Inhibition in vitro of human red blood cell glyoxalase I activity was measured by the decrease in the rate of formation of S-D-lactoyl-glutathione as determined by the change in absorbance at 240 nm. The percentage activity remaining was determined after addition of various potential inhibitor compounds and the concentration for 50% activity was obtained by graphical interpolation. The inhibitors were selected on the basis of their similarity to a possible transition-state enediol intermediate of methylglyoxal. The most effective inhibitors were dihydroxycoumarins with a 50% inhibition of 0.03 mM. Inhibition of methylglyoxal catabolism suggests possible application as chemotherapeutic agents based on the inhibitor characteristics of methylglyoxal.