Abstract: The present invention provides novel cyclic and linear short peptides containing one of the following amino acid residue sequences: Xa1-Naa-Xa1-Xa1-Naa-Xa2 or Xa1-Naa-Xa2-Xa1-Naa-Xa1 wherein: Xa1 represents lysine, arginine, or histidine; Naa represents an unnatural hydrophobic aromatic amino acid moiety selected from the group consisting of (naphtha-1-yl)alanine (1-Nal), (naphtha-2-yl)alanine (2-Nal), (benzothien-3-yl)alanine (Bal), diphenylalanine (Dip), (4,4?-biphen-yl)alanine (Bip), (anthracen-9-yl)alanine (Ath), and (2,5,7-tri-tert-butyl-indol-3-yl)alanine (Tht); and Xa2 represents valine, leucine, or isoleucine. The novel peptides exhibit broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi by effecting modification of the primary peptide structure. Further, the peptides exhibit improved serum compatibility and reduced hemolysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immune modulator administration method whereby the modulators are formulated into a patch or cream to help patients in managing the diseases and alleviate the immune syndromes. The patch comprises a baking layer, a penetration enhancing layer, a carrier layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The application of immune modulators onto a topical patch or cream renders a method in the management of immune disorders either systemic or localized. The invention also provides clinicians a convenient mechanism for monitoring therapy responses. Furthermore, utilization of the present invention improves the quality of life for the living being to which the immune modulators are administrated. The concept and formulations of the present invention dramatically improve effectiveness of the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, systematic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune hepatitis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Abstract: The invention is directed to antimicrobial peptides related to cyclic and short peptides (less than 10 amino acid residues) with unique patterns of aromatic and cationic residues that perform a wide range of antimicrobial activities but display low hemolysis.