Abstract: The invention relates to the compounds of formula I: wherein one of X1 and X2 is MeSO2 and the other one is hydrogen or halogen and X3 is hydrogen or halogen. These compounds have been found to be useful in the prevention and the treatment of respiratory diseases, especially asthma, ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome), COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases), allergic rhinitis and related inflammatory conditions. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of said compound in the prevention and the treatment of asthma in steroid-resistant patients. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical formulations used in the treatment of said diseases.

Abstract: A compound of formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is nitro, halogeno or cyano group and R.sub.2 is a group selected from ##STR2## wherein Y and Z are independently oxygen, sulfur or NR, wherein R is hydrogen, straight or branched C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.5-7 cycloalkyl, phenylC.sub.1-8 alkyl or phenyl group and X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are NR, where R is hydrogen, straight or branched C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.5-7 cycloalkyl, phenylC.sub.1-8 alkyl or phenyl group, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: New catechol derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof useful as pharmaceutical antioxidants are disclosed. Cellular damage by oxygen derived radicals is a significant factor in heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, inflammatory disease, transplant rejection reactions and ischemia.

Abstract: A compound according to formula 1 ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently represent hydrogen, carbamoyl which is substituted by an alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylcarbonyl of 2 to 5 carbon atoms or phenyl carbonyl, X represents halogen nitro or cyano and R.sub.3 represents ##STR2## wherein R.sub.4 represents cyano or alkylcarbonyl of 2 to 5 carbon atoms and R.sub.5 represents carbamoyl which is unsubstituted or substituted with alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms or which is substituted with hydroxyalkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms or pharmaceutically acceptable esters and salts thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds as COMT inhibitors.

Abstract: Compounds of formula(I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is nitro, halo, cyano and R.sub.2 is a group selected from ##STR2## wherein Y is oxygen or sulfur; X.sub.1 is NR wherein R is hydrogen, C.sub.1-8 alkyl or phenyl and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are useful in the prevention or treatment of tissue damage induced by lipid peroxidation.

Abstract: Compound of formula ##STR1## wherein n is 0 or 1, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently methyl, ethyl or cyclopropyl and R is an optionally substituted phenyl or heteroaryl group or salt or ester thereof are useful in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract: Catechol compounds of formula I ##STR1## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and X are as described herein are effective Catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors.

Abstract: Compound of formula ##STR1## wherein n is 0 or 1, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently methyl, ethyl or cyclopropyl and R is an optionally substituted phenyl or heteroaryl group or salt or ester thereof are useful in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. The method comprises administering a catechol-O-methyl-transferase inhibiting amount of a compound having the formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently represent hydrogen, alkylcarbamoyl of 2 to 5 carbon atoms or alkylcarbonyl of 2 to 5 carbon atoms, X represents nitro or cyano and R.sub.3 represents ##STR2## wherein R.sub.4 represents cyano or alkylcarbonyl of 2 to 5 carbon atoms and R.sub.5 represents cyano; alkylcarbonyl of 2 to 5 carbon atoms; or carbamoyl which is unsubstituted or substituted with alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or hydroxyalkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof; and a sufficient amount of levodopa to treat Parkinson's Disease. A peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor such as carbidopa or benzerazide is also preferably administered.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with the new use of known catechol derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkanoyl having 2 to 5 carbon atoms; X is nitro, halogen or cyano and R.sub.3 is chlorine, nitro, cyano or a radical of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.4 is hydrogen, cyano, alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkanoyl having 2 to 5 carbon atoms and R.sub.5 is cyano, alkanoyl having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, carboxyl or phenylcarbonyl unsubstituted or substituted with one to three methoxy groups or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The new use is the treatment and prophylaxis of ulcers and lesions in the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: Pharmacologically active catechol derivatives of formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently comprise hydrogen, alkyl, acyl, optionally substituted aroyl, lower alkylsulfonyl or alkylcabamoyl or taken together form a lower alkylidene or cycloalkylidene, X comprises an electronegative substituent such as halogen, nitro, cyano, lower alkylsulfonyl, sulfonamido, aldehyde, caboxyl or trifluoromethyl and R.sub.3 comprises hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy alkyl, amino, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, sulfonamide, aldehyde, alkyl carbonyl, aralkylidene carbonyl or carboxyl or a group selected from ##STR2## wherein R.sub.4 comprises hydrogen, alkyl, cyano, carboxyl or acyl and R.sub.5 comprises hydrogen, cyano, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyalkenyl, nitro, acyl, optionally substituted aroyl or heteroaroyl, hydroxyalkyl or carboxyalkyl or R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 together form a five to seven membered substituted cycloalkanone ring;--(CO).sub.n (CH.sub.2).sub.