Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of treating an ophthalmic infection by administering to a vertebrate inflicted with the ophthalmic infection an ophthalmologically effective amount of an antimicrobial peptide which is derived from alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (?-MSH) and biologically functional equivalents thereof. Specifically, the antimicrobial peptides derived from alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (?-MSH) include ?-MSH (1–13) which is SYSMEHFRWGKPV, ?-MSH (4–10) which is MEHFRWG, ?-MSH (6–13) which is HFRWGKPV, ?-MSH (11–13) which is KPV, and a KPV dimer. The ophthalmic infection can be caused by a microorganism which include a bacteria, a fungi or a virus. The vertebrate includes a bird and a mammal. The antimicrobial peptide has anti-bacterial, antifungal, and antiviral property and therefore can be administered at the onset of the ophthalmic infection before the microorganism causing the infection is determined as well as thereafter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a prevention and treatment for dermatological disorders. One aspect of this invention involves a dermatological treatment comprising one or more polypeptides with an amino acid sequence including KPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 1), MEHFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 2), HFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 3), or SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 4) for the treatment and prevention of dermatological disorders. The polypeptides are at a level to effectively treat the cutaneous inflammation and are carried by a carrier. The one or more polypeptides can also be a dimer formed from any of the amino acid sequence above.

Abstract: Novel peptides with antimicrobial activity are disclosed. The novel peptides are octomeric peptides modified from ?-MSH. The modified ?-MSH antimicrobial peptides disclosed herein may have enhanced activity against microbes over ?-MSH due to modifications in peptide sequence and chirality of amino acids. Due an identified mechanism of action for antimicrobial activity in which cAMP accumulates in the microbial cell, it may be that microbes will not generate resistance to these modified ?-MSH antimicrobial peptides.

Abstract: The invention includes a composition and method of treatment of sinusitis. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a composition for treatment of sinusitis comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more peptides selected from the group of peptides with a C-terminal sequence consisting of KPV (SEQ ID NO:1), HFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO:2), and SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO:3) used in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of an antihistamine/decongestant, corticosteroid, fungicide and/or antibiotic. In yet another embodiment of the invention, one or one or more peptides selected from the group of peptides with a C-terminal sequence consisting of KPV (SEQ ID NO:1), HFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO:2), and SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO:3), which may or may not be in combination with therapeutically effective amounts of antibiotics, corticosteroids and/or antihistamine/decongestants, are topically or systemically applied to treat sinusitis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a treatment for animal pruritus. One aspect of this invention involves a treatment for animal pruritus comprising one or more polypeptides with an amino acid sequence including KPV (SEQ ID NO: 1), VKP-Ac-CC-Ac-KPV (SEQ ID NO: 5), MEHFRWG (SEQ ID NO: 2), HFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO: 3) or SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO: 4) for animal pruritus caused by exposure to any number of agents or causes. The polypeptides are at a level to effectively treat the animal pruritus and are combined with a shampoo. Other combinations include the polypeptides at a level to effectively treat animal pruritus combined with a shampoo and an antibiotic, antifungal and/or and anti-inflammatory. The one or more polypeptides can also be a dimer formed from any of the amino acid sequence above.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a treatment for animal pruritis. One aspect of this invention involves a treatment for animal pruritis comprising one or more polypeptides with an amino acid sequence KPV (SEQ ID NO:1), VPK-AC-CC-AC-KPV, HFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO:3), SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO:4) for animal pruritis caused by exposure to any number of agents or causes. The polypeptides are at a level to effectively treat the animal pruritis and are combined with a shampoo. Other combinations include the polypeptides at a level to effectively treat animal pruritis combined with a shampoo and an antibiotic, antifungal and/or and anti-inflammatory. The one or more polypeptides can also be a dimer formed from any of the amino acid sequence above.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a prevention and treatment for dermatological disorders. One aspect of this invention involves a dermatological treatment comprising one or more polypeptides with an amino acid sequence including KPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 1), MEHFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 2), HFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 3), or SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 4) for the treatment and prevention of dermatological disorders. The polypeptides are at a level to effectively treat the cutaneous inflammation and are carried by a carrier. The one or more polypeptides can also be a dimer formed from any of the amino acid sequence above.

