Lactol derivatives, their production and use

A compound of the general formula ##STR80## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and each represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group which may or may not be substituted;

• R.sup.3 represents a carboxyl group which may or may not be esterified or an acyl group;
• A represents C2-C4 alkylene group;
• B represents hydrogen, an alkyl group which may or may not be substituted or an acyl group;
• m represents 1 and n represents 1 or 0;
• or a salt of the compound.

A cathepsin L inhibitory composition comprising a compound of the general formula. ##STR81## wherein Q represents one or two amino acid residues which may or may not be substituted;

• R.sup.3 represents a carboxyl group which may or may not be esterified or an acyl group;
• A represents a C2-C4 alkylene group;
• B represents hydrogen, an alkyl group which may or may not be substituted or an acyl group;
• or a medicinally acceptable salt of the compound.

A cathepsin L inhibitory composition comprising a compound of the general formula ##STR82## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and each represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbon residue which may or may not be substituted;

• R.sup.3 represents a carboxyl group which may or may not be esterified or an acyl group;
• A represents C2-C4 alkylene group;
• B represents hydrogen or an alkyl group which may or may not be substituted or an acyl group;
• m represents 1 and n represents 1 or 0, or a medicinally acceptable salt of the compound.

A bone resorption inhibitory composition comprising a compound of the general formula ##STR83## wherein Q represents one or two amino acid residues which may or may not be substituted;

• R.sup.3 represents a carboxyl group which may or may not be esterified or an acyl group;
• A represents an alkylene group;
• B represents hydrogen or an alkyl group which may or may not be substituted or an acyl group;
• or a medicinally acceptable salt of the compound.

A bone resorption inhibitory composition comprising a compound of the general formula ##STR84## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and each represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbon residue which may or may not be substituted;

• R.sup.3 represents a carboxyl group which may or may not be esterified or an acyl group;
• A represents C2-C4 alkylene group;
• B represents hydrogen or an alkyl group which may or may not be substituted or an acyl group;
• m represents 1 and n represents 1 or 0, or a medicinally acceptable salt of the compound.

A method for prophylaxis or treatment of a mammal suffering from osteoporosis which comprises administering to said mammal an effective amount of a compound of the formula ##STR85## wherein Q represents one or two amino acid residues which may or may not be substituted;

• R.sup.3 represents a carboxyl group which may or may not be esterified or an acyl group;
• A represents a C2-C4 alkylene group;
• B represents hydrogen, an alkyl group which may or may not be substituted or an acyl group;
• or a medicinally acceptable salt of the compound.

A method for prophylaxis or treatment of a mammal suffering from osteoporosis which comprises administering to said mammal an effective amount of a compound of the formula ##STR86## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and each represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbon residue which may or may not be substituted;

• R.sup.3 represents a carboxyl group which may or may not be esterified or an acyl group;
• A represents a C2-C4 alkylene group;
• B represents hydrogen or an alkyl group which may or may not be substituted or an acyl group;
• m and n each represents 0 or 1, or a medicinally acceptable salt of the compound.