Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods which may be useful as treatments of neuromuscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy, and as inhibitors of NF-?B for the treatment or prevention of muscular wasting disease, including muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: There is provided a process for preparing 21-acetyloxy-6-alpha-fluoro-pregna-1,4,9(11),16-tetraene-3,20-dione compound of Formula I, which comprises reacting 21-acetyloxy-pregna-1,3,5,9(11),16-pentaene-3-oxo acetate with a fluorinating agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates, inter alia, to compounds having the general formula: in which: R1 is a member selected from the group consisting of —OCH3, —SCH3, —N(CH3)2, —NHCH3, —NC4H8, —NC5H10, —NC4H8O, —CHO, —CH(OH)CH3, —C(O)CH3, —O(CH2)2N(CH3)2, and —O(CH2)2NC5H10; R2 is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, acyl, hydroxy, alkoxy (e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, vinyloxy, ethynyloxy, cyclopropyloxy, etc.), acyloxy (e.g., acetoxy, glycinate, etc.), alkylcarbonate, cypionyloxy, S-alkyl, —SCN, S-acyl and —OC(O)R6, wherein R6 is a functional group including, but not limited to, alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, etc.), alkoxy ester (e.g., —CH2OCH3) and alkoxy (—OCH3); R3 is a member selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy and acyloxy; R4 is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl; and X is a member selected from the group consisting of ?O and ?N—OR5, wherein R5 is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl.

Abstract: A compound having the general formula: in which: R1 is a member selected from the group consisting of —OCH3, —SCH3, —N(CH3)2, —NHCH3, —CHO, —COCH3 and —CHOHCH3; R2 is a member selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl, acyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkyl carbonate, cypionyloxy, S-alkyl and S-acyl; R3 is a member selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy and acyloxy; R4 is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl; and X is a member selected from the group consisting of ?O and ?N—OR5, wherein R5 is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl.

Abstract: Androgen synthesis inhibitors, as well as methods for the use of the same to reduce plasma levels of testosterone and/or dyhydrotestosterone, and to treat prostate cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy, are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of altering hypothalamic function in an individual. The method comprises nasally administering a human vomeropherin, e.g. a pregnane or cholane steroid, or a pharmaceutical composition containing a vomeropherin, such that the vomeropherin binds to a specific neuroepithelial receptor. The steroid or steroids is/are preferably administered in the form of a pharmaceutical composition containing one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. Other embodiments of the invention include pharmaceutical compositions containing the steroids.

Abstract: The invention describes 14,17-C.sub.2 -bridged steroids of general formula (I), ##STR1## wherein the various R groups are as defined in the specification, and wherein said steroids are, in contrast with the disclaimed compound 14,17-ethano-19-norpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione bioavailable even after peroral administration with high gestagenic action and are suitable for the production of pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: 17-Deoxycorticoid-21-carboxylic esters of the formula I ##STR1## are described, in which A is CHOH and CHCl, CH.sub.2, C.dbd.O or 9(11) double bond; Y is H, F or Cl; Z is H, F or CH.sub.3 ; R(1) is aryl or hetaryl and R(2) is H or methyl. They are obtained by reacting a compound of the formula II, ##STR2## in which R(4) is OH, with an activated carboxylic acid of the formula III,R(5)-CO--X-R(1) III.The compounds I possess very strong local and topical antiinflammatory activity and exhibit a very good ratio of local to systemic antiinflammatory effect, which ratio is often clearly superior to that of structurally related corticoid 21-esters which do not carry any aryl or hetaryl group in the 21-ester residue or to that of analogous 17-deoxycorticoids having an unesterified, that is a free, 21-hydroxyl group.

Abstract: A process for the production of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is acyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms,. The compound is formed by the reduction of an intermediary to form an alcohol, epoxidation and hydrolyzation of the alcohol to form a compound of formula ##STR2## followed by the acylation of the hydroxy functions and the elimination of the 17.alpha.-substituent.

Abstract: A compound having the formulae selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## wherein R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen or R.sub.2 is fluorine and R.sub.3 is formyloxy or acetyloxy, the dotted line in 9(11) position indicates an optional double bond and the dotted line in position 16(17) indicates an optional double bond ##STR2## is a 3-keto-.DELTA..sup.4 -system or 3-keto-.DELTA..sup.1,4 -system or 3-OR.sub.4 -.DELTA..sup.5 -system, R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a protector group of hydroxy, R is --CH.sub.3, --CH.sub.2 OH or --CH.sub.2 --OR', R' is a hydroxy protector group and R'.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, a branched alkyl of 5 to 8 carbon atoms not possessing hydrogen in the .beta.-position, aryl of up to 10 carbon atoms and benzyl, hetroaryl of up to 10 carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen, with the exception of the compounds of formula Vc in which R is methyl, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen or R.sub.2 and R.sub.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is acyl of an organic carboxylic acid of 1 to 8 carbon atoms useful as intermediates for synthesis of therapeutically active steroids.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is acyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, by reducing an intermediary to form an alcohol, oxidizing the alcohol to form an aidehyde, which is subjected to the action of an acyloxylation agent.

