Abstract:
A surface populated by a bacteria capable of producing a biofilm is treated beneficially by contacting it with a substance having N-acyl homoserine lactone degradant activity obtained from the secretions and/or excretions of the larval form of the green bottle fly, Lucilia sericata. Furthermore, a synergistic effect is achieved when the larval secretions/excretions are used in combination with an antibiotic, e.g. tetracycline. Such a substance having N-acyl homoserine lactone degradant activity obtained from Lucilia sericata larval secretions and/or excretions also forms part of the invention.
Abstract:
An immune response modulatory compound is described. The compound has been shown to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation and to down-regulate TNF-□ secretion by monocytes and/or macrophages with the consequent activation of Th 1 lymphocytes in humans or other animals.
Abstract:
A surface populated by a bacteria capable of producing a biofilm is treated beneficially by contacting it with a substance having N-acyl homoserine lactone degradant activity obtained from the secretions and/or excretions of the larval form of the green bottle fly, Lucilia sericata. Furthermore, a synergistic effect is achieved when the larval secretions/excretions are used in combination with an antibiotic, e.g. tetracycline. Such a substance having N-acyl homoserine lactone degradant activity obtained from Lucilia sericata larval secretions and/or excretions also forms part of the invention.
Abstract:
A composition for treatment of a wound to promote healing thereof in a human or non-human mammal comprises an active amount of a toll receptor (or toll-like receptor) ligand, or a precursor thereof, and a suitable carrier. The ligand may be a spatzle or spatzle-like protein derived from an insect, such as Drosophila melanogaster or Lucilia sericata . The invention also relates to a method of treating a wound which comprises applying to the wound a composition according to the invention, and a dressing for a wound which comprises a support carrying composition according to the invention.
Abstract:
A composition having immunosuppressant activity comprises at least one compound of the formula (I) in which R is an acyl group of the formula (II) wherein one of R 1 and R 2 is H and the other is selected from OR 4 , SR 4 and NHR 4 , wherein R 4 is H or 1-6C alkyl, or R 1 and R 2 together with the carbon atom to which they are joined form a keto group, and R 3 is a straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group containing from 8 to 11 carbon atoms and is optionally substituted by one or more substituent groups selected from halo, 1-6C alkoxy, carboxy, 1-6C alkoxycarbonyl and NR 5 R 6 wherein each of R 5 and R 6 is selected from H and 1-6C alkyl or R 5 and R 6 together with the N atom form a morpholino or piperazino group, or any enantiomer thereof; and at least one compound of the formula (III): wherein R 7 is a straight or branched chain, saturated or ethylenically-unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted by one or more substituent groups selected from halo, 1-6C alkoxy, carboxy, 1-6C alkoxycarbonyl and NR 12 R 13 , wherein each of R 12 and R 13 is independently selected from H and 1-6C alkyl or R 12 and R 13 together with the N atom to which they are attached form a saturated heterocyclic group selected from piperidino, piperazino and morpholino; R 8 is a group selected from H, -OH, halo, -CHO, -CO 2 H and CONHR 14 wherein R 14 is H or a 1-6C alkyl; each of R 9 , R 10 and R 11 is independently selected from H, -CH 3 , -OCH 3 and halo; or a non-toxic pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof. The determined immunosuppressant activity of the composition is greater than the sum of the activities of the individual components of the composition when determined separately.
Abstract:
The use of larval enzymes, particularly a chymotrypsin, is described herein. The enzymes are usable in the treatment of wounds for debridement and for cell regeneration.