The present invention implements a strategy that combines an enzyme inhibition assay with a chemical dereplication process to identify active plant extracts and the particular compoundsdiarylalkanes and/or diarylalkanols within those extracts that specifically inhibit binuclear enzyme function. Included in the present invention are compositions of matter comprised of one or more of diarylalkanes and/or diarylalkanols, which inhibit the activity of binuclear enzymes, particularly tyrosinase and which prevent melanin overproduction. The present invention also provides a method for inhibiting the activity of a binuclear enzyme, particularly tyrosinase and a method for preventing and treating diseases and conditions related to binuclear enzyme function. The present invention further includes a method for preventing and treating melanin overproduction and diseases and conditions of the skin related thereto. The method for preventing and treating diseases and conditions related to binuclear enzyme function and melanin overproduction is comprised of administering to a host in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprising one or more diarylalkanes and/or diarylalkanols synthesized and/or isolated from one or more plants together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The present invention implements a strategy that combines an enzyme inhibition assay with a chemical dereplication process to identify active plant extracts and the particular compoundsdiarylalkanes and/or diarylalkanols within those extracts that specifically inhibit binuclear enzyme function. Included in the present invention are compositions of matter comprised of one or more of diarylalkanes and/or diarylalkanols, which inhibit the activity of binuclear enzymes, particularly tyrosinase and which prevent melanin overproduction. The present invention also provides a method for inhibiting the activity of a binuclear enzyme, particularly tyrosinase and a method for preventing and treating diseases and conditions related to binuclear enzyme function. The present invention further includes a method for preventing and treating melanin overproduction and diseases and conditions of the skin related thereto. The method for preventing and treating diseases and conditions related to binuclear enzyme function and melanin overproduction is comprised of administering to a host in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprising one or more diarylalkanes and/or diarylalkanols synthesized and/or isolated from one or more plants together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The invention provides compounds for use in inhibiting a microbial alternative oxidase (AOX) and/or cytochrome bc.sub.1 complex. The invention extends to the use of such inhibitors in agrochemicals and in pharmaceuticals, for treating microbial infections, including fungal infections.

The invention provides compounds for use in inhibiting a microbial alternative oxidase (AOX) and/or cytochrome bc.sub.1 complex. The invention extends to the use of such inhibitors in agrochemicals and in pharmaceuticals, for treating microbial infections, including fungal infections.

Isoorientin analogues and related compounds that inhibit glycogen synthase kinase-3 activity are provided as are methods of using these compounds in the treatment of cognitive, neurodegenerative or neurological diseases or conditions, as well as cancer, obesity, diabetes, inflammatory or autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disorder, metabolic syndrome X, hair loss, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, cocaine addiction, dental caries, bone loss and glaucoma.

Isoorientin analogues and related compounds that inhibit glycogen synthase kinase-3 activity are provided as are methods of using these compounds in the treatment of cognitive, neurodegenerative or neurological diseases or conditions, as well as cancer, obesity, diabetes, inflammatory or autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disorder, metabolic syndrome X, hair loss, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, cocaine addiction, dental caries, bone loss and glaucoma.

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition or a functional health food comprising a verbenone derivative and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof as active ingredients for treating or preventing a neurodegenerative disease. More specifically, the verbenone derivative according to the present invention reduces neuronal cell death and oxidative stress, and is highly effective in preventing ischemic brain damage and inflammatory cell migration in rats, thereby providing the pharmaceutical composition or the functional health food which is useful in treating neurodegenerative diseases.

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition or a functional health food comprising a verbenone derivative and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof as active ingredients for treating or preventing a neurodegenerative disease. More specifically, the verbenone derivative according to the present invention reduces neuronal cell death and oxidative stress, and is highly effective in preventing ischemic brain damage and inflammatory cell migration in rats, thereby providing the pharmaceutical composition or the functional health food which is useful in treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Optionally substituted squarylium compounds, such as those depicted in Formula 1, may be useful in filters for display devices.

Optionally substituted squarylium compounds, such as those depicted in Formula 1, may be useful in filters for display devices.