Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing body weight. In particular, the present invention provides methods for reducing body weight by administering a composition comprising a forskolin 1?,9?-carbonate compound of the formula: where R1 is hydrogen or a carbonyl group.

Abstract: An administration method is provided, in which a composition comprising a forskolin 1?,9?-carbonate compound is administered to a human subject. According to an embodiment, the forskolin 1?,9?-carbonate compound has a skeletal structure of 8,13-epoxy-1?,6?,7?,9?-tetrahydroxylabd-14-en-11-one. A carbonyl group links the 1-position hydroxy oxygen and the 9-position hydroxy oxygen to one another for forming a carbonate ester ring. Hydrogen is appended to the 6-position hydroxy oxygen. A hydrogen or an acetyl group is appended to the 7-position hydroxy oxygen.

Abstract: A compound is provided for increasing the concentration of a parent isoflavone in a subject in vivo. The parent isoflavone has a skeletal structure including a 5 position and a 7 position, a 5 alkyl group, and a 7-hydroxy group with a 7-hydroxy oxygen appended to the 7 position and a 7-hydroxy hydrogen appended to the 7-hydroxy oxygen. The compound includes a substrate having the skeletal structure of the parent isoflavone, with a 5 position and a 7 position corresponding to the 5 and 7 positions respectively of the parent isoflavone. An alkyl group is appended to the 5 position. A promoiety is appended to the 7-hydroxy oxygen of the substrate as a substitute for the 7-hydroxy hydrogen of the parent isoflavone, the promoiety and the 7-hydroxy oxygen establishing an alkylcarbonate ester. A related method also is provided.

Abstract: A compound is provided for increasing the concentration of a parent androgen in a subject in vivo. The parent androgen has a skeletal structure including a 1 position and a 17 position, a 17&bgr;-hydroxy group comprising a 17&bgr;-hydroxy oxygen appended to the 17 position, and a 17&bgr;-hydroxy hydrogen appended to the 17&bgr;-hydroxy oxygen. The compound includes a substrate having the skeletal structure of the parent androgen. It includes a 1 position and a 17 position corresponding to the 1 and 17 positions respectively of the parent androgen. The substrate has a carbon—carbon double bond at the 1 position. The compound also has a promoiety appended to the 17&bgr;-hydroxy oxygen of the substrate as a substitute for the 17&bgr;-hydroxy hydrogen of the parent androgen. The promoiety includes, and preferably consists of, an alkylcarbonate ester. A related method also is provided.