Abstract: The present invention is concerned with azo compounds having the structure ##STR1## in which: Y is hydrogen, andX and Z are carboxy or lower alkoxycarbonyl,or the lactones or salts of said azo compound, such compounds being useful in pharmaceutical compositions and being specifically useful to inhibit 15-prostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH).

Abstract: A compound having a potentially inhibitory effect on 15-hydroxy-prostaglandin dehydrognase (PGDH) and having the formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are hydrogen or lower alkyl;R.sub.3 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl;R.sub.4, R.sub.5, and R.sub.6 are hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, cyano, carboxy or nitro; at least one of the groups R.sub.4 to R.sub.6 being hydrogen;R.sub.7 to R.sub.11 are hydrogen, halogen, cyano, lower alkyl, trifluoromethyl, lower alkoxy, hydroxy, lower acyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, N,N,-diloweralkyl-aminocarbonyl or N,N-loweralkylene-aminocarbonyl; and R.sub.8 and R.sub.10 may in addition be carboxy; at least two of R.sub.7 to R.sub.11 always being hydrogen; and--A-- is --CO--, --CH.sub.2 --CO--, --CH.dbd.CH--, --CH.dbd.CH--CO-- or corresponding groups in which a hydrogen atom is replaced by a lower alkyl group.The invention comprises also lactones of those compounds in which R.sub.

Abstract: The invention relates to new arylazo compounds of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently of each other represent hydrogen or C.sub.1-3 alkyl, R.sub.3 represents hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-3 alkyl, C.sub.1-3 alkoxy, carboxy, C.sub.1-3 alkoxycarbonyl, C.sub.1-3 alkylcarbonyl or a group X--NH--SO.sub.2 --, wherein X represents a heterocyclic ring, R.sub.4 represents hydrogen, halogen or C.sub.1-3 alkyl, and n is the integer 1 or 2, the two groups ##STR2## being the same or different when n is 2, and lactones and salts thereof. The compounds of formula I have a high inhibiting effect on prostaglandin synthetizing and inactivating enzymes and may therefore be used as a drug and anti-fertility agent. The invention also relates to preparation of the compounds of formula I as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing the same.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with compounds having a pharmaceutically acceptable degree of purity, and with formulations of these compounds for the treatment of inflammatory disorders in the intestine (IBD), especially ulcerative colitis. These compounds are 4,5'-azo-bis-salicylic acid (I) and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, especially the disodium salt. The invention is also concerned with a method for treating inflammatory conditions in the intestine, especially ulcerative colitis. Finally the invention also comprises a method of producing 4,5'-azo-bis-salicylic acid with a pharmaceutically acceptable degree of purity.

Abstract: A method of treating inflammatory diseases such as ulcerous colitis, comprising administration of 3,3'-azo-bis-(6-hydroxy benzoic acid) of the formula: ##STR1## or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions, especially for oral administration, contain said compound, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, together with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or adjuvants.

Abstract: A method of preparing 3,3'-azo-bis-(6-hydroxy benzoic acid) of formula I ##STR1## and salts thereof in at least 98% purity for treating inflammatory intestinal diseases. According to the invention a compound II ##STR2## is diazotized, and the diazonium salt obtained is coupled with a compound III ##STR3## The formed intermediate IV, which is also comprised by the invention, ##STR4## is hydrolized in alkaline medium to form the compound I. R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 signify lower alkyl, R.sub.2 also possibly substituted phenyl.