Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of heparin oligosaccharides having a molecular weight?5050 Da and an anti-factor Xa activity?80 IU/mg, or their sodium salts, for preparing a medicament for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and associated pathologies and for preparing a medicament effective for the prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemia and pathologies related thereto whose treatment necessitates drugs able to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing high purity low molecular weight heparins with average molecular weight of between 2000 and 10000 daltons by the stages of forming an intermediate heparin benzethonium salt, from this latter a water soluble heparin ester, and of subjecting said ester to depolymerisation with bases to form said low molecular weight heparins, characterised in that at least said stage of heparin benzethonium salt formation is carried out on an inert adsorbent solid matrix of filtering material, or filter-aid, said low molecular weight heparins being finally subjected to a purification stage by reducing the impurities present with borohydride.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of the hydrous basic aluminium salt of sucrose octasulfate known as sucralfate, or of the corresponding non-complexed sulfate salt (i.e. sucrose octasulfate), for the prophylaxis and the treatment, by topical intravaginal administration, of the affection of the uterine cervix known as cervical erosion.

Abstract: Mucoadhesive antimicrobial complexes of polycarbophil, i.e. a cross-linked polyacrylic acid with bioadhesive properties, and an imidazole or triazole derivative with antifungal or antiprotozoal activity, in its basic form, for use in the topical treatment of mucosal affections. The complexes are obtainable by dissolving each of the two starting products in a common solvent, then joining together the two solutions in relative amounts such as to contain the same number of equivalents of the two starting products, evaporating the solvent and then drying and, if required, pulverizing and sieving the product so obtained. Particularly preferred are formulations in gel in propylene glycol comprising an econazole-polycarbophil or omoconazole-polycarbophil complex, with an excess of polycarbophil, together with pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and excipient substances, for use as sustained release antifungals for vaginal administration.

Abstract: A process for solubilizing in water and in aqueous vehicles sparingly water-soluble pharmaceutically active substances, comprising the following operations: 1) forming a complex of the pharmaceutically active substance with a pharmaceutically acceptable non-ionic polymer capable of forming complexes with the substance, and isolating the complex in solid form; 2) dissolving again the thus obtained complex in an aqueous medium by means of a pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant. The method allows to markedly increase the water-solubility of pharmaceutically active organic compounds which are intrinsically poorly or negligibly soluble in water, in order to obtain preparations that are stable in aqueous solution and contain therapeutically and commercially useful concentrations of active ingredient.

Abstract: Mucoadhesive antimicrobial complexes of polycarbophil, i.e. a cross-linked polyacrylic acid with bioadhesive properties, and an imidazole or triazole derivative with antifungal or antiprotozoal activity, in its basic form, for use in the topical treatment of mucosal affections. The complexes are obtainable by dissolving each of the two starting products in a common solvent, then joining together the two solutions in relative amounts such as to contain the same number of equivalents of the two starting products, evaporating the solvent and then drying and, if required, pulverizing and sieving the product so obtained.

Abstract: The polysaccharide fraction of tamarind gum, a product of natural origin obtained from the seeds of Tamarindus indica, is used for the production of a thickened ophthalmic solution having a pseudoplastic rheological behaviour and mucoadhesive properties. Said solution is useful as artificial tear and as vehicle for sustained release ophthalmic drugs. The concentrations of tamarind seed polysaccharide preferably employed in ophthalmic preparations for use as artificial tears, i.e. as products for replacing and stabilising the natural tear fluid, particularly indicated for the treatment of dry eye syndrome, are comprised between 0.7 and 1.5% by weight. The concentrations of tamarind seed polysaccharide preferably employed in the production of vehicles (i.e. delivery systems) for ophthalmic drugs, having the function of prolonging the permanence time of said medicaments at their site of action, are comprised between 1 and 4% by weight.

Abstract: A natural dermatan sulphate with antithrombinic activity in excess of 220 U/mg which comprises an oligosaccharide sequence with a high degree of sulfation, having formula (III) ##STR1## in which: n=integers 1 or 2; R.sub.4 =SO.sub.3, or H; R.sub.6 =H, or SO.sub.3 ; G=glucuronic acid: I--non-sulfated uronic acid, preferably glucuronic acid, is extracted from organs, and subsequently purified in mild operating conditions, at pH 5-7, isolation and fractionation being carried out with macroreticular ion exchange resins, having a particle size of less than 10 .mu..

Abstract: Process for the preparation of oligosaccharides by a controlled chemical depolymerization of natural polysaccharides, such as heparins, heparan sulfates, dermatan sulfates, chondroitinsulfates, hyaluronic acid, by a radicalic reaction in an aqueous solution, at a temperature ranging between 20.degree. and 70.degree. C., in the presence of a catalyst selected in the group consisting of Cu++, Fe++, Cr+++, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.7 - as well as the resulting oligosaccharides and their related pharmaceutical compositions. The products exhibit high antithrombotic activity, little or no anticoagulant activity, high fibinolytic activity an antiinflammatory activity.

Abstract: Heparin fractions which are a mixture of oligosaccharides containing 6-12 monosaccharides are described. The oligosaccharides contain reducing end groups composed of iduronic acid 2-sulfate or glucosamine N, 6-disulfate. The end group monosaccharides contain the reducing anomeric carbons. The SO.sub.3.sup.- /COO.sup.- ratio is essentially the same as in heparin. The method of preparation is a depolymerization initiated by free radicals. One fraction is a heparin fragment with a molecular weight (MWw) of 2,100 daltons (+10%). The compound contains 6-8 monosaccharides, has the same SO.sub.3.sup.- /COO.sup.- ratio as the parent heparin and has platelet anti-aggregating activity, arterial and venous antithrombotic action, fibrinolytic and antiatherosclerotic activity. It exhibits poor anti factor Xa activity and no anticoagulant action.

Abstract: Novel oligosaccharide fractions with valuable pharmacological properties are obtained from heparin. They have the same structural characteristics of heparin. The heparin fraction consists of oligosaccharides which contain end groups consisting of iduronic acid 2-sulfate, or glucosamine N, 6-disulfate. Further the oligosaccharides contain and monosaccharide endowed with reducing anomeric carbon, and are constituted by multiples of monosaccharide units.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of oligosaccharides and oligosaccharide fractions by degradation of heparin, which comprises submitting to incubation an aqueous solution of heparin containing from 5 to 30 g of heparin/liter in the presence of 4-50 m.moles/l of cupric acetate and 50-300 m.moles/l of hydrogen peroxide, at a temperature of 40.degree.-50.degree. C., for 20-24 hours and keeping the pH at a value of 7.8 by means of sodium acetate.The obtained products show a high inhibiting property of the Xa factor, a high antithrombotic activity and a very modest anticoagulant activity; therefore they are very interesting for a possible utilization as drugs in the antithrombotic treatment, practically free from any risk of haemorrhages.

Abstract: Method for preparing glucuronyl-glucosamino-glycan sulphates exhibiting antilipasaemic activity, according to which the duodenum of pancreas of animals are subjected to a hydrolysis, the liquid is removed, precipitation is carried out with a quaternary ammonium, the precipitate is separated with a saline solution of NaCl, KCl or CH.sub.3 COONa, then filtering and adding the liquid with an alcohol causing the precipitation of the desired product.