The present invention identifies new steroidal analogues of formestane synthesized through biotransformation with significant aromatase inhibitory activity, and thus can serve as possible safe, effective, and selective anti-cancer agent towards estrogen-responsive (ER+) breast cancer. Four new derivatives of anticancer drug formestane (1), 4α,5α,7α-trihydroxyandrostane-3,17-dione (2), 3β,7β-dihydroxyandrostane-4,17-dione (3), 3β,5α,7β-trihydroxyandrostane-4,17-dione (4), and 4,11α-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (5) were synthesized through bio-catalyzed structural modifications by Cunninghamella. blakesleeana and Fusarium lini. The new derivatives showed varying degree of inhibition of aromatase enzyme. Metabolite 4 (IC.sub.50=0.386±0.072 μM), showed a significant inhibitory potential, comparable to substrate 1 (IC.sub.50=0.335±0.011 μM) and standard aromatase inhibitory anti-cancer drug exemestane (IC.sub.50=0.232±0.031 μM). Metabolites 3 (IC.sub.50=1.37±0.029 μM), and 2 (IC.sub.50=5.229±0.094 μM) showed significant inhibition, while metabolite 5 (IC.sub.50=34.27±0.532 μM) showed a weak inhibitory activity as compared to standard.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing 7α-methyl-19-aldehyde-4-androstene-3,17-dione by electrocatalytic oxidation. The method specifically includes: adopting an H-shaped electrolytic cell for reaction, in an anode chamber, using a metal oxide catalyst as a working electrode, using 7α-methyl-17,19-dihydroxy-4-androstene-3-one as a reaction substrate, and dissolving it in a mixed solvent to be used as an anolyte, and adding nitroxide radicals to be used as a medium; and in a cathode chamber, using a platinum sheet as a counter electrode, using a weakly alkaline solution as a catholyte, carrying out an electrocatalytic oxidation reaction in a constant temperature water bath, adding an organic solvent at the end of the reaction for extraction to obtain an organic extract liquor, and taking an organic layer and carrying out distilling under a reduced pressure to obtain 7α-methyl-19-aldehyde-4-androstene-3,17-dione.

##STR00001##

Provided herein in part is a compound of Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula I, and methods of using the compounds, e.g, in the treatment of CNS- related disorders.

The present invention relates to SHIP inhibitor compounds and methods for using these compounds. In particular, the present invention discloses the following methods: (i) a method of treating graft versus host disease in a subject; (ii) a method of inhibiting a SHIP1 protein in a cell; (iii) a method of selectively inhibiting a SHIP1 protein in a cell; (iv) a method for treating or preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in a recipient of an organ or tissue transplant; (v) a method of modulating SHIP activity in a cell expressing SHIP1 or SHIP2; (vi) a method of ex vivo or in vitro treatment of transplants; (vii) a method of inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis in a subject; (viii) a method of treating a hematologic malignancy in a subject; (ix) a method of inducing apoptosis of multiple myeloma cells; (x) a method of treating multiple myeloma in a subject; (xi) a method of inhibiting the proliferation of a human breast cancer cell; and (xii) a method of treating breast cancer in a subject.

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.

Provided herein is a compound of the Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R.sup.2a, R.sup.2b, R.sup.3a, R.sup.4a, R.sup.4b, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.11a, R.sup.11b, R.sup.15a, R.sup.15b, R.sup.16, R.sup.17, R.sup.19, R.sup.X, R.sup.Y, and t 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.

##STR00001##

The present application discloses derivatives of hydroxysteroids, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, stereoisomers or tautomers thereof. The compounds and compositions described herein can be used in therapy.

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.

The present disclosure provides for a synthetic strategy to incorporate a C12α-hydroxy group from the methylene (—CH2-) in a steroid backbone, combining synthetic chemistry and enzymology techniques to develop a selective inhibitor for cytochrome P450 8B1, and developing a selective P450 8B1 inhibitor, which can be used as a tool to study P450 8B1 and treat health issues.

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.