Abstract: An Echinacea angustifolia extract and a process for the preparation thereof are herein described. The extract is characterized by an alkylamides content lower than 0.1%, an echinacoside content ranging from 1 to 10% and containing from 1 to 15% of a polysaccharide characteristic of Echinacea angustifolia. The extract can be used for the treatment of pathological conditions in which it is desirable to strengthen the immune defenses.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of N-debenzoylpaclitaxel (I) through esterification of 7-protected baccatin III with a carboxylic acid reactive derivative of general formula (II), and elimination of the ester-protecting groups in acid conditions and in a single step. In formula (II) R1 is aryl or heteroaryl. The compound of formula (I) can be conveniently used for the preparation of paclitaxel and analogues.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 14&bgr;-hydroxy-1,4-carbonate-deacetylbaccatin III and intermediates useful for the preparation of novel taxan derivatives with antitumor activity are disclosed.

Abstract: A polysaccharide of Echinacea angustifolia roots, having molecular weight of 1.3×105 Da and including rhamnose, arabinose, galactose and galacturonic acid in ratio 0.5:2.5:1.75:10.25, is recovered from spontaneous or cultivated Echinacea angustifolia roots by means process including the following steps: a) depriving the roots of non polysaccharidic constituents by extraction with solvent; b)extracting the polysaccharidic fraction from the roots as directly obtained from the preceding step; c) isolating the polysaccharide by chromatography of the polysaccharidic fraction. Due to its immune-stimulating properties, the polysaccharide can be used for the preparation of medicaments, food supplements or nutraceutical compositions to administer whenever it is desirable to strenghthen the immune system body defenses.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of paclitaxel starting from 10-deacetylbaccatine III.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel chalcone derivatives having the formula (I). These compounds possess antiproliferative activity, and are useful for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of neoplasms, particularly those located in the uterus, ovary or breast. The compounds of the invention may also be useful in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of menopausal disorders and osteoporosis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel tablets comprising isoflavone-containing plant extract and water-insoluble polysaccharides, and methods of manufacturing them.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of the compound 13-(N-Boc-&bgr;-isobutylisoserinyl)-14&bgr;-hydroxybaccatine III 1,14-carbonate.

Abstract: N-deacetyl-thiocolchicine and 10-deacetyl-baccatin III derivatives of formula (I) wherein R and n have the meanings specified in the disclosure, are valuable antitumoral drugs.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel tablets comprising isoflavone-containing plant extract and water-insoluble polysaccharides, and methods of manufacturing them.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of the formula: in which R is a saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched, C1-C22 acyl group, optionally having one or more substituents, which can be the same or different, selected from halogen atoms, nitro, amino, C1-C6-alkylamino, di-C1-C6-alkylamino, C1-C6-acylamino groups; a cycloaliphatic or aromatic acyl residue in which the aromatic moiety optionally has one or more substituents, which can be the same or different, selected from halogen atoms, hydroxy, methoxy, amino groups; a glycidic residue in which one or more hydroxy groups are optionally alkylated or acylated. The invention further relates to methods for extracting and extracts of these compounds from Hypericum perforatum as well as their use as active ingredients in antidepression medication.

Abstract: Buccal aerosol sprays or capsule using polar and non-polar solvent have now been developed which provide biologically active compounds for rapid absorption through the oral mucosa, resulting in fast onset of effect. The buccal polar compositions of the invention comprises formulation I: aqueous polar solvent 30-99.89%, active compound 0.001-60%, optionally containing flavoring agent 0.1-10%. Propellant 2-10%. The non polar composition of the invention comprises formulation II: non-polar solvent 20-85%, active compound 0.005-50%, and optionally flavoring agent 0.1-10% and propellant 50-80%.

Abstract: Derivatives of N-deacetyl-thiocolchicine or of the isoster thereof of formula (I) wherein n is an integer from 0 to 8, Y is a CH2 group or, when n is 1, can also be a group of formula NH. Compounds of formula (I) have anti-proliferative activity.

Abstract: A soya extract having a content of glucoside isoflavones of at least 13% by weight and a content of 0.6 to 1.5 parts by weight of group B soya saponins per 1 part by weight of glucoside isoflavones. Also, pharmaceutical compositions containing this extract and methods of administering the extract to treat conditions such as pre- or post-menopausal symptoms, cancer, such as breast or prostrate cancer, or alcoholism. The extracts are made by a process which includes the steps of treating ripe whole soya beans or oil-free soya flour with an aliphatic alcohol to obtain a first extract; concentrating the first extract to form a concentrated first extract; purifying the concentrated first extract by treatment with at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon; and extracting active components from the purified concentrated first extract with a water-immiscible aliphatic alcohol to obtain a second extract. Preferably, the final extract is concentrated and dried to form the desired soya extract.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula (I) Z—OCH2—C≡CCH2—NRR1  (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof wherein Z can represent the formula (1A) or (1B). The compounds possess antiproliferative activity and are useful as modulators of multiple drug resistance in cancer chemotherapy. The compounds may also be useful for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of neoplasms, menopausal disorders and osteoporosis.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of desglucodesrhamnoruscin which comprises the hydrolysis of Ruscus Aculeatus steroid glycosides (ruscosaponins) through fermentation of a substrate containing said glycosides by means of fungi of the aspergillus niger species.

Abstract: A process for preparing baccatin and/or baccatin derivatives is described in which 10-deacetylbaccatin or a 10-deacetylbaccatin derivative is reacted in the presence of an isolated enzyme and an acetyl donor, the enzyme used being an acetyl transferase having a molecular weight of from 70 to 72 kD, determined by SDS-PAGE, which acetyl transferase is obtainable from Taxus chinensis cell cultures.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of taxane derivatives by reacting 10-deacetylbaccatin III protected at the 7-and 1-positions with trichloroacetyl groups with a compound of formula and subsequent removal of the protective groups and hydrolysis of the oxazolidine ring.

Abstract: Extracts of Tanacetum parthenium with a reduced content of &agr;-unsaturated &ggr;-lactones, particularly of parthenolide, obtainable by elution on basic resins. The extracts of the invention have favorable pharmacological properties together with reduced risks of allergic reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel antiacne compositions containing extract of Krameria, or a pure compound from the extract, at least one of ximeninic acid or lauric acid, and an anti-inflammatory saponin extracted from Olax dissitiflora, Aesculus hippocastanum, Centella asiatica, Terminalia sericea, Glycyrrhiza glabra, or mixtures thereof.