Abstract: Nutriceutical compositions useful as a dietary supplement which have antioxidant/free radical scavengers and also having a cytoprotective effect are disclosed. The compositions contain a cytoprotective and antioxidant/free radical scavenging amount of at least one of D-histidine, L-histidine, a racemic mixture thereof, a non-racemic mixture thereof, and nutriceutically acceptable salts thereof in combination with phytonutrients having antioxidant properties such as canthanaxin, vitamin A and limonene. The compositions can be prepared in capsule form, tablets, sustained release tablets, suspensions and oral rehydration solutions.

Abstract: Nutriceutical compositions useful as a dietary supplement which have antioxidant/free radical scavengers and also having a cytoprotective effect are disclosed. The compositions contain a cytoprotective and antioxidant/free radical scavenging amount of at least one of D-histidine, L-histidine, a racemic mixture thereof, a non-racemic mixture thereof, and nutriceutically acceptable salts thereof in combination with phytonutrients having antioxidant properties such as vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A and .beta.-carotene. The compositions can be prepared in capsule form, tablets, sustained release tablets, suspensions and oral rehydration solutions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for protecting the eye from degenerative eye conditions by administering prophylactic histidine compositions. The invention also relates to methods for treating ocular inflammation resulting from various causative agents, by administering therapeutic histidine compositions. The invention relates further still to novel histidine compositions for carrying out the present methods.

Abstract: Histidine has been found to be efficacious in preventing ischemic/reperfusion induced myocardial injury both functionally and ultrastructurally. Isolated perfused rat hearts (n=8/group) were subjected to 30 minutes of global ischemia and 20 minutes of reperfusion. Histidine concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 mM were given throughout the experiment. During ischemia and reperfusion without histidine the contractile function and coronary flow were 59.+-.10% and 78.+-.6% of control, respectively. Perfusion with histidine (25 mM and above) resulted in significant increases in contractility (94.+-.4%) and coronary flow (92.+-.4) levels. The incidence of arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation) during reperfusion was 100 percent (8/8) in the ischemic/reperfused group with an average duration of 13.23.+-.4.48 min. The addition of 25 mM histidine to the perfusion medium reduced the incidence and duration of arrhythmias significantly (mean.+-.SEM 2.25.+-.0.98 min) (P<0.01).

Abstract: A treatment modality for infectious diseases and pulmonary conditions that result from the inflammatory responses by tissues to infections by microorganisms, including but not limited to viruses, retroviruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, or toxins that arise from microorganisms comprises administering an effective amount of histidine to the affected subject to combat the disease or the distress condition resulting therefrom.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein the substituents are as defined in the disclosure. The compounds are particularly useful for inhibiting damage to a variety of mammalian tissue that are jeopardized, for example, during runaway inflammatory conditions due to the damaging presence of singlet oxygen, the hydroxyl radical, cytokines and growth factors. The compounds are also useful in inhibiting damage to cardiac and central nervous system tissues during reperfusion.