Abstract: Wound dressings, methods for forming the wound dressings, and methods for using the wound dressings are described. Wound dressings include a crosslinked hydrogel matrix and a plurality of porous absorbent microspheres encapsulated in the crosslinked matrix. The hydrogel matrix and the microspheres can include the same or different hydrogel polymers, e.g., alginates or the like. The wound dressings can be used in treating chronic wounds and burn wounds and can promote autolytic debridement.

Abstract: Medical swabs incorporating a pH indicator in an absorbent crosslinked hydrogel matrix. The medical swabs can provide for visual monitoring of biological pH. The medical swabs can be used to monitor wounds, such as chronic wounds, burn wounds, surgical wounds, etc., as well as other biological fluids. The swabs can be used for early detection of chronic wounds and/or early detection of bacterial infections.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for use in encouraging angiogenesis and skin healing as may be utilized in wound treatment, as well as in encouragement of angiogenesis in disease. Compositions include an effective amount of a natural pimarane diterpenoid extract of Hymenocrater elegans, or a derivative, analogue, or homolog thereof. Compounds based upon this natural extract have been found to be highly effective in vascular formation and skin closure while exhibiting low toxicity.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for use in encouraging angiogenesis and skin healing as may be utilized in wound treatment as well as in encouragement of angiogenesis in disease. Compositions include an effective amount of a natural pimarane diterpenoid extract of Hymenocrater elegans, or a derivative, analogue, or homolog thereof. Compounds based upon this natural extract have been found to be highly effective in vascular formation and skin closure while exhibiting low toxicity.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for use in encouraging angiogenesis and skin healing as may be utilized in wound treatment as well as in encouragement of angiogenesis in disease. Compositions include an effective amount of a natural pimarane diterpenoid extract of Hymenocrater elegans, or a derivative, analogue, or homolog thereof. Compounds based upon this natural extract have been found to be highly effective in vascular formation and skin closure while exhibiting low toxicity.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for use in encouraging angiogenesis and skin healing as may be utilized in wound treatment as well as in encouragement of angiogenesis in disease. Compositions include an effective amount of at least one of a flavonoid and a chlorogenic acid that are natural extracts of Parrotia persica, or their derivatives, analogues, or homologs. Compounds based upon these natural extracts have been found to be highly effective in vascular formation and skin closure while exhibiting low toxicity.

Abstract: A deacetylnemorone abietane diterpenoid is utilized in the prevention of growth and development of pathogenic cells, e.g., cancer cells. The deacetylnemorone can have the following structure: or a tautomer there of in which R1, R2, and R3 are independently selected from —H, C1-10 alkyl, C1-10 alkoxy, C1-10 alkenyl, C1-10 alkenoxy, —OH, —OAc, —CHO, -Ph, —OC6H5, —OC6H4OH, —COC6H5, —OCONH2, —OCONHCH3, —OCOC6H4NH2, —NH2, or ?O. The deacetylnemorone shows efficacy in treatment and prevention of a wide range of cancer types as well as other neoplastic diseases as a chemo-preventative, a primary or secondary cytotoxic agent, a sensitizer for other therapies, or one component of a combinatorial treatment.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for use in encouraging angiogenesis and skin healing as may be utilized in wound treatment as well as in encouragement of angiogenesis in disease. Compositions include an effective amount of a natural pimarane diterpenoid extract of Hymenocrater elegans, or a derivative, analogue, or homolog thereof. Compounds based upon this natural extract have been found to be highly effective in vascular formation and skin closure while exhibiting low toxicity.

Abstract: A pimarane diterpenoid, having the following structure: or a tautomer thereof in which R1 and R2 are independently selected from —H, C1-10 alkyl, C1-10 alkoxy, C1-10 alkenyl, C1-10 alkenoxy, —OH, —OAc, —CHO, -Ph, —OC6H5, —OC6H4OH, —COC6H5, —OCONH2, —OCONHCH3, —OCOC6H4NH2, —NH2, or ?O based on an isolate from the plant Hymenocrater elegans is utilized in the prevention of growth and development of pathogenic cells, e.g., cancer cells. The compound shows efficacy in treatment and prevention of a wide range of cancer types as well as other neoplastic diseases as a chemo-preventative, a primary or secondary cytotoxic agent, a sensitizer for other therapies, or one component of a combinatorial treatment.

Abstract: Abietane diterpenoids developed from a 7-acetoxyroyleanone that has been isolated from the root of the plant Salvia leriifolia are utilized in the prevention of growth and development of pathogenic cells, e.g., cancer cells. The 7-acetoxyroyleanones show efficacy in treatment and prevention of a wide range of cancer types as well as other neoplastic diseases as a chemo-preventative, a primary or secondary cytotoxic agent, a sensitizer for other therapies, or one component of a combinatorial treatment.