Abstract: The present invention provides a process for obtaining diacetylrhein, wherein diacetylrhein containing aloe-emodin components is subjected to a liquid—liquid partitioning between a polar organic solvent which is only partly miscible with water and an aqueous phase of pH 6.5 to 7.5 and the diacetylrhein is recovered and optionally recrystallized. The present invention is also concerned with diacetylrhein obtainable by this process and with pharmaceutical compositions containing it.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for treating arthritis utilizing substantially pure diacetylrhein having an aloe-emodin content of less than 20 ppm.

Abstract: Sennosides A, B and Al of the formula: ##STR1## which are substantially free from sennosides C, D and Dl, and from aloe-emodin derivatives, are prepared by a process whereina) a sennoside mixture is reduced to rhein-9-anthrone-8-glucoside and aloe-emodin-9-anthrone-8-glucoside,b) a liquid-liquid partitioning of the compounds obtained is carried out between a polar organic solvent which is only partly miscible with water and an aqueous phase andc) the rhein-9-anthrone-8-glycosides contained after the partitioning in the aqueous phase is again oxidized to the corresponding sennosides and these are recovered.

Abstract: Diacetylrhein which is substantially free of aloe-emodin components, is prepared by a process whereina) rhein-9-anthrone-8-glusoside containing aloe-emodin components is subjected to a liquid-liquid partitioning of the compounds obtained is carried out between a polar organic solvent which is only partly miscible with water and an aqueous phase,b) the rhein-9-anthrone-8-glucoside contained after the partitioning in the aqueous phase is oxidized to rhein-8-glucoside,c) the glucose residue in the 8-position of the rhein-8-glucoside is split off in an acidic medium and,d) the rhein obtained is acetylated and the diacetylrhein recovered.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for obtaining diacetylrhein, wherein diacetylrhein containing aloe-emodin components is subjected to a liquid-liquid partitioning between a polar organic solvent which is only partly miscible with water and an aqueous phase of pH 6.5. to 7.5 and the diacetylrhein is recovered and optionally recrystallised.The present invention is also concerned with diacetylrhein obtainable by this process and with pharmaceutical compositions containing it.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.8, which may be identical to or different from each other, have diverse meanings, and the dotted line between the carbon atoms in the 4- and 4a- position or the 4a- and 5-position or the 42- and 12a position may be a single or double bond, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as a process for the preparation of these compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds. The compounds and their salts are useful for the treatment of heart-circulation disorders.

Abstract: A method for preparing azoniaspironotropanol esters, esters thus produced, and methods of use for these is disclosed. The esters are effective as broncholytics and as agents in therapy of asthmatic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the use of azoniaspironortropanol esters of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R signifies one of the following radicals: (a) an alkylene radical of the general formula: ##STR2## in which R.sub.3 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, benzyl, aryl or alkoxy radical and n is a whole number of from 1 to 4,(b) an alkenyl radical of the general formula: ##STR3## in which R.sub.4 and R.sub.5, which can be the same or different, are hydrogen atoms or alkyl or alkenyl radicals and n is a whole number of from 1 to 4,(c) an azaalkylene radical of the general formula: ##STR4## in which R.sub.6 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl or acyl radical and n is a whole number of from 2 to 4,(d) an oxaalkylene radical of the general formula:--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.