Compositions and methods for inhibition of cathepsins

A method of inhibiting an activity of a cathepsin, comprising contacting the cathepsin with a compound having a formula I, in an amount of effective to inhibit an activity of the cathepsin,

• or a solvate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein
• X is selected from the group consisting of C(═O), CH(OR6) and
• n is 0, 1, 2 or 3;
• m is 0, 1, 2 or 3;
• p is 0, 1, 2 or 3;
• R1 is hydrogen, C1-C3 alkyl, aryl and arylalkyl;
• R2 is hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl;
• each R3 and R5 independently is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, C1-C3 alkyl, C1-C2 alkoxy, fluoro, and chloro;
• each R4 independently is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, halo, amino, nitro, nitroso and acyl;
• and
• R6 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl.