Patent ID: 7314642

Claim:
A method for isolating compounds that possess amyloid inhibitory activity from plant matter of the genus Uncaria , the method comprising the steps: a) preparing a polar solvent extract of Uncaria plant matter, where the polar solvent extraction is selected from one of the extraction methods from the group of extraction methods consisting of extraction with water, extraction with a water solution of a polar alcohol, extraction with a water solution of acetonitrile and extraction with a water solution of another polar organic solvent and running the extract through a first column that comprises hydroxy group containing resin, resin having hydrophobic characteristics but without any hydroxy groups, or a mixture of both; b) eluting the first column with distilled water, followed by eluting with not more than 2-4 column bed volume washings with a dilute polar alcohol/water solution having an alcohol/water ratio not greater than 50/50, and discarding any eluate; c) eluting the first column with one or more column bed volume washings of a polar alcohol/water solution having an alcohol/water ratio between 50/50 and substantially pure alcohol, and collecting and drying the eluted volumes to a dried material.