Investigations on Steroids. IX. Pharmacological Studies. (3). Myotrophic and Androgenic Activities of 17β-Hydroxy-5α-androstano-[2, 3-c] furazan and Its Derivatives

Abstract

17β-Hydroxy-5α-androstano [2, 3-c] furazan (I) has been shown to possess a high myotrophic activity and a low androgenic activity by subcutaneous injection, but its activities by oral route are very low. On the other hand, when given orally, 17-(2-tetrahydropyranyl) and 17-(1-cyclopentenyl) ethers of I are highly myotrophic and have shown a good separation of myotrophic and androgenic activities. The myotrophic and androgenic activities of 17α-ethyl, vinyl, ethynyl, 16-methylene, 16β-methyl, 16α-, and 16β-hydroxy derivatives of I are less than those of I.