Abstract: Newly isolated aminosterol compounds and pharmaceutical compositions based on the aminosterol compounds are described. Methods for the treatment of various disorders, for example, a microbial infection, are also described.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor includes a first treatment procedure using a conventional cancer treatment technique, and a second treatment procedure which includes administering an effective amount of squalamine. Synergistically effective amounts are preferred. The first treatment procedure may be a treatment with one or more conventional cytotoxic chemical compounds. As examples, the cytotoxic chemical compound may be a nitrosourea (such as BCNU), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel and its derivatives, cisplatin or other platinum containing cancer treating agents. Alternatively, the first treatment may be a treatment with one or more conventional anti-hormonal agents. As examples, the anti-hormonal agents may be a LHRH (luteinizing hormone releasing hormone) agonist or an anti-androgen such as flutamide, biclutamide, nilutamide, and luprolide. These conventional cancer treatments compounds and the squalamine may be administered by any suitable route.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor includes a first treatment procedure using a conventional cancer treatment technique, and a second treatment procedure which includes administering an effective amount of squalamine. The first treatment procedure may be a treatment with one or more conventional cytotoxic chemical compounds. As examples, the cytotoxic chemical compound may be a nitrosourea (such as BCNU), cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel and its derivatives, cisplatin or other platinum containing cancer treating agents. The cytotoxic chemical compound and the squalamine may be administered by any suitable route. The first treatment procedure may take place prior to the second treatment procedure, after the second treatment procedure, or the two treatment procedures may take place simultaneously. In one example, the first treatment procedure (e.g., a one time intravenous dosage of BCNU) is completed before the second treatment procedure with squalamine begins.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition includes, as an active ingredient, a compound according to formula 1436 as shown in FIG. 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Various pharmaceutical products may be produced including this pharmaceutical composition. Such pharmaceutical products may be used for the treatment of cancers, such as leukemia; inflammation; arthritis; and viruses, such as HSV. Methods for using the pharmaceutical compositions also are described. In these methods, various diseases are treated or other body functions are activated or inhibited by administering an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition. For example, inflammation, arthritis, herpes simplex virus, melanoma, and leukemia may be treated by administering an effective amount of the pharmaceutical compositions. Viral replication, weight gain, and growth factor production can be inhibited by administering an effective amount of these pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the proliferation of a wide variety of cells is described. This method includes administering an effective amount of a compound having the following structure: ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The proliferation of the following types of cells can be inhibited by this method: lymphocytes, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and human ovarian cancer cells.

Abstract: An aminosterol compound according to the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 is a member selected from the group of: ##STR2## R.sub.2 is H or OH; R.sub.3 is H or OH;R.sub.4 is H or OH; andR.sub.5 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 alkyl group.Preferably, R.sub.5 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl group, and a methyl group is particularly preferred.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inducible antimicrobial peptide designated lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP) which has antibacterial and antifungal activity and which can be obtained from mammalian epithelium. The prepro- and the pro- precursors of LAP are also provided. The present invention also relates to cDNA encoding LAP, the prepro- precursor or the pro-lingual precursor. In addition, methods of treating microbial infection of the epithelia are provided. Such infections can be treated by contacting the epithelia with an antimicrobially effective amount of a purified mammalian epithelial LAP or by administering a component which cause endogenous production or up-regulation of LAP.

Abstract: Aminosterol compounds are described that are useful as inhibitors of the sodium/proton exchanger (NHE). Methods of using such aminosterols compounds are also enclosed, including those employing compounds that are inhibitors of a spectrum of NHEs as well as those using compounds that are inhibitors of only one specific NHE. Advantageous screening techniques and assays for evaluating a compound's therapeutic activity are also disclosed.

Abstract: Aminosterol compounds are described that are useful as inhibitors of the sodium/proton exchanger (NHE). Methods of using such aminosterols compounds are also enclosed, including those employing compounds that are inhibitors of a spectrum of NHEs as well as those using compounds that are inhibitors of only one specific NHE. Advantageous screening techniques and assays for evaluating a compound's therapeutic activity are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are aminosterol compounds 1360 and 1361: ##STR1## which can be obtained in isolated or purified form from the liver of the dogfish shark.

