Method, compositions, and compounds for allosteric modulation of the gaba receptor by members of the androstane and pregnane series

A compound of the formula:

• ##STR2## wherein:
• R is hydrogen, halogen, lower alkoxy, dialkylamino, alkyl or substituted alkyl;
• R.sub.1 is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aralkynyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, cyanoalkyl, thiocyanoalkyl, azidoalkyl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, optionally substituted aralkylalkynyl, alkanoyloxyalkynyl, optionally substituted heteroaryloxyalkynyl, oxoalkynyl or a ketal thereof, cyanoalkynyl, optionally substituted heteroarylalkynyl, hydroxyalkynyl, alkoxyalkynyl, aminoalkynyl, acylaminoalkynyl, mercaptoalkynyl, hydroxyalkynyl dioic acid hemi-ester or a salt thereof, or alkynyloxyalkynyl;
• R.sub.2 is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkanoyloxy, carbalkoxyl, a keto group or amino group;
• R.sub.3 is imidazolylacetyl, pyrazolylacetyl, triazolylacetyl, tetrazolylacetyl, purinylacetyl or uracilacetyl, any of which is optionally substituted;
• R.sub.4 is hydrogen or methyl;
• R.sub.5 is hydrogen;
• R.sub.6 is hydrogen, alkanoyl, aminocarbonyl or alkoxycarbonyl;
• R.sub.7 is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkanoyloxy or carbalkoxyl;
• R.sub.8 is hydrogen or halogen;
• R.sub.9 is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, arylalkoxy or amino;
• and
• R.sub.10 is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkanoyloxy, carbalkoxyl, cyano, thiocyano or mercapto;
• or a physiologically acceptable 3-ester thereof.