Prolactin production inhibitory agents

Abstract: The prolactin production inhibition agent of the present invention containing a condensed cyclic compound, which is characterized by containing a condensed bicyclic structure of an optionally substituted homo or hetero 5- to 7-membered ring with an optionally substituted homo or hetero 5- to 7-membered ring, or a salt thereof, can be used, as a medicine, for the prophylaxis or therapy of diseases accompanied with an excess prolactin production or diseases having enhanced reactivity with prolactin, or is useful for inhibiting puerperal lactation, and also useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent of galactorrhea, hyperprolactinemic ovulation disturbance, amenorrhea-galactorrhea syndrome, prolactinoma, and besides, interbrain tumor, and acromegaly, pituitary gigantism.

Description: Technical Field The present invention relates to the use of a condensed cyclic compound based on thieno[2,3-b] pyridine derivatives for producing a prolactin pruduction inhibitory composition for threating hyperprolactinemia. Background Art Prolactin, which is produced and secreted from anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, shows a variety of actions including the actions on mammary glands to play an important role for starting and maintenance of lactation, the actions on water-electrolyte metabolism, the actions on reproductive glands, the actions on the immune system and the actions on brain function. The prolactin-producing cells of the pituitary gland are recognized to have clearly characteristic properties. For example, peptide hormones so far known as various pituitary hormone secretion/production stimulating hormones secreted from hypothalamus are clearly observed to act preferentially and specifically on specified pituitary hormone secretion/production cells of the anterior lobes of the pituitary gland. Typically, while gonadotropic hormone releasing hormone, sometimes referred to as GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone): lutenizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), acts preferentially and specifically on the cells which secrete/produce, for example, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and lutenizing hormone (LH) in the anterior lobe of pituitary, no observational studies have been reported that the GnRH acts on the cells which produce/secrete prolactin, also known as an anterior pituitary hormone, to cause secretion of prolactin. Therefore, cells which produce/secrete gonadotropins and prolactin are considered to have, among anterior pituitary hormone secreting/producing cells, entirely different characteristic features. From the viewpoints as above, for controlling the prolactin production/secretion, the drug to be used therefor should at least act on pituitary prolactin-producing cells which can be clearly distinguished from other peptide hormone secretion/production cells of pituitary. As diseases caused by excess production and secretion of prolactin, hyperprolactinemia has been known, which shows clinical symptoms such as suppression of reproductive function and galactorrhea (cf. Clinical Neuroscience, Vol.8, No.4, 1990, Chugai Igakusha; Nihon Rinsho, Vol.51, No.10, 1993, Nihon Rinshosha). As causes of this hyperprolactinemia, prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor (prolactinoma) is frequently observed, and, besides, functional hyperprolactinemia due to paracrisis of prolactin-inhibiting factor or drug-induced hyperprolactinemia have been known (cf. Clinical Neuroscience, Vol.8, 1990, Chugai Igakusha; Nihon Rinsho, Vol.51, No.10, 1993, Nihon Rinshosha). Furthermore, prolactin takes part also in puerperal lactation and galactorrhea. Hyperprolactinemia is treated principally by surgical operation and drug treatment. As the drug for treatment, a dopamine agonistic one such as bromocriptine is used, leaving several problems still to be solved. First of all, bromocriptine therapy is not a complete cure, and, after suspension of the administration, the prolactin levels rise up again and the recurrence and progression of the disease are observed. And, undesirable side effects, including digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and constipation, postural hypotension and headache, are observed. Further, among prolactin adenomas, there exist bromocriptine-resistant ones. For solving these problems, development of a novel agent of suppressing prolactin-production has been desired. Condensed bicyclic compounds, for example, a thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivative and a thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivative, are known to have an excellent gonadotropic hormone-releasing hormone antagonistic activity (PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405). On the other hand, while the pituitary prolactin-producing cells have so far been considered to be clearly distinguished from other pituitary peptide hormone secreting/producing cells, especially FSH- or LH-secreting/producing cells, among peptide pituitary hormone secretion/production stimulating hormone actually secreted from hypothalamus, none of such hormone as acting on prolactin-producing cells to cause secretion of prolactin while showing simultaneously activity on gonadotropin secreting/producing cells has been known. WO-A-94/20459 describes substituted pyrrolo [2,3-b]-pyridine derivatives which are ligands for dopamine receptor subtypes within the body and used for the treatment of disorders of the dopamine system, including schizophrenia and disorder of hypothalamic-pituitary function such as hyperprolactinaemia and amenorrhoea. Circumstances being such as above, development of a novel agent of suppressing prolactin-production from an independent viewpoint has been required as well. Furthermore, for treating diseases/disturbances due to hyperprolactin, use of a prolactin inhibitory agent acting specifically on prolactin-producing cells has a possibility of curing completely hyperprolactinemia and of reducing undesirable side-effects. Therefore, a highly stable and orally administrable prolactin-inhibiting agent, which is capable of directly suppressing or inhibiting the prolactin-production of pituitary prolactin-producing/secreting cells, especially a non-peptide prolactin inhibitory agent, is ardently desired. Summary of the Invention The present invention is to provide an excellent prolactin production inhibitory agent. The present inventors, while taking the above circumstances into consideration, have made diligent efforts for finding out a compound usable as the prolactin-inhibiting agent, resulting in finding that condensed bicyclic compounds, especially, a thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivative, have an excellent prolactin production inhibitory activity. Based on this finding, the present inventors have studied further to complete this invention. Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention provides: (1) Use of a compound of the formula: wherein R 13b stands for 1 to 3 substituents and independently stands for a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkoxy group or a C 1-6 alkanoylamino group, R 14b stands for a hydrogen atom or a C 1-6 alkyl group, R 15b stands for 1 to 3 substituents and independently stands for a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, R 16b stands for 1 to 3 substituents and independently stands for a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a C 1-6 alkoxy group, R 17b stands for 1 to 2 substituents and independently stands for a carboxyl group which may optionally be esterified or amidated or a C 1-6 alkylcarbonyl group, and each of v', t' and u' denotes an integer of 1 to 3 or a salt thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for therapeutic application on hyperprolactinemia. (2) Use of the compounds selected from 4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-7-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester or its salt, 2-(4-acetylaminophenyl)-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-7-(2-methoxybenzyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester or its salt, 5-n-butyryl-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-7-(2-fluorobenzyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine or its salt, 5-benzoyl-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-7-(2-fluorobenzyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine or its salt, 7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-2-(4-isobutyrylaminophenyl)-5-isobutyryl-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine or its salt, 7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-5-isobutyryl-2-(4-propionylaminophenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine or its salt, or 5-benzoyl-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-2-(4-isobutyrylaminophenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine or its salt, for the manufacture of a medicament for therapeutic application on hyperprolactinemia. (3) Use according to Claim 1, wherein the medicament comprises a compound of Claim 1 or a salt thereof and a medicine selected from the group consisting of a steroidal or non-steroidal anti-androgenic agent or anti-estrogenic agent, a somatostatin-acceptor agonist and an antitumor agent. (4) Use according to Claim 1, wherein the medicament is a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for galactorrhea, hyperplolactinemic ovulation disturbance, amenorrhea-galactorrhea syndrome, prblactinoma or interbrain tumor. (5) Use according to Claim 1, wherein the medicament is an agent of suppressing puerperal galactorrhea. The compound (XI) and their salts which are employed in the present invention can be produced easily by per se known methods, as exemplified by the following production methods. Production Method 1: In accordance with the method disclosed by K. Gewald, E. Schinke and H. Bøttcher, Chem. Ber., 99 , 94-100 (1966), an adequate ketone or aldehyde having an active methylene (i) is allowed to react with a cyanoacetic acid ester derivative and sulfur to convert into a 2-aminothiophene derivative (ii). More specifically, in the case of using ketone (R 1' ≠H), a ketone (i) is subjected to heating under reflux together with a cyanoacetic acid