The subject invention provides compositions and methods for alleviating pain. Specifically, the subject invention provides pharmaceutical formulations of peptides, and/or their salts, having advantageous μ-opioid receptor binding activity.

The present invention relates to peptides capable of forming a gel and to their use in tissue engineering and bioprinting. The present invention furthermore relates to a gel comprising a peptide in accordance with the present invention, to a method of preparing such gel and to the use of such gel. In one embodiment, such gel is a hydrogel. The present invention furthermore relates to a wound dressing or wound healing agent comprising a gel according to the present invention and to a surgical implant or stent comprising a peptide scaffold formed by a gel according to the present invention. Moreover, the present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic composition, to a biomedical device or an electronic device comprising the peptide according to the present invention.

The invention provides novel classes of HCV therapeutics that are orally available, safe and effective HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitors and are less susceptible to drug resistance than existing therapeutics. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical composition of these compounds and methods of preparation and use thereof. ##STR00001##

Methods of treating HMGB1-mediated inflammation by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an MD2-antagonist to a subject in need thereof are described. The novel MD2 antagonist tetrapeptide P5779 is also described.

The present invention is related to the use of HMGB1 antagonists, specifically derivatives of K883 in the treatment and/or prevention and/or inhibition of neuropathy pain, and in particular diabetic neuropathy in mammals, e.g., humans, and pharmaceutical compositions for the same comprising HMGB1 antagonists in an effective amount to treat and/or prevent and/or inhibit this condition.

The subject invention provides advantageous new salts of mu-opiate receptor peptides. These salts have been found to have excellent properties in terms of their crystal structure, stability, solubility, lack of impurities and/or the ability to be produced, with these advantageous properties, in amounts sufficient for the production of therapeutic compositions.

The disclosure relates to a method for protecting a kidney from renal injury. For example, acute renal injury may be associated with decreased or blocked blood flow in the subject's kidney or exposure to a nephrotoxic agent, such as a radiocontrast dye. The methods include administering to the subject an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide to a subject in need thereof.

Present invention discloses particular peptide sequences of formula (I);

(R.sup.1).sub.(m)-Xaa.sub.1IXaa.sub.2T(Q).sub.(p)(R.sup.2).sub.(n)   (I) (SEQ ID NO: 1);

wherein R.sup.1, m, p, n, Xaa.sub.1, Xaa.sub.2, and R.sup.2 have particular meanings, or pharmaceutically or veterinary acceptable salts of these peptides that are effective in the prevention and/or treatment of mammal hair loss.

Invention also relates to particular topical pharmaceutical, nutraceutical or veterinary compositions with the peptides of formula (I).

Present invention discloses particular peptide sequences of formula (I); (R1).sub.(m)-Xaa.sub.1IXaa.sub.2T(Q).sub.(p)(R2).sub.(n) (I) (SEQ ID NO: 1); wherein R.sup.1, m, p, n, Xaa.sub.1, Xaa.sub.2, and R.sup.2 have particular meanings, or pharmaceutically or veterinary acceptable salts of these peptides that are effective in the prevention and/or treatment of mammal hair loss. Invention also relates to particular topical pharmaceutical, nutraceutical or veterinary compositions with the peptides of formula (I).

The present invention discloses a polypeptide compound, a pharmaceutical composition, and a preparation method and use thereof. The structural formula of the polypeptide compound is shown in general formula (I): ##STR00001## Such polypeptide compounds as κ-opioid receptor agonists have the advantages of better activity and the potential to become clinical candidate compounds.