Abstract: The present invention provides optionally substituted compounds of the formula I or salts thereof; wherein R1 is O or S when double bonded to the ring or is OH, SH, or a protected equivalent, when single bonded to the ring, R2 is hydrogen or more preferably an C1-C10 organic group attached by a carbon atom, X is H, O, OO, S or SS R3 is absent where X?H, is hydrogen or is a hydroxyl or thiol protecting group, R4 is a hetero- or preferably homo-cyclic aryl group, optionally substituted with a further group R5 and groups T1 are each, independently, absent, hydrogen or an S—R6 group, where any/each R6 is independently an organic group of molecular weight up to around 500 amu. The invention further provides a method for the synthesis of such compounds and a method of treatment comprising administering such compounds to a mammalian subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of tonic treatment of an aging mammalian subject, or a subject suffering from mild inflammation, lupus, fatigue, lethargy or the aftereffects of infection, disease or treatment, comprising administration of a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof. Said compounds are also used as a support to another drug and/or treatment regime especially a method for the treatment of a viral, autoimmune, hyperplastic or neoplastic disease, and for the prevention of diseases associated with old age including arthritis (especially RA), Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, cancer or other neoplastic disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides optionally substituted compounds of the formula I or salts thereof; wherein R1 is O or S when double bonded to the ring or is OH, SH, or a protected equivalent, when single bonded to the ring, R2 is hydrogen or more preferably an C1-C10 organic group attached by a carbon atom, X is H, O, OO, S or SS R3 is absent where X?H, is hydrogen or is a hydroxyl or thiol protecting group, R4 is a hetero- or preferably homo-cyclic aryl group, optionally substituted with a further group R5 and groups T1 are each, independently, absent, hydrogen or an S—R6 group, where any/each R6 is independently an organic group of molecular weight up to around 500 amu. The invention further provides a method for the synthesis of such compounds and a method of treatment comprising administering such compounds to a mammalian subject.