The present invention discloses the active substances for preventing hearing deterioration, its preparation method, the pharmaceutical composition containing the active substances, and the preparation method of the pharmaceutical composition. The preparation method of the active substances is performed by plate cultivation, flask cultivation and fermentation tank cultivation, to obtain the active substances of Hericium erinaceus mycelia in powder form. The powder of H. erinaceus mycelia is proved to have the effect of preventing hearing deterioration.

The present invention provides compounds and methods for the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. In particular, LFA-1 antagonists are described herein and these antagonists are used in the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. One aspect of the invention provides for diagnosis of an LFA-1 mediated disease and administration of a LFA-1 antagonist, after the patient is diagnosed with a LFA-1 mediated disease. In some embodiments, the LFA-1 mediated diseases treated are dry eye disorders. Also provided herein are methods for identifying compounds which are LFA-1 antagonists.

The invention provides compositions or pharmaceutical compositions of novel high penetration compositions (HPC) of a parent compound, which are capable of crossing biological barriers with high penetration efficiency. The HPCs are capable of being converted to parent drugs or parent drug-related compounds such as metabolites after crossing one or more biological barriers and thus can render treatments for the conditions that the parent drugs or parent drug-related compounds can. Additionally, the HPCs are capable of reaching areas that their parent drugs or parent drug-related compounds may not be able to access or to render a sufficient concentration at the target areas and therefore render novel treatments. For example, HPCs of NSAIA have demonstrated indications such as treating hair loss and bold. A HPC can be administered to a subject through various administration routes, e.g., locally delivered to an action site of a condition with a high concentration or systematically administered to a biological subject and enter the general circulation with a faster rate.

Oral formulations for promoting eye health, and in particular for preventing or treating macular degeneration, are disclosed, containing zeaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment, and at least two or more additional ocular-active nutrients selected from lipoic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, plant-derived compounds such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, or polyphenolics, taurine, carnitine, Coenzyme-Q10, carnosine, and nutrients that stimulate the production of glutathione. Processes are disclosed for identifying ocular-active nutrients that will interact in a synergistic and potentiating manner with zeaxanthin, to provide better and more effective protection, for eye health, than can be provided by zeaxanthin alone. Additional optional agents include zinc, vitamin E, and vitamin C.

The present invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the substituents A, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3a, R.sup.3b, R.sup.4a, R.sup.4b and n are as defined herein. The inventions also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, methods of treatment using the compounds and methods of preparing the compounds.

##STR00001##

A compound of the following general formula [I]:

##STR00001##

wherein each symbol has the same meaning as defined herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a solvate thereof, and a pharmaceutical use of the same in treating organ transplant rejection, graft versus host reaction after transplantation, autoimmune disease, allergic disease and chronic myeloproliferative disease.

A method of treating a subject with dry-form age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is disclosed. The method comprises administering into the subretina of the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising human RPE cells, wherein at least 95% of the cells thereof co-express premelanosome protein (PMEL17) and cellular retinaldehyde binding protein (CRALBP), and wherein the trans-epithelial electrical resistance of the cells is greater than 100 ohms to the subject, thereby treating the subject.

Compounds, methods of use, and processes for making inhibitors of complement factor D or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or composition thereof are provided. The inhibitors described herein target factor D and inhibit or regulate the complement cascade. The inhibitors of factor D described herein reduce the excessive activation of complement.

The present invention provides methods for treating angiogenic eye disorders by sequentially administering multiple doses of a VEGF antagonist to a patient. The methods of the present invention include the administration of multiple doses of a VEGF antagonist to a patient at a frequency of once every 8 or more weeks. The methods of the present invention are useful for the treatment of angiogenic eye disorders such as age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, central retinal vein occlusion, branch retinal vein occlusion, and corneal neovascularization.

The described invention provides methods for treating an inflammatory brain disease, disorder or condition and for treating a traumatic brain injury having an inflammatory component in a subject in need thereof using isolated erythropoietin (EPO)-derived oligopeptides.