A derivative of sarsasapogenin is provided having a structure of formula I,

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A pharmaceutical composition of the aforementioned derivative of sarsasapogenin and use thereof are also provided. By systematic modification and derivatization of sarsasapogenin structure in combination with inhibitory activity assays on tumor cells, many derivative compounds are provided that have excellent inhibitory activity on tumor cells, particularly high inhibitory activity on the growth of various brain tumor cells, having potential wide application and tremendous value in treating various cancers.

The present invention relates, in its broadest aspects, to steroidal glycosides useful in the treatment of skin disorders. Particularly, the invention relates to the use of certain steroidal glucosides, per se, or in the form aglycona, derivatives of spirostanol, of its precursor furastanol, or mixtures thereof, used in the treatment of skin disorders, for instance, psoriasis. The invention further relates to formulations containing steroidal glycosides, the process of obtaining extract from the Furcraea foetida plant, and a method of treating skin disorders.

The present invention relates, in its broadest aspects, to steroidal glycosides useful in the treatment of skin disorders. Particularly, the invention relates to the use of certain steroidal glucosides, per se, or in the form aglycona, derivatives of spirostanol, of its precursor furastanol, or mixtures thereof, used in the treatment of skin disorders, for instance, psoriasis. The invention further relates to formulations containing steroidal glycosides, the process of obtaining extract from the Furcraea foetida plant, and a method of treating skin disorders.

The present invention provides a compound of Formula I:

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 is H, halogen, C1-C3 alkyl, or C1-C3 alkoxy;
R.sup.2 is H or halogen; and
X is O, OCH.sub.2, or CH.sub.2, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the compound of Formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is useful for treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus nephritis.

Methods of preventing or retarding or reversing or abolishing the onset of Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases are discussed.

The invention provides novel manganese catalysts such as [Mn(.sup.tBuPc)], which are general for the amination of all types of C(sp.sup.3)-H bonds (aliphatic, allylic, propargylic, benzylic, ethereal), including strong 1.sup.o aliphatic C—H bonds, while achieving excellent chemoselectivity, stereospecificity, and high functional group tolerance. We demonstrate the late-stage diversification of bioactive complex molecules that encompass the range of C(sp.sup.3)-H bond types, such as selective 1.sup.o C—H aminations of betulinic acid and pleuromutilin derivatives. The catalysts' unprecedented balance of reactivity and selectivity is in part attributed to its mechanism of C—H amination that lies between stepwise and concerted.

The present invention further provides method of preparing nanocrystals or microcrystals of a hydrophobic therapeutic agent such as fluticasone or triamcinolone, pharmaceutical compositions (e.g., topical or intranasal compositions) thereof and methods for treating and/or preventing the signs and/or symptoms of disorders such as blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction or skin inflammation or a respiratory disease (e.g., asthma).

The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, Y, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are as defined herein. The compounds are intermediates in the synthesis of synthetic bile acids.

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This invention provides a method of synthesizing new active compounds for pharmaceutical uses including cancer treatment, wherein the cancers comprise breast, leukocytic, liver, ovarian, bladder, prostatic, skin, bone, brain, leukemia, lung, colon, CNS, melanoma, renal, cervical, esophageal, testicular, spleenic, kidney, lymphatic, pancreatic, stomach and thyroid cancers. This invention is an anti-adhesion therapy which uses the compound as a mediator or inhibitor of adhesion proteins and angiopoietins. It inhibits excess adhesion and inhibits cell attachment. It modulates angiogenesis. The compounds also use as mediator of cell adhesion receptor, cell circulating, cell moving and inflammatory diseases. The compounds are attached with angeloyl, acetyl, tigloyl, senecioyl, Crotonoyl, 3,3-Dimethylartyloyl, Cinnamoyl, Pentenoyl, Hexanoyl, benzoyl, Ethylbutyryl, benzoyl, dibenzoyl, alkanoyl, alkenoyl, benzoyl alkyl substituted alkanoyl, ethanoyl, propanoyl, propenoyl, butanoyl, butenoyl, pentanoyl, hexenoyl, heptanoyl, heptenoyl, octanoyl, octenoyl, nonanoyl, nonenoyl, decanoyl, decenoyl, propionyl, 2-propenoyl, 2-butenoyl, Isobutyryl, 2-methylpropanoyl, 2-ethylbutyryl, ethylbutanoyl, 2-ethylbutanoyl, butyryl, (E)-2,3-Dimethylacryloyl, (E)-2-Methylcrotonoyl, 3-cis-Methyl-methacryloyl, 3-Methyl-2-butenoyl, 3-Methylcrotonoyl, 4-Pentenoyl, (2E)-2-pentenoyl, Caproyl, 5-Hexenoyl, Capryloyl, Lauroyl, Dodecanoyl, Myristoyl, Tetradecanoyl, Oleoyl, O—C(2-18) Acyl.

The present invention relates to a terpenoid derivative that has the ability to activate the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and is excellent in anti-inflammatory action and cytoprotective action, and a sustained-release pharmaceutical composition effective for the treatment and prevention of a posterior eye disease caused by oxidative stress, comprising the terpenoid derivative as an active ingredient. The present invention provides a local administration-type sustained-release pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prevention of a posterior eye disease, comprising the terpenoid derivative of the present invention as an active ingredient, wherein the sustained-release pharmaceutical composition maintains a pharmacological action thereof for 1 week or longer by the sustained release of the terpenoid derivative under physiological conditions and has a base material administrable to the vitreous body and a form administrable to the vitreous body.