US 4,738,963 AGrant
Method for the Treatment of Incontinence in Mammals
Issue Date:1988-04-19
•14 Claims
Abstract
A method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of incontinence in mammals, which method comprises administering to the mammal in need of said treatment an effective amount of a compound of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 -R.sub.8 and X are as set forth herein.
Metadata
Assignee
- Beecham Group p.l.c.
Inventors
- Thomas C. Hamilton
- Robin E. Buckingham
Application Information
Application Number:US 8678103
Filing Date:1986-05-27
Priority Date:1985-05-28
Art Unit:125
Classifications
IPC:
A61K 3150A61K 31495A61K 3153A61K 3147A61K 31445A61K 3144A61K 3141A61K 31425A61K 3142A61K 31415A61K 3140A61K 3135
Field of Search:
514320;321;254;241;242;253;311;312;313;314;307;309;310;337;362;363;365;369;370 ;372;374;376;377;378;380;397;403;414;422;454-456
Patent Drawings
This patent does not have any drawings.
Description
The present invention relates to a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of disorders associated with smooth muscle contraction of the urinary tract.
European Patent Publication Nos. 76075, 91748, 93535, 95316, 107423, 120426, 120427, 126311, 126350, 126367 and 138134 describe classes of chromanols, chromenes and chromans having anti-hypertensive activity.
It has now been discovered that compounds of this type have a mechanism of action which indicates that they are of potential use in the treatment of disorders associated with smooth muscle contraction of the urinary tract. Such disorders include incontinence.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of disorders of the urinary tract in mammals, such as humans, which method comprises administering to the mammal in need of such treatment and/or prophylaxis an effective and/or prophylactic amount of a compound of formula (I): ##STR2## wherein:
either one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen and the other is selected from the class of C.sub.1-6 alkylcarbonyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxycarbonyl, C.sub.1-6 alkylcarbonyloxy, C.sub.1-6 alkylhydroxymethyl, nitro, cyano, chloro, trifluoromethyl, C.sub.1-6 alkylsulphinyl, C.sub.1-6 alkylsulphonyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxysulphinyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxysulphonyl, C.sub.1-6 alkylcarbonylamino, C.sub.1-6 alkoxycarbonylamino, C.sub.1-6 alkyl-thiocarbonyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy-thiocarbonyl, C.sub.1-6 alkyl-thiocarbonyloxy, C.sub.1-6 alkyl-thiolmethyl, formyl or aminosulphinyl, aminosulphonyl or aminocarbonyl, the amino moiety being optionally substituted by one or two C.sub.1-6 alkyl groups, or C.sub.1-6 alkylsulphinylamino, C.sub.1-6 alkylsulphonylamino C.sub.1-6 alkoxysulphinylamino or C.sub.1-6 alkoxysulphonylamino or ethylenyl terminally substituted by C.sub.1-6 alkylcarbonyl, nitro or cyano, or --C(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)NOH or --C(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)NNH.sub.2, or one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is nitro, cyano or C.sub.1-3 alkylcarbonyl and the other is methoxy or amino optionally substituted by one or two C.sub.1-6 alkyl or by C.sub.2-7 alkanoyl;
one of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-4 alkyl and the other is C.sub.1-4 alkyl or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together are C.sub.2-5 polymethylene;
either R.sub.5 is hydrogen, hydroxy, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy or C.sub.1-7 acyloxy and R.sub.6 is hydrogen or R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 together are a bond;
R.sub.7 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, C.sub.1-6 alkoxycarbonyl or carboxy, C.sub.1-6 alkyl substituted by halogen, or C.sub.2-6 alkenyl; aryl or heteroaryl either being optionally substituted by one or more groups or atoms selected from the class of C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, hydroxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl, nitro, cyano, C.sub.1-12 carboxylic acyl, or amino or aminocarbonyl optionally substituted by one or two C.sub.1-6 alkyl groups;
R.sub.8 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; or
R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are joined together to form C.sub.3-4 polymethylene or --CH.sub.2 --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --Z--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --where m and n are integers 0 to 2 such that m+n is 1 or 2 and Z is oxygen, sulphur or NR.sub.9 wherein R.sub.9 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-9 alkyl, C.sub.2-7 alkanoyl, phenyl C.sub.1-4 alkyl, naphthylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl or benzylcarbonyl optionally substituted in the phenyl or naphthyl ring by one or two C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy or halogen; monoor bi-cyclicheteroarylcarbonyl;
X is oxygen or sulphur; and
n is 1 or 2; the R.sub.8 NCXR.sub.7 moiety being trans to the R.sub.5 group when R.sub.5 is hydroxy, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy or C.sub.1-7 acyloxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
When one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, the other is preferably, selected from the class of C.sub.1-6 alkylcarbonyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxycarbonyl, nitro or cyano. In particular, when one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, the other is preferably, acetyl, nitro or cyano, especially nitro or cyano.
