Compounds of formula 1 modulate the activity of Rho C: ##STR1##

wherein

• R is a direct bond, lower alkylene, —C(O)NH—, or —NHC(O)—;
• Ar is aryl or heteroaryl, substituted with R₇, R₈, R₉, and R₁₀, wherein R₇, R₈, and R₉ are each independently H, halo, lower alkyl, OH, lower alkoxy, and R₁₀ is H, halo, lower alkyl, OH, lower alkoxy, or forms a ring with R₁;
• R₁ is H, lower alkyl, or forms a ring with R₁₀;
• R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each independently H, lower alkyl, halo, nitro, OH, lower alkoxy, NH₂, lower alkylamino, di(lower alkyl)amino, or two adjacent groups together form a saturated or unsaturated ring;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.