Abstract: The present invention relates to improving the heart function, the survival and/or the treatment of heart insufficiency using megestrol acetate (Megace®; MA) in patients with heart insufficiency and after a myocardial infarction.

Abstract: A process for the syntheses of 17?-hydroxy-7?-methyl-19-nor-17?-pregn-5(10)-ene-20-yne-3-one (tibolone, 11) and intermediates useful for the synthesis thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of 7?-methyl hydroxy steroids of the formula I wherein R1 is hydrogen, methyl or C?CH; R2 is (CH2)nOH, wherein n is 0, 1 or 2; by a copper mediated 1,6-conjugate addition of a Grignard reagent CH3MgX, X being a halogen, to the 4,6-unsaturated 3-ketosteroid of formula II, wherein R1 and R2 are as previously defined, comprising protecting the hydroxy group of the steroid of formula II with a trialkylsilyl group, followed by treating the hydroxy protected steroid with the Grignard reagent. The process of the invention is useful for the production of pharmacologically interesting steroids.

Abstract: Seven new and one known metabolites of tibolone were obtained by incubation of tibolone with various fungi. Their structures were elucidated by means of a homo and heteronuclear 2D NMR and by HREI-MS techniques. The relative stereochemistry was deduced by 2D NOESY experiment. These metabolites of tibolone were strong inhibitors of tyrosine enzyme and thus useful in producing skin lightning and preserving fruits and vegetables.

Abstract: Steroid compounds having increased resistance against metabolism and increased water solubility are disclosed, together with methods for their production. These substances are suitable for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of steroid related or steroid induced CNS disorders and for use in methods of prevention, alleviation or treatment of such disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of the formula: in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, n and X are as defined in the specification, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. These compounds are excellent progestogens which are devoid of residual androgenic activity.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes corticoid-17-alkylcarbonates substituted in the 17-position, a process for their preparation and pharmaceuticals containing them. These corticoid-17-alkylcarbonates have the following formula I ##STR1## where A is CHOH in any desired steric arrangement, C.dbd.O or CH.sub.2 ; Y is H, F, or Cl; Z is H, F or CH.sub.3 ; R(1) is O-acyl, carbonylalkyl, alkylsulfonate or arylsulfonate;R(2) is branched alkyl or (CH.sub.2).sub.2-4 --OCH.sub.3 andR(3) is H or methyl. They have excellent local and topical antiinflammatory action. They are distinguished by a particularly good ratio of local to systemic antiinflammatory activity and in some cases also show stronger local antiinflammatory activities than their isomeric corticoid-17-alkylcarbonates having a linear alkyl group in the 17-alkylcarbonate moiety.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionally substituted by halogen or a nitrogen or oxygen function and alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and the A, B, C and D rings are optionally substituted by at least one member of the group consisting of optionally protected --OH or .dbd.0, halogen, alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms comprising reacting a compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 and the A, B, C and D rings are defined as above with an oxidizing agent in the presence of water and an at least partially water-miscible solvent to obtain a compound of the formula ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: A process for crystallizing a pharmaceutically active steroidal product, without mechanical procedure, to obtain a homogeneous granulometric class which may be prepared beforehand, wherein the product which is desired to be crystallized is dissolved in a ternary mixture made of a lipophilic solvent, a hydrophilic solvent and a surface active agent at a temperature close to the boiling point of the mixture of solvents and wherein the mixture of solvents is allowed to revert to a temperature where the crystallization initiates, then, the thus-formed crystals are recovered.

Abstract: A process for the production of progresterone derivatives of general formula I ##STR1## in which symbolizes a single bond or a double bond,X represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom or a methyl group andV means a methylene group, an ethylene group, an ethylidene group or a vinylidene group, is described.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition which contains a pharmaceutically suitable carrier and the compound having the structure (7.alpha.,17.alpha.)-17-hydroxy-7-methyl-19-nor-17-pregn-5(10)-en-20-yn-3- one, characterized in that the said compound is crystalline pure and completely or virtually completely free from the other crystalline form.

Abstract: Novel 10.beta.-alkynyl-steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, optionally substituted alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 8 carbon atoms, optionally substituted aryl and aralkyl, optionally esterified carboxy, dialkylamino with alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, halogen and trialkylsilyl of 1 to 7 alkyl carbon atoms, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form cyclopropyl or R.sub.6 is hydrogen and R.sub.7 is R.sub.1, R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally substituted alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms and acetylthio, R.sub.

Abstract: Known pregnane derivatives are prepared by esterification of know androstane derivatives to give new esters of Formula III ##STR1## wherein in each case symbolizes a single bond or a double bond,n is 1 or 2,R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl,R.sub.2 is hydrogen or formyl, andR.sub.3 is chlorine, hydroxy or an alkanoyloxy group of up to 6 carbon atoms,and reaction of the latter with Ag(I) and formic acid.

Abstract: A 11.beta.-aryl-19-norprogesterone steroid of the formula: ##STR1## wherein (i) R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.2-4 alkenyl, C.sub.2-4 alkynyl, OH, OC(O)CH.sub.3, or OC(O)R.sup.5, wherein R.sup.5 is C.sub.2-8 alkyl, C.sub.2-8 alkenyl, C.sub.2-8 alkynyl or aryl, R.sub.2 is H, R.sup.3 is H, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.2-4 alkenyl or C.sub.2-4 alkynyl, R.sup.4 is H, CH.sub.3, F or Cl, R.sup.6 is H, (CH.sub.3).sub.2 N, CH.sub.3 O, CH.sub.3 CO, CH.sub.3 S, CH.sub.3 SO, CH.sub.3 SO.sub.2, and X is O or NOCH.sub.3 ; or(ii) R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 taken together are a carbon-carbon bond and R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.6 and X are as defined above; or(iii) R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 taken together are --CH.sub.2 -- or --N.dbd.N--CH.sub.2 --, R.sup.2 is H and R.sup.4, R.sup.6 and X are as defined above; or(iv) R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 taken together are .dbd.CH.sub.2 and R.sup.1, R.sup.4, R.sup.6 and X are as defined above.

Abstract: The invention is the compound 17.beta.-cyano-9.alpha., 17.alpha.-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (I) which is particularly useful as an intermediate in the production of the 17.alpha.-halo silyl ethers (II).

Abstract: Compounds obtained from the associative synthesis of sulfur-containing or sulfur-free amino acids with derivatives of .DELTA.-4-pregnene-3,20-dione or with derivatives of .DELTA.-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione of the general formulas (I), (II) and (III), having glucocorticoidal and anti-inflammatory properties have been prepared and tested. Pharmaceutical compositions, medicaments containing them as well as their applications are claimed, particularly in the cutaneous and ophthalmic fields.