When one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, it is preferred that R.sub.2 is hydrogen.
When one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is nitro, cyano or C.sub.1-3 alkylcarbonyl the other is, preferably, amino optionally substituted by one or two C.sub.1-6 alkyl or by C.sub.2-7 alkanoyl. In particular, when one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is nitro, cyano or C.sub.1-3 alkylcarbonyl, the other is amino, methylamino, dimethylamino or acetylamino. Most preferably, one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is nitro or cyano, especially cyano, and the other is amino.
When one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is nitro, cyano or C.sub.1-3 alkylcarbonyl, it is preferred that R.sub.1 is nitro, cyano or C.sub.1-3 alkylcarbonyl.
The alkyl groups or alkyl moieties of alkyl-containing groups for R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 are, preferably,methyl or ethyl.
Preferably, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are both C.sub.1-4 alkyl, in particular both methyl.
When R.sub.5 is C.sub.1-6 alkoxy and R.sub.6 is hydrogen, preferred examples of R.sub.5 include methoxy and ethoxy, of which methoxy is more preferred. When R.sub.5 is C.sub.1-7 acyloxy and R.sub.6 is hydrogen, a preferred class of R.sub.5 is unsubstituted carboxylic acyloxy, such as unsubstituted aliphatic acyloxy or benzoyloxy. However, it is preferred that R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 together are a bond, or R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are both hydrogen, or, in particular, that R.sub.5 is hydroxy and R.sub.6 is hydrogen.
Suitable values for R.sub.8, when R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are not joined together include hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n- and iso-propyl, n-, sec- and tert-butyl. Favourably, R.sub.8 is hydrogen or methyl, most preferably hydrogen.
Suitable values for R.sub.7 then include hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n- and iso-propyl, n-, sec- and tert-butyl, methyl or ethyl substituted by carboxy or chloro, vinyl,prop-1-enyl, prop-2-enyl, 1-methylvinyl, but-1-enyl, but-2-enyl, but-3-enyl, 1-methylenepropyl, 1-methylprop-1-enyl, 1-methylprop-2- enyl, (in their E and Z forms where stereoisomerism exists), and methyl or ethyl terminally substituted by hydroxy or methoxy. Favourably R.sub.7 is methyl, ethyl, n- or iso-propyl or vinyl, in particular, methyl, hydroxymethyl and methoxymethyl. Preferably R.sub.7 is methyl.
Examples of R.sub.7 aryl include phenyl and naphthyl of which phenyl is preferred.
A sub-class of R.sub.7 heteroaryl is 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 9- or 10-membered bicyclic heteroaryl of which 5- or 6-membered monocyclic heteroaryl is preferred. In addition, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 9- or 10-membered bicyclic heteroaryl preferably contains one, two or three heteroatoms which are selected from the class of oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur and which, in the case of there being more than one heteroatom, are the same or different.
Examples of 5- or 6-membered monocyclic heteroaryl containing one, two or three heteroatoms which are selected from the class of oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur include furanyl, thiophenyl, pyrryl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl and thiadiazolyl, and pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl and triazinyl. Preferred examples of such groups include furanyl, thiophenyl, pyrryl and pyridyl, in particular 2- and 3-furanyl, 2- and 3-pyrryl, 2- and 3-thiophenyl, and 2-, 3- and 4-pyridinyl.
