Substituted
piperidine compounds represented by the structure I are provided, wherein each of R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R1e, R1f, R1g, R1h, R2, R2A, R3, R4, A, X, a, x and n is as defined in the specification. Substituted
piperidine compounds of structure I may permeate or penetrate across a nerve
cell membrane into the interior of a nerve
cell, may inhibit
intracellular Rho
kinase enzyme found in
nerve cells in mammals, and may find utility in repair of damaged nerves in the central and
peripheral nervous system of such mammals. These compounds may induce the regeneration or growth of neurites in mammalian
nerve cells and may thereby induce regeneration of damaged or diseased nerve tissue. These compounds also find additional utility as antagonists of the
enzyme Rho
kinase in treatment of
disease states in which Rho
kinase is implicated. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these substituted
piperidine compounds may be useful to promote
neurite growth and in the treatment of diseases in which Rho
kinase inhibition is indicated.