We studied synthetic modifications of N-mercaptoacylamino acid derivatives to develop a new class of leukotriene A4 (LTA4) hydrolase inhibitors. S-(4-Dimethylamino) benzyl-l- cysteine derivative 2a (SA6541) showed inhibitory activity against LTA4 hydrolase (IC50, 270nM) and selectivity over other metallopeptidases except angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, IC50, 520nM). Modification at the para-substituent of the phenyl ring of compound ...