Hauser, Inc.

Wyeth

William R Gamble

David T Bailey

Steven L Richheimer

Dean P Stull

Rebecca L Nichols

Rod Lenoble

Zhengjie Liu

Pedro P Perez

Randall J Daughenbaugh

Dennis D Gertenbach

This invention provides an isolated mixture of higher molecular weight primary aliphatic alcohols having 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 32 and 34 carbon atoms and having enhanced purity. This invention also provides a process for obtaining the alcohol mixture by extracting a natural product with organic solvents with or without saponification of the natural product. The alcohol mixture is useful in pharmaceutical compositions, foodstuffs and dietary supplements and is effective for lowering total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol and increasing HDL-cholesterol levels and therefore is effective in treating hypercholesterolemia. The composition may be used to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, to inhibit the atherosclerotic process (platelet hyperaggregability, ischemia and thrombosis), and can be used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic agent. The composition also possesses neurotrophic properties and is useful for improving male sexual activity.

High molecular weight primary aliphatic alcohols obtained from natural products and uses thereof

The present invention relates to a naturally obtained mixture of higher molecular weight primary aliphatic alcohols which contain 20 to 34 carbon atoms. This invention also relates to the process for obtaining the alcohol mixture by extraction and purification with organic solvents from a natural product, such as beeswax with and without saponification of the natural product. The alcohol mixture obtained from beeswax has enhanced purity and contains a mixture of alcohols having 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 32 and 34 carbon atoms. The alcohol mixture is useful in pharmaceutical compositions, foodstuffs and dietary supplements and is effective for lowering cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol and increasing HDL-cholesterol levels so that it is effective in treating hypercholesterolemia. Consequently the composition may be used to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, to inhibit the atherosclerotic process (platelet hyperaggregability, ischemia and thrombosis) and also to act as an anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic agent. The composition also possesses neurotrophic properties and is useful for improving male sexual activity.

In general the present invention relates to a process for the removal of undesireable compounds or residues from an extract which are more polar or less polar than the desired target compound. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a three step process and is described in detail below. The first step includes contacting a plant material that contains the desired target compound(s) with a solvent, thus producing a crude extract containing a mixture of compounds that includes, in addition to the undesireable residues, the desired target compound(s). The second step involves passing the crude extract through a series of columns containing an absorbent that retards the movement of the undesireable compounds, while allowing the desired compounds to pass. The third and final step involves drying the eluant product to achieve a final product.

Process for removing impurities from natural product extracts

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Longmont, CO, United States of America

William R Gamble