Indole derivatives and their use for testosterone 5-alpha-reductase-mediated diseases

A compound of the formula:

• ##STR15## wherein R.sup.1 is carboxy or protected carboxy,
• R.sup.2 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or halogen,
• R.sup.3 is aryl or ar(lower)alkyl, each of which may have suitable substituent(s),
• A is lower alkylene which may be substituted by oxo or lower alkenylene,
• Q is carbonyl or lower alkylene, ##STR16## in which R.sup.4 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, and
• R.sup.5 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or Y--Z--R.sup.3,
• Y is bond or lower alkylene,
• Z is lower alkylene, --O-- or ##STR17## in which R.sup.6 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, ar(lower)alkyl which may have suitable substituent(s) or amino protective group,
• and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.