Compositions and methods for treatment of diabetes

• US 20020068704A1
• Filed: 09/27/2001
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Randy H. Ziegler
• Original Assignee: Randy H. Ziegler
• Inventors: Ziegler, Randy H.
• Application Number:
  US09/967,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20020068704A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 514/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/28 Asteraceae or Compositae (Aster or Sunflower family), e.g. chamomile, feverfew, yarrow or echinacea
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/10 for hyperglycaemia, e.g. antidiabetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 37/00 Drugs for immunological or allergic disorders
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2500/04 Screening involving studying the effect of compounds C directly on molecule A (e.g. C are potential ligands for a receptor A, or potential substrates for an enzyme A)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5008 for testing or evaluating the effect of chemical or biological compounds, e.g. drugs, cosmetics
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/502 for testing non-proliferative effects
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/505 involving T-cells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/6872 Intracellular protein regulatory factors and their receptors, e.g. including ion channels

Abstract

Flavonoids, especially luteolin, are shown to be effective against insulin dependent (Type I) and insulin independent (Type II) diabetes mellitus. It is demonstrated that luteolin works in mammals by binding and blocking the K_v1.3 potassium channel of T-cell and Beta cells. Antidiabetic and anti-autoimmune compounds can be selected by measuring their ability to bind to and block the K_v1.3 channel.

Claims

1. An anti-diabetic composition comprising an aqueous extract of plants of the genus Brickellia.

2. The anti-diabetic composition of claim 1, wherein the extract is from Brickellia californica.

3. An anti-diabetic composition consisting of a flavonoid selected from the group consisting of luteolin, myricetin, dihydrokaemferol, apigenin, quercetin and mixtures thereof.

4. An anti-diabetic composition consisting of a mixture of luteolin, dihydrokaemferol and apigenin.

5. The anti-diabetic composition of claim 4, wherein the molar concentration of luteolin is at least twice that of dihydrokaemferol and apigenin added together.

6. A method for treatment of diabetes mellitus comprising the step of administering a quantity of an aqueous extract of plants of the genus Brickellia to result in a reduction in blood glucose.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the extract is from Brickellia californica.

8. A method for treatment of diabetes mellitus consisting of the step of administering a quantity of a flavonoid selected from the group consisting of luteolin, myricetin, dihydrokaemferol, apigenin, quercetin and mixtures thereof to result in a reduction in blood glucose.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a mixture of luteolin, dihydrokaemferol and apigenin is administered.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the molar concentration of luteolin is at least twice that of dihydrokaemferol and apigenin added together.

11. A method of controlling diabetes mellitus in a mammal comprising the step of administering to the mammal a molecule that binds to K_v1.3 ion channels.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the molecule is a flavonoid.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the flavonoid is luteolin.

14. A method of controlling unwanted proliferation to T-cells in a mammal comprising the step of administering to the mammal a molecule that binds to K_v1.3 ion channels.

15. A method of screening a group of compounds for anti-diabetic activity in a mammal comprising the step of determining which members of the group binds to and blocks K_v1.3 ion channels, wherein the members binding to and blocking K_v1.3 ion channels are selected as having potential anti-diabetic activity.

16. A method of screening a group of compounds for ability to suppress autoimmune responses in a mammal comprising the step of determining which members of the group binds to and blocks K_v1.3 ion channels, wherein the members binding to and blocking K_v1.3 ion channels are selected as having potential ability to suppress autoimmune responses.

17. A compound that contrails diabetes mellitus in a mammal characterized in that the compound binds to and blocks K_v1.3 ion channels,