Abstract: The present invention features MCH antagonists active at the MCH-1R. The antagonists are optionally modified peptides able to inhibit the effect of MCH at MCH-1R. MCH antagonists have a variety of uses including being used as a research tool and being used to achieve a beneficial effect in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention features truncated MCH analogs active at the melanin concentrating hormone type 2 receptor (MCH-2R) and uses of such analogs. Truncated MCH analogs described herein include those active at MCH-2R and MCH-1R, and those selectively active at MCH-2R. MCH-2R analogs have a variety of different uses including being used as a research tool and being used therapeutically.

Abstract: The present invention features truncated hMCH analogs selectively active at MCH-1R over MCH-2R. Using amino acid numbering provided in hMCH, the featured analogs contain an X6 which is either a D-amino acid, 5-guanidinopropionic acid or its lower or higher homolog, or a derivative thereof; and a X10 which is either asparagine, glutamine, alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, norleucine, cyclohexylalanine, phenylalanine, (2?)-naphthylalanine, tyrosine, histidine, tryptophan, lysine, serine, threonine, methionine, or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: The present invention features viable MCH1R deficient mice. MCH1R deficient mice contain an alteration in one or both MCH1R alleles that substantially reduces expression of a functional MCH1R from the altered allele. Preferably, MCH1R deficient mice are MCH1R ?/? knockout mice.

Abstract: Novel compounds of the structural formula (I) are antagonists and/or inverse agonists of the Cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptor and are useful in the treatment, prevention and suppression of diseases mediated by the CB1 receptor. The compounds of the present invention are useful as centrally acting drugs in the treatment of psychosis, memory deficits, cognitive disorders, migraine, neuropathy, neuro-inflammatory disorders including multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barre syndrome and the inflammatory sequelae of viral encephalitis, cerebral vascular accidents, and head trauma, anxiety disorders, stress, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, movement disorders, and schizophrenia. The compounds are also useful for the treatment of substance abuse disorders, the treatment of obesity or eating disorders, as well as the treatment of asthma, constipation, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and cirrhosis of the liver.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with compounds of the general Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which are useful as melanin concentrating hormone receptor antagonists, particularly MCH-1R antagonists. As such, compounds of the present invention are useful for the treatment or prevention of obesity or eating disorders associated with excessive food intake and complications thereof, osteoarthritis, certain cancers, AIDS wasting, cachexia, frailty (particularly in elderly), mental disorders stress, cognitive disorders, sexual function, reproductive function, kidney function, locomotor disorders, attention deficit disorder (ADD), substance abuse disorders and dyskinesias, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, memory function, and spinal muscular atrophy. Compounds of formula I may therefore be used in the treatment of these conditions, and in the manufacture of a medicament useful in treating these conditions.

Abstract: The use of compounds of the present invention as antagonists and/or inverse agonists of the Cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptor particularly in the treatment, prevention and suppression of diseases mediated by the Cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptor. The invention is concerned with the use of these novel compounds to selectively antagonize the Cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptor. As such, compounds of the present invention are useful as psychotropic drugs in the treatment of psychosis, memory deficits, cognitive disorders, migraine, neuropathy, neuro-inflammatory disorders including multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barre syndrome and the inflammatory sequelae of viral encephalitis, cerebral vascular accidents, and head trauma, anxiety disorders, stress, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia. The compounds are also useful for the treatment of substance abuse disorders, particularly to opiates, alcohol, and nicotine.

Abstract: Novel compounds of the structural formula (I) are antagonists and/or inverse agonists of the Cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptor and are useful in the treatment, prevention and suppression of diseases mediated by the CB1 receptor. The compounds of the present invention are useful as centrally acting drugs in the treatment of psychosis, memory deficits, cognitive disorders, migraine, neuropathy, neuro-inflammatory disorders including multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barre syndrome and the inflammatory sequelae of viral encephalitis, cerebral vascular accidents, and head trauma, anxiety disorders, stress, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, movement disorders, and schizophrenia. The compounds are also useful for the treatment of substance abuse disorders, the treatment of obesity or eating disorders, as well as the treatment of asthma, constipation, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and cirrhosis of the liver.

Abstract: Certain novel 4-substituted N-acylated piperidine derivatives are agonists of the human melanocortin receptor(s) and, in particular, are selective agonists of the human melanocortin-4 receptor (MC-4R). They are therefore useful for the treatment, control, or prevention of diseases and disorders responsive to the activation of MC-4R, such as obesity, diabetes, sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction and female sexual dysfunction.

Abstract: Certain novel 4-substituted piperidine compounds are agonists of the human melanocortin receptor(s) and, in particular, are selective agonists of the human melanocortin-4 receptor (MC-4R). They are therefore useful for the treatment, control, or prevention of diseases and disorders responsive to the activation of MC-4R, such as obesity, diabetes, sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction and female sexual dysfunction.

