EP3364989A1

EP3364989A1 - Method for producing special extracts from symphytum

Info

Publication number: EP3364989A1
Application number: EP16785167.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Häcker
Original assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 2015-10-22
Filing date: 2016-10-24
Publication date: 2018-08-29
Also published as: JP2018535209A; CN108348564A; EP3159002A1; RU2018117717A; MX2018004902A; BR112018008080A2; CA3001077A1; AU2016341398A1; WO2017068175A1; KR20180073607A; US20180303890A1; CL2018001047A1

Abstract

A method for producing a special extract from symphytum comprises at least one, in particular all, of the following steps: - preparing a suspension system from symphytum; - differential precipitation of mucopolysaccharides in the suspension system, wherein the differential precipitation comprises the following steps: - first differential mucous precipitation of high molecular weight mucopolysaccharides as a first deposit in the suspension system, separating of the first deposit and an extraction residue as raffinate and obtaining of a first extract phase; - second differential mucous precipitation of low molecular weight mucopolysaccharides as a second deposit from the first extract phase, separating of the second deposit and obtaining of a second extract phase; - selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from the second deposit and/or the second extract phase; and - combining of the second deposit, in particular the second deposit cleansed of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and the second extract phase, in particular the second extract phase cleansed of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, to form the special extract.

Description

PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SPECIAL EXTRACTS

SYMPHYTUM

The invention relates to the field of production of special extracts. It relates in particular to a process for the preparation of a special extract of Symphytum, a special extract of Symphytum and a process for the preparation of a first, slime-free and / or a second mucilaginous extraction phase, and a process for the slime polysaccharide precipitation in a suspension system from Symphytum and a method for the selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from an extract phase of Symphytum and / or a separated from an extract phase precipitate of Symphytum according to the preamble of the corresponding independent claims.

Symphytum, also called comfrey, is a traditional medicinal plant whose effects were already known in ancient times. The anti-inflammatory, analgesic and tissue regenerating properties are attributed to both the comfrey, consisting of the fresh and / or dried aerial parts, and the comfrey root, consisting of fresh and / or dried subterranean parts. In the recent past, the indication of comfrey root extracts has been confirmed by evidence of percutaneous efficacy in ankle distorsion. In this regard, comfrey was found to be clinically effective and significantly superior in terms of the reduction of pain, inflammation, swelling, restriction of movement, and global efficacy. In addition, modern testing procedures and observational studies have contributed to efficacy and safety confirmed different muscle and joint complaints. Thus, the medical use of preparations from all, especially the subterranean, parts of the plant (Symphytum) has been well established and the preparations are used in addition to the treatment of bruises, strains or sprains also in painful joint arthrosis and acute back pain.

The constituents of the comfrey plant contain 0.6-4.7% allantoin, abundant mucus polysaccharides (25-30%) comprising fructose and glucose units, phenolic acids such as rosmarinic acid (up to 0.2%), chlorogenic acid (0.012%) and caffeic acid (0.004%) and alpha- Hydroxycaffeic acid, glycopeptides, amino acids and triterpene saponins in the form of monodesmosidic and biosmosidic glycosides.

As active ingredients, ie clinically effective components of Symphytum, allantoin, a urinary acid-related purine derivative, the mucus polysaccharides, tannins and triterpene saponins come into question. For pharmacodynamics, rosmarinic acid and other hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives are of central importance. Presumably, all drug classes are relevant, but the exact mechanism of action is not yet fully understood.

Also, all plant parts of Symphytum contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the form of their N-oxides. Symphytum has around 150 different pyrrolizidine alkaloids, the most important of which are 7-acetyl-lycopene amines, 7-acetyl intermediates, together with small amounts of Intermedine, Lycopsamine and Symphytine. The total amount of pyrrolizidine alkaloids varies from 0.013% to 1.2%, also for method specific reasons (analysis). The pyrrolizidine alkaloids Echimidine and Symlandine are not found in Symphytum officinale. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids may be mutagenic or carcinogenic substances, for which reason the internal use of the drug, as well as preparations prepared therefrom, is completely dispensed with. The very popular - J -

External use in intact skin, however, seems justifiable, which is why in Europe currently defined limits for daily doses of a maximum of 0.35 micrograms of pyrrolizidine alkaloids are tolerated. In any case, from a toxicological and precautionary point of view, it should be desirable to minimize the levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

In the industrial field, a method has hitherto been known which is based on treating an alcoholic extract of Petasites hybridus with a cation exchanger to deplete the pyrrolizidine alkaloids. In this way, more than 93% of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids can be removed in these extracts (see Ch. Mauz et al in Pharmaceutica Acta Helvetiae, Vol. 60 (1985), 256-259). Petasites, in contrast to Symphytum, has no mucus polysaccharides. The high activity potential of the comfrey plant identified by such studies justifies the optimization of a technological-methodical extract formulation, which is why It is therefore at least an object of the present invention to provide a process for the production of special extracts from Symphytum, which makes possible a high yield of pharmaceutically relevant ingredients through a substantially product-sparing process technology.