Abstract: Aminosterol compounds are described that are useful as inhibitors of the sodium/proton exchanger (NHE). Methods of using such aminosterols compounds are also disclosed, including those employing compounds that are inhibitors of a spectrum of NHEs as well as those using compounds that are inhibitors of only one specific NHE. Advantageous screening techniques and assays for evaluating a compound's therapeutic activity are also disclosed.

Abstract: Aminosterol compounds are described that are useful as inhibitors of the sodium/proton exchanger (NHE). Methods of using such aminosterols compounds are also disclosed, including those employing compounds that are inhibitors of a spectrum of NHEs as well as those using compounds that are inhibitors of only one specific NHE. Advantageous screening techniques and assays for evaluating a compound's therapeutic activity are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treating a viral infection includes administering an effective amount of a compound having the following structure: ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. This compound treats the viral infection by suppressing the growth of a viral target cell. As one specific example, this compound may be used to treat HIV infection.

Abstract: A new family of linear antimicrobial peptide from hagfish intestine is described. This invention relates to proteins with antimicrobial properties isolated from hagfish intestine and their corresponding chemical sequences.

Abstract: A method of treating a bacterial or fungal infection in a patient by administering an effective amount of a compound of Formula (III): ##STR1## wherein, the substituents are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting angiogenesis in a patient includes administering to the patient an effective amount of squalamine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of squalamine. Alternatively, a compound according to the following Formula (III) (or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof) can be administered: ##STR1## wherein Z.sub.5 is .alpha.-H or .beta.-H; each of the substituents Z.sub.7 is selected from the group of --H, --OH, --SH, --NH.sub.2, --F, --(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)-alkyl, and --(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)-alkoxy; and one of the substituents Z.sub.12 is --H and the other is --H or --OH. X' is a polyamine side chain of the formula --X.sub.1 --(CH.sub.2).sub.p --X.sub.2 --(CH.sub.2).sub.q --N(R.sup.II)(R.sup.III), wherein one of X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 is --N(R.sup.IV) and the other is selected from the group of --N(R.sup.V), --O, --S, and --CH.sub.2. R.sup.IV and R.sup.V are each --H or --(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)-alkyl, p and q are each an integer of from 0 to 5 (but both are not 0). R.sup.II and R.sup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inducible antimicrobial peptide designated lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP) which has antibacterial and antifungal activity and which can be obtained from mammalian epithelium. The prepro- and the pro- precursors of LAP are also provided. The present invention also relates to cDNA encoding LAP, the prepro- precursor or the pro-lingual precursor. In addition, methods of treating microbial infection of the epithelia are provided. Such infections can be treated by contacting the epithelia with an antimicrobially effective amount of a purified mammalian epithelial LAP or by administering a component which cause endogenous production or up-regulation of LAP.

Abstract: A class of broad spectrum bioactive polypeptides termed "Magainin" have been described. These peptides have a molecular weight of about 2500 or less, are highly water soluble, amphiphilic and non-hemolytic.

Abstract: Compounds having a broad range of antimicrobial activity generally have a structure including asteroid nucleus with a cationic, preferably polyamine, side chain (X) and an anionic side chain (Y). The invention is also directed to compounds of the Formula III: ##STR1## preferably where the steroid ring nucleus is saturated; the steroid ring substituent Z.sub.5 is .alpha.-H; one Z.sub.7 is .beta.-H and the other is .alpha.-H or .alpha.-OH; both substituents Z.sub.12 are hydrogen; X' is a polyamine side chain of the formula --NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p --NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.q --N(R.sup.II)(R.sup.III) where p and q are each independently 3 or 4, and R.sup.II and R.sup.III are each independently hydrogen or methyl; R' is methyl; and Y' is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10)-alkyl substituted with a group such as --CO.sub.2 H or --SO.sub.3 H.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing antimicrobial effect by contacting a subject susceptible to microbial invasion or contamination, with antimicrobial amount of XPF and PGLa polypeptides.