Abstract: Gamma-lactone derivatives represented by the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein when R.sup.1 is methyl group, R.sup.2 is hydrogen, hydroxyl group or trifluoroacetoxyl group and R.sup.2 may combine with R.sup.3 to form a pi bond; when R.sup.1 combines with R.sup.2 to form methylene group, R.sup.3 is hydrogen; R.sup.4 and R.sup.6 are hydrogen, respectively, or may combine to form a pi bond; R.sup.5 is hydrogen or a protecting group for hydroxyl group; R.sup.7 is hydrogen or straight-chain or branched alkyl group; and St is a steroid nucleus represented by the following formula (B): ##STR2## According to the process of the present invention, the introduction of carbon chains which form polyhydroxylated steroid side chains of brassinolides or the like into steroid nucleus is carried out in one-step with the control of stereochemistry of the contiguous four acyclic chiral centers.

Abstract: Novel .delta.-lactone derivatives which are useful as intermediate for a synthesis of brassinolide, epibrassinolide or bisnorbrassinolide and a process of preparing them are disclosed.According to the process of the present invention, the introduction of carbon chains which form polyhydroxylated steroid side chains of brassinolides or the like into steroid nucleus is carried out in one-step with the control of stereochemistry of the contiguous four acyclic chiral centers.

Abstract: dl-N-Cyclopropylmethyl-3-hydroxy-9-azamorphinan is a compound known to possess analgesic activity that is about twice as potent as pentazocine. Resolution of the compound into its levorotatory and dextrorotatory isomers and subsequent animal testing revealed that l-N-cyclopropylmethyl-3-hydroxy-9-azamorphinan was much more potent than the dl-mixture.

Abstract: Protoberberine derivatives having the general formula: ##SPC1##Wherein R.sub.1 is a lower alkoxy group, i.e. C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkoxy; R.sub.2 is a lower alkyl group, i.e. C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkyl, pyridyl group, phenyl group substituted by two or three lower alkoxy groups, i.e. C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkoxy or a phenylvinyl group substituted by two or three lower alkoxy groups, i.e. C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkoxy; having excellent analgesic, vasodilating and hypotensive effects and are prepared from know protoberberines by reaction with carobxylic acids.