Abstract: A mixture of betasitosterol and betasitosteryl glycoside in a ratio of between 1:1 and 500:1 is administered to an HIV infected individual. This has the effect of stabilizing CD4 cell numbers, decreasing the plasma viral load, degree of apoptosis in, and the serum levels of 1L6 in the peripheral blood.

Abstract: A mixture of .beta.-sitosterol glucoside and .beta.-sitosterol is administered to persons for the modulation or control of immune responses. The two compounds may be added in admixture or sequentially. Diseases such as viral and bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases, psoriasis, ezcema, asthma, cancer may be treated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new anti-cancer chemical compound which has been called rooperol and certain derivatives thereof of the general formula ##STR1## in which A is chosen from the group including a phenyl group, a substituted phenyl group and --CH.sub.2 --O--R.sup.5 where R.sup.5 =H, an alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5), aralkyl or acyl substituent; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are chosen from substituents including H for both or singly if one of them is --OH, --NH.sub.2, --SH, ##STR2## or taken together R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are =0; R.sup.3 is H or ##STR3## where R.sup.6 is an alkyl group (C.sub.1 -C.sub.7); either of R.sup.4 or B are chosen from substituents including H, ##STR4## a phenyl group, substituted phenyl group or a furyl group.