Novel 2-substituted saccharins which inhibit the enzymatic activity of proteolytic enzymes, are useful in the treatment of degenerative diseases and have the formula ##STR1## wherein: L is --O--, --S--, --SO--or --SO.sub.2 --;m and n are each independently 0 or 1;R.sub.1 is halo, lower-alkanoyl, 1-oxophenalenyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl, heterocyclyl or substituted heterocyclyl or, when L is --O-- and n is 1, cycloheptatrienon-2-yl or, when L is --S-- and n is 1, cyano or lower-alkoxythiocarbonyl or, when L is --SO.sub.2 -- and n is 1, lower-alkyl or trifluoromethyl; R.sub.2 is hydrogen, lower-alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl or phenylthio; andR.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are each hydrogen or various substituents and processes for preparation and pharmaceutical compositions and method of use thereof are disclosed.