BERBANE DERIVATIVE

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising racemic or optically active berbane derivatives of the general Formula VI wherein R and R each stands for an alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms or R and R together form a methylenedioxy group and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These derivatives have hypotensive activity, and the compounds in which R and R are C2-4 alkyl or methylenedioxy are new. The compounds of the general Formula VI are prepared by reacting a racemic or optically active compounds of the general Formula VII with trimethoxy-benzoic acid or a derivative - preferably a salt - thereof and isolating the compound of the general Formula VI thus obtained and if desired converting a base produced into a salt thereof or liberating the free base from a salt.