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Arginase is an enzyme that metabolizes L-arginine to L-ornithine and urea. In addition to its fundamental role in the hepatic ornithine cycle, it also influences the immune systems in humans and mice. Arginase participates in many inflammatory disorders by decreasing the synthesis of nitric oxide and inducing fibrosis and tissue regeneration. L-arginine deficiency, which is modulated by myeloid cell arginase, suppresses T-cell immune response. This mechanism plays a fundamental role in inflammation-associated immunosuppression. Pathogens can synthesize their own arginase to elude immune reaction. Small-molecule arginase inhibitors are currently described as promising therapeutics for the treatment of several diseases, including allergic asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, cardiovascular diseases (atherosclerosis and hypertension), diseases associated with pathogens (e.g., Helicobacter pylori, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Salmonella), cancer and induced or spontaneous immune disorders. This article summarizes recent patents in the area of arginase inhibitors and discusses their properties.

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A series of next in class small-molecule hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A inhibitors with picomolar potency containing 2-pyrrolidin-2-yl-5-{4-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-2-yl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)buta-1,3-diynyl]phenyl}-1H-imidazole cores was designed based on the SAR studies available for the reported NS5A inhibitors. Compound 13a (AV4025), with (S,S,S,S)-stereochemistry (EC50 = 3.4 ± 0.2 pM, HCV replicon genotype 1b), was dramatically more active than were the compounds with two (S)- and two (R)-chiral centers. Human serum did not significantly reduce the antiviral activity (<4-fold). Relatively favorable pharmacokinetic features and good oral bioavailability were observed during animal studies. Compound 13a was well tolerated in rodents (in mice, LD50 = 2326 mg/kg or higher), providing a relatively high therapeutic index. During safety, pharmacology and subchronic toxicity studies in rats and dogs, it was not associated with any significant pathological or clinical findings. This compound is currently being evaluated in phase I/II clinical trials for the treatment of HCV infection.