Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating certain cytokine mediated diseases or conditions using novel aromatic heterocyclic compounds of the formula(I) wherein Ar1,Ar2,L,Q and X are described herein.

Abstract: Methods of preparing, and compositions comprising, derivatives of (?)-venlafaxine are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of treating and preventing diseases and disorders including, but not limited to, affective disorders such as depression, bipolar and manic disorders, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, cerebral function disorders, obesity and weight gain, incontinence, dementia and related disorders.

Abstract: Novel burst-free, sustained release biocompatible and biodegrable microcapsules which can be programmed to release their active core for variable durations ranging from 1-100 days in an aqueous physiological environment. The microcapsules are comprised of a core of polypeptide or other biologically active agent encapsulated in a matrix of poly(lactide/glycolide) copolymer having a molar composition of lactide/glycolide from 90/10 to 40/60, which may contain a pharmaceutically-acceptable adjuvant, as a blend of uncapped free carboxyl end group and end-capped forms ranging to ratios from 100/0 to 1/99.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for achieving a therapeutic effect such as lowering blood pressure and treating congestive heart failure in a mammal. More specifically, synergistic compositions comprising amounts of at least two therapeutic agents selected from the group consisting of a renin inhibitor, an angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor and an angiotensin II antagonist, which inhibitors and antagonists are present in amounts sufficient to cause synergistic therapeutic effects such as lowering blood pressure and treating congestive heart failure in a mammal.

Abstract: The invention provides a biological dressing for treatment of a dermatological disease comprised of a gum resin, a topically acceptable volatile solvent, and a pharmacologically active agent. The gum resin is present in a suitable amount that the composition, when the solvent evaporates, will dry to form a solid coating that sticks to the skin or mucosal membrane to which the composition is applied and maintain the pharmacologically active agent over a sustained period of time in contact with sites on the skin or mucosal membranes exhibiting symptoms of the disease. Methods are provided for treating symptoms of dermatological diseases with such a pharmacological composition. Biological dressings including tincture of benzoin and clotrimazole are shown to be efficacious for the long-term amelioration of symptoms of athlete's foot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a composition that increases central nervous system GABA levels in a mammal, for the treatment of addiction to drugs of abuse and modification of behavior associated with addiction to drugs of abuse in said mammal.

Abstract: The selective potentiation and/or inhibition of the 5-HT2A and/or 5-HT1A response to serotonin (5-HT) is achieved using analogs of oleamide. Selective potentiation and/or inhibition of the 5-HT2A and/or 5-HT1A leads to a modulation of serotonergic signal transduction of cells having various receptor subtypes. A subset of analogs is identified that inhibits rather than potentiates the 5-HT2A, but not the 5-HT1A, receptor response. These analogs enable the selective modulation of serotonin receptor subtypes and even have opposing effects on the different subtypes. An analysis of the activity of the oleamide analogs discloses that the structural features required for activity are highly selective. In particular, the presence, position, and stereochemistry of the 9-cis double bond is required and even subtle structural variations reduce or eliminate activity.

Abstract: A controlled release microcapsulate pharmaceutical formulation for burst-free, sustained, programmable release of hydrophobic bioactive agent over a duration from 24 hours to 100 days comprising: and a blend of end-capped uncapped biocompatible, biodegradable poly(lactide/glycolide).

