Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the Hsp90 chaperone pathway including contacting one or more target cells with an effective amount of a naturally occurring beauvericin, a synthetic beauvericin, or a derivative, analog or prodrug, or a pharmacologically active salt thereof to reduce, decrease, or inhibit the Hsp90 chaperone pathway in the cells compared to a control are disclosed. The methods can reduce the viability of the target cells, for example, by increasing apoptosis or pro-apoptotic pathways. In preferred embodiments, the methods reduce or do not increase Hsp70, Hsp24, Hsp40, or HOP expression; reduce or do not increase the heat shock response; reduce or do not increase pro-survival pathways in the cells. Methods of treating diseases such as cancer, inflammatory diseases or disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and infectious diseases using the disclosed compositions and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to two novel substances, namely (1R,2S,3S,4R)-3-acetoxy-1,2,4,5-tetrahydroxy-7-methoxy-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroanthracene-9,10-dione (3-O-acetyl altersolanol M) and 8-(4,5,6-trihydroxy-7-methyl-2-methoxy-9,10-dioxo-9H,10H-anthracen-1-yl)-(1S,2S,3R,4S)-1,2,3,4,5-pentahydroxy-7-methoxy-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9H,10H-anthracene-9,10-dione (the atropisomers alterporriol I and J) to their use as anti-infectives and as anti-cancer agents, as well as to methods of producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of the following anthracene derivatives as anti-infectives, preferably against multiply drug resistant pathogens: (2R,3S,10R)-2,3,5,10-tetrahydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methyl-1,2,3,4,4a,9a-hexahydro-9H,10H-anthracen-9-one (tetrahydroaltersolanol B), (1R,2R,3R,4aS,9aR,10R)-1,2,3,5,10-pentahydroxy-7-methoxy-2-methyl-1,2,3,4,4a,9a-hexahydro-9H,10H-anthracen-9-one (altersolanol K), (2R,3R,4R,4aS,9aS,10R)-2,3,4,8,10-pentahydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methyl-1,2,3,4,4a,9a-hexahydro-9H,10H-anthracen-9-one (altersolanol L), 8-(1,7-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-methoxy-9,10-dioxo-9H,10H-anthracen-2-yl)-(1S,2S,3R,4S)-1,2,3,4,5-pentahydroxy-7-methoxy-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9H,10H-anthracen-9,10-dione (atropisomers alterporriol G and H); as well as (2R,3S,4aS,9aS,10R)-2,3,5,8,10-pentahydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methyl-1,2,3,4,4a,9a-hexahydro-9H,10H-anthracen-9-one (8-hydroxytetrahydroaltersolanol B).

Abstract: A novel class of decalactones with the general formula (I) and their stereoisomers is disclosed. A method for the synthesis of the decalactones of general formula (I) and the use of the decalactones in pharmaceutical compositions is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of cycloventabenzofuran derivatives for the production of a medicament for the treatment of nuclear factor of &kgr;B-dependent diseases.