7-keto or hydroxy 3,5-diene steroids as inhibitors of steroid 5-alpha reductase

Abstract

Invented are carboxyl and carboxyl alkyl ester substituted 7-keto and hydroxy analogues of synthetic steroidal compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and methods of using these compounds to inhibit steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase. Also invented are methods for preparing these compounds.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to certain novel carboxyl and carboxyl ester substituted 7-keto and hydroxy analogues of synthetic steroidal compounds and methods for preparation thereof, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and methods for using these compounds to inhibit mammalian steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

The class of steroidal hormones known as androgens is responsible for the physical characteristics that differentiate males from females. Of the several organs that produce androgens, the testes produce these hormones in the greatest amounts. Centers in the brain exert primary control over the level of androgen production. Numerous physical manifestations and disease states result when ineffective production control results in excessive androgen hormone production. For example, acne vulgaris, seborrhea, female hirsutism, and benign prostatic hypertrophy are correlated with elevated androgen levels. Additionally, the incidence of male pattern baldness has been associated with high androgen levels.

Testosterone is the principal androgen secreted by the testes and is the primary androgenic steroid in the plasma of males. It now is known that 5-.alpha.-reduced androgens are the active hormones in some tissues such as the prostate and sebaceous gland. Circulating testosterone thus serves as a prohormone for dihydrotestosterone (DHT), its 5-.alpha.-reduced analogue, in these tissues but not in others such as muscle and testis. Steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase is an NADPH-dependent enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. The importance of this enzyme in male development was dramatically underscored by discovery of a genetic steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase deficiency in male pseudohermaphrodites. Imperato-McGinley et al., J. Steroid Biochem. 11: 637-648 (1979).

Recognition of the importance of elevated DHT levels in many disease states has stimulated many efforts to synthesize inhibitors of this enzyme. The structures of several known steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase inhibitors are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________5-.alpha.-Reductase Inhibitors K.sub.i Reference__________________________________________________________________________(1) ##STR1## 1.1 .times. 10.sup.-6 M (Reversible) Hsia and Voight, 1973(2) ##STR2## 1 .times. 10.sup.-6 M (Irreversible) Robaire et al., 1977(3) ##STR3## 3.5 .times. 10.sup.-8 (Irreversible) Blohm et al., 1980(4) ##STR4## 5 .times. 10.sup.-9 M (Reversible) Liang et al., 1983(5) ##STR5## 1.25 .times. 10.sup.-6 M (Irreversible) Petrow et al., 1981__________________________________________________________________________

The first inhibitor described was the 17-.beta.-carboxylic acid (1) by Hsia and Voight in 1973. J. Invest. Dermat. 62: 224-227. The secosteroid (2) was the next inhibitor to be described and also has found utility as an affinity label for 5-.alpha.-reductase. Robaire et al., J. Steroid Biochem. 8: 307-310 (1977), The diazoketone (3) has been reported as a potent, time-dependent inhibitor of steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase. Blohm et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 95: 273-280 (1980); U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,817, issued Mar. 2, 1982. Compound (4) is exemplary of a group of 4-aza steroid inhibitors of steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,584, issued Mar. 22, 1983, and in Liang et al., J. Steroid Biochem. 19: 385-390 (1983). The 6-methylene steroid (5) also has been shown to be a timedependent inactivator of steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase. Petrow et al., Steroids 38: 121-140 (1981).

Other steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase inhibitors also have been described. U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,578, issued June 2, 1986, describes a class of homosteroid enzyme inhibitors. U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,759, issued Mar. 4, 1980, discloses amides of 17.beta.-carboxy-4-androsten-3-one that are active as steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase inhibitors. Japanese Patents J60146855-A and J60116657-A disclose various aniline derivatives having numerous activities including 5-.alpha.-reductase inhibiting activity. Japanese Patent J60142941-A discloses phenyl-substituted ketones having 5-.alpha.-reductase inhibiting activity, and European Patent EP173516-A discloses various phenyl-substituted amides having similar activity. Shiseido referenced terpene derivatives that are active inhibitors of steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase. Japanese Patent No. J59053417-A.

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of substituted androstene derivatives has been described. Cacchi et al., Tet. Letters 26: 1109-1112 (1985). No biological activity for the synthesized compounds, however, is disclosed.

Preparation of steroidal 3-chloro-3,5-dienes has been described in Deghenghi et al., Canadian J. Chem. 40: 818-820 (1962).

