Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein Q and R are as defined in the specification. The compounds are useful in the treatment of a number of disorders including osteoporosis, inflammation and psoriasis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula in which formula X is hydrogen or hydroxy; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which may be the same or different, stand for hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbyl; or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, taken together with the carbon atom bearing the group X, can form a C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 carbocyclic ring; Q is a single bond or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbylene diradical; R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and/or Q may be optionally substituted with one or more fluorine atoms; and prodrugs of formula in which one or more of the hydroxy groups are masked as groups which can be reconverted to hydroxy groups in vivo. The compounds show antiinflammatory and immunomodulating effects as well as stong activity in inducing differentiation and inhibiting undesirable proliferation of certain cells.

Abstract: A compound of formula I ##STR1## wherein R stands for a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group containing from 4 to 12 carbon atoms optionally substituted with a hydroxy group, and possibly containing a ring structure, and in which at least one of the carbon atoms not bearing hydroxyl group is substituted with one or more halogen atoms or an azido group; and prodrugs of I in which one or more of the hydroxy groups are masked as groups which can be reconverted to hydroxy groups in vivo, in pure form or in mixtures. The compounds show antiinflammatory and immunomodulating effects as well as strong activity in inducing differentiation and inhibiting undesirable proliferation of certain cells. The compounds are prepared by oxidizing 1(S),3(R)-bis-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-20(S)formyl-9,10-seco-pregna-5( E),7(E),10(19)-triene, reducing the resulting product; alkylating the reduction product and then subjecting the alkylated product to triplet-sensitized photoisomerization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hitherto unknown compounds of formula or their tautomeric forms, the attachment to the pyridine ring being in the 3- or 4-position, in which R', R" are the same or different and stand for hydrogen, halogen, or trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or alkoxy, nitro, or cyano groups. Alkylene stands for a straight or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 carbon chain, which may be substituted by hydroxy or halogen, nitro or cyano groups. X stands for oxygen, for --S(O).sub.n -- where n stands for an integer from 0 to 2, or for .dbd.N--R.sub.1 where R.sub.1 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl. R stands for hydrogen or for one or more C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or alkoxy, hydroxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, carboxamido, sulfamoyl or nitro radicals. The present compounds are of value in the human and veterinary practice as selective serotonin receptor antagonists.