| abstract |
Sialic acid derivatives of cortison, dexamethasone and vitamin D3 represented by general formula (I), wherein R1 represents a steroid residue selectd from among cortisone, dexamethasone and vitamin D¿3; R?2 represents hydrogen or acetyl; and R3 represents hydrogen or lower alkyl. These derivatives not only retain the drug effects inherent in the steroids, but also exhibit no or little side effects even after being used for long and have an improved solubility in water. Further, the sialylated vitamin D¿3? has a long half-life period in blood. |