Abstract: The present invention provides a group of tobacco alkaloids, tobacco extract, Yerbamaté extract, and an extract of chewing gum and lozenges which are modulators of monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity (i.e., compounds and substances which inhibit MAO enzyme and prevent its biological activity). The MAO inhibitors of the present invention can cause an increase in the level of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin in the brain and other tissues, and thus can cause a wide variety of pharmacological effects mediated by their effects on these compounds. The MAO inhibitors of the present invention are useful for a variety of therapeutic applications, such as the treatment of depression, disorders of attention and focus, mood and emotional disorders, Parkinson's disease, extrapyramidal disorders, hypertension, substance abuse, smoking substitution, anti-depression therapy, eating disorders, withdrawal syndromes, and the cessation of smoking.

Abstract: A method of treating tobacco to reduce the content of, or prevent formation of, harmful nitrosamines which are normally found in tobacco is disclosed. The method includes the step of subjecting at least a portion of the plant, while the portion is uncured and in a state susceptible to having the amount of nitrosamines reduced or formation of nitrosamines arrested, to a controlled environment capable of providing a reduction in the amount of nitrosamines or prevention of the formation of nitrosamines, for a time sufficient to reduce the amount of or substantially prevent the formation of at least one nitrosamine, wherein the controlled environment is provided by controlling at least one of humidity, rate of temperature change, temperature, airflow, CO level, CO2 level, O2 level, and arrangement of the tobacco plant. Tobacco products and an apparatus for producing such tobacco products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product suitable for human consumption is prepared from powdered tobacco. In one aspect, the powdered tobacco has a collective content of N′-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), 4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), N′-nitrosoanatabine (NAT) and N′-nitrosoanabasine (NAB) which is 0.3 &mgr;g/g or less. In another aspect, a smokeless tobacco product comprises powdered tobacco and from about 0.5 to about 15 wt % peppermint, from about 0.5 to about 15 wt % spearmint, from about 0.5 to about 15 wt % menthol, and from about 0.5 to about 15 wt % eucalyptus. The powdered tobacco can be prepared by pulverizing cured tobacco or, alternatively, from an aqueous extract of tobacco.

Abstract: The present invention provides a group of tobacco alkaloids, tobacco extract, Yerbamaté extract, and an extract of chewing gum and lozenges which are modulators of monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity (i.e., compounds and substances which inhibit MAO enzyme and prevent its biological activity). The MAO inhibitors of the present invention can cause an increase in the level of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin in the brain and other tissues, and thus can cause a wide variety of pharmacological effects mediated by their effects on these compounds. The MAO inhibitors of the present invention are useful for a variety of therapeutic applications, such as the treatment of depression, disorders of attention and focus, mood and emotional disorders, Parkinson's disease, extrapyramidal disorders, hypertension, substance abuse, smoking substitution, anti-depression therapy, eating disorders, withdrawal syndromes, and the cessation of smoking.

Abstract: A method of treating tobacco to reduce the content of, or prevent formation of, harmful nitrosamines which are normally found in tobacco is disclosed. The method includes the step of subjecting at least a portion of the plant, while the portion is uncured and in a state susceptible to having the amount of nitrosamines reduced or formation of nitrosamines arrested, to a controlled environment capable of providing a reduction in the amount of nitrosamines or prevention of the formation of nitrosamines, for a time sufficient to reduce the amount of or substantially prevent the formation of at least one nitrosamine, wherein the controlled environment is provided by controlling at least one of humidity, rate of temperature change, temperature, airflow, CO level, CO2 level, O2 level, and arrangement of the tobacco plant. Tobacco products and an apparatus for producing such tobacco products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treating tobacco to reduce the content of, or prevent formation of, harmful nitrosamines which are normally found in tobacco is disclosed. The method includes the step of subjecting at least a portion of the plant, while the portion is uncured and in a state susceptible to having the amount of nitrosamines reduced or formation of nitrosamines arrested, to a controlled environment capable of providing a reduction in the amount of nitrosamines or prevention of the formation of nitrosamines, for a time sufficient to reduce the amount of or substantially prevent the formation of at least one nitrosamine, wherein the controlled environment is provided by controlling at least one of humidity, rate of temperature change, temperature, airflow, CO level, CO2 level, O2 level, and arrangement of the tobacco plant. Tobacco products and an apparatus for producing such tobacco products are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of reducing the content of and preventing formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in harvested leafy plants such as tobacco and marijuana, are disclosed. The methods are directed to subjecting the plant to microwave radiation, at appropriate times in the cure cycle. With tobacco, products suitable for human consumption, such as cigarettes, cigars, etc., can be made in accordance with the present invention, having contents of tobacco-specific nitrosamines on a par with fresh-cut, green tobacco. In preferred embodiments, the resultant tobacco products are dried, golden-yellow leaves having almost negligible amounts of the known carcinogens NNN and NNK, in comparison to conventionally cured tobacco.