| abstract |
The present invention provides novel naphthalene derivatives for use as medicines, especially C17-20 lyase inhibitors. Lyase is one of the biosynthetic enzymes of sex hormones present in testis, ovary and adrenal cortex, which can convert the substrate 17-hydroxypregnenolone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone into dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione. Owing that the product of said enzyme only involves in the biosynthesis of sex hormones, the novel naphthalene derivatives according to the present invention that can inhibit said enzyme, are useful as novel endocrinal therapeutic agents for inhibiting biosynthesis of sex hormones and can be used as therapeutic or prophylactic agents. |