The present invention is directed to compounds according to formula,

(R.sup.2R.sup.3)-A.sup.1-c(A.sup.2-A.sup.3-A.sup.4-A.sup.5-A.sup.6-A.sup.7-A.sup.8-A.sup.9)-A.sup.10-R.sup.1,

and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof that act as ligands for one or more of the melanocortin receptors, to methods of using such compounds to treat mammals and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds.

The present invention relates to a compound of formula (3Z,5S)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1-[(2′-methyl-1,1′-biphenyl-4-yl)carbonyl]pyrrolidin-3-one O-meth19243yloxime, and/or an active metabolite thereof having antagonist action at the oxytocin receptor and/or vasopressin V1a receptor, to processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use.

Described herein are methods for treating preterm labor, stopping labor prior to Cesarean delivery, preventing preterm labor, or controlling the timing of parturition by administering a chemical compound, such as a muscarinic receptor antagonist preferably a M, receptor antagonist, or a β-3 adrenergic agonist. Also described are methods for treating preterm labor, stopping labor preparatory to Cesarean delivers', preventing preterm labor, or controlling the timing of parturition by administering an effective amount of transdermal stimulation, posterior tibial nerve stimulation or another form of non-invasive or invasive neuromodulation, unstimulated or stimulated acupuncture, magnetic field therapy, or vibratory stimulation. These methods may be practiced individually, in combination with each other, or in combination with known tocolytic methods or medications.

Described herein are methods for treating preterm labor, stopping labor prior to Cesarean delivery, preventing preterm labor, or controlling the timing of parturition by administering a chemical compound, such as a muscarinic receptor antagonist preferably a M, receptor antagonist, or a β-3 adrenergic agonist. Also described are methods for treating preterm labor, stopping labor preparatory to Cesarean delivers', preventing preterm labor, or controlling the timing of parturition by administering an effective amount of transdermal stimulation, posterior tibial nerve stimulation or another form of non-invasive or invasive neuromodulation, unstimulated or stimulated acupuncture, magnetic field therapy, or vibratory stimulation. These methods may be practiced individually, in combination with each other, or in combination with known tocolytic methods or medications.

The present application describes an ethyl acetate fraction of Melissa leaf having excellent angiogenesis and MMP inhibitory activities, and a composition comprising the same.

The present disclosure describes methods for preventing or treating periodontitis or diseases associated with periodontitis. The present disclosure also describes methods of screening for compounds that can be used to prevent or treat periodontitis or diseases associated with periodontitis.

The invention provides α-amino esters of a hydroxypropylthiazolidine carboxamide derivative, (2S)-3-([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ylsulfonyl)-N-[(1S)-3-hydroxy-1-phenylpropyl]-1,3-thiazolidine-2-carboxamide, as well as salts and crystal polymorphs thereof, that can be used to inhibit prostaglandin F receptor. The invention further encompasses methods of treating disorders such as preterm labor at the early gestational stage by the administration of these substances to a patient in need of treatment.

The invention provides α-amino esters of a hydroxypropylthiazolidine carboxamide derivative, (2S)-3-([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ylsulfonyl)-N-[(1S)-3-hydroxy-1-phenylpropyl]-1,3-thiazolidine-2-carboxamide, as well as salts and crystal polymorphs thereof, that can be used to inhibit prostaglandin F receptor. The invention further encompasses methods of treating disorders such as preterm labor at the early gestational stage by the administration of these substances to a patient in need of treatment.

The present invention includes compositions and methods of treating a pregnant female subject at risk of preterm birth, comprising administering to the pregnant female subject an effective amount of an exosome that comprises a nucleic acid that expresses IL-10 or that comprises IL-10, wherein the effective amount of the IL-10 is effective to reduce, prevent or delay preterm birth

The present invention includes compositions and methods of treating a pregnant female subject at risk of preterm birth, comprising administering to the pregnant female subject an effective amount of an exosome that comprises a nucleic acid that expresses IL-10 or that comprises IL-10, wherein the effective amount of the IL-10 is effective to reduce, prevent or delay preterm birth