PRODUCTS FROM CYPRESS AND ALL RELATIVE CONIFEROUS TREES AND THEIR PHARMACEUTICAL USES

Abstract: The alcoholic extract of the fruits of Cypraesus Semprevirens was prepared, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disturbances of cholesterol, triglycerides and generally lipids, in humans and animals. Other types of extracts as well as the active constituents, isolated by elaborating various parts of the cypress tree and other relative coniferous trees, are effective in the prevention and treatment of every type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances. The administration of combination of the above fractions and substances (of natural or synthetic origin) resulted in the significant reduction of cholesterol and LDL levels as well as in prevention of atheromatic lesions. Substances belonging to the above mentioned groups, mixtures of them as well as salts and esters, of natural or synthetic origin, administered in various ways may act preventively and therapeutically in various types of hypercholesterolemia and atheromatosis, in humans and animals.

Description: PRODUCTS FROM CYPRESS AND ALL RELATIVE CONIFEROUS TREES AND THEIR PHARMACEUΗCAL USES Hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia of dietary and congenital origin are metabolic disturbances (disorders), which are encountered at an increased frequency among the human population, due to living conditions (nutrition, stress) and bear severe negative long term consequences on health. The treatment attempted, preventively and therapeutically, is at present based on a combination of diet, exercise and administration of various types of pharmacologically active substances. There are two main types of pharmacologically active substances: These substances which interfere in the process of absorption of cholesterol and triglycerides from the gastrointestinals and those substances which interfere by inhibiting the endogenous metabolic way of cholesterol synthesis or promote its catabolism. The alcoholic extract of the fruits of the coniferous Cypraesus Semprevirents was prepared in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of the metabolic disturbances of cholesterol and lipids in general, in humans and animals. An alcoholic extract of the fruits of the cypress tree has been prepared, using 100 ml of absolut alcohol for every 10 fruits of the cypress. Three weeks are required for the extraction prossess to be completed. The alcoholic extract has been at first administered in experimental animals (Wistar rats) subject to a diet rich in cholesterol. The experiment was conducted on two groups of rats: The first group was fed only with the rich in cholesterol diet (control group), whereas the second group was, simultaneously, fed with the rich in cholesterol (hypercholesterolemic) diet and administered (per os) with 10 drops of the alcoholic extract, per day, for 3 months. Each group comprised of 10 animals. At the end of the trimester, animals from both groups were sacrificed and blood levels of cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides were measured. Furthermore, autopsy of the aorta and all vital organs was also performed. From the measurements it was found that rats, from the group that was given the extract, exhibited a reduction of cholesterol levels by 33±5%, an increase of HDL levels by 22±3% and a reduction of LDL levels by 38±7%, with respect to rats from the control group that was only fed with the rich in cholesterol diet. Furthermore, it was found that animals of the control group that did not take the extract, exhibited atheromatic lesions of the aorta, whereas rats of the group fed with the hypercholesterolemic (rich in cholesterol) diet and administered by the alcoholic extract, at the same time, did not exhibit any such lesions. None of the vital organs of the animals administered by the extract manifested any lesion in autopsy in contrast to the control group, where fat infiltration of liver was obvious. Then, the extract was administered at daily doses of 90 drops (divided in three portions, 30 drops x 3), in seven hypercholesterolemic volunteers, per os, without any diet restrictions for 2 months. After the first 15 days of administration, a statistically significant decrease of cholesterol and LDL levels was observed with a parallel increase of HDL levels. Biochemical tests (SGOT/SGPT, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, uric acid, γ-GT) as well as routine blood tests did not reveal any other changes to volunteers condition before and after the administration of the alcoholic extract. Futhermore, the sublimation of the alcoholic extract was tried: The solid residue obtained from the sublimation of the extract has the form of a brownish powder. This powder was administered into two groups of rats suffering from dietary-induced hyperlipidemia, as follows: 1st group (7 animals): The powder was administered (per os, daily, for three months) as a suspension in drinking water. The dosage is the same as the powder contained in one millilitre of the extract. 2nd group (7 animals): A proportional to the 1st group amount of powder per day was administered (for three months) as an oily preparation with the food pellets provided to the experimental animals. A statistically significant decrease of cholesterol and LDL levels was found in both groups in comparison to the levels before administration ( p<0,001 ). A slight increase of HDL levels was also found ( p<0,045 ) in comparison to the levels recorded before administration. Then, the powder was administered at doses of 3 mg per day (divided in three portions, 1 mg x 3), in 5 hypercholesterolemic volunteers, per os, without any dietetic restrictions for 2 months. After the first 15 days of administration, a statistically significant decrease of cholesterol and LDL levels was observed in parallel with an increase of HDL levels. General biochemical examination (SGOT/SGPT, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, uric