Patent ID: 7083814

Claim:
A method for producing a composition possessing antiviral activity comprising substances obtained from cuticular or epicuticular layers external to an epidermis of a plant or plant part, the method comprising: a) exposing the plant or plant part to a solvent under conditions sufficient to solubilize substances in the cuticular and epicuticular layers of the plant or plant part, while leaving cells and tissues internal to the epidermis substantially unaffected; b) obtaining a solution or suspension of plant cuticular and epicuticular substances; and, c) formulating the solution or suspension with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to form a topical composition possessing antiviral activity in a form selected from the group consisting of a balm, an ointment, a lotion, a roll-on, a rub, and a cream. wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of Malus.