The present invention contemplates novel neurosteroid derivative compounds, such as derivatives of ganaxolone and allopregnanolone, having improved solubility and bioavailability. The novel neurosteroid derivative compounds are characterized by the following formulas:

##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is methyl or hydrogen, R.sup.2 is an ester function (RC(O)O), R.sup.3 is hydrogen, R.sup.4 is alpha or beta hydrogen, R.sup.5 is RCO or any hydrocarbon structure (R), and wherein R (in R.sup.2 or R.sup.5) is independently selected from any structure comprising 10 carbon atoms or fewer, which is linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, may comprise cyclic or aromatic functions within the structure, and wherein R contains no more than 1 OH or NR.sub.2, or 2 ether or thioether functions.

Provided herein are 3,3-disubstituted 19-nor-steroidal compounds according to Formula (I) and (III): ##STR00001##
where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.6a, R.sup.6a, R.sup.11a, and R.sup.11b are as defined herein. Compounds of the present invention are contemplated useful for the prevention and treatment of a variety of CNS-related conditions, for example, treatment of sleep disorders, mood disorders, insomnia, anxiety, depression, traumatic brain injury (TBI), stress, and epilepsy.

The present invention is directed to a method for screening a regulator of mitochondrial fission using a cell treated to a protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type ginsenoside compound, a composition therefor, and a kit comprising the composition. As the use of the method for screening the regulator of mitochondrial fission of the present invention enables effective discovery of a formulation capable of preventing, improving, or treating a mitochondria-related disease, the method will be widely used for the development of a therapeutic agent for the mitochondria-related disease.

Provided herein are 19-nor C3,3-disubstituted steroids of Formula (I): ##STR00001##
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; wherein , R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3a, R.sup.3b, R.sup.4a, and R.sup.4b are as defined herein, and A is a carbon bound substituted or unsubstituted 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl ring 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.

The present disclosure is generally directed to neuroactive 19-alkoxy-17-substituted steroids as referenced herein, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for use as, for example, an anesthetic, and/or in the treatment of disorders relating to GABA function and activity. The present disclosure is further directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds.

Chemical compounds and the therapeutic use thereof, in particular for improving muscular quality in mammals. More particularly, a method of improving muscular quality in sarcopenic mammals and treating and/or preventing sarcopenia using the chemical compounds and, in particular, sarcopenic obesity and the associated complications and/or pathologies thereof, such as loss of strength, muscle mass, performance and of physical and movement capacity. Also, a method of improving muscle quality in obese mammals and treating and/or preventing of obesity and associated complications and/or pathologies, advantageously type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, using the chemical compounds.

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.

Disclosed are methods for identifying a pregnant female who is susceptible to spontaneous preterm delivery. In particular, disclosed are methods for identifying a pregnant female who is susceptible to spontaneous preterm delivery based on ratios of steroids in samples obtained from the pregnant female.

Described herein are steroids of Formula (I): 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. ##STR00001##

Provided herein is a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein 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.11a, R.sup.11b, R.sup.15a, R.sup.15b, R.sup.16a, R.sup.16b, R.sup.18, R.sup.19, R.sup.20a, R.sup.20b, X, A, Z, q, u, r, s, t, m, 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.

##STR00001##