The present invention relates to Purine Derivatives; compositions comprising an effective amount of a Purine Derivative; and methods for reducing an animal's core body temperature, protecting an animal's heart against myocardial damage during cardioplegia; or for treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease, a neurological disorder, an ophthalmic condition, an ischemic condition, a reperfusion injury, obesity, a wasting disease, or diabetes, comprising administering an effective amount of a Purine Derivative to an animal in need thereof. The Purine Derivatives include compounds of the following formula:or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofwhereinA is —CH2OHB and C are —OH:D isA and B are trans with respect to each other:B and C are cis with respect to each other:C and D are cis or trans with respect to each other:R1 is —H, -halo, —CN, —N(R2)2, —OR2, —SR2, —NHC(O)R2, —NHC(O)N(R2)2, —NHC(O)OR2, —C(O)OR2, —C(O)R2, —C(O)N(R2)2, —OC(O)N(R2)2, —C(halo)3, or —NO2;each R2 is independently —H, —C1-C10 alkyl, —C2-C6 alkenyl, —C2-C6 alkynyl, —(CH2)n-aryl, —(CH2)n-(3- to 7-membered monocyclic heterocycle, —(CH2)n-(8- to 12-membered bicyclic heterocycle), —(CH2)n—(C3-C8 monocyclic cycloalkyl), —(CH2)n—(C3-C8 monocyclic cycloalkenyl), —(CH2)n—(C8-C12 bicyclic cycloalkyl), or —(CH2)n—(C8-C12 bicyclic cycloalkenyl);each n is an integer ranging from 0 to 6;each p is an integer ranging from 1 to 6; andeach q is an integer ranging from 1 to 6.