Abstract: ?-MSH and other amino acid sequences derived from ?-MSH were determined to have antimicrobial influences, including against two major and representative cutaneous and mucosal pathogens; Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, Pharmaceutical compositions useful as antimicrobial agents, including for use in reducing the viability of microbes, reducing the germination of yeasts, killing microbes without reducing the killing of microbes by human neutrophils, for treating inflammation in which there is microbial infection without reducing microbial killing, and for increasing the accumulation of cAMP in microbes are disclosed. The antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of one or more peptides including the amino acid sequence KPV, one or more peptides including the amino acid sequence MEHFRWG, or a biologically functional equivalent of any of the foregoing. The most effective of the peprides were those bearing the C-terminal amino acid sequence of ?-MSH. i.e.

Abstract: A method of treatment for malabsorption diseases is disclosed. Use of &agr;-MSH and/or its derivatives in an amount equal to 25 mg/kg of body weight in combination with artichoke leaf extract in an amount equal to 300 to 1000 mgs, for those afflicted with a malabsorption disease is discussed and it is shown that the local action of &agr;-MSH reduces the inflammatory component as well as the deleterious effects of celiac disease in intestinal mucosa exposed to gluten or gliadin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and pharmaceuticals for treating HIV and secondary infection. One aspect of this invention involves the use of one or more polypeptides with an amino acid sequence including KPV, MEHFRWG, HFRWGKPV, or SYSMEHFRWGKPV for treatment of HIV. HIV is accompanied by infections, inflammation or both. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more polypeptides are used for treatment of HIV itself via medication taken orally or parentally. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the treatment is for secondary infections arising from Staphylococcus aureus and Candidia albicans and can be taken either orally or parentally. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, treatment is carried out by local application of the polypeptides through a carrier onto the site of S. aureus or C. albicans infection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Lys-Pro-Val dimer, formulations containing the dimer and dimer applicators. The Lys-Pro-Val dimer is an effective anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. The Lys-Pro-Val dimer is effective in treating fungal, bacterial and viral infections.

Abstract: The broadest aspect of the invention is a composition and method of treatment of fungal pathologies of the oral cavity or fungal growth on the surface of dentures. A preferred embodiment of the is a pharmacologically effective amount of a peptide selected from the group of peptides with a C-terminal sequence consisting of KPV(SEQ ID NO: 1), HFRWGKPV(SEQ ID NO: 3), and SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ ID NO: 4) in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: itraconazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, imconazole and fluconazole.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for treating uro-genital conditions. One aspect of this invention involves the treatment system comprising one or more polypeptides with a amino acid sequence including KPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 1), MEHFRWG (SEQ. ID. NO. 2), HFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 3), SYSMEHFRWGKPV (SEQ. ID. NO. 4), for treatment of uro-genital conditions. The one or more polypeptides can also be a dimer formed from any of the amino acid sequence above. Uro-genital conditions can include infections, inflammation, or both. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the uro-genital condition includes infection and/or inflammation of the vagina, vulva, urinary tract, penis, and/or the rectum. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more polypeptides are dissolved in a carrier. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more polypeptides are associated with a tampon for preventing toxic shock syndrome.

Abstract: The broadest aspect of the invention is a composition and method of treatment of fungal pathologies of the oral cavity or fungal growth on the surface of dentures. A preferred embodiment of the is a pharmacologically effective amount of a peptide selected from the group of peptides with a C-terminal sequence consisting of KPV, HFRWGKPV, and SYSMEHFRWGKPV in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: itraconazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole and fluconazole. Another embodiment of the invention is a method for treating fungal pathologies of the of oral cavity and dentures by application of a pharmacologically effective amount of a peptide selected from the group of peptides with a C-terminal sequence consisting of KPV, HFRWGKPV, and SYSMEHFRWGKPV in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: itraconazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole and fluconazole.

Abstract: The presence of the ancient anti-inflammatory peptide &agr;-melanocyte stimulating hormone (&agr;-MSH [1-13], SYSMEHFRWGKPV) in barrier organs such as gut and skin suggests a role in the nonspecific (innate) host defense system. &agr;-MSH and other amino acid sequences derived from &agr;-MSH were determined to have antimicrobial influences, including against two major and representative cutaneous and mucosal pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. &agr;-MSH peptides had antimicrobial effects against S. aureus and significantly reversed the enhancing effect of urokinase on S. aureus colony formation. &agr;-MSH and other amino acid sequences reduced C. albicans viability and germination. &agr;-MSH peptides also enhanced C. albicans killing by human neutrophils.