Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an elastase inhibitor, preferably fahsin for the treatment or prevention of emphysema, COPD or lung cancer. The elastase inhibitor is preferably administered through inhalation, preferably thorough inhalation of tobacco smoke. The invention also comprises smoking articles comprising such an elastase inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an elastase inhibitor, preferably fahsin for the treatment or prevention of emphysema, COPD or lung cancer. The elastase inhibitor is preferably administered through inhalation, preferably thorough inhalation of tobacco smoke. The invention also comprises smoking articles comprising such an elastase inhibitor.

Abstract: Methods substances and composition derived from leeches, bacteria associated with leeches, or combinations thereof are provided to prevent retroviral infections of host cells. More particularly, the invention relates to the inhibition of HIV replication. Thus the invention provides methods and substances for treating and/or preventing HIV infection and/or AIDS. The compounds or mixtures are obtainable by solvent extraction techniques and separation steps and were tested in the following manner. Two syncytium-forming HIV isolates HIV AMS55 and HIV Ams37 were inoculated in PBMC and monocytes. During 14 days HIV induced cytopathic effects (CPE) (syncytium formation) and the virus production as determined by a p24 capture ELISA was monitored, after addition of leech head extracts. The results of these tests with the partly purified HIV inhibiting substance or substances is as follows: 3 fractions inhibited both syncytium formation and p24 antigen by 100% at a concentration of: 0.67 &mgr;M, 0.5 &mgr;M and 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel protease-inhibitors which are obtainable from leeches. It also relates to uses thereof, for instance as a medicament, thus pharmaceutical preparations are provided, as are derivatives, mutants, genes encoding, vectors comprising and cells provided with such genes and/or vectors. In particular the invention relates to a family of proteinaceous protease-inhibitors having a molecular weight of about 5.5 kD and the following primary sequences: DDNCGGKVCSKGQLCHDGHCECTPIRCLIFCPNGFAVDENGCELPCSCKHQ, DDDCGGQVCSKGQLCVDGQCKCTPIRCRIYCPKGFEVDENGCELPCTCLQ and DGNCGGQVCSKGQLCVDGQCKCTPIRCRIYCPKGFEVDENGCELPCTCLQ. This invention also relates to HIV-inhibitors and other therapeutically interesting, low molecular weight, and low antigenic substances from leeches.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel protease-inhibitor,--which we called GELIN--and to pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations thereof, containing this compound. GELIN is an inhibitor of human and porcine leucocyte elastase and chymotrypsin. GELIN has specific antibiotic properties. It also relates to the novel use of EGLIN, another chymotrypsin-inhibitor in cosmetic preparations.

Abstract: The invention relates to mouthcare-products, such as toothpastes, mouthrinses etc. which contain a combination of an Urtica dioica extract and a Juniperus communis extract. Such a combination leads to a synergistic reduction of both dental plaque and bleeding or inflammation of the gingiva. A further improvement may be obtained by adding an Achillaea millefolium extract.