Recent advances in neurokinin receptor antagonists

The structurally related neuropeptides, substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA ), and neurokinin B (NKB), which belong to a family of molecules termed tac hykinins and are widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous s ystems, influence the function of many tissues. SP and NKA have links to th e following chronic diseases: asthma, inflammatory bowel disorders, rheumat oid arthritis, pain and psychiatric disorders. These peptides exert their e ffects through three G-protein coupled receptor subtypes, namely, the NK1, NK2, and NK3 receptors. Non-peptide antagonists of these receptors may prov ide opportunities for disease treatments. In this review, the very recent a dvances in nonpeptide neurokinin receptor antagonists will be described wit h an emphasis on structure-activity relationships which have been developed .