USE OF PREGNANE-DIONES OR DIOLS AS NEUROPATHIC ANALGESIC AGENTS
The present invention relates to the use of pregnanes in inducing analgesia, preferably without overt sedation, in a mammal in response to neuropathic pain, and compositions and kits therefore.
1 . A method of inducing analgesia, comprising:
identifying mammal suffering from or at risk of suffering from neuropathic pain; and
administering to said mammal an effective amount of a compound of formula I
wherein
R 1 is H, methyl, OH, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 2 -C 4 alkenyl, C 2 -C 4 alkanoyl or —OR;
R 2 is H, OH, OR or ═O;
R 3 is H, methyl, OH or C 1 -C 4 alkyl;
R 4 is H, OH, ═O, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 2 -C 4 alkenyl, C 2 -C 4 alkanoyl or —OR;
R 5 is H, methyl, OH, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 2 -C 4 alkenyl, C 2 -C 4 alkanoyl or —OR;
R 6 is H, methyl, OH, ═CH 2 or C 1 -C 4 alkyl; and
R 7 is H, OH, OCOCH 3 , halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 2 -C 4 alkenyl, C 2 -C 4 alkanoyl, SH, SCOCH 3 , SR or —OR
or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein
R 1 is H or methyl;
R 2 is OH;
R 3 is H or -methyl;
R 4 is ═O;
R 5 is H or methyl;
R 6 is H or methyl; and
R 7 is OH, OCOCH 3 , SH, or SCOCH 3 .