Abstract: A method of producing antibodies comprising the step of encoding a peptide sequence from a Domain I perlecan splice variant, wherein the peptide sequence is used to produce anti-peptide antibodies.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising peptide AG73 Arg-Lys-Arg-Leu-Gln-Val-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ile-Arg-Thr (SEQ ID NO:1).

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising peptide HA3G76 Tyr-Leu-Ser-Lys-Gly-Arg-Leu-Val-Phe-Ala-Leu-Gly (SEQ ID NO:8).

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation or persistence of brain amyloid deposits in a patient, including administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of plant matter from a plant of the genus Hypericum, species perforatum.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising peptide A4G82 Thr-Leu-Phe-Leu-Ala-His-Gly-Arg-Leu- (SEQ ID NO:11) Val-Phe-Met.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising peptide A5G81 Ala-Gly-Gln-Trp-His-Arg-Val-Ser- (SEQ ID NO: 15) Val-Arg-Trp-Gly.

Abstract: Co-incubation of an amyloid protein with sulfated macromolecules as a method for the formation of amyloid plaques. The amyloid protein may be the beta-amyloid protein or the prion protein or the like. Amyoid plaque formation in one embodiment proceeds in vitro and desirably produces amyloid plaques that stain with Congo red and demonstrate a maltese-cross pattern when viewed under polarized light. The method also produces amyloid plaques that demonstrate an “amyloid star” appearance when viewed by transmission electron microscopy. An in vivo assay is also presented for selecting a candidate therapeutic agent for inhibiting or disrupting amyloid plaque deposition or persistence.

Abstract: A method of perlecan isolation (from the EHS tumor) which produces “clean” (i.e. substantially “pure”) perlecan is disclosed. Clean perlecan is thus produced in sufficient quantities for use in a number of different in vitro and in vivo assays. In addition, this isolation method exploits a newly discovered aggregating property of a ˜220 kDa heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) observed during gel filtration chromatography, which allows it to be effectively separated from non-aggregating perlecan. The method employs specific cation exchange, anion exchange, molecular sieve chromatography and immobilized GAG affinity chromatography. It is demonstrated that there are no other contaminating proteins in the perlecan and HSPG preparations, and that the perlecan core protein is intact. Improved, clean perlecan based, rodent models of fibrillar amyloid protein deposition, accumulation and/or persistence in tissues are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for isolating amyloid inhibitory constituents within Uncaria tomentosa plant matter. The method includes the steps of extracting the plant matter with a non-aqueous organic solvent, concentrating the extract, removing insoluble materials, precipitating amyloid inhibitory constituents with organic solvent, recovering and redissolving the amyloid inhibitory constituents obtained in organic solvent, and injecting and separation by HPLC.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition, or pharmaceutical agent for treating A? amyloidosis in a patient, having at least one selected laminin peptide or fragment thereof from the group AG73 (SEQ ID NO:1), C-16 (SEQ ID NO:2), A-13 (SEQ ID NO:3), HA3G47 (SEQ ID NO:4), HA3G58 (SEQ ID NO:5), HA3G67 (SEQ ID NO:6), HA3G74 (SEQ ID NO:7), HA3G76 (SEQ ID NO:8), HA3G79 (SEQ ID NO:9), HA3G83 (SEQ ID NO:10), A4G82 (SEQ ID NO:11), A5G15 (SEQ ID NO:12), A5G56 (SEQ ID NO:13), A5G80 (SEQ ID NO:14), A5G81 (SEQ ID NO:15), A5G82 (SEQ ID NO: 16), A5G84 (SEQ ID NO:17), A5G101 (SEQ ID NO:18), and A5G109 (SEQ ID NO:19) (Sequence Group A); and a method for enhancing A? amyloid fibril formation, or of forming amyloid-plaque like deposits in vitro, including incubating A? 1-40 or A? 1-42 with a selected laminin-derived polypeptide from the group A-13 (SEQ ID NO:3), HA3G47 (SEQ ID NO:4), HA3G58 (SEQ ID NO:5), HA3G83 (SEQ ID NO:10), LAM-L (SEQ ID NO:20), A4G10 SEQ ID NO:21), A4G46 (SEQ ID NO:22), A4G47 (SEQ ID NO:23), A4G84 (SEQ ID NO:24), A4G92