Examples of 9- or 10-membered bicyclic heteroaryl containing one, two or three heteroatoms which are selected from the class of oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur include benzofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, indolyl and indazolyl, quinolinyl and isoquinolinyl, and quinazoninyl. Preferred examples of such groups include 2- and 3-benzofuranyl, 2- and 3-benzothiophenyl, and 2- and 3-indolyl, and 2- and 3-quinolinyl.
Preferably, the number of groups or atoms for optional substitution of aryl or heteroaryl is one, two, three or four.
Preferred examples of the groups or atoms for optional substitution or aryl or heteroaryl include methyl, methoxy, hydroxy, chloro, nitro or cyano.
When R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are joined together they are preferably C.sub.4 or C.sub.5 polymethylene or --CH.sub.2 --(CH.sub.2).sub.n 1--Z--(CH.sub.2).sub.m 1--where n.sup.1 is 0 or 1 and m.sup.1 is 0 or 1.
X is preferably oxygen.
There is a favourable group of compounds within formula (I) of formula (II): ##STR3## wherein p is 1 or 2 and the remaining variables are as defined in formula (I).
Examples of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of formula (I) include the acid addition salts of a compound of formula (I), wherein one or other of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is amino or an amino-containing group, for example the hydrochloride and hydrobromide salts.
Examples of a pharmaceutically acceptable solvate of a compound of formula (I) include the hydrate.
Preferably, a compound of formula (I) is in substantially pure form.
Examples of the compounds of formula (I) include the examples described in the aftermentioned European Patent Publications.
The compounds of formula (I), wherein R.sub.5 is hydrogen, hydroxy, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy or C.sub.1-7 acyloxy and R.sub.6 is hydrogen, are asymmetric and, therefore, can exist in the form of optical isomers. The present invention extends to all such isomers individually and as mixtures, such as racemic modifications.
The compounds of formula (I) may be prepared as described in the aforementioned European Publications, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,446,113, 4,481,214, 4,496,565, 4,510,152, 4,542,149, 4,555,509, 4,571,406, and 4,575,511 and allowed U.S. Ser. No. 592115, (the subject matter of which are incorporated herein by reference), or by analogous methods thereto.
The administration of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof may be by way of oral, sublingual, transdermal or parenteral administration.
An amount effective to treat the disorders hereinbefore described depends on the usual factors such as the nature and severity of the disorders being treated and the weight of the mammal. However, a unit dose will normally contain 0.1 to 50 mg for example 0.5 to 10 mg, of the compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Unit doses will normally be administered once or more than once a day, for example 2, 3, or 4 times a day, more usually 1 to 3 times a day, such that the total daily dose is normally in the range, for a 70 kg adult of 0.1 to 50 mg, for example 0.5 to 10 mg,that is in the range of approximately 0.001 to 1 mg/kg/day, more usually 0.005 to 0.2 mg/kg/day.
It is greatly preferred that the Compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered in the form of a unit-dose composition, such as a unit dose oral or parenteral composition.
Such compositions are prepared by admixture and are suitably adapted for oral or parenteral administration, and as such may be in the form of tablets, capsules, oral liquid preparations, powders, granules, lozenges, reconstitutable powders, injectable and infusable solutions or suspensions or suppositories. Orally administrable compositions are preferred, in particular shaped oral compositions, since they are more convenient for general use.
Tablets and capsules for oral administration are usually presented in a unit dose, and contain conventional excipients such as binding agents, fillers, diluents, tabletting agents, lubricants, disintegrants, colourants, flavourings, and wetting agents. The tablets may be coated according to well known methods in the art.
Suitable fillers for use include cellulose, mannitol, lactose and other similar agents. Suitable disintegrants include starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone and starch derivatives such as sodium starch glycollate. Suitable lubricants include, for example, magnesium stearate. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable wetting agents include sodium lauryl sulphate.
These solid oral compositions may be prepared by conventional methods of blending, filling, tabletting or the like. Repeated blending operations may be used to distribute the active agent throughout those compositions employing large quantities of fillers. Such operations are, of course, conventional in the art.
