Enhancement of the immunity in AIDS and other immunocompromised patients by hyperforin an antibiotic from Hypericum perforatum L. Ilia Brondz 1, Anton Brondz 2 1 Department of Biology, University of Oslo, Blindern 0316, Oslo, Norway, 2 Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway INTRODUCTION The present study describes the influence of hyperforin as an immunomodulation agent on phagocytosis and the breakdown of Escherichia coli by human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Hyperforin at 1–100 μg/mL concentrations was found to have a major influence on phagocytosis and the breakdown of E. coli by PMNs. A 100 µg/mL solution of hyperforin increased the uptake of non- opsonized E. coli almost 50-fold, and the uptake of IgG- opsonized E. coli more than threefold; the uptake of serum- opsonized bacteria was reduced to approximately 60% of that of the control. Hyperforin seems to bind to both PMNs and E. coli and acts like an opsonin. The elimination of remnants of IgG-opsonized E. coli from the PMNs was stimulated by hyperforin, while the elimination of remnants from non- opsonized and serum-opsonized material was unaffected by the drug. Hyperforin exhibited clear immunomodulation ability as a phagocytosis-stimulating agent. Hyperforin is probably inactive against human immunodeficiency virus and most Gram-negative bacteria. However, it can protect acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients and other immunocompromised patients by its antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and by enhancement of phagocytosis of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria; some Gram-negative bacteria, such as Neisseria, are sensitive to hyperforin. Hyperforin is also active against MRSA bacteria. Hyperforin has the ability to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and blood–testis barrier (BTB) and is a valuable antibacterial agent against meningitis and gonorrhea. These properties of hyperforin are important for an antibiotic with immunomodulation activity in the struggle against the growing mortality in AIDS patients as a result of opportunistic bacteria. Special Issue on "Supercritical Fluids: Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) and Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC)" American Journal of Analytical Chemistry Call for Papers ISSN Online: Dear Colleagues, I am writing to let you know about our upcoming Special Issue on "Supercritical Fluids: Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) and Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC)", which will be published in American Journal of Analytical Chemistry (AJAC, ISSN: ). You can find the Call for Papers for this Special Issue at The deadline for submission is October 20th, 2012, and the publication date is December The Special Issue is open to both original research articles as well as review articles. I am contacting you about this Special Issue since I understand that you have published before in this area and I wanted to invite you to submit an article. AJAC is an open access journal, which means researchers around the world have full access to all the published articles, and freely download them without any subscription fee. Besides, an open access article is more likely to be used and cited than one behind subscription barriers of traditional publishing model, therefore your article's impact will be improved. Manuscripts are expected to be submitted at Paper Submission, and please include an indication of your intention to publish within the special issue to be entitled "Special Issue- Supercritical Fluids: Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) and Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC)". Best regards, AJAC Editorial Office Scientific Research Publishing Dr. Ilia Brondz Editor in Chief CONCLUSION 1. Hyperforin has the ability to enhance immunity by positive modulation of phagocytosis. 2. Hyperforin has the ability to enhance the breakdown of bacteria ingested by PMNs. 3. Hyperforin is active against Gram-positive Coccaceae (even antibiotic-resistant species), and it is active against some Gram-negative Coccaceae, such as Neisseria. 4. Hyperforin has the ability to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and blood–testis barrier (BTB), so it is a valuable antibiotic in cases of meningitis and gonorrhea for patients with AIDS. 5. Hyperforin is active against multiple-antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive organisms. 6. Hyperforin is generally important as an antibiotic with immunomodulation properties for immunocompromised persons infected by Gram-positive antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant Coccaceae, including methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). 7. Hyperforin molecules bind with serum, and it seems they act also as opsonins, which are competing for the same acceptors.