Abstract: The invention relates to 2-alkyl nicotinoids and improved methods for producing them.

Abstract: New heterocyclylcarboxylic acid derivatives which are acylated in the nucleus, especially benz-acyl-benzimidazole-2-carboxylic acid derivatives of the formula ##STR1## in which R is a free, esterified or amidated carboxyl group or a free, etherified or esterified hydroxymethyl group, R.sub.1 is an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, araliphatic, heterocyclic or heterocyclic-aliphatic radical, R.sub.2 is hydrogen or an aliphatic radical and Ph is a 1,2-phenylene group containing the radical R.sub.1 --C(.dbd.O)--, with the proviso that R.sub.1 contains at least 2 carbon atoms if Ph is otherwise unsubstituted, R.sub.2 is ethyl and R is acetoxymethyl, and salts of such compounds having salt-forming properties, are useful as anti-allergic agents.

Abstract: A treatment to alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis consisting of topical application of a cream, ointment or lotion containing, as the principal active ingredient, one or more 6-substituted nicotinamides and or 2-substituted pyrazinamides is disclosed. The therapeutic composition may include a single member of the above active ingredients present in a total amount of from 0.01 to 5 percent by weight of the total composition, or a plurality thereof present in a preferred concentration range of from 0.02 to 2 percent by weight of the total composition. Topical application of the therapeutic composition in a cream, ointment, or a water or alcohol solution has been found to achieve from substantial to complete remissions of psoriasis in humans.