A process is described wherein, by employing 17-(3-hydroxypropyl)-6,7;15,16-dimethylene-5-androstane-3,5,17-triol (II) as starting product, in a single stage reaction there is obtained drospirenone, (I), a synthetic steroid with progestogenic, antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic action, that is useful for preparing pharmaceutical compositions with contraceptive action. ##STR00001##

Steroid derivative regulators, a method for preparing the same, and uses thereof are described. Specifically, a compound of formula (I), a preparation method therefor, a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound, and uses thereof as a regulator the of GABA.sub.A receptor for treating depression, convulsion, Parkinson's disease, and nervous system diseases are described, wherein the substituents of the formula (I) are as defined in the description.

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A process is disclosed wherein, using either 17a-(3-hydroxypropyl)-6p,7p;15p,16p-dimethylene-5p-androstane-3p,5,17p-triol (II) or 3,5^I^^-6,7;15,16-dimethylene-5,17-pregnane-21,17-carbolactone (III) as starting material, through a single-step reaction it is obtained drospirenone (I), a synthetic steroid with progestogenic, antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic activity, useful for preparing pharmaceutical compositions with contraceptive action. ##STR00001##