Abstract: The invention relates to a new process for the synthesis of 17&bgr;-hydroxy-17&agr;-methyl-1,3-seco-2-nor-5&agr;-androstane-3-acid derivatives of formula (I) wherein the meaning of Z is carboxyl or formyl group and to the new secoindoxylidene carboxylic acid derivatives of formula (II) wherein R1 and R2 independently are C1-C4 alkyl or alkoxy group, hydrogen or halogen atom—which are intermediates for preparing the compounds of formula (I). The 17&bgr;-hydroxy-17&agr;-methyl-1,3-seco-2-nor-5&agr;-androstane-3-acid derivatives of formula (I) are intermediates in the synthesis of oxandrolon (17&bgr;-hydroxy-17&agr;-methyl-2-oxa-5&agr;-androstane-3-one), which is used as anabolic in therapy.

Abstract: A procedure for the preparation of pseudomonic acid A comprising submerged cultivation of a Pseudomonas bacterium strain capable of biosynthesis of the substantially pure pseudomonic acid A in aerated conditions via fermentation; and isolation of the desired compound is disclosed. In particular, the procedure of the present invention comprises cultivation of the Pseudomonas sp. bacterium strain No. 19/26 deposited under accession No. NCAIM(P)B 001235 in the National Collection of the Agricultural and Industrial Microorganisms, Budapest, Hungary, or its pseudomonic acid A-producing mutant or variant, on a medium at a temperature of between about 20° C. and 30° C. containing organic nitrogen and carbon sources and, optionally, mineral salts.

Abstract: A method for producing lovastatin by a microorganism in a fermentation process having a seed culture stage and a main fermentation stage, including a) cultivating a microorganism biomass in the seed culture stage to produce an inoculum; b) transferring the inoculum into a fermentation medium in the main fermentation stage; and, c) maintaining steady stage conditions in the main fermentation stage, thereby producing a fermentation broth containing lovastatin. Preferably, the steady state conditions are maintained in the main fermentation stage by one or more of feeding of organic carbon sources; controlling glucose and/or total reducing sugar content; feeding of organic and/or inorganic nitrogen sources; controlling pH; controlling foam level; controlling the mass of the fermentation broth by withdrawals and feedings; and, controlling the dissolved oxygen level.

Abstract: Novel, therapeutically active 21-aminosteroids of formula (I) ##STR1## with pregnane skeleton, are disclosed wherein two of X, Y and Z are a nitrogen atom each and the third one is a methine group; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently from each other, a primary amino group bearing as substituent a branched-chain C.sub.4-8 alkyl -alkenyl or -alkynyl group, or a C.sub.4-10 cycloalkyl group comprising 1 to 3 ring(s) and being optionally substituted by at least one C.sub.1-3 alkyl group; or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each a spiro-heterocyclic secondary amino group containing at most 10 carbon atoms and optionally at least one oxygen atom as additional heteroatom; or one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is an unsubstituted heterocyclic secondary amino group containing 4 to 7 carbon atoms and the other one is an above-identified primary amino group, an above-identified spiro-heterocyclic secondary amino group, or a heterocyclic secondary amino group containing 4 to 7 carbon atoms and substituted by at least one C.sub.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel eburnamenine derivatives of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 as well as R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, independently from each other, stand for hydrogen, C.sub.2-6 alkyl group, C.sub.2-6 alkenyl group; or a C.sub.3-10 alicyclic group involving 1 to 3 rings, and this latter group may be substituted by a C.sub.1-6 alkyl or C.sub.2-6 alkenyl group; or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 and/or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, together with the adjacent nitrogen atom and optionally with an additional oxygen or nitrogen atom, form a 4- to 6-membered, saturated or unsaturated cyclic group which may be substituted by a C.sub.1-6 alkyl or C.sub.2-6 alkenyl group; two of X, Y and Z are nitrogen whereas the third of them means a methine group; n is 1 or 2; W means oxygen or two hydrogen atoms; and the wavy line means .alpha.-/.alpha.-, .alpha.-/.beta.- or .beta.-/.alpha.- steric position, as well as their acid addition salts and solvates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds of the general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R means hydrogen or C.sub.1-4 alkyl group; andY stands for cyano, trifluoromethyl, aryloxy or aryl(C.sub.1-4 alkyl)oxy group.The compounds according to the invention show a gastric acid secretion-inhibiting effect and therefore, they are useful for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers. In addition, they exert a cytoprotective action against gastric laesions induced, e.g. by indomethacin or acid-containing alcohol.