Oral liquid preparations may be in the form of, for example, aqueous or oily suspensions, solutions, emulsions, syrups, or elixirs, or may be presented as a dry product for reconstitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use. Such liquid preparations may contain conventional additives such as suspending agents, for example sorbitol, syrup, methyl cellulose, gelatin, hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, aluminium stearate gel or hydrogenated edible fats, emulsifying agents, for example lecithin, sorbitan monooleate, or acacia; non-aqueous vehicles (which may include edible oils), for example, almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, oily esters such as esters of glycerine, propylene glycol, or ethyl alcohol; preservatives, for example methyl or propyl p-hydroxybenzoate or sorbic acid, and if desired conventional flavouring or colouring agents.
Oral formulations also include conventional sustained release formulations, such as tablets or granules having an enteric coating.
For parenteral administration, fluid unit dose forms are prepared containinq a compound of the present invention and a sterile vehicle. The compound, depending on the vehicle and the concentration, can be either suspended or dissolved. Parenteral solutions are normally prepared by dissolving the compound in a vehicle and filter sterilising before filling into a suitable vial or ampoule and sealing. Advantageously, adjuvants such as a local anaesthetic, preservatives and buffering agents are also dissolved in the vehicle. To enhance the stability, the composition can be frozen after filling into the vial and the water removed under vacuum.
Parenteral suspensions are prepared in substantially the same manner except that the compound is suspended in the vehicle instead of being dissolved and sterilised by exposure to ethylene oxide before suspending in the sterile vehicle. Advantageously, a surfactant or wetting agent is included in the composition to facilitate uniform distribution of the compound of the invention.
As is common practice, the compositions will usually be accompanied by written or printed directions for use in the medical treatment concerned.
The present invention also provides a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of disorders of the urinary tract. Such treatment and/or prophylaxis may be carried out as hereinbefore described.
The present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of disorders of the urinary tract which comprises a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
Such compositions may be prepared in the manner as hereinbefore described.
The following pharmacological data illustrate the activity of compounds of formula (I) in tests which are indicative of compounds of potential use in the treatment of disorders of the urinary tract.
N.B. Compound 1 is 6-cyano-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-trans-4-(2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2H-benzo[b ]pyran-3-ol (the compound of example 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,113);
Compound 2 is 6-cyano-2,2-dimethyl-4-(2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2H-1-benzopyran (the compound of example 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,152);
Compound 3 is 6-cyano-3,4,-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl trans-4-(2-oxo-1-piperidinyl)-2H-benzo[b]pyran (the compound of example 7 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,113);
Compound 4 is trans-4-N-acetylamino-6-cyano-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-benzo[b]pyran-3- ol (the compound of example 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,214);
Compound 5 is 6-cyano-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-trans 4-(2-oxo-1-piperazinyl)-2H-benzo[t]pyran-3-ol (the compound of example 7 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,565); and
Compound 6 is trans-6-cyano-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-4-(N-methylureido)-2H-1-benzo[b]pyr an-3-ol (the compound of example 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,511).
BIOLOGICAL DATA
Methods
(1) Rat isolated portal vein.
Male Sprague Dawley rats (250-350) were killed by cervical dislocation. Portal veins (2-3 cm in length) were set up under 0.8-1 g tension in a 10 ml organ bath containing Krebs-Henseleit solution, at 37.degree. C., of the following composition (mM): NaCl 118, NaHCO.sub.3 25, glucose 5, KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4 1.18, KCl 4.69, MgSO.sub.4 0.59, CaCl.sub.2.H.sub.2 O 1.87. The tissue was aerated with a 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide mixture. Isometric tension was recorded using a Devices strain gauge and recorder. Each preparation was allowed 1 h to equilibrate before the addition of test compound. The ability of a compound to inhibit the contractions due to added calcium (3 mM CaCl.sub.2) was determined in tissues bathed in Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 0.05 mM CaCl.sub.2 (in order to reduce spontaneous contractions). Then percentage inhibition (mean.+-. s.e.m.; 6-9 tissues) of the amplitude of the spontaneous contractions, and contractions due to added calcium, was determined after 15 min contact time with test compound.
