Abstract:
A method of treating a patient having snoring symptoms is disclosed, which includes administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition comprising  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material and  Cinnamomum cassia  Presl material.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a Divisional application of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/073,827, filed Mar. 11, 2008 of which the entire disclosure of the pending, prior application is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, particularly to a pharmaceutical composition that inhibits or improves snoring of humans or animals. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
       A. Causes of Snoring 
       [0005]    The dangling flap of flesh located at the back of the throat is called the uvula. Snoring usually results from the narrow airway that leads to vibration of the uvula. Generally, the following factors contribute to snoring:
   (a) lax muscles: the muscles around the uvula are lax due to aging and thereby the vibration of the uvula easily occurs;   (b) obesity: accumulation of fat leads to narrowing of the airway and thereby the vibration of the uvula easily occurs;   (c) sleeping pills, intoxication or fatigue result in deep sleep, and muscles are lax during deep sleep so that snoring occurs easily;   (d) smoking: increased excretions causes swelling of faucal mucosa, which narrows the airway and causes snoring;   (e) nasal congestion: allergic rhinitis, curling nasal septum, fleshy rhinitis, and nasosinusitis all aggravate snoring; and   (f) hypertrophy of tonsils (nasal or faucal tonsil hypertrophy, which is widely seen in children) also obstructs the airway and causes snoring;   
 