ester derivative, in the presence of acetic acid and ammonium acetate, in a proper solvent such as toluene to give an alkylidene cyanoacetic acid ester derivative, which is then heated in an adequate solvent, for example, ethanol in the presence of sulfur and a base to afford a 2-aminothiophene derivative (ii). And, in the case of using aldehyde (R 1' =H), an aldehyde is heated in a proper solvent, for example, N,N-dimethylformamide, in the presence of a cyanoacetic acid ester derivative, sulfur and a base to give a 2-aminothiophene derivative (ii). The compound (ii) thus obtained is heated, in accordance with the method disclosed by Kuwata et al. (cf. German Patent 2,435,025), with diethyl ethoxymethylenemalonate to give an adduct (iii). The adduct is stirred in a solvent, which does not give undesirable effect on the reaction, e.g. alcohols such as ethanol and methanol, in the presence of a base, e.g. alkali metal hydroxide such as potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide, at temperatures ranging from about 10 to 70°C to give carboxylic acid (iv). Then, the carboxylic acid (iv) thus obtained is subjected to ring-closure reaction by heating in polyphosphoric acid ester (PPE) to give a thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivative (v). The compound (v) is stirred in a solvent, which does not give undesirable effect on the reaction, e.g. amides such as N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide, in the presence of a halogenated aralkyl derivative and a base, e.g. an organic base such as pyridine and triethylamine, at temperatures ranging from about 10 to 100°C to give a 4,7-dihydro-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ester derivative shown by the formula (XIa). Then, the compound (XIa) is stirred together with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in a solvent, which does not give undesirable effect on the reaction, e.g. halogenated hydrocarbons such as carbon tetrachloride and chloroform, in the presence of α, α'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), at temperatures ranging from about 30 to 100°C to give a compound (XIb). Upon necessity, the halogen atom in the compound (XIb) is converted to alkylsulfonyloxy, arylsulfonyloxy. The compound (XIb) is stirred together with various amines (H-R 9 ) in a solvent, which does not give undesirable effect on the reaction, e.g. amides such as N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide, nitrile such as acetonitrile and alcohols such as ethanol, in the presence of a base at temperatures ranging from about 10 to 100°C to give free form of the compound (XI'), and then the compound is treated with HCl-EtOH to produce the compound (XI'). The Production Method 1 described above is shown in Scheme 1: wherein R 1' is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl group, R' is an alkyl group, X is a leaving group, Xa is halogen, and R 2 , R 3 , R 9 and n are of the same meaning as defined above. R 4' denotes ethoxycarbonyl. R 5' denotes a hydrogen atom. m denotes an integer of 0 to 6. The alkyl group shown by R 1' and R' is of the same meaning as defined above. As the leaving group shown by X, mention is made of, for example, a group which is potentially substituted by a nucleophilic reagent such as a hydrocarbon residue having a hetero atom (e.g. an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a nitrogen atom) being negatively charged. The preferable examples of the leaving group include halogen (e.g. iodine, bromine chlorine), alkanoyloxy (e.g. acetoxy), alkylsulfonyloxy (e.g. methanesulfonyloxy), alkyl-arylsulfonyloxy (e.g. p-toluenesulfonyloxy). The halogen shown by Xa is fluorine, iodine, chlorine, iodine. Among these, bromine is more preferable. Production Method 2: In the substantially same manner as in Production Method 1, a 2-aminothiophene derivative (vi) whose 5-position is unsubstituted, which can be synthesized by the method disclosed by Karl Gewald (K. Gewald, Chem. Ber., 98 , 3571-3577 (1965); K. Gewald and E. Schinke, Chem. Ber., 99 , 2712-2715 (1966)) is allowed to react with diethyl ethoxymethylene malonate under heating, in accordance with the method disclosed by Kuwata et al. German Patent 2,435,025, to give an adduct (vii). The adduct is stirred at temperatures ranging from about 10 to 60°C in a solvent, which does not affect adversely on the reaction, e.g. alcohols such as ethanol and methanol, in the presence of a suitable base, e.g. alkali metal hydroxide such as potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide, to give carboxylic acid (viii). The compound (viii) is subjected to various electrophilic substitution reactions and, depending on cases, to a suitable change of functional groups to introduce the substituent shown by R 2" , which is then subjected to ring-closure reaction under heating in polyphosphoric acid ester (PPE) to give a thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivative (ix). As the electrophilic substitution reaction, mention is made of, for example, nitration (fuming nitric acid - concentrated sulfuric acid, sodium nitrate - concentrated sulfuric acid), acylation (acid chloride- aluminum chloride), formylation (phosphorus oxychloride - N,N-dimethylformamide or N-methylformanilide) and halogenation such as bromination (N-bromosuccinimide, bromine-pyridine). The compound (ix) is then processed in the substantially the same manner as in Production Method 1 to produce compounds (XIa'), (XIb') and (XI'). The Production Method 2 is shown in Scheme 2: wherein each symbol has the same meaning as defined above. Production Method 3 In a suitable solvent, which does not affect adversely on the reaction, (e.g. ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, ethyl ether and dioxane), 4,7-dihydro-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ester derivative (va) is stirred together with a suitable reducing agent (e.g. lithium aluminum hydride) at temperatures ranging from about 0 to 80°C to give a 4,7-dihydro-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivative shown by the formula (XIc). The derivative obtained is stirred, together with a suitable oxidizing agent (e.g. manganese dioxide), in a suitable solvent (e.g. dichloromethane or chloroform) at temperatures ranging from about 10 to 80°C to give a 5-formyl derivative. The derivative (XId) thus produced is stirred, together with a Grignard's reagent (R 25d MgXa), at temperatures ranging from about 0 to 80°C in a solvent, which does not affect adversely on the reaction, (e.g. ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and ethyl ether) to give a corresponding secondary alcohol derivative (XIe). The compound (XIe) is stirred, together with a suitable oxidizing agent (e.g. metal oxide such as manganese dioxide), in a suitable solvent (e.g. halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane and chloroform) at temperatures ranging from about 10 to 80°C to give a 5-carbonyl derivative (XIf). The foregoing Production Method 3 is shown in Scheme 3: wherein R 25d is hydrocarbon residue, and other symbols are of the same meaning as defined above. The hydrocarbon residue shown by the above R 25d is of the same meaning as the hydrocarbon residue in the carbonyl group substituted with hydrocarbon residue shown by the above-described R 4 . Production Method 4: 4,7-Dihydro-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ester derivative (XIa') is stirred at temperatures ranging from about 10 to 100°C, together with an aluminum amide derivative previously produced from a proper aluminum reagent [(e.g. trimethyl aluminum and diisobutyl aluminum hydride (DIBAL)] and amine in a suitable solvent, which does not affect adversely on the reaction, (e.g. halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane and ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, ethyl ether and dioxane), to give a 4,7-dihydro-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid amide derivative (XIa''). The said derivative (XIa'') is stirred, together with a Grignard's reagent, in a proper solvent, which does not affect adversely on the reaction, (e.g. tetrahydrofuran and ethyl ether) at temperatures ranging from about -78°C to 80°C to give a corresponding ketone derivative (XIf). The foregoing Production Method 4 is shown in Scheme 4: wherein R 26d is alkyl or aryl; R 27d and R 28d are each hydrogen or hydrocarbon residue; and other symbols are of the same meaning as defined above. The alkyl and aryl shown by the above R 26d are of the same meaning as defined above. The hydrocarbon residue shown by the above R 27d and R 28d has the same meaning as the hydrocarbon residue in the carbonyl group substituted with hydrocarbon residue shown by the above R 4 . Production Method 5 : 4,7-Dihydro-2-halogeno-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivative (XIp) is dissolved in a suitable solvent which does not affect adversely on the reaction (e.g. ethers including 1,2-dimethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran and dioxane and alcohols including ethyl alcohol). To the solution is added, in the presence of equimolar to an excess amount (2 to 10 equivalents) of a suitable base (e.g. sodium carbonate), a suitable aryl boric acid derivative (e.g. phenyl boric acid, 3-methoxyphenyl boric acid and 4-ethoxycarbonyl phenyl boric acid). To the mixture is added, in the streams of an inert gas (e.g. argon gas), a suitable catalyst [e.g. palladium metal including tetrakis (triphenylphosphine) palladium]. The mixture is stirred for a period ranging from several minutes to several hours at temperatures ranging from about 10 to 100°C. Insolubles are removed to leave the desired derivative (XIq). The foregoing Production Method 5 is shown in Scheme 5: wherein wherein X 1 is halogen, R 30d is an optionally substituted aryl group, and other symbols are of the same meaning as defined above. Production Method 6 : Exchange the group at 3-position: The group at 3-position of the compound can be exchanged by the following method as illustrated in Scheme 6. The compound (XIIy) is stirred together with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in an appropriate solvent, e.g. halogenated hydrocarbons such as carbon tetrachloride and chloroform, in the presence of α, α'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), at