Tricyclic steroid analogs

Abstract

Novel tricyclic steroid analogs are disclosed which are 1H-benz[e]indene dodecahydro compounds that are useful for enhancing GABA-induced chloride currents at the GABA receptor/chloride ionophore complex and can be represented by the following structural formulas: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 =H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or fluoroalkyl; R.sub.2 =H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or fluoroalkyl, in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 can be the same or different; R.sub.3 =H or CH.sub.3 ; R.sub.4 =H or CH.sub.3, in which R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 can be the same or different; R.sub.5 =H; R.sub.6 =H; R.sub.5,R.sub.6 =.dbd.O(carbonyl); R.sub.7 =H; R.sub.8 =a hydrogen bond accepting group. R.sub.7,R.sub.8 =.dbd.O(carbonyl); and R'=an ester group.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.