4- or 5-(substituted sulfonyl)methyl-3(2H)-furanones

The present invention relates to novel 4- or 5-(substituted sulfonyl) methyl-3(2H)-furanones having the formula (I) (I) wherein R1 and R2 are independently alkyl containing 1 to 6 branched or straight chain carbon atoms, phenyl, or halogen substituted phenyl; or R1 and R2 are joined by 5 to 7 carbon atoms; R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen, alkyl containing 1 to 6 branched or straight chain carbon atoms or R3 and R4 are joined by 4 to 6 carbon atoms; R5 is alkyl containing 1 to 6 branched or straight chain carbon atoms, phenyl, naphthyl or substituted phenyl wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing 1 to 6 branched or straight chain carbon atoms, halogen, methoxy, nitro and acetamide which possess blood-glucose lowering activity and inhibit cholesterol absorbtion, and which have cytoprotective and antiulcer activity, to processes for preparation thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and to the method of using the same in the reduction of excess glucose and cholesterol and of treatment of ulcers in human beings and animals.