Use of phosphorous trihalides to convert steroidal .DELTA..sup.4 -3-ketones to corresponding 3-halo-3,5-dienes has been reported. Ross et al., J. Org. Chem. 29: 2784-2785 (1964).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention resides in the discovery that steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase is inhibited by certain carboxyl and carboxyl alkyl ester substituted 7-keto or hydroxy 3,5-diene analogues of synthetic steroidal compounds. The compounds are potent enzyme inhibitors.

Presently preferred compounds of the invention and compounds used in the invented pharmaceutical compositions and the invented methods include:

ethyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate; 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid; methyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate; 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7.beta.-hydroxy-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid; methyl 17.beta.-(N-t-butylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate; 17.beta.-(N-t-butylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid; and ethyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7.beta.-hydroxy-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate.

In a further aspect of the invention there are provided novel processes useful in preparing the presently invented 5-.alpha.-reductase inhibiting compounds.

The invention also provides a method for inhibiting 5-.alpha.-reductase activity in mammals, including humans, that comprises administering internally to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a presently invented 5-.alpha.-reductase inhibiting compound.

Included in the present invention are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutical carrier and compounds useful in the methods of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The presently invented compounds that inhibit 5-.alpha.-reductase have the following Formula (I): ##STR6## in which the D ring has an optional double bond where indicated by the broken line, provided that the D ring does not have a C.sub.16 -C.sub.17 double bond when R.sup.2 represents two substituents or a divalent substituent;

x is (1) keto, or (2) a hydrogen atom and a hydroxyl group; R.sup.1 is H or C.sub.1-8 alkyl; and R.sup.2 is (1) .alpha.-hydrogen, .alpha.-hydroxyl, or .alpha.-acetoxy and/or ##STR7## where W is a bond or C.sub.1-12 alkyl, and R.sup.3 is (i) C.sub.1-8 alkyl, (ii) C.sub.1-8 alkoxy, (iii) N(R.sup.4).sub.2, where each R.sup.4 is independently selected from hydrogen, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, phenyl; or both R.sup.4 taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached represent a 5-6 membered saturated ring comprising up to one other heteroatom selected from oxygen and nitrogen; (2) .dbd.CH--W--CO--R.sup.3 or .dbd.CH--W--OR.sup.5, where W and R.sup.3 have the same meaning as above, and R.sup.5 is (i) phenylC.sub.1-6 alkylcarbonyl, (ii) C.sub.5-10 cycloalkylcarbonyl, (iii) benzoyl, (iv) C.sub.1-8 alkoxycarbonyl, (v) aminocarbonyl, or C.sub.1-8 alkyl substituted aminocarbonyl, (vi) C.sub.1-8 alkyl, or (vii) C.sub.1-20 alkylcarbonyl; (3) .alpha.-hydrogen and .beta.-NHCOR.sup.6 where R.sup.6 is C.sub.1-12 alkyl or .beta.-N(R.sup.4).sub.2 where R.sup.4 has the same meaning as above, or (4) keto; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, C.sub.1-n alkyl and C.sub.1-n alk mean a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain having 1 to n carbons and Alk means a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 12 carbons.

Preferred among the presently invented compounds are those having, as the R.sup.2 substituent, .alpha.-hydrogen and .beta.-CON(R.sup.4).sub.2. Particularly preferred of such compounds are those where each R.sup.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and C.sub.1-8 alkyl.

Compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are included in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention, and used in the methods of the invention.

As used above and throughout the remainder of the specification and claims, the carbons of the steroid nucleus are numbered and the rings are lettered as follows: ##STR8##

Scheme I shows preparation of formula (c) compounds, which may be used as starting compounds in the preparation of compounds of the instant invention as illustrated below in Scheme II. R.sup.7 is R.sup.2 or moieties which can be chemically converted to those of R.sup.2 by known chemical reactions, such as those described in J. Fried and J. Edwards, Organic Reactions in Steroid Chemistry, Pub: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company (1972), provided that R.sup.7 does not include any such moieties that render inoperative the Scheme I or II processes. For example, compounds wherein R.sup.7 is carboxylic acid may be converted to the corresponding amides by reaction with amines or substituted amines, via the corresponding acid chlorides. Reactions to convert R.sup.7 to R.sup.2 may be performed on products of the synthetic pathways of Schemes I or II or, where appropriate or preferable, on certain intermediates in those synthetic pathways.

