ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUG OF PLANT EXTRACTION AND PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION THEREOF

Abstract: The invention relates to active principles having an antitumoral activity extracted from plants of the family Palma, the subfamily Phoenicoideae and the species Phoenix, and pharmaceutical preparations containing at least one of the substances and compositions present in said extracts. In comparison with all the other antitumoral drugs known to date, these active principles show increased selectivity on the neoplastic cells and a lower involvement of the normal cells. The invention also comprises the process for extraction and separation of the components of the extracts, and their use for the preparation of antineoplastic drugs and drugs for the treatment of other pathologies.

Description: TITLE ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUG OF PLANT EXTRACTION AND PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION THEREOF The present invention relates to a new che otherapeutic drug having antineoplastic activity, extracted from the fruits of plants of the family Palma, the subfamily Phoenicoideae and the species Phoenix. In research aimed at the fight against cancer, one of the most representative lines of research is that of antitumoral chemotherapy. The antiblastic chemotherapeutic agents isolated up to date have the widest of origins and chemical characteristics. Certain of these antiproliferative agents are extracted from plants, such as, for example, colchicine from Colchicum Autumnale and vincaleucoblastin from Vinca Rosea. However, all these substances, along with a certain specifically antitumoral activity, show a low selectivity with respect to the degenerated cells: for which reason their interference on the metabolism of the healthy cells represents a large obstacle to their indiscriminate use. The author of the present invention has already patented another antitumoral drug of plant nature (and more particularly the substance CIDI extracted from the fruit of Pittosporum Tobira) , provided with highly selective antitumoral activity and a toxicity level greatly reduced with respect to all the other antiblastin drugs. Continuing along this line of research, the author has isolated a new antineoplastic chemotherapeutic agent, once again of plant extraction, which also shows highly selective antitumoral activity and extremely low toxicity. A first subject of the present invention is therefore a process for obtaining substances and/or compositions having antineoplastic activity, characterized by the fact that parts and/or products of - z - plants belonging to the family Palma - at whatever stage of their development and maturity - are subjected essentially to the following operations: a) extraction of components by maceration in an organic solvent; b) optional stirring and shaking of the solution containing the extract with another solvent at least partially miscible with the first, to divide the components of the extract in the phases which form; c) optional treatment of each phase, independently one from the other, using at least one or two organic liquids having solvent activity with respect to at least one of the components of the extract, followed by filtering of any precipitate which forms and evaporation to a dry state of the floating residue; d) optional separation of the components found in each liquid phase; and e) collection of the separated components having antineoplastic activity and of those without antineoplastic activity. The extracts can be brought to a dry state and purified before each successive stage of the process. The plants of the family Palma are preferably of the subfamily Phoenicoideae and the species Phoenix. In this regard, the plants can be selected, for example, from the group of numerous species including Phoenix Canadiensis, Phoenix Dactylif ra, Chamaerops Excelsa, Chamaerops Humilis and many others. The solvent can be an alcohol. Good results have been obtained using ethyl alcohol. The volume ratio between organic solvent and parts of plant to be treated is preferably comprised between 1:10 and 10:1. The treatment times are preferably comprised between 5 minutes and 3 months. The treatment temperatures can vary, preferably between 5"C and 100°C. The total alcoholic extract of the drug, at a dilution of lmg/ml, can be analyzed on an HPLC (Perkin- Elmer series 250 liquid chromatograph) , using a 125mm - 4mm RP 18 column with a methanol-H 2 0 (80:20) mobile phase and wavelengths equal to 210 run. Said total alcoholic extract shows approximately 14 peaks with RT of from 1.123 (1st peak) to 33,461 (14th peak): the most representative peaks are of RT 1,123 (3.36% area); RT 1,301 (3.01% area); RT 1,583 (63.34% area); RT 2,133 (14.88% area) and RT 2,636 (3.33% area). Separation of the components of the extract