Abstract: A compound of the formula: wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or a carboxy protective group, R2, R5, R6 and R7 are each a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group, R3 and R4 are each a hydrogen atom, or are combined together to form an epoxy group or a single bond. R8 and R9 are each an optionally substituted aryl group, and X is a single bond or a methylene group, in addition to the above definitions. R2 and R3 may be combined together to form a single bond; provided that when R2, R5, R6 and R7 are each a hydrogen atom, then R3 and R4 are combined together to form an epoxy group; when R3 and R4 are combined together to form a single bond, then at least one of R2, R5, R6 and R7 is a hydroxy group and the others are hydrogen; and when R3 and R4 are each a hydrogen atom, then at least one of R2, R5, R6 and R7 is a hydroxy group and the others are hydrogen, and X is a methylene group, or its salt.

Abstract: Azole compounds of the formula: wherein R1 is lower alkyl substituted with carboxy, etc., R2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, R3 is aryl, etc. R4 is aryl, etc. Q is  etc., and X is O, NH or S, and its salt, which are useful as medicament.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compound of the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each hydrogen or lower alkyl,R.sup.3 is aryl or unsaturated, 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic group containing a sulfur atom, each of which may be substituted by one or more substituent(s) selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, lower alkyl, aryloxy, trihalo(lower)alkyl, lower alkoxy and mono- or di(lower)alkylamino,R.sup.4 is hydrogen, halogen or lower alkyl,A is methylene, methine, oxa, thia, sulfinyl or sulfonyl,Y is vinylene or ethylene.Z is a group of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.5 is carboxy or protected carboxy, andR.sup.6 is hydrogen or hydroxy-protective group, andthe line is of a single or double bond, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, useful as a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor.