The present invention relates to the method of stimulating the expression of endothelial NO-synthase in a mammal, which method comprises administering a physiologically active amount of 4-fluoro-N-indan-2-yl benzamide according to the formula (I) ##STR1## to the said mammal. Compound (I) can be used for the therapy and prophylaxis of cardiovascular diseases like stable and unstable angina pectoris, Prinzmetal angina (spasm), acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, thrombosis, peripheral artery occlusive disease PAOD, atherosclerosis, restenosis, endothelial damage after PTCA, essential hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, secondary hypertension, renovascular chronic glomerulonephritis, erectile dysfunction, ventricular arrhythmia, and the lowering of cardiovascular risk of postmenopausal women or after intake of contraceptives, the therapy and prophylaxis of diabetes and diabetes complications (nephropathy, retinopathy), angiogenesis, asthma bronchiale, chronic renal failure, cirrhosis of the liver, restricted memory performance or a restricted ability to learn.

The present invention relates to triaza- and tetraaza-anthracenedione derivatives of the formula I, ##STR00001## wherein A, B and R.sup.1 to R.sup.5 are as defined herein. The compounds of formula I are valuable pharmacologically active compounds. They are useful in the treatment of various disease states including cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, coronary artery disease, hypertension and cardiac insufficiency. They upregulate the expression of the enzyme endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase and can be applied in conditions in which an increased expression of said enzyme or an increased NO level or the normalization of a decreased NO level is desired. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of compounds of the formula I, their use, in particular as active ingredients in pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical preparations comprising them.

The present invention relates to acylamino-substituted heteroaromatic compounds of formula I, ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 and X are as defined herein, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, to methods for the stimulation of the expression of endothelial NO synthase, and methods of treatment comprising administering such compounds.

A method of stimulating the expression of endothelial NO-synthase in a mammal, which method comprises administering a physiologically active amount of 4-fluoro-N-indan- 2-yl benzamide according to the formula (I) ##STR00001## to the said mammal. Compound (I) can be used for the therapy and prophylaxis of cardiovascular diseases like stable and unstable angina pectoris, Prinzmetal angina (spasm), acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, thrombosis, peripheral artery occlusive disease PAOD, atherosclerosis, restenosis, endothelial damage after PTCA, essential hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, secondary hypertension, renovascular chronic glomerulonephritis, erectile dysfunction, ventricular arrhythmia, and the lowering of cardiovascular risk of postmenopausal women or after intake of contraceptives, the therapy and prophylaxis of diabetes and diabetes complications (nephropathy, retinopathy), angiogenesis, asthma bronchiale, chronic renal failure, cirrhosis of the liver, restricted memory performance or a restricted ability to learn.