Abstract: Provided is a plant derived extract including inhibitory activity against one or more extracellular proteases which degrade human tissue matrix. Moreover, the amount of inhibitory activity in an extract can be increased by stressing the plant prior to forming an extract. These extracts are each prepared by a process and demonstrate the ability to inhibit one or more extracellular proteases which degrade human tissue matrix. Libraries of extracts can be prepared from stressed and non-stressed plants, where each of the extracts demonstrate inhibitory activity against on or more extracellular protease inhibitors. Alternatively, semi-purified and purified inhibitory compounds can be isolated from the extracts. In one aspect, these extracts with inhibitory activity can be used during protein purification to minimize degradation due to extracellular proteases.

Abstract: Described herein is a composition comprising a combination of ginger and goldenrod for the prevention and/or treatment of cold and/or flu infection. Also described is a method of treating or preventing a cold and/or flu infection in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a combination of ginger and goldenrod.

Abstract: Provided is a plant derived extract including inhibitory activity against one or more extracellular proteases which degrade human tissue matrix. Moreover, the amount of inhibitory activity in an extract can be increased by stressing the plant prior to forming an extract. These extracts are each prepared by a process and demonstrate the ability to inhibit one or more extracellular proteases which degrade human tissue matrix. Libraries of extracts can be prepared from stressed and non-stressed plants, where each of the extracts demonstrate inhibitory activity against on or more extracellular protease inhibitors. Alternatively, semi-purified and purified inhibitory compounds can be isolated from the extracts.

Abstract: Extracts derived from plants of the Tsuga genus having anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties are provided. The Tsuga extracts are suitable for the treatment of inflammation, irritation and/or infection.

Abstract: Described herein is a composition comprising a combination of ginger and goldenrod for the prevention and/or treatment of cold and/or flu infection. Also described is a method of treating or preventing a cold and/or flu infection in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a combination of ginger and goldenrod.

Abstract: Provided is a plant derived extract including inhibitory activity against one or more extracellular proteases which degrade human tissue matrix. Moreover, the amount of inhibitory activity in an extract can be increased by stressing the plant prior to forming an extract. These extracts are each prepared by a process and demonstrate the ability to inhibit one or more extracellular proteases which degrade human tissue matrix. Libraries of extracts can be prepared from stressed and non-stressed plants, where each of the extracts demonstrate inhibitory activity against on or more extracellular protease inhibitors. Alternatively, semi-purified and purified inhibitory compounds can be isolated from the extracts. In one aspect, these extracts with inhibitory activity can be used during protein purification to minimize degradation due to extracellular proteases.

Abstract: Extracts derived from plants of the Tsuga genus having anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties are provided. The Tsuga extracts are suitable for the treatment of inflammation, irritation and/or infection.

Abstract: A method of treating cancer by targeting two proteases, MMP-9 and cathepsin B is provided. Therapeutic compositions comprising one or more plant extracts that inhibit MMP-9 and/or cathepsin B, which are capable of inhibiting neoplastic and/or endothelial cell migration, tumor growth, tumor-induced angiogenesis and/or metastasis are also provided. The therapeutic compositions of the invention can be used in the treatment of cancer, and methods of inhibiting tumor growth, tumor metastasis, and/or tumor-induced angiogenesis using the therapeutic compositions alone or in combination with an anti-cancer agent are, therefore, also provided.

Abstract: Extracts from plant material, or semi-purified/purified molecules or compounds prepared from the extracts that demonstrate the ability to modulate one or more cellular activities are provided. The extracts are capable of slowing down, inhibiting or preventing cell migration, for example, the migration of endothelial cells or neoplastic cells and thus, the use of the extracts to slow down, inhibit or prevent abnormal cell migration in an animal is also provided. Methods of selecting and preparing the plant extracts and methods of screening the extracts to determine their ability to modulate one or more cellular activity are described. The purification or semi-purification of one or more molecules from the described extracts is also contemplated as well as the use of these molecules, alone or in combination with an extract, to slow down, inhibit or prevent abnormal cell migration in an animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plant derived extract comprising inhibitory activity against one or more extracellular proteases which degrade human tissue matrix. Moreover, the amount of inhibitory activity in an extract can be increased by stressing the plant prior to forming an extract. These extracts are each prepared by a standard process and demonstrate the ability to inhibit one or more extracellular proteases which degrade human tissue matrix. Libraries of extracts can be prepared from stressed and non-stressed plants, wherein each of the extracts demonstrate inhibitory activity against one or more extracellular protease inhibitors. Alternatively, semi-purified and purified inhibitory compounds can be isolated from the extracts following standard procedures. In one aspect, these extracts with inhibitory activity can be used during protein purification to minimize the degradation due to extracellular proteases.