Scheme I may be conducted in accordance with the disclosure of European Patent Publication No. 0,289,327, published Nov. 2, 1988 (European Patent Application No. 88303878 8), incorporated herein by reference. ##STR9##

The starting 4-ene-3-one compounds of Scheme I having the formula (a) are compounds which are known and readily available, and which may be synthesized from available precursors using known procedures.

According to Scheme I, to a formula (a) compound dissolved in an appropriate organic solvent, preferably methylene chloride, is added 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylpyridine. A trihaloalkyl sulfonic anhydride, preferably trifluoromethane sulfonic anhydride, is then added to yield a compound of formula (b).

To the formula (b) compound dissolved in a suitable organic solvent such as dimethyl formamide (DMF) are added an organic base such as trimethylamine, or, preferably, triethylamine, a palladium (II) compound such as bis(diphenylphosphino)propane palladium (II) acetate, or, preferably, bis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (II) acetate, and a C.sub.1-8 alkanol, followed by addition of CO to give a compound of formula (c). ##STR10##

Scheme II Illustrates a method for preparing compounds of the invention. A compound of formula (c), which may be prepared as in Scheme I above, is oxidized to yield a compound of formula (d). The oxidation may be accomplished by employing an appropriate organic solvent, such as benzene, and an oxidizing agent such as pyridinium chlorochromate. The compound of formula (d) may then be hydrolyzed, for example, by contact with an alkaline agent such as potassium carbonate, to yield a compound of formula (e). Subsequent to hydrolysis, the compound of formula (e) may be reduced, by contact with a reducing agent such as sodium borohydride, to yield a compound of formula (g).

Alternatively, the compound of formula (d) may be reduced, yielding a compound of formula (f), by contact with a reducing agent such as sodium borohydride. The compound of formula (f) may then be hydrolyzed, for example, by contact with an alkaline agent such as potassium carbonate, to yield a compound of formula (g).

Pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts of compounds of Formula (I) of the invention containing an acidic group may be prepared by known methods from organic and inorganic bases, which may include nontoxic alkali metal and alkaline earth bases such as calcium, sodium, and potassium hydroxide; ammonium hydroxide, and nontoxic organic bases such as triethylamine, butylamine, piperazine, and (trihydroxymethyl)methylamine.

Because Formula (I) compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, inhibit steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase activity, they have therapeutic utility in treating diseases and conditions wherein decreases in DHT activity produce the desired therapeutic effect. Such diseases and conditions include acne vulgaris, seborrhea, female hirsutism, prostate diseases such as benign prostatic hypertrophy and prostatic cancer, and male pattern baldness. As inhibitors of steroid-5.alpha.-reductase, Formula (I) compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, also improve urodynamics. That is, these compounds or salts relieve problems with urination, even prior to shrinkage of prostate size.

Several compounds of the invention were tested for potency in inhibiting human steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase using tissue from hyperplastic human prostates. In determining potency in inhibiting the human enzyme, the following procedure was employed:

Frozen human prostates were thawed and minced into small pieces (5 mm.sup.3). The tissue was homogenized in 3 to 5 volumes of 20 mM potassium phosphate, pH 6.5, buffer containing 0.33 M sucrose, 1 mM dithiothreitol, and 50 .mu.M NADPH with a Brinkmann Polytron (Sybron Corporation, Westbury, NY). The solution was subjected to sonication for 3 to 5 minutes with a Sonifier (Branson Sonic Power Co.) followed by hand homogenization in a glass-to-glass Dounce homogenizer (Kontes Glass Company, Vineland, NJ).

Prostatic particles were obtained by differential centrifugation at 600 or 1000.times.g for 20 minutes and 140,000.times.g for 60 minutes at 4.degree. C. The pellet obtained from the 140,000.times.g centrifugation was washed with 5 to 10 tissue volumes of the buffer described above and recentrifuged at 140,000.times.g. The resulting pellet was suspended in 20 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH 6.5, containing 20% glycerol, 1 mM dithiothreitol, 50 .mu.M NADPH. The suspended particulate solution was stored at -80.degree. C.

