Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extracting Hypericum perforatum (St.-Johns-wort) by fractioning water-alcohol, alcohol extracts of the plant with esters of water-immiscible C1-C5 alcohols. The extracts have high activity and are stable over time. The invention also relates to formulations containing the extract.

Abstract: The present invention relates to complexes of proanthocyanidin A2 and one or more phospholipids, pharmaceutical compositions containing the complex of proanthocyanidin A2 and one or more phospholipids, and methods of treating or preventing atherosclerosis and myocardial and cerebral infarction in a patient by administering the complex of proanthocyanidin A2 and one or more phospholipids, as well as methods of forming such complexes

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel class of compounds that have structures related to certain naturally occurring or synthetic chalcones. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds and methods for treating certain disorders using the pharmaceutical compositions. The invention further relates to a process for synthesizing the novel class of compounds.

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

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 3 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 prostate 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 dried to form the desired soya extract.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the microbial biotransformation of colchiconic compounds into derivative compounds, which are glycosylated exclusively at the C-3 position of the six-member ring. The process of the present invention provides the 3-O-glycosyl derivatives in high yields and purity.

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 3 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 prostate 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 dried to form the desired soya extract.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel antimicrobial or preservative formulations exhibiting enhanced antimicrobial activity containing extract of Krameria, or a pure compound from the extract and extract of Mesua ferrea. The antimicrobial or preservative formulations are applied to pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions which may also contain ximeninic acid, lauric acid, an anti-inflammatory saponin extracted from Olax dissitiflora, Aesculus hippocastanum, Centella asiatica, Terminalia sericea, Glycyrrhiza glabra, or mixtures thereof.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for preventing, inhibiting, or suppressing tumors by administering to a person in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of one or more flavanolignanes, such as silymarin, silybin, silidianin, silicristin, dehydrosilybin, mixtures thereof, or extracts thereof as an antiproliferative. The invention further relates to the antitumor pharmaceutical composition includes a therapeutically effective amount of the flavanolignane selected from the group of silymarin, silybin, silidianin, silicristin, dehydrosilybin, and mixtures thereof, in combination with a different antitumor agent. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition includes a therapeutically effective amount of a flavanolignane selected from the group of silidianin, silicristin, and mixtures thereof, with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

Abstract: Colchicinoid compounds are transformed into the corresponding 3-O-glycosyl derivatives by means of Bacillus megaterium strains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to camptothecin-skeleton alkaloids isolated from Mappia foetida or obtained by semi-synthesis from said alkaloids.Mappia foetida, a plant growing in the Indian subcontinent, is known to contain in its various parts, mainly in the seeds, camptothecin, mappicine and foetidine I and II (EP-A-685481).The alkaloids of the invention have the following general formula: ##STR1## in which R is a hydrogen atom or a methoxy group; R.sub.1 is hydroxy, an OM group wherein M is an alkali cation, preferably sodium or potassium, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy group, an optionally substituted phenoxy group, an amino, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 monoalkylamino or C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 dialkylamino group in which the alkyl moiety is optionally substituted by amino groups, an arylamino group; R.sub.2 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group or a group of formula COR.sub.3 wherein R.sub.3 is alkyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 or optionally substituted phenyl or benzyl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of novel polyphenol fractions of Camellia sinensis (tea), the use thereof and formulations containing them. The invention relates specifically to the preparation of extracts deprived of caffeine but containing the polyphenols deriving from epigallocatechin in a natural ratio. The use of these novel extracts, alone or in combination with other active principles, is of interest to the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industry, especially to treat cytotoxic and oxidative conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to colchicine and thiocolchicine derivatives which can be obtained from these molecules by functionalization of the C-7 to ketone or functionalization of the amino group. Said compounds have a marked antiblastic activity both on the normal cancer cells and on the chemoresistant phenotype. The compounds of the invention can be administered both by injection and orally.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins, which can be obtained by acid alcohol extraction from Taxus supp., Gingko biloba, Lycopersicum esculentum and Daucus carota cell cultures, having the following characteristics: average molecular weight 20,000 Daltons with variability interval 12,000 to 38,000, determined by means of gel permeation and electrophoresis; high solubility in water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of novel polyphenol fractions of Camellia sinensis (tea), the use thereof and formulations containing them. The invention relates specifically to the preparation of extracts deprived of caffeine but containing the polyphenols deriving from epigallocatechin in a natural ratio. The use of these novel extracts, alone or in combination with other active principles, is of interest to the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industry, especially to treat cytotoxic and oxidative conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel oxazolidinecarboxylic acids. These oxazolidinecarboxylic acids are useful intermediates for the esterification of taxane synthons to provide taxanes esterified with an isoserine residue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 3-demethyl-thiocolchicine derivatives of general formula (I) ##STR1## in which R can be ##STR2## to a process for the preparation thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them and to the use thereof for the preparation of medicaments with muscle relaxant and antiinflammatory activities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel 10-deacetyl-14.beta.-hydroxybaccatine III derivatives. The novel derivatives, having cytotoxic and antitumour activity, are prepared from this synton after functionalization of the hydroxyls at 1-, 14- as thiocarbonate, iminocarbonate and sulfite and possible oxidation of the hydroxyl at C.sub.10. These derivatives are subjected to a subsequent esterification at position 13- with a variously substituted isoserine chain. The products of the invention can be administered by the injective or oral route, when suitably formulated.

Abstract: The semisynthesis of paclitaxel and its analogs using new intermediates which are derivatives of 10-deacetyl-baccatin III, as well as to a method for preparing these derivatives. These novel derivatives have alkyl carbonate or alkyl carbonyl substituents in the 7 position.