Abstract: Novel compounds of the formula I are described: wherein: R1=(CH2)mCH3 where m is 0 or an integer in the range from 1 to 16, or an alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, or alkyl sulfinyl group having from 2 to 17 carbon atoms, R2=H, CH3 or CH2CH3 R3=H or CH3 R4=H or CH3 R5=lower alkyl having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms n is an integer in the range from 1 to 3, and X is carboxyl (COOH) or carbalkoxy (COOR5), cyano (C?N), phosphonic acid (PO3H2), phosphonate ester (PO3[R5]2) or 5-tetrazole, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Preferably, the compounds are optically pure enantiomers of the R- or S-configuration in which R3=R4=R5=H, R2=CH3 and R1 is a saturated aliphatic chain of one to five carbon atoms. The compounds are useful as cellular rescue agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a group of propargylamines of the general formula (I) wherein R1 is hydrogen or CH3 and R2 is (CH2)nCH3 and n is an integer from 0 to 16, and salts thereof, as cellular rescue agents in the treatment and prevention of diseases in which cell death occurs by apoptosis. Some of the compounds of formula I are novel. The invention is also directed to the use of these compounds in the treatment of these diseases, as well as to processes for the preparation of the compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a group of propargylamines of the general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or CH.sub.3 and R.sup.2 is (CH.sub.2).sub.n CH.sub.3 and n is an integer from 0 to 16, and salts thereof, as cellular rescue agents in the treatment and prevention of diseases in which cell death occurs by apoptosis. Some of the compounds of formula I are novel. The invention is also directed to the use of these compounds in the treatment of these diseases, as well as to processes for the preparation of the compounds.