Glycoalkaloids

• US 5,958,770 A
• Filed: 11/06/1996
• Issued: 09/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bill Elliot Cham, Brian Daunter
• Original Assignee: Bill Elliot Cham, Brian Daunter
• Inventors: Cham, Bill Elliot, Daunter, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): SAUNDERS, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US08/743,671
• Time in Patent Office: 1,056 Days
• Field of Search: 435/7.2, 435/7.21, 435/29, 435/375, 436/827, 514/27-28, 514/841, 514/843, 424/DIG. 14
• US Class Current: 435/375
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/20 having a carboxyl group bound to a chain of seven or more carbon atoms, e.g. stearic, palmitic, arachidic acids
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/565 not substituted in position 17 beta by a carbon atom, e.g. estrane, estradiol
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/57 substituted in position 17 beta by a chain of two carbon atoms, e.g. pregnane or progesterone
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/58 containing heterocyclic rings, e.g. danazol, stanozolol, pancuronium or digitogenin digitoxin A61K31/7048
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/704 attached to a condensed carbocyclic ring system, e.g. sennosides, thiocolchicosides, escin, daunorubicin digitoxin A61K31/7048
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/81 Solanaceae (Potato family), e.g. tobacco, nightshade, tomato, belladonna, capsicum or jimsonweed
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0043 Fluorescein, used in vivo
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0056 Peptides, proteins, polyamino acids
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 Antineoplastic agents
• CPC Class Codes: C07J 43/003 not condensed
• CPC Class Codes: C07J 71/0005 Oxygen-containing hetero ring
• CPC Class Codes: C07J 71/0052 at position 16(17)
• CPC Class Codes: C07J 71/0068 at position 16(17)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5008 for testing or evaluating the effect of chemical or biological compounds, e.g. drugs, cosmetics
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5011 for testing antineoplastic activity
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/502 for testing non-proliferative effects
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/56966 Animal cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 424/14 Topical contraceptives and spermacides

Abstract

The invention is directed to the control of cellular autophagy, cellular agglutination and the immobilization of motile cells. Such control is useful in, for example, the treatment of cancer, contraception, termination of pregnancy, removal of pathogenic organisms and removal of any abnormal cellular growth (malignant or otherwise); as a diagnostic and analytical tool whereby cell structure can be studied and testing could be undertaken for the presence (and subsequent analysis) of pathogenic and non-pathogenic organisms; and in the manufacture of biochemicals whereby certain cells must be destroyed or otherwise contained. From surface analysis of normal and abnormal cells, specific receptors on abnormal cells which are either not present on normal cells or are only present in significantly reduced numbers can be identified. Alkaloids and other pharmaceutically acceptable compounds are preferentially recognized by the abnormal cells, and which bind thereto and subsequently destroy.

Claims

1. A method of immobilizing spermatozoa comprising contacting the spermatozoa with solamargine to cause immobilization of the contacted spermatozoa.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the solamargine is in a mixture of solasodine glycosides.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the solamargine is in a BEC mixture of solasodine glycosides.

4. A method of contraception comprising contacting the spermatozoa with solamargine to cause immobilization of the contacted spermatozoa.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the solamargine is in a mixture of solasodine glycosides.

6. A method according to claim 4 wherein the solamargine is in a BEC mixture of solasodine glycosides.