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 the production of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an acyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms. The compound is formed through an intermediate compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, phenyl, tolyl, and xylyl and wherein K is a protective group selected from the group consisting of ##STR3## in which n is 2 or 3 and the wavy line means that the group SO.sub.2 --R.sub.1 may have either isomeric form or are mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Novel 20-substituted-pregnene derivatives, compositions containing such derivatives and methods for their use and manufacture are disclosed. The 20-substituted-pregnene derivatives inhibit the androgen biosynthesis enzymes 17(alpha)-hydroxylase/C.sub.17,20 -lyase and 5(alpha)-reducatase and are therefore useful for reducing or inhibiting production of androgens where they have an adverse role in a disease or physiological condition in vertebrate species.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## in which ##STR2## is either a 3-keto-.DELTA.4-system or a 3-keto -.DELTA.1,4-system or a 3-OR.sub.4 -.DELTA.5-system in which R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a protector group of hydroxy, R is methyl, --CH.sub.2 OH or --CH.sub.2 OR', in which R' is a protector group of hydroxy, R.sub.1 and R'.sub.1 are individually selected from the group consisting of methyl, a branched alkyl not possessing hydrogen in the .beta. position of 5 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl of up to 10 carbon atoms, heteroaryl of up to 10 carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom chosen from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen and benzyl, n and m, are individually numbers 0 or 1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen or R.sub.2 is fluorine and R.sub.3 is formyloxy or acetyloxy and the dotted lines in position 9(11) indicate the optional presence of a second bond which are useful for the preparation of compounds of formula A.

Abstract: There are disclosed a process for producing an .alpha.-acyloxy-.alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carbonyl compound represented by the general formula (VI): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 are independently hydrogen atoms or substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon residues, or R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.4, when taken together with one another in an optional combination, form a ring, R.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stereoisomerically pure .DELTA..sup.2 compound of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is hydrogen or --(C.dbd.O)--R.sup.2, wherein:R.sup.2 is an organic substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyls, alkenyls, alkynyls, cycloalkyls, cycloalkylalkylenes, haloalkyls, aryls, haloaryls and arylalkylenes, and their product by the process of:(a) reacting the 17.beta.-hydroxy group of 17.beta.-hydroxy-5.alpha.-estr-1-en-3-one with dihydropyran to produce the 3-keto-17.beta.-ether;(b) reducing the 3-keto-17.beta.-ether product of step (a) with lithium in ammonia;(c) reacting the product of step (b) with dialkyl chlorophosphate to produce the 3-substituted phosphate;(d) reducing the product of step (c) with lithium and ammonia to produce the .DELTA..sup.2 -protected-17.beta.-ether product;(e) hydrolysis of the produce of step (d) to product the .DELTA..sup.2 -17.beta.-hydroxy compound;(f) oxidizing the 17.beta.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 21-(3-carboxy-1-oxopropoxy) -17.alpha.-hydroxy-11.alpha.-(3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutoxy)pregna-1,4-diene-3, 20 dione and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which are useful steroid prodrugs.

Abstract: C.sub.16 -unsaturated corticoids are readily transformed to the corresponding 16.alpha.-methyl-17.alpha.-hydroxy corticoids by use of a .DELTA..sup.17 (.sup.20)-20-silyl ether.

Abstract: 19-Fluoro- and cyano- substituted 21-hydroxyprogesterone derivatives and related compounds which are active as 19-hydroxylase inhibitors and useful as antihypertensive agents are described herein. The compounds are prepared using appropriate synthetic pathways which will vary according to the nature of the specific 19-substituted progesterone or related compound desired.

Abstract: 9(11)-dehydroandrostanes and 9(11)-dehydropregnanes are prepared by dehydrating the corresponding 9-alpha-hydroxy steroid in the presence of a Lewis acid. The corresponding 8(9)-dehydro-isomer was not detectable. The resulting products are valuable intermediates in steroid synthesis especially in the preparation of corticosteroids.

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.