can preferably be of a chromatographic type. Good results have been obtained using chromatography on a silica gel column or on an HPLC preparative column. Extraction can be performed using methanol and collecting the components which in HPLC have retention times of values around 1.123, 1.301, 1.583, 2.133 and 2.636. After extraction with ethanol, the solution obtained can be shaken with chloroform, forming two phases, an alcohol-chloroform phase of a green colour, and an aqueous phase of bordeaux-red colour. In this case the components having antineoplastic activity are found in the aqueous phase. The aqueous solution can be concentrated by evaporation in a rotavapor and, at this point: 1) ethyl alcohol can be added to the flask, forming a suspension; after this, petroleum ether can then be added which, after stirring, gives rise to the formation of a large precipitate which, once it has been resolubilzed in ethanol-water and concentrated to approximately 30 ml, is suspended in isopropyl alcohol and then dried out. The floating portion can in turn be evaporated and dried out, giving rise to the formation of a red amorphous substance; finally, this substance can be crystallized if, after being solubilized in a little methanol, it is dried out after addition of isopropyl alcohol, which causes an extremely fine suspension to form; 2) or preferably, after having concentrated the aqueous solution, methyl alcohol can be added to the flask, forming a suspension; after this, ethyl ether can be added which, after stirring, causes the formation of a large, flaky precipitate; after removing the floating portion, the precipitate is suspended in isopropyl alcohol and dried out in rotavapor, causing the formation of a light rose-pink powder. The invention also relates to substances and compositions per se, characterized in that they can be obtained using the process described above. The present invention has also as its subject substances and compositions having antineoplastic activity, characterized in that they can be obtained using the process indicated above. The substances and compositions having antineoplastic activity can be treated to take on the form of salts, compounds or complexes, in order to make them water soluble. A further subject of the present invention is a pharmaceutical preparation, characterized in that it contains as at least one of its active principles a . substance or composition selected from the group of substances or compositions having antineoplastic activity, which can be obtained using the process descibed above, or combinations thereof. The pharmaceutical preparation can be chosen from the group comprising aqueous solutions for parenteral use, capsules for oral use, suppositories for rectal use, ovules for vaginal use, unguents, ointments, cremes and gels. The aqueous solution can be packed in vials. Each vial contains from 0.5 to 2.5 g of active principle, preferably between 1.2 and 1.7 g of active principle. In the case of a pharmaceutical preparation in the form of capsules, each capsule contains 0,1-2 g of active principle, preferably 0.8-1.2 g of active principle. In the case of a pharmaceutical preparation in the form of suppositories for rectal use, each suppository contains from 0.5 to 2.5g of active principle, preferably from 1.2 to 1.7g of active principle. In the case of a pharmaceutical preparation in the form of globuli for vaginal use, each globulus contains from 0.5 to 2.5g of active principle, preferably from 1.2 to 1.7g of active principle. In the case of a pharmaceutical preparation in the form of unguent, ointment, creme or gel, the excipient for topical use contains between 0.5 and 12% of active principle, preferably from 3 to 7% of active principle. The invention also refers to the use of components obtained using the above extraction, separation and collection process, alone or in combination, for the preparation of drugs for the treatment of pathologies other than neoplastic ones. Up to this point, a general description has been given of the present invention. With the help of the following examples, a more detailed description will now be provided to give greater clarification of the objects, characteristics, advantages and working methods of the invention. EXAMPLE 1 Method for the extraction and purification of the active principles A certain amount of fruits of Chamaerops excelsa are set to infuse at room temperature with a quantity of 95" ethyl alcohol sufficient to cover the fruits (approximately 1:1 by volume, approximately 7:1 by weight) . They are left to macerate for at least 30 days, and then filtered. 