Ginkgolides for inhibition of membrane expression of benzodiazepine receptors

Abstract

Ginkgolides may be used to inhibit the membrane expression of a benzodiazepine receptor in a patient and in treatments to combat excess glucocorticoid production.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . A method of treating Cushings syndrome in a patient, said method comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of a ginkgolide together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient, wherein said ginkgolide is a compound according to formula I:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein: 
 R 1  is H or OH;  
 R 2  is H, OH, or C 1 -C 6  alkoxy; and  
 R 3  is H or OH, and or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and wherein said effective amount of said ginkgolide is an amount of ginkgolide which is effective to treat Cushings syndrome.  
 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein said patient secretes a high level of one or more glucocorticoids.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein R 1  is OH; R 2  is H or OH; and R 3  is H.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein R 2  is H.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein R 2  is OH.  
   
   
       21 . A method of treating stress-induced hypercorticolism in a patient, said method comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of a ginkgolide together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient, wherein said ginkgolide is a compound according to formula I:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein: 
 R 1  is H or OH;  
 R 2  is H, OH, or C 1 -C 6  alkoxy; and  
 R 3  is H or OH, and or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and wherein said effective amount of said ginkgolide is an amount of ginkgolide which is effective to treat stress-induced hypercorticolism.  
 
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein said patient secretes a high level of one or more glucocorticoids.  
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein R 1  is OH; R 2  is H or OH; and R 3  is H.  
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein R 2  is H.  
   
   
       25 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein R 2  is OH.  
   
   
       26 . A method of treating brain aging in a patient, said method comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of a ginkgolide together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient, wherein said ginkgolide is a compound according to formula I:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein: 
 R 1  is H or OH;  
 R 2  is H, OH, or C 1 -C 6  alkoxy; and  
 R 3  is H or OH, and or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and wherein said effective amount of said ginkgolide is an amount of ginkgolide which is effective to treat brain aging.  
 
   
   
       27 . A method according to  claim 26  wherein said patient secretes a high level of one or more glucocorticoids.  
   
   
       28 . A method according to  claim 26  wherein R 1  is OH; R 2  is H or OH; and R 3  is H.  
   
   
       29 . A method according to  claim 28  wherein R 2  is H.  
   
   
       30 . A method according to  claim 28  wherein R 2  is OH.