Abstract: Isolation of a new taxane having pharmaceutical activity, 1a 14-beta-hydroxy-10-deacetyl-baccatine III and hemisynthesis of some derivatives useful as antitumor agents and intermediates.

Abstract: The preparation of new 3,11-cyclotaxanes having the general formula 1. Cyclotaxane 1a (1, R'.dbd.R".dbd.H) may be isolated from plants of the genus Taxus. New cyclotaxanes 1 have antiblastic activity.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of extracts with high content in anthocyanosides consists in treating plants, parts of plants or crude extracts with bisulfite ions to give anthocyanoside-bisulfite adducts. Said adducts are then eluted on non ionogenic resins at pH 5-6 and the obtained solution is extracted with polar organic solvents immiscible in water. The obtained extracts have a constant and standardized composition in anthocyanosides.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing delphinidin which comprises reacting a compound of formula ##STR1## wherein each Pg represents a hydroxyl protecting group, and Lg represents a leaving group with a compound of formula ##STR2## wherein Pg' represents a hydroxyl protecting group characterized in that the compound of formula VII is produced from an intermediate of formula ##STR3## wherein each Pg" represents a hydroxyl protecting group and each Alk represents lower alkyl, by(i) subjecting the intermediate of formula IX to hydrolysis and decarboxylation to form 3,4,5-trihydroxyacetophenone of formula ##STR4## (ii) converting the 3,4,5-trihydroxyacetophenone to the compound of formula VII by introduction of the protecting groups Pg" and converting the group of formula --COCH.sub.3 to a group of formula --COCH.sub.2 Lg.

Abstract: There is described a process for preparing proanthocyanidine A2 by extraction from cortex or fruits of Aesculus hippocastanum and related species and its activity for stimulating healing processes, e.g. healing wounds and injuries of various origins, gastric and duodenal ulcers for modifying conditions of impaired capillary permeability and resistance and for obtaining an anti-lipid peroxidation effect.There are also described pharmaceutical formulations suitable for use by topical and systemic routes.

Abstract: There is described a process for preparing proanthocyanidine A2 by extraction from cortex or fruits of Aesculus hippocastanum and related species and its activity for stimulating healing processes, e.g. healing wounds and injuries of various origins, gastric and duodenal ulcers for modifying conditions of impaired capillary permeability and resistance and for obtaining an anti-lipid peroxidation effect.There are also described pharmaceutical formulations suitable for use by topical and systemic routes.

Abstract: Triterpene saponins of formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is H or OH and R.sub.2 is a tetrasaccharide, or alternatly pentasaccharide, chain have antiinflammatory, mucolytic and antiedemic activities. Said saponins are isolated from roots and bark of Crossopteryx febrifuga, for instance by precipitating them, in form of a complex with cholesterol or sytosterol, from an alcoholic extract of the vegetal material and by partitioning the precipitate between an apolar solvent, which subtracts the complexing agent and a polar solvent in which saponins are soluble.

Abstract: There is described a process for preparing proanthocyanidine A2 by extraction from cortex or fruits of Aesculus hippocastanum and related species and its activity for stimulating healing processes, e.g. healing wounds and injuries of various origins, gastric and duodenal ulcers for modifying conditions of impaired capillary permeability and resistance and for obtaining an anti-lipid peroxidation effect.There are also described pharmaceutical formulations suitable for use by topical and systemic routes.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel compounds comprising lipophilic complexes of silybin, silidianin, and silicristin with phospholipids, and the preparation of these complexes by non-conventional methods. Absorption of the novel compounds in the gastrointestinal tract is appreciably greater, resulting in higher plasma levels than for the individual flavanolignans. The resulting improvement in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacological parameters is such that the substances can advantageously be used in the treatment of acute and chronic liver disease of toxic, metabolic or infective origin or of degenerative nature.

Abstract: Unsaturated esters of formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, which are the same or different to one another, represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, methoxyl or acetoxyl; n is between 13 and 25; are useful in the treatment of prostatic hyperplasia or hypertrophy.

Abstract: Compounds with a flavanone skeleton having the formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, which may be the same or different, represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, methoxyl, thiomethyl, amino or substituted amino, are endowed with expectorant, mucolytic, mucopoietic, choleretic and hypolipaemia-producing activity.

Abstract: Derivatives of the alkaloid cuanzine are described which have valuable pharmacological properties in the cardiovascular field. Also described are processes for producing the derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.