Abstract: A substantially purified arabinogalactan, its degradative products and selected modifications thereof have been found to act as carriers for delivering therapeutic agent to cell receptors capable of receptor mediated endocytosis (RME). The arabinogalactan and its degrative products once derivatived are capable of forming a complex between the therapeutic agent and the polysaccharide such that the complex retains the ability to recognize and bind to the RME receptor.

Abstract: A polypeptide derived from leeches of the species Hirudinaria manillensis has the following amino acid sequence: ##STR1## wherein Xaa indicates any amino acid residue; D indicates Cys or Pro; E indicates Glu, Asp or His; F indicates Asp, Lys or Trp; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, derivative or bioprecursor thereof. The polypeptide, and fragments thereof, is a specific anti-thrombin useful as a medicament.

Abstract: 5-Aminosalicylic acid derivatives acylated at the amino group with glutamic or aspartic acid and/or having the carboxy group involved in a peptide bond with the leucyl-prolyl residue are useful as pro-drugs of 5-aminosalicylic acid.

Abstract: A stable peptide with a direct effect on the central nervous system that can be administered in a general manner, such as orally, is described.

Abstract: Described is a purified osteogenic factor that when delivered to bone in association with a physiologically acceptable delivery vehicle is capable of inducing new bone growth at the bone surface. The osteogenic factor is water soluble, and is characterized physically by a molecular weight of about 2.5 kD when measured by gel filtration under dissociating conditions and an isoelectric point in the pH range from about 4.6 to 7.2. Use of the purified factor in treating bone defects is described. Also described is a method for obtaining the purified factor from mammalian bone.

Abstract: Carboxyalkylcarbonyl aminoacid inhibitors of endopeptidases of the formula: ##STR1## or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1 is H, alkyl, arylalkyl, aryl or aryloxyalkyl; R.sup.2 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy or alkylthio, wherein the alkyl portion is substituted with 0-3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, alkylthio, aryl, alkoxyalkylthio, arylalkoxy and arylalkylthio; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently alkyl or arylalkyl; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together with the carbon to which they are attached form an optionally substituted 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring wherein said ring comprises 0 to 1 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur and oxygen; R.sup.5 is H, alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, arylalkoxyalkyl or arylalkylthioalkyl; R.sup.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation, particularly smooth muscle cells present in blood vessel walls. A compound capable of inhibiting blood factor Xa is administered to the smooth muscle cells in an amount effective to inhibit proliferation of the cells. The compound capable of inhibiting blood factor Xa is preferably antistasin or tick anticoagulant peptide (TAP). In other aspects the present invention provides methods for treating atherosclerotic lesions and atherosclerosis, and methods of treating narrowing of the lumen of a blood vessel wherein the narrowing is caused at least in part by hyperplasia of smooth muscle cells in the wall of the blood vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are derivatives of atrial natriuretic peptides which are characterized by having (at positions 106 and/or 124) a phenylalanyl residue bearing a fluoro or trifluoromethyl substituent on the aromatic portion thereof. Optionally, the exocyclic N-terminal peptide segment and the first cystienyl residue (at position 105) are replaced by an optionally substituted thioalkanoyl residue. The derivatives possess useful diuretic, natriuretic and antihypertensive activities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an oligopeptide or amino acid alkyl ester.HCl salt, the alkyl group being methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or n-propyl, by converting an oligopeptide.HCl salt or amino acid.HCl salt with an alkanol corresponding to the alkyl group under the influence of an acid catalyst, 0.01-0.5 mol HCl relative to the oligopeptide.HCl salt or amino acid.HCl salt in combination with an acid ion exchange resin being used as acid catalyst.

Abstract: A fibrinogen receptor antagonist of the formula ##STR1## wherein XX represents a synthetic alpha-amino acid containing a linear side chain and ZZ represents a sequence of 1, 2, 3 or 4 amino acids.

Abstract: A composition comprising a biologically active amphiphilic ion channel-forming peptide or ion channel forming protein and a toxic cation, such as a silver cation. Such compositions may be employed as pharmaceuticals, particularly for the treatment and prevention of eye infections.