| abstract |
Compounds of general formula (II) wherein; R1 is 2-methylpropyl or 2,6-dimethylheptyl, and R2 and R3 are individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, 3-methyl-2-butenyl, 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl and benzyl unsubstituted or substituted with at least one member of the group consisting of halogen, -OH, alkoxy of 1 to 15 carbon atoms, alkenyloxy of 2 to 15 carbon atoms and acyl of an organic carboxylic acid, providing that when R1 is 2-methylpropyl, R2 and R3 are not hydrogen or 3-methyl-2-butenyl. Compounds of formulas (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) and (X), and the respective substituents, are also disclosed. These compounds exhibit a potent inhibitory activity against bone resorption and are useful as preventive and therapeutic agents for bone and cartilage diseases. |