Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods of using 5-phenyl-2-furan esters, amides and ketones and compositions thereof to prevent or limit neuronal death or degeneration in a human or lower animal. These methods comprise systemically administering to such human or other animal a safe and effective amount of a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein (1) X is halo or hydrogen, and Y is a substituent selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or halogen-substituted methyl, halo, nitro, amino, and methoxy; and(2) R is R.sup.1 C(0)OH, R.sup.1 C(0)N(R.sup.3).sub.2, N(R.sup.3).sub.2, OR.sup.1 N(R.sup.3).sub.2, R.sup.1 N(R.sup.3).sub.2, N(R.sup.2)R.sup.1 N(R.sup.3).sub.2, or N(R.sup.2)N(R.sup.3).sub.2 ; whereR.sup.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted with C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkyl;R.sup.2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; andeach R.sup.3 is, independently, hydrogen or lower alkyl; orboth R.sup.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods of using a 5-phenyl-2-furan esters, amides and ketones and compositions thereof to prevent or limit neuronal death or degeneration in a human or lower animal. These methods comprise systemically administering to such human or other animal a safe and effective amount of a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein (1) X is halo or nil; and Y is a substituent selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or halogen-substituted methyl, halo, nitro, amino, and methoxy; and(2) R is R.sup.1 C(O)OH, R.sup.1 C(O)N(R.sup.3).sub.2, N(R.sup.3).sub.2, OR.sup.1 N(R.sup.3).sub.2, R.sup.1 N(R.sup.3).sub.2, N(R.sup.2)R.sup.1 N(R.sup.3).sub.2, or N(R.sup.2)N(R.sup.3).sub.2 ; whereR.sup.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted with C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkyl;R.sup.2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and each R.sup.3 is, independently, hydrogen or lower alkyl; or both R.sup.

Abstract: Compositions for the transdermal delivery of buprenorphine comprising a safe and effective amount of buprenorphine in a carrier comprising:(a) a polar solvent material selected from the group consisting of C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 diols, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 triols, and mixtures thereof; and(b) a polar lipid material selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohol esters, fatty acid esters, and mixtures thereof;wherein said polar solvent material and said polar lipid material are present in a weight ratio of solvent material:lipid material of from about 60:40 to about 99:1. Preferably, the polar solvent material is propylene glycol, and the polar lipid material is an ester of a C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 fatty alcohol or fatty acid. Particularly preferred polar lipid materials include methyl laurate and methyl caprylate. The ratio of polar solvent material to polar lipid material is preferably from about 90:10 to about 98:2.