A constant amount of [.sup.14 C]-testosterone (52 to 55 mCi/mmol, New England Nuclear, Boston, MA) in ethanol and varying amounts of the potential inhibitor in ethanol were deposited in test tubes and concentrated to dryness in a SAVANT Speed Vac. To each tube was added buffer, 20 .mu.l of 10 mM NADPH and an aliquot of prostatic particulate solution to a final volume of 0.5 ml of 50 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0. After incubating the solution at 37.degree. C. for 20 to 30 minutes the reaction was quenched by the addition of 4 ml ethyl acetate and 0.25 .mu.mol each of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, androstandediol, and androstanedione as carriers. The organic layer was removed to a second test tube and evaporated to dryness in a Speed Vac. The residue was dissolved in 20 to 30 .mu.l chloroform, spotted on an individual lane of a 20.times.20 cm prechannelled silica gel TLC plate (Si 250F-PA, Baker Chemical) and developed twice with acetone:chloroform (1:9). The radiochemical content in the bands of the substrate and the products was determined with a BIOSCAN Imaging Scanner (Bioscan, Inc., Washington, D.C.). The percent of recovered radiolabel converted to product was calculated, from which enzyme activity was determined. All incubations were conducted such that no more than 20% of the substrate (testosterone) was consumed.

The experimentally obtained data was computer fitted to a linear function by plotting the reciprocal of the enzyme activity (1/velocity) against the variable inhibitor concentration (Dixon, M. (1953), Biochem. J., 55, 170). Assuming that the steroidal inhibitor is a competitive inhibitor against testosterone, a value for the inhibition constant (K.sub.i) can be calculated from Equation 1:

K.sub.i =(B/A)/(S/K.sub.m +1) Equation 1 where B is the intercept on the 1/velocity axis, A is the slope of the line, S is the concentration of substrate (testosterone) used in the experiment, and K.sub.m is the Michaelis-Menton constant of the substrate (testosterone) determined in a separate experiment to be 4.5 .mu.M.

Table 2 displays the results of the above testing, and shows that the tested compounds of the invention are potent inhibitors of human steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase.

TABLE 2______________________________________Inhibition Constants of Human ProstaticSteroid 5-.alpha.-ReductaseCompound K.sub.i (nM)______________________________________(1) 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo- 13-20 androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid (Prepared as in Example 2)(2) 17.beta.-(N-t-butylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta- 45 3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid (Prepared as in Example 7)(3) 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7.beta.- 4-15 hydroxy-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid (Prepared as in Example 5)______________________________________

Additionally, suppression of DHT concentration has been observed in vivo, upon use of a compound of Formula (I) in a primate screen.

The compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, may be incorporated into convenient dosage forms such as capsules, tablets, or injectable preparations. Solid or liquid pharmaceutical carriers or diluents may be employed. Exemplary solid carriers include starch, lactose, calcium sulfate dihydrate, terra alba, sucrose, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, and stearic acid. Exemplary liquid carriers include syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, saline, and water. The carrier or diluent may include any prolonged release material, such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate, alone or with a wax. The amount of solid carrier may vary widely but, preferably, will be from about 25 mg to about 1 g per dosage unit. When a liquid carrier is used, the preparation may be in the form of a syrup, elixir, emulsion, soft gelatin capsule, sterile injectable liquid such as an ampoule, or an aqueous or nonaqueous liquid suspension.

The pharmaceutical preparations may be made following conventional techniques of the pharmaceutical chemist, involving mixing, granulating, and compressing, as appropriate, for tablet forms, or mixing, filling and dissolving the ingredients, as appropriate, to give the desired oral or parenteral products.

Doses of the present compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in a pharmaceutical dosage unit as described above will be an efficacious, nontoxic quantity selected from the range of 0.1-1000 mg/kg of active compound, preferably 1-100 mg/kg. The selected dose may be administered to a human patient in need of steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase inhibition from 1-6 times daily, topically, orally, rectally, by injection, or continuously by infusion. Oral dosage units for human administration preferably contain from 1 to 500 mg of active compound.

The present invention also includes methods of inhibiting steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase activity in mammals, including humans, comprising administering a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, internally to a subject in need of such inhibition in an effective steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase inhibiting amount. The invented methods of reducing prostate size, which include methods of reducing the rate at which prostate size increases or maintaining prostate size, comprise administering internally to a subject an effective amount of a Formula (I) compound, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Contemplated equivalents of Formula (I) compounds are compounds otherwise corresponding thereto wherein substituents have been added to any of the unsubstituted positions of the Formula (I) compounds, or the methyl groups at C.sub.10 or C.sub.13 are absent or replaced by C.sub.2-4 alkyl, provided such compounds have the pharmaceutical utility of Formula (I) compounds.

