Polyphase fluid extraction process, resulting products and methods of use

• US 5,330,756 A
• Filed: 11/24/1992
• Issued: 07/19/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary M. Steuart, Huffstutler M. Conrad Jr
• Original Assignee: Gary M. Steuart, Huffstutler M. Conrad Jr
• Inventors: Huffstutler, M. Conrad Jr., Steuart, Gary M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Page, Thurman K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): AZPURU, CARLOS A
• Application Number:
  US07/980,839
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 424/401, 424/405, 424/450, 424/43, 424/44, 424/45, 424/46, 424/47, 424/195.1, 424/443, 424/433, 424/DIG. 15, 424/937, 514/965, 264/4, 436/829
• US Class Current: 424/405
• 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 36/185 Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/30 Boraginaceae (Borage family), e.g. comfrey, lungwort or forget-me-not
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/328 Commiphora, e.g. mecca myrrh or balm of Gilead
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/47 Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family), e.g. Ricinus (castorbean)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/534 Mentha (mint)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/63 Oleaceae (Olive family), e.g. jasmine, lilac or ash tree
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/14 Liposomes; Vesicles
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/9789 Magnoliopsida [dicotyledons]
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/127 Liposomes
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/30 Compounds of undetermined constitution extracted from natural sources, e.g. Aloe Vera
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/404 Biocides, antimicrobial agents, antiseptic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/626 Liposomes, micelles, vesicles
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 26/0057 Ingredients of undetermined constitution or reaction products thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 26/0066 Medicaments; Biocides
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 17/00 Barrier preparations; Preparations brought into direct contact with the skin for affording protection against external influences, e.g. sunlight, X-rays or other harmful rays, corrosive materials, bacteria or insect stings
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/00 Preparations for care of the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/007 Preparations for dry skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 7/00 Preparations for affecting hair growth
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 424/15 Suppositories
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/829 : Liposomes, e.g. encapsulation

Abstract

Processes for polyphase fluid extraction of concentrated, active therapeutic components from parts of plants identified taxonomically as Symphytum, Taxus and Aloe species are described. The resulting products-by-processes are defined as Concentrated Fluid Plant Extracts (CFPE) of the respective plant types, where P can be S, T or A. The preparation process for CFPE includes multiple/sequential stages of diffusional transfer of the active constituents into liquid and/or vapor extraction phases under contact conditions of forced convection at controlled temperature and pressure. Therapeutic formulations based on CFPE including emulsions, aerosols, liposomes and controlled-release devices are presented. Treatment methods for a variety of skin conditions and complications of specific diseases are indicated.

Claims

1. A process for preparation of Concentrated Fluid Symphytum Extracts, CFSE, which comprises the steps of:

selecting live, healthy plants of single or mixed wild or non-wild taxonomically-classified plant species comprising

S. officinale, S. asperum, S. armeniacum, S. tauricum, S. sylvaticum, S. peregrinum, S. anatolicum, S. icaricum, S. orientale, S. kurdicum, S. pseudobutbosum, S. uplandicum, S. circinale, S. ottomanum, S. icaricum, S. brachycalyx, S. aintabicum, S. longisetum, S. bornmuelleri, S. tuberosum, S. bulbosum, S. ibericum, or S. longipetiolatum ;

harvesting whole parts of said plant species comprising one or more of roots, stems, leaves, anthers, buds, and blooms;

charging said whole harvested parts immediately into protective, tightly-closed chambers, which are sunlight-opaque, and which provides a protective environment to prevent moisture evaporation and light-activated chemical, biological processes;

removing said charged whole parts from said protective chamber and comminuting them immediately within a protective environment to a length or thickness dimension of approx. 1 mm;

charging said comminuted parts within a time period of approximately 1-2 hours into a closed, extraction apparatus adapted to provide controlled ranges of internal pressure, temperature and a forced-convection-contact-velocity differential between said comminuted parts and an extraction fluid for an extended diffusion time,

charging an extraction fluid into said extraction apparatus wherein said extraction fluid is a chemical compound, a single phase or multiple phases, a vapor or liquid solution, or a suspension, and the mass ratio of said extraction fluid to said comminuted plant parts lies in the range 0,01 to 10000 wherein said extraction fluid comprises single-or two-phase water, single- or two-phase water solutions with one or more biocompatible solutes, two-phase fluids with a liquid with equilibrium vapor phase, multi-phase, multi-component biocompatible fluid solutions with one or more dispersed liquid phases, and an equilibrium vapor phase, or multi-phase, multi-component biocompatible fluid solutions with one or more dispersed liquid phases, and an equilibrium vapor phase containing dispersed droplets, particles, or vesicles;

extracting, by diffusional transfer, biologically active species into said extraction fluid from said comminuted plant parts in said extraction apparatus for a total diffusion time in the range 1-200 hours while forced-convection-contact-velocity differential is maintained within the range 0,5-3 meter/sec; and

internal temperature is in the range 20-380 deg. K. and an absolute internal pressure is in the range 1-5000 kPa;

separating solid plant residues from supernatant Concentrated Fluid Symphytum Extract by physical means comprising solvent extraction, sedimentation, coagulation, distillation, centrifugation or filtration through microporous, adsorbent media,

wherein said extraction fluid consists of 1,2 propanediol-free liquid or vapor phases.

2. The process for preparation of CFSE of claim 1 wherein said selection step comprises

selecting mature plants of single or mixed wild or non-wild taxonomically-classified plant species which are at peri-bloom stage, free from parasite infestation and plant disease, free from gross external chemical contamination, free from residues of fertilizers/horticultural compounds, free from mechanical contamination comprising;

S. officinale, S. asperum, S. armeniacum, S. tauricum, S. sylvaticum, S. peregrinum, S. anatolicum, S. icaricum, S. orientale, S. kurdicum, S. pseudobulbosum, S. uplandicum, S. circinale, S. ottomanum, S. icaricum, S. brachycalyx, S. aintabicum, S. longisetum, S. bornmuelleri, S. tuberosum, S. bulbosum, S. ibericum, or S. longipetiolatum

and said harvesting step is preceeded by a intermediate step comprising treating and conditioning said selected plants at a time just prior to harvest with fluids and sprayed agents to kill and wash off mechanical surface contaminants including adventitious bacteria, airborne particulate contaminants, and undesired residues of horticultural chemicals wherein said fluids and sprayed treating agents comprise aqueous solutions, or aqueous solutions-suspensions containing live bacteria and necessary support agents including surfactants, nutrients, preservatives, antioxidants necessary for supporting said live bacteria;

3. The process of claim 1, wherein said extraction fluid is a quantity of liquid water solution which amounts 100-1000 times the mass of said comminuted plant matter and which is injected at a temperature of 50-70 deg. C. at a pressure of 90-110 kPa as a spray with a average forced-convection-contact-velocity-differential of 0.5-3 meter/sec.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the extraction fluid is a liquid water solution containing up to 0.01 wt. % of a known pharmaceutical surfactant and the total diffusion time consists of a single cycle of 100-200 hours duration at 50-70 deg. C., 90-110 kPa, and a forced convection contact velocity differential of 0.1-3 meter/sec.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the extraction fluid is liquid water, the total diffusion time consists of a first cycle of 1-20 hours duration at 30-90 kPa, 50-70 deg. C., and a forced convection contact velocity of 1-5 meter/sec followed by a second cycle of 180-200 hours duration at 100-200 kPa, 40-60 deg. C., and a forced convection contact velocity differential of 0.5-5 meter/sec.