Cyclic anti-tumor promoter compounds, compositions and methods for production and use

A cyclic compound of formula ##STR18## wherein:

• the bond between C.sub.2 and C.sub.3 is a single or a double bond;
• R.sub.1 is OR.sub.5, wherein R.sub.5 is H, an alkyl or acyl group having one to six carbon atoms or CO.sub.2 R.sub.6 wherein R.sub.6 is H or an alkyl group having one to six carbon atoms;
• R.sub.2 is an alkyl group having one to six carbon atoms;
• each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently an alkyl or alkenyl group having one to six carbon atoms, or a phenyl group which may be attached via an alkyl or alkenyl group having one to six carbon atoms or a halogen atom, or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 may be taken together to form a methylidene, an alkylidene having one to six carbon atoms or an arylidene group;
• and
• Y is H or an O-acyl substituted group.

A cyclic compound of formula ##STR20## wherein:

• X is ##STR21## when specified in the C.sub.4 to C.sub.n direction;
• R.sub.1 is OR.sub.5, wherein R.sub.5 is H, an alkyl or acyl group having one to six carbon atoms or CO.sub.2 R.sub.6 wherein R.sub.6 is H or an alkyl group having one to six carbon atoms;
• R.sub.2 is H, an alkyl or alkenyl group having one to six carbon atoms;
• each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently H, an alkyl or alkenyl group having one to six carbon atoms, or a phenyl group which may be attached via an alkyl or alkenyl group having one to six carbon atoms or a halogen atom, or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 may be taken together to form a methylidene, an alkylidene having one to six carbon atoms or an arylidene group;
• and
• Y is H, OH, or an O-acyl substituted group.