Naphtholactams and lactones as bone morphogenetic protein active agents

A compound of the formula:

• ##STR267## wherein Q is CR.sup.4 wherein R.sup.4 is (i) a hydrogen atom, (ii) a halogen atom, (iii) an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group or (iv) an optionally substituted hydroxyl group;
• X is C.dbd.O;
• Y is NR.sup.5 wherein R.sup.5 is (i) a hydrogen atom, (ii) an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group or (iii) an acyl group;
• Z.sup.2 is a C.sub.1-3 alkylene group optionally substituted by hydroxy or oxo;
• m and n each represent 0;
• Ar is an optionally substituted carbocyclic group or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group;
• R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together with adjacent --C.dbd.C-- form a C.sub.1-6 alkyleneoxy or C.sub.1-6 alkylenedioxy group;
• and
• ring A is a benzene ring which may be substituted in addition to R.sup.1 and R.sup.2.

A process of enhancing cell differentiation inducing factor comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a compound of the formula:

• ##STR271## wherein Q is an optionally substituted carbon atom;
• Y is an optionally substituted imino group;
• Z.sup.1 is ##STR272## Z.sup.2 is a C.sub.1-3 alkylene group optionally substituted by hydroxy or oxo;
• Ar is an optionally substituted carbocyclic group or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group;
• one of R.sup.1a and R.sup.2a is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkyl group or an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkoxy group;
• the other of R.sup.1a and R.sup.2 is an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkyl group or an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkoxy group;
• or
• R.sup.1a and R.sup.2a together with adjacent --C.dbd.C-- form a C.sub.1-6 alkyleneoxy or C.sub.1-6 alkylenedioxy group;
• and
• ring A is a benzene ring which may be substituted in addition to R.sup.1a and R.sup.2a ;
• or a salt thereof.

A method of treating or preventing neuropathy or bone-and-joint disease which comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of compound of the formula:

• ##STR273## wherein Q is an optionally substituted carbon atom;
• Y is an optionally substituted imino group;
• Z.sup.1 ##STR274## Z.sup.2 is a C.sub.1-3 alkylene group optionally substituted by hydroxy or oxo;
• Ar is an optionally substituted carbocyclic group or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group;
• one of R.sup.1a and R.sup.2a is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkyl group or an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkoxy group;
• the other of R.sub.1a and R.sup.2a is an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkyl group or an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkoxy group;
• or
• R.sup.1a and R.sup.2a together with adjacent --C.dbd.C-- form a C.sub.1-6 alkyleneoxy or C.sub.1-6 alkylenedioxy group;
• and
• ring A is a benzene ring which may be which may be substituted in addition to R.sup.1a and R.sup.2a ;
• or a salt thereof.

A process of treating or preventing neuropathy or bone-and-joint disease which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a compound of the formula:

• ##STR275## wherein Q is an optionally substituted carbon atom;
• Y is an optionally substituted imino group;
• Z.sup.1 ##STR276## Z.sup.2 is a C.sub.1-3 alkylene group optionally substituted by hydroxy or oxo;
• Ar is an optionally substituted carbocyclic group or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group;
• one of R.sup.1a and R.sup.2a is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkyl group or an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkoxy group;
• the other of R.sup.1a and R.sup.2a is an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkyl group or an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkoxy group;
• or
• R.sup.1a and R.sup.2a together with adjacent --C.dbd.C-- form a C.sub.1-6 alkyleneoxy or C.sub.1-6 alkylenedioxy group;
• and
• ring A is a benzene ring which may be substituted in addition to R.sup.1a and R.sup.2a ;
• or a salt thereof.