Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polygalacturonan rhamnogalacturonan (PGRG1) compositions, as well as methods of making and methods of using said compositions in medicinally useful and pharmaceutically useful forms. Specifically, the present disclosure provides purified PGRG1 compositions isolated from roots of the Astragalus genus of plants, and more particularly from the species Astragalus membranaceus, as well as PGRG1 compositions having a weight average molecular weight of at least 40 kiloDaltons (kDa).

Abstract: The identification of triptolide target molecules is described. Also described are methods of screening triptolide-related compounds for binding to these molecules, including screening for enhanced and/or selective binding, and expression analysis of the target molecules in normal and in diseased tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds based on lactone ring modifications of triptolide and hydroxylated triptolide, for use in therapy, such as antiproliferative, anticancer, and immunosuppressive therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds based on C- and D-ring modifications of triptolide and hydroxylated triptolide, for use in therapy, such as antiproliferative, anticancer, and immunosuppressive therapy.

Abstract: Methods for extraction, isolation, and purification of therapeutically useful compounds from Tripterygium wilfordii are described. Extraction steps employing aqueous base and a hydrocarbon solvent, respectively, are found to increase the efficiency of the process and reduce the amount of material that must be removed by chromatography.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds based on lactone ring modifications of triptolide and hydroxylated triptolide, for use in therapy, such as antiproliferative, anticancer, and immunosuppressive therapy.

Abstract: Variously substituted carbonate and carbamate derivatives of triptolide compounds have good aqueous solubility and convert to biologically active compounds in vivo, at a rate which can be modulated by varying the substitution on the prodrug. The prodrugs are useful as immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents.

Abstract: Compounds useful as immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents and methods of their preparation and use are described. The compounds are analogs or derivatives of triptolide and related compounds, modified at the 5- and/or 6-position relative to the naturally occurring compounds.

Abstract: Variously substituted carbonate and carbamate derivatives of triptolide compounds have good aqueous solubility and convert to biologically active compounds in vivo, at a rate which can be modulated by varying the substitution on the prodrug. The prodrugs are useful as immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents.

Abstract: Compounds having the structure I: are useful for inducing cell death (apoptosis) and in immunosuppression. In structure I, CR1R2 is selected from CHOH, C?O, CHF, CF2 and C(CF3)OH; CR6 and CR13 are selected from CH, COH and CF; CR7R8, CR9R10 and CR11R12 are selected from CH2, CHOH, C?O, CHF and CF2; and CR3R4R5 is selected from CH3, CH2OH, C?O, COOH, CH2F, CHF2 and CF3; such that: at least one of R1-R13 comprises fluorine; no more than two of CR3R4R5, CR6, CR7R8, CR9R10, CR11R12, and CR13 comprises fluorine or oxygen; and, when CR1R2 is CHOH, CR3R4R5 is not CH2F.

Abstract: The identification of triptolide target molecules is described. Also described are methods of screening triptolide-related compounds for binding to these molecules, including screening for enhanced and/or selective binding, and expression analysis of the target molecules in normal and in diseased tissue.

Abstract: Inflammatory disorders, including obliterative airway disease, renal fibrosis, diabetic nephropathy, and liver fibrosis are treated with immunosuppressive triptolide compounds, in particular triptolide compounds effective to inhibit TGF-? production in a patient afflicted with such a disorder.

Abstract: Compounds having the structure I: are useful for inducing cell death (apoptosis) and in immunosuppression. In structure I, R1 is H or R, R being selected from lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and allenyl, or, R1 together with R2?O (oxo); R2?OH, or, R1 and R2 together=O (oxo); CR3R5 and CR4R6 are selected from CH2, CHOH and CROH; at least one of R1, R5 and R6 is R; and at least one of CR3R5 and CR4R6 is CH2.

Abstract: Compounds having the structure I: are useful for inducing cell death (apoptosis) and in immunosuppression. In structure I, R1 is H or R, R being selected from lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and allenyl, or, R1 together with R2=O (oxo); R2=OH, or, R1 and R2 together=O (oxo); CR3R5 and CR4R6 are selected from CH2, CHOH and CROH; at least one of R1, R5 and R6 is R; and at least one of CR3R5 and CR4R6 is CH2.

Abstract: An acid-modified arabinogalactan protein composition, having an arabinose-galactaose ratio of less than 3.5:1, comprising 5–10% Rha, 20–35% Gal, and less than 5% Glc, prepared from Astragalus membranaceus, is useful for treating a number of conditions. For example, an acid-modified arabinogalactan protein composition having features of the invention is useful for stimulating hematopolesis, inducing the proliferation of megakaryocytes, inducing the maturation of megakaryocytes, and stimulating the production of IL-1?, IL-6, TNF-?, IFN-?, GM-CSF, G-CSF, and neutrophils, and stimulating the action of neutrophils; stimulating the immune and/or hematopoietic system of a mammal suffering from neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, exposure to cytotoxic agents, exposure to radiation, cachexia, emesis, and drug withdrawal symptoms; and is effective to restore the immune response to infection, in immunosuppressive conditions, and to protect hepatic cells in hepatitis B.

Abstract: Combinations of diterpenoid triepoxides and anti-proliferative agents are used in a combination therapy to treat hyperproliferative disorders. Anti-proliferative agents of interest include agents active in killing tumor cells, as well as immunosuppressants, and a variety of other agents that reduce cellular proliferation in targeted tissues. Synergistic combinations provide for comparable or improved therapeutic effects, while lowering adverse side effects.

Abstract: Compounds having the structure I: are useful for inducing cell death (apoptosis) and in immunosuppression. In structure I, CR1R2 is selected from CHOH, C?O, CHF, CF2 and C(CF3)OH; CR6 and CR13 are selected from CH, COH and CF; CR7R8, CR9R10 and CR11R12 are selected from CH2, CHOH, C?O, CHF and CF2; and CR3R4R5 is selected from CH3, CH2OH, C?O, COOH, CH2F, CHF2 and CF3; such that: at least one of R1-R13 comprises fluorine; no more than two of CR3R4R5, CR6, CR7R8, CR9R10, CR11R12, and CR13 comprises fluorine or oxygen; and, when CR1R2 is CHOH, CR3R4R5 is not CH2F.

Abstract: Water soluble triptolide prodrugs are used as anticancer agents, and are found to be more effective in vivo, at lower doses, in reducing tumor size than the widely used chemotherapeutic agents 5-fluorouracil and irinotecan.

Abstract: Combinations of diterpenoid triepoxides and anti-proliferative agents are used in a combination therapy to treat hyperproliferative disorders. Anti-proliferative agents of interest include agents active in killing tumor cells, as well as immunosuppressants, and a variety of other agents that reduce cellular proliferation in targeted tissues. Synergistic combinations provide for comparable or improved therapeutic effects, while lowering adverse side effects.

Abstract: Compounds which are prodrugs of triptolide or its derivatives, containing an amino acid or oligopeptide moiety, are used for anticancer or immunosuppressive treatment.