[Psychotropic properties of hormonally inactive derivatives of androstane]

It has been shown in experiments on noninbred male rats that 17 beta-acetylamino-5-androstene-3 beta,16 beta-diol, 17 beta-amino-5-androstene-3 beta,16 beta-diol hydrochloride, and 17 beta-acetylamino-4-androstene-3,16-dione have an anxiolytic action. These compounds do not exhibit any myorelaxant, anticonvulsant or antineurotic activity common to benzodiazepine tranquilizers. The anxiolytic effect of the compounds under consideration is coupled with the ability to reduce the level of alcoholic motivation in rats.