PURPOSE: To provide a new compound having an action to promote the production of nerve growth factor and neurotrophic action and, accordingly, useful as an agent for the amelioration and treatment of Alzheimer's dementia, Parkinson's disease, etc., or an agent for the treatment of peripheral nerve disorder.
CONSTITUTION: Pregn-7-ene-3,6,20-trione of formula having the following properties: appearance, white powder; molecular weight, 328; solubility, soluble in hexane, chloroform, etc., sparingly soluble in ethanol and methanol and insoluble in water; color reaction, positive to H2SO4 and I2 and negative to ninhydrin and FeCl3; nature classified into basic, neutral and acidic, neutral. The compound can be produced by culturing a new microorganism Cladosporium sp. F-5430 (FERM P-13310) under aerobic condition preferably at pH5-7 and 25-27°C for 4 days and separating from the microbial cell by conventional method.
YAMAMOTO KYOKO
NOMURA KO
MIZOBE FUMIO
SAKAI NORIYOSHI
HANADA KAZUNORI
