Abstract: A method of treating an amyloid disease, or a disease characterized by ?-synuclein or NAC fibrillogenesis, in a mammalian subject. The method includes administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a various disclosed proanthocyanidins or a proanthocyanidin characterized by disclosed general formulae. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a proanthocyanidin and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The therapeutic amount of the proanthocyanidin is selected for efficacy in treating amyloid, ?-synuclein or NAC fibrillogenesis in a mammalian subject.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: A method of treating an amyloid disease, or a disease characterized by &agr;-synuclein or NAC fibrillogenesis, in a mammalian subject. The method includes administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a various disclosed proanthocyanidins or a proanthocyanidin characterized by disclosed general formulae. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a proanthocyanidin and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The therapeutic amount of the proanthocyanidin is selected for efficacy in treating amyloid, &agr;-synuclein or NAC fibrillogenesis in a mammalian subject.

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: A method of treating an amyloid disease, or a disease characterized by alpha-synuclein or NAC fibrillogenesis, in a mammalian subject. The method includes administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a various disclosed catechins or green tea extract. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a catechin and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The therapeutic amount of the catechin or green tea extract is selected for efficacy in treating amyloid, alpha-synuclein or NAC fibrillogenesis in a mammalian subject.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an amyloid disease, or a susceptibility to an amyloid disease, in a patient, where the disease is related to the levels of a PTI-HS7 antigen in a sample from the patient. The method includes testing with a PTI-HS7 antibody for elevated levels of PTI-HS7 antigen in the patient, whereby any elevated levels of PTI-HS7 antigen are indicative of the presence, susceptibility to, or progression of, the amyloid disease in the patient.

Abstract: Green tea and other natural and synthetic sources of catechins, and bioflavanoids, flavanols, flavandiols, flavanoids, and tannins or derivatives thereof, are disclosed for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition or dietary supplement for the treatment, prevention or management of amyloidosis in a mammalian subject susceptible to, or afflicted by, such a disease. Use of the green tea and its constituents and methods of use are also disclosed.

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.