temperatures ranging from about 30 to 100°C to give a compound (II'), and if required the compound (II') is subjected to a reaction with aliphatic carboxylic acid, alkylsulfonic acid, or alkylarylsulfonic acid to cause a reaction of exchanging the group at 3-position. The compound (II') is reacted with an equivalent mole to a small excess amount (about 3 mole) of primary or secondary amine, e.g. R 1 '-H to give a compound (III'). The reaction can be carried out in an appropriate solvent which does not adversely effect the reaction. As the solvent, mention is made of amides such as dimethylformamide or dimethylacetamide, nitriles such as acetonitrile, alcohols such as ethanol, and furthermore diethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform, ethylether, acetone and ethyl acetate can be used. In this reaction, if necessary, a base may be used. As the base, mention is made of a tertiary organic amine, e.g. trimethylamine, triethylamine, diisopropylamine, pyridine, 1,8-diazabicyclic[5,4,0]-7-undecene (DBU), and an inorganic salt, e.g. anhydrous potassium carbonate. The reaction is carried out at a temperature of about 10 to 100°C. The reaction time is about 0.5 to 8 hours. When the reaction is carried out under stirring, the reaction proceeds smoothly. This reaction gives the compound (III'). The described above is shown in Scheme 3 below: In Scheme 6, the group R 1 " denotes a hydrogen atom or a C 1-6 alkyl group, the group R 1"' denotes a group bonded through a nitrogen aotm, the groups R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 and m have the same meaning as defined above. m denotes an integer of 0 to 6. X denotes a leaving group. As the leaving group shown by X , mention is made of, for example, a group which is potentially substituted by a nucleophilic reagent such as a hydrocarbon residue having a hetero atom, e.g. an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a nitrogen atom, being negatively charged. The preferable examples of the leaving group include halogen, e.g. iodine, bromine chlorine), alkanoyloxy, e.g. acetoxy), alkylsulfonyloxy, e.g. methanesulfonyloxy), alkyl-arylsulfonyloxy (e.g. p-toluenesulfonyloxy). Production Method 7: A thienopyridine-5-carboxylic acid derivative having an optionally substituted branched alkoxycarbonyl group at the 5-position can be produced by allowing a compound having alkoxycarbonyl group at the 5-position, which is produced by substantially the same method described in PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405, or a salt thereof, to react with a compound represented by the general formula R 4j -OH, wherein R 4j stands for an optionally substituted branched alkoxy group whose specific examples are the same as described in the foregoing or a salt thereof. This reaction is conducted by dissolving the starting compound in an adequate solvent (e.g. isopropyl alcohol and 3-pentyl alcohol), adding to the solution a compound represented by the general formula Ti(OR 4j ) 4 , wherein R 4j stands for a branched alkoxy group, (e.g. isopropyl titanate (titantetraisopropoxide), titanic acid (3-pentyl)) or a salt thereof, and by stirring the mixture at temperatures ranging from about 0 to 120 °C, more preferably from about 10 to 20 °C, for about 1 to 24 hours, preferably about 1 to 12 hours. Or, the said thienopyridine-5-carboxylic acid derivative can be produced by stirring a compound having carboxyl group at the 5-position in an adequate solvent (e.g. dimethylformamide) in the presence of an adequate agent for converting into acid chloride (e.g. phosphorus oxychloride), a base (e.g. N,N-dimethylaminopyridine) and alcohol (e.g. 2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanol), at room temperature or under heating (about 100 °C), for about 1 to 12 hours. Production Method 8 : A thienopyridine-5-carboxylic acid of this invention having carboxyl group at the 5-position can be produced by subjecting a compound having alkoxycarbonyl group at the 5-position, which is produced by substantially the same method as that described in the official gazette of International Application WO95/28405 Laid-Open Under PCT, or a salt thereof to hydrolysis. The hydrolysis is conducted by dissolving the starting compound in an adequate solvent which does not exert undesirable influence on the reaction (ethers such as tetrahydrofuran or dioxane, or alcohols such as ethyl alcohol), adding to the solution an acid (e.g. inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid) or an aqueous alkaline solution (e.g 1-4N aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or lithium hydroxide), and stirring at temperatures ranging from about 10 to 100 °C for about 1 to 4 hours. Production Method 9 : The compound (XV) can be produced by allowing a 5-carboxy-4,7-dihydro-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivative, which is produced by a method analogous to the method disclosed in PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405, or a salt thereof to react with a compound represented by the general formula R 2k' -Y k , wherein R 2k' stands for alkyl group having 1 to 3 alkenyl optionally substituted with (i) halogen, (ii) cycloalkyl or (iii) alkyl, and Y stands for halogen atom, or a salt thereof. This reaction is conducted usually in a solvent, as exemplified by amides such as dimethylformamide, nitriles such as acetonitrile and ethers such as tetrahydrofuran. This reaction is conducted by dissolving the starting compound in any of these solvents and by adding to the solution a compound represented by the general formula R 2k' -Y k (e.g. allyl bromide, cycloprolylmethyl chloride, 1-bromo-2-butene, crotyl bromide (i.e. 1-bromo-2-methyl-2-propene), 1-bromo-3-butene, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl iodide) or a salt and a basic compound thereof (e.g. potassium carbonate, sodium hydride and triethylamine). The reaction temperature ranges from about 0 to 100 °C, preferably from about 0 to 40 °C. The reaction time ranges from about 1 to 200 hours, preferably from about 1 to 48 hours. This reaction can be conducted efficiently by stirring. Production Method 10: A thienopyridine derivative, which is the compound (XV) wherein R 2k stands for an optionally substituted alkoxy group, can be produced through ester exchange by allowing a 5-ethoxycarbonyl-4,7-dihydro-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivative produced by the method analogous to that disclosed in PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405 or a salt thereof to react with a compound represented by the general formula R 2k -H (wherein R 2k is of the same meaning as defined above) or a salt thereof. This reaction is conducted usually in a solvent, as exemplified by alcohols such as isopropyl alcohol. This reaction can be conducted by dissolving the starting compound in any of these solvents and by adding to the solution a compound represented by the general formula Ti(R 2k )4 (e.g. isopropyl titanate, e.g. titan (N) tetraisopropoxide). The reaction temperature ranges from about 0 to 100 °C, preferably from about 0 to 40 °C. The reaction time ranges from about 1 to 24 hours, preferably from about 1 to 6 hours. This reaction can be conducted efficiently by stirring. Or, the reaction can be conducted by dissolving the compound (I), wherein R 2k is carboxyl group, in a solvent (e.g. amides such as dimethylformamide), then by allowing the solution to react with alcohol (e.g. 2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanol). This reaction is conducted by adding, to the reaction system, an acid-chloridation agent such as phosphorus oxychloride and a base such as N,N-dimethylaminopyridine. The reaction is conducted at temperatures ranging from room temperature to about 100 °C under heating. The reaction time ranges from about 1 to 12 hours. This reaction is conducted efficiently by stirring. Production Method 11: A thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid derivative, which is the compound (XV) wherein -CO-R 2k is carboxyl group, can be produced by subjecting the compound (XV) wherein R 2k is alkoxy group or a salt thereof, which is produced by the method disclosed in PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405 or an analogous method thereto, to hydrolysis. The hydrolysis is conducted by adding, to a solution of the starting compound in a solvent, an acid (e.g. inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid) or an aqueous solution of alkali (e.g. a 1-4N aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or lithium hydroxide). As the solvent, use is made of, for example, ethers such as tetrahydrofuran or dioxane, and alcohols such as ethyl alcohol. The reaction temperature ranges from about 1 to 100 °C. The reaction time ranges from about 1 to 4 hours. The reaction is conducted efficiently by stirring. Production Method 12: An anthranilic acid derivative (viiz) is stirred at temperatures ranging from about 30 to 110°C together with an equivalent or an excess amount of triphosgene in an appropriate solvent, e.g. ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and 1,4-dioxane, to give an isatoic acid anhydride derivative (viiiz). Then, a halogenated derivative is stirred at temperatures ranging from about 40 to 130°C in an appropriate solvent, e.g. ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and 1,4-dioxane, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene, amides such as N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide, alkylsulfoxides such as dimethyl sulfoxide, in the presence of a base, e.g. alkali metal carbonate such as potassium carbonate, alkali metal hydride such as sodium hydride and potassium hydride, and alkali metal alkoxide such as potassium-butoxide, to give a substituted derivative (xiz). The derivative (xiz) is allowed to react with an equivalent or a little excess amount, e.g. about 1.1 to 1.5 equivalent, of a β-keto-acid ester derivative relative to the compound at temperatures ranging from 40 to 110°C in an appropriate solvent, e.g, ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and 1,4-dioxane, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene, amides such as N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide, and alkyl sulfoxide such as dimethyl sulfoxide, in the presence of a base, e.g. alkali metal carbonate such as potassium carbonate, alkali metal hydride such as sodium hydride and potassium hydride, and alkali metal alkoxide such as potassium-butoxide, to give the compound (XXXc). The foregoing Production Method is shown in Scheme 7 . In Scheme 7 , Xa denotes a leaving group especially halogen, and R g' denotes an alkyl group. Other groups have the same meaning as defined above. Other methods: The substituents on the compound can be converted to other substituents by per se known and conventional methods. Examples of the methods are shown below. (i) The nitro group as the substituent can be converted to an amino group when the starting compound is dissolved in an appropriate solvent, e.g. ethanol, methanol, and (a) to the solution is added palladium-carbon, and the mixture is reacted at room temperature for one to 12 hours under hydrogen atmosphere, or (b) to the solution is added iron powder and hydrochloric acid, and the mixture is reacted at room temperature for one to 12 hours. (ii) The amino group can be converted to an acylated amino group by dissolving the starting compound in an appropriate solvent, e.g. tetrahydrofuran, dimethylsulfoxide, to the solution is added potassium carbonate, pyridine and triethylamine as a base and acid anhydride or acid halide. The mixture is reacted at a room temperature for one to 10 hours under stirring. (iii) From an amino compound, a compound having an amino group is converted to alkenyl-amino compound. For example, the starting compound is dissolved in an appropriate solvent, e.g. acetic acid, dimethylformamide, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, acetonitrile, to the solution is added diazonizing agent, e.g. sodium nitrite, isoamyl nitrite, to the mixture is added palladium catalyst, e.g. bis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium and one to excess equivalents of alkenyl derivative, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature to heating (about 80°C) for one to 12 hours. (iv) A carbon atom can be introduced to the amino group, for example, to the starting compound in an appropriate solvent, e.g. acetic acid, dimethylformamide, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, is added an acrylic acid derivative or oxirane derivative, e.g. epoxide compound. The mixture is stirred at 0 to 80°C for 6 to 24 hours. (v) A sulfur atom can be introduced to the amino group in the compound, for example, to the starting compound in an appropriate solvent, e.g. pyridine, dimethylformamide, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, ethylether, dioxane, is added halide of sulfur compound. The mixture is stirred at 0 to 80°C for 6 to 24 hours. (vi) The substituent, formyl group, can be converted to methyl group by dissolving a starting compound in an appropriate solvent, e.g. tetrahydrofuran, and to the mixture is added an organic borane, derivative, e.g. dimethylsulfide borane, and the mixture is reacted at room temperature to heating under reflux for a several hours, e.g. one to 3 hours. (vii) From methoxy derivative, actonyloxy derivative can be prepared by dissolving the starting material in an appropriate solvent, e.g. dichloromethane, and to the solution is added one to excess equivalents of Lewis acid, e.g. aluminium chloride, and thiol compound or sulfide compound, e.g. dimethylsulfide, and the mixture is reacted at ice-cooling to room temperature for one to 10 hours, and then the obtained hydroxy derivative is dissolved in an appropriate solvent, e.g. dimethylformamide, to the solution is added a base, e.g. sodium hydroxide or potassium carbonate, and an alkyl halide. The mixture is reacted at a room temperature for one to 12 hours. (viii) A methoxy group can be changed to isopropoxy by dissolving the starting material in an appropriate solvent, e.g. dichloromethane, to the solution is added one to excess equivalents of Lewis acid, e.g. aluminum chloride, and thiol compound or sulfide compound, e.g. dimethylsulfide, and the mixture is reacted at room temperature to ice-cooling for one to 10 hours. (ix) An aminocarbonyl group can be introduced by dissolving a starting compound having halogen atom in an appropriate solvent, e.g. dimethoxyethane, to the solution is added arylborric acid derivative, a base, e.g. sodium carbonate, a palladium compound e.g. tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0), as a catalyst and the mixture is refluxed 1 to 6 hours. (x) An alkylthio compound can be converted to an alkylsulfinyl compound or an alkylsulfonyl compound by reacting a starting compound with an oxidizing agent, e.g. metachloroperbenzoic acid, in an appropriate solvent, e.g. dichloromethane, at ice-cooling to heating. With vigorous heating or by treating with an excess amount of oxidizing agent, an alkylsulfonyl compound is obtained. (xi) The hydroxyl group in the starting compound can be substituted by various kinds of groups. The reaction is carried out in an appropriate solvent, e.g. dimethylformamide (DMF), acetonitrile, acetone. To the solution of the starting compound is added halide such as alkyl halide, e.g. propyl iodide, isobutyl iodide, ethybromo acetate, or aralkyl halide, e.g. benzylchlolide. The mixture is stirred at 0 to 40°C for 2 to 18 hours. For example, in the case of ethyl bromoacetate, the obtained acetic acid ester is hydrolyzed in an adequate solvent and base, e.g. iN NaOH solution in ethyl alcohol, at room temperature for 2 to 12 hours. The acetic acid compound is dissolved in an adequate solvent, e.g. tetrahydrofuran (THF). To the solution is added isobutyl chloroformate in the presence of an adequate base, e.g. Et 3 N, and the reaction is carried out at 0°C for 1 to 4 hours. To the solution is added adequate amine derivatives, e.g. methylamine, propylamine, piperidine. The reaction is carried out at 0°C to room temperature for 1 to 12 hours.Said starting compound which has a hydroxyl group is produced by acid-hydrolysis of a compound such as one having an alkoxy group. The acid hydrolysis is carried out in a conventional manner such as by adding 1N hydrochloric acid in an appropriate solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or alcohol, e.g. methanol, ethanol, at 0°C to room temperature for one to 10 hours. (xii) The present compound is an having alkanoyl-phenyl group can be produced by the introduction of a alkanoyl-phenyl group to the halogenated compound. The halogenated compound is obtained by the halogenation reaction with the starting compound. The halogenation is carried out in an adequate solvent, e.g. carbontetrachloride or chloroform. To the solution is added N-bromosuccinimide and catalytic amount of 2,2'-azobis- (isobutyronitrile). The reaction is carried out at 100 to 120°C for 1 to 4 hours. The introduction reaction of alkanoyl phenyl group is carried out in an appropriate degased solvent, e.g. dimethoxyethane (DME). To the solution is added alkanoyl phenyl borate, palladium compound, e.g. Pd(PPh 3 ) 4 (Ph=phenyl) and sodium carbonate (2M, Na 2 CO 3 ). The alkanoyl phenyl borate is synthesized by the reaction of alkanoyl phenyl bromide with adequate borate, e.g. (i-PrO) 3 B(Pro=propyl) in the presence of adequate base, e.g. BuLi (Bu=butyl). The introduction reaction is carried out at room temperature to 120°C for 1 to 12 hours under inert gas atmosphere. (xiii) The present compound having alkylphenyl group can be produced by the similar manner as shown in (xii) with alkyl phenyl borates instead of alkanoyl phenyl borates. Any other group in the compound can be introduced by any known per se known methods. (xiv) The present compound having alkoxycarbonyl group, can be produced by introducing a cyano group, and then subjecting the obtained compound to esterification. In the reaction of the introduction of cyano group, the starting compound is dissolved in an appropriate solvent, e.g. dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), and to the solution is added sodium cyanide. The reaction is carried out at 40 to 60°C for 2 to 12 hours.The esterification reaction is carried out in an appropriate solvent such as ethyl alcohol. The reaction is conducted by mixing the starting compound and alcohol solution, e.g. ethyl alcohol, saturated with hydrochloric acid. The reaction is carried out at 80 to 120°C for 12 to 48 hours. (xv) The present compound having an alkyl group which is substituted by a sulfonamide group can be synthesized by (i) halogenation of this alkyl group and (ii) nucleophilic substitution of this halogen with a sulfonamide compound in the presence of appropriate base, e.g. sodium hydride. The halogenation is carried out in an appropriate solvent, e.g. carbon tetrachloride. To the solution is added N-bromosuccinimide or catalytic amount of 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile). The reaction is carried out at 100 to 120°C for 1 to 4 hours.The nucleophilic substitution reaction is carried out in an appropriate solvent such as N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). To the solution is added sodium hydride washed with n-hexane and sulfonamide derivatives, e.g. methanesulfonamide, ethanesulfonamide, benzenesulfonamide. The reaction is carried out at 0 to 40°C for 1 to 24 hours. (xvi) The protective group, e.g. methoxymethyl, substituted on the hydroxyl group in the present compound can be removed. The starting compound is dissolved in an appropriate solvent, e.g. ethanol, to the solution is added an acid, e.g. hydrochloric acid, hydrogen chloride in ethanol, under ice-cooling, and the mixture is stirred for 0.5 to 5 hours. (xvii) An acyl group or an acetonyl group can be introduced to the hydroxyl group in the compound. The starting compound having a hydroxyl group is dissolved in an appropriate solvent, e.g. dichloromethane, dimethylformamide, to the solution is added an appropriate base, e.g. triethylamine, pyridine. To the mixture is further added an excess amount of acid halide, acid chloride or alkyl halide. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 6 to 24 hours. (xviii) A carbonyl group in the compound can be converted to a group of the formula: -C(OH)H-. The starting compound having a carbonyl group is dissolved in an appropriate solvent, e.g. methanol, ethanol, and to the solution is added a small excess amount of a reducing agent, e.g. sodium boron hydride. