Certain embodiments are directed to oridonin analogs or derivatives. In certain aspects, the derivatives are used as anticancer or anti-inflammatory agents.

B/N Lewis pairs have been discovered to catalyze rapid epimerization of meso-lactide (LA) or LA diastereomers quantitatively into rac-LA. The obtained rac-LA can be kinetically polymerized into poly(L-lactide) and optically resolved D-LA, with a high stereoselectivity factor k.sub.L/k.sub.D of 53 and an ee value of 91% at 50.6% monomer conversion, by a bifunctional chiral catalyst. The epimerization and enantioselective polymerization can be coupled into a one-pot process for transforming meso-LA directly into poly(L-lactide) and D-LA.

B/N Lewis pairs have been discovered to catalyze rapid epimerization of meso-lactide (LA) or LA diastereomers quantitatively into rac-LA. The obtained rac-LA can be kinetically polymerized into poly(L-lactide) and optically resolved D-LA, with a high stereoselectivity factor k.sub.L/k.sub.D of 53 and an ee value of 91% at 50.6% monomer conversion, by a bifunctional chiral catalyst. The epimerization and enantioselective polymerization can be coupled into a one-pot process for transforming meso-LA directly into poly(L-lactide) and D-LA.

Macrocyclic compounds having the structure of Formula (A), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are provided:

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the macrocyclic compound and methods for treating cancer in a patient comprising administering to the patient the macrocyclic compound.

Macrocyclic compounds having the structure of Formula (A), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are provided:

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the macrocyclic compound and methods for treating cancer in a patient comprising administering to the patient the macrocyclic compound.

Macrocyclic compounds having the structure of Formula (A), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are provided, ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the macrocyclic compound and methods for treating cancer in a patient comprising administering to the patient the macrocyclic compound.

Macrocyclic compounds having the structure of Formula (A), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are provided, ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the macrocyclic compound and methods for treating cancer in a patient comprising administering to the patient the macrocyclic compound.

The present disclose includes, among other things, compounds of formula (I) that treat or lessen the severity of cancer, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of making and using the same.

##STR00001##

The present disclose includes, among other things, compounds of formula (I) that treat or lessen the severity of cancer, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of making and using the same.

##STR00001##

Certain embodiments are directed to oridonin analogs or derivatives. In certain aspects, the derivatives are used as anticancer or anti-inflammatory agents.