Protease inhibitors

Claim 1

A composition for preventing or reducing the degradation of elastin and other proteins and thereby preventing or retarding the disease states caused by said degradation containing as active ingredients compounds of the formula: wherein R is: a) alkyl of 15 to 19 carbon atoms, inclusive; being saturated, unsaturated or polyunsaturated; wherein R 2 is: a) hydrogen; b) alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, inclusive; or c) phenyl or phenyl methyl wherein the phenyl portion may optionally be substituted by Y and Z; wherein Y and Z each being the same or different are: a) hydrogen; b) halogen; c) alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, inclusive; d) hydroxy; e) methoxy; f) acetoxy; g) carboxylic acid and its alkyl esters of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, inclusive; h) nitro; or i) phenyl; wherein M is: a) phenyl substituted by X and W; b) methylene; wherein W and X each being the same or different are: a) hydrogen; b) alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, inclusive; c) hydroxy; d) methoxy; e) carboxylic acid and its alkyl esters of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms inclusive; f) halogen; g ) -N0 2 ; or h) acetoxy; wherein when W and X are contiguous they may be taken together to form a phenyl ring.