Compounds of Formula VIII wherein -A-A- represents the group -CHR4-CHR5- or -CR4=CR5-, R3, R4 and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxycarbonyl, cyano, aryloxy, -B-B- represents the group -CHR6-CHR7- or an alpha- or beta- oriented group: where R6 and R7 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, lower alkoxy, acyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxycarbonyl, alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, acyloxyalkyl, cyano, aryloxy, and R8 and R9 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, lower alkoxy, acyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxycarbonyl, alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, acyloxyalkyl, cyano, aryloxy, or R8 and R9 together comprise a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring structure, or R8 and R9 together with R6 or R7 comprise a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring structure fused to the pentacyclic D ring, their intermediates and processes for preparing them.