Abstract: Described are stelleramacrin A and stelleramacrin B represented by the following formulas (I) and (II), respectively: ##STR1## a process for the preparation thereof; and anticancer agents containing either of them as an active ingredient.Therapeutics for solid cancer, said therapeutics containing either of gnidimacrin or pimelea factor P.sub.2 as an active ingredient, are also described.

Abstract: Fluorine-containing vitamin D.sub.3 analogues of the formula [I]: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen atom, a chemically inactive hydroxy-protecting group, an acyl having 2 to 8 carbon atoms or an alkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and n is an integer of 4 to 6, which have excellent pharmacological activities, particularly anti-tumor activity owing to differentiation-inducing activity and are useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of various tumors and intermediates therefore.

Abstract: Vitamin D.sub.3 analogues of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen atom and R.sup.2 is hydroxy, or R.sup.1 is hydroxy and R.sup.2 is hydrogen atom, X is hydrogen atom, hydroxy or a hydroxy protected by a hydroxy-protecting group, and R.sup.3 is hydrogen atom or a hydroxy-protecting group, which have vitamin D.sub.3 -like activities such as activity of controlling calcium metabolism and tumor cell differentiation-inducing activity.

Abstract: Fluorine-containing vitamin D.sub.3 analogues of the formula[I]: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen atom, a chemically inactive hydroxy-protecting group, an acyl having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, or an alkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, X is a straight carbon chain having 4 to 6 carbon atoms which contains at least one double or triple bond, which have excellent vitamin D.sub.3 -like activities, particularly anti-tumor activity owing to differentiation-inducing activity and are useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of various tumors, and intermediates therefor.

Abstract: Fluorine-containing vitamin D.sub.3 analogues of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen atom, a hydroxy-protecting group, having excellent pharmacological activities, such as tumor cell differentiation-inducing activity, which are useful as a medicament.

Abstract: (24S)- and (24R)-1.alpha.,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.4 compounds and processes for preparing same. Ergosta-5,7-diene compounds which are useful intermediates in the synthesis of the 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.4 compounds. The D.sub.4 compounds are expected to possess an interesting pharmacological activity in association with the active-type vitamins D.sub.3 and D.sub.2.

Abstract: A fluorine-containing vitamin D.sub.2 derivative represented by the following formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a methyl or trifluoromethyl group, and R.sup.2 represents a trifluoromethyl group when R.sup.1 is a methyl group, and a hydrogen atom or a methyl group when R.sup.1 is a trifluoromethyl group. This compound is useful for the prevention or treatment of calcium pathobolism or osteoporosis.

Abstract: Novel Vitamin D.sub.3 derivatives of the following formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group. These compounds have an activity of inducing differentiation of tumor cells, and are useful for anti-tumor agents. On the other hand, the compounds have almost no vitamin D activity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel steroids represented by the formula (1): ##STR1## wherein Z represents ##STR2## n is integer of 1 to 3, R represents hydrogen, halogen, CF.sub.3, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or --CO.sub.2 R', wherein R' represents hydrogen, alkali metal or lower alkyl, andR.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 represent hydrogen or acyl, respectively.The compound of the formula (1) of the present invention exhibits high durability as well as excellent plant growth regulation.

Abstract: Novel vitamin D.sub.3 derivatives of the following formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group. These compounds have an activity of inducing differentiation of tumor cells, and are useful for antitumor agents. On the other hand, the compounds have almost no vitamin D activity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel steroids represented by the formula (1): ##STR1## wherein Z represents ##STR2## n is integer of 1 to 3, R represents hydrogen, halogen, CF.sub.3, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or --CO.sub.2 R', wherein R' represents hydrogen, alkali metal or lower alkyl, andR.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 represent hydrogen or acyl, respectively.The compound of the formula (1) of the present invention exhibits high durability as well as excellent plant growth regulation.

Abstract: 24,24-Difluoro-26,27-dimethylvitamin D.sub.3 derivatives represented by formula: ##STR1## wherein X represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group. These compounds are prepared by irradiating 24,24-difluoro-26,27-dimethylcholesta-5,7-diene-(1.alpha.,)3.beta., 25-di- or triol with ultraviolet light, and is useful for the prevention or treatment of, for example, calcium pathobolism or osteoporosis.

Abstract: This invention is directed to new 24-homo-vitamin D compounds, to methods for preparing the same and novel intermediate compounds.The compounds are characterized by vitamin D-like activity of the order of 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.3, the recognized circulating hormonal form of vitamin D, or various of its derivatives and by greater antineoplastic activity than such compounds but without their attendant calcemic activity. The compounds are useful in the treatment of disease states characterized by calcium-phosphorous imbalances and where antineoplastic activity is indicated.

Abstract: This invention is directed to new 26-homo-vitamin D compounds, to methods for preparing the same and novel intermediate compounds.The compounds are characterized by vitamin D-like activity of the order of 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.3, the recognized circulating hormonal form of vitamin D, or various of its derivatives and by greater antineoplastic activity than such compounds but without their attendant calcemic activity. The compounds are useful in the treatment of disease states characterized by calcium-phosphorous imbalances and where antineoplastic activity is indicated.

Abstract: This invention provides 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxy-24a,24a-difluoro-24-homovitamin D.sub.3 and a process for its production. This compound has strong vitamin D activity and low toxicity and is useful for preventing and treating calcium pathobolism, osteoporosis, etc.

Abstract: The yield of a cereal is increased by application of an agent selected from brassinolide derivatives of the formulae: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or acetyl.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for enhancing cell differentiation in malignant cells by exposing the cells to a 1.alpha.-hydroxylated vitamin D derivative characterized by a 17-side chain greater in length than the cholesterol or ergosterol side chains.The method finds application in the treatment of neoplastic diseases including leukemoid diseases and, specifically, leukemia.

Abstract: 1.alpha.,25-Dihydroxy-26,27-dimethylcholecalciferol represented by formula: ##STR1## This compound is prepared by irradiating 26,27-dimethylcholesta-5,7-diene-1.alpha.,3.beta.,25-triol with ultraviolet light, and is useful for the prevention or treatment of calcium pathobolism or osteoporosis.

Abstract: The invention provides a new derivative of vitamin D.sub.3, 26,26,26,27,27-pentafluoro-1.alpha.-hydroxy-27-methoxy-cholecalciferol and a process for preparing the same.The compound is characterized by some vitamin D-like activity except that it exhibits negligible activity in mobilizing bone. This characteristic indicates that the compound would find ready application in the treatment of disease or physiological states which evince loss of bone mass and application in other situations where metabolic calcium imbalances are found.

Abstract: The invention provides new derivatives of vitamin D.sub.3, 2.alpha.-fluorovitamin D.sub.3 and the acylates thereof.The compounds are characterized by vitamin D-like activity in their ability to increase intestinal calcium transport and serum calcium indicating their ready application as substitutes for vitamin D.