The present invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) and in particular medicaments comprising at least one compound of the formula (I) for use in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of physiological and/or pathophysiological states in the triggering of which cathepsin D is involved, in particular for use in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of arthrosis, traumatic cartilage injuries, arthritis, pain, allodynia or hyperalgesia.

The present disclosure provides targeting peptides and vectors containing a sequence that encodes targeting peptides that deliver agents to the brain.

The present disclosure provides targeting peptides and vectors containing a sequence that encodes targeting peptides that deliver agents to the brain.

Short tri- and tetrapeptides according to the following Formula I Ar(CH2).sub.mX.sup.1—X.sup.2—CO—X.sup.3—X.sup.4—X.sup.5-(Trp).sub.n-NX.sup.6R are potent, selective agonists of melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R). Provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions including Formula I peptide agonists of MC1R and methods of treating skin diseases and disorders that include administering to an individual in need thereof a therapeutic amount of a Formula I peptide. The peptides, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods described herein are useful in the treatment of diseases and disorders that benefit from agonism of MCIR, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, porphyria, polymorphous light eruption, vitiligo, and solar urticaria.

The disclosure provides methods of preventing or treating Friedreich's ataxia in a mammalian subject, reducing risk factors, signs and/or symptoms associated with Friedreich's ataxia, and/or reducing the likelihood or severity of Friedreich's ataxia. The methods comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide to e.g., reduce oxidative stress, increase mitochondrial metabolism, or a combination thereof.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide a compound of formula (I):

R.sup.1—C(═O)—W—X—Y—Z—N(R.sup.2).sub.2   (I)

or a salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, W, X, Y and Z are as defined herein, as well as methods of use thereof.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide a compound of formula (I):

R.sup.1—C(═O)—W—X—Y—Z—N(R.sup.2).sub.2   (I)

or a salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, W, X, Y and Z are as defined herein, as well as methods of use thereof.

Provided is an agent for preventing and/or treating osteogenesis imperfecta, osteoporosis and/or osteoarthritis, the agent comprising a peptide consisting of one of the following amino acid sequences: (a) Val-Asn-Pro-Glu-Ser-Glu-Glu-Glu (SEQ ID NO: 1) and (b) Val-Asn-Pro-Glu (SEQ ID NO: 2). The agent of the present invention can be orally ingested, has osteogenic function, and has a preventive and/or healing-promoting effect on bone fractures and is therefore very useful for prevention and/or treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta, osteoporosis and/or osteoarthritis.

Provided is an agent for preventing and/or treating osteogenesis imperfecta, osteoporosis and/or osteoarthritis, the agent comprising a peptide consisting of one of the following amino acid sequences: (a) Val-Asn-Pro-Glu-Ser-Glu-Glu-Glu (SEQ ID NO: 1) and (b) Val-Asn-Pro-Glu (SEQ ID NO: 2). The agent of the present invention can be orally ingested, has osteogenic function, and has a preventive and/or healing-promoting effect on bone fractures and is therefore very useful for prevention and/or treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta, osteoporosis and/or osteoarthritis.

The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula (1) or a salt thereof, or a complex of the compound or the salt with a metal, in the formula (1), A.sup.1 represents a chelate group; R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or the like; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or the like; and Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2, Z.sup.3, Z.sup.4, and Z.sup.5 are the same or different and each represent a nitrogen atom or CR.sup.3 or the like wherein R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkyl group or the like; L.sup.1 represents a group represented by the formula (3) wherein R.sup.13, R.sup.14, R.sup.15, and R.sup.16 are the same or different and each represent a hydrogen atom or the like; L.sup.2 represents an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkylene group; and L.sup.3 represents an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkylene group. ##STR00001##