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1 to 3 hours. As salts of the compound used in this invention obtained thus above, physiologically acceptable acid addition salts are preferable. Examples of such salts include those with an inorganic acid, e.g. hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid, or those with an organic acid, e.g. formic acid, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, fumaric acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, malic acid, methanesulfonic acid, bezenesulfonic acid, and p-toluenesulfonic acid. Further, when the compound has an acid group such as -COOH, the compound may form a salt with an inorganic base, e.g. an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium; ammonia, or an organic base, e.g. trimethylamine, triethylamine, pyridine, picolin, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, dicyclohexylamine and N,N'-dibenzylethylenediamine. The compound or salts thereof employed in the present invention and produced thus above can be isolated and purified by conventional separating means such as recrystallization, distillation and chromatography. In the case where the compound is produced in the free form, it can be converted to a salt thereof by a per se conventional means or a method analogous thereto. On the contrary, when it is obtained in the form of a salt, it can be converted to its free form or to any other salt. In the case where the compound or a salt thereof employed in the present invention is an optically active compound, it can be separated into d-compound and 1-compound by means of a conventional optical resolution. Since the compound or its salt employed in this invention have a prolactin production inhibitory activity and are less toxic, they can safely be used for the prophylaxis or therapy for diseases caused by excess production/secretion of prolactin or enhanced reactivity on prolactin in mammals, e.g. human, monkey, cow, horse, pig, sheep, dog, cat, rabbit, rat and mouse. More specifically, the present composition is useful for inhibiting puerperal lactation, and also useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent of galactorrhea, hyperprolactinemic ovulation disturbance, amenorrhea-galactorrhea syndrome, e.g. Chiari-Frommel syndrome, Argonz-del Castillo syndrome, Forbes-Albright syndrome, prolactinoma, interbrain tumor, and acromegaly, pituitary gigantism, especially lactosomatotroph-type acromegaly and pituitary gigantism, and also perkinsonism. According to the experimental observation, the composition of this invention shows an action of inhibiting the production of pituitary hormone which is not the one through the LHRH receptor, i.e. prolactin production inhibiting action, this being worthy of special mention. The composition of this invention act on the pituitary prolactin-producing cells and are considered to be effective for suppressing or inhibiting the prolactin production/secretion, and, they act on other cells including tumor cells producing/secreting prolactin, thus they are considered to be effective for suppressing or inhibiting the prolactin-production/secretion. The composition of this invention act on the lactotolope of pituitary to suppress or inhibit the prolactin production/secretion. And, the composition of this invention are also effective for diseases in which prolactin takes part, for example, prolactin receptor-expressing tumors, and, when these diseases are those dependent on sex hormone, the composition of this invention are especially useful therapeutic agents, because they have a gonadotropic hormone-releasing hormone antagonistic action as well. While these diseases include, for example, breast cancer or prostatic cancer, the usefulness of the composition of this invention is not limited to especially these cancers but covers any diseases in which prolactin participates. Besides, the composition of this invention can be used for the therapy of animal diseases in the field of animal husbandry, and they can be used also for fish. While the composition of this invention can be used singly, they can also be used in combination with a steroidal or non-steroidal antiandrogenic or antiestrogenic agent, a somatostatin-receptor agonistic agent or a chemotherapeutic agent for cancer (e.g adriamycin). When the present composition of prolactin production inhibitory agent is employed, as prophylactic and therapeutic agents of the above-mentioned diseases, it can be administered orally or parenterally in accordance with per se known means. For example, the condensed cyclic compound or its salt can be mixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and administered orally as a solid preparation such as tablet, capsule, granule or powder, or parenterally as intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, drip injection, external agent, suppository or a sublingually administrable tablet. Further, it can be sublingually, subcutaneously or intramuscularly administered as a prolonged release formulation such as sublingually administrable tablets, or microcapsules. The dosage can vary with, e.g. the degree of affliction, age, sex, body weight and difference of sensitivity of the subject to be administered; the time and intervals of administration, treated dosage forms and kinds of the medicinal preparation; and kinds of the effective components, and dosage of the condensed cyclic compound or its salt ranges usually, though not specifically limited to, from about 0.02 to 20 mg, preferably from about 0.1 to 10 mg, relative to 1 kg body weight of the mammals, which is administered usually once daily or by 2 to 4 divided dosages. The daily dose when used in the field of animal husbandry or fishery varies with the conditions analogous to those mentioned above, it ranges, relative to 1 kg body weight of the subject animal or fish, from about 0.01 to 50 mg, preferably from about 0.1 to 10 mg, once daily or by 2 to 3 divided dosages. When the condensed compound or its salt is used in combination with another agent above-mentioned, the dosage of the another agent is about 0.1 to 1 weight per the condensed compound or its salt. As the above-mentioned pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, conventional various organic or inorganic carriers are used, and they can be incorporated as excipients, lubricants, binders, disintegrants in solid compositions; and as solvents, solubilisers, suspending agents, isotonizing agents, buffering agents and pain-easing agents in liquid and solid compositions. And, depending on necessity, further additives such as preservatives, anti-oxidants, coloring agents and sweeteners can also be used. Preferable examples of the above-mentioned excipients include lactose, sugar, D-mannito, starch, crystalline cellulose and light anhydrous silicic acid. Preferable examples of the above-mentioned lubricants include magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, talc and colloid silica. Preferable examples of the above-mentioned binders include crystalline cellulose, sugar, D-mannitol, dextrin, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol. Preferable examples of the above-mentioned disintegrants include starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose calcium, low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, cross carmelose sodium, and carboxymethyl starch sodium. Preferable examples of the above-mentioned solvents include water for injection, alcohol, propylene glycol, macrogol, sesame oil and corn oil. Preferable examples of the above-mentioned solubilizers include polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, D-mannitol, benzyl benzoate, ethanol, tris-aminomethane, cholesterol, triethanolamine, sodium carbonate and sodium citrate. Preferable examples of the above-mentioned suspending agents include surfactants such as stearyl triethanolamine, sodium lauryl sulfate, lauryl aminopropionic acid, lecithin, benzalkonium chloride, benzetonium chloride and monostearic glyceryl ester; and hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose. Preferable examples of the above-mentioned isotonizing agents include sodium chloride, glucose, glycerin, D-mannitol and D-sorbitol. Preferable examples of the above-mentioned buffering agents include buffer solutions such as phosphate, acetate, carbonate and citrate. Preferable examples of the above-mentioned pain-easing agents include benzyl alcohol. Preferable examples of the above-mentioned preservatives include para-hydroxybenzoic acid esters, chlorobutanol, benzyl alcohol, phenethyl alcohol, dehydroacetic acid and sorbic acid. Preferable examples of the above-mentioned anti-oxidants include sulfite and ascorbic acid. Preferable examples of the above mentioned coloring agent include red iron oxide, titanium oxide. To the condensed cyclic compound or its salt, are added, for example, a suspending agent, a solubilizer, a stabilizer, an isotonizing agent and a preservative, then the mixture is formulated, in accordance with a per se known method, into an intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. These injections can be processed into lyophilized preparations, when necessary, by a per se known method. Examples of the above-mentioned pharmaceutical composition are orally administering agents (e.g. diluted powders, granules, capsules and tablets), injections, drip injections, external agents (e.g. transnasal preparations, percutaneous preparations, etc.), ointments (e.g. rectal ointment, vaginal ointment, etc.) and the like. Such pharmaceutical compositions can be manufactured by a per se known method commonly used in preparing pharmaceutical compositions. Concretely, the condensed cyclic compound or a salt thereof can be made into injections or dropping injections either in a form of an aqueous injection together with dispersing agents, e.g. Tween 80 (Atlas Powder, U.S.A.), HCO 80 (Nikko Chemicals, Japan), polyethylene glycol, carboxymethylcellulose, sodium alginate, etc., preservatives, e.g. methyl paraben, propyl paraben, benzyl alcohol, etc., isotonizing agents, e.g. sodium chloride, mannitol, sorbitol, glucose, etc., and the like or in a form of an oily injection by dissolving, suspending or emulsifying in plant oil, e.g. olive oil, sesame oil, cotton seed oil, corn