The following examples illustrate preparation of Formula (I) compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds. The examples are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined hereinabove and as claimed below.

EXAMPLE 1

Ethyl 17.beta.-(N,N-Diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate

(i) Androst-4-ene-3-one-17.beta.-carboxylic acid

Methyl androst-4-ene-3-one-17.beta.-carboxylate (20 g, 60 mmol) was dissolved in 700 ml of a 20:1 solution of methanol:water and potassium hydroxide (7 g) was added, and the solution was refluxed under argon for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was then acidified with 5% hydrochloric acid and 250 ml water were added. After aging for 1 hour, the mixture was filtered and dried to yield 18 g (94%) of androst-4-ene-3-one-17.beta.-carboxylic acid as a white crystalline solid.

(ii) Androst-4-ene-3-one-17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropyl-carboxamide)

A solution of androst-4-ene-3-one-17.beta.-carboxylic acid (18 g, 0.06 mol) in 350 ml of toluene was azeotropically dried until approximately 100 ml distillate were collected. The solution was then cooled to 10.degree. C. Pyridine (6.7 ml, 0.08 mol) was added, followed by slow addition of a solution of oxalyl chloride (7.2 ml, 0.08 mol) in 10 ml of toluene. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature (under argon) for 2 hours, and then cooled to 0.degree. C. A solution of diisopropylamine (89 ml, 0.6 mol) in 40 ml toluene was added dropwise such that the temperature did not exceed 40.degree. C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour and then quenched with 300 ml ice water. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted 4 times with ethyl acetate (800 ml). The organic layers were combined and washed with 5% hydrochloric acid and brine. The organic layer was then dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to dryness. Recrystallization by dissolving in 10 ml toluene and adding 200 ml hexane afforded 16.5 g (69%) of androst-4-ene-3-one-17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide) (m.p. 236.degree.-239.degree. C.).

(iii) 17.beta.-(N,N-Diisopropylcarboxamide-3-(trifluoromethylsulfonate)-androsta-3,5-diene

Androst-4-ene-3-one-17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide) (5 g, 12.5 mmol) was dissolved into 50 ml of methylene chloride. 2,6-Di-t-butyl-4-methylpyridine (3.08 g, 17.0 mmol) was then added to the steroid solution and stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. Trifluoromethane sulfonic anhydride (3.5 ml, 19 mmol) was added to the solution and stirring continued for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was then diluted with 50 ml methylene chloride and filtered. The organic layer was washed twice with 5% hydrochloric acid, saturated sodium bicarbonate, and brine. It was then dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. The triflate was purified by chromatography on silica gel eluting with 20% ethyl acetate in hexane to yield 4 g (61%) of 17.beta.-(N,N- diisopropylcarboxamide)-3-(trifluoromethylsulfonate) androsta-3,5-diene.

(iv) Ethyl 17.beta.-(N,N-Diisopropylcarboxamide)-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate

To a solution of 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-3-(trifluoromethylsulfonate)-androsta-3,5-diene (4 g, 7.5 mmol) in 60 ml of a 1:1 solution of ethanol in DMF is added bis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (II) acetate (570 mg) and a large excess (20 ml) of triethylamine. Carbon monoxide is bubbled through the solution for 5 minutes and the reaction is stirred at 65.degree. C. overnight under 1 atmosphere of CO. The mixture is then diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with water until neutral pH. The organic layer is dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. Purification by chromatography on silica gel eluting with 20% ethyl acetate in hexane, followed by recrystallization from ethyl ether and hexane, affords ethyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate.

(v) Ethyl 17.beta.-(N,N-Diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate

Ethyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate (40 mg, 0.09 mmol) and pyridinium chlorochromate (129 mg, 0.6 mmol) in 4 ml benzene were heated at reflux for 18 hours. The cooled reaction mixture was eluted through a column of florisil with ethyl acetate and concentrated. The residue was then chromatographed (silica gel, 4:1 hexane:ethyl acetate) to yield 30 mg (70%) of the title compound.

EXAMPLE 2

17.beta.-(N,N-Diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid

Ethyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate (3.17 mmol) and 1 g of K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 were added to 88 ml of a 10:1 solution of methanol-water and refluxed under argon for 20 hours. The mixture was then concentrated to dryness and diluted with water. The aqueous layer was rinsed with ethyl acetate and acidified. The emulsion was washed several times with dichloromethane. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. The product was recrystallized from acetonitrile to afford 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid (m.p. 160.degree.-161.degree. C.).

