Abstract: Cocoa extracts which include procyanidin monomers and their oligomers are useful in the modulation of inflammatory pathways, in the maintenance of the vascular health of a mammal and as an antibacterial treatment. The liquid or dry cocoa extracts can be included in foods, food supplements and pharmaceuticals for the inhibition of COX activity, the inhibition of LOX activity, the enhancement of nitric oxide production, the modulation of eicosanoids and endothelin, and the modulation of platelet activity.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are cocoa extracts, compounds, combinations thereof and compositions containing the same, such as polyphenols or procyanidins, methods for preparing such extracts, compounds and compositions, as well as uses for them, especially a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula: 1

Abstract: Foods and pharmaceuticals which contain cocoa and/or nut procyanidin(s) in combination with L-arginine are effective to induce a physiological increase in nitric oxide production in a mammal having ingested the product. A preferred food product is a confection, particularly a dark or milk chocolate containing nuts. The procyanidins may be natural or synthetic and may be provided by food ingredients such as chocolate liquor and/or cocoa solids prepared from underfermented beans and nut skins. The L-arginine may be natural or synthetic and may be provided by food ingredients such as nut meats, nut pastes, and/or nut flours, seeds, seed pastes, and/or seed flours, or gelatin. The beneficial health effects may include, for example, reduced blood pressure, resistance to cardiovascular disease, and anticancer activity.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are cocoa extracts such as polyphenols or procyanidins, methods for preparing such extracts, as well as uses for them, especially as antineoplastic agents and antioxidants. Disclosed and claimed are antineoplastic compositions containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins and methods for treating patients employing the compositions. Additionally disclosed and claimed is a kit for treating a patient in need of treatment with an antineoplastic agent containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins as well as a lyophilized antineoplastic composition containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins. Further, disclosed and claimed is the use of the invention in antioxidant, preservative and topiosomerase-inhibiting compositions and methods.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the production of linear and branched procyanidin oligomers having “n” procyanidin monomeric units where n is 2 to 18. The processes include coupling protected, activated monomers with an unprotected monomer to produce a partially protected (4→8) dimer. The dimer is optionally blocked, coupled with an activated protected monomer to produce a partially protected, optionally blocked trimer, and deprotected. The steps can be repeated to produce higher oligomers. Processes are also provided for producing (8→8), (8→6), and (6→6) dimers and doubly branched oligomers. Crystalline 8-bromo tetra-O-benzyl (−)-epicatechin is produced under certain conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are cocoa extracts such as polyphenols or procyanidins, methods for preparing such extracts, as well as uses for them, especially as antineoplastic agents and antioxidants. Disclosed and claimed are antineoplastic compositions containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins and methods for treating patients employing the compositions. Additionally disclosed and claimed is a kit for treating a patient in need of treatment with an antineoplastic agent containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins as well as a lyophilized antineoplastic composition containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins. Further, disclosed and claimed is the use of the invention in antioxidant, preservative and topiosomerase-inhibiting compositions and methods.

Abstract: Foods and pharmaceuticals which contain cocoa and/or nut procyanidin(s) in combination with L-arginine are effective to induce a physiological increase in nitric oxide production in a mammal having ingested the product. A preferred food product is a confection, particularly a dark or milk chocolate containing nuts. The procyanidins may be natural or synthetic and may be provided by food ingredients such as chocolate liquor and/or cocoa solids prepared from underfermented beans and nut skins. The L-arginine may be natural or synthetic and may be provided by food ingredients such as nut meats, nut pastes, and/or nut flours, seeds, seed pastes, and/or seed flours, or gelatin. The beneficial health effects may include, for example, reduced blood pressure, resistance to cardiovascular disease, and anticancer activity.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are cocoa extracts such as polyphenols or procyanidins, methods for preparing such extracts, as well as uses for them, especially as antineoplastic agents and antioxidants. Disclosed and claimed are antineoplastic compositions containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins and methods for treating patients employing the compositions. Additionally disclosed and claimed is a kit for treating a patient in need of treatment with an antineoplastic agent containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins as well as a lyophilized antineoplastic composition containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins. Further, disclosed and claimed is the use of the invention in antioxidant, preservative and topiosomerase-inhibiting compositions and methods.

Abstract: Various processes are disclosed for preparing protected epicatechin oligomers having (4&bgr;,8)-interflavan linkages. In one process, a tetra-O-protected epicatechin monomer or oligomer is coupled with a protected, C-4 activated epicatechin monomer in the presence of an acidic clay such as a mortmorillonite clay. In another process, a 5,7,3′,4′-benzyl protected or a 3-acetyl-, 5,7,3′,4′-benzyl protected epicatechin or catechin monomer or oligomer is reacted with 3-O-acetyl-4-[(2-benzothiazolyl)thio]-5,7,3′,4′-tetra-O-benzylepicatechin in the presence of silver tetrafluoroborate. In another process, two 5,7,3′,4′-benzyl protected epicatechin monomers activated with 2-(benzothiazolyl)thio groups at the C-4 positions are cross-coupled in the presence of silver tetrofluoroborate. A process is also disclosed for reacting an unprotected epicatechin or catechin monomer with 4-(benzylthio) epicatechin or catechin.

