Provided is a plant exudate, methods for obtaining a plant exudate by inducing the plant to secrete an exudate and systems for the collection of a plant exudate which include: one or more plant container including at least two discrete compartments each configured to accommodate a split root of a plant, the compartments being a root stimulating compartment including one or more input being in fluid communication with at least a source of a plant root stimulant, and a root exudate harvesting compartment, and a root exudate collection compartment in fluid communication with the root exudate harvesting compartment.

The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for treating cancer and hypercortisolism. Provided herein are substituted steroidal derivative compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds. The subject compounds and compositions are useful for inhibition of glucocorticoid receptors. Furthermore, the subject compounds and compositions are useful for the treatment of cancer and hypercortisolism.

The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for treating cancer and hypercortisolism. Provided herein are substituted steroidal derivative compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds. The subject compounds and compositions are useful for inhibition of glucocorticoid receptors. Furthermore, the subject compounds and compositions are useful for the treatment of cancer and hypercortisolism.

Described is a dihydroartemisinin-steroid conjugate of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, where position 10 of dihydroartemisinin is linked to the steroid through a linker X. This application further provides a preparation method of the dihydroartemisinin-steroid conjugate and an application of the dihydroartemisinin-steroid conjugate in the preparation of a drug for treating cancer. The dihydroartemisinin-steroid conjugate of the invention exhibits potent inhibitory activity against various tumor cells and low cytotoxicity, moreover, the conjugate is capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier, having a broad application prospect. ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a compound represented by formula (I), a tautomer thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and relates to applications thereof in the preparation of drugs for treating FXR related diseases. ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a novel use of a triterpenoid. In particular, the present invention provides a use of a compound of formula I, or an optical isomer thereof, or a racemate thereof, or a solvate thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition or a preparation for preventing and/or treating ocular diseases caused by crystalline lens lesions. A novel finding of the present invention is that the compound of formula I can prevent and/or treat ocular diseases caused by crystalline lens lesions, such as prevention and treatment of cataracts, is safe, has low toxicity and few side effects, and has remarkable therapeutic efficacy and development and application prospects.

Provided herein is a compound of Formula (I):

##STR00001##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1a, R.sup.1b, R.sup.2a, R.sup.2b, R.sup.3, R.sup.4a, R.sup.4b, R.sup.5, R.sup.6a, R.sup.6b, R.sup.7a, R.sup.7a, R.sup.11a, R.sup.11b, R.sup.12a, R.sup.12b, R.sup.16a, R.sup.16b, R.sup.19, R.sup.11a, R.sup.22, R.sup.X, R.sup.Y and n are defined herein. Also provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula (I) and methods of using the compounds, e.g., in the treatment of CNS-related disorders.

Disclosed is a method of enhancing the response of cancer cells in a mammal to treatment with an apoptosis inducing ligand, which method comprises contacting the cancer cells with an apoptosis inducing ligand in conjunction with an effective amount of a compound of the formula: (I), wherein R.sup.1-R.sup.14 are as described herein. Also disclosed is a method of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells in a mammal, comprising contacting the cancer cells with the compound described herein and also contacting the cancer cells with an apoptosis inducing ligand, whereby apoptosis is induced in the cancer cells. ##STR00001##

Disclosed is a method of enhancing the response of cancer cells in a mammal to treatment with an apoptosis inducing ligand, which method comprises contacting the cancer cells with an apoptosis inducing ligand in conjunction with an effective amount of a compound of the formula: (I), wherein R.sup.1-R.sup.14 are as described herein. Also disclosed is a method of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells in a mammal, comprising contacting the cancer cells with the compound described herein and also contacting the cancer cells with an apoptosis inducing ligand, whereby apoptosis is induced in the cancer cells. ##STR00001##

The present invention provides a blank liposome with ginsenoside Rg3 or its anaglog as the membrane material, preparations and uses thereof. The disclosed blank liposome has a membrane comprising a lipid and a ginsenoside analog of Formula I, presenting remarkable advantages in film formation, encapsulation efficiency, targeted drug delivery, blood circulation time, stability, safety and homogeneity. It can also be used to load active substances of drugs and cosmetics, biological agents, polynucleotides or oligonucleotides, and the preparation process is convenient.

##STR00001##