       B. Sequela of Snoring: Obstructive Sleep Apnea 
       [0012]    The definition of which is “5 or more pauses of breathing per hour during sleep, and each lasting above 10 seconds”. Generally, heavy snoring subjects suffer from pauses of breathing during sleep, obstructive breathing, awakening, low-quality sleeps, and thereby headache, dozing off or distraction during driving. The above symptoms are categorized as “Sleep Apnea Syndrome”. Long-term sleep apnea could lead to hypoxia and consequent damage to the heart and lungs, such as arrhythmia, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and other heart and lung diseases. 
       C. Treatment of Snoring 
       [0013]    There is no ideal pharmacotherapy to date, but physicians usually adopt conservative regimens first, urging patients to change their sleeping postures, lose weight, avoid smoking, intoxication, or medication (tranquilizers, antihistamine, etc.), in order to relieve the condition. If none of these remedies is successful, positive-pressure breathing apparatus or oral rectifiers are employed. However, surgical operations are more commonly used to treat snoring and sleep apnea. 
         [0014]    There are two kinds of operation: traditional and laser operations. Traditional soft palate and uvula anaplasty is performed under general anaesthesia, cutting off the uvula and partial soft palate by electric burning or knife. The novel laser operations are performed using a carbon dioxide laser, which takes the advantages of the precision of the laser to cut off redundant oral and faucal tissues and expand oral and faucal cavity stage by stage, to improve snoring conditions. 
       D.  Uncaria Rhynchophylla    
       [0015]      Uncaria rhynchophylla  and plants of the same genus have a somewhat sweet flavor and are considered “cold” in nature from the point of view of Chinese medicine. It has the effects of tranquilizing, seizure inhibition, fever relieving, lowering blood pressure, and creating anti-viruses. Clinically, it is commonly used to treat fevers, seizures, acute infantile convulsions, liver fever, hypertension, night crying of babies, and epilepsy. However, there is no record to date that  Uncaria rhynchophylla  can inhibit snoring. 
         [0016]    The present invention provides an  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material and a pharmaceutical composition comprising an  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material for improving or inhibiting snoring. Thus, when an  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material or the pharmaceutical composition thereof is utilized to improve snoring, the risks of surgical operations are avoided. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The object of the present invention is to provide an  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material and the pharmaceutical composition thereof for improving or inhibiting animal snoring, and thereby preventing sleep apnea, headache, distraction, or fatigue caused by snoring and avoiding damages caused by hypoxia to the heart and lungs. 
         [0018]    To achieve the object, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting snoring, which comprises an  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material. 
         [0019]    The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprising the  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material can further selectively comprise a  Cinnamomum cassia  Presl material. Preferably, the content of the  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material is 30-80% by weight, and the content of the  Cinnamomum cassia  Presl material is 70-20% by weight. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprising the  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material can further comprise a composition consisting of an  Ephedra  material, a  Prunus armeniaca  L. var. ansu Maxim material, and a  Glycyrrhiza uralensis  Fisch. material. Preferably, the  Ephedra  material is selected from the group consisting of an  Ephedra sinica  Stapf material, an  Ephedra equisetina  Bge material, and an  Ephedra intermedia  Schrenk et.Mey material. Preferably, the content of the  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material is 10-40% by weight, the content of the  Ephedra  material is 15-45% by weight, the content of the  Prunus armeniaca  L. var. ansu Maxim material is 15%-45% by weight, and the content of the  Glycyrrhiza uralensis . Fisch material is 10%-30% by weight. The above-mentioned pharmaceutical composition can further comprise gypsum. Preferably, the content of gypsum is 20-80% by weight. 
         [0021]    The present invention also provides a method for preparing the pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting snoring, comprising: providing an  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material. 
         [0022]    In the above-mentioned method, a  Cinnamomum cassia  Presl material can be further provided to mix with the  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material. Preferably, the content of the  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material is 30-80% by weight, and the content of the  Cinnamomum cassia  Presl material is 70-20% by weight. 
         [0023]    Alternatively, a composition consisting of an  Ephedra  material, a  Prunus armeniaca  L. var. ansu Maxim material, and a  Glycyrrhiza uralensis  Fisch. material is provided to mix with the  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material to form the pharmaceutical composition. Preferably, the content of the  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material is 10-40% by weight, the content of the  Ephedra  material is 15-45% by weight, the content of the  Prunus armeniaca  L. var. ansu Maxim material is 15%-45% by weight, and the content of the  Glycyrrhiza uralensis  Fisch material is 10%-30% by weight. The above-mentioned composition can be selectively mixed with gypsum. Preferably, the content of gypsum is 20-80% by weight. 
         [0024]    The aforementioned “material” can be a Chinese traditional herb, the extract thereof, or the mixture of a Chinese traditional herb and the extract thereof. In addition, the extract of the herb can be provided by water or alcohol extraction. 
         [0025]    Preferably, the materials of the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention are extracts of herbs. 
         [0026]    Preferably, the method for preparing the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can further comprise: providing an excipient. If necessary, other pharmaceutical acceptable carriers can be further added. For example, they can be used in orally administered pharmaceutical composition, and the formulations include: capsules, tablets, emulsifiers, liquid suspensions, dispersants, and solvents. Taking tablets as an illustration, the commonly used carriers are galactose or cornstarch; and lubricants and magnesium stearate are basic additives. When oral capsules are used, galactose and dried corn starch can act as effective diluting agents. Suitable sweetening agents, flavoring agent or coloring agent be added if necessary. Preferably, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can further comprise an excipient, which can be any conventional one, preferably corn starch. The pharmaceutical composition can be granulated by spray-drying or freeze-drying. Preferably, the pharmaceutical composition is an oral formulation. 
         [0027]    The extracts in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be prepared by any method known in the art, preferably, by the method disclosed in the present invention. 
         [0028]    Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       [0029]    None. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    The present invention provides an  Uncaria rhynchophylla  material and the pharmaceutical composition thereof for improving or inhibiting animal or human snoring. By conventional methods of preparation for Scientifically Concentrated Traditional Chinese Medicines including extraction, separation, concentration, and dryness (as disclosed in Sun-Tien Medical Journal 4 and 5, 2005), the extract powders of each herb were obtained and used on dogs like bulldogs, Beijing dogs, or Shih Tzu dogs. Due to their particular anatomical structures, these dog breeds have snoring syndromes like humans and thus they are used as subjects of experiments first. 
         [0031]    Four pharmaceutical compositions provided in the present invention are concentrated powder capsules only containing an extract of an  Uncaria rhynchophylla  herb, concentrated powder capsules containing the composition A (shown in Table 1), concentrated powder capsules containing the composition A′ (shown in Table 2), and concentrated powder capsules containing the composition B (shown in Table 3), respectively. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Composition A 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Material (Extract of Herb) 
                 Weight (g) 
                 Weight (%) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 
                   Uncaria rhynchophylla 
                 
