fig6 8 all of the test compounds when incubated in serum were comparable to triptolide in suppression of il 2 formulations containing the triptolide derivatives of the invention may take the form of solid semi solid lyophilized powder or liquid dosage forms such as tablets capsules powders sustained release formulations solutions suspensions emulsions ointments lotions or aerosols preferably in unit dosage forms suitable for simple administration of precise dosages the compositions typically include a conventional pharmaceutical carrier or excipient and may additionally include other medicinal agents carriers or adjuvants preferably the composition will be about 0 5 to 75 by weight of a compound or compounds of the invention with the remainder consisting of suitable pharmaceutical excipients for oral administration such excipients include pharmaceutical grades of mannitol lactose starch magnesium stearate sodium saccharine talcum cellulose glucose gelatin sucrose magnesium carbonate and the like if desired the composition may also contain minor amounts of non toxic auxiliary substances such as wetting agents emulsifying agents or buffers the composition may be administered to a subject orally transdermally or parenterally e g by intravenous subcutaneous intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection for use in oral liquid preparation the composition may be prepared as a solution suspension emulsion or syrup being supplied either in liquid form or a dried form suitable for hydration in water or normal saline for parenteral administration an injectable composition for parenteral administration will typically contain the triptolide derivative in a suitable intravenous solution such as sterile physiological salt solution liquid compositions can be prepared by dissolving or dispersing the triptolide derivative about 0 5 to about 20.