Abstract: A highly selective melanocortin-4 receptor antagonist cyclic peptide of the formula where R1, R2, R3, R4a, R4b, R5, R6, R7, x, y and z are as defined in the specification, and a method of treating body weight disorders, including cachexia, sarcopenia and wasting syndrome or disease, and treating inflammation and immune disorders.

Abstract: Metallopeptides are provided for use in treatment of sexual dysfunction in mammals. The metallopeptides are agonists for at least one of melanocortin-3 or melanocortin-4 receptors. The metallopeptides are conformationally fixed on complexation of a metal ion-binding portion thereof with a metal ion. Also provided are metallopeptides that are antagonists for at least one of melanocortin-3 or melanocortin-4 receptors.

Abstract: Cyclic constructs with an N-terminus and a C-terminus which bind to a natriuretic peptide receptor and include a plurality of amino acid residues, at least one amino acid surrogate of formula I: where R, R?, Q, Y, W, Z, J, x and n are as defined in the specification, and optionally at least one prosthetic group, pharmaceutical compositions including such cyclic constructs, and methods of treating congestive heart failure or other conditions, syndromes or diseases for which induction of anti-hypertensive, cardiovascular, renal or endocrine effects are desired.

Abstract: Ring-constrained amino acid surrogates of formula I: where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6a, R6b, R7, and y are as defined in the specification, methods for synthesizing ring-constrained amino acid surrogates of formula I, methods of use of ring-constrained amino acid surrogates of formula I, including use in linear or cyclic compounds which include a plurality of amino acid residues and one or more ring-constrained amino acid surrogates of formula I and linear or cyclic compounds which include a plurality of amino acid residues and one or more ring-constrained amino acid surrogates of formula I.

Abstract: Linear constructs with an N-terminus and a C-terminus which bind to a natriuretic peptide receptor and include a plurality of amino acid residues and at least one amino acid surrogate of formula I: where R, R?, Q, Y, W, Z, J, x and n are as defined in the specification, and optionally at least one prosthetic group covalently bound to a reactive group of at least one of the amino acid residues or surrogates, pharmaceutical compositions including such linear constructs, and methods of treating congestive heart failure or other conditions, syndromes or diseases for which induction of anti-hypertensive, cardiovascular, renal or endocrine effects are desired.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific pyrrolidine compounds having the structure: and stereoisomer and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where R1, R2, and R3 are as described in the specification, preferably where R3 is a D-amino acid with at least one substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or naphthyl aromatic ring, and where R3 optionally further includes an amine capping group or from one to three additional amino acid residues, optionally with an amine capping group, which compounds are agonists, antagonists or mixed agonists and antagonists at one or more melanocortin receptors, and having utility in the treatment of melanocortin receptor-related disorders and conditions. Methods of synthesis of compounds of structure (I), pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of structure (I) and methods relating to the use thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Multiple agent therapy for treatment of sexual dysfunction, including male erectile dysfunction, with sequential administration a type V phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE-5), such as sildenafil, preferably wherein the PDE-5 inhibitor is administered by oral dose means, and a melanocortin 3 and/or 4 receptor agonist, such as Ac-Nle-cyclo(-Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-OH (PT-141) preferably wherein the PT-141 is formulated for and administered by intranasal means, and further preferably wherein the PDE-5 inhibitor is administered prior to PT-141.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific pyrrolidine compounds having the structure: and stereoisomer and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where R1, R2, and R3 are as described in the specification, preferably where R3 is a D-amino acid with at least one substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or naphthyl aromatic ring, and where R3 optionally further includes an amine capping group or from one to three additional amino acid residues, optionally with an amine capping group, which compounds are agonists, antagonists or mixed agonists and antagonists at one or more melanocortin receptors, and having utility in the treatment of melanocortin receptor-related disorders and conditions. Methods of synthesis of compounds of structure (I), pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of structure (I) and methods relating to the use thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cyclic peptide with a C-terminus —OH group. Further provided are compositions and methods for treatment of sexual dysfunction in mammals, including male sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction, and female sexual dysfunction, by administration of a cyclic peptide including a C-terminus —OH group. Methods of administration include injection, oral, urethral, vaginal, nasal and mucosal administration.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific compounds of the general formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where J is a substituted or unsubstituted monocyclic or bicyclic ring structure, W is a heteroatom unit with at least one cationic center, hydrogen bond donor or hydrogen bond acceptor, Q is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic carbocyclic ring group, L, R2a, R2b, R3a, R3b, r, x and y are as defined in the specification, and the carbon atoms marked with an asterisk can have any stereochemical configuration. Compounds disclosed herein bind to one or more melanocortin receptors and may be an agonist, a partial agonist, an antagonist, an inverse agonist or an antagonist of an inverse agonist as to one or more melanocortin receptors, and may be employed for treatment of one or more melanocortin receptor-associated conditions or disorders, including specifically treatment of obesity and related conditions.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific compounds of the general formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where X, W, J, Q, L1, L2, L3, R1a, R1b, R2a, and R2b are as defined in the specification, and the carbon atom marked with an asterisk can have any stereochemical configuration. Compounds disclosed herein bind to one or more melanocortin receptors and may be an agonist, a partial agonist, an antagonist, an inverse agonist or an antagonist of an inverse agonist as to one or more melanocortin receptors, and may be employed for treatment of one or more melanocortin receptor-associated conditions or disorders, including specifically treatment of obesity and related conditions.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific compounds with diamine groups of the general formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where W is a diamine heteroatom unit with at least one cationic center, hydrogen bond donor or hydrogen bond acceptor, J, Q, L1, L2, L3, R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b and X are as defined in the specification, and the carbon atom marked with an asterisk can have any stereochemical configuration. Compounds disclosed herein bind to one or more melanocortin receptors and may be an agonist, a partial agonist, an antagonist, an inverse agonist or an antagonist of an inverse agonist as to one or more melanocortin receptors, and may be employed for treatment of one or more melanocortin receptor-associated conditions or disorders, including specifically treatment of obesity and related conditions.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific peptide combinatorial libraries for forming metallopeptides and metallopeptide combinatorial libraries are provided for use in biological, pharmaceutical and related applications. The combinatorial libraries are constructed of peptides constructed from naturally occurring amino acids, stereoisomers and modifications of such amino acids, non-protein amino acids, post-translationally modified amino acids, enzymatically modified amino acids, or constructs or structures designed to mimic amino acids, in which the peptides are conformationally fixed on complexation of a metal ion-binding portion thereof with a metal ion.

