Patent ID: 6340479
Filing Date: 2002-01-22
Classification: A61K

Abstract:
A stable, homogeneous extract of plants or parts thereof which is substantially free of secondary reaction products, contains a native compound mixture, contains at least one agent, and is in a liquid, semisolid or solid form, or is dissolved and/or suspended and/or emulsified in at least one solvent,wherein said agent: (i) increases the solubility of at least one extracted compound contained in the extract; (ii) increases the viscosity of the extract in the presence of the solvent(s); (iii) decreases the steam pressure of volatile extracted compounds contained in the extract; (iv) prevents or reduces the chemical and/or enzymatic reactions between one or more extracted compounds contained in the extract; (v) prevents or reduces the sedimentation and/or flotation of extracted compounds contained in the extract when the extract is in liquid or semisolid form or is dissolved and/or suspended and/or emulsified in at least one solvent; and (vi) increases the stability and/or homogeneity of at least one extracted compound contained in the extract; wherein said extract is prepared by a process comprising mixing plants or plant parts charged in a fresh and/or dried state with at least one solvent and at least one agent and extracting the plants or plant parts with the solvent and agent, and thereafter filtering insoluble compounds so as to obtain a filtrate; wherein said filtrate is substantially free of secondary reaction products and contains a native compound mixture; and wherein said filtrate is concentrated to a spissum extract and the pressure used for the concentration is adjusted according to the vapor pressure of the solvent(s), and optionally the spissum extract is dried to obtain a dry extract which is in a solid state of aggregation at a temperature below 60Â° C., or the spissum extract is mixed with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable solvent so that a preparation is obtained which is in a liquid state of aggregation at a temperature of below 50Â° C.