The present invention pertains to pharmaceutical chemical field, and relates to a sterol derivative as well as preparation method and uses thereof. Specifically, the present invention relates to a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or ether thereof, wherein, R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, ═O(carbonyl), H, and C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl; R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, H, and C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl; R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, ═O, H, and C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl; R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, H, and C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl; and none, one, two, three or four of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are —OH. The compound of the present invention can inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, tumor cells and lipase effectively, and is a potential drug for reducing blood-fat, antitumors, or for losing weight. ##STR00001##

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

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 pertains to pharmaceutical chemical field, and relates to a sterol derivative as well as preparation method and uses thereof. Specifically, the present invention relates to a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or ether thereof, wherein, R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of OH, O(carbonyl), H, and C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl; R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of OH, H, and C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl; R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of OH, O, H, and C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl; R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of OH, H, and C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl; and none, one, two, three or four of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are OH. The compound of the present invention can inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, tumor cells and lipase effectively, and is a potential drug for reducing blood-fat, antitumors, or for losing weight.

##STR00001##

The present invention further provides method of preparing nanocrystals 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).

Compounds for treating neurodegenerative disorders The invention relates to compounds of formula (I), their method of synthesis as well as their use to treat neurodegenerative disorders.

Described herein are protein steroid conjugates that are useful, for example, for the target-specific delivery of glucocorticoids (GCs) to cells.

Disclosed are compounds suitable for enhancing cancer treatment, for example, a compound of formula (I): (I) wherein R.sup.1 is as defined herein. Also disclosed is a method of enhancing the response of cancer cells in a mammal to treatment with an apoptosis inducing ligand, a method of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells in a mammal, and a method of treating prostate cancer in mammal in need thereof comprising administration of a compound described herein.

##STR00001##

The present invention relates to novel glucocorticoid compounds. The invention also relates to methods of using these compounds, the synthesis of these compounds, and to compositions and formulations comprising the glucocorticoid compounds, and uses thereof.