Abstract: Tuftsin receptor-specific peptides, peptidomimetics and peptide-like constructs are provided, particularly for use in biological, pharmaceutical and radiopharmaceutical applications, in which the peptide, peptidomimetic or construct is conformationally fixed on complexation of the metal ion-binding portion thereof with a metal ion, resulting in a peptide, peptidomimetic or construct with increased affinity for the tuftsin receptor.

Abstract: A cyclic peptide of the structural formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, m and p are as defined. Further provided are compositions for treatment of sexual dysfunction in mammals, including male sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction, and female sexual dysfunction, by administration of a cyclic peptide including a C-terminus —OH group. Routes of administration include injection, oral, urethral, vaginal, nasal and mucosal administration.

Abstract: Metallopeptides and metallopeptide combinatorial libraries specific for melanocortin receptors are provided, for use in biological, pharmaceutical and related applications. The metallopeptides and combinatorial libraries are made of peptides, peptidomimetics and peptide-like constructs, in which the peptide, peptidomimetic or construct is conformationally fixed on complexation of a metal ion-binding portion thereof with a metal ion.

Abstract: Metallopeptides and metallopeptide combinatorial libraries specific for opioid receptors are provided, for use in biological, pharmaceutical and related applications. The metallopeptides and combinatorial libraries are made of peptides, peptidomimetics and peptide-like constructs, in which the peptide, peptidomimetic or construct is conformationally fixed in a biologically active configuration specific for one or more opioid receptors on complexation of a metal ion-binding portion thereof with a metal ion.

Abstract: A method of making metallopeptide libraries and combinational libraries. The metallopeptide library members name a conformationally constrained global secondary structure obtained upon complexing with a metal ion. The metallopeptides are of the general formula: R1—X—R2 where X is a plurality of amino acids and includes a complexing backbone for complexing metal ions, so that substantially all of the valences of the metal ion are satisfied upon complexation of the metal ion with X, resulting in a specific regional secondary structure forming a part of the global secondary structure; and where R1 and R2 each include from 0 to about 20 amino acids, the amino acids being selected so that upon complexing the metal ion with X at least a portion of either R1 or R2 or both have a structure forming the balance of the conformationally constrained global secondary structure.

Abstract: A highly selective melanocortin-4 receptor antagonist cyclic hexapeptide of the formula where R1, R2, R3a, R3b, R4, R5, x, y and z are as defined in the specification, and a method of treating body weight disorders, including cachexia, sarcopenia and wasting syndrome or disease, and treating inflammation and immune disorders.

Abstract: A highly selective melanocortin-4 receptor antagonist cyclic peptide of the formula where R1, R2, R3, R4a, R4b, R5, R6, R7, x, y and z are as defined in the specification, and a method of treating body weight disorders, including cachexia, sarcopenia and wasting syndrome or disease, and treating inflammation and immune disorders.