500 ml of alcoholic extract obtained as described above are poured into a separator funnel along with an identical amount of chloroform. After stirring a number of times, separation occurs, which is completed after 24 hours: in the lower part of the funnel an alcohol-chloroform solution of a green colour separates; in the upper part an aqueous solution of a bordeaux-red colour (Red soluble fraction=RSF) formed by the water soluble substances extracted from the water initially present in the fruit. RSF is present for approximately 20% of the volume, and is formed almost exclusively of components which under HPLC have an RT of 1,175 * (22,04% area), 1,575 (67.47% area) and 2,284 (10.49% area). The substance RSF, when dried out, is made up of an amorphous substance of a red colour * The alcohol-chloroform solution of a green colour (insoluble green fraction = IGF) which separates off into the lower part of the separator funnel, when dried out, is insoluble in H 2 0 and, when solubilized in methanol, shows under HPLC 4 peaks with RT : 1,089 (14.17% area); 1,299 (8.29% area); 1,600 (68.10% area); 2,268 (9.43% area) . EXAMPLE 2 Methods for purification of the active principle 1) First method. The aqueous solution (RSF) remaining after the operations performed in example 1 (made up of the total alcoholic extract less IGF) , is greatly concentrated by evaporation in a flask in rotavapor at 45°C, bringing it down to a volume of approximately 30 ml. At this point, 300 ml of ethyl alcohol is added to the flask. A suspension forms. An equal volume (300 ml) of petroleum ether is added. The mixture is stirred. A large precipitate forms. The limpid floating portion is collected, filtered and dried out in rotavapor. An amorphous substance is obtained, red in colour, which is soluble in H 2 0. The red amorphous substance is solubilized in methanol and concentrated a number of times in rotavapor until a strongly concentrated, completely methanolic solution is obtained. At this point isopropyl alcohol (approximately 200 ml) is introduced into the flsk, causing the formation of an extremely fine suspension. This is dried out. An extremely fine powder is thus obtained, of a rose-pink colour, which is, in fact, purified and crystallized RSF. The RSF powder is soluble in H 2 0, methanol and ethanol; insoluble in isopropyl alcohol. Its solutions take on a brilliant red colour. The RSF powder, solubilized in methyl alcohol and examined under HPLC using the usual method, shows a single peak with RT equal to 1,591. The RSF powder is extremely hygroscopic and, after resting in a vacuum drier, should be conserved in sealed bottles under vacuum. Separately, the precipitate which formed in the flask is also solubilized in ethyl alcohol - H 2 0. (3:1) and concentrated by evaporation in rotavapor according to the usual . method until reaching a volume of approximately 30 ml. At this point isopropyl alcohol is added to the flask, determining a fine suspension, and the whole is dried out. A pale rose-pink powder is obtained, showing the same RT under HPLC as described at point a) of the second method. 2) Second method. The aqueous solution (RSF) remaining after the operations performed in example 1 (made up of the total alcoholic extract less IGF) , is evaporated in a flask in rotavapor at 45'C, bringing it down to a volume of 30 ml. At this point, 300 ml of methyl alcohol are added to the flask. A fine suspension forms. The mixture is stirred. An equal volume of ethyl ether is added. The mixture is stirred. A consistant large, flaky precipitate forms. The floating portion is removed. All the precipitation operations described in point 2 up to now, can be repeated a number of times, in order to obtain an increasingly pure active principle. Having removed the floating portion, the precipitate is suspended in approximately 100 ml of isopropyl alcohol, and then dried out in rotavapor. A fine powder of a rose-pink colour is thus obtained, which will hereinafter be called DEGU. The DEGU powder is insoluble in acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethyl ether, petroleum ether, ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol; it is soluble in H 2 0. Chemical and chemical-physical characteristics DEGU powder from a single precipitation: a) HPLC. Column RP 18 125 mm . 4 mm, mobile phase methanol- water (80:20), wavelength 210 nm, concentration 1 mg/ml: RT 0,728 (2.18% area); RT 0,994 (40.89% area); RT 1,452 (56.93% by area). Same method, concentration 2 mg/ml; RT 1,031 (40.75% area); RT 1,457 (59.26% area). Spherical column Supelcosil LC-NH 2 5 u, mobile phase CH3CN - H 2 0 (3:1), flow 1.5 ml/min., UV detector 217 nm: RT 1,702 (cone. 15.823); RT 1,958 (cone. 75.7988); RT 5,039 (cone. 9.1218). Irregular Chrompack Lichrosorb RP 18 - 10 u column, mobile phase CH3CN - H 2 0 (3:1), flow 1,5 ml/ in. , UV detector at 217 nm: RT 1,503 (cone. 15.3867); RT 1,826 (cone. 42.5747); RT 2,019 (cone. 38.1984); RT 4,132 (cone. 3.8399). b) IR Spectrum (Spectophotometer IR Perkin Elmer Mod. 683) in KBr medium, concentration 1 mg/100 g. Observable bands: 3350 cm "1 stretching OH associated 2900 cm "1 