Abstract: The sesquiterpene lactone extract from Artemisia leucodes is a potent anti-inflammatory agent in vivo. Methods of obtaining the anti-inflammatory extract and methods of treating inflammation with the extract are disclosed. A product comprising the Artemisia leucodes total sesquiterpene lactone extract is useful for treatment of inflammation.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of reducing circulating glucose levels with compositions obtained from botanical sources. More specifically, the invention relates to methods of treating individuals whom wish to reduce their circulating glucose levels, particularly individuals having elevated circulating glucose levels, with an extract product of Aframomum melegueta.

Abstract: The invention relates to appetite-suppressing compositions obtained from botanical sources. More specifically, the invention relates to appetite-suppressing compositions comprising an extract product of an Asclepias plant, methods of making an appetite-suppressing composition, and methods of suppressing an appetite.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions which are useful in the modulation of endogenous growth hormone levels in a mammal. Also included are methods of treating a mammal which include the administration of said compositions.

Abstract: This invention comprises an extract of Artemisia dracunculus that can be used for the treatment and prevention of diabetes, diabetic complications, metabolic syndrome and other comorbidities that share the underlying commonality of insulin resistance. The invention includes the identity of six compounds from the extract that contribute to the activity of the extract by inhibiting protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B) activity, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene expression or aldose reductase activity (ALR2). The compounds include 4,5-Di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, davidigenin, 6-demethoxycapillarisin, 2?,4-dihydroxy-4?-methoxydihydrochalcone, 2?,4?-dihydroxy-4-methoxdihydrochalcone and sakuranetin.

Abstract: The invention relates to appetite-suppressing compositions obtained from botanical sources. More specifically, the invention relates to appetite-suppressing compositions comprising an extract product of an Asclepias plant, methods of making an appetite-suppressing composition, and methods of suppressing an appetite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a potato protein extract enriched with one or more protease inhibitors, such as potato proteinase inhibitor II, potato proteinase inhibitor I, potato cysteine protease inhibitor, and potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor, that offer a significant therapeutic benefit in controlling appetite, food intake, and body weight in mammals. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of obtaining at least one proteinase protein inhibitor from a plant material comprising the steps of extracting plant proteins from the plant material using an aqueous solvent; heating the extract to denature the plant proteins; cooling the extract to precipitate the denatured plant proteins; performing a separation process on the cooled extract to remove the denatured plant proteins; and salting-out the remaining fraction of the plant proteinase inhibitors designated as PPI fraction, and desalting the PPI fraction.

Abstract: A method of preparing a chicory extract enriched with sesquiterpene lactones is provided. The method includes performing an initial extraction chicory in a polar solvent, such as methanol or ethanol, at ambient temperature to form an alcoholic extract. The alcoholic extract is subsequently defatted with a non-polar solvent, preferably hexane or n-heptane. A second extraction of the defatted alcoholic extract is performed with a solvent which is more polar than the solvent used in the defatting process and less polar than the solvent used in the initial extraction, for example, it can be chosen from the group consisting of ethyl acetate, n-butanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, dichloromethane, acetonitrile, and mixtures thereof; resulting in a sesquiterpene lactones enriched extract, preferably containing at least 60% sesquiterpene lactones.

Abstract: A method of preparing a chicory extract enriched with sesquiterpene lactones is provided. The method includes performing an initial extraction chicory in a polar solvent, such as methanol or ethanol, at ambient temperature to form an alcoholic extract. The alcoholic extract is subsequently defatted with a non-polar solvent, preferably hexane or n-heptane. A second extraction of the defatted alcoholic extract is performed with a solvent which is more polar than the solvent used in the defatting process and less polar than the solvent used in the initial extraction, for example, it can be chosen from the group consisting of ethyl acetate, n-butanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, dichloromethane, acetonitrile, and mixtures thereof; resulting in a sesquiterpene lactones enriched extract, preferably containing at least 60% sesquiterpene lactones.

Abstract: The subject of this invention is the anti-inflammatory activity of a formulation of Barbarea verna (upland cress, early winter cress, or winter cress) seed preparation (BSP) containing phenethylisothiocyanate as its main active ingredient. BSP is a promising anti-inflammatory agent, which can be used for treatment of many inflammation-related conditions, including but not limited to rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, acute and chronic pains, lupus, irritable bowl disease, cancer and metabolic syndrome.