(2) Rabbit isolated mesenteric artery.
Mesenteric arteries (3 mm rings) were removed from male New Zealand White rabbits and mounted, at a resting tension of 1.5-2.0 g, in a 10 ml organ bath containing a Ringer solution, at 37.degree. C., of the following composition (mM): NaCl 120.8; KCl 5.9; CaCl.sub.2 2.5; MgCl.sub.2 1.2; HEPES 5.8; glucose 11.5. The bathing solution was bubbled with a 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide mixture. Each preparation was allowed 1-11/2h to equilibrate before the addition of either 30 or 90 mM KCl to contract the tissue. The ability of test compound to relax the sustained contraction due to KCL was determined by assessing the % reduction (mean.+-. s.e.m.; 4-9 tissues) produced by varying concentrations of test compound.
Results
(1) Rat Isolated Portal Vein: effect of compound 1 on spontaneous contractions and those due to added calcium.
IC.sub.50 is concentration of compound reducing contractions by 50%; parentesis indicate 95% fiducial limits.
Thus, compound 1 is equipotent as an inhibitor of spontaneous contractions and of those due to added calcium in this isolated blood vessel preparation.
(2) Rabbit lsolated Mesenteric Artery: effect of compound 1 on contractions due to 30 and 90 mM KCl.
IC.sub.50 is the concentration of compound 1 halving the contraction due to KCl; parenthesis indicate 95% fiducial limits.
Thus, compound 1 antagonises the contractions due to a partially, but not a fully, depolarising concentration of potassium. The effect of compound 1 on contractions mediated by a low concentration of KCl is consistent with the compound hyperpolarising the membrane potential and thereby rendering the potential operated calcium channels less able to open in response to a depolarising stimulus; by this mechanism calcium influx is reduced.
PHARMACOLOGlCAL DATA
Rat Detrusor Strip Screen
Method
Male Wistar Charles River rats (Crl: WI BR) weighing 300-350 g were used.
The urinary bladder was removed and a longitudinal strip 3 mm wide was cut from the urethra to the apex of the bladder.
The strip was immediately immersed in a 20 ml bath containing Tyrode with double millimolar concentration of glucose (11.1 instead of 5.55) and with addition of sucrose (13.3 millimolar), kept at 37.degree. C. and aerated with a mixture of O.sub.2 95% and CO.sub.2 5%.
Tyrode composition was (mM): NaCl 136.8, KCl 2.68, CaCl.sub.2 1.80, MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O 1.05, NaH.sub.2 PO.sub.4.H.sub.2 O 0.41, NaHCO.sub.3 11.9, glucose 11.1 sucrose 13.3. The strip was in direct contact with one of the two platinum electrodes placed on the top and bottom of the organ bath. Placed under an initial tension of 2 g, the strip was then allowed to relax until a baseline of about 1 g. After a 5 min equilibration period isometric contractions were induced by a GRASS S88 2 channel stimulator using the following parameters trains of pulses of 2 sec duration each every 100 sec; square wave pulse of volts (60-70); duration 0.7 ms and 30 Hz.
When the contractions became constant (60-90 min), the strips were exposed to the test compound. The isometric contractions were measured with a Basile DYl force transducer connect to Battaglia Rangoni 4 channel recorder. The results are expressed as per cent of contraction inhibition.
Results
Other compounds of the examples described in the aforementioned European Publications, and U.S. patents may also be tested and found to be active in biological tests 1 and 2, and the pharmacological test.