It is therefore an object of the invention, a method for producing a special extract of Symphytum, the special extract of Symphytum and a method for producing a first, mucus-free and / or a second mucilaginous extraction phase, and a method for precipitating mucus polysaccharides in a suspension system from Symphytum and a method for the selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from an extract phase and / or a separate from an extract phase precipitate to provide an optimized production of the special extract. This object, or an essential part thereof, solves a process for the production of a special extract from Symphytum, as well as a process for producing a first, mucus-free extraction phase from Symphytum, a process for producing a second, mucilaginous extraction phase from a first mucus-free extraction phase A method of fouling mucus polysaccharides in a slimy suspension system of Symphytum, a method for the selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from a precipitate precipitate separated from Symphytum, a method for the selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from an extract phase of Symphytum, and Special extract of Symphytum with the features of the corresponding independent claims.

The process for producing a special extract from Symphytum comprises at least one, in particular all, of the following steps:

- providing a suspension system of Symphytum;

differential precipitation of mucus polysaccharides in the suspension system, the differential precipitation comprising the following steps:

first differential mucus precipitation of high molecular weight mucous polysaccharides as first precipitate in the suspension system,

Separating the first precipitate and an extraction residue as raffinate and recovering a first extract phase;

second differential mucus precipitation of low molecular weight mucus polysaccharides as a second precipitate from the first extract phase, separation of the second precipitate and recovery of a second extract phase;

selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from the second precipitate and / or the second extract phase; and - combining the second precipitate, in particular the pyrrolizidine alkaloid-purified second precipitate, and the second extract phase, in particular the pyrrolizidine alkaloid-purified second extract phase, to the special extract. A suspension system of Symphytum may be slimy and therefore viscous since Symphytum has mucilages, called mucus polysaccharides. Viscosity in this context means higher viscosity than water at room temperature. The Schleimpolysaccharide dissolve colloidally in the suspension system or are digested or swollen as part of extractives in the suspension system. In other embodiments, it is possible to provide an extract solution of Symphytum instead of a suspension system. Such an extract solution could be provided by macerating plant parts in a solvent, especially an alcoholic solvent, especially an aqueous-alcoholic solvent. In the preparation of such an extract solution, the extraction system is not necessarily in a suspended form, therefore, the following description of the invention may be applied to extraction systems prepared by other extraction methods in place of the

Suspension system can be read. In such a case, the reading must be adapted to the description accordingly.

It should be noted that Symphytum is a generic term for all Symphytum subspecies. Symphytum may have, for example, Symphytum officinale L. The methods described here can be applied not only to a specific subspecies of Symphytum, such as Symphytum officinale L., but to all Symphytum species. Symphytum officinale, Symphytum x uplandicum, Symphytum asperum, Symphytum bulbosum, Symphytum tuberosum and / or Symphytum peregrinum are preferably used for the method, Symphytum officinale being particularly preferred. Special extracts, for example from plants, differ from conventional extracts in that in addition to pure extraction, further processing steps are carried out during production. The production of a special extract is a complex, multi-step extraction and purification process. In doing so, undesirable ingredients, such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids, can be removed and the desired agents that determine the effectiveness of the special extract can be enriched.

The extraction residue is to be understood as a solid residual phase or raffinate, it has, for example, the solid parts of the plant, which are not dissolved in the extract phase.

In other embodiments, it is possible that the extraction residue is separated from the suspension system prior to precipitation of the mucus polysaccharides. In this case, in the first differential slime precipitation, the first precipitate is separated from the first extract phase, since the extraction residue has already been separated as raffinate from the suspension system.

The use of special extracts has several advantages. Thus, the concentration of active ingredient in the special extract can be increased. Unwanted by-products are removed during extraction or further processing steps and the special extract can thus be better tolerated. In addition, the composition and amount of ingredients may optionally be standardized and / or quantified. This guarantees a consistent quality of the special extract.

In the process of producing a special extract of Symphytum, high molecular weight mucous polysaccharides may be precipitated in the slimy suspension system and separated after precipitation from an extract phase (liquid phase). The extract phase may also be referred to as a primary extract become. The precipitate and the separated primary extract or the separated extract phase can be purified individually from plant substances with harmful potential, such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and reunited or combined after the pyrrolizidine alkaloid purification. This makes it possible that the special extract has only a low pyrrolizidine alkaloid content, which allows the use of the special extract in the therapeutic area can be made possible.