oil, etc., propylene glycol and the like. In preparing a pharmaceutical composition for oral use, the condensed cyclic compound or a salt thereof is molded by compressing, for example, with excipients, e.g. lactose, sucrose, starch, etc., disintegrating agents, e.g. starch, calcium carbonate, etc., binders, e.g. starch, gum arabic, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, hydroxypropylcellulose, etc., or lubricants, e.g. talc, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol 6000, etc., and the like, to prepare tablets or granules. If necessary, the composition is coated by a per se known method with an object of masking the taste, as an enteric coating or for long-acting sustained release. Examples of coating agents therefore are hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, polyoxyethylene glycol, Tween 80, pluronic F 68, cellulose acetate phthalate, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate, hydroxymethylcellulose acetate succinate, Eudragit (a copolymer of methacrylic acid with acrylic acid; manufactured by Rohm, Germany), red oxide of iron and the like. Subcoating layers may be provided between the enteric coating and the core according to per se known methods. In preparing an external composition, condensed cyclic the compound or a salt thereof is subjected to a per se known method to give a solid, semisolid or liquid agent for external use. For example, the solid preparation is manufactured as follows. The condensed cyclic compound as it is or after adding/mixing fillers, e.g. mannitol, starch, microcrystalline cullulose, etc., thickeners, e.g. natural gums, cellulose derivatives, acrylic acid polymers, etc., and the like thereto/therewith is made into a powdery composition. With respect to the liquid composition, an oily or aqueous suspension is manufactured by the manner nearly the same as in the case of the injection. In the case of a semisolid composition, the preferred one is an aqueous or oily gel or an ointment. Each of them may be compounded with a pH adjusting agent, e.g. carbonic acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, etc., an antiseptic agent, e.g. p-hydroxybenzoates, chlorobutanol, benzalkonium chloride, etc., and the like. In the manufacture of an ointment for example, the condensed cyclic compound or a salt thereof can be made into an oily or an aqueous solid, semisolid or liquid ointment. Examples of the oily base material applicable in the above-mentioned composition are glycerides of higher fatty acids, e.g. cacao butter, Witepsols (manufactured by Dynamite-Nobel), etc., medium fatty acids, e.g. Miglyols (manufactured by Dynamite-Nobel), etc., and plant oil, e.g. sesame oil, soybean oil, cotton seed oil, etc., and the like. Examples of the aqueous base material are polyethylene glycols and propylene glycol and those of the base material for aqueous gel are natural gums, cellulose derivatives, vinyl polymers, acrylic acid polymers, etc. By way of the following Experimental Example, Examples and Reference Examples, the present invention will be described more specifically, but they are not intended to limit the scope of this invention thereto. Among compounds employed in the following, Compound E-1 is 4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-7-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester hydrochloride, Compound E-2 is 2-(4-acetylaminophenyl)-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-7-(2-methoxybenzyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, Compound E-3 is 5-n-butyryl-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-7-(2-fluorobenzyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride, Compound E-4 is 5-benzoyl-4,7-dihdyro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-7-(2-fluorobenzyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride, Compound E-5 is 7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-2-(4-isobutyrylaminophenyl)-5-isobutyryl-4-oxo-thieno[2,3-b]pyridine, and Compound E-6 is 7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-5-isobutyryl-2-(4-propionylaminophenyl)-4-oxo-thieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride and E-7 is 5-benzoyl-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-2-(4-isobutyrylaminophenyl)-4-oxo-thieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride. These compounds are described in PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405. Experimental Example 1 Inhibitory activity of prolactin (PRL) secretion by primary cultured cells of rat pituitary: Anterior lobes of pituitary glands excised from 40 Wister rats (8-week old, male) were put into a petri dish containing buffer solution A (0.7 mM disodium hydrogenphosphate, 137 mM sodium chloride, 5mM potassium chloride, 25 mM 2-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES), 50 µg/ml gentamycin sulfate, pH 7.3), which was once washed with the buffer solution A, then the anterior lobes were divided into four portions. These pituitary fragments were placed into a conical flask containing 30 ml of enzyme solution I [buffer A containing 0.4% collagenase, 0.4% BSA (bovine serum albumin), 10 µg/ml of deoxyribonuclease and 0.2% glucose]. The mixture was incubated for one hour at 37°C under shaking. The tissue fragments were dispersed by sucking and discharging with a pipette repeatedly. The dispersion was transferred to a centrifugal tube, which was then centrifuged for 6 minutes at 480 x g to remove off the supernatant. To the remainder was added 30 ml of enzyme solution II (enzyme solution A containing 0.25% pancreatin), and the mixture was incubated for 8 minutes at 37°C under shaking, which was mixed with 2 ml of FCS (fetal calf serum). The mixture was again centrifuged for 6 minutes at 480 x g, and the supernatant was removed off. The remainder was suspended in 10 ml of a solution I for culture [DMEM (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium) containing 10% FCS, 20 mM HEPES, 50U/ml penicilin G, 50 µg/ml streptomycin and 3.7 g/L sodium hydrogencarbonate], which was subjected to filtration with nylon mesh. The filtrate was washed twice with 10 ml each portion of the solution I for culture, followed by allowing the cells to be suspended in the culture solution I at a cell density of 5 x 10 5 /ml. One ml each of the cell suspension was added to each well of a 24-well plate, which was incubated for three days in a CO 2 incubator at 37°C under an atmosphere of 5% carbon dioxide - 95% air. The cells thus incubated were washed with 2 ml of the solution II for culture (DMEM containing 0.2% BSA, 20 mM HEPES, 50U/ml penicilin G, 50 µg/ml streptomycin and 3.7 g/L sodium hydrogencarbonate), followed by adding 2 ml of the solution II for culture. The mixture was incubated for one hour, then the culture solution was removed off. To each well of the 24-well plate was added 90 µl of fresh solution II for culture, followed by addition of 100 µl of a 20 µM or 100 µM solution of Compound E-1, E-2, E-3 or E-4 dissolved in a 0.2% (v/v) DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) (final concentration of the compound being 2 µM or 10µM). The cultured broth in the absence of the compound was employed as the control. After incubation at 37°C for 3 hours, 500 µl of the supernatant of the cultured broth was recovered, which was subjected to centrifugation for 8 minutes at 1000 x g to collect the supernatant. The concentration of PRL in the supernatant was determined by using the RIA (radio immunoassay) kit (Amersham Inc.). The inhibiting rate (%) of PRL secretion by each compound was determined by calculating in accordance with the formula: PRL concentration of the control - PRL concentration in the presence of the compound PRL concentration of the control X 100 As the results, the compound E-1 inhibited the PRL secretion with 34% (final concentration of the compound: 2 µM) and 62% (final concentration of the compound: 10 µM), the compound E-2 inhibited with 12% (final concentration of the compound: 2 µM) and 37% (final concentration of the compound: 10 µM), the compound E-3 inhibited with 52% (final concentration of the compound: 2 µM) and the compound E-4 inhibited with 50% (final concentration of the compound: 2 µM). The cells left after collecting the supernatant were incubated for one day at 37°C. Then, the cytotoxicity of each compound was examined using MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium·Br]. The supernatant of the cultured broth was removed off. Into each well of a 24-well plate was added 500 µl each portion of the solution II for culture containing 1 mg/ml MTT, followed by incubation for one hour at 37°C. The supernatant was removed off, then each 200 µl portion of the pigment extract solution (1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, 0.04 N hydrochloric acid, 86% (v/v) aqueous isopropanol solution) was distributed into each well, then the MTT formazan produced in living cells was extracted. The color development of the extract was quantitatively determined by the absorption at 588 nm. In any of the above cases, no significant difference was observed in absorbance between the test groups and the control group. Thus, cytotoxicity was not observed in these compounds. Example 1 Using Compound E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4 or E-5 (100 mg), lactose (165 mg), corn starch (25 mg), hydroxy propyl cellulose (9 mg) and magnesium stearate (1 mg), tablets are prepared by a conventional method. Example 2 Using Compound E-6 or E-7 (100 mg), crystalline cellulose (50 mg), low substituted hydroxypropylcellulose-31 (30 mg), hydroxypropylcellulose L (6 mg) and magnesium stearate (1 mg), tablets are prepared by a conventional method. Example 3 Using the compound which is produced in Reference Example 2:16 (100 mg) below mentioned, lactose (150 mg), cross carmelose sodium (30 mg), hydroxypropylcellulose (6 mg) and magnesium stearate (1 mg), tablets are prepared by a conventional method. Example 4 Using the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:30 (100 mg) below mentioned, lactose (165 mg), corn starch (25 mg), polyvinyl alcohol (4 mg) and magnesium stearate (1 mg), tablets are prepared by a conventional method. Example 5 Using the compound which is produced in Reference Example 4:2 (100 mg), lactose (150 mg), low substituted