Pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutical diluent and a compound of formula IX: R29═H, or C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, ═CHR31, —C(O)OR31, —C(O)R31, —CH2C(O)OR31, CH2C(O)NHR31, where R31 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, cycloalkyl, or alkenyl; R30═C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl; X5═—OR32, or NHR32, Where R32 is H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, the R32 group optionally containing a carbonyl group, a carboxyl group, a carboxyamide group, an alcohol group, or an ether group, the R32 group further optionally containing one or more halogen atoms; with the proviso that when R29 is ═CH2, then X5 is not OH. Also disclosed are compounds within the scope of the formula IX, as well as uses of the pharmaceutical compositions for weight loss, anti-microbial and anti-cancer applications, inhibition of fatty acid synthase and neuropeptide-Y, and the stimulation of the activity of carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1.