The present disclosure provides modified neuroactive steroids. The modified neuroactive steroids may comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of a therapeutic agent and/or a modifying moiety. The modified neuroactive steroid can have modified characteristics as compared to native neuroactive steroids that do not include a modifying moiety and/or therapeutic agent. The modified neuroactive steroid may be, for example, modified pregnenolone, pregnenolone metabolites, allopregnanolone, and/or allopregnanolone metabolites. The modified neuroactive steroids can be used to treat, prevent and/or ameliorating a phenotypic state of interest in a subject.

The invention relates to a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R1 is C1-8 alkyl, C1-8 alkoxy, CN, NO.sub.2, amino, COOH, COOCH.sub.3, OH, N.sub.3, or halogen and R2 is H, OH, C1-8 alkyl, C1-8 alkoxy, C2-C6 alkenyl, halogen, Bn-O—, Bn- optionally substituted, or Ph- optionally substituted.

##STR00001##

The present invention further provides method of preparing nanocrystals or microcrystals 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).

The invention relates to an antagonist of CB1 receptor for use in the treatment of a pathologic condition or disorder selected from the group consisting of bladder and gastrointestinal disorders; inflammatory diseases; cardiovascular diseases; nephropathies; glaucoma; spasticity; cancer; osteoporosis; metabolic disorders; obesity; addiction, dependence, abuse and relapse related disorders; psychiatric and neurological disorders; neurodegenerative disorders; autoimmune hepatitis and encephalitis; pain; reproductive disorders and skin inflammatory and fibrotic diseases.

The present disclosure provides modified neuroactive steroids. The modified neuroactive steroids may comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of a therapeutic agent and/or a modifying moiety. The modified neuroactive steroid can have modified characteristics as compared to native neuroactive steroids that do not include a modifying moiety and/or therapeutic agent. The modified neuroactive steroid may be, for example, modified pregnenolone, pregnenolone metabolites, allopregnanolone, and/or allopregnanolone metabolites. The modified neuroactive steroids can be used to treat, prevent and/or ameliorating a phenotypic state of interest in a subject.

The invention relates to the last step of a synthetic process, in which Nomegestrol-acetate of formula (I) is synthesized from 17α-acetoxy-6-methylene-19-norpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione of formula (II) in the presence of Pd/C catalyst and acetic acid in hot ethanolic solution. ##STR00001##

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.

The invention relates to a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R1 is C1-8 alkyl, C1-8 alkoxy, CN, NO.sub.2, amino, COOH, COOCH.sub.3, OH, N.sub.3, or halogen and R2 is H, OH, C1-8 alkyl, C1-8 alkoxy, C2-C6 alkenyl, halogen, Bn-O—, Bn- optionally substituted, or Ph- optionally substituted.

##STR00001##

The invention relates to the last step of a synthetic process, in which Nomegestrol-acetate of formula (I) is synthesized from 17α-acetoxy-6-methylene-19-norpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione of formula (II) in the presence of Pd/C catalyst and acetic acid in hot ethanolic solution.

##STR00001##

The disclosure is in part directed to crystalline forms of 17--hydroxyprogesterone caproate and variants thereof.