hydroxypropylcallulose-31 (30 mg), polyvinylpyrrolidone (10 mg) and magnesium stearate (1 mg), tablets are prepared by a conventional method. Example 6 Using the compound which is produced in Reference Example 5:5(1) (100 mg) below mentioned, lactose (150 mg), carboxymethylcellulose calcium (30 mg), hydroxypropylcellulose (6 mg) and magnesium stearate (1 mg), tablets are prepared by a conventional method. Example 7 Using the compound which is produced in Reference Example 6:21 (100 mg) below mentioned, lactose (165 mg), corn starch (25 mg), polyvinyl alcohol (4 mg) and magnesium stearate (1 mg), tablets are prepared by a conventional method. Example 8 Using the compound which is produced in Reference Example 7:6 (100 mg) below mentioned, lactose (165 mg), corn starch (25 mg), polyvinyl alcohol (4 mg) and magnesium stearate (1 mg), tablets are prepared by a conventional method. Example 9 Compound E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4 or E-5 (0.5 g) and mannitol (1 g) are dissolved in distilled water for injection to make the whole volume 100 ml. The solution is subjected to sterilized filtration with 0.22 µm membrane filter (manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. or by Zartolius, Inc.), 10 ml each of which is distributed to sterilized vials, followed by lyophilization by a conventional means to give lyophilized injectable solution of 50 mg/vial. Example 10 (1) Compound E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4 or E-5 100 g (2) Lactose 234 g (3) Corn starch 150 g (4) Hydroxypropyl cellulose 45 g (5) Light anhydrous silicic acid 1 g total amount 500 g The above (1), (2) and (3) are mixed in a fluidized-bed granulating machine, and an aqueous solution of (4) is sprayed to the mixture in the granulating machine to give fine granules. After mixing with the (5), 500 mg each of thus prepared fine granules are packed. In the following Reference Examples, 1 H-NMR spectra are taken with the Varian GEMINI 200 (200 MHz) type spectrometer, JEOL LAMBDA300 (300MHz) type spectrometer or the Brucker AM 500 (500 MHz) type spectrometer, employing tetramethylsilane as the internal standard. All delta values were expressed in ppm. The symbols used in the present specification have the following meanings: s: singlet, d: doublet, t: triplet, dt: double triplet, m: multiplet, br: broad Reference Example 1 The compounds shown in the following Tables 1 to 21 are produced in accordance with the methods described in PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405. Reference Example 3:1 Production of 4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-phenyl-3-methyl-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester: From 4-hydroxy-2-phenyl-3-methylthieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-canboxylic acid ethyl ester which is produced in PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405 Reference Example 9(1) and 2,6-difluorobenzyl chloride, the titled compound is produced. m.p.171-173 °C. Reference Example 3:2 Production of 4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-3-methyl-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:1, sodium nitrate and conc. sulfuric acid, the titled compound is produced. m.p. 260-261°C. Reference Example 3:3 Production of 3-bromomethyl-4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:2, N-bromosuccinic acid imide and α,α'-azobisisobutyronitrile, the titled compound is produced. m.p. 200-201°C. Reference Example 3:4 Production of 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester hydrochloride: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:3, ethyl diisopropylamine and N-benzyl methylamine, the titled compound is produced. m.p. 118-119°C (hydrochloride). Reference Example 3:5 Production of 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-aminophenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester hydrochloride: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:4, iron powder and conc. hydrogen chloride, the titled compound is produced. m.p. 195-196°C. Reference Example 3:6 Production of 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-trifluoroacetylaminophenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:5 and trifluoroacetic anhydride, the titled compound is produced. m.p. 147-149°C. Reference Example 3:7 Production of 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-trifluoroacetylaminophenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-(N-methyl-O-methyl)hydroxamic acid: From N,O-dimethoxyhydroxylamine hydrochloride, diisopropylamine, trimethyl aluminium in hexane and the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:6, the titled compound is produced. 1 H-NMR (300MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 2.15(3H,s), 3.35(3H,s), 3.63(2H,s), 3.73(2H,s), 4.15(2H,s), 5.20(2H,s), 7.00(1H,t), 7.12-7.30(5H,m), 7.42(1H,m), 7.64(2H,d,J=8.7Hz), 7.72(1H,s), 7.90(2H,d,J=8.4Hz). Mass m/z 685(MH) + . Reference Example 3:8 Employing the compound produced in PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405 Working Example 27(2) or the compound produced in the following Reference Example 3:14 as the starting material, substantially the same procedures as in Reference Example 3:6 and 3:7 are conducted to give the compounds set forth in Table 25. "N-methyl-O-methylhydroxamic acid" in Table 25 means a group represented by the formula, -CO-N(OCH 3 )CH 3 . Reference Example 3:9 Production of 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-5-isobutyryl-2-(4-isobutyrylaminophenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride: Employing, as the starting material, the compound (Compound No. 3:8(1)) which is produced in Reference Example 3:8, isopropyl magnesium chloride, while adding to the reaction system tetrabutylammonium bromide to suppress side reactions, to give the titled compound. m.p. 192-197°C (hydrochloride). Reference Example 3:10 Production of 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-5-benzoyl-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride: From the compound which is obtained in Reference Example 3:8 (Compound 3:8(3)), substantially the same procedure as in Reference Example 3:9 is conducted to produce the titled compound. Reference Example 3:11 Production of 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-5-isobutyryl-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:8 (Compound No. 3:8(3)), substantially the same procedure as in PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405 Working Example 54 is conducted to produce the titled compound. Reference Example 3:12 Production of 4-hydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-bromomethylthieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-acetic acid ethyl ester: From the compound which is produced in PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405 Reference Example 8, substantially the same procedure as in Reference Example 3:3 is conducted to produce the titled compound. Reference Example 3:13 Production of 4-hydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-acetic acid ethyl ester: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:12, substantially the same procedure as in Reference Example 3:4 is conducted to produce the titled compound. Reference Example 3:14 Production of 4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-acetic acid ethyl ester: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:13, substantially the same procedure as in Reference Example 3:1 is conducted to produce the titled compound. Reference Example 3:15 Production of 4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-benzoyl-3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:10, aluminium chloride and methyl disulfide, the titled compound is produced. Reference Example 3:16 Production of 4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-isobutyryl-3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride: Employing, as the starting material, the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:11, substantially the same procedure as in Reference Example 3:15 is conducted to produce the titled compound. Reference Example 3:18 Substantially the same procedure as described in Reference Example 3:17 gives compounds set forth in Table 26 and Table 27. Reference Example 3:19 Production of 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-5-benzoyl-2-(4-trifluoroacetylaminophenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:7 and phenyl magnesium chloride in tetrahydrofuran, the titled compound is produced. m.p. 133-135°C. Reference Example 3:20 Employing the compound which is produced in PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405 Working Example 54, substantially the same procedure as described in Reference Example 3:19 is conducted to produce compounds set forth in Table 28 and Table 29. Reference Example 3:21 Production of 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-5-benzoyl-2-[4-(3-oxobutyl)aminophenyl]-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride: From the compound which is produced in PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405 Working Example 54 and methyl vinyl ketone, the titled compound is produced. m.p. 165-168°C (hydrochloride). Reference Example 3:22 From the compound which is produced in PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405 Working Example 54 and various vinyl compounds or oxirane compounds, compounds set forth in Table 30 are produced. Reference Example 3:25 Production of 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-5-benzoyl-2-[4-(N-ethyl-N-trifluoroacetylaminophenyl)]-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:19, ethyl iodide and potassium carbonate, the titled compound is produced. 