Abstract: A series of imidazo[4,5-c]pyridines which inhibit platelet activating factor (PAF) and also block leukotriene D4 receptors are useful in treating asthma, arthritis, psoriasis, gastrointestinal distress, myocardial infarction, stroke and shock.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of the formula: ##STR1## The variables are defined in the specification. The compounds are useful e.g. for the curative or prophylactic treatment of allergic conditions.

Abstract: Intermediates useful in the synthesis of dihydropyridine platelet activating factor antagonists of the formula ##STR1## where R is phenyl or substituted phenyl; R.sup.3 is lower alkyl; Y is 1,4-phenylene and X is 2-alkylimidazopyridyl.

Abstract: Intermediates useful in the synthesis of dihydropyridine platelet activating factor antagonists of the formula ##STR1## where R is phenyl or substituted phenyl; R.sup.3 is lower alkyl; Y is 1,4-phenylene and X is a benzimidazol-1-yl.

Abstract: Platelet activating factor antagonists of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted by one or more substituents selected from nitro, halo, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, aryl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkoxy, fluoro(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylthio, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylsulphonyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl and cyano, or is phenyl fused to a dioxole ring;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together complete a pyrrolidinyl, piperidino, morpholino, piperazinyl, N-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl)piperazinyl or N-(C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkanoyl)-piperazinyl group;R.sup.2 is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl and R.sup.1 is CN, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group substituted by one or more substituents selected from C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxycarbonyl, aryl or heteroaryl;Z is selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, aryl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: Platelet activating factor antagonists of formula (I), (II) or (III): ##STR1## where A is optionally substituted benzene, pyridine, naphthalene, quinoline, thiophene, benzothiophene, pyrazole or isothiazole,X is O, S or NHY is 1,4 phenylene or a group of formula ##STR2## R.sup.1 is H or optionally substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl,B is an optionally fused 5- or 6-membered ring containing nitrogen atoms,Het is an optionally substituted 5-membered heterocyclic ring containing nitrogen or a pyridine ring, the ring optionally being fused to benzene or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is lower alkyl, R.sup.2 is chlorophenyl, Y is alkylene, X is heterocyclic and Z is a fused ring are useful as antiinflammatory and antiallergy agents.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of the formula ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R is phenyl substituted by halo;R.sup.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl;is hydrogen, C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, benzyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, said C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group being optionally substituted by cyano, trimethylsilyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkoxy; and"Het" is ##STR2## wherein R.sup.3 is hydrogen or methyl. The compounds are useful in the treatment of allergic, inflammatory and hypersecretory conditions, and circulatory shock, stroke and thrombosis.

Abstract: Platelet activating factor antagonists of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted by one or more substituents selected from nitro, halo, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, aryl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkoxy, fluoro (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylthio, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylsulphonyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl and cyano, or is phenyl fused to a dioxole ring;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together complete a pyrrolidinyl, piperidino, morpholino, piperazinyl, N-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl) piperazinyl or N-(C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkanoyl)-piperazinyl group;orR.sup.2 is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl and R.sup.1 is CN, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group substituted by one or more substituents selected from C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxycarbonyl, aryl or heteroaryl;Z is selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, aryl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is lower alkyl, R.sup.2 is chlorophenyl, Y is alkylene, X is heterocyclic and Z is a fused ring are useful as antiinflammatory and antiallergy agents.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## where R is substituted phenyl, R.sup.1 is alkyl or pyridyl, R.sup.2 is hydrogen, R.sup.3 is alkoxy, alkylamino, hydroxy or benzyloxy, Y is alkylene and X is heterocyclic as antiallergic and antiinflammatory agents.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## where R is 2-substituted phenyl said substituent being chloro, bromo, cyano, methyl, methylthio, methylsulfonyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, methoxy or benzyloxy; R.sup.1 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, pyridyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiadiazdyl or thiazdylmethyl; R.sup.2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R.sup.3 is hydroxy, lower alkoxy, benzyloxy, amino, lower alkylamino or morpholino; Y is alkylene having two to six carbon atoms; and X is benzimidazolyl optionally substituted by lower alkyl, chloro or trifluoromethyl.