Abstract: The invention relates to new tetracyclic analogues of camptothecin, their preparation processes, their use as medicaments and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them. Said analogues, which include in particular 3-hydroxy-3-(4-oxo-4,6-dihydroindolizino[1,2-b]quinoline-2-yl)pentanoic acid, have a powerful biological activity inhibiting topoisomerase I and/or topoisomerase II.

Abstract: A method for treating neurodegenerative diseases in a warm-blooded animal comprising administering to a warm-blooded animal in need thereof an amount of a compound of the formula wherein A selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and wherein the substituents are defined as set forth in the specification.

Abstract: N-(imino)amines and their preparation and their use as NO synthase inhibitors and selective or non-selective traps for a reactive oxygen species.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to peptide analogues of fragment of parathyroid hormone (PTH) or parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), a method of using said analogues alone or in combination with a bisphosphonate or calcitonin to treat osteoporosis and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said analogues alone or in combination with a bisphosphonate or calcitonin.

Abstract: A device implantable in the vascular ducts. The device includes an elongated intraluminal element that occupies a section of the vascular lumen so as to increase the speed at the vascular wall at the level of the element without decreasing the blood flow and without exerting any substantial mechanical action on the vascular wall, the element also includes a fixing device in the vascular lumen.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of cysteine derivatives for preparing a medicament intended to treat diseases which result from the formation of the heterotrimeric G protein. These diseases include in particular diseases linked to the following biological functions or disorders: smell, taste, perception of the light, neurotransmission, neurodegeneration, endocrine and exocrine gland functions, autocrine and paracrine regulation, arterial tension, embryogenesis, benign cell proliferation, oncogenesis, viral infection, immunological functions, diabetes, obesity, and benign and malign proliferative diseases.

Abstract: The invention concerns novel lipoic acid derivatives, which have an inhibiting action with respect to NO-synthase enzymes producing nitrogen monoxide NO and/or are agents enabling the regeneration of antioxidants or entities trapping reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intervening in a more general manner in the redox status of thiol groups. The invention also concerns methods for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use for therapeutic purposes, particularly their use as NO-synthase inhibitors and/or as agents acting more generally in the redox status of thiol groups.

Abstract: A compound of the formula XXV(H) wherein the substituents are defined as set forth in the specification which are useful intermediates for the production of derivatives of 2-(iminomethyl)-amino-phenyl having inhibitory activity on NO-synthase enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds of the formula wherein the variables are defined in the specification, which bind to somatostatin receptors and block Na channels.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of cysteine derivatives for preparing a medicament intended to treat diseases which result from the formation of the heterotrimeric G protein. These diseases include in particular diseases linked to the following biological functions or disorders: smell, taste, perception of the light, neurotransmission, neurodegeneration, endocrine and exocrine gland functions, autocrine and paracrine regulation, arterial tension, embroygenesis, benign cell proliferation, oncogenesis, viral infection, immunological functions, diabetes, obesity, and benign and malign proliferative diseases. Said cysteine derivatives include in particular: bis-1,1′-[7-(2-amino-1-oxo-3-thiopropyl)-8-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[1.2a]pyrazine disulphide (I), and bis-1,1′-7-(2-amino-1-oxo-3-thiopropyl-(2-(1-naphtyl)-8-(2-methylpropyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[1.2a]pyrazin-7-yl)disulphide (II).

Abstract: A needle-less device for the parenteral administration of a medicament is disclosed. The medicament has the shape of one end of a toothpick. It is placed in the bore of a barrel with the barrel having the shape of a nose cone at one end. A plunger is inserted into the other end of the bore. The plunger forces the medicament through the skin and into the subcutaneous layer of the patient without the need for penetration of the skin by a needle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to peptide analogues of fragment of parathyroid hormone (PTH) or parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), a method of using said analogues alone or in combination with a bisphosphonate or calcitonin to treat osteoporosis and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said analogues alone or in combination with a bisphosphonate or calcitonin.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition containing a flavonoid extract of ginkgo biloba leaves comprising 28 to 35% by weight of flavonoid glycosides and a maximum of 1% by weight of terpenes.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of extracts of Ginkgo biloba, and in particular extracts of Ginkgo biloba comprising 20 to 30% of flavoneglycosides, 2.5 to 4.5% of ginkgolides A, B, C and J, 2 to 4% of bilobalide, less than 10% of proanthocyanidines and less than 10 ppm of compounds of alkylphenol type, for preparing a medicament intended to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Abstract: The invention features a method of identifying a pharmaceutical comprising compounds found in a plant extract by utilizing a genomic screen of the plant extract.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to imidazolyl derivatives of formula (II), wherein the variables are defined in the specification, which are useful as prenyl transeferase inhibitors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for treating human hepatitis B or C by the combination of a complex of polyadenylic acid and polyuridylic acid and interferon-&agr;.

Abstract: A method for identifying putative peptides of a given function from among nucleotide or peptide sequences of unknown function comprising the steps of: (i) obtaining a polynucleotide or polypeptide database; (ii) screening the database for the presence of a combination of nucleotides or amino acids indicative of the peptide of given function; (ii) identifying the polynucleotide or polypeptide sequences which comprise the combination of nucleotides or amino acids indicative of the peptide of given function.

Abstract: Solid or semisolid pharmaceutical composition comprising a gellable and water-soluble peptide salt optionally combined with an appropriate excipient, said pharmaceutical composition being characterized in that the peptide salt has a high specific surface area and in that, once injected into a patient, it forms a gel in contact with this patient's body substances, said gel being capable of releasing the peptide over a prolonged period of at least 15 days.

Abstract: Cosmetic compositions containing the flavonoid extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves substantially free of terpenes and a cosmetic carrier.