Abstract: This invention relates to novel saponin compounds of formula II wherein MBz denotes p-methoxybenzoyl, and R is selected from the group comprising C6-10 aryl, C6-10 aryl-C1-4 alkyl-, C1-18 alkanoyl, C3-18 alkenyl, C6-10 aryl-C(O)—, C6-10 aryl-C1-4 alkyl-C(O)—, wherein each of the groups can optionally be substituted. These compounds possess a selective cytostatic activity, useful, e.g., in the treatment of proliferative diseases. The invention further relates to methods of preparation of the novel compounds and to a pharmaceutical composition containing these compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel saponin compounds of formula II wherein MBz denotes p-methoxybenzoyl, and R is selected from the group comprising C6-10 aryl, C6-10 aryl-C1-4 alkyl-, C1-18 alkanoyl, C3-18 alkenyl, C6-10 aryl-C(O)—, C6-10 aryl-C1-4 alkyl-C(O)—, wherein each of the groups can optionally be substituted. These compounds possess a selective cytostatic activity, useful, e.g., in the treatment of proliferative diseases. The invention further relates to methods of preparation of the novel compounds and to a pharmaceutical composition containing these compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to natural brassinosteroids of general formula (I), wherein R is CH2 or O—CH2 group, R2 is hydrogen or hydroxyl, R3 is hydroxyl, R24 is alkyl or alkenyl, which are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, methylen, ethylen and propylen, and R25 is alkyl selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use for treating hyperproliferation, treating proliferative diseases and reducing adverse effects of steroid dysfunction in mammals. The present invention also provides methods capable to arrest of the cell cycle by natural brassinosteroids resulting in apoptotic changes in cancer cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to use for treatment of the adverse effects of hyperproliferation on mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo, especially treatment of hyperproliferative diseases in mammals by administering compositions containing natural brassinosteroids.