Method of anoxia treatment using prostaglandin analogues

Abstract

The invention provides a new method for the treatment of anoxia of brain cells using a PGI.sub.1 derivative of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents hydrogen or lower alkyl and R.sub.2 represents 2-methylhexyl, 3-propylcyclopentyl, 3-butylcyclopentyl or 4-propylcyclohexyl, a PGI.sub.2 derivative of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.3 represents hydrogen or lower alkyl and R.sub.4 represents 2-methylhexyl, cyclopentyl, 3-propylcyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl, a PGI.sub.2 derivative of the formula: ##STR3## wherein R.sub.5 represents lower alkyl and R.sub.6 represents pentyl, 1-methylpentyl, 1-methyl-5-chloropentyl, 2-methyl-5-chloropentyl, 3-ethylcyclopentyl, 3-propylcyclopentyl, 3-butylcyclopentyl, 3-(2-chloroethyl)cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, 4-ethylcyclohexy, or cyclohexylmethyl or a PGE.sub.1 derivative of the formula: ##STR4## wherein X represents methylene or carbonyl and (i) when X represents methylene, Y represents ethylene or trans-vinylene, R.sub.7 represents carboxy or lower alkoxycarbonyl and R.sub.8 represents 2-methylhexyl or 1-cyclohexylethyl and (ii) when X represents carbonyl, Y represents ethylene, R.sub.7 represents carboxyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, glycoloyl or hydroxymethyl and R.sub.8 represents 2-methylhexyl, cyclopentyl, 3-propylcyclopentyl, or 3-butylcyclopentyl or a cyclodextrin clathrate or non-toxic salt thereof.