Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrolyzate from at least one extract of at least one plant material selected from the group consisting of at least one genus: Equiseti, Juglandis, Millefolii, Quercus, Taraxaci, Althaeae, Matricariae, Centaurium, Levisticum, Rosmarinus, Angelica(e), Artemisia, Astragalus, Leonurus, Salvia, Saposhnikovia, Scutellaria, Siegesbeckia, Armoracia, Capsicum, Cistus, Echinacea, Echinacea, Galphimia, Hedera, Melia, Olea, Pelargonium, Phytolacca, Primula, Salix, Thymus, Vitex, and Vitis; and to a mixture thereof and to a method of production and the use thereof. The invention further relates to an agent and drug obtainable on the basis of the hydrolyzate.

Abstract: The invention provides sarsasapogenin in novel amorphous, crystalline, solvated and hydrated forms, and the use thereof in manufacturing pharmaceutical or edible grade sarsasapogenin and its derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a process for extracting compounds from plant material, comprisinga) contacting hydrolyzed plant material with a supercritical fluid and optionally with a co-solvent and p1 b) recovering the compound from the supercritical fluid.In another embodiment, the present invention is directed toward a process for removing a compound from plant material, comprising contacting the plant material with an acid, a supercritical fluid and a co-solvent, and recovering the compound from the supercritical fluid. The sterols, diosgenin and sarsapogenin, are efficiently extracted from barbasco root and Yucca seed, respectively.

Abstract: A composition of matter is provided comprising a crystalline saponin-containing complex, wherein said crystalline complex is derived from a steroidal-saponin-containing plant material. Said crystalline complex is derived from a saponin-containing plant material by forming a mixture comprising saponin-containing aqueous plant extract solids and a mixture comprising methanol, acetone and water in a volume ratio of about 0.1-20:0.1-20:1.0, and allowing the solution to stand at ambient temperature and pressure for a period of time sufficient to form the crystalline saponin-containing complex while plant fats and non-saponin carbohydrates remain substantially in solution.