Amino acid derivatives useful for treating high blood pressure

Abstract

Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or methyl, R.sup.2 is ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, imidazol-2-yl, imidazol-4-yl, pyrazol-3-yl, thiazol-4-yl, thien-2-yl, ethoxycarbonyl, t-butylcarbonylmethyl, benzyloxycarbonylmethyl or t-butoxy, R.sup.3 is isobutyl, cyclohexylmethyl or benzyl, R.sup.4 is nitro, amino or a group of the formula --N(R.sup.5)(R.sup.6) and A is one of the groups ##STR2## wherein R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 is alkyl or alkoxyalkyl; or optionally substituted phenyl, phenylalkyl or phenylsulfonylalkyl among others with the proviso that A is not group (b) when R.sup.6 is alkanoyl, alkoxycarbonyl or arylalkoxycarbonyl, the dotted line can be an additional bond, R.sup.7 is phenyl or substituted phenyl and R.sup.8 is hydrogen or organocarbonylalkyl, with the proviso that R.sup.8 is not alkoxycarbonylamino or arylalkoxycarbonylamino when R.sup.7 is phenyl, benzyl or .alpha.-naphthyl, Y is a bivalent residue in the form of optically pure diastereomers, mixtures of diastereomers, diastereomeric racemates or mixtures of diastereomeric racemates as well as pharmaceutically usable salts thereof inhibit the activity of the natural enzyme renin and can accordingly be used in the control or prevention of high blood pressure and cardiac insufficiency.