Abstract: Novel 7.alpha.-substituted 3-oxo-17.alpha.-pregn-4-ene-21,17-carbolactones of the formula ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## is a CC single or CC double bond or the group ##STR3## R.sup.7 is the group SR', R' being a hydrogen atom or a straight-chain or branched alkyl residue of 1-6 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxy or acyloxy group, the group COOR" or the group COR" wherein R" is an alkyl group of 1-4 carbon atoms and ##STR4## is a CC single bond or the group ##STR5## have antialdosterone activity with reduced endocrinological side effects.

Abstract: 17.alpha.-substituted steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkyl or alkenyl interrupted by an oxygen atom, cyclopentyl, or tetrahydropyranyl,R.sub.2 is alkyl or alkenyl of 2-6 carbon atoms,X is oxygen or the grouping H(OR.sub.3) wherein R.sub.3 is hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkyl or alkenyl interrupted by an oxygen atom, cyclopentyl, or tetrahydropyranyl, upon topical application, display antiandrogenic properties and can be utilized for the treatment of acne, seborrhea, alopecia and hirsutism.

Abstract: 17.alpha.-Pregn-4-ene-3-oxo-21-carboxylic acid esters of Formula I ##STR1## wherein C.sub.1 C.sub.2 is a CC single or C.dbd.C double bond,--A--B--is ##STR2## --C--D--is ##STR3## and R is an alkyl or alkenyl residue of up to 6 carbon atoms,in addition to antialdosterone activity, exhibit greatly reduced antiandrogenic and progestational side effects.

Abstract: New 15,16-methylene-17.alpha.-pregna-4,6-diene-21-carboxylic acid salts of formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each alone is hydrogen or together they form an additional CC bond or a methylene group,M is an alkali metal,and the methylene group in the 15,16 position is in the .alpha. or .beta. position, in addition to having a strong antialdosterone effect, have reduced antiandrogenic and progestogenic side effects.

Abstract: 7.alpha.-acylthio-1.alpha.,2.alpha.-methylene-3-oxo-17.alpha.-pregn-4-ene-2 1,17-carbolactones of Formula I ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## and R is a lower saturated acyl radical of 2 to 4 carbon atoms,have a stronger antialdosterone effect and lower side effects than spironoloctone.

Abstract: 7.alpha.-acylthio-15,16-methylene-3-oxo-17.alpha.-pregna-1,4-diene-21,17-ca rbolactones of the formula ##STR1## wherein the 15,16-methylene group can be in the .alpha.- or .beta.-configuration, andR is a lower alkyl residue,have altialdosterone activity.They are prepared from corresponding .DELTA..sup.4 -unsaturated compounds by chemical or microbiological 1,2-dehydrogenation.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns 5.beta.-hydroxy-.DELTA..sup.6 -steroids of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, acyl, lower alkyl, or the tetrahydropyranyl residue andR.sup.2, R.sup.3 individually are respectively hydrogen or jointly are methylene andX stands for oxygen, the groupings ##STR2## (wherein R.sup.4 means hydrogen or acyl) and ##STR3## (wherein R.sup.5 means hydrogen or lower alkyl) and a process for the preparation thereof by reacting corresponding 7.alpha.-chloro-5.beta.,6.beta.-epoxy steroids in an inert solvent with metallic zinc in a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid or dilute mineral acid at temperatures of between room temperature and 100.degree. C., preferably at 40.degree.-70.degree. C.The compounds producible by this method are intermediates for the preparation of 3-keto-.DELTA..sup.4 -6.beta.,7.beta.-methylene steroids constituting pharmacologically valuable compounds, for example aldosterone antagonists.

Abstract: Novel 6.beta.,7.beta.-methylene-17.alpha.-pregn-4-ene-21,17-carbolactones of Formula I ##STR1## wherein R and R' each is hydrogen or jointly form a methylene group.These exhibit a good antimineralocorticoid effect with low side effects.

Abstract: Androstane derivatives of Formula I ##STR1## wherein ---- is a single bond or a double bond,R.sub.1 is methyl or ethyl,R.sup.2 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1-8 carbon atoms,--X-- is --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --, --CH.dbd.CH(CH.sub.2).sub.m --, or --C.tbd.C--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --wherein n is 2 to 6 and m is 1 to 4,--A--B-- is --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.CH--, --CCl.dbd.CH--, ##STR2## --U--V< is --CH.sub.2 --CH<, --CH.dbd.C<, --C(OH).dbd.C<, or --CCl.dbd.C<, and--W--Y-- is --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --, or ##STR3## with the proviso that the compound is not 17.alpha.-(3-acetoxypropyl)-17.beta.-hydroxy-4,6-androstadien-3-one, are pharmacologically efficacious compounds, e.g., are sebum suppressive.

Abstract: 17.alpha.-substituted steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkyl or alkenyl interrupted by an oxygen atom, cyclopentyl, or tetrahydropyranyl,R.sub.2 is alkyl or alkenyl of 2-6 carbon atoms,X is oxygen or the grouping H(OR.sub.3) wherein R.sub.3 is hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkyl or alkenyl interrupted by an oxygen atom, cyclopentyl, or tetrahydropyranyl, upon topical application, display antiandrogenic properties and can be utilized for the treatment of acne, seborrhea, alopecia and hirsutism.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 3.beta.,7.beta.-dihydroxy-.DELTA..sup.5 steroid of the formula ##STR1## wherein Q is ##STR2## and R.sub.1 is hydrogen, trimethylacetyl, tert-butyldimethylsilyl, dimethyl-2-(3-methylbutyl)silyl or tribenzylsilyl,comprises fermenting a 3.beta.-hydroxy-.DELTA..sup.5 -steroid of the formula ##STR3## wherein Q is as defined above, andR.sub.2 is hydrogen or alkanoyl of 2-6 carbon atoms,with a culture of Botryodiplodia malorum to obtain the corresponding 3.beta.,7.beta.-dihydroxy-.DELTA..sup.5 -steroid; and, optionally, reacting the resultant product with trimethylacetic anhydride, tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride, dimethyl-2-(3-methylbutyl)silyl chloride, or tribenzylsilyl chloride.

Abstract: 17.alpha.-substituted steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkyl or alkenyl interrupted by an oxygen atom, cyclopentyl, or tetrahydropyranyl,R.sub.2 is alkyl or alkenyl of 2-6 carbon atoms,X is oxygen or the grouping H(OR.sub.3) wherein R.sub.3 is hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkyl or alkenyl interrupted by an oxygen atom, cyclopentyl, or tetrahydropyranyl, upon topical application, display antiandrogenic properties and can be utilized for the treatment of acne, seborrhea, alopecia and hirsutism.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein the 15,16-methylene group is in the .alpha.- or .beta.-position, andE is ##STR2## are useful as diuretics.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.2 is hydrogen or an organic acid residue;R.sub.3 is methyl or ethyl;R.sub.4 is hydrogen or methyl; ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is lower alkyl; and ##STR3## and when R.sub.2 is a dibasic acid residue, the physiologically acceptable salts thereof with the free acid moiety of the R.sub.2 group, are physiologically active, e.g., are diuretics having aldosterone antagonist effects.

Abstract: New spirolactones of the formula ##STR1## R is a lower alkyl of up to 5 carbon atoms, and ##STR2##

Abstract: 4-Androsten-3-ones of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or the acyl radical of an organic or inorganic acid, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, alkyl, or the acyl radical of an organic or inorganic acid, R.sub.3 is methyl or ethyl, R.sub.4 is hydrogen or methyl, ##STR2## and R.sub.5 is lower alkyl, have diuretic activity.