Abstract: Heparin-like substances (HLS) have their structure similar with heparin, the highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAGs). The polysaccharide, a product of mast cells, is isolated from animal tissues (pig intestinal mucosa, bovine lung), and owes its anticoagulant activity, activates antithrombin and proteases inhibitor. Disclosed herein are novel methods of isolation, purification and characterization of HLS from snail mucus (Achatina fulica), and its uses. This HLS can be used to develop a simple, sensitive and specific assay for its biological activities of anti-SARs-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and anti-PD-L1 on the breast cancer cell.

Abstract: A process of improving water solubility of sesamin by creating a mixture of poloxamer and surfactant in appropriate proportion and sequence wherein the sesamin complex compounds derived from the process are at a nanometer (nm) scale and are highly soluble in water. Upon adding a maltodextrin into the mixture at a preferable speed and drying or freeze-drying said mixture thereafter, the resulting sesamin powders are highly stable and can actively release its medicinal effect for a long period of time.

Abstract: A composition (e.g., phytochemical composition) including sesamin, the composition exhibiting anti-inflammatory, anti-cytokine storm, connective tissue preservation, anti-viral, and/or other properties in biological tissue. The phytochemical composition therapeutically affects a pro-inflammatory cytokine condition, for instance facilitating or effectuating decrease in a quantity of a pro-inflammatory cytokine, for example, interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis-alpha. The phytochemical composition facilitates or effectuates an increase in quantity of an anti-inflammatory cytokines. The phytochemical composition can additionally facilitate a connective tissue extracellular matrix (ECM) preservation effect. The phytochemical composition can also inhibit an action of a viral neuraminidase, for example, the influenza A virus neuraminidase.

Abstract: A composition (e.g., phytochemical composition) including sesamin, the composition exhibiting anti-inflammatory, anti-cytokine storm, connective tissue preservation, anti-viral, and/or other properties in biological tissue. The phytochemical composition therapeutically affects a pro-inflammatory cytokine condition, for instance facilitating or effectuating decrease in a quantity of a pro-inflammatory cytokine, for example, interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis-alpha. The phytochemical composition facilitates or effectuates an increase in quantity of an anti-inflammatory cytokines. The phytochemical composition can additionally facilitate a connective tissue extracellular matrix (ECM) preservation effect. The phytochemical composition can also inhibit an action of a viral neuraminidase, for example, the influenza A virus neuraminidase.

Abstract: An antibody specific for a chondroitin sulphate epitope is described, as is a hybridoma cell line which produces such an antibody. The antibody is useful in the diagnosis and treatment of connective tissue diseases, such as arthritis and sarcomas. Test kits and pharmaceutical compositions are also described.

Abstract: A composition (e.g., phytochemical composition) including sesamin, the composition exhibiting anti-inflammatory, anti-cytokine storm, connective tissue preservation, anti-viral, and/or other properties in biological tissue. The phytochemical composition therapeutically affects a pro-inflammatory cytokine condition, for instance facilitating or effectuating decrease in a quantity of a pro-inflammatory cytokine, for example, interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis-alpha. The phytochemical composition facilitates or effectuates an increase in quantity of an anti-inflammatory cytokines. The phytochemical composition can additionally facilitate a connective tissue extracellular matrix (ECM) preservation effect. The phytochemical composition can also inhibit an action of a viral neuraminidase, for example, the influenza A virus neuraminidase.

Abstract: A composition (e.g., a phytochemical composition) including a predetermined concentration of xanthones, and in certain embodiments predetermined concentrations of both xanthones and sesamin. The composition facilitates at least one of decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines, enhancing a connective tissue anti- degeneration effect, and inhibiting viral neuraminidase (e.g. neuraminidase of an influenza A virus). The composition can further decrease at least one of gene expression and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The phytochemical composition can increase at least one of gene expression and release of anti-inflammatory cytokines. The phytochemical composition provides at least one of an anti-inflammatory, an anti-viral (e.g., anti-influenza), and a connective tissue anti-degradation effect in a living organism. A use of xanthones for manufacturing phytochemical compositions that include predetermined concentrations of xanthones is also provided.

Abstract: An antibody specific for a chondroitin sulphate epitope is described, as is a hybridoma cell line which produces such an antibody. The antibody is useful in the diagnosis and treatment of connective tissue diseases, such as arthritis and sarcomas. Test kits and pharmaceutical compositions are also described.