Abstract: Assay-guided affinity fractionation and reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodology to isolate, test and characterize the most active water-soluble ingredients within Cat's Claw, or Uncaria tomentos. These components appear to account for the majority of the amyloid or A? fibrillogenesis inhibitory activity. Individual fractions and/or compounds as isolated by HPLC are tested in relevant in vitro and/or animal models, and found to consistently demonstrate inhibition of amyloid or A? fibrillogenesis. Related extraction methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for the synthesis, isolation, and purification of procyanidin B2 are disclosed. The synthetic methods utilize epicatechin as a starting material and produce procyanidin B2 in high yields. The isolation methods extract procyanidin B2 from a sample of bark powder from plant matter of the genus Uncaria. The isolated and/or synthesized procyanidin B2 is used to treat amyloid disease, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the synthesized and/or isolated procyanidin B2 are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of induction of amyloid plaques includes immobilizing a quantity of a selected sulfated glycosaminoglycan (SGAG) on a selected medium and adding to the immobilized SGAG on the medium a quantity of dissolved low fibrillar A&bgr; 1-40 (LFA&bgr;). The LFA&bgr; is added preferably in a A&bgr;:SGAG w/w ratio of about 1:1. SGAGs are preferably selected from heparin, heparan sulfate, keratan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, chondroitin-4-sulfate and chondroitin-6-sulfate.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical agent for treating an amyloid disease in a patient, wherein the pharmaceutical agent comprises a glucose monosaccharide containing at least one anionic group, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The agent is directed to amyloid diseases in general and to Alzheimer's disease in particular. Methods of treating an amyloid disease in a patient by administering therapeutically effective amounts of a glucose monosaccharide containing at least one anionic group are also presented.

Abstract: Polyhydroxylated aromatic compounds, and compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of amyloidosis, especially Alzheimer's disease, and for the treatment of diseases characterized by &agr;-synuclein fibril formation, especially Lewy body disease and Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical agent for treating an amyloid disease in a patient, wherein the pharmaceutical agent comprises a glucose monosaccharide containing at least one anionic group, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The agent is directed to amyloid diseases in general and to Alzheimer's disease in particular. Methods of treating an amyloid disease in a patient by administering therapeutically effective amounts of a glucose monosaccharide containing at least one anionic group are also presented.

Abstract: Assay-guided affinity fractionation and reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodology to isolate, test and characterize the most active water-soluble ingredients within Cat's Claw, or Uncaria tomentos. These components appear to account for the majority of the amyloid or A&bgr; fibrillogenesis inhibitory activity. Individual fractions and/or compounds as isolated by HPLC are tested in relevant in vitro and/or animal models, and found to consistently demonstrate inhibition of amyloid or A&bgr; fibrillogenesis. Related extraction methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Bis- and tris-dihydroxyaryl compounds and their methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters, their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in the treatment of amyloid diseases, especially A&bgr; amyloidosis, such as observed in Alzheimer's disease, IAPP amyloidosis, such as observed in type 2 diabetes, and synucleinopathies, such as observed in Parkinson's disease, and the manufacture of medicaments for such treatment.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting amyloid formation, deposition, accumulation, or persistence, or amyloid protein-amyloid protein interactions, amyloid-proteoglycan interactions, amyloid-PG/GAG interactions and/or amyloid-glycosaminoglycan interactions, and/or dissolving or disrupting pre-formed or pre-deposited amyloid fibrils in Alzheimer's Disease in a mammalian subject. In the method a therapeutically effective amount of plant matter from the genus Uncaria, species tomentosa is administered, preferably from the inner bark or root tissue of Uncaria tomentosa.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting amyloid formation, deposition, accumulation, or persistence, or amyloid protein-amyloid protein interactions, amyloid-proteoglycan interactions, amyloid-PG/GAG interactions and/or amyloid-glycosaminoglycan interactions, and/or dissolving or disrupting pre-formed or pre-deposited amyloid fibrils in Alzheimer's Disease in a mammalian subject. In the method a therapeutically effective amount of plant matter from the genus Uncaria, species tomentosa is administered, preferably from the inner bark or root tissue of Uncaria tomentosa.