Abstract: This invention relates to a method and means for the treatment of a viral infection and for reducing the rate of decrease in CD4 lymphocyte counts in a subject having a viral infection. It relates, in particular, to a use of an extract of corms of the family Hypoxidaceae in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a viral infection; to the use of the said extract in the preparation of a medicament for reducing the rate of decrease of CD4 lymphocyte counts in a subject with a viral infection; to a method of treating a viral infection, to a method of reducing the rate of decrease in CD4 lymphocyte counts in a subject having a viral infection; to a medicament for the treatment of a viral infection, and to a medicament for reducing the rate of CD4 lymphocyte counts in a subject having a viral infection.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment and prevention of cancerous conditions by the administration of a composition including the compound of the formula: ##STR1## or of an aqueous, alcoholic or aqueous alcoholic or other extracts of plants of the Hypoxidaceae family and particularly the plants of the genus Hypoxis and the genus Spiloxene.

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.