                 1.5~6   
                 10~40 
               
               
                 
                   Ephedra 
                 
                 2.25~6.75 
                 15~45 
               
               
                   Prunus armeniaca L.  var. ansu Maxim 
                 2.25~6.75 
                 15~45 
               
               
                   Glycyrrhiza uralensis  Fisch. 
                 1.5~4.5 
                 10~30 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Composition A′ 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Material 
                 Weight (g) 
                 Weight % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Composition A 
                 3~12 
                 20~80 
               
               
                   
                 Gypsum 
                 12~3  
                 80~20 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Composition B 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Material (Extract of Herb) 
                 Weight (g) 
                 Weight % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 
                   Uncaria rhynchophylla 
                 
                 4.5~12 
                 30~80 
               
               
                   
                   Cinnamomum cassia  Presl 
                 10.5~3  
                 70~20 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Examples 1-17  
       [0032]    Dogs having symptoms of snoring were selected, and administered with concentrated powder capsules only containing an extract of an  Uncaria rhynchophylla  herb (Examples 1-5), concentrated powder capsules containing the composition A (Examples 6-9), concentrated powder capsules containing the composition A′ (Examples 10 and 11), and concentrated powder capsules containing the composition B (Examples 12-17), respectively. The administered dose is based on body weight of the dogs, e.g., 1-2 g per 5 kg body weight per day. The results show great efficacy of inhibiting snoring, as shown in Table 4. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Breed 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Weight (kg) 
               
               
                   
                 Age (year) 
                 Ingredient(s) in 
               
               
                 Example 
                 Gender 
                 capsules 
                 Result 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 Shih tzu 
                 Extract of  Uncaria   
                 After 5 days, snoring sounds were 
               
               
                   
                   1.7 
                   Rhynchophylla  Herb 
                 significantly down 
               
               
                   
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 Female 
               
               
                 2 
                 mongrel 
                 Extract of  Uncaria   
                 After 3 days, snoring sounds were 
               
               
                   
                 12  
                   Rhynchophylla  Herb 
                 significantly down, and even disappeared 
               
               
                   
                 4 
                   
                 upon subsequent administration 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                 3 
                 Beijing 
                 Extract of  Uncaria   
                 After 3 days, snoring sounds were 
               
               
                   
                 3 
                   Rhynchophylla  Herb 
                 significantly down, and even disappeared 
               
               
                   
                 5 
                   
                 upon subsequent administration 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                 4 
                 Pug 
                 Extract of  Uncaria   
                 After 3-5 days, snoring sounds were 
               
               
                   
                 6 
                   Rhynchophylla  Herb 
                 significantly down 
               
               
                   
                   2.5 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                 5 
                 Pug 
                 Extract of  Uncaria   
                 After one week, snoring sounds were 
               
               
                   
                 4 
                   Rhynchophylla  Herb 
                 significantly down 
               
               
                   
                 6 
               
               
                   
                 Female 
               
               
                 6 
                 Beagle 
                 Composition A 
                 After 3 days, snores disappeared 
               
               
                   
                 10  
               
               
                   
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                 7 
                 Shih tzu 
                 Composition A 
                 Snoring sounds were down after 
               
               
                   
                 5 
                   
                 administration for 1 day, and disappeared 
               
               
                   
                 9 
                   
                 after 3 days. 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                 8 
                 Shih tzu 
                 Composition A 
                 Snoring sounds were down after 
               
               
                   
                 3 
                   
                 administration for 1 day, and disappeared 
               
               
                   
                   1.5 
                   
                 after 3 days. 
               