stretching CH-> and CH, 1600 cm -1 stretching C = C 1510 cm -1 bending OH associated 1400 cm-1 bending CH 1380 cm-1 bending CH 3 1250 cm-1 bending free OH 1050 cm ' -1 stretching C - 0 c) UV Spectrum (Spectrophotometer UV - vis Perking Elmer Mod. Lambda 5) . Solution in CH 3 CN-H 2 0 (4:1), concentration 5.10 -2 mg/ml: maximum absorbtion: principal at 204 nm secondary at 279 nm Solution in CH 3 OH-H 2 0 (3:1), concentration 5.10 -2 mg/ml: maximum absorbtion: principal at 202 n secondary at 279.5 nm d) NMR Spectrums. NMR spectrums performed using a Bruker AC apparatus at 200 MHz (proton) and 50 MHz (carbon) . The samples were prepared by dissolving 55 mg of substance in 0.6 ml of DMSO-dg with the addition of 15 mg of the sodium salt of 3-(trimethylsilil)propansophonic acid (DSS) as an internal standard. For the - " -H spectrum, 3668 transients were accumulated using a 30° impulse. Exchange of mobile protons was carried out by means of addition to the sample of 5 drops of D 2 0, and the relative - " "H spectrum was performed by accumulating 212 transients. The 13 C spectrum was performed accumulating 11,565 transients, using a 90° impulse followed by a delay of 1.4 seconds. From examination of the proton spectrums, numerous signals can be noted in the area comprised between 2.5 and 4 pp (due probably to C-H of alcoholic or etheric type) ; there is also the presence of mobile protons, of probable hydroxylic nature, in the area comprised between 4 and 5 ppm. In the spectrum there are also weak signals in the vinylic proton area. The 13 C spectrum provides similar information, showing some peaks in the vinylic carbon area and numerous signals in the alcoholic and etheric carbon area. e) Centesimal analysis: C% 38.48 H% 5.72 N% 0% 55.80 Minimal empirical formula closest to the above analysis i C 9 H 16 O 10 . f) Melting point: 95 ; -130°C (dec). g) pH of the aqueous solution: 6.05. The above mentioned chemical and chemical-physical characteristics of the substance DEGU can suffer variation according to the degree of purification effected (N° of precipitations or washings) , as synthesized in the following table: 11 EXAMPLE 3 Method of chromatoqraphic separation of the active principles The total alcoholic extract of the drug is dried out in a rotavapor and resolubilized in a small amount of methanol and water. With this solution, chromatographic separation is carried out both on a silica-gel 60 column and - with greater precision -on an HLPC preparative column. Pure fractions are thus obtained which, as stated above, correspond to peaks With RT of: 1,123; 1,301; 1,583; 2,133 and 2,636. EXAMPLE 4 Tests underlining the antineoplastic activity both in vitro and in vivo. The substances and/or compositions obtained according to the previous examples, soluble or solubilized using ethyl alcohol in water, show a marked antineoplastic activity, together with acceptable toxicity and the absence of immunosuppressive activity. These peculiar characteristics had already been observed by the author of the present invention in active principles isolated from another plant which, as stated above, formed the obj ct of a previous patent: this is probably due to the fact that this group of substances has above all a lytic activity on all the membranes of the neoplastic cell, from the parietal membrane to those of the various cytoplasmatic organelles, to the nuclear membrane. The notable selective antineoplastic activity on tumoral cells is demonstrated, at a histological level, both in vitro and in vivo, by evident alterations to the tumoral cells, which appear to increase in volume, conglutinate, show extroversion and fraying of the cell membrane, an extremely vacuolated and frothy cytoplasm with hypochromia of the nuclear chromatin and pale nucleoles. Demonstration of the high selectivity of these substances is given by the fact that all the lesions listed above are completely lacking in normal cells undergoing similar treatment. In vivo, antineoplastic activity of the substances mentioned above was tested on Sa 180 of Swiss mouse, generally using a dose of between 20 and 1000 mg/Kg/die, according to the substance used, given intraperitoneally for 8 consecutive days, starting from the day following the transplant. Compared with an average survival time of 23,0 days in the control animals, rejection of the tumor was seen in 80% of the treated animals, which can therefore be considered as definite survivors. A single subcutaneous injection, given 24 hours after transplant of the tumor, at a dose eight times that of the single intraperitoneal injection, is capable of causing rejection of the tumor in 100% of cases. For therapeutic application, the substances according to the present invention, and their salts, compounds or complexes, are preferably used in the form of aqueous solution for intramuscular, endovenous or endocavitary injections.

