Abstract: A steroid derivative compound of formula (I) in which: one of R1 and R2 is hydroxy and the other is hydrogen; or R1 and R2 together represent oxo; R3 is hydrogen or hydroxy; and the dotted lines represent single or double carbon-carbon bonds; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof are useful for the prevention or treatment of pain, for improving nerve regeneration after nerve injury or damage or disease, for the prevention or treatment of brain injury, damage or disease and for neuroprotection. Particularly useful compounds are 11-hydroxy-?4-androstene-3,17-dione and 11-oxo-?4-androstene-3,17-dione or their derivatives.

Abstract: A variety of diseases and disorders associated with the metabolic pathways involved in the activities of cyclooxygenase and the synthesis of prostaglandins, for example type 2 diabetes mellitus and its sequelae, ischemic vascular diseases, pain associated with inflammation, inflammatory skin conditions, spinal cord injury, peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as various types of cancer may be treated or prevented by the use of an agent which selectively enhances production of 15-deoxy-prostaglandin J2.

Abstract: 3-Hydroxy-7-hydroxy steroids and 3-oxo-7-hydroxy steroids, especially the 7?-isomers thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable esters thereof are useful for protection against ischaemia-induced damage to peripheral organs, such as the heart or kidneys, as well as treatment of spiral cord injury.

Abstract: 3-Hydroxy-7?-hydroxy steroids and 3-oxo-7?-hydroxy steroids and pharmaceutically acceptable esters thereof are useful for protection against neuronal damage.

Abstract: A variety of diseases and disorders associated with the metabolic pathways involved in the activities of cyclooxygenase and the synthesis of prostaglandins, for example type 2 diabetes mellitus and its sequelae, ischemic vascular diseases, pain associated with inflammation, inflammatory skin conditions, spinal cord injury, peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as various types of cancer may be treated or prevented by the use of an agent which selectively enhances production of 15-deoxy-prostaglandin J2.

Abstract: 3-Hydroxy-7?-hydroxy steroids and 3-oxo-7?-hydroxy steroids and pharmaceutically acceptable estors thereof are useful for protection against neuronal damage.

Abstract: 7-Hydroxyepiandrosterone may be used for protection against acute or chronic neuronal damage.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): [in which: X is a group of formula >CR1R2 or >SO2; Y is a group of formula >NH or >CR1R2; Z is a group of formula >C?O or >CH2 or a direct bond; R1 is hydrogen and R2 is hydrogen, carboxy or hydroxy; or R1 and R2 together represent an oxo group, a methylenedioxy group or a hydroxyimino group; R3 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R4 represents two hydrogen atoms, or an oxo or hydroxyimino group; R5 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or halogen; R6 is hydrogen, lower alkoxy or carboxy; R7 and R8 are each hydrogen, lower alkyl or halogen; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof can be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of acute or chronic neurodegenerative diseases or conditions such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Chorea, Multiple Sclerosis or the sequelae to acute ischaemic events such as heart attack, stroke or head injury and for protection against ischaemic damage to tissues of peripheral organs.

Abstract: A steroid derivative compound of formula (I) in which: one of R1 and R2 is hydroxy and the Vehicle other is hydrogen; or R1 and R2 together represent oxo; R3 is hydrogen or hydroxy; and the dotted lines represent single or double carbon-carbon bonds; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof are useful for the prevention or treatment of pain, for improving nerve regeneration after nerve injury or damage or disease, for the prevention or treatment of brain injury, damage or disease and for neuroprotection. Particularly useful compounds are 11-hydroxy-?4-androstene-3,17-dione and 11-oxo-?4-androstene-3,17-dione or their derivatives.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) (in which R1; R2, R3 and R4 are the same as or different from each other and each represents an oxo group, a hydroxy group, a mercapto group, a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkoxy group or an aryloxy group; and the dotted line indicates that there may be a single or double bond between one of the respective pairs of carbon atoms) and esters thereof can be administered by transdermal administration. They are particularly effective when applied as a patch, preferably with an adhesive comprising a copolymer of from 40 to 60% by weight of methoxyethyl acrylate, from 30 to 40% by weight of lauryl acrylate or lauryl methacrylate and from 10 to 25% by weight of a polar monomer.