Peptides, peptidomimetics and small molecules, collectively referred to as “decoy peptides”, are provided, which interfere with binding to a TIR domain of a toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and inhibit a TLR4-induced signaling pathway. These decoy peptides may be useful for treating diseases associated with induction of TLR4 signaling pathway such as a disease or disorder secondary to a cardiovascular disease, sepsis or an inflammatory disease.