Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is hydrogen or alkyl; R.sup.2 is alkylene; R.sup.3 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, halogen, nitro group, amino group, monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, aryl, or aralkyl; X is aryl, or aromatic heterocyclic; Y is oxygen, sulfur or a group of formula >N-R.sup.4, in which R.sup.4 is hydrogen, alkyl or acyl; and Z is a group of formula (Za), (Zb), (Zc) or (Zd): ##STR2## and salts thereof can be used to treat or prevent are included those arising from hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, obesity, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), insulin resistant non-IGT (NGT), non-diagnostic glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, diabetic complications, fatty liver, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); in addition the compounds of the present invention have aldose reductase inhibitory activity.

Abstract: The invented compound ##STR1## is useful for the production of steroidal-17-amides that have 5.alpha.-reductase inhibitory activity.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## Z is a group of formula (iii), (iv),: ##STR2## and salts, esters and solvates thereof and pro-drugs therefor are useful for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a variety of disorders, including one or more of: hyperlipemia, hyperglycemia, obesity, glucose tolerance insufficiency, insulin resistance and diabetic complications.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## [wherein: X represents an unsubstituted or substituted indolyl, indolinyl, azaindolyl, azaindolinyl, imidazopyridyl or imidazopyrimidinyl group; Y represents an oxygen or sulfur atom; Z represents a 2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenylmethyl, 2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylmethyl, 2,4-dioxooxazolidin-5-ylmethyl, 3,5-dioxooxadiazolidin-2-ylmethyl or N-hydroxyureidomethyl group; R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a halogen atom, a hydroxy group, a nitro group, an aralkyl group or a unsubstituted or substituted amino group; and m is an integer of from 1 to 5] have hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic activities.

Abstract: Thiazolidine derivatives of formula (I): ##STR1## (in which: R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 are each hydrogen or alkyl; and R.sup.3 is hydrogen, aliphatic acyl, alkoxy-carbonyl, or arylcarbonyl and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are anti-hypertensive agents and are useful in the treatment of obesity-related hypertension.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## and salts, esters and solyates thereof and pro-drugs therefor are useful for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a variety of disorders, including one or more of: hyperlipemia, hyperglycemia, obesity, glucose tolerance insufficiency, insulin resistance and diabetic complications.

Abstract: The invention includes compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl-substituted alkyl or aromatic heterocyclic-substituted alkyl; R.sup.2 is aryl-substituted alkyl, aromatic heterocyclic-substituted alkyl or diarylamino; and R.sup.3 is carboxy or a group of formula --CONHSO.sub.2 R.sup.4 wherein R.sup.4 is alkyl; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters of the compounds. The compounds have valuable 5.alpha.-reductase inhibitory activity and can thus be used for the treatment and prophylaxis of, inter alia, prostatic hypertrophy as well as other disorders arising from excess levels of 5.alpha.-dihydro-testosterone.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: R is an alkyl group; X is oxygen or sulfur; Y is hydrogen atom or --A--COOH, in which A is an alkylene group; Ar is aryl or substituted aryl group; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, have use in the treatment or prophylaxis of diabetes, obesity, hyperlipemia, hyperglycemia, complications of diabetes, obesity-related hypertension and osteoporosis.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## (wherein: R.sup.1 is alkyl; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each alkyl or alkoxy, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together form an optionally substituted benzene ring and, when R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together form said benzene ring, R.sup.1 is hydrogen, halogen or alkyl; R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 both represent hydrogen, or together represent a single carbon-carbon bond; W is a single bond or alkylene; and Z is a hydrogen atom or a cation) have valuable therapeutic and prophylactic activities, including anti-diabetic activities.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## (in which: R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted alkyl group, an aryl-substituted alkyl group or a heterocyclic-substituted alkyl group; R.sup.2 is an aryl-substituted alkyl group, a heterocyclic-substituted alkyl group or a diarylamino group; R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted alkyl group, an aryl-substituted alkyl group or an alkenyl group having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms; and each of the bonds represented by .alpha.-.beta. and .gamma.-.delta. is a carbon-carbon single bond or a carbon-carbon double bond;) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof are useful for the treatment and prophylaxis of prostatic hypertrophy. We also provide processes for their preparation.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## in which: A is a group of formula (II) or (III): ##STR2## W is methylene, carbonyl or >C.dbd.N--OV, where V is hydrogen, sulfo, acyl or alkyl; U is methylene, or W is absent and U is a carbon-carbon double bond between A and --CR.sup.1 (OH)--; R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each hydrogen or alkyl; Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 are each hydrogen or a hydroxy-protecting group; and n is 1, 2 or 3 and salts thereof have anti-diabetic activity in mammals. Methods of preparing them are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## in which: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having one or two carbon-carbon double or treble bonds, cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aralkyl, substituted aralkyl, alkanoyl, alkenyol, cycloalkylcarbonyol, arylcarbonyl, substituted arylcarbonyl, arylalkanoyl, substituted arylalkanoyl, arylalkenoyl, substituted arylalkenoyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, substituted aryloxycarbonyl, aralkyloxycarbonyl, substituted aralkyloxycarbonyl, optionally substituted carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyol, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, substituted arylsulfonyl, alkylthio, arylthio and substituted arylthio, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group; one of R.sup.a and R.sup.b is hydrogen, alkyl or halogen, and the other of R.sup.a and R.sup.b is a group of formula (II): ##STR2## R.sup.

Abstract: Thiazolidinone derivatives of formula (I): ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are various atoms or organic groups, Ar is an aromatic group and n is an integer have valuable pharmacological activities including the ability to reduce blood glucose levels and blood lipid levels.

Abstract: New use of L-dopa or its derivative in combination with a specific amino acid, optionally together with an L-dopa-antimetabolite, as agents for promoting a reproductive ability in domestic animals suffering from reproductive disorders.