The precipitation of colloidally dissolved mucus polysaccharides in the suspension system of Symphytum may have a differential mucus precipitation. In this way, differentially or stepwise specific extractive substances, such as undesired and / or effective mucous polysaccharides, can be precipitated from the suspension system and optionally separated from the extract phase as insoluble aggregates.

The special extract may have a pyrrolizidine alkaloid content of not more than 0.5 ppm, in particular not more than 0.1 ppm. This makes it possible that the special extract of Symphytum can be safely processed into a cream and / or ointment for therapeutic treatment, in particular for the therapeutic treatment of pain, inflammation, swelling, movement restrictions, bruises, strains, exudations, arthritis , Back pain, muscle problems and / or joint problems can be used. The suspension system in which the mucus polysaccharides are colloidally dissolved can be prepared and / or provided by a batchwise extraction. This makes it possible to extract different extractive substances effectively during the individual discontinuous extraction steps from the plant Symphytum. The discontinuous extraction can have a polarity-controlled discontinuous extraction, wherein the discontinuous extraction can be achieved or made possible by the multistage setting of the polarity of the extraction phase. The discontinuous or multi-stage extraction can also be referred to as fractionated extraction in the present case.

The discontinuous extraction may comprise the following steps:

- providing a suspended, first, substantially mucus-free extraction phase from Symphytum; and

- Preparation of a second, mucus-containing extraction phase.

In the first extraction phase, the mucus polysaccharides are not yet colloidally dissolved, that is not yet open or swollen. Therefore, the first extraction phase is low in viscosity and unaffected by the mucus polysaccharides. This makes it possible that in the substantially mucus-free, first extraction phase, the extractive substances, such as, for example, the active ingredients, can be efficiently released and easily dissolved. The presence of mucilages, such as mucus polysaccharides, complicates the diffusion processes and thus the extraction of drugs from Symphytum. Furthermore, the mucus polysaccharides can be colloidally dissolved and digested in a second step in the preparation of the mucus-containing, second extraction phase from Symphytum and can thus be made particularly good and easily accessible for the special extract. The first, essentially slime-free, extraction phase may be by a process comprising at least one of the following steps:

- providing fresh, frozen and / or dried plant parts of Symphytum;

- Adding the Pfianzenteile with a low molecular weight alcohol, especially with ethanol; - Setting the alcohol content of the first extraction phase (1) to 65-75 vol%, in particular to 70 vol%.

manufactured or provided. Low molecular weight alcohol is understood as an alcohol having a maximum of ten carbon atoms, for example, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, etc. A preferred alcohol is ethanol.

The process for producing a substantially slime-free, first extraction phase as such is associated with the process for producing a special extract by a common inventive idea, namely the improvement or simplification of the production of a special extract from Symphytum. For this reason, the process for preparing the first, substantially mucus-free extraction phase from Symphytum can also be considered as an independent process or in the context of the process for the preparation of the special extract or individually in conjunction with one of the other processes described in this text.

The provided fresh, frozen and / or dried plant parts of Symphytum may have aerial and / or subterranean plant parts of Symphytum. The frozen plant parts can also be frozen. The use of frozen plant parts has the advantage that enzymatic decomposition processes in the plant parts can be prevented or minimized, for example after harvesting. As a result, biochemical processes of post-harvest physiology and spoilage can be prevented, thus ensuring optimum preservation of any active ingredients.

In embodiments of the invention, the plant parts are provided in fresh, frozen, frozen and / or dried form pre-shredded to a size of 0.5 cm to 2.5 cm. In embodiments of the invention, the pre-shredded plant parts are further comminuted by wet comminution and / or turboextraction, wherein the plant parts can be comminuted to a size of 0.1 mm to 1 mm. In this way, a suspension system of the finely divided plant parts and a solvent, which is added for the wet comminution and / or the turboextraction to the pre-shredded Pfianzenteilen. The solvent may have low molecular weight alcohol having an alcohol content of 65-75% by volume, in particular of 70% by volume. In the case of wet crushing and / or turbo-extraction, the cutting forces and the shearing forces result in a comminution of the starting material (pre-shredded plant parts), in which the cell walls are increasingly torn open. In doing so, the cell walls of the plant material are optimally broken up. With the help of the shear forces it comes next to a crushing of the plant particles to a suspension. In other words, in wet crushing and / or turbo-extraction, the plant parts are highly comminuted using a solvent, thereby greatly increasing the surface area of the plant parts, thus enabling cell disruption and optimizing the contact between the solvent and the plant parts for extraction. In addition to additional comminution, the diffusion and dissolution processes are greatly accelerated. The turboextraction can also be called vortex extraction.

