Abstract: A method is provided for preventing or reducing the adverse effects of photodynamic therapy such as collateral damage by regulating the localized phototoxicity of an effector photosensitizer molecule. During photodynamic therapy, the activity of the effector photosensitizer molecule in neighboring tissues of the tissue targeted for destruction is quenched by a quenching photosensitizer molecule.

Abstract: Hypericin, helianthrone and derivatives thereof of general formula (I) wherein the dotted line between positions 11 and 12 represent an optional C11-C12 bond; R is independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, C1-C10 alkoxy, NH—C1-C10 alkyl, and NH-hydroxy(C1-C10)alkyl; R? is independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and C1-C10 alkoxy; R? is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-C10 alkoxy, NH—C1-C10 alkyl, and NH-hydroxy(C1-C10)alkyl; and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, chloro, bromo, C1-C10 alkyl, C1-C10 alkoxy, and C1-C10 alkoxycarbonyl, provided that R? is not hydrogen when there is a C11-C12 bond, are useful as inhibitors of angiogenesis and can be used to prevent formation of metastases and restenosis and for the treatment of angiogenesis-associated ophthalmologic disorders.

Abstract: Hypericin and helianthrone derivatives of general formula (I) wherein the dotted line between positions 11 and 12 represent an optional C11-C12 bond; R is independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, C1-C10 alkoxy, NH—C1-C10 alkyl, and NH-hydroxy(C1-C10)alkyl; R? is independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and C1-C10 alkoxy; R? is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-C10 alkoxy, NH—C1-C10 alkyl, and NH-hydroxy(C1-C10)alkyl; and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, chloro, bromo, C1-C10 alkyl, C1-C10 alkoxy, and C1-C10 alkoxycarbonyl, provided that R? is not hydrogen when there is a C11-C12 bond and when there is a C11-C12 bond and both R? are hydroxy, both R? groups are not hydroxy.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing or reducing the adverse effects of photodynamic therapy such as collateral damage by regulating the localized phototoxicity of an effector photosensitizer molecule. During photodynamic therapy, the activity of the effector photosensitizer molecule in neighboring tissues of the tissue targeted for destruction is quenched by a quenching photosensitizer molecule.

Abstract: Novel antiviral (including antiretroviral) compounds are mono- or dicarboxylic acid esters of hypericin in which one or both of the methyl groups of hypericin are substituted by carboxylic acid ester groups of the formula COOR3 in which R3 is alkyl, the chain of which is optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen or sulphur atoms. R3 is preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, 2-methoxyethyl or 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl. The compounds may be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions and may be used in any manner which has previously been known for hypericin.

Abstract: Hypericin, helianthrone and derivatives thereof of general formula (I) 1

Abstract: A method for treating cancer comprising administering a 1,3,4,6-tetrahydroxy-helianthrone derivative. The compounds can be used in the absence of light irradiation or for photodynamic therapy of solid tumors wherein the tumor site is subjected to light irradiation after administration of the active ingredient. A preferred compound is 10,13-dimethyl-1,3,4,6-tetrahydroxy-helianthrone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antiviral agents, pharmaceutical formulations comprising effective amounts of these agents and methods for treating mammals suffering from infections caused by viruses. The agents are analogs, isomers, homologs, derivatives and salts of aromatic polycyclic diones.

Abstract: The invention provides improved methods for delivery of nucleic acids to cells, which comprise forming ternary complexes between a hydrophobic, membrane-binding anion such as hypericin; a polycation such as polylysine; and a nucleic acid such as DNA; and contacting cells with the tenary complexes. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations comprising these ternary complexes and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. The methods and compositions find use in mediating DNA uptake into cells, including gene therapy applications.

Abstract: T cell-mediated diseases in mammals are treated using compositions comprising a polycyclic aromatic compound, preferably hypericin or pseudohypericin, and related compounds, including isomers, analogs, derivatives, salts, or ion pairs of hypericin or pseudohypericin. The above composition may be administered in combination with an immunosuppressive agent. Pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating a T cell-mediated disease comprise the above polycyclic aromatic compound, alone or in combination with an immunosuppressive agent. The compositions and methods are useful in treating diseases which include multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, scleroderma, polymyositis, graft-versus-host disease, graft rejection, Graves disease, Addison's disease, autoimmune uveoretinitis, autoimmune thyroiditis, pemphigus vulgaris and rheumatoid arthritis. Psoriasis and systemic lups erythematosus.

Abstract: A method for treating a papilloma virus infection comprising topically administering hypericin which is effective to inhibit the replication, growth and/or the infectivity of the virus. The papilloma viruses include those capable of causing benign warts or a malignancy such as human papilloma virus-1 (HPV-1), HPV-2, HPV-6, HPV-11, HPV-16 and HPV-18.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, articles and methods for inactivating viruses present in whole blood and other body fluids. The method comprises contacting the body fluids with an effective amount of an antiviral compound. Blood bags, vacuum blood tubes, condoms, spermicidal jellies and vaginal lubricants containing effective amounts of the antiviral compounds are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, articles and methods for inactivating viruses present in whole blood and other body fluids. The method comprises contacting the body fluids with an effective amount of an antiviral compound. Blood bags, vacuum blood tubes, condoms, spermicidal jellies and vaginal lubricants containing effective amounts of the antiviral compounds are also provided.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical formulations comprising aromatic polycyclic dione compounds useful for treating mammals suffering from diseases caused by retroviruses are disclosed herein. A method for treating mammals suffering from retrovirus infections is also disclosed.