Abstract: A proliferation of cells can be reduced by contacting the cells with a compound having formula (I) where R and R? are each alkyl groups, R? is hydrogen or an alkyl group and X3, X4 and X5 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, benzyl, t-butyldimethylsiloxy radical and triphenylmethyl. Accordingly, compounds of formula (I) can be used for treatment of tumors including melanoma. Also a secretion of a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzyme by cells can be reduced by contacting the cells with the compound having formula (I). Accordingly, compounds of formula (I) can be used for treatment physiological conditions associated with an elevated MMP level, such as tumors.

Abstract: One can treat a viral infection such as hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C(HCV), and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections via the delivery of pH sensitive liposomes directly into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. Two exemplary liposome formulations are DOPE/CHEMS (DC liposomes) and DOPE/CHEMS/PEG-PE (DCPP liposomes). DC and DCPP liposomes can optimize the intracellular delivery of N-butyl deoxynojirimycin (NB-DNJ), and consequently increase the in vivo activity of this iminosugar several orders of magnitude, and could be used in combination with other therapeutic agents such as interferon and/or ribavirin. The optimized release of NB-DNJ directly into the ER can be also applied for the treatment of other viruses, for which NB-DNJ is known to be an effective antiviral, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Abstract: A proliferation of cells can be reduced by contacting the cells with a compound having formula (I) where R and R? are each alkyl groups, R? is hydrogen or an alkyl group and X3, X4 and X5 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, benzyl, t-butyldimethylsiloxy radical and triphenylmethyl. Accordingly, compounds of formula (I) can be used for treatment of tumors including melanoma. Also a secretion of a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzyme by cells can be reduced by contacting the cells with the compound having formula (I). Accordingly, compounds of formula (I) can be used for treatment physiological conditions associated with an elevated MMP level, such as tumors.

Abstract: One can treat a viral infection such as hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections via the delivery of pH sensitive liposomes directly into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. Two exemplary liposome formulations are DOPE/CHEMS (DC liposomes) and DOPE/CHEMS/PEG-PE (DCPP liposomes). DC and DCPP liposomes can optimize the intracellular delivery of N-butyl deoxynojirimycin (NB-DNJ), and consequently increase the in vivo activity of this iminosugar several orders of magnitude, and could be used in combination with other therapeutic agents such as interferon and/or ribavirin. The optimized release of NB-DNJ directly into the ER can be also applied for the treatment of other viruses, for which NB-DNJ is known to be an effective antiviral, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Abstract: The use of pH-sensitive liposomes enhances the delivery of drugs that target the endoplasmic reticulum, reducing the required dosage compared to direct administration of the drug without such liposomes. In particular, antiviral compounds such as N-butyldeoxynojirnmycin can be used in lower amounts when administered in a pH-sensitive liposome.