1 H-NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.23(3H,t,J=7.2Hz), 2.12(3H,s), 3.62(2H,s), 3.83(2H,q,J=7.2Hz), 4.16(2H,s), 5.31(2H,s), 7.03(2H,t,J=7.8Hz), 7.12-7.32(7H,m), 7.37-7.47(3H,m), 7.55(1H,m), 7.89(2H,d,J=7.8Hz), 7.96(3H,m). Mass m/z 730(MH) + . Reference Example 3:28 Production of 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-5-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-2-(4-isobutyrylaminophenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:20 (Compound No.1) and 10M hydrogen chloride in ethanol, the titled compound is produced. m.p. 192-194°C (hydrochloride). Reference Example 3:29 Production of 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-5-(4-acetoxybenzoyl)-2-(4-isobutyrylaminophenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:28, triethylamine and acetic anhydride, the titled compound is produced. m.p. 167-169°C (hydrochloride). Reference Example 3:30 Production of 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-5-(1-hydroxyisobutyl)-2-(4-isobutyrylaminophenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:9 and sodium boronhydride, the titled compound is produced. m.p. 232-234°C (hydrochloride). Reference Example 3:31 Production of 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-5-(1-acetoxyisobutyl)-2-(4-isobutyrylaminophenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:30, pyridine and acetic anhydride, the titled compound is produced. m.p. 166-168°C (hydrochloride). Reference Example 3:32 Production of 4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-acetonyloxyphenyl)-5-benzoyl-3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride: Employing the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:15 and chloroacetone, the titled compound is produced. Reference Example 3:33 Production of 4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-acetonyloxyphenyl)-5-isobutyryl-3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine hydrochloride: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 3:16 and chloroacetone, the titled compound is produced. The structures of the compounds which are produced in the Reference Examples 3:17, 3:19, 3:21, 3:23, 3:25, 3:26, 3:28 to 3:32 are listed in Table 33. Reference Example 4:1 Production of 4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-isobutyrylaminophenyl)-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (hereinafter referred to as Compound 4:B): From the compound which is produced in Working Example 27 described in PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405 (hereinafter referred to as Compound 4:A) and isobutyl chloride, the titled compound is produced. m.p. 233-235°C. Compound 4:A and Compound 4:B are shown in the following Table 34. Reference Example 4:2 Production of 4,7-dihydro-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-isobutyrylaminophenyl)-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester hydrochloride (Compound 4:2): From Compound 4:B, isopropyl alcohol and isopropyl titanate, the titled compound is produced. m.p. 168-170°C. Reference Example 4:3 The compounds set forth in Table 35 are produced in substantially the same manner as described in Reference Example 4:2. (In Table 35, the compounds No. 4:2 are shown inclusively.) Reference Example 5:1 (1) Production of 4,7-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester: From the compound which is produced in Working Example 3 (10) of PCT International Publication No. WO95/28405, i.e. 4-oxo-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, aluminium chloride and dimethyl disulfide, the titled compound is produced. m.p. 244-246°C. (2) Production of 4,7-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-methoxymethoxyphenyl)-3-methylthieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 5:1(1), sodium hydride and chloromethyl methyl ether, the titled compound is produced. 1 H-NMR (300MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.41(3H,t,J=7.2Hz), 2.65(3H,s), 3.50(3H,s), 4.40(2H,q,J=7.2Hz), 5.22(2H,s), 5.25(2H,s), 7.00(2H,t,J=8.3Hz), 7.10(2H,d,J=6.8Hz), 7.33-7.41(3H,m), 8.37(1H,s). (3) Production of 4,7-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-methoxymethoxyphenyl)-3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester: The compound, which is produced in Reference Example 5:1(2), is reacted with N-bromosuccinic acid imide and α,α'-azobisisobutyronitrile, thus obtained compound is reacted with ethyl diisopropylamine and N-methyl benzylamine to give the titled compound. 1 H-NMR (300MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.39(3H,t,J=7.2Hz), 2.20(3H,s), 3.51(3H,s), 3.93(2H,s), 4.20(2H,s), 4.40(2H,q,J=7.2Hz), 5.23(2H,s), 5.27(2H,s), 7.00(2H,t,J=8.3Hz), 7.10(2H,d,J=6.8Hz), 7.18-7.26(5H,m), 7.36-7.44(1H,m), 7.72-7.75(2H,m), 8.37(1H,s). (4) Production of 4,7-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-methoxymethoxyphenyl)-3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-N-methyl-O-methyl hydroxamic acid: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 5:1(3), N-methyl-O-methyl hydroxylamine hydrochloride, N-ethyl diisopropylamine and trimethyl ammonium, the titled compound is produced. 1 H-NMR (300MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 2.21(3H,s), 3.34(3H,s), 3.54(3H,s), 3.72(2H,s), 3.76(3H,s), 4.19(2H,s), 5.23(2H,s), 5.30(2H,s), 6.95(2H,t,J=8.3Hz), 7.12(2H,d,J=6.8Hz), 7.15-7.22(5H,m), 7.33-7.41(1H,m), 7.70-7.74(2H,m), 8.33(1H,s). (5) Production of 4,7-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(2,6-difluarobenzyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-5-benzoyl thieno[2,3-b] pyridine: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 5:1(4), phenyl magnesium bromide and 6N hydrochloric acid, the titled compound is produced. 1 H-NMR (300MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 2.37(3H,s), 3.91(2H,s), 4.30(2H,s), 5.38(2H,s), 6.98-7.05(4H,m), 7.21-7.38(5H,m), 7.43-7.48(5H,m), 7.55-7.59(1H,m), 7.90(2H,d,J=7.1Hz), 8.06(1H,s). (6) Production of 4,7-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(N-benzyl-N-methylaminomethyl)-5-isobutyrylthieno [2,3-b] pyridine: From the compound which is produced in Reference Example 5:1(4), isopropyl magnesium chloride and 6N hydrochloric acid, the titled compound is produced. 1 H-NMR (300MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.18(6H,d), 2.10(3H,s), 3.61(2H,s), 4.1-4.2(3H,m), 5.26(2H,s), 6.90(2H,d), 6.99(2H,t), 7.1-7.2(6H,m), 7.40(1H,m), 7.65(2H,d), 8.28(1H,s). Reference Example 5:2 The compound which is produced in Reference Example 5:1(3) is subjected to hydrolysis using 1N sodium hydroxide to thereby convert the compound into one whose substituent at 5-position is carboxyl group. From the carboxylic acid derivative, N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, alcohol (e.g. isopropanol, cyclohexanol, sec-butanol, 3-pentanol or 2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanol) and phosphorus oxychloride to produce a compound whose substituent at 5-position is ester. The ester derivative is subjected to demethylation reaction in substantially the same manner as in Reference Example 5:1(1) to give the compound shown in Table 36. Reference Example 5:4 Employing the compound which is produced in Reference Example 5:1(5), substantially the same procedure as described in Reference Example 5:3 is conducted to give compounds shown in Table 37, including the compound of Reference Example 5:3. Reference Example 5:5 Employing the compound which is produced in Reference Example 5:1(6), substantially the same procedure as described in Reference Example 5:3 is conducted to give compounds shown in Table 38. Reference Example 5:6 Employing, the compound which is produced in Reference Example 5:2, substantially the same procedure as described in Reference Example 5:3 is conducted to give compounds shown in Table 39.

Claims: Use of a compound of the formula: wherein R 13b stands for 1 to 3 substituents and independently stands for a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkoxy group or a C 1-6 alkanoylamino group, R 14b stands for a hydrogen atom or a C 1-6 alkyl group, R 15b stands for 1 to 3 substituents and independently stands for a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, R 16b stands for 1 to 3 substituents and independently stands for a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a C 1-6 alkoxy group, R 17b stands for 1 to 2 substituents and independently stands for a carboxyl group which may optionally be esterified or amidated or a C 1-6 alkylcarbonyl group, and each of v', t' and u'denotes an integer of 1 to 3 or a salt thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for therapeutic application on hyperprolactinemia. Use of the compounds selected from 4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-7-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylio acid ethyl ester or its salt, 2-(4-acetylaminophenyl)-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-7-(2-methoxybenzyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester or its salt, 5-n-butyryl-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-7-(2-fluorobenzyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine or its salt, 5-benzoyl-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-7-(2-fluorobenzyl)-2-(4-methoxyphanyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine or its salt, 7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-2-(4-isobutyrylaminophenyl)-5-isobutyryl-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine or its salt, 7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-5-isobutyryl-2-(4-propionylaminophenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine or its salt, or 5-benzoyl-7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-4,7-dihydro-3-(N-methyl-N-benzylaminomethyl)-2-(4-isobutyrylaminophenyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine or its salt, for the manufacture of a medicament for therapeutic application on hyperprolactinemia. Use according to Claim 1, wherein the medicament comprises a compound of Claim 1 or a salt thereof and a medicine selected from the group consisting of a steroidal or non-steroidal anti-androgenic agent or anti-estrogenic agent, a somatostatin-acceptor agonist and an antitumor agent. Use according to Claim 1, wherein the medicament is a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for galactorrhea, hyperplolactinemic ovulation disturbance, amenorrhea-galactorrhea syndrome, prolactinoma or interbrain tumor. Use according to Claim 1, wherein the medicament is an agent of suppressing puerperal galactorrhea.

Inventors: FURUYA SHUICHI, MATSUMOTO HIROKAZU, SUZUKI NOBUHIRO, FURUYA, SHUICHI, MATSUMOTO, HIROKAZU, SUZUKI, NOBUHIRO
Applicants: TAKEDA CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES LTD, TAKEDA CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: C07D495
IPC codes: A61K31, C07D495