Disclosed herein are monomeric and oligomeric compound embodiments for use as contraceptive agents. Monomeric compound embodiments disclosed herein comprise substituents that facilitate the ability of the compounds to exhibit progestogenic, androgenic, and estrogenic activity, which can prevent or inhibit bone density loss in subjects. Oligomeric compound embodiments disclosed herein provide the ability to control receptor activation and/or treatment by incorporating a tunable linker group which couples steroidal-based compounds to one another or with therapeutic agents and facilitates selective cleavage of the monomeric components of the oligomeric compound.

Certain embodiments are directed to modified glucocorticoid compounds having one or both of (i) a substitution of a halogen for the 11 hydroxy and/or (ii) reduction of the bond between carbon 4 and carbon 5 of the A ring.

The present invention relates to certain cortexolone derivatives of formula (I)

##STR00001##

and the use of the same as antitumor active ingredients for the curative or adjuvant, or neoadjuvant or palliative treatment of precancerous lesions, dysplasias, metaplasias and tumor diseases, including malignant neoplasias and metastasis. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising cortexolone derivatives of formula (I) as active ingredients and at least one physiologically acceptable excipient, and to the use of the pharmaceutical compositions as antitumor medicinal products.

The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of cortexolone 17α-propionate, comprising a hydrolysis reaction of an ortho-ester of formula (III)

##STR00001## in which R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, in the presence of a dilute solution of acetic acid.

The present invention is also directed to a hydrated crystalline form of cortexolone 17α-propionate obtained by such process.

Described herein are neuroactive steroids of the Formula (I):

##STR00001##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein , A, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3a, R.sup.4a, R.sup.4b, R.sup.5, R.sup.7a, and R.sup.7b are as defined herein. Such compounds are envisioned, in certain embodiments, to behave as GABA modulators. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the present invention and methods of use and treatment, e.g., such for inducing sedation and/or anesthesia.

The present invention refers to a new enzymatic process for obtaining 17α-monoesters of cortexolone and/or its 9, 11-dehydroderivatives starting from the corresponding 17α,21-diesters which comprises an enzymatic alcoholysis reaction. Furthermore, the present invention refers to new crystalline forms of cortexolone-17α-propionate and 9,11-dehydro-cortexolone 17α-butanoate.

The present invention provides certain cortexolone derivatives of formula (I) and the same for use as antitumor active ingredients for the curative or adjuvant, or neoadjuvant or palliative treatment of precancerous lesions, dysplasias, metaplasias and tumor diseases, including malignant neoplasias and metastasis. Another aspect of the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising cortexolone derivatives of formula (I) as active ingredients and at least one physiologically acceptable excipient, and to the use of said pharmaceutical compositions as antitumor medicinal products.

##STR00001##

Provided herein are 19-nor C3,3-disubstituted C21-pyrazolyl 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, R.sup.4b, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 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.

Provided herein are 19-nor C3,3-disubstituted C21-pyrazolyl 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, R.sup.4b, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 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.

Described herein are neuroactive steroids of the Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein (II), A, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3a, R.sup.4a, R.sup.4b, R.sup.5, R.sup.7a, and R.sup.7b are as defined herein. Such compounds are envisioned, in certain embodiments, to behave as GABA modulators. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the present invention and methods of use and treatment, e.g., such for inducing sedation and/or anesthesia.

##STR00001##