This disclosure relates to low molecular weight substituted imidazoles that inhibit the TGF-b signaling pathway. More specifically, this disclosure relates to methods of using said imidazoles for the treatment of diseases related to the TGF-b signaling pathways including, but not limited to, atherosclerosis, Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, obesity, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, keratoconus, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Alzheimer's Disease, chronic kidney disease, and scleroderma.