Elasnin and 15 related 4-hydroxy-2-pyrones have been assayed for in vitro inhibition of human leukocyte elastase, porcine pancreatic elastase, and bovine chymotrypsin. Inhibition constants for HL elastase range from 0.1 to 10 mM. The principal determinant of potency against the elastases is probably the substituent at position 3, which may account for the observed strong homology between the elastases in their inhibition by these compounds. ...