Abstract: A method of treating cancer by targeting two proteases, MMP-9 and cathepsin B is provided. Therapeutic compositions comprising one or more plant extracts that inhibit MMP-9 and/or cathepsin B, which are capable of inhibiting neoplastic and/or endothelial cell migration, tumour growth, tumour-induced angiogenesis and/or metastasis are also provided. The therapeutic compositions of the invention can be used in the treatment of cancer, and, methods of inhibiting tumour growth, tumour metastasis, and/or tumour-induced angiogenesis using the therapeutic compositions alone or in combination with an anti-cancer agent are, therefore, also provided.

Abstract: Extracts from plant material, or semi-purified/purified molecules or compounds prepared from the extracts that demonstrate the ability to modulate one or more cellular activities are provided. The extracts are capable of slowing down, inhibiting or preventing cell migration, for example, the migration of endothelial cells or neoplastic cells and thus, the use of the extracts to slow down, inhibit or prevent abnormal cell migration in an animal is also provided. Methods of selecting and preparing the plant extracts and methods of screening the extracts to determine their ability to modulate one or more cellular activity are described. The purification or semi-purification of one or more molecules from the described extracts is also contemplated as well as the use of these molecules, alone or in combination with an extract, to slow down, inhibit or prevent abnormal cell migration in an animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plant derived extract comprising inhibitory activity against one or more extracellular proteases which degrade human tissue matrix. Moreover, the amount of inhibitory activity in an extract can be increased by stressing the plant prior to forming an extract. These extracts are each prepared by a standard process and demonstrate the ability to inhibit one or more extracellular proteases which degrade human tissue matrix. Libraries of extracts can be prepared from stressed and non-stressed plants, wherein each of the extracts demonstrate inhibitory activity against one or more extracellular protease inhibitors. Alternatively, semi-purified and purified inhibitory compounds can be isolated from the extracts following standard procedures. In one aspect, these extracts with inhibitory activity can be used during protein purification to minimize the degradation due to extracellular proteases.

Abstract: A method for the biodegradation of organic contaminants in a mass of particulate solids. The method comprises providing a contaminated mass of particulate solids on an impervious surface in fluid communication with an impervious recovery reservoir. The impervious surface has operating thereon air supply and/or air suction means to provide suitable and continuous oxygenation of the mass and/or to remove undesirable vapor emissions from the mass. The mass is periodically irrigated by applying on its surface a culture medium comprising at least one bacterial strain and co-substrates thereof. The bacterial strain has the ability to degrade the organic contaminants. The medium is drained through the mass and washings recovered in the reservoir to be reused to irrigate the mass.

Abstract: A method for the biodegradation of organic contaminants in a mass of particulate solids. The method comprises providing a contaminated mass of particulate solids on an impervious surface in fluid communication with an impervious recovery reservoir. The impervious surface has operating thereon air supply and/or air suction means to provide suitable and continuous oxygenation of the mass and/or to remove undesirable vapor emissions from the mass. The mass is periodically irrigated by applying on its surface a culture medium comprising at least one bacterial strain and co-substrates thereof. The bacterial strain has the ability to degrade the organic contaminants. The medium is drained through the mass and washings recovered in the reservoir to be reused to irrigate the mass.

Abstract: Describes a process for separating metallic mercury from soil containing same by producing an aqueous pulp of the contaminated soil in a mixing tank (12), screening the pulp in screening means (14) to separate a coarse fraction, further screening the pulp in screening means (17) (19) to produce a fines fraction, charging said fines fraction to solid-solid separating means (20) (24) to provide a first aqueous soil slurry (83) that is substantially free of metallic mercury and a second aqueous soil slurry (75) (81) containing metallic mercury, charging the second aqueous soil slurry to froth flotation cell means (28), thereby to provide a metallic mercury-containing froth (90) and an aqueous soil slurry (87) substantially free of metallic mercury, removing the froth from the flotation cell, and separating metallic mercury that settles out of the froth (95). Soil slurry substantially free of metallic mercury is flocculated (32), dewatered (35), filtered (36) and removed to a landfill (9).