In wet comminution, the pre-shredded plant parts are comminuted to the desired size with the addition of a low molecular weight alcohol in a suitable cutting and / or grinding device. The low molecular weight alcohol may have an alcohol content of 65-95% by volume, in particular of 65-75% by volume, in particular of 70% by volume.

By wet grinding and / or turbo extraction of the fresh and / or frozen and / or dried plant parts of the Symphytum with the addition of Alcohol and / or any other suitable solvent may reduce the oxidation of the plant parts as compared to grinding and / or shredding the plant parts in the air. This makes it possible that not only an oxidative conversion of the active ingredients of the Symphytum but also enzymatic reactions in the extraction phase can be reduced or largely prevented.

By adjusting the alcohol content to 65-95% by volume, swelling, dissolution and / or digestion of the mucus polysaccharides is prevented, whereby mainly slime-free active ingredients are dissolved out of the plant parts. For example, polyphenols, which make up part of the active ingredients of Symphytum, can be dissolved particularly well in the extraction phase from an alcohol content of about 65% by volume. Since the first, essentially slime-free extraction phase has only a minimal amount of mucous polysaccharides, the extraction of, for example, polyphenols can be carried out particularly efficiently.

In particular, the alcohol content of the first extraction phase can be adjusted to 70% by volume. With such an alcohol content, in particular in combination with an elevated temperature of 45 ° C - 80 ° C, an antibacterial effect of the first extraction phase can be determined. In this way, it is possible that the first, substantially slime-free extraction phase unfolds a germ-reducing effect, which may be advantageous, inter alia, for further processing and / or for use in a special extract and can ensure compliance with legal requirements.

In the preparation of the first extraction phase, the temperature of the extraction phase to 45 ° C to 80 ° C, in particular to 50 ° C - 70 ° C, in particular to 54-56 ° C can be increased. By increasing the temperature on the one hand, the exchange processes in the extraction of active ingredients can be improved and on the other Optionally, enzymes and / or proteins that are in the extraction phase may be (selectively) denatured. As a result, enzymatic degradation and / or conversion processes in the slime-free, first extraction phase can be prevented.

The mucus-containing, second extraction phase can be prepared by maceration, in particular by stirring, the first extraction phase, wherein the alcohol content (low molecular weight alcohol) of the second extraction phase to 45% by volume - 55% by volume, in particular to 49% by volume - 51% by volume, in particular 50 vol% is set.

The process for producing a mucous-containing, second extraction phase as such is associated with the process for producing a special extract by an inventive idea, namely the improvement by optimized process steps or partial steps of the preparation of a special extract from Symphytum. For this reason, the process for preparing the second phase of mucus extraction from Symphytum can also be considered as an independent process or in the context of the process for the preparation of the special extract.

The adjustment of the alcohol content can be effected by the addition of water to the first, substantially slime-free, extraction phase. This increases the polarity of the extraction phase, which leads to swelling and thus to a colloidal dissolution of the mucus polysaccharides. In this way, it is possible that the second extraction phase or the suspension system of Symphytum has a high proportion of active ingredients. In this way, a further stage of the discontinuous extraction can be achieved.

With constant stirring, the water content of the extraction phase can be increased and the alcohol content of the mucous-containing, second extraction phase can be increased to 45% by volume. 55% by volume. In this way, the polarity of the second extraction phase is increased compared to the first extraction phase. This makes it possible for the mucilages, such as the mucus polysaccharides, to swell and become colloidally dissolved and opened up from the plant parts of the Symphytum. Consequently, a suspension system is produced which corresponds to the second mucilaginous extraction phase.

The second extraction phase therefore has in addition to the colloidally dissolved, developed Schleimpolysacchariden also in the first extraction phase readily soluble active ingredients, such as the polyphenols, in a high concentration. The second extraction phase may also be referred to as a suspension system which is slimy.

The mucus-containing, second extraction phase can be prepared at room temperature. However, the preparation of the second extract phase is possible even at higher temperatures, as long as a decomposition of thermolabile mucus polysaccharides and / or the conversion of Schleimpolysaccharide is not promoted.

The method for precipitating, in particular for differential, mucus polysaccharides in a suspension system of Symphytum as precipitate as such is associated with the process for producing a special extract by an inventive idea, namely the improvement or simplification of the production of a special extract from Symphytum , For this reason, the method of differential precipitation of mucus polysaccharides in the suspension system as a precipitate may also be considered as an independent process or in the context of the process for preparing the special extract or individually in conjunction with any of the other processes described herein. In this case, slimy suspension systems from Symphytum can be used, which by a alternative extraction and not be prepared by means of a batch extraction.

