Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of following formula (I): or to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as well as to pharmaceutical compositions including same and to the use thereof as a drug, in particular for treating a proliferative disease such as cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for preparing 3?-O-linked steroids including 3?-O-linked-androst-5-ene steroids and 3?-O-linked-5a-androstane steroids. In one process a 3?,4?-epoxy androst-5-en-17-one is predominately reduced at the epoxy moiety wherein reduction of the 3?,4? epoxy functional group occurs preferentially at position C4 with retention of configuration at position C3 to provide a 3?-O-linked-androst-5-ene steroid. In another process, conditions are provided for inversion of configuration of a 3?-hydroxy-androst-5-ene steroid by the Mitsunobu reaction to provide a 3?-O-linked-androst-5-ene steroid with reduced amounts of 3?,5?-cycloandrostane side-product impurities.

Abstract: A proliferation promoting agent for neural stem cells, which comprises a compound produced by Penicillium sp. CND1007 (FERM BP-10917) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as an active ingredient; a novel compound produced by Penicillium sp. CND 1007 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; a method for producing neural stem cells, which comprises culturing a neural stem cells to proliferate the neural stem cells in a presence of the compound produced by Penicillium sp. CND 1007 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and harvesting the neural stem cells from the culture; and the like are provided.

Abstract: Novel pentacyclic steroids and pentacyclic D-homosteroids comprising: (i) the tetracyclic steroid ring system or tetracyclic D-homosteroid ring system, respectively; (ii) a C(3) substituent selected from the group consisting of (a) a hydroxyl or carboxyl in the ?-configuration and (b) a sulfate or other negatively charged moiety; and (iii) a fused fifth ring, the fused fifth ring comprising a hydrogen bond acceptor, and (a) in the case of the pentacyclic steroid the C(13) and C(17) carbons, or (b) in the case of the pentacyclic D-homosteroid the C(13) and C(17a) carbons, having utility as anesthetics and in the treatment of disorders relating to GABA function and activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to natural brassinosteroids of general formula (I), wherein R is CH2 or O—CH2 group, R2 is hydrogen or hydroxyl, R3 is hydroxyl, R24 is alkyl or alkenyl, which are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, methylen, ethylen and propylen, and R25 is alkyl selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use for treating hyperproliferation, treating proliferative diseases and reducing adverse effects of steroid dysfunction in mammals. The present invention also provides methods capable to arrest of the cell cycle by natural brassinosteroids resulting in apoptotic changes in cancer cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to use for treatment of the adverse effects of hyperproliferation on mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo, especially treatment of hyperproliferative diseases in mammals by administering compositions containing natural brassinosteroids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-vitro method of identifying a tumor resulting from a proliferative breast disease as responsive to anti-estrogen treatment. Further, the invention relates to an in-vitro method of identifying a candidate patient with a proliferative breast disease as suitable for anti-estrogen treatment. In a further aspect, the invention provides an in-vitro method of identifying an individual with a non-cancerous proliferative breast disease who is at risk of developing breast cancer. The invention also provides kits for performing the above methods.

Abstract: A novel process for making estra-4,9(10)-diene-3,17-dione steroids from readily available 19-nor-androst-4-ene-3-one steroids by a straightforward three-step process. Products of this process are important intermediates in the preparation of biologically active substances.

Abstract: A process for the formation of compounds of Formula VI: comprising hydrolyzing a compound corresponding to Formula VII: wherein —A—A—, —B—B—, R3, R8 and R9 are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for the preparation of 6&agr;-fluorosteroids of formula (I), in which R is chosen from H, OH and an alkyl group with from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R′ is a carboxyalkyl group with from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, comprising the selective fluorination at the 6 &agr;-position 1

Abstract: A process for the formation of an epoxy compound comprising contacting a substrate compound having an olefinic double bond with a peroxide compound in the presence of a peroxide activator, said peroxide activator corresponding to the formula: where Ro is a substituent having an electron withdrawing strength not less than that of monochloromethyl.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compounds, compositions and method of preparation of compounds of formulae I and II: wherein X, Q1, Q2, R1 and R2 are as defined by the specification. The compounds are disclosed as useful cholesterol-lowering and anti-atherosclerosis agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides new process of preparing neuromuscular blocking agents. The process include preparing neuromuscular blocking agents using the compounds of formula I: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is .dbd.O and X is halo; and formula II: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and X are as defined above.

Abstract: The present invention provides new process of preparing neuromuscular blocking agents. The process include preparing neuromuscular blocking agents using the compounds of formula I: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is .dbd.O and X is halo; and formula II: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and X are as defined above.

Abstract: Novel 3-keto-19-nor-.DELTA..sup.4,9 -steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of naphthyl, phenylphenyl, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms optionally containing additional unsaturations, phenoxy, furyl, cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, thienyl optionally substituted with at least one member of the group consisting of halogen and alkyl and haloalkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and phenyl optionally substituted with at least one member of the group consisting of --OH, halogen, --CF.sub.3, alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyloxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, phenoxy and alkylthio of 1 to 6 carbon atoms optionally oxidized to the sulfoxide or sulfone, R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl, R.sub.

Abstract: Compounds having analgesic activity which have the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 -R.sub.6 represent hydrogen or a substituent and X and Y together represent inter alia as epoxyethylene, ethylene halohydrin, haloethylene or a --CH.dbd.CH-group.

Abstract: A compound selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an organo of 1 to 18 carbon atoms optionally containing at least one heteroatom connected to the C ring by a carbon atom, R.sub.2 is methyl or ethyl, the A and B rings being selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## Re is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and acyl and the D ring is selected from the group consisting of ##STR3## one of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, protected hydroxy, acyl and alkoxy and the other is an optionally substituted aryl, R.sub.5 is an optionally substituted aryl and their non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable salts with acids and bases with the proviso that when the A and B rings are ##STR4## R.sub.1 is ##STR5## R.sub.2 is methyl, R.sub.3 is --OH, R.sub.4 is phenyl having anti proliferative properties.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is H or an optionally substituted acyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms,R.sub.2 is H or an acyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms andR.sub.3 is C, N--CH.sub.3 or a direct bond;and mono- or bisquaternary ammonium compounds thereof and acid addition salts of the non- or mono-quaternary ammonium compounds. Process for the preparation of these compounds. Compositions comprising at least one of the above compounds as the active ingredient. The compounds are favorable neuromuscular blocking agents.

Abstract: 13alpha-alkylgonan-delta.sup.9(11) -5,10 epoxides of the formula ##STR1## in which R is a hydrogen, methyl or ethyl andZ is a ketal or thioketal group effective as a keto-blocking group, are provided by a process wherein a compound of the formula ##STR2## in which R and Z are as defined above, is irradiated with active ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: Novel 19-nor steroids and 19-nor-D-homo-steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an organic radical of 1 to 18 carbon atoms containing at least one atom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorous and silicon with the atom immediately adjacent to the 11-carbon atom being carbon, R.sub.2 is a hydrocarbon of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, X is selected from the group consisting of a pentagonal ring and a hexagonal ring optionally substituted and optionally containing a double bond, B and C together form a double bond or an epoxy group, the C.dbd.A group at position 3 is selected from the group consisting of C.dbd.O, ketal, which may be open or closed ##STR2## are selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms and aralkyl of 7 to 15 carbon atoms and their non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts having anti-glucocorticoid activity and a process for their preparation.