| abstract |
ABSTRACT These substances which are produced by culturing a strain of the genus Streptomyces in a nutrient medium have a human leukocyte elastase-inhibiting activity. Derivatives of the WS7622A substance having formula I are also disclosed: wherein R1 and R2 are each lower alkyl groups or lower alkanoyl groups. These substances, derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be used as human leukocyte elastase inhibitors for treating degenerative diseases, for example, pulmonary emphysema, athero-sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, pancreatitis, adult respiratory distress syndrome and the like. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these substances, derivatives and salts are also described as well as a method of treating the above diseases. |