               
                   
                 Female 
               
               
                 9 
                 Shih tzu 
                 Composition A 
                 After 5 days, snoring sounds were 
               
               
                   
                 4 
                   
                 significantly down 
               
               
                   
                 7 
               
               
                   
                 Feale 
               
               
                 10 
                 Pug 
                 Composition A′ 
                 After 2-3 days, snores disappeared 
               
               
                   
                 7 
               
               
                   
                 8 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                 11 
                 mongrel 
                 Composition A′ 
                 After 3 days, snoring sounds were 
               
               
                   
                 5 
                   
                 significantly down 
               
               
                   
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 Female 
               
               
                 12 
                 Bulldog 
                 Composition B 
                 After 5 days, snores disappeared 
               
               
                   
                 10  
               
               
                   
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 Female 
               
               
                 13 
                 Beijing 
                 Composition B 
                 Snoring sounds were down after 
               
               
                   
                 5 
                   
                 administration for 1 day, and disappeared 
               
               
                   
                 8 
                   
                 after 5 days. 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                 14 
                 Shih tzu 
                 Composition B 
                 After 3 days, snores disappeared 
               
               
                   
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                 15 
                 Mongrel 
                 Composition B 
                 After 5 days, snores disappeared 
               
               
                   
                 9 
               
               
                   
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 Female 
               
               
                 16 
                 Beijing 
                 Composition B 
                 After 3 days, snoring sounds were 
               
               
                   
                 3 
                   
                 significantly down 
               
               
                   
                 6 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                 17 
                 Schnauzer 
                 Composition B 
                 After 7 days of administration followed by 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                   
                 cessation of administration, snores 
               
               
                   
                 5 
                   
                 disappeared and did not occur again after 30 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
                   
                 days. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0033]    The dogs in Examples 1-5 showed that snoring sounds diminished after 3-5 days of administering concentrated powder capsules containing an extract of an  Uncaria rhynchophylla  herb, and disappeared or were insignificant after 5-7 days. Thereby, the capsules containing the extract of the  Uncaria rhynchophylla  herb exhibits great efficacy of inhibiting snoring of dogs. 
         [0034]    The dogs in Examples 6-9 showed that snoring sounds diminished or even disappeared after averagely 2-5 days of administering concentrated powder capsules containing the composition A. In addition, some dogs showed diminished snoring sounds even after only one day of administration, and thus it is indicated that the composition A exhibits efficient efficiency. Therefore, the capsules containing the composition A is advantageous over those only containing the extract of the  Uncaria rhynchophylla  herb in that the composition A exhibits efficient efficiency of inhibiting snoring of dogs. The dogs in Examples 10 and 11 showed similar responses after being treated with concentrated powder capsules containing the composition A′. 
         [0035]    Though the composition A exhibits great efficacy in preventing snoring, the composition A is not suitable for some animals and humans, resulting from the extract of the  Ephedra  contained in the composition A. In view of this, the composition B (containing an extract of an  Uncaria rhynchophylla  herb and an extract of a  Cinnamomum cassia  herb) is developed. 
         [0036]    The dogs in Examples 12-17 showed great responses of inhibition of snoring after being treated with the composition B for average 5 days. This composition does not contain the extract of the  Ephedra , so it is milder than the composition A and has wider spectrum of use. 
       Examples 18-41  
       [0037]    The animal experiments illustrate the efficacy of the capsules containing the extract of the  Uncaria rhynchophylla  herb as the major content in improving and inhibiting animal snoring. Subsequently, the same compositions are used on humans. Concentrated powder capsules only containing the extract of the  Uncaria rhynchophylla  herb (Examples 18, 21, 24, 27 and 30), capsules containing the composition A (Examples 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31˜35), capsules containing the composition A′ (Examples 36 and 37), and capsules containing the composition B (Examples 20, 23, 26, 29, and 38˜41) were administered. The administered dose for adults is 6-9 g/day, and 3-4.5 g/day for children. Obviously the subjects were unable by themselves to observe changes in their snoring, so observations from family members or tape-recorded snoring were used. The results are shown in Table 5. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Age (year) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Height (cm) 
               
               
                   
                 Weight (kg) 
                   
                   
                   
                 Special 
               
               
                   
                 Sex 
                 Ingredient(s) in 
                   
                   
                 health 
               
               
                 Example 
                 Family Name 
                 capsules 
                 Condition of Snoring 
                 Complications 
                 history 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 18 
                 36 
                 Extract of  Uncaria   
                 Improved mildly after 3 
                 none 
                 allergic 
               