As already described above: The precipitation of mucus polysaccharides as precipitate may have a differential mucus precipitation. In this way, differentially specific substances, such as undesirable and / or effective mucilages, can be precipitated in the suspension system and optionally separated from the extract. The differential mucus precipitation may comprise at least one of the following steps:

first differential mucus precipitation of high molecular weight mucus polysaccharides as first precipitate in a provided suspension system, separation of a first precipitate, optionally as part of an extraction residue, and recovery of a first extract phase;

second differential mucus precipitation of low molecular weight mucus polysaccharides as a second precipitate in the first extract phase, and separation of the second precipitate and recovery of a second extract phase;

- Especially drying of the second precipitate after separation.

In this way, it is possible that the high molecular weight Schleimpolysaccharide can be separated from the mucus-containing suspension system by the first differential mucus deposition. The separation can be carried out by sedimentation and subsequent sifting of the first precipitate, optionally as part of an extraction residue, and in particular by pressing. The separation can also be carried out by other known methods, such as filtration, decantation, sieving, centrifuging and / or pressing. The raffinate, which may also have the extraction residue in addition to the first precipitate, can be recycled to the process for producing the special extract. This makes it possible that the high molecular weight Schleimpolysaccharide the first precipitate may optionally be used for further use.

With the aid of the first differential mucus precipitation, the first extract phase can be separated specifically from the high-molecular mucus polysaccharides. The high molecular weight mucus polysaccharides do not penetrate through the skin unlike low molecular weight mucus polysaccharides and therefore can not currently be used as a potential drug component. The high-molecular mucus polysaccharides have no therapeutic potential from today's perspective. As a result, on the one hand, the ineffective high molecular mucus polysaccharides are removed from the extract and, on the other hand, the first extract phase becomes less viscous than the suspension system and thus more easily processable.

In the second differential mucus precipitation, the low-molecular mucus polysaccharides, which are of interest as active ingredients for the special extract, can be precipitated specifically after separating the high-molecular mucus polysaccharides from the thin first extract phase and as a disperse, second precipitate or precipitate from the fluid, second extract phase be separated. The second precipitate can be separated from the second extract phase by a known method such as filtration, decantation, sieving, centrifuging and / or pressing, and so recovered. This results in a second, colloidally disperse precipitate, which has the low molecular weight mucus polysaccharides and which is usually present in colloidally dissolved form in the second extract phase. In dried form, the second precipitate may be present as a very finely powdered precipitate. The second precipitate can be dried after separation. This makes it possible that the precipitate can be stored in the dried state. The second precipitate can be lyophilized, for example. Since lyophilization is a particularly gentle drying method, which is carried out at low pressure, oxidation of the second precipitate can be prevented. However, any other drying method for drying the second precipitate is conceivable.

In the first differential mucus precipitation, the pH of the slimy suspension system of Symphytum can be adjusted to 4 to 5, wherein the suspension system before the precipitation can have a pH of 6 to 6.5. The precipitated high molecular mucus polysaccharides can be separated as already described. After separating the first precipitate from the first extract phase, the first extract phase has a lower viscosity than the slimy suspension system. As a result, the first extract phase can be well processed and the handling for further washout and / or precipitation processes is improved.

It should be noted that during the first differential slime precipitation, adjusting the pH to 4-5 alters the polarity of the extraction phase. In this way, an additional extraction of active substances from the plant parts which are suspended in the suspension system and thus an increase in the active substance concentration in the first extract phase can be made possible. In other words, the additional extraction, which can be accompanied by the first differential mucus precipitation and the associated change in polarity, can be used to optimize the multistage, discontinuous extraction by means of a further process step or a further pH-modified stage. In the case that the suspension system of Symphytum is provided by the described discontinuous extraction, the first extraction phase is prepared in a first step. In this first extraction phase with a relatively high alcohol content, as described, specifically alcohol-soluble extractives dissolved from the plant parts. In a second step, the second extraction phase is prepared with a lower alcohol content, while the mucus polysaccharides are digested by swelling and dissolved colloidally. In a third step, because of the renewed change of the polarity, further extractive substances can be released from the plant parts in an acidic environment. Of course, the third step is only possible if the extraction residue was not removed before the first differential mucus precipitation.

In the second differential mucus precipitation of low-molecular-weight mucus polysaccharides in the first extract phase, the pH of the first extract phase can be adjusted to 2.5-3.5. In this way, a fine, colloidally disperse, second precipitate forms, which can initially remain in suspension, whereby a good separation without lumps is possible. The fine second precipitate may have a light beige color. Due to the fine surface structure of the precipitated second precipitate, the precipitate can be efficiently purified from undesirable by-products such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Furthermore, the fine, second precipitate can be separated from the first extract phase by one of the methods already described and known.