EXAMPLE 3

Methyl 17.beta.-(N,N-Diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate

(i) Methyl 17.beta.-(N,N-Diisopropylcarboxamide)-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate

The title compound is prepared according to Example 1, steps (i)-(iv) wherein methanol is substituted for ethanol in step (iv) of Example 1.

(ii) Methyl 17.beta.-(N,N-Diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate

A solution of methyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate (3.0 g, 6.8 mmol) in 225 ml benzene was treated with pyridinium chlorochromate (12.75 g, 27.2 mmol) and 5A powdered molecular sieves (15 g) and heated at reflux overnight. The mixture was then diluted with benzene (150 ml) and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated and chromatographed (20% ethyl acetate in hexanes) to afford 1.1 g (35%) of the title compound.

EXAMPLE 4

17.beta.-(N,N-Diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound is prepared according to Example 2, wherein methyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate is substituted for ethyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate.

EXAMPLE 5

17.beta.-(N,N-Diisopropylcarboxamide)-7.beta.-hydroxy-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid

A solution of 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid (120 mg, 0.27 mmol) in absolute ethanol (10 ml) at 0.degree. C. was treated with NaBH.sub.4 (25 mg). After 1 hour the mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. After 3 hours, the ethanol was removed in vacuo and the residue redissolved in CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue recrystallized from 1:9 methanol:hexane to afford 67 mg of the title compound (56%).

EXAMPLE 6

Methyl 17.beta.-(N-t-Butylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate

(i) Methyl 17.beta.-(N-t-Butylcarboxamide)-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate

The title compound is prepared according to Example 1, steps (i) through (iv), wherein tert-butylamine is substituted for diisopropylamine in step (ii) of Example 1, and wherein methanol is substituted for ethanol in step (iv) of Example 1.

(ii) Methyl 17.beta.-(N-t-Butylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate

The title compound is prepared according to step (ii) of Example 3, wherein methyl 17.beta.-(N-t-butylcarboxamide)-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate is substituted for methyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate.

EXAMPLE 7

17.beta.-(N-t-Butylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound is prepared according to Example 2 wherein methyl 17.beta.-(N-t-butylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate is substituted for ethyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate.

EXAMPLE 8

Ethyl 17.beta.-(N,N-Diisopropylcarboxamide)-7.beta.-hydroxy-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate

Ethyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate (47 mg, 0.1 mmol) was dissolved in 1 ml of ethanol and allowed to cool to 0.degree. C. Sodium borohydride (4.75 mg) was added. The resulting reaction mixture was then stirred at 0.degree. C. for 30 minutes, and gradually warmed to room temperature. After a total of 3 hours reaction time, the solvent was removed. The residue was redissolved in CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2. The CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 layer was washed with 0.5 N cold HCl and brine, dried over anhydrous MgSO.sub.4, and evaporated to dryness. The residue was chromatographed (40% ethyl acetate, 60% hexane) to yield the title compound.

EXAMPLE 9

An oral dosage form for administering Formula (I) compounds is produced by screening, mixing, and filling into hard gelatin capsules the ingredients in the proportions shown in Table 3, below.

TABLE 3______________________________________Ingredients Amounts______________________________________17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo- 50 mgandrosta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acidmagnesium stearate 5 mglactose 75 mg______________________________________

EXAMPLE 10

The sucrose, calcium sulfate dihydrate and Formula (I) compound shown in Table 4 below, are mixed and granulated in the proportions shown with a 10% gelatin solution. The wet granules are screened, dried, mixed with the starch, talc and stearic acid, screened and compressed into a tablet.

TABLE 4______________________________________Ingredients Amounts______________________________________17.beta.-(N-t-butylcarboxamide)-7-oxo- 100 mgandrosta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acidcalcium sulfate dihydrate 150 mgsucrose 20 mgstarch 10 mgtalc 5 mgstearic acid 3 mg______________________________________

EXAMPLE 11

17.beta.-(N,N-Diisopropylcarboxamide)-7.beta.-hydroxy-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid (1.0 g) is dissolved in 20 g of soybean oil and emulsified by mixing with 1.2 g of egg phospholipid and enough water to bring the final volume to 100 ml. The formed interlipid formulation is suitable for intravenous administration.

Table 5, on the following page, shows the results of various tests performed on certain of the compounds of the invention.

