A number of 2-(arylamino)-4(3H)-quinazolinones (2a-i) that possess several of the pharmacophore moieties necessary for binding to the inhibitor site of the enzyme aldose reductase were synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit crude aldose reductase obtained from rat lens. Only those quinazolinones that possess an acidic moiety on the 2-(arylamino) substituent were found to display significant inhibitory activity. Of these, the most potent compound is the 4'-CO2H derivative (2i) with an IC50 of 34 microM, while the least potent is the 4'-OH derivative (2c) with an IC50 of 75 microM. All of the 2-(arylamino)-4(3H)-quinazolinones tested are less potent than other known inhibitors of aldose reductase, such as alrestatin and sorbinil, indicating that the pharmacophore moieties present in these compounds may not be positioned optimally relative to one another for maximal interaction with the enzyme.