acid, γ-GT) as well as routine blood tests of these volunteers did not reveal any differences than the values before administration. From the above, it was potently evidenced that substances contained in the fruits of the Cypraesus, exert a preventive and probably therapeutic effect on dietary-induced hyperlipidemia in humans and animals. Experiments conducted so far have given data indicating that similar effects are exerted by products that are isolated by other types of elaborations (oily and aqueous extracts, condensates of the alcoholic extracts, powders from the sublimation of alcoholic extracts, active constituents of alcoholic and oily extracts) from the fruits as well as other parts (roots, trunk, cortex, leaves e.t.c.) from the cypraesus semprevirens as well as other species relatives to coniferous trees. From this alcoholic extract of the fruits of the coniferous Cypraesus Semprevirens, were isolated [ by condensation, evaporation, high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC) and thin layer chromatography (TLC) ] nine different fractions of active, mainly polar compounds belonging to the groups of terpenoids, polyphenols and proanthocyanidins. By the use of Mass Spectroscopy, it was found that the main constituents of these fractions are the a-cedrol (60% of the extract) and mandol (12%). Then a mixture of the isolated fractions of the above mentioned groups of substances, as well as the a-cedrol and mandol and a mixture of the latter substances (in analogy of 6:1) were administered in four groups of experimental animals (Wistar rats) suffering from dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia. Each group comprised of 10 rats. The substances were daily administered per os (orally), for 2 months, as a solution and the daily dose (in mg/Kg body weight) was calculated. Blood samples were taken from the rats for determination of cholesterol, HDL and LDL, before the administration, after 15 and 30 days from the begining of the administration of the fractions, as well as at the end of 2 months of administration. From the results the following were found: 1) 15 days of administration resulted in a statistically significant decrease of cholesterol and LDL levels (about 15±3,2%) in all four groups (group of fractions' combination, group of a-cedrol, group of mandol and group of cedrol and mandol combination) in comparison to the control group. The lowest effect was observed in the group of mandol. 2) At the end of the first and second month of administration, the reduction of cholesterol and LDL was remarkably higher (about 30±5% in comparison to the control group). The lowest effect was observed in the group of mandol. 3 The HDL did not manifest any significant alteration in all four groups. Blood and biochemical tests revealed no pathological effects. 4) From autopsy (in comparison to the control group which suffered from dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia), a significant reduction of aortic atheromatic lesions was found in the rats of all four groups of animals. In addition, synthetic a-cedrol was administered (at similar doses to the naturally isolated a-cedrol) in groups of dietary-induced hypercholesterolemic rats with similar (to the naturally isolated a-cedrol) results. Following, the combination (mixture) of the isolated fractions as well as natural and synthetic a-cedrol and mandol were tested as inhibitors of platelet aggregation (induced by ADP, collagen and thrombin) in washed rabbit platelets and platelet rich plasma of healthy volunteers. It was found that the fractions mixture as well as the previously mentioned substances and their combinations exert a high anti-aggregatory effect on the three agonists (ADP, collagen and thrombin) with more potent the effect of the mixture. By the, up today, experimental tests, there are indications that the above mentioned mixture as well as the above mentioned substances and their combinations, exert a protective and probably therapeutic effect on hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia of dietary or congenital origin, in humans and animals. The protective effect of these substances may be attributed to: a) the significant reduction of cholesterol and LDL levels, b) the inhibition of platelet aggregation, c) the possible protection from LDL oxidation. That is, the protection exhibited by these substances may be attributed to their actions against the processes which are considered to be significant factors of atheromatosis. There were also made preparations containing the above mentioned products as well as the fractions' mixtures and the above mentioned substances and their combinations or the esters or salts of these substances. These preparations are pharmaceutical preparations (administered per os or parenterally or by any other route) as well as preparations used as additives in any type of food or drink. Experimental tests conducted so far have given indications that the above preparations exert a protective and possibly therapeutic effect on hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia of dietary or congenital origin, in humans and animals. The experimental application of the above products, the fractions' mixtures, the substances and the above mentioned preparations, has not given any evidence of toxic effects or adverse reactions, even at significantly higher dosages than those refered above and for a remarkably longer period of time, of almost six months of administration.