The present invention relates to compounds and their uses, in particular, compounds in the form of prodrugs that promote transport of a pharmaceutical agent to the lymphatic system and subsequently enhance release of the parent drug.

The present invention relates to certain cortexolone derivatives of formula (I) ##STR00001##
and the use of the same as antitumor active ingredients for the curative or adjuvant, or neoadjuvant or palliative treatment of precancerous lesions, dysplasias, metaplasias and tumor diseases, including malignant neoplasias and metastasis. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising cortexolone derivatives of formula (I) as active ingredients and at least one physiologically acceptable excipient, and to the use of the pharmaceutical compositions as antitumor medicinal products.

The present disclosure provides methods of preparing cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, or chenodeoxycholic acid, an ester thereof, or a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable salt thereof, and novel and useful synthetic intermediates, for example, as described for methods 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 3A, and 4. The method can start with a plant derived steroid as a starting material, such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or Acetyl-dehydroepiandrosterone (Ac-DHEA). Also provided are pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions and uses thereof, which comprise one or more of cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, or chenodeoxycholic acid, an ester thereof, or a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable salt thereof, which is of high purity, for example, free of animal derived impurities.

Described herein are solid state 17α-ethynylandrost-5-ene-3β,7β,17β-triol including amorphous and crystalline forms and specific polymorphic forms thereof, and use of solid state 17α-ethynylandrost-5-ene-3β,7β,17β-triol in treating numerous diseases and disorders, including hyperglycemic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and type 1 diabetes, among other inflammation related conditions, and neurodegenerative conditions in subjects or human patients.

Described herein are solid state 17α-ethynylandrost-5-ene-3β,7β,17β-triol including amorphous and crystalline forms and specific polymorphic forms thereof, and use of solid state 17α-ethynylandrost-5-ene-3β,7β,17β-triol in treating numerous diseases and disorders, including hyperglycemic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and type 1 diabetes, among other inflammation related conditions, and neurodegenerative conditions in subjects or human patients.

Described herein are steroids of Formula (I): ##STR00001##
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2a, R.sup.2b, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5a, R.sup.5b, R.sup.6, and Z are as defined herein. Such compounds are contemplated useful for the prevention and treatment of a variety of CNS-related conditions, for example, treatment of sleep disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, convulsive disorders, disorders of memory and/or cognition, movement disorders, personality disorders, autism spectrum disorders, pain, traumatic brain injury, vascular diseases, substance abuse disorders and/or withdrawal syndromes, and tinnitus.

Disclosed are methods and oral compositions for treating CNS disorders. An embodiment of the invention comprises orally administering a 3α-OH-5β-pregnan-20-one containing composition to a subject having a CNS disorder. The composition preferably exhibits a fast release rate of the 3α-OH-5β-pregnan-20-one. The current compositions may provide desired serum levels of 3α-OH-5β-pregnan-20-one to effectively treat CNS disorders. The oral compositions and methods disclosed herein may be administered to a subject in need of CNS disorder therapy, to deliver therapeutically effective amounts of 3α-OH-5β-pregnan-20-one for treating CNS disorders.

The present disclosure provides methods of preparing cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, or chenodeoxycholic acid, an ester thereof, or a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable salt thereof, and novel and useful synthetic intermediates, for example, as described for methods 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 3A, and 4. The method can start with a plant derived steroid as a starting material, such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or Acetyl-dehydroepiandrosterone (Ac-DHEA). Also provided are pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions and uses thereof, which comprise one or more of cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, or chenodeoxycholic acid, an ester thereof, or a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable salt thereof, which is of high purity, for example, free of animal derived impurities.

Provided herein are 3,3-disubstituted 19-nor-steroidal compounds according to Formula (I) and (III):

##STR00001##

where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.3′, R.sup.4, R.sup.6a, R.sup.6a, R.sup.11a, and R.sup.11b are as defined herein. Compounds of the present invention are contemplated useful for the prevention and treatment of a variety of CNS-related conditions, for example, treatment of sleep disorders, mood disorders, insomnia, anxiety, depression, traumatic brain injury (TBI), stress, and epilepsy.

Described herein is the chemical structure of neurosteroid derivative compounds, methods of synthesizing the derivatives, and their uses in treating disorders, including those of the central nervous system. These compounds are readily synthesized and have improved pharmaceutical properties, including water solubility, compared to known neurosteroids.