Abstract: Compounds of structural formula (I) as herein defined are disclosed as useful in a method for modulating the androgen receptor in a tissue selective manner in a patient in need of such modulation, as well as in a method of agonizing the androgen receptor in a patient, and in particular the method wherein the androgen receptor is antagonized in the prostate of a male patient or in the uterus of a female patient and agonized in bone and/or muscle tissue. These compounds are useful in the treatment of conditions caused by androgen deficiency or which can be ameliorated by androgen administration, including: osteoporosis, periodontal disease, bone fracture, bone damage following bone reconstructive surgery, sarcopenia, frailty, aging skin, male hypogonadism, post-menopausal symptoms in women, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, aplastic anemia and other hematopoietic disorders, pancreatic cancer, renal cancer, arthritis and joint repair, alone or in combination with other active agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for making spirolactone compounds analogous to formula I:

Abstract: Arylhydantoin derivatives and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are disclosed. The synthesis of these compounds and their use as alpha 1a adrenergic receptor antagonists is also described. One application of these compounds is in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. These compounds are typically selective in their ability to relax smooth muscle tissue enriched in the alpha 1a receptor subtype without at the same time inducing hypotension. One such tissue is found surrounding the urethral lining. Therefore, one utility of the instant compounds is to provide acute relief to males suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia, by permitting less hindered urine flow. Another utility of the instant compounds is provided by combination with a human 5-alpha reductase inhibitory compound, such that both acute and chronic relief from the effects of benign prostatic hyperplasia can be achieved.

Abstract: 17&bgr;-N-monosubstituted-carbamoyl-4-aza-5&agr;-androst-1-en-3-ones of the formula wherein R1 is selected from hydrogen, methyl and ethyl and R2 is a straight or branched chain alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl of from 1-12 carbons, or monocyclic aryl optionally containing 1 or more lower alkyl substituents of 1-2 carbon atoms and/or 1 or more halogens, and R′, R″, R′″ are hydrogen or methyl are useful for the prevention of prostatic carcinoma.

Abstract: This invention relates to combination therapy for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia comprising an alpha-1a antagonist and an endothelin antagonist. More specifically, the use of a selective alpha-1a adrenergic receptor antagonist in combination with a subtype non-selective endothelin antagonist provides relief of lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with symptomatic prostatism or benign prostatic hyperplasia. This combination therapy improves lower urinary tract symptoms including increasing urine flow rate, decreasing residual urine volume and improving overall obstructive and irritative symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or symptomatic prostatism.

Abstract: Natural products such as certain chaetochromins are described. These compounds are useful in the inhibition of HIV integrase, the prevention or treatment of infection by HIV and the treatment of AIDS, either as compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutical composition ingredients, whether or not in combination with other antivirals, immunomodulators, antibiotics or vaccines. Methods of treating AIDS and methods of preventing or treating infection by HIV are also described.

Abstract: Spirotricyclic azacycloalkyl compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed. The synthesis of these compounds is also described. One application of these compounds, which are alpha 1a adrenergic receptor antagonists, is in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. These compounds are selective in their ability to relax smooth muscle tissue enriched in the alpha 1a receptor subtype without at the same time inducing hypotension. One such tissue is found surrounding the urethral lining. Therefore, one utility of the instant compounds is to provide acute relief to males suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia, by permitting less hindered urine flow. Another utility of the instant compounds is provided by combination with a human 5-alpha reductase inhibitory compound, such that both acute and chronic relief from the effects of benign prostatic hyperplasia can be achieved.

Abstract: Certain six-membered aromatic and heteroaromatic-dioxobutyric acid derivatives are described as inhibitors of HIV integrase and inhibitors of HIV replication. These compounds are useful in the prevention or treatment of infection by HIV and the treatment of AIDS, either as compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutical composition ingredients, whether or not in combination with other antivirals, immunomodulators, antibiotics or vaccines. Methods of treating AIDS and methods of preventing or treating infection by HIV are also described.

Abstract: A process for preparing a &bgr;-hydroxy carbamate product is disclosed. The process comprises reacting an olefin compound containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond with a carbamate in an aqueous solvent and in the presence of a base, an osmium catalyst, a co-oxidant selected from a halohydantoin, a haloisocyanuric acid, and an alkali metal salt of a haloisocyanuric acid, and optionally an asymmetric ligand, to form a reaction mixture containing the &bgr;-hydroxy carbamate product. The process optionally further comprises treating the &bgr;-hydroxy carbamate product with additional base to form an oxazolidinone. The oxazolidinones are useful as chiral auxiliary agents and as intermediates for the formation of pharmaceutically active substances such as alpha 1 a adrenergic receptor antagonists. A process for preparing nitrogen-functionalized derivatives of the oxazolidinones is also disclosed.

Abstract: The instant invention involves a process for oxidizing compounds containing an allylic group, i.e. those containing an allylic hydrogen or allylic alcohol group, to the corresponding enones, using a ruthenium-based catalyst in the presence of a hydroperoxide. Particularly, &Dgr;-5-steroidal alkenes can be oxidized to the corresponding &Dgr;-5-7-keto alkenes.