Abstract: An alstonine composition is useful as a selective marker of tumor cells and/or of chromosomal aberrations, and for the detection thereof by measurement of fluorescence at about 375 nm. Thus, an alstonine preparation can be used as a diagnostic agent designed for selective detection of tumoral diseases, and in cytogenetics. The diagnostic agent has application in preoperative, peroperative and postoperative diagnoses.

Abstract: Flavopereirine taken alone may act as an effective active agent in the struggle against HIV viruses in mammals, including humans. More specifically, it has been found that flavopereirine is an active agent which on its own, whether in vitro or in vivo exerts a selective inhibitlye action on viral HIV infection, particularly in patients infected by HIV-1. Thus, there is provided a method for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus comprising administering to a human patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus an effective antiviral amount of a composition consisting of flavopereirine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The flavopereirine, or one of its salts or other acceptable pharmaceutical derivatives, is preferably administered in solid form containing approximately 250-500 mg of flavopereirine per dose.

Abstract: Bioparyl is obtainable by a disclosed extraction hydrolysis and purification procedure applied to golden autumn leaves of the Gingko biloba tree. Bioparyl plays an important role in the regulation of the activity of certain enzymes, particularly ribonucleases (RNases), implicated in the fundamental mechanism of gene expression. It is low in or free from toxic or side effects in healthy animals, and can be used to ameliorate several pathogenic conditions. Bioparyl is effective in preventing or reversing fibrosis in various tissues, including the lungs and skin, engendered by radiation or chemotherapy. It reduces abnormally high concentrations of gamma-globulins and immuno-globulins found in certain inflammatory or auto-immune diseases, including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome disease (AIDS). In patients with leukemia or solid cancers, Bioparyl normalizes the activity of ribonucleases.

Abstract: Naringin and naringenin are disclosed as pharmaceuticals that selectively inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the presence of normal cells. They are also effective against cancer cells that are resistant to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It is shown that naringin and naringenin selectively contract DNA chains of tumor cells but not DNA chains of normal cells. The subject compounds also exhibit anti-viral activity. A novel method for the recovery of naringin and naringenin from natural vegetable sources is taught.

Abstract: The invention relates to new medicaments useful for the treatment of leucocyte and platelet deficiencies, which medicaments are polyribonucleotides prepared by degradation of the ribosomic ribonucleic acids extracted from micro-organisms or from animal organs and are formed of simple chains or "RNA fragments" comprising about 20 to 80 ribonucleotide units, the overall ratio of purine bases (G+A) to pyrimidine bases (C+U) being between 1.0 and 2.5.The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of these polyribonucleotides by scission of the ribosomic ribonucleic acids extracted from suitable micro-organisms, by means of a ribonuclease or of a chemicl reagent such as an alkali metal base.

Abstract: The effects of a substance on the replication process in vitro of ADN separated from sound tissues (check tissue) on the one hand and of DNA separated from cancerous tissue (cancerous DNA) on the other hand, are being compared. Cancerigenic substances are identified since they stimulate the replication of cancerous DNA more strongly than the replication of check tissue; specifically anticancerous substances since they inhibit the replication of cancerous DNA but not the replication of check tissue, toxic substances since they inhibit the replication of cancerous DNA as well as that of check tissue; and neutral substances since they do not have any effect either on the replication of cancerous DNA or on that of check tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to new medicaments useful for the treatment of leucocyte and platelet deficiencies, which medicaments are polyribonucleotides prepared by degradation of the ribosomic ribonucleic acids extracted from micro-organisms of from animal organs and are formed of simple chains or "RNA fragments" comprising about 20 to 80 ribonucleotide units, the overall ratio of purine bases (G+A) to pyrimidine bases (C+U) being between 1.0 and 2.5.The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of these polyribonucleotides by scission of the ribosomic ribonucleic acids extracted from suitable micro-organisms, by means of a ribonuclease or of a chemical reagent such as an alkali metal base.