Abstract: There is provided compounds having the formula of structure I: wherein the groups —C(R8)(CH2)vCH(R9)(CH2)y-Q and —C(R8)(CH2)vCH(R9)(CH2)y-J are the same, and R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b, R8, R9, J, Q, W, X, L2, v and y have meanings given in the description. The use of such compounds in the treatment of a condition responsive to changes in melanocortin receptor function in a human or non-human mammal (e.g. male sexual dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction, an eating disorder, above optimal body weight, obesity, below-optimal body weight or cachexia) is also described.

Abstract: There is provided compounds having the formula of structure I: wherein the groups —C(R8)(CH2)vCH(R9)(CH2)y-Q and —C(R8)(CH2)vCH(R9)(CH2)y-J are the same, and R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b, R8, R9, J, Q, W, X, L2, v and y have meanings given in the description. Thus use of such compounds in the treatment of a condition responsive to changes in melanocortin receptor function in a human or non-human mammal (e.g. male sexual dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction, an eating disorder, above optimal body weight, obesity, below-optimal body weight or cachexia) is also described.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific compounds of the general formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where J is a substituted or unsubstituted monocyclic or bicyclic ring structure, W is a heteroatom unit with at least one cationic center, hydrogen bond donor or hydrogen bond acceptor, Q is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic carbocyclic ring group, L, R2a, R2b, R3a, R3b, r, x and y are as defined in the specification, and the carbon atoms marked with an asterisk can have any stereochemical configuration. Compounds disclosed herein bind to one or more melanocortin receptors and may be an agonist, a partial agonist, an antagonist, an inverse agonist or an antagonist of an inverse agonist as to one or more melanocortin receptors, and may be employed for treatment of one or more melanocortin receptor-associated conditions or disorders, including specifically treatment of obesity and related conditions.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific compounds with diamine groups of the general formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where W is a diamine heteroatom unit with at least one cationic center, hydrogen bond donor or hydrogen bond acceptor, J, Q, L1, L2, L3, R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b and X are as defined in the specification, and the carbon atom marked with an asterisk can have any stereochemical configuration. Compounds disclosed herein bind to one or more melanocortin receptors and may be an agonist, a partial agonist, an antagonist, an inverse agonist or an antagonist of an inverse agonist as to one or more melanocortin receptors, and may be employed for treatment of one or more melanocortin receptor-associated conditions or disorders, including specifically treatment of obesity and related conditions.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific compounds of the general formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where X, W, J, Q, L1, L2, L3, R1a, R1b, R2a, and R2b are as defined in the specification, and the carbon atom marked with an asterisk can have any stereochemical configuration. Compounds disclosed herein bind to one or more melanocortin receptors and may be an agonist, a partial agonist, an antagonist, an inverse agonist or an antagonist of an inverse agonist as to one or more melanocortin receptors, and may be employed for treatment of one or more melanocortin receptor-associated conditions or disorders, including specifically treatment of obesity and related conditions.

Abstract: A highly selective melanocortin-4 receptor antagonist cyclic peptide of the formula where R1, R2, R3, R4a, R4b, R5, R6, R7, x, y and z are as defined in the specification, and a method of treating body weight disorders, including cachexia, sarcopenia and wasting syndrome or disease, and treating inflammation and immune disorders.

Abstract: A highly selective melanocortin-4 receptor antagonist cyclic hexapeptide of the formula where R1, R2, R3a, R3b, R4, R5, x, y and z are as defined in the specification, and a method of treating body weight disorders, including cachexia, sarcopenia and wasting syndrome or disease, and treating inflammation and immune disorders.

Abstract: A method of modulating energy homeostasis in a mammal without eliciting a sexual response by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition including a melanocortin receptor compound of the formula: where R1 is a bond or a linker unit including from one to six backbone atoms and an unsubstituted naphthalene group, and L, R2, R3 and Rx are as defined in the specification.