The present invention is in the fields of medicinal chemistry, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. The invention provides compositions comprising one or more collagen mimetic peptides, optionally attached to one or more therapeutic compounds or one or more imaging compounds, for use in methods of treating, preventing, ameliorating, curing and diagnosing certain diseases and physical disorders in humans and veterinary animals, as well as methods of manufacturing such composition. The invention also provides medical devices comprising one or more such compositions of the invention. The invention also provides methods of use of such compositions and devices in treating and diagnosing certain diseases and physical disorders in humans and veterinary animals, including ocular diseases or disorders, skin diseases or disorders, certain cancers, particularly intraluminal cancers, gastrointestinal diseases or disorders, genitourinary tract diseases or disorders, fibrotic diseases/disorders and rheumatic diseases/disorders.

This invention provides disrupted cartilage products, methods of manufacturing disrupted cartilage products, and methods of treating a subject comprising administering a cartilage product. The cartilage products are manufactured by a method comprising disrupting a collagen matrix, e.g. to produce a flexible cartilage product. Optionally, the cartilage products comprise viable chondrocytes, bioactive factors such as chondrogenic factors, and a collagen type II matrix. Optionally, the cartilage products are non-immunogenic.

This invention provides porated cartilage products and methods of producing porated cartilage products. Optionally, the cartilage products are sized, porated, and digested to provide a flexible cartilage product. Optionally, the cartilage products comprise viable chondrocytes, bioactive factors such as chondrogenic factors, and a collagen type II matrix. Optionally, the cartilage products are non-immunogenic.

A multi-efficacy traditional Chinese medicine compound composition and application thereof in pharmaceutical preparations are disclosed. The traditional Chinese medicine extracts are combined with the glucosamine, the collagen and the chondroitin sulfate, so that the multi-efficacy traditional Chinese medicine compound composition is prepared. The traditional Chinese medicine compound composition starts from improving the health of bone and joint and accompanying cardiovascular disease, selects the medicinal materials, and optimizes the extraction process of the traditional Chinese medicine for the diseases dominated by degenerative osteoarthritis. The disclosure has the efficacious of improving the symptoms of degenerative osteoarthritis, reducing blood pressure, improving the symptoms with osteoporosis, improving the symptoms with cardiovascular disease, improving the symptoms with urinary system disease, etc. It also has the characteristics of less dosage, significant curative effect and various functions, which is suitable for market promotion and application.

Compositions comprising a manganese mineral are provided. In specific embodiments, the manganese mineral contains manganese carbonate (MnCO.sub.3), which may be in the form of rhodochrosite. The compositions may be administered topically to a subject, or in some versions by inhalation. For example, the compositions may be administered by direct contact with the subject's skin or by inhalation through the subject's nasal passages or mouth. Such application of the disclosed compositions may increase the subject's collagen synthesis, prolidase activity (an enzyme responsible for collagen function), and manganese superoxide dismutase activity (an antioxidant having manganese in its active site) in the subject.

Compositions comprising a manganese mineral are provided. In specific embodiments, the manganese mineral contains manganese carbonate (MnCO.sub.3), which may be in the form of rhodochrosite. The compositions may be administered topically to a subject, or in some versions by inhalation. For example, the compositions may be administered by direct contact with the subject's skin or by inhalation through the subject's nasal passages or mouth. Such application of the disclosed compositions may increase the subject's collagen synthesis, prolidase activity (an enzyme responsible for collagen function), and manganese superoxide dismutase activity (an antioxidant having manganese in its active site) in the subject.

The present invention relates to the use of collagen hydrolysate for improving endurance performance by increasing mitochondrial activity. Further, the invention relates to the use of collagen hydrolysate for stimulating lipid catabolism, and in particular for reducing body weight, by increasing mitochondrial activity.

The present invention relates to the use of collagen hydrolysate for improving endurance performance by increasing mitochondrial activity. Further, the invention relates to the use of collagen hydrolysate for stimulating lipid catabolism, and in particular for reducing body weight, by increasing mitochondrial activity.

A method for alleviating arthritis includes administering to a subject in need thereof a postbiotic extract. The postbiotic extract is prepared by a process including the steps of providing a first material having a first isoelectric point ranging from pH 1 to pH 6 and a second material having a second isoelectric point ranging from pH 4 to pH 8, admixing the first material and a probiotic microorganism with water having a pH greater than the second isoelectric point, so as to forma mixture, adding the second material into the mixture and then adjusting a pH of the second material-added mixture to between the first and second isoelectric points so that a precipitate is formed, and subjecting the precipitate to a cell wall isolation treatment to obtain the postbiotic extract.

A method for alleviating arthritis includes administering to a subject in need thereof a postbiotic extract. The postbiotic extract is prepared by a process including the steps of providing a first material having a first isoelectric point ranging from pH 1 to pH 6 and a second material having a second isoelectric point ranging from pH 4 to pH 8, admixing the first material and a probiotic microorganism with water having a pH greater than the second isoelectric point, so as to forma mixture, adding the second material into the mixture and then adjusting a pH of the second material-added mixture to between the first and second isoelectric points so that a precipitate is formed, and subjecting the precipitate to a cell wall isolation treatment to obtain the postbiotic extract.