In contrast, by precipitation of the mucus polysaccharides in a single step, for example with ethanol, a gummy dark brown agglomerate forms. The agglomerate, in this form, makes it impossible to remove any pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

The pH of the slimy suspension system, in particular the second, mucus-containing extraction phase and / or the first extract phase can be adjusted by means of a catalyst and / or with the aid of an acid. Of the Catalyst, also called cation exchanger, may be an acid catalyst based on gelled polymer. In this way, the catalyst can be easily removed, for example by screening, from the extraction solution. The acid catalyst may have sulfonic acid groups on the polymer surface. In this way, an ion exchange can take place on the surface of the catalyst, whereby cations are bound. By reducing the pH, mucus polysaccharides selectively precipitate from the extract (suspension system and / or first extract phase) and form a (first and / or second) precipitate. In addition, ionic Pyrrolizidin- alkaloids can be attached by ion exchange on the catalyst, resulting in a partial reduction of undesirable pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the extract, especially in the first extract phase and / or in the second extraction phase comes. In other words, the pH of the suspension system and / or the first extract phase can be adjusted in acidic form with the aid of a cation exchanger, wherein the cation exchanger can be designed on the basis of an organic polymer resin and wherein the cation exchanger can in particular have sulfonic acid groups on the polymer surface , In further embodiments, the acid for adjusting the pH may be a mineral or organic acid. Here, too, the lowering of the pH value leads to selective precipitation of the mucus polysaccharides as described above, but without depletion of undesired pyrrolizidine alkaloids. When using the acidic catalyst for adjusting the pH of the suspension system to 4-5 for the first, differential slime precipitation, the extraction solution can already be pre-purified by pyrrolizidine alkaloids, since the acidic catalyst a portion of the dissolved pyrrolizidine alkaloids on the catalyst surface can bind. The purification of the second precipitate by the selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from the second precipitate may comprise the following steps:

Resuspension of the second precipitate in a wash solution, especially in a wash solution comprising an acid, low molecular weight alcohol,

Separating the washed second precipitate from the washing solution.

When resuspending the second precipitate in the wash solution, the mucous polysaccharides of the precipitate remain insoluble and the pyrrolizidine alkaloids are dissolved in the wash solution and thus can be washed or extracted from the precipitate. This can be made possible by the fact that the alcohol content of the washing solution is 65-95% by volume, in particular 78% by volume - 82% by volume. Thereby, the second precipitate purified from pyrrolizidine alkaloids after washing can be separated from the washing solution in a known manner, such as sedimentation and siphoning or similar process steps. A washing solution with an alcohol content of 65-95% by volume is also referred to below as a high-percentage alcohol.

The pH of the acidic wash solution may be 2-4, in particular 2.5-3.5, in particular at least 3.

Resuspending may use a 1:10 ratio of precipitate to wash solution. The ratio refers to the mass of the precipitate and the washing solution.

The purification of the second precipitate by the selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from the second precipitate may alternatively comprise the following steps: Resuspension of the second precipitate, in particular a lyophilized second precipitate, in high-percentage, low molecular weight alcohol, in particular ethanol,

Placing the resuspended second precipitate with a catalyst, in particular an acidic polymer-based catalyst, wherein the

Catalyst in particular sulfonic acid groups on the polymer surface, and

- Separating the catalyst from the resuspended second precipitate and subsequent recovery of the purified second precipitate from the purified suspension.

This makes it possible that the second precipitate of pyrrolizidine alkaloids can be purified. The mucus polysaccharides do not dissolve in high-percent alcohol, but the pyrrolizidine alkaloids are well soluble in alcohol. In this way, the pyrrolizidine alkaloids can be dissolved out of the second precipitate without dissolving the effective Schleimpolysaccharide from the second precipitate. By placing the resuspended second precipitate with the acidic catalyst, the pyrrolizidine alkaloids can be bound and removed from the suspension by means of ion exchange from the suspension on the catalyst as already described. The amount of acidic catalyst can be adjusted to the amount of resuspended second precipitate, in particular equal amounts of catalyst and precipitate can be used for purification. The same amount in this context means equal mass. The catalyst can be separated from the fine resuspended second precipitate and the second precipitate subsequently separated from the liquid high percent alcohol solution. The separation can be carried out as already described by a known method, such as sedimentation and siphoning or decanting or the like. The high-percentage, low-molecular-weight alcohol may have 80% by volume to 98% by volume, in particular 96% by volume, of low molecular weight alcohol.

Resuspending the second precipitate can adjust the amount (mass) of precipitate to the amount of alcohol. In this case, for example, a portion of the second precipitate can be resuspended in 5 to 10 parts of alcohol.

The resuspension and pyrrolizidine alkaloid purification may optionally be repeated with the purified second precipitate, whereby the pyrrolizidine-alkaloid content of the precipitate may be further reduced.

The purified second precipitate may have a maximum of 1 ppm, in particular a maximum of 0.5 ppm, in particular a maximum of 0.1 ppm of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. This makes it possible that the purified second precipitate can be used from a toxicological point of view without concern in the special extract.

The selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) from the second extract phase may comprise at least one of the following steps:

- pyrrolizidine alkaloid purification of the second extract phase by means of a stationary phase, wherein the stationary phase in particular has a cation exchanger in acidic form;

- adjusting the pH of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid-purified second extract phase to 5.5-7, in particular to 6.2-6.5; and

- Concentration of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid-purified second extract phase, in particular by distillation

wherein the purified, in particular concentrated, second extract phase, in particular the purified second extract phase, a maximum of 0.5 ppm Pyrrolizidin- alkaloids, in particular at most 0.25 ppm pyrrolizidine alkaloids, in particular at most 0.1 ppm pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The pyrrolizidine alkaloid purification of the second extract phase with the aid of a stationary phase can be realized, for example, by the chromatographic, in particular column chromatographic, purification. By the chromatographic, especially column chromatographic, purification of the extract phase, in particular the second extract phase, pyrrolizidine alkaloids can be removed from the second extract phase. The removal of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids can be carried out in particular by means of the already described acid catalyst on a gel-like polymer basis. In this case, the catalyst may have sulfonic acid groups on the polymer surface. In this way, an ion exchange can take place, which can be described by the following formula:

Catalyst H + PA ⁺ - "catalyst-PA + ⁺ wherein the catalyst H, the acidic catalyst, PA ⁺ is an ionic pyrrolizidine alkaloid catalyst-PA is ^■ H a bound form of the catalyst and pyrrolizidine alkaloid and H ⁺ is a proton. This makes it possible that the pyrrolizidine alkaloids are bound to the catalyst and the second extract phase is purified by the pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Since the second extract phase after separation of the precipitate has a relatively low viscosity, the second extract phase without precipitation reaction is well suited for the chromatographic purification with a catalyst.

After cleaning the second extract phase, the pH of the second extract phase can be adjusted to 5.5-7, in particular to 6.2-6.5. As a result, the further processing, such as concentration, of the purified extract phase can be improved.

Furthermore, the purified second extract phase can be concentrated. Due to the concomitant reduction in the volume while maintaining the same amount of active substances or extractives, the active ingredient concentration of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid-purified second extract phase can be increased. To this In this way, the preparation of the special extract can be improved and a drug extract ratio (DEV) can be defined. The concentration can be carried out, for example, by means of a distillation, in particular a vacuum distillation.

For example, by prior concentration of the purified extract phase, in particular the purified second extract phase, the alcohol content of the special extract can be reduced after mixing. Thereby, the stability of the special extract in the further processing into a galenic preparation can be improved.

In one embodiment, the process for producing a special extract of Symphytum having a pyrrolizidine alkaloid content of not more than 0.5 ppm, in particular not more than 0.1 ppm, may comprise the following steps:

- providing a suspended, first, mucus-free extraction phase from Symphytum;

- Preparation of a second mucilaginous extraction phase;

first differential mucus precipitation of high molecular weight mucilaginous polysaccharides as a first precipitate in a second, mucilaginous extraction phase, separation of the first precipitate and an extraction residue as

Raffinate and recovery of a first extract phase;

- selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from the second precipitate;

- selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from the second extract phase; and

- combining the pyrrolizidine alkaloid-purified second precipitate, and the pyrrolizidine alkaloid-purified second extract phase, in particular one Concentrated pyrrolizidine alkaloid-purified second extract phase, the special extract.

In this way, a method is provided with which a special extract with a pyrrolizidine alkaloid content of not more than 0.5 ppm, in particular not more than 0.25 ppm, can be produced.

At least one of the following steps and / or sub-steps:

- providing a suspension system of Symphytum;

- first differential mucus precipitation of high molecular weight mucus polysaccharides;

second differential mucus precipitation of low molecular weight mucus polysaccharides;

selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from the second precipitate and / or the second extract phase

can be carried out under protective gas. This makes it possible that oxidation of the starting materials or intermediates is prevented or reduced. Furthermore, unwanted enzymatic reactions can be minimized. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a special extract, which can be prepared by the described method.

The special extract of Symphytum can be used in therapy. The special extract of Symphytum can be used especially for external use in therapy.

It is also possible that the special extract of Symphytum can be used for cosmetic purposes. The special extract can be used especially in the treatment of pain, inflammation, swelling, restricted mobility, bruises, strains, exudations, arthritis, back pain, muscle discomfort and / or joint discomfort.

As already described, one aspect of the invention for improving the production of a special extract from Symphytum relates to a process for producing a substantially mucus-free, suspended, first extraction phase from Symphytum comprising the following steps:

- providing fresh, frozen and / or dried plant parts of Symphytum;

- Adding the plant parts with a low molecular weight alcohol, especially with ethanol;

- Setting the alcohol content of the first extraction phase to 65-75 vol%, in particular to 70 vol%.

