Design and synthesis of thiol containing inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases

Abstract A series of thiol containing derivatives was prepared. Several of these compounds were found to inhibit matrix metalloproteinases 1, 3, and 9 with selectivity towards 3 and 9. Compounds 15 , 20 , and 22 were administered to rats orally at 75 μmol/kg. Drug levels of compounds 20 and 22 in the plasma were found to exceed the IC 50 values for MMP 3 and 9 four hours after administration.