| abstract |
Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## (in which: Z represents a group of formula ##STR2## A represents a group of formula ##STR3## B represents a group of formula ##STR4## R 1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R 2 , R 3 , R 4 and R 6 are the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom or an acyl group; n R 5 represents a carboxy group; n R 7 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an acyl group; n X represents a halogen atom; and n the bond represents a double bond) n and salts and esters of the carboxy group represented by n R 5 and compounds of formula (II): ##STR5## (in which R 1 , is as defined above and R 2 represents an α-methylbutyryl group; and R 4 represents a hydrogen atom) have useful anti-hypercholesteraemic activity and may be prepared from certain natural products obtainable by cultivation of microorganisms of the genera Penicillium or Monascus. |