Abstract: A process for preparing a pharmaceutically-active extract of the root of a plant of the family Valerianacae, specifically, Valeriana officinalis L., is described. This process comprises the steps of adding the roots to an alcoholic extraction solvent to form a mixture, wherein the alcoholic extraction solvent comprises between approximately 50% to approximately 100% (v/v) in a remainder of water, and heating the mixture to a temperature of between approximately 70° C. to approximately 80° C. for a period of at least approximately two hours. By this process valerenic acid is obtained in the extract, and the extract has a content of valepotriates and valepotriate degradation products or derivatives that is substantially reduced with respect to the content of valepotriates in the roots, and has a content of valerenic acids that is not substantially reduced with respect to the content of valerenic acids in the roots.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising extracts of the root of a plant of the family Valerianacae, and methods of using such composition and/or extracts of the root of a plant of the family Valerianacae to improve sleep quality and sleep efficiency and to improve sleep structure and sleep architecture, are described. Sleep quality, sleep efficiency, sleep structure and sleep architecture may be in the context of various criteria or parameters, as described herein. Specifically, a pharmaceutical composition that reduces wake after sleep onset, increases total sleep time, increases sleep efficiency, and/or increases sleep time spent in sleep stages three and four, in a normal adult is described, the composition comprising therapeutically effective amounts of valerenic acid and its derivatives, kessane derivatives, valeranone, valerenal, and amino acids.

Abstract: Methods for treating erectile dysfunction using tetrahydroisoquinoline aromatic amines that function as melanocortin receptor ligands.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising extracts of the root of a plant of the family Valerianacae, and methods of using such composition and/or extracts of the root of a plant of the family Valerianacae to improve sleep quality and sleep efficiency and to improve sleep structure and sleep architecture, are described. Sleep quality, sleep efficiency, sleep structure and sleep architecture may be in the context of various criteria or parameters, as described herein. Specifically, a pharmaceutical composition that reduces wake after sleep onset, increases total sleep time, increases sleep efficiency, and/or increases sleep time spent in sleep stages three and four, in a normal adult is described, the composition comprising therapeutically effective amounts of valerenic acid and its derivatives, kessane derivatives, valeranone, valerenal, and amino acids.

Abstract: A process for preparing a pharmaceutically-active extract of the root of a plant of the family Valerianacae, specifically, Valeriana officinalis L., is described. This process comprises the steps of adding the roots to an alcoholic extraction solvent to form a mixture, wherein the alcoholic extraction solvent comprises between approximately 50% to approximately 100% (v/v) in a remainder of water, and heating the mixture to a temperature of between approximately 70° C. to approximately 80° C. for a period of at least approximately two hours. By this process valerenic acid is obtained in the extract, and the extract has a content of valepotriates and valepotriate degradation products or derivatives that is substantially reduced with respect to the content of valepotriates in the roots, and has a content of valerenic acids that is not substantially reduced with respect to the content of valerenic acids in the roots.

Abstract: Compositions, including pharmaceutical formulations, of plants and plant material, and specifically, extracts thereof are disclosed for use in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and for use in the treatment related bowel disorders, are disclosed. The compositions of the invention are useful in that they alleviate one or more of the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and of related bowel disorders. A particularly preferred pharmaceutical formulation is disclosed that consists essentially of aqueous extracts of one or more of “Bai Shao” (Paeonia lactiflora), “Bai Zhu” (Atractylodes macrocephala), “Chen Pi” (Citrus reticulata), “Fang Feng” (Saposhnikovia divaricata), together with one or more of “Wu Mei” (Prunus mume), and “Yan Hu” (Corydalis yanhusuo).

Abstract: A process for preparing a pharmaceutically-active extract of the root of a plant of the family Valerianacae, specifically, Valeriana officinalis L., is described. This process comprises the steps of adding the roots to an alcoholic extraction solvent to form a mixture, wherein the alcoholic extraction solvent comprises between approximately 50% to approximately 100% (v/v) in a remainder of water, and heating the mixture to a temperature of between approximately 70° C. to approximately 80° C. for a period of at least approximately two hours. By this process valerenic acid is obtained in the extract, and the extract has a content of valepotriates and valepotriate degradation products or derivatives that is substantially reduced with respect to the content of valepotriates in the roots, and has a content of valerenic acids that is not substantially reduced with respect to the content of valerenic acids in the roots.

Abstract: Compositions, including formulations, of plants for the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and inflammatory and other related conditions, such as arthritis, are disclosed. The formulations consist of one or both of the two herbs Chen Pi (Citrus reticulata) and Wu Mei (Prunus mume), which, according to the invention, possess significant cytokine TNF-&agr; inhibitory activity. The formulations also may include one or more of the following herbs which, according to the invention, inhibit PGE2: Hou Po (Magnoliae officinalis), Huang Bai (Phellodendron chinense), Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis), Huo Xiang (Agastaches rugosa), Pao Jiang (Zingiberis officinalis), Qin Pi (Fraxinus rynchophylla), and Zhi Gan Cao (Glycyrhizae inflata).

Abstract: The invention relates to melanocortin receptor ligands and methods of using the ligands to alter or regulate the activity of a melanocortin receptor. The invention further relates to tetrahydroisoquinoline aromatic amines that function as melanocortin receptor ligands and as agents for controlling cytokine-regulated physiologic processes and pathologies, and combinatorial libraries thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel peptides that are potent cytokine regulatory agents. In addition, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a cytokine regulatory agent. Administration of such a cytokine regulatory agent to a subject can enhance or restrain cytokine activity. Thus, the present invention provides a method of regulating cytokine activity in a subject having a condition characterized by aberrant or altered cytokine activity. The invention also provides methods of treating such conditions, including, for example, disuse deconditioning, diseases mediated by nitric oxide and cytokines, adverse drug reactions, obesity, septic shock, and adverse side effects due to cancer chemotherapy or occurring as in response to organ transplantation.