Neurotrophin production secretion promoting agent

A prodrug of an oxazole derivative of the formula:

• wherein
• R1 represents a halogen atom, a heterocyclic group which may optionally be substituted, a hydroxy group which may optionally be substituted, a thiol group which may optionally be substituted, or an amino group which may optionally be substituted;
• Ab represents an aryloxy group which is substituted by an alkyl group and may further be substituted;
• B represents an aromatic group which may optionally be substituted;
• and
• Y represents a divalent hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group,
• or a salt thereof.

A pharmaceutical composition which comprises an oxazole derivative of the formula:

• wherein
• R1 represents a halogen atom, a heterocyclic group which may optionally be substituted, a hydroxy group which may optionally be substituted, a thiol group which may optionally be substituted, or an amino group which may optionally be substituted;
• Ab represents an aryloxy group which is substituted by an alkyl group and may further be substituted;
• B represents an aromatic group which may optionally be substituted;
• and
• Y represents a divalent hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group, or a salt thereof;
• and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier.

A method for promoting neurotrophin production/secretion in a mammal in need thereof, which comprises administering to said mammal an effective amount of an azole derivative of the formula:

• wherein
• R1 represents a heterocyclic group which may optionally be substituted;
• A represents a hydroxy group which may optionally be substituted;
• B represents an aromatic group which may optionally be substituted;
• X represents oxygen atom;
• and
• Y represents a divalent hydrocarbon group,
• or a salt thereof.

A method for promoting neurotrophin production/secretion in a mammal in need thereof, which comprises administering to said mammal an effective amount of an oxazole derivative of the formula:

• wherein R1 represents a halogen atom, a heterocyclic group which may optionally be substituted, a hydroxy group which may optionally be substituted, a thiol group which may optionally be substituted, or an amino group which may optionally be substituted;
• Ab represents an aryloxy group which is substituted by an alkyl group and may further be substituted;
• B represents an aromatic group which may optionally be substituted;
• and Y represents a divalent hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group, or a salt thereof.

A method for preventing or treating neuropathy in a mammal in need thereof, which comprises administering to said mammal an effective amount of an oxazole derivative of the formula:

• wherein R1 represents a halogen atom, a heterocyclic group which may optionally be substituted, a hydroxy group which may optionally be substituted, a thiol group which may optionally be substituted, or an amino group which may optionally be substituted;
• Ab represents an aryloxy group which is substituted by an alkyl group and may further be substituted;
• B represents an aromatic group which may optionally be substituted;
• and Y represents a divalent hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group, or a salt thereof.