               
                   
                 175 
                 
                   Rhynchophylla 
                 
                 days 
                   
                 rhinitis 
               
               
                   
                 65 
                 Herb 
               
               
                 19 
                 Male 
                 Composition A 
                 Improved after 1 day, open 
                 none 
               
               
                   
                 Lin 
                   
                 airway, stopped snoring 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 after 3 days 
               
               
                 20 
                   
                 Composition B 
                 Improved mildly after 3 
                 none 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 days 
               
               
                 21 
                 55 
                 Extract of  Uncaria   
                 Improved mildly 
                 none 
                 Long-term 
               
               
                   
                 172 
                 
                   Rhynchophylla 
                 
                   
                   
                 smoking 
               
               
                   
                 70 
                 Herb 
               
               
                 22 
                 Male 
                 Composition A 
                 Improved significantly 
                 Palpitation 
               
               
                 23 
                 Fei 
                 Composition B 
                 Great response, stopped 
                 none 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 snoring by long-term 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 administration (twice a 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 week) 
               
               
                 24 
                 53 
                 Extract of  Uncaria   
                 Improved mildly 
                 none 
                 Long-term 
               
               
                   
                 165 
                 
                   Rhynchophylla 
                 
                   
                   
                 smoking 
               
               
                   
                 70 
                 Herb 
               
               
                 25 
                 Male 
                 Composition A 
                 Improved significantly 
                 dry mouth 
               
               
                 26 
                 Yu 
                 Composition B 
                 Improved significantly, 
                 none 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 relieved in the throat 
               
               
                 27 
                 35 
                 Extract of  Uncaria   
                 Improved mildly 
                 none 
                 Long-term 
               
               
                   
                 167 
                 
                   Rhynchophylla 
                 
                   
                   
                 fatigue 
               
               
                   
                 65 
                 Herb 
               
               
                 28 
                 Male 
                 Composition A 
                 Improved 
                 none 
               
               
                 29 
                 Du 
                 Composition B 
                 Improved, relieved in the 
                 none 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 throat 
               
               
                 30 
                 55 
                 Extract of  Uncaria   
                 Improved mildly 
                 none 
                 Mild 
               
               
                   
                 175 
                 
                   Rhynchophylla 
                 
                   
                   
                 rhinitis 
               
               
                   
                 68 
                 Herb 
               
               
                 31 
                 Male 
                 Composition A 
                 Stopped snoring after 5 
                 none 
               
               
                   
                 Chen 
                   
                 days, open airway 
               
               
                 32 
                 38 
                 Composition A 
                 Lowered snoring sounds 
                 sleepy 
                 Coffee 
               
               
                   
                 170 
                   
                   
                   
                 addiction 
               
               
                   
                 60 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                   
                 Hou 
               
               
                 33 
                 55 
                 Composition A 
                 Lowered snoring sounds 
                 none 
                 Obesity 
               
               
                   
                 149 
                   
                 and longer intervals 
               
               
                   
                 50 
               
               
                   
                 Female 
               
               
                   
                 Wu 
               
               
                 34 
                 45 
                 Composition A 
                 No significant effects due to 
                 none 
                 Severe nasal 
               
               
                   
                 178 
                   
                 severe nasal disease 
                   
                 disease 
               
               
                   
                 60 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                   
                 Wang 
               
               
                 35 
                 7 
                 Composition A 
                 No significant effects due to 
                 none 
                 Severe nasal 
               
               
                   
                 115 
                   
                 severe nasal disease 
                   
                 disease 
               
               
                   
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                   
                 Luo 
               
               
                 36 
                 10 
                 Composition A′ 
                 Lowered or disappearing 
                 none 
                 allergic 
               
               
                   
                 155 
                   
                 snoring sounds after 3-5 
                   
                 rhinitis 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                   
                 days, stopped snoring by 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
                   
                 long-term administration 
               
               
                   
                 Lin 
                   
                 (twice a week) 
               