Claims: - - CLAIMS 1. Process for obtaining compositions and/or substances having antineoplastic activity, characterized by the fact that parts and/or products of plants belonging to the family Palma - at whatever stage of their development and maturity - are subjectedt essentially to the following operations: a) extraction of components by maceration in an organic solvent; b) optional stirring and shaking of the solution containing the extract with another solvent at least partially miscible with the first, to divide the components of the extract in the phases which form; c) optional treatment of each phase, independently one from the other, using at least one or two organic liquids having solvent activity with respect to at least one of the components of the extract, followed by filtering of any precipitate which forms and evaporation to a dry state of the precipitate and/or floating residue; d) optional separation- of the components found in each liquid phase; and e) collection of the separated components having antineoplastic activity and of those without antineoplastic activity, said extracts being optionally dried out and purified before each further treatment. 2. Process according to claim 1, in which the plants are of the subfamily Phoenicoideae and the species Phoenix. 3. Process according to claim 2, in which the plants are selected from the group comprising Phoenix canadiensis, Phoenix dactylifera, Chamaerops excelsa, Chamaerops humilis and combinations thereof. 4. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the solvent is selected from the group - 15 - of alcohols. 5. Process according to claim 4, in which the alcohol is ethanol. 6. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the volume ratio between organic solvent and parts of plant to be treated is comprised between 1:10 and 10:1. 7. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the treatment times are comprised 0 between 5 minutes and 3 months. 8. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the treatment temperature is comprised between 5°C and 100°C. 9. Process according to any one of the preceding 5 claims, in which separation of the components of the extract is of a chromatographic type. 10. Process according to claim 9, in which separation of the components of the extract takes place on a silica gel column. 0 11. Process according to claim 9, in which separation of the components of the extract takes place on an HPLC preparative column. 12. Process according to claim 11, in which separation is performed using the HPLC technique and 5 components having retention times around the values 1,123; 1,301; 1,583; 2,133 and 2,636 are collected. 13. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, in which extraction is performed using ethanol, the solution obtained is shaken with chloroform forming 0 two phases, an alcohol-chloroform phase of a green colour and an aqueous phase of a bordeaux-red colour, the compounds having antineoplastic activity being present in the bordeaux-red phase. 14. Process according to claim 13, in which 5 separation of the components having antineoplastic activity is performed using chromatography after having dried out the aqueous phase and after having resolubilized the solute in methanol-water. 15. Process according to claim 14, in which separation of the components having antineoplastic activity is performed using the HPLC technique and the components with retention times of values around 0,777; 1,044; 1,175; 1,575 and 2,284 are collected. 16. Process according to claim 13, in which the aqueous solution is concentrated by evaporation in a flask in rotavapor and ethyl alcohol and petroleum ether are introduced, forming a precipitate which is evaporated until dry, leaving a pale pink powder which, when examined under HPLC, shows an RT of 0,728; 0,994; 1.452, while the floating portion in turn is evaporated, obtaining an amorphous red substance, which under HPLC exhibits a single peak with RT equal to 1,591. 17. Process according to claim 16, in which both the precipitate and the amorphous substance deriving from the floating residue are crystallized in the form of a red powder, after suspension in methyl alcohol and in isopropyl alcohol. 18. Process according to claim 13, in which the aqueous solution is concentrated in an evaporation flask, to which methyl alcohol and ethyl ether are then added, forming a precipitate; the precipitate, once the floating residue has been removed, being suspended in isopropyl alcohol and dried out, obtaining a pale rose- pink coloured powder, which under HPLC shows the following RT: 0,728 (2.18% area); 0,994 (40.89% area); 1,452 (56.93% area). 19. Substances and compositions, characterized in that they are obtainable using the process according to claims 1 to 18. 20. Substances and compositions having antineoplastic activity, characterized in that they are obtainable using the process according to claims 1 to 18. 21. Substances and compositions having antineoplastic activity according to claim 20, in a form selected from the group comprising salts, compounds, complexes or combinations thereof, with the aim of rendering them water soluble. 22. Pharmaceutical preparation, characterized in that it contains, as at least one of its active principles, substances and compositions chosen from the group of products having antineoplastic activity which are obtainable using the process according to claims 1 to 18. 23. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 22, prepared in the form of an aqueous solution for parenteral use. 24. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 22, prepared in the form of capsules for oral use. 25. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 22, prepared in the form of suppositories for rectal use. 26. Pharmaceutical preparation according to . claim 22, prepared in the form of ovules for vaginal use. 27. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 22, prepared in the form of unguent, ointment, creme or gel. 28. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 23, prepared in vials, each vial containing between 0.5 and 2.5 g of active principle. 29. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 28, in which each vial contains between 1.2 and 1.7 g of active principle. 30. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 24, prepared in the form of capsule, each capsule containing 0.1 - 2.0 g of active principle. 31. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 30, in which each capsule contains from 0.8 to 1.2g of active principle. 32. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 25, prepared in the form of suppositories for rectal use, each suppository containing from 0.5 to 2.5 g of active principle. 33. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 32, in which each suppository contains from 1.2 to 1.7 g of active principle. 34. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 26, prepared in the form of ovules for vaginal use, each ovule containing from 0.5 to 2.5 g of active principle. 35. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 34, in which each ovule contains from 1.2 to 1.7 g of active principle. 36. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 27, prepared in the form of unguent, ointment, cre e or gel, with excipient for topical use, containing between 0.5 and 12% of active principle. 37. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 36, in which the excipient for topical use contains between 3 and 7% by weight of active principle. 38. Use of the components obtained with the process according to claims 1 to 18 - alone or in combination - for the preparation of drugs for the treatment of pathologies other than neoplastic ones.

Inventors: D ARRIGO CLAUDIO, D'ARRIGO, CLAUDIO
Applicants: ARRIGO CLAUDIO D, D'ARRIGO, CLAUDIO
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A61K35
IPC codes: A61K36, A61P35, C07G99