Claims
We claim:
1. A method for the treatment of incontinence in mammals, which method comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof an anti-incontinence effective amount of a compound of formula (I): ##STR4## wherein either one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen and the other is C.sub.1-6 alkylcarbonyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxycarbonyl, C.sub.1-6 alkylcarbonyloxy, C.sub.1-6 alkylhydroxymethyl, nitro, cyano, chloro, trifluoromethyl, C.sub.1-6 alkylsulphinyl, C.sub.1-6 alkylsulphonyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxysulphinyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxysulphonyl, C.sub.1-6 alkylcarbonylamino, C.sub.1-6 alkoxycarbonylamino, C.sub.1-6 alkyl-thiocarbonyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxythiocarbonyl, C.sub.1-6 alkyl-thiocarbonyloxy, C.sub.1-6 alkyl-thiolmethyl, formyl or aminosulphinyl, aminosulphonyl or aminocarbonyl, the amino moiety being unsubstituted or substituted by one or two C.sub.1-6 alkyl groups, or C.sub.1-6 alkylsulphinylamino, C.sub.1-6 alkoxysulphonylamino or ethylenyl terminally substituted by C.sub.1-6 alkylcarbonyl, nitro or cyano, or --C(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)NOH or --C(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)NNH.sub.2, or one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is nitro, cyano or C.sub.1-3 alkylcarbonyl and the other is methoxy or amino unsubstituted or substituted by one or two C.sub.1-6 alkyl or by C.sub.2-7 alkanoyl; one of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-4 alkyl and the other is C.sub.1-4 alkyl or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together are C.sub.2-5 polymethylene; either R.sub.5 is hydrogen, hydroxy, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy or C.sub.1-7 acyloxy and R.sub.6 is hydrogen or R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 together are a bond; R.sub.7 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, C.sub.1-6 alkoxycarbonyl or carboxy, C.sub.1-6 alkyl substituted by halogen, or C.sub.2-6 alkenyl; a member selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthyl, furanyl, thiophenyl, pyrryl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, triazinyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, indolyl, indazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl and quinazoninyl, said member being unsubstituted or substituted by C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, hydroxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl, nitro, cyano, C.sub.1-12 carboxylic acyl, or amino or aminocarbonyl unsubstituted or substituted by one or two C.sub.1-6 alkyl groups; R.sub.8 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; or R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are joined together to form C.sub.3-4 polymethylene or --CH.sub.2 --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --Z--(CH.sub.2)m--where m and n are integers 0 to 2 such that m+n is 1 or 2 and Z is oxygen, sulphur or NR.sub.9 wherein R.sub.9 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-9 alkyl, C.sub.2-7 alkanoyl, phenyl C.sub.1-4 alkyl, naphthylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl or benzylcarbonyl unsubstituted or substituted in the phenyl or naphthyl ring by one or two C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy or halogen; mono- or bi-cyclic heteroarylcarbonyl; X is oxygen or sulphur, and the R.sub.8 NCXR.sub.7 moiety is trans to the R.sub.5 group when R.sub.5 is hydroxy, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy or C.sub.1-7 acyloxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen and the other is C.sub.1-6 alkylcarbonyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxycarbonyl, nitro or cyano.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein R.sub.1 is cyano and R.sub.2 is hydrogen.
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are both methyl.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein R.sub.5 is hydroxy and R.sub.6 is hydrogen, or R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 together are a bond.
9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the compound of formula (I) is 6-cyano-3,4-dihydro-2, 2-dimethyl-trans-4-(2-oxo-pyrrolidinyl)-2H-benzo[b]-pyran-3-ol.
10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the compound of formula (I) is 6-cyano-2,2-dimethyl-4-(2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2H-1-benzopyran.
11. A method according to claim 1 wherein the compound of formula (I) is 6-cyano-3,4-dihydro-2, 2-dimethyl-trans-4-(2-oxo-1-piperidinyl)-2H-benzo[b]pyran.
12. A method according to claim 1 wherein the compound of formula (I) is trans-4-N-acetylethylamino-6-cyano-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-benzo[b]-py ran-3-ol.
13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the compound of formula (I) is 6-cyano-3,4-dihydro-2, 2-dimethyl-trans-4-(2-oxo-1-piperazinyl)-2H-benzo[b]pyran-3-ol.
14. A method according to claim 1 wherein the compound of formula (I) is trans-6-cyano-3,4-dihydro-2, 2-dimethyl-4-(N-methylureido)-2H-1-benzo[b]pyran-3-ol.