducible P450 (CYP26) enzymes, and are useful for treating diseases that are responsive to retinoids. Certain compounds have retinoid activity, are resistant to CYP26-mediated catabolism, and are used for treating diseases that are responsive to retinoids.

Provided are aromatic oligoamide foldamers and self-assembled compositions of the same. The aromatic oligoamide foldamers and compositions can form tube-like structures that can form pores in membranes. The pores can be used to transport ions and molecules, such as, for example, cryoprotective agents or therapeutic agents, through the membrane. The tube-like structures exhibit desirable stability at low temperatures.