Abstract: Cocoa extracts which include procyanidin monomers and their oligomers are useful in the modulation of inflammatory pathways, in the maintenance of the vascular health of a mammal and as an antibacterial treatment. The liquid or dry cocoa extracts can be included in foods, food supplements and pharmaceuticals for the inhibition of COX activity, the inhibition of LOX activity, the enhancement of nitric oxide production, the modulation of eicosanoids and endothelin, and the modulation of platelet activity.

Abstract: Cocoa oils containing phytosterols and tocols are prepared by extracting the cocoa hulls from dried unfermented or fermented cocoa beans, micronized cocoa beans, or roasted beans with a solvent such as petroleum ether and then removing the solvent. The cocoa oils are useful in foods, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of processing a fat-containing bean, e.g., cocoa beans, for producing solids comprising active polyphenols and/or fat-containing products, comprising extracting the fat to produce solids and fat-containing products. Additionally, the inventive method also provides cocoa compositions comprising at least one active polyphenol, wherein the concentration of the polyphenol(s) with respect to the nonfat solids is conserved with respect to the concentration of the active polyphenol(s) in the bean from which the compositions are derived.

Abstract: Oligomeric procyanidins containing 4&agr;-linked epicatechin units are rare in nature and have hitherto not been accessible through stereoselective synthesis. Provided herein is the preparation of the prototypical dimer, epicatechin-4&agr;,8-epicatechin, by reaction of the protected 4-ketones with aryllithium reagents derived by halogen/metal exchange from the aryl bromides. Removal of the 4-hydroxyl group from the resulting tertiary benzylic alcohols is effected by tri-n-butyltin hydride and trifluoroacetic acid in a completely stereoselective manner, resulting in hydride delivery exclusively from the &bgr; face.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of processing a fat-containing bean, e.g., cocoa beans, for producing solids comprising active polyphenols and/or fat-containing products, comprising extracting the fat to produce solids and fat-containing products. Additionally, the inventive method also provides cocoa compositions comprising at least one active polyphenol, wherein the concentration of the polyphenol(s) with respect to the nonfat solids is conserved with respect to the concentration of the active polyphenol(s) in the bean from which the compositions are derived.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions comprising a cyclo-oxygenase modulator in combination with cocoa procyanidin monomers and/or oligomers, wherein the cyclo-oxygenase modulator is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as aspirin. Such compositions may be used for the treatment of cardiovascular related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of processing a fat-containing bean, e.g., cocoa beans, for producing solids comprising active polyphenols and/or fat-containing products, comprising extracting the fat to produce solids and fat-containing products. Additionally, the inventive method also provides cocoa compositions comprising at least one active polyphenol, wherein the concentration of the polyphenol(s) with respect to the nonfat solids is conserved with respect to the concentration of the active polyphenol(s) in the bean from which the compositions are derived.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are cocoa extracts, compounds, combinations thereof and compositions containing the same, such as polyphenols or procyanidins, methods for preparing such extracts, compounds and compositions, as well as uses for them, especially a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula: wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units; R is 3-(&agr;)-OH, 3-(&bgr;)-OH, 3-(&agr;)-O-sugar, or 3-(&bgr;)-O-sugar.

Abstract: Cocoa components having enhanced levels of cocoa polyphenols, processes for producing the cocoa components while conserving a significant amount of the cocoa polyphenols, compositions containing the cocoa components or the cocoa polyphenols, and methods of using the cocoa components or the cocoa polyphenols for improving the health of a mammal are described. The cocoa components include partially and fully defatted cocoa solids, cocoa nibs and fractions derived therefrom, cocoa polyphenol extracts, cocoa butter, chocolate liquors, and mixtures thereof. The invention provides processes for extracting fat from cocoa beans and for otherwise processing cocoa beans to yield a cocoa component having conserved concentrations of polyphenols relative to the starting materials.

Abstract: Polyphenol-containing compositions, for example cocoa procyanidin monomer and/or oligomer-containing compositions, and their use inhibiting bacterial growth are disclosed. Compositions may be used for human and veterinary animal administration and may be, for example, in a form of a food, a dietary supplement, or a pharmaceutical.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are cocoa extracts such as polyphenols or procyanidins, methods for preparing such extracts, as well as uses for them, especially as antineoplastic agents and antioxidants. Disclosed and claimed are antineoplastic compositions containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins and methods for treating patients employing the compositions. Additionally disclosed and claimed is a kit for treating a patient in need of treatment with an antineoplastic agent containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins as well as a lyophilized antineoplastic composition containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins. Further, disclosed and claimed is the use of the invention in antioxidant, preservative and topiosomerase-inhibiting compositions and methods.