Dithiolan derivatives, their preparation and their therapeutic effect

摘要

Compounds of formula (I): Äin which: one of m and n is 0, and the other is 0, 1 or 2; k is 0 or an integer of from 1 to 12; R<1> is hydrogen, one of substituents alpha , defined below, or an optionally substituted alkyl group; A is a single bond, an oxygen atom, a carbonyl group or a group of formula -N(R<2>)CO-, -N(R<2>)CS-, -N(R<2>)SO2-, -CON(R<2>)N(R<3>)CO-, -CON(R<2>)CO-, -CON(R<2>)CS-, -CON(R<2>)SO2-, -O-CO-, -ON(R<2>)CO-, -ON(R<2>)SO2-, -O-CON(R<2>)N(R<3>)CO-, -O-CON(R<2>)CO-, -O-CON(R<2>)SO2-, -CO-O-, -CO-CO-, -CO-CON(R<2>)N(R<3>)CO-, -CO-CON(R<2>)CO-, -CO-CON(R<2>)SO2-, -N(R<2>)O-, -N(R<2>)COCO-, -N(R<2>)N(R<3>)CO-, -N(R<2>)N(R<3>)SO2-, -N(R<2>)CON(R<3>)N(R<4>)CO-, -N(R<2>)CON(R<3>)CO-, -N(R<2>)CON(R<3>)SO2- or -N(R<2>)CON(R<3>)SO2N(R<4>)CO- in which R<2>, R<3> and R<4> are the same or different and each is hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, acyl or one of substituents alpha ; B is a single bond, or a group of formula -N(R<5>)- or -N(R<6>)N(R<5>)- in which R<5> and R<6> are the same or different and each is hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, acyl or one of substituents alpha , or R<5>, together with R<1> and the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, may form a heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 7 ring atoms; or R<1> may represent a group of formula -OR<7>, in which R<7> is alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl or one of substituents alpha ; or R<1> may represent a hydroxy group or a group of formula -OR<7>; and said substituents alpha are selected from aryl groups and heterocyclic groupsÜ and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof have an excellent ability to enhance the activity of glutathione reductase and can therefore be used for the treatment and prevention of a variety of diseases including cataracts.