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Products (every type of extracts, condensates of extracts, powders and active constituents) which are isolated by every type of elaboration of any part of cypraesus semprevirens, all species of cypress and other relative coniferous trees, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 2. Products, according to claim 1 , which specifically are any type of extract (alcoholic, oily, aqueous e.t.c.) of every part (fruit, roots, trunk, cortex, leaves e.t.c.) of cypraesus semprevirens, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 3. Products, according to claims 1 and 2, which are any type of extract, specifically of the fruits of cypraesus semprevirens, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 4. Product, according to claim 3, which is specifically the alcoholic extract of cypraesus' fruits, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 5. Product, according to claim 4, which is specifically a condensate of the alcoholic extract of the fruits of cypraesus, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 6. Product, according to claim 4, which is specifically the solid residue (in powder form) from the sublimation of the alcoholic extract of cypraesus' fruits, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 7. Products, according to claim 4, that specifically are the active constituents which are isolated from the alcoholic extract of cypraesus' fruits, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 8. Product, according to claim 3, which is specifically the oily extract of cypraesus' fruits, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 9. Products, according to claim 8, that specifically are the active constituents which are isolated from the oily extract of cypraesus' fruits, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 10. Substances, according to claims 1 and 7, originating (derived) from any type of extract which is isolated by every type of elaboration of any part of cypraesus semprevirens, all species of cypress and other relative coniferous trees, and belonging to the groups of terpenoids (with characteristic representatives the cedrols), polyphenols (with characteristic representatives the mandols) and proanthocyanidins, in pure or as esteric or salt forms, administered either single or in combinations (mixtures), exerting anticholesterolemic and antiplatelet (inhibition of platelet aggregation) effects, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 11. Substances, according to claim 10, which specifically belong to the group of the terpenoids (with characteristic representative the cedrols), in pure or as esteric or salt forms, exerting anticholesterolemic and antiplatelet (inhibition of platelet aggregation) effects, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids * disturbances, in humans and animals. 12. Substances, according to claim 10, which specifically belong to the group of polyphenols (with characteristic representative the mandols), in pure or as esteric or salt forms, exerting anticholesterolemic and antiplatelet (inhibition of platelet aggregation) effects, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 13. Substances, according to claim 10, which specifically belong to the group of the proanthocyanidins, in pure or as esteric or salt forms, exerting anticholesterolemic and antiplatelet (inhibition of platelet aggregation) effects, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 14. Substances, according to claims 10 and 11, which specifically are cedrols (with characteristic representative the a-cedrol), in pure or as esteric or salt forms, exerting anticholesterolemic and antiplatelet (inhibition of platelet aggregation) effects, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 15. Substances, according to claims 10 and 12, which specifically are mandols (with characteristic representative the mandol), in pure or as esteric or salt forms, exerting anticholesterolemic and antiplatelet (inhibition of platelet aggregation) effects, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 16. Mixtures of substances, according to claims 10, 11 , 12 and 13, which specifically are combinations of terpenoids, polyphenols and proanthocyanidins, in pure or as esteric or salt forms, exerting anticholesterolemic and antiplatelet (inhibition of platelet aggregation) effects, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 17. Mixtures of substances, according to claims 10, 11 and 12, which specifically are combinations of terpenoids and polyphenols, in pure or as esteric or salt forms, exerting anticholesterolemic and antiplatelet (inhibition of platelet aggregation) effects, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 18. Mixtures of substances, according to claims 10, 14 and 15, which specifically are combinations of cedrols and mandols, in pure or as esteric or salt forms, exerting anticholesterolemic and antiplatelet (inhibition of platelet aggregation) effects, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 19. Substances and mixtures of substances, according to claims 10 to 18, which belong to the groups of terpenoids (with characteristic representatives the cedrols), polyphenols (with characteristic representatives the mandols) and proanthocyanidins, in pure or as esteric or salt forms, but they are of synthetic origin (synthetically manufactured), exerting anticholesterolemic and antiplatelet (inhibition of platelet aggregation) effects, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 20. Preparations of any type, containing the products, the substances and mixtures of them, mentioned in claims 1 to 19, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 21. Preparations, according to claim 20, which specifically are pharmaceutical products (administered per os or parenterally or by any other route), in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals. 22. Preparations, according to claim 20, which specifically are products used as additives in every type of food or drink, in order to be used for the prevention and treatment of any type of hypercholesterolemia and lipids' disturbances, in humans and animals.

Inventors: ZOGRAFOS NIKOLAOS, ZOGRAFOS, NIKOLAOS
Applicants: ZOGRAFOS DIETETIC PRODUCTS S A, ZOGRAFOS NIKOLAOS, ZOGRAFOS, NIKOLAOS, ZOGRAFOS-DIETETIC PRODUCTS S.A.C.I.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A61K35
IPC codes: A61K36, A61P3