The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Biotechnology Research Corporation Limited

Fanny Chui-Fun Ip

Nancy Yuk-Yu Ip

Yueqing Hu

Wen Cai Ye

Wing Yu Fu

Guangmiao Fu

Shengjun Guo

Hua-Jie Zhu

Natural occurring inhibitors of cyclin-dependent protein kinase 5 (Cdk5), isolated from the root ofare structurally different from the known Cdk inhibitors. They show selectivity among different Cdks and efficacy to inhibit Cdk via a mixed-type of inhibition, which should lead to less toxicity and side-effects. They are useful in preventing and treating diseases and disorders associated with aberrant Cdk5 activities, such as acute and/or chronic pain, neuropathic pain, diabetes mellitus, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and neuropathological disorders.

CDK5 inhibitors and therapeutic uses thereof

Isolated compounds fromrefined fractions and compositions containing the compounds are provided by the present invention.refined fractions and the extraction process thereof are also provided by the present invention. The uses of the compounds and therefined fractions for inhibiting the activities of NMDA receptor or amyloid-beta peptide, for improving memory, and for treating neurodegenerative diseases, neuropathological conditions or epilepsy are further provided by the present invention.

Neuro-protective compounds and their use

The present invention provides therapeutically active compounds and compositions as receptor antagonists and methods of use thereof. In one aspect, the compounds are useful in modulating pain, inflammation and acute phase reactions by inhibiting the PGE2 receptors including PGE2 EP1, EP2 and EP4 receptors.

Triterpenoid compounds and methods of use thereof

The present invention provides therapeutically active oxazolidine derivatives and compositions as NMDA antagonists, which are useful in preventing and treating central nervous system disorders by inhibiting over-activation of NMDA receptors. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of treating and/or preventing neurodegenerative diseases and neuropathological disorders, methods of providing neuroprotection under stress conditions such as a stroke, and methods of enhancing the brain's cognitive functions in mammals and humans. For example, the compounds can prevent glutamate-induced neuro-toxicity by inhibiting the activities of the NMDA receptor in the presence of toxic doses of NMDA. In addition, the compounds can potentiate the calcium current in the presence of low dose of NMDA.

Oxazolidine derivatives as NMDA antagonists

The present invention provides therapeutically active compounds and compositions as NMDA and MC receptor antagonists, which are useful in treating central nervous system disorders by over-activation of NMDA and/or MC receptors. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of enhancing brain's cognitive function and reducing neuronal cell death in mammals and humans.

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Hong Kong, China

Fanny Chui-Fun Ip