Novel Compounds, Pharmaceutical Compositions Containing Same, and Methods of Use for Same

1 . A compound of formula:

wherein:

R 1 and R 2 , the same or different from each other, are H, C 1 -C 20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, CH 2 COR 5 , —CH 2 C(O)NR 5 , —C(O)R 5 , or —CH 2 OR 5 , and can optionally contain halogen atoms, where R 5 is a C 1 -C 12 alkyl group.

R 3 and R 4 , the same or different from each other, are H, C 1 -C 20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl;

with the proviso that when R 4 —(CH 2 ) 7 CH 3 , R 3 is methyl, and R 1 is —CH 3 , R 2 is not —CH 2 —CH═CH 2 ,

and with the further proviso that when R 4 —CH 3 , R 3 is H, R 1 is —CH 3 , R 2 is not —CH 3 , or —CH═C(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 2 CH═C(CH 3 ) 2 .

2 . A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are each independently C 1 -C 12 alkyl.

3 . A compound according to claim 2 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are each —CH 2 —CH═CH 2 .

4 . A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 3 and R 4 are each independently a C 1 -C 12 alkyl group.

5 . A compound according to claim 4 , wherein R 4 is a C 1 -C 6 alkyl group.

6 . A compound according to claim 4 , wherein R 4 is —CH 3 .

7 . A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the compound has the structure:

8 . A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the compound has the structure:

9 . A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the compound has the structure:

10 . A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the compound has the structure:

11 . A compound according to claim 1 , wherein the compound has the structure:

12 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutical diluent and a compound of formula II:

wherein:

R 5 and R 6 , the same or different from each other, are H, C 1 -C 20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, —CH 2 COR 9 , —CH 2 C(O)NR 9 , —C(O)R 9 , or —CH 2 OR 9 , and can optionally contain halogen atoms, where R 9 is a C 1 -C 12 alkyl group;

R 7 and R 8 , the same or different from each other, are H, C 1 -C 20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl.

13 . A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 12 , comprising a compound of formula I:

wherein:

R 1 and R 2 , the same or different from each other, are H, C 1 -C 20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, —CH 2 COR 5 , —CH 2 C(O)NR 5 , —C(O)R 5 , or —CH 2 OR 5 , and can optionally contain halogen atoms, where R 5 is a C 1 -C 12 alkyl group.

R 3 and R 4 , the same or different from each other, are H, C 1 -C 20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl;

with the proviso that when R 4 ═—(CH 2 ) 7 CH 3 , R 3 is methyl, R 1 is —CH 3 , R 2 is not —CH 2 —CH═CH 2 ,

and with the further proviso that when R 4 ═—CH 3 , R 3 is H, R 1 is —CH 3 , R 2 is not —CH 3 , or —CH═C(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 2 CH═C(CH 3 ) 2 .

comprising compounds of formula I and a pharmaceutical diluent.

14 . A method of inducing weight loss in animals and humans by administering a pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 .

15 . A method of stimulating the activity of CPT-1 by administering to humans or animals a pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 .

16 . A method of inhibiting the synthesis of neuropeptide Y in humans or animals by administering a pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 .

17 . A method of inhibiting fatty acid synthase activity in humans or animals by administering a pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 .

18 . A method of treating cancer in animals and humans by administering a pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 .

19 . A method of preventing the growth of cancer cells in animals and humans by administering a pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 .

20 . A method of inhibiting growth of invasive microbial cells by administering a pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 .