SIDE CHAIN DERIVATIZED 15-OXYGENATED STEROLS, METHODS OF USING THEM AND A PROCESS FOR PREPARING THEM

摘要

Pharmaceutical compositions are provided for lowering the activity of HMG-CoA reductase and/or lowering serum cholesterol, comprising a side chain derivatized 15-oxygenated sterol having formula (I): the basic ring structure being saturated or unsaturated, wherein R1 is -OH, =O, -OR7, (a), (b), a sulfate group, a sugar moiety, or a Mg, Na, or K salt of a sulfate group; R2 is -H, -OH, =O, mono- or di-halogen, or a C1 to C6 alkyl group, which may be unsaturated or substituted with halogen; R3 is -H, -OH, halogen, or a C1 to C6 alkyl group, which may be unsaturated or substituted with halogen; R4 is nonexistent when there is a double bond between the 8 and 14 carbons or (alpha)H, (beta)H, or an (alpha)C1 to C6 alkyl group; R5 is -OH, =O, =NOH, or (a); R6 is -CH2CH(CH3)2, in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms is replaced by OH or halogen, -CH=C(CH3)2, in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms may be replaced by OH or halogen, or -CH2N(CH3)2, in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms may be replaced by OH or halogen, provided that no carbon atom with an OH is also substituted with halogen or an additional OH; R7 is a C1 to C6 alkyl group; R8 is a C1 to C20 aliphatic group, which may be substituted or unsubstituted, or a phenyl group; and n is an integer of from 2 to 6; with the proviso that said sterol is not 3(beta), 26-dihydroxy-5(alpha)-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one.