               
                 37 
                 38 
                 Composition A′ 
                 Improved sleep after 
                 none 
                 Mild 
               
               
                   
                 180 
                   
                 administration for 3 days 
                   
                 rhinitis 
               
               
                   
                 78 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                   
                 Huang 
               
               
                 38 
                 50 
                 Composition B 
                 Lowered snoring sounds, 
                 none 
                 Obesity 
               
               
                   
                 158 
                   
                 improved concentration 
                   
                 hypertension 
               
               
                   
                 97 
                   
                 during days and better sleep 
               
               
                   
                 Female 
                   
                 quality at night 
               
               
                   
                 Zhu 
               
               
                 39 
                 65 
                 Composition B 
                 Great response, stopped 
                 none 
                 Long-term 
               
               
                   
                 172 
                   
                 snoring 
                   
                 smoking 
               
               
                   
                 70 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                   
                 Chen 
               
               
                 40 
                 40 
                 Composition B 
                 Great response, stopped 
                 none 
                 Obesity 
               
               
                   
                 175 
                   
                 snoring 
               
               
                   
                 98 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                   
                 Lin 
               
               
                 41 
                 50 
                 Composition B 
                 Relieved in the throat, 
                 none 
                 Obesity 
               
               
                   
                 165 
                   
                 lowered snoring sounds 
               
               
                   
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 Male 
               
               
                   
                 Wu 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0038]    The subjects in Examples 18, 21, 24, 27 and30 showed lowered snoring sounds after taking the capsules only containing the extract of the  Uncaria rhynchophylla  herb for 3-5 days, and some of them even showed disappearing snoring. Thus, the capsules only containing the extract of the  Uncaria rhynchophylla  herb exhibits good efficacy in inhibiting human snoring for the subjects including rhinitis patients, long-term fatigue patients, and long-term smokers. 
         [0039]    The subjects in Examples 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31-35 showed lowered or even disappearing snoring sounds averagely after taking the capsules containing the composition A for 3 days. Some of the subjects even showed lowered snoring sounds after administration for 1 day, and it is indicated that the effects are significant. The composition A employed to inhibit snoring in humans exhibits substantial efficacy for the subjects including rhinitis patients, long-term fatigue patients and long-term smokers. In addition, the subjects in Examples 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31-35 took not only the capsules containing only the extract of the  Uncaria rhynchophyll  herb but also the capsules containing the composition A. It was found that the composition A has better efficacy in mild rhinitis patients. Thus, it is shown that the composition A possesses superb efficacy in inhibiting snoring due to respiratory diseases. However, the efficacy for those having severe nasal diseases is not significant (see Examples 34 and 35), so they are not recommended to take the composition A. The capsules containing the composition A′ taken by the subjects in Examples 36 and 37 are provided for the subjects having “hot” constitution to attend the purposes of fever-clearing (resulting from gypsum contained in the composition A′). 
         [0040]    For the subjects suffering from snoring not caused by respiratory diseases (e.g. obesity, long-term fatigue, and long-term smoking), the capsules containing the composition B were administered and great effects of inhibition of snoring were obtained. The subjects in Examples 20, 23, 26, 29, and 38-41 showed lowered snoring sounds averagely after 3 days of taking the capsules containing the composition B, and some of them even showed disappearing snoring. In Comparison to the conditions of taking the capsules only containing the extract of the  Uncaria rhynchophyll  herb on the same subject, the composition B exhibits more efficient efficiency and the patient taking the composition B felt more relieved in the throat (comparing Example 24 and 26, 27 and 29). The subjects in Examples 38-41 also showed great responses. The subject in the Example 38 is a patient suffering from obesity and hypertension, so she is not suitable for treatment with the composition A containing the extract of the  Ephedra . Instead, the composition B would be more suitable. 
         [0041]    To sum up, in view of animal and human clinical experiments, it is found that  Uncaria rhynchophyll  has significant effects in inhibiting or relieving snoring. For patients having mild rhinitis, the composition A gives better and more efficient effects. For snoring caused by non- respiratory diseases such as obesity, long-term smoking or fatigue, the composition B gives better effects.