| abstract |
Novel 18 -, 19 - and 20 -hydroxy-prostaglandin derivatives of the formula I <IMAGE> (I) wherein the dotted line in the position 8-12 indicates the optional presence of a double bond, the waved lines in position 15 indicate that the hydroxyl group and the group R4 are either in alpha - or beta -position and Z represents a - CH2CH2 - or a cis - CH=CH - group, and wherein R represents one of the groups: <IMAGE> (wherein the waved lines indicate that the hydroxyl groups are either in alpha - or beta -position and R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl or ethyl group), R2 represents either an oxygen atom or a hydrogen atom and an alpha - or beta -hydroxyl group, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group and R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, with the proviso that when simultaneously, R1, R3 and R4 each represents a hydrogen atom, R2 represents an oxygen atom, a double bond is in 8-12 position and the 15-hydroxyl group is in position alpha , R does not represent the group (b), but that when in addition to these conditions, Z represents a cis - CH=CH - group and the 8-12 position is saturated, R either represents the groups (b) or (c); and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, novel process for their preparation by selective microbiological hydroxylation of compounds of formula II <IMAGE> (II) wherein the dotted line in the position 10-11 indicates the optional presence of a double bond in case the 8-12 position is saturated and the other symbols are as defined hereinabove, by means of microorganisms of the Division of Eumycota or, as far as the introduction of a hydroxyl group in the 18- or 19-position is concerned, of the Family of Streptomycetaceae, and, if desired, conversion of the 18 -, 19 - and 20 -hydroxy-prostaglandin derivatives thus obtained into pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one of the novel hydroxy-prostaglandin derivatives of formula I. |