6,7-oxygenated steroids and uses related thereto

Steroid compounds having various oxygen substitution on the steroid nucleus are disclosed. A specific functionality present on many of the steroid compounds is oxygen substitution at both of positions 6 and 7. Thus, certain steroids have oxygen substitution at C6 and C7, and some have specific stereochemistries such as 6alpha and 7beta oxygen substitution, and an alpha hydrogen at the 5 position in addition to having 6alpha and 7beta oxygen substitution. Steroids having 3,4-epoxy functionality are also disclosed. In addition, steroids having C17 pyran and delta-lactone functionality, with oxygen substitution at C6 and C7, or at C15, of the steroid nucleus, are disclosed.