Compounds corresponding to formula I: ##STR00001## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 have the meanings given in the description; a process for the preparation of these compounds; intermediate products used to prepare such compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.

The invention relates to a process for the isolation of (-)-mesquitol in substantial (1.5%) yields from Dichrostachys cinerea and also the usage of (-)-mesquitol as an antioxidant/free-radical scavenger.

Chromanone derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are each, independently of one another, H, A, CN, Hal, OR.sup.5, COOR.sup.5, CF.sub.3, OCF.sub.3, NO.sub.2, Ar, OAr, N(R.sup.5).sub.2 or CON(R.sup.5).sub.2, R.sup.5 is H or A, A is alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, Ar is phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by A, OR.sup.5, CN, Hal, CF.sub.3, OCF.sub.3, NO.sub.2 or N(R.sup.5).sub.2, Hal is F, Cl, Br or I, and their salts, are suitable as intermediates in the synt...

A process is disclosed for the production of polyphenol oligomers having n polyphenol monomeric units, n being an integer from 2-18. The process includes coupling of a protected polyphenol, having protected phenolic hydroxyl groups, with a C-4 functionalized polyphenol monomer. The protected polyphenol may be a protected polyphenol monomer or a protected polyphenol oligomer having 2-17 monomeric units. Advantageously, polyphenol monomeric units forming the polyphenol oligomers may be the same or...

Various processes are disclosed for preparing procyanidin oligomers having (4,8)-interflavan linkages. In an improved process, a tetra-O-protected-epicatechin or -catechin monomer or oligomer is coupled with a protected, C-4 alkoxy-activated-epicatechin or -catechin monomer in the presence of an acidic clay instead of a Lewis acid. In a second process, a 5,7,3',4'-tetra-O-protected or preferably penta-O-protected-epicatechin or -catechin monomer or oligomer is reacted with a tetra-O-protected or...

The present invention provides novel .alpha.-glucosidase inhibitory compound (-)-mesquitol and its analogs isolated in significant yield from traditional medicinal plant Dichrostachys cinerea and further modification of (-)-mesquitol to enhance the .alpha.-glucosidase inhibitory potential; the invention also identifies the usage of (-)-mesquitol and its analogues, based on their .alpha.-glucosidase inhibitory activity, as broad based potential therapeutics as antihyperglycernic, antidiabatic, an...

The present invention provides a method of preventing or treating one or more of the following medical conditions, or treating symptoms of one or more of the following medical conditions: amebic infections, giardiasis, estrogen deficient states, osteoporosis, cardiovascular heart disease, high cholesterol levels, hyperlipidemia, cancer by administering to a subject having, or predisposed to, one or more of the conditions, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the present invention ...

Various processes are disclosed for preparing protected epicatechin oligomers having (4.beta.,8)-interflavan linkages. In one process, a tetra-O-protected epicatechin monomer or oligomer is coupled with a protected, C-4 activated epicatechin monomer in the presence of an acidic clay such as a mortmorillonite clay. In another process, a 5,7,3',4'-benzyl protected or a 3-acetyl-, 5,7,3',4'-benzyl protected epicatechin or catechin monomer or oligomer is reacted with 3-O-acetyl-4-[(2-benzothiazolyl)...

This invention relates to a process for isolating (-)-epicatechin from a new plant source namely Dichrostachys cinerea in significant yield.

The present invention provides a method to prepare 2H-benzo[6]pyrans, such as the anti-HIV natural product daurichromenic acid (1a), by microwave-assisted tandem aldol reaction of a phenolic enolate followed by intramolecular SN2' type cyclization to form the 2H-benzo[6]pyran core structure.