TABLE 5__________________________________________________________________________PreparedinExample Compound Elemental Melting NMR NMRNo. Name/Structure Formula Calculated Found Point .degree.C. (C.sub.18, (Other)9)__________________________________________________________________________3 methyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)- C.sub.28 H.sub.41 NO.sub.4 0.84 7.1(s,C4) 7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate 1.1 5.8(s,C6) 3.8(s,OMe) ##STR11##2 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7- C.sub.27 H.sub.39 NO.sub.4.H.sub.2 O C: 70.55 70.50 168-171 0.85 7.16(s,C4) oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid H: 8.99 8.73 1.1 5.9(s,C6) N: 3.04 3.01 ##STR12##5 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7.beta.- C.sub.27 H.sub.41 NO.sub.4.1/2H.sub.2 O C: 71.60 71.18 165-169 0.83 7.14(s,C.sub.4) hydroxy-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic H: 9.31 8.92 0.98 5.75(s,C6) acid N: 3.09 2.87 4.03(d,8,C7) ##STR13##6 methyl-17.beta.-(N-t-butylcarboxamide)-7- C.sub.26 H.sub.37 NO.sub.4 0.7 7.05(s,C4) oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate 1.05 5.8(s,C6) 5.05(bs,NH) 3.75(s,OMe) ##STR14##7 17.beta.-(N-t-butylcarboxamide)-7-oxo- C.sub.25 H.sub.35 NO.sub.4 C: 72.61 72.49 168-170 0.73 7.15(s,C4) androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid H: 8.53 8.83 1.09 5.85(s,C6) N: 3.38 3.19 5.15(s,NH) ##STR15##__________________________________________________________________________

While the preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by the above, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise instructions herein disclosed and that the right to all modifications coming within the scope of the following claims is reserved.

Claims

1. A compound represented by the Formula (I): ##STR16## in which: the D ring has an optional double bond where indicated by the broken line, provided that the D ring does not have a C.sub.16 -C.sub.17 double bond when R.sup.2 represents two substituents or a divalent substituent;

X is

(1) keto, or

(2) a hydrogen atom and a hydroxyl group;

R.sup.1 is H or C.sub.1-8 alkyl; and

R.sup.2 is

(1) .alpha.-hydrogen, .alpha.-hydroxyl, or .alpha.-acetoxy and/or ##STR17## where W is a bond or C.sub.1-12 alkyl, and R.sup.3 is (i) C.sub.1-8 alkyl,

(ii) C.sub.1-8 alkoxy,

(iii) N(R.sup.4).sub.2, where each R.sup.4 is independently selected from hydrogen, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, phenyl; or both R.sup.4 taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached represent a 5-6 membered saturated ring comprising up to one other heteroatom selected from oxygen and nitrogen;

(2) .dbd.CH--W--CO--R.sup.3 or .dbd.CH--W--OR.sup.5, where W and R.sup.3 have the same meaning as above, and R.sup.5 is

(i) phenylC.sub.1-6 alkylcarbonyl,

(ii) C.sub.5-10 cycloalkylcarbonyl,

(iii) benzoyl,

(iv) C.sub.1-8 alkoxycarbonyl,

(v) aminocarbonyl, or C.sub.1-8 alkyl substituted aminocarbonyl,

(vi) C.sub.1-8 alkyl, or

(vii) C.sub.1-20 alkylcarbonyl;

(3) .alpha.-hydrogen and .beta.-NHCOR.sup.6 where R.sup.6 is C.sub.1-12 alkyl or .beta.-N(R.sup.4).sub.2 where R.sup.4 has the same meaning as above; or

(4) keto;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

2. A compound of claim 1, wherein X is keto.

3. A compound of claim 2, wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom.

4. A compound of claim 3, wherein R.sup.2 is .alpha.-hydrogen and .beta.-CON(R.sup.4).sub.2, where each R.sup.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and C.sub.1-8 alkyl.

5. A compound of claim 4 selected from the group consisting of:

17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid; and

17.beta.-(N-t-butylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid.

6. A compound of claim 2, wherein R.sup.1 is C.sub.1-8 alkyl.

7. A compound of claim 6, wherein R.sup.2 is .alpha.-hydrogen and .beta.-CON(R.sup.4).sub.2, where each R.sup.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and C.sub.1-8 alkyl.

8. A compound of claim 7 selected from the group consisting of:

ethyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate;

methyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate; and

methyl 17.beta.-(N-t-butylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate.

