Patent ID: 8362058

Claim:
A method of treating a disease or disorder selected from the group consisting of multiple sclerosis, diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, chronic pain, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, restenosis, graft versus host disease, and rejection in case of organ or bone marrow transplantation in a patient in need of such treatment, comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formula: wherein R 1 is a cyclic 5- to 6-membered ring which may be substituted; X 1 is a bond; rings A and B, together with the variables a, b, E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , and E 4 , form a benzoazocine ring system; X 2 is a bivalent chain group whose straight chain moiety is constituted of to 4 atoms; Z 1 is a bond or a bivalent cyclic group; Z 2 is a bond or a bivalent group; and R 2 is (1) an amino group which may be substituted and whose nitrogen atoms may be converted to quaternary ammonium or oxide, (2) a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group which may be substituted, may contain a sulfur or oxygen atom as a ring constituent atom, and whose nitrogen atom may be converted to quaternary ammonium or oxide, (3) a group of the formula: wherein k is 0 or 1; when k is 0, the phosphorus atom may form a phosphonium salt; each of R 5 and R 6 is as hydrocarbon group which may be substituted, a hydroxy group or au amino group which may be substituted; and R 5 and R 6 may form a ring with the adjacent phosphorus atom, (4) an amidino group which may be substituted, or (5) a guanidino group which may be substituted; or a salt thereof.