Abstract: The enol tautomer of 3-indolylpyruvic acid in stable and pure form, as well as alkali and alkali-earth salts thereof are produced by synthesis process. The enol tautomer comprises only the geometric isomer (Z) and it is the only one tautomeric form having relevant pharmacological effects. The compounds obtained exhibited relevant biochemical and pharmacological properties in pathological situations like anxiety, depression, behaviour disturbances, neuronal degenerations, etc.

Abstract: Objects of the present invention are compounds of a peptido-mimetic character having the capacity of acting as inhibitors of metalloproteinases produced by venom of snake, and of other metalloproteinases of human origin which have been put in relation with various pathologies in man, including tumoral growth and metastatization, aterosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. Object of the present invention is also the procedure for the production of diethylester of (1)-phosphotryptophan, as an initial product necessary to synthesize all compounds mentioned above.

Abstract: Peptidomimetic compounds capable of inhibiting zinc-dependent metalloproteinases to treat pathological conditions associated with activation of endogenous metalloproteinases in mammals.

Abstract: Uridine is a therapeutic agent active as a growth promoter for treatment of neuron degenerative diseases deriving from pathological ageing or selective destruction, in particular Uridine shows the same biological effects as NGF, when added at low doses to the culture medium, so that uridine may replace NGF as therapeutic agent in neural diseases and it may be also associated with other growth factors that allow differentiation of neurons, or with anti-cancer and anti-virus drugs that cause neuron damage. In addition uridine shows important trophic properties on various types of cultured cells, stimulating cell reproduction when used at rather high dose levels.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula A--B--C in which: A is a monovalent radical of a L-ring molecule; B is a bivalent radical of a L-.alpha.-aminoacid; and C is a monovalent radical of a L-aromatic molecule. The compounds show an anti-hypertensive, analgesic, immuno-modulating and antiinflammatory activity, they are resistant to enzyme hydrolysis and they can be used for the preparation of drugs for oral administration.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula A--B--C in which: A is a monovalent radical of a laevorotatory ring molecule; B is a bivalent radical of a laevorotatory .alpha.-aminoacid; and C is a monovalent radical of a laevorotatory aromatic molecule. The compounds show an anti-hypertensive, analgesic, immuno-modulating and antiinflammatory activity, they are resistant to enzyme hydrolysis and they can be used for the preparation of drugs for oral administration.

Abstract: 3-indolepyruvic acid is an active agent in preventing cerebral damage caused by stress and ageing and induced by an excessive presence in the blood of glucocorticoids, secreted by the adrenal gland.

Abstract: 3-indolepyruvic acid derivatives substituted on the benzene moiety show good antagonizing activity on excitatory aminoacids and on free radicals, for which reason they are therapeutic agents in cerebral and peripheral degenerative pathologies. Their method of production by passage through the corresponding substituted triptophane.

Abstract: Uridine is used to treat the peripheral complications of diabetes, such as neuropathy, retinopathy and vasculopathy, thanks to its characteristics of promotor of glycogen endocellular biosynthesis. 40 diabetic patients were treated for six months with uridine or with placebo in a double-blind clinical teat.

Abstract: A description is given of the cosmetic use of 3-indolepyruvic acid for the protection of the skin from damage caused by oxygen, by the sun and by aging.

Abstract: Indolepyruvic acid shows an inhibitory activity with respect to the degenerative action by oxygen free radical which are responsible for a number of pathologic conditions in various peripheral tissues. The compound can find application in miocardiopathies, inflammations, circulatory shock, arteriosclerosis, and cardiac ischemia.

Abstract: Tripeptides having hypotensive activity, defined by the following general formula:A--B--C--OZ (I)wherein:A represents a residue of L-pyroglutamic acid, L-proline of L-proline bearing a substituent on its amino group ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an acyl with a number of carbon atoms in straight chain not higher than 9, a benzyloxycarbonyl group or an alkyloxycarbonyl group;B is an .alpha.-aminoacide residue derived from one of the natural aminoacids;C is a residue of L-tryptophan (Trp), of L-phenylalanine (Phe) or of L-tyrosine (Tyr);Z is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group with a number of carbon atoms in straight chain not higher than 9.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to 3-indolepyruvic acid derivatives, compositions and methods of treating central nervous system disturbances due to the presence of an excessive amount of excitatory amino acids.

Abstract: Disorders due to an altered balance of dopamine release by the cerebral dopaminergic system, such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease, can be treated by administration of uridine which is a specific agent for the protection of the cholecystokinin level in the brain tissue.

Abstract: New decapeptides having hypotensive action are disclosed, which can be defined by the formula:GLp-Leu-Trp-Pro-X-Pro-Y-Z-Pro-Pro-OH (I)wherein:X=Arg or OrnY=His or GlnZ=Ile or Valwith the following limitations:whenX=Arg:Y=HisZ=Val;whenX=Orn:Y=GlnZ=Ile;or, whenX=Orn:Y=HisZ=Valand pharmaceutically acceptable salts, amides of alkyl esters thereof.

Abstract: Tryptophan and esters thereof, and other indoleaminoacids, can be easily transformed into respective alpha-ketoacids through a coupling reaction with aromatic aldehydes, in the presence of a dehydrating agent.

Abstract: Pharmacologically active tripeptides, with at least a retro-inverted peptidic bond, definable by means of the following general formulae: ##STR1## their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters or alkyl amides, whereinR.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group with a maximum of 7 carbon atoms, an aryl, hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyarylalkyl, guanidylalkyl, amino-alkyl, alkyl-oxy-alkyl, acylamino-alkyl, imidazolylalkyl, indolyl-alkyl, mercapto alkyl, alkylmercaptoalkyl, carbamoyl-alkyl, carboxyalkyl, alkyl-carbamoylalkyl or alkyloxy-carbonylalkyl group;R.sub.2 represents a ##STR2## group, Z is an OH, OR.sub.3, NH.sub.2, NHR.sub.3 group, whereinR.sub.3 represents an alkyl group with a number of carbon atoms comprised within the range of from 1 to 10.

Abstract: Peptido-mimetic compounds of hypotensive action definable by the general formula: ##STR1## in which: X represents the pyroglutamic acid residue or a ##STR2## residue where R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyloxycarbonyl, an arylalkyloxycarbonyl or an acyl group with from 1 to 7 carbon atoms in the linear chain,R.sub.1 represents the aromatic residue of L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine or L-tryptophan, andZ represents a hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, amino or alkylamino group, and their salts and alkyl amides or esters.

Abstract: Thirteen new tripeptides made from levorotatory amino acids are described, corresponding to the formulap--GLU--X--TRPX is a specific amino acid different from p-GLU and TRP, as well as a process for the preparation of these compounds, pharmaceutical formulations containing them and the use of these formulations as hypotensive and analgesic agents.

Abstract: The process for the biosynthesis of 3-indolpyruvic acid involves the reaction of tryptophan with purified enzyme aspartate aminotransferase obtained from the mytochondria of slaughterhouse animals. When administered orally in rats, 3-indolpyruvic acid leads to a considerable increase in cerebral serotonin levels, and so may be used in all the pathological conditions of the central nervous system involving deficiencies of this neurotransmitter, such as depressions, insomnia, lack of appetite, neuroendocrin imbalances, etc.