9. A compound of claim 1, wherein X is a hydrogen atom and a hydroxyl group.

10. A compound of claim 9, wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom.

11. A compound of claim 10, wherein R.sup.2 is .alpha.-hydrogen and .beta.-CON(R.sup.4).sub.2, where each R.sup.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and C.sub.1-8 alkyl.

12. A compound of claim 11 which is 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7.beta.-hydroxy-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid.

13. A compound of claim 9, wherein R.sup.1 is C.sub.1-8 alkyl.

14. A compound of claim 13, wherein R.sup.2 is .alpha.-hydrogen and .beta.-CON(R.sup.4).sub.2, where each R.sup.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and C.sub.1-8 alkyl.

15. A compound of claim 14 which is ethyl 17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7.beta.-hydroxy-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylate.

16. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a suitable pharmaceutical carrier, and a compound of claim 1 where R.sup.1 is H.

17. A composition of claim 16, wherein X is keto.

18. A composition of claim 16, wherein X is a hydrogen atom and a hydroxyl group.

19. A composition of claim 16, wherein said compound of claim 1 is selected from the group consisting of:

17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid;

1.beta. -(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7.beta.-hydroxy-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid; and

17.beta.-(N-t-butylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid.

20. A method of inhibiting steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase activity in a subject that comprises administering internally to said subject an effective therefor amount of a compound of claim 1 where R.sup.1 is H.

21. A method of claim 20, wherein X is keto.

22. A method of claim 20, wherein X is a hydrogen atom and a hydroxyl group.

23. A method of claim 20, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of:

17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid;

17.beta.-(N,N-diisopropylcarboxamide)-7.beta.-hydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid; and

17.beta.-(N-t-butylcarboxamide)-7-oxo-androsta-3,5-diene-3-carboxylic acid.

24. A method of reducing or maintaining prostate size in a subject that comprises administering to said subject an effective therefor amount of a compound of claim 1 where R.sup.1 is H.

25. A method of treating baldness in a subject that comprises administering to said subject an effective therefor amount of a compound of claim 1 where R.sup.1 is H.

26. A method of treating acne in a subject that comprises administering to said subject an effective therefor amount of a compound of claim 1 where R.sup.1 is H.

27. A method of treating hirsutism in a subject that comprises administering to said subject an effective therefor amount of a compound of claim 1.

28. A method of improving urodynamics in a subject that comprises administering to said subject an effective therefor amount of a compound of claim 1 where R.sup.1 is H.

29. A process for preparing compounds of the formula (d): ##STR18## in which the D ring has an optional double bond where indicated by the broken line, provided that the D ring does not have a C.sub.16 -C.sub.17 double bond when R.sup.7 represents two substituents or a divalent substituent;

R.sup.8 is C.sub.1-8 alkyl; and

R.sup.7 is

(1) .alpha.-hydrogen, .alpha.-hydroxyl, or .alpha.-acetoxy and/or ##STR19## where W is a bond or C.sub.1-12 alkyl, and R.sup.3 is (i) C.sub.1-8 alkyl,

(ii) C.sub.1-8 alkoxy,

(iii) N(R.sup.4).sub.2, where each R.sup.4 is independently selected from hydrogen, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, phenyl; or both R.sup.4 taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached represent a 5-6 membered saturated ring comprising up to one other heteroatom selected from oxygen and nitrogen;

(2) .dbd.CH--W-CO--R.sup.3 or .dbd.CH--W--OR.sup.5, where W and R.sup.3 have the same meaning as above, and R.sup.5 is

(i) phenylC.sub.1-6 alkylcarbonyl,

(ii) C.sub.5-10 cycloalkylcarbonyl,

(iii) benzoyl,

(iv) C.sub.1-8 alkoxycarbonyl,

(v) aminocarbonyl, or C.sub.1-8 alkyl substituted aminocarbonyl,

(vi) C.sub.1-8 alkyl, or

(vii) C.sub.1-20 alkylcarbonyl;

(3) .alpha.-hydrogen and .beta.-NHCOR.sup.6 where R.sup.6 is C.sub.1-12 alkyl or .beta.-N(R.sup.4).sub.2 where R.sup.4 has the same meaning as above;

(4) keto; or

(5) moieties which can be chemically converted to moieties (1) through (4) above

that comprises oxidizing a compound of the formula (c): ##STR20## in which R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are as defined above.