A further aspect of the invention for improving the production of a special extract from Symphytum relates to a method for producing a second, mucilaginous extraction phase from a provided first, substantially mucus-free extraction phase from Symphytum, wherein the second, mucilaginous extraction phase by maceration, in particular by agitation, the first Extraction phase is prepared, wherein the alcohol content of the extraction phase is adjusted to 45% by volume - 55% by volume, in particular to 50% by volume, as already described.

Another aspect of the invention for improving the production of a special extract from Symphytum relates to a method of fouling mucus polysaccharides (SPS) having differential slime precipitation, the differential slime precipitation comprising the steps of: - First differential mucus precipitation of high molecular weight Schleimpolysacchariden as a first precipitate in a suspension system of Symphytum, separation of the first precipitate and optionally an extraction residue as a raffinate and recovery of a first extract phase; second differential mucus precipitation of low molecular weight mucus polysaccharides as a second precipitate from the first extract phase, separation of the second precipitate and recovery of a second extract phase. Another aspect of the invention for improving the production of a special extract from Symphytum relates to a method for the selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) from a precipitate precipitated from a suspension system of Symphytum and separated from an extract comprising the following steps:

Resuspension of precipitated and separated precipitate in a washing solution, in particular in a washing solution having an acid, low molecular weight alcohol, wherein the alcohol in particular has a pH of 2-4, and

Separating the washed precipitate from the wash solution;

or

Resuspension of precipitated and separated precipitate in high-percentage low molecular weight alcohol, especially ethanol,

Addition of the resuspended precipitate with a catalyst, in particular an acid catalyst on a gel-like polymer basis, wherein the catalyst in particular has sulfonic acid groups on the polymer surface, and

Separating the catalyst from the resuspended precipitate and then recovering the purified precipitate from the suspension;

wherein the resuspending and cleaning with the purified precipitate is repeatable; and wherein the purified precipitate in particular has at most 1 ppm, in particular not more than 0.5 ppm, in particular not more than 0.1 ppm, of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

In another aspect, the invention for improving the production of a special extract from Symphytum relates to methods for the selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from an extract phase precipitated and separated from a precipitate in a suspension system of Symphytum, comprising at least one of the following steps:

- Purification of the extract phase by means of a stationary phase, wherein the stationary phase in particular has a cation exchanger in acidic form;

- adjusting the pH of the purified extract phase to 5.5-7, in particular to 6.2-6.5; and

Concentration of the purified extract phase, in particular by means of distillation, in particular by means of vacuum distillation,

wherein the purified, in particular concentrated, extract phase has a maximum of 0.5 ppm of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, in particular a maximum of 0.1 ppm of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Further preferred embodiments emerge from the dependent claims. Characteristics of the method claims are mutatis mutandis combined with the use claims and vice versa. Also, the independent methods can be combined with each other in any combination. example

Underground parts of Symphytum officinale L. in a cut size of 5 mm-10 mm are subjected to wet comminution into particle sizes of 0.1 mm-1 mm in ethanol 70% by volume with stirring with a turbomixer at continuously increasing temperature to 55 ° C. In this way, a first, in the Essentially made slime-free extraction phase 1. This is followed by a motion maceration at room temperature by addition of purified water for 180 minutes, whereby the second, mucous-containing extraction phase 2 is produced, which has a higher polarity than the first, slime-free extraction phase 1.

With further stirring, a first differential slime precipitation step is initiated by the addition of acid catalyst in protonated (H ⁺ ) form. The catalyst is an acid catalyst based on a gelled polymer and has sulfonic acid groups on the polymer surface. The pH of the second extraction phase 2 is adjusted to 4-5 and high molecular mucus polysaccharides are precipitated as the first precipitate Nl. After a further extraction step (pH-modified), the liquid extract phase, also called first extract phase A, is separated from the disperse extraction residue by pressing out the sediment phase or the extraction residue. By this procedure, the first extract phase A, which is subjected as a filtrate a further proton exchange with the addition of the above-mentioned acidic catalyst for at least 60 minutes, until the stable reaching of pH 2.5-3.5. Along with the lowering of the pH and with stirring of the first extract phase A, quantitative precipitation of the mucus polysaccharides occurs as second precipitate N2. The acid catalyst is then screened off and the disperse, second precipitate N2, also called slime precipitate, removed by centrifuging the disperse system of the resulting second extract phase B.

The resulting after previous procedure second precipitate N2, is resuspended in hydrochloric ethanol (ethanol 80% by volume with hydrochloric acid to pH 3.0) and then centrifuged. This washout process is continued on the centrifugate by repeating it three times Pyrrolizidine alkaloid-