Abstract: Compositions and methods of using the same for the treatment of diabetes and other disorders of glucose metabolism are provided. Compositions may include an anti-diabetic agent and one or more of a bioavailable source of chromium and vanadium.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that nitric oxide (NO) is an important growth regulator in an intact developing organism. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of increasing in a mammal a population of hematopoietic stem cells which are capable of undergoing normal hematopoiesis, differentiation and maturation in hematopoietic tissue, wherein the hematopoietic tissue is contacted with at least one inhibitor of NO, such as one or more inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), thereby producing hematopoietic tissue having an increased population of hematopoietic stem cells which are capable of undergoing normal hematopoiesis, differentiation and maturation. The present invention also relates to a method of increasing a population of cells in S phase in a tissue of a mammal, comprising contacting the tissue with an inhibitor (one or more) of NO, such as an inhibitor of NOS.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions having synergistic combinations of octoxyglycerin and at least one other antimicrobial agent in formulations which are more effective than prior art compositions without causing increased irritation to the skin of the average user. In certain embodiments, skin irritation may be minimized by low concentrations of antimicrobials and/or the presence of soothing compounds such as zinc. Preferred embodiments include combinations of octoxyglycerin, a quaternary compound, and at least one other antimicrobial agent. Without being bound to any particular theory, it is hypothesized that the unexpected antimicrobial effectiveness of combinations of octoxyglycerin may result from an enhancement of the permeability of microbes to antimicrobials caused by octoxyglycerin.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of hypertension comprising an effective anti-hypertensive amount of at least one compound in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable, substantially non-toxic carrier or excipient, the compound having one of the formulae (I), (II), (III) or (IV), and methods for the treatment of hypertension or effecting anti-hypertensive action which comprises administering to a patient requiring anti-hypertensive therapy or effect at least one of the above-described compounds.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating or preventing, the occurrence of senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type, or other conditions arising from reduced neuronal metabolism and leading to lessened cognitive function are described. In a preferred embodiment the administration of triglycerides or fatty acids with chain lengths between 5 and 12, to said patient at a level to produce an improvement in cognitive ability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of metabolic bone disease and the method of preparation thereof, and more particularly, to an improved pharmaceutical composition for the therapeutic treatment of metabolic disease and the method of preparation thereof, wherein said composition is prepared as a composite pharmaceutical agent which comprises calcitriol; which reduces the rate of spine fractures and increases bone density; alendronate, a bone resorption inhibitor, as two main active ingredients in an optimal mixing ratio to exert the greatest synergistic therapeutic effect; and adequate amount of other additives such as a resorption fortifier of alendronate.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient suffering from a dependence on, tolerance of, or addiction to at least one benzodiazepine comprises administering melatonin to said patient on a daily basis in an amount sufficient to treat said dependence on, tolerance of, or addiction to said benzodiazepine.

Abstract: Many chemical and pharmaceutical compositions are known to produce antinociceptive effects that are helpful in relieving pain and inflammation. Both opioids and local anesthetics serve an important function in providing peripheral pain relief. Topical administration of pain-relieving drugs to the periphery offers important advantages over systemic or local, non-topical administration. The present invention provides topical pharmaceutical compositions, formulated with at least one local anesthetic and at least one opioid analgesic in a topical excipient. The present invention also provides methods for relieving pain in a subject through topical administration of the pharmaceutical composition in an amount and a duration sufficient to synergistically potentiate an antinociceptive response. Synergistic potentiation of analgesia through topical administration of a local anesthetic/opioid pharmaceutical composition provides a new and improved approach to peripheral pain management.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of anti-cancer drug of a natural compound of vegetal origin, known as aloe-emodin (AE). Indeed, said compound has proved to have a specific biological activity of inhibition on the growth of neuroectodermal tumors, without evident toxic effects. The compound, according to the present invention, has also proved to be cell-specific and it does not show any inhibition on the growth of other cell types such as, for instance, fibroblasts. This pharmacological profile, i.e., tumor-targeting and absence of toxicity, makes said compound particularly advantageous in the treatment of neuroectodermal tumors. Pharmaceutical compositions containing said pharmacological agent can therefore be usefully used in the treatment of the foresaid pathologies.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that nitric oxide (NO) is an important growth regulator in an intact developing organism. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of increasing in a mammal a population of hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow which are capable of undergoing normal hematopoiesis and differentiation, wherein the bone marrow is contacted with an inhibitor of NO, such as an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), thereby producing bone marrow having an increased population of hematopoietic stem cells which are capable of undergoing normal hematopoiesis and differentiation. The present invention also relates to a method of increasing a population of cells in S phase in a tissue of a mammal, comprising contacting the tissue with an inhibitor of NO, such as an inhibitor of NOS. The invention also pertains to a method of regenerating tissue in an adult mammal comprising contacting a selected tissue (e.g.

Abstract: A novel bone-strengthening agent, a bone-strengthening food composition and a bone-strengthening feed composition which aim at preventing a decrease in bone density in association with the onset or progress of osteoporosis. It is found out that not merely added-up effects but synergistic effects can be achieved by the combined use of CPP, which is known as promoting the absorption of calcium essentially required for the soundness of bone and thus exerting an effect of strengthening bone, with genistein which directly acts on the bone tissue, inhibits bone resorption, and promotes osteogenesis and thus exerts an effect of strengthening bone.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical preparation is described while is useful for the treatment of inflammatory processes being accompanied by an increased distribution of cytokines and/or tissue factor in the human body, which preparation contains Antithrombin III as active ingredient.