Abstract: The method of prophylaxis and therapy of radical-mediated cell damage includes administering an effective amount of at least one steroid and at least one pharmaceutical adjuvant to a human being. The at least one steroid is selected from the group consisting of ent-estradiol, 17&agr;-estradiol, 8-dehydro-estradiol, 8-dehydro-17&agr;-estradiol, 8(14)-dehydroestradiol, 6,8-didehydro-17&agr;-estradiol, 6-dehydroestriol, 9(11)-dehydroestriol, 20-hydroxymethyl-3-hydroxy-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10)-triene, 14&agr;, 15&agr;-methylene-8-dehydroestradiol, 14&agr;, 15&agr;-methylene-estradiol, 2-hydroxy-estradiol-3-methyl ether, 3-hydroxy-1,3,5(10)-estratriene-17S-spirooxirane, 3-hydroxy-1,3,5(10),9(11)-estratetraene-17S-spirooxirane, and 14&bgr;,15&bgr;-methylene-8-dehydroestradiol.

Abstract: Novel substituted steroid compounds are disclosed which are more effective than known radical-trapping agents in methods of prophylaxis and therapy of radical-mediated cell damage and of treatment of diseases due to radical-mediated cell damage. The novel substituted steroid compounds can be made from steroids having an estrane, androstane, pregnane or cholestane basic skeleton and have a radical-attracting aromatic substituent of the general formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.n X, or .dbd.CH--(CH.sub.2).sub.m X at the 17 or 6 position of the steroid nucleus, wherein X=Y, OY, SY, SeY or NHY; n=0 to 5; m=n-1 and Y is a phenyl group having five substituents A, B, C, D and E, wherein A to E is independently H, alkyl, Oalkyl, Oacyl, OH, or one of the substituents B, C or D is NR.sub.2 wherein R=alkyl and each of the other substituents is hydrogen. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the novel substituted steroid compounds and methods of making them are also part of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are estrane derivatives having a radical-attracting aromatic substituent of the general formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.n X attached to the 17-position of the steroid nucleus, wherein X and n are as defined by the specification. The compounds are useful as antitumor agents and in the treatment of cardiac and circulatory disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to 11.beta.-aryl-gona-4,9-dienes of formula I ##STR1## wherein the variables are defined in the specification. The compounds are progesterone synthesis inhibitors and are suitable for inducing labor or an abortion, and for treating endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, and endocrine hormone-dependent tumors.

Abstract: This invention relates to 11.beta.-aryl-gona-4,9-dienes of the general formula I ##STR1## wherein the variables are defined in the specification. The compounds are progesterone antagonists and are suitable for inducing labor or an abortion.

Abstract: 11.sym.-Aryl-16.alpha.,17.alpha.-cyclohexano-estra-4,9-dienes of formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is H or a methyl group;R.sup.2 is --OCH.sub.3, --SCH.sub.3, --N(CH.sub.3).sub.2, --NHCH.sub.3, --CN, --CHO, --COCH.sub.3 or --CHOHCH.sub.3 ;X is --CHO, --COCH.sub.3, --CH.sub.2 OH, --CHOHCH.sub.3, --CH.sub.2 CHO--C.sub.1-7 -alkyl, --CH.sub.2 CHO--C.sub.1-7 -alkanoyl, --CH.sub.2 O--C.sub.1-7 -alkyl, --CH.sub.2 O--C.sub.1-7-alkanoyl, --COO--C.sub.1-7 -alkyl, CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.3, --COOH or --CN; andY is .dbd.O, .dbd.NOH, .dbd.NOCH.sub.3 or a cyclic thioketal having 2 or 3 ring atomsare provided, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds, methods of use of said compounds, and processes for their production.

Abstract: 11.beta.-substituted-16.alpha., 17.alpha.-methylene-estra-4,9-dien-3-ones of formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a methyl or ethyl group;R.sup.2 is H; a C.sub.1-6 -alkyl, -alkoxymethyl, -alkanoyl or -alkoxcarbonyl group ; 2-methoxyethyl; 2-hydroxyethyl; 2-C.sub.1-4 -alkanoyloxyethyl; or a tri-C.sub.1-4 -alkylsilyl group;R.sup.3 is vinyl; a C.sub.1-6 -alkyl; or a phenyl radical para-substituted by --OCH.sub.3, --SCH.sub.3, --N(CH.sub.3), --CN, --CHO, CH.sub.3 CO--, CH.sub.3 CHOH-- or --CH.sub.2 OH;R.sup.6 is H or a C.sub.1-4 -alkyl group;X is O, a hydroxy- or methoxyimino group (.dbd.N.about.OH or --N.about.OCH.sub.3), or a cyclic thioketal with 2 or 3 carbon ring atomsare provided, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds, methods of use of said compounds, and processes for their production.

Abstract: New gona-4,9(10)-dienes of formula I ##STR1## where R is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms and X is Cl, Br, F, N.sub.3, SCN, CN, OH, OR'(R'-alkyl), NH.sub.2, a substituted amino group or a heterocyclic compound including nitrogen in the ring. The compounds have valuable biological properties, especially hormonal and antihormonal effects, and can be used to advantage in pharmaceutical preparation, for the treatment of endocrinopathies and for reproduction control in human beings and livestock.The invention also embraces a process for making the compounds by converting 3-methoxy-13.beta.-R-gona-2,5(10)-diene-17.beta.-spiro-1,`2`-ox iranes to 17.beta.-hydroxy-17.alpha.-CH.sub.2 -13.beta.-R-gona-4,9(10)-diene-3-ones to the 17.alpha.-CH.sub.2 X-14.beta.-ols which are hydrolyzed to the 17.beta.-OH which latter are then converted to the compounds of formula I.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula ##STR1## in which R' is hydrogen or a methyl radical; R is a hydroxyl, acetoxy, arylaminocarbonyloxy, alkylaminocarbonyloxy radical;Z is hydrogen or a lower alkyl, orR and Z together are oxygen.These compounds exhibit a very favorable separation of desirable contraceptive and undesirable uterine and antigonadotrophic properties.

Abstract: New gona-4,9(10)-dienes of formula I ##STR1## where R is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms and X is Cl, Br, F, N.sub.3, SCN, CN, OH, OR'(R'=alkyl), NH.sub.2, a substituted amino group or a heterocyclic compound including nitrogen in the ring. The compounds have valuable biological properties, especially hormonal and antihormonal effects, and can be used to advantage in pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of endocrinopathies and for reproduction control in human beings and livestock.The invention also embraces a process for making the compounds by converting 3-methyoxy-13.beta.-R-gona-2,5(10)-diene-17.beta.-spiro-1',2'-o xiranes first to 17.beta.-hydroxy-17.alpha.-CH.sub.2 X-13.beta.-R-gon-5(10)-en-3-one, then to the 17.beta.-hydroxy-17.alpha.-CH.sub.2 X-13.beta.-R-gona-4,9(10)-diene-3-ones of formula I.

Abstract: Gona-1,3,5(10),9(11)-tetraenes having the formula ##STR1## IN WHICH FORMULA N IS 1 OR 2,R.sup.1 is a hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, or alkanoyl substituent,R.sup.2 is a hydrogen, alkoxy, acetoxy, alkyl, akenyl, or alkynyl substituent, or a substituent having the formula --CH.sub.2 X in which X is a halogen, pseudohalogen, or O-alkyl substituent, orR.sup.1 or R.sup.2 together are oxygen, or a methyleneoxy or ethylenedioxy substituent,R.sup.3 is a hydroxy, alkoxy, alkanoyl, or alkoxymethyleneoxy substituent, andR.sup.4 is a methyl or ethyl substituent,Are made from gona-1,3,5(10)trienes by electrolysis of a solution thereof in water and/or a primary or secondary alcohol in the presence of an electroconductive compound.The gona-1,3,5(10),9(11)-tetraenes are intermediates for the production of steroidal pharmaceuticals for fertility control in human and animal therapeutics.