Abstract: The present invention relates to promoters for differentiation into chondrocytes, chondrocyte proliferation promoter, and cartilaginous matrix production promoter, each containing a glycoside of liquiritigenin. According to the present invention, promoters for differentiation into chondrocytes, promoters for proliferation of chondrocytes, and promoters for cartilaginous matrix production, that are superior in the stability and safety, have a superior promoting action on differentiation into chondrocytes, a superior promoting action on proliferation of chondrocytes, and a superior promoting action on cartilaginous matrix production, and effective for regeneration of cartilage and further, prophylaxis or improvement of symptoms and diseases caused by the damage and inflammation of cartilage, or symptoms and diseases showing the loss of cartilage such as osteoarthritis and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel 5-substituted picolinic acid compounds of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R1 and R2 are independently H, C2-C6 acyl or halo-substituted benzoyl; and R3 is —C(O)O—C1-C6 alkyl, C(O)OH, CN, CONH2, CONHCH3, CON(CH3)2, 1-methyltetrazole or 2-methyltetrazole, with the proviso that when R2 is acetyl and R3 is methoxycarbonyl, R1 is not H; and that when R3 is CN, CONH2, CONHCH3, CON(CH3)2, 1-methyltetrazole or 2-methyltetrazole, R1 and R2 are H. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising compound of the present invention, which is useful in the treatment of IL-1 and TNF mediated diseases or the like. The present invention further relates to a process for producing the compounds of the formula (I).

Abstract: This invention provides terpenoid lactone compounds, and processes for producing the terpenoid lactone compounds, which comprise cultivating Oidiodedron griseum FERM BP-5778 and then isolating the terpenoid lactone compounds from the fermentation broth. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the terpenoid lactone compound, which is useful in the treatment of IL-1 and TNF mediated diseases or the like.

Abstract: This invention provides a compound of formula (I): or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X1 and X2 are C or N, respectively; R1 and R2 are independently phenyl optionally substituted with a hydroxy group with proviso that X1 and X2 are not simultaneously C or N, when X1 is N, R1 is absent, and when X2 is N, R2 is absent; R3 is methyl or hydroxymethyl; R4 is formyl, hydroxymethyl or hydroxy C3-6 alkenyl; R5 is hydroxy, C3-6 alkenyl or hydroxy C3-6 alkenyl; or R4 and R5, together with the carbon atoms in the furopyridine ring to which they are attached, may form the following ring (to be fused with the furopyridine ring): with the proviso that when R3 is methyl and R5 is 2-buten-2-yl, X2 is not N. These compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds are useful for treating infectious diseases caused by bacteria.

Abstract: This invention provides terpenoid lactone compounds, and processes for producing the terpenoid lactone compounds, which comprise cultivating Oidiodedron griseum FERM BP-5778 and then isolating the terpenoid lactone compounds from the fermentation broth. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the terpenoid lactone compound, which is useful in the treatment of IL-1 and TNF mediated diseases or the like.

Abstract: This invention provides terpenoid lactone compounds, and processes for producing the terpenoid lactone compounds, which comprise cultivating Oidiodedron griseum FERM BP-5778 and then isolating the terpenoid lactone compounds from the fermentation broth. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the teipenoid lactone compound, which is useful in the treatment of IL-1 and TNF mediated diseases or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel 5-substituted picolinic acid compounds of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R1 and R2 are independently H, C2-C6 acyl or halo-substituted benzoyl; and R3 is —C(O)O—C1-C6 alkyl, C(O)OH, CN, CONH2, CONHCH3, CON(CH3)2, 1-methyltetrazole or 2-methyltetrazole, with the proviso that when R2 is acetyl and R3 is methoxycarbonyl, R1 is not H; and that when R3 is CN, CONH2, CONHCH3, CON(CH3)2, 1-methyltetrazole or 2-methyltetrazole, R1 and R2 are H. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising compound of the present invention, which is useful in the treatment of IL-1 and TNF mediated diseases or the like. The present invention further relates to a process for producing the compounds of the formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention provides novel 5-substituted picolinic acid compounds of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently H, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 acyl or halo-substituted benzoyl; and R.sup.3 is --C(O)O--C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C(O)OH, CN, CONH.sub.2, CONHCH.sub.3, CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2, 1-methyltetrazole or 2-methyltetrazole, with the proviso that when R.sub.2 is acetyl and R.sup.3 is methoxycarbonyl, R.sup.1 is not H; and that when R.sup.3 is CN, CONH.sub.2, CONHCH.sub.3, CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2, 1-methyltetrazole or 2-methyltetrazole, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are H.The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising compound of the present invention, which is useful in the treatment of IL-1 and TNF mediated diseases or the like.The present invention further relates to a process for producing the compounds of the formula (I).

Abstract: This invention provides processes for producing novel cyclic peptide compounds, which comprise cultivating Ctenomyces serratus FERM BP-5731 and then isolating the cyclic peptide compounds from the fermentation broth. The compounds produced by these processes include a cyclic peptide compound of the following formula (I): ##STR1## The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same, which is useful in the treatment of severe pain, detoxication of narcotics dependency or acute narcotics intoxication or the like.

Abstract: Muconic acid is obtained from the culture of strains of Arthrobacter sp. mutant strains, strains belonging to Corynebacterium acetoacidophilum, Corynebacterium lilium, genus Brevibacterium or genus Microbacterium.