Abstract: Substances having antiviral activity against one or more human disease-causing viruses are disclosed. These antiviral substances are obtained from the cuticular and extracuticular layers of plants. Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations comprising the antiviral substances are also disclosed, as are methods of using such formulations to treat viral diseases.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for obtaining gaultherin, a natural salicylate derivative, from plant tissue. The methods involve preventing the hydrolysis of the gaultherin in the plant tissue by disrupting the plant tissue under solvent conditions lacking a drying agent. The disclosure further provides various forms of plant-derived gaultherin, including alcoholic extracts, aqueous solutions and dried preparations, all suitable for use as a natural aspirin substitute. Moreover, the disclosure provides methods of using gaultherin-containing compositions to increase serum salicylic acid, to treat cancer cells, to treat cardiovascular (e.g., cardiopulmonary) conditions, to treat anti-inflammatory responses, and to inhibit cyclooxygenase.

Abstract: The invention relates to appetite-suppressing compositions obtained from botanical sources. More specifically, the invention relates to appetite-suppressing compositions comprising an extract product of an Asclepias plant, methods of making an appetite-suppressing composition, and methods of suppressing an appetite.

Abstract: A Tyrosinase inhibitor extracted from Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) heartwood is described. Methods of producing the extract as well as a variety of applications for the extract are also described. Applications for the extract include use as a skin-whitening agent in cosmetic products, a pharmaceutical agent interfering with the aromatic amino acid metabolism, an insect controlling agent, and an agent that prevents browning of fruits and vegetables.

Abstract: A method of producing a phytomedicinal therapeutic for the prevention and control of a disease selected from the group consisting of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, and conditions related thereto is provided which comprises extracting peanut shells with a solvent, removing a substantial portion of the solvent to produce a concentrated extract. Phytomedicinal compositions are provided that comprise an effective amount of at least one coumarin compound or one coumarin derivative derived from plant material that modulates a biological activity of at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of Pancreatic Lipase (PL), Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL), and Hormone-Sensitive Lipase (HSL). Phytomedicinal compositions are provided that comprise at least an effective amount of coumarin derivatives (6,7-dihydroxycoumarin-esculetin, and esculetin-like compounds).

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods relating to mildly polar fluid extracts of plant materials, such as Artemisia plant species, useful in methods for treating diabetes and methods for modulating the activity of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and in methods for modulating phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) activity in a diabetes-specific manner. The extracts are generally non-toxic and non-mutagenic and may be administered to diabetics with beneficial effect on blood glucose levels. The extracts may also be administered to non-diabetics without deleterious effect. The plants are easily grown with a minimum of time, labor, and cost. Extracts are inexpensively and quickly prepared without the need for fractionation to remove potentially deleterious compounds, and the extracts may be administered to mammals such as humans through various routes, in a variety of forms, and at convenient concentrations.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods relating to mildly polar fluid extracts of plant materials, such as Artemisia plant species, useful in methods for treating diabetes and methods for modulating the activity of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and in methods for modulating phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) activity in a diabetes-specific manner. The extracts are generally non-toxic and non-mutagenic and may be administered to diabetics with beneficial effect on blood glucose levels. The extracts may also be administered to non-diabetics without deleterious effect. The plants are easily grown with a minimum of time, labor, and cost. Extracts are inexpensively and quickly prepared without the need for fractionation to remove potentially deleterious compounds, and the extracts may be administered to mammals such as humans through various routes, in a variety of forms, and at convenient concentrations.

Abstract: Substances having antiviral activity against one or more human disease-causing viruses are disclosed. These antiviral substances are obtained from the cuticular and extracuticular layers of plants. Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations comprising the antiviral substances are also disclosed, as are methods of using such formulations to treat viral diseases.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for obtaining gaultherin, a natural salicylate derivative, from plant tissue. The methods involve preventing the hydrolysis of the gaultherin in the plant tissue by disrupting the plant tissue under solvent conditions lacking a drying agent. The disclosure further provides various forms of plant-derived gaultherin, including alcoholic extracts, aqueous solutions and dried preparations, all suitable for use as a natural aspirin substitute. Moreover, the disclosure provides methods of using gaultherin-containing compositions to increase serum salicylic acid, to treat cancer cells, to treat cardiovascular (e.g., cardiopulmonary) conditions, to treat anti-inflammatory responses, and to inhibit cyclooxygenase.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods relating to mildly polar fluid extracts of plant materials, such as Artemisia plant species, useful in methods for treating diabetes and methods for modulating the activity of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and in methods for modulating phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) activity in a diabetes-specific manner. The extracts are generally non-toxic and non-mutagenic and may be administered to diabetics with beneficial effect on blood glucose levels. The extracts may also be administered to non-diabetics without deleterious effect. The plants are easily grown with a minimum of time, labor, and cost. Extracts are inexpensively and quickly prepared without the need for fractionation to remove potentially deleterious compounds, and the extracts may be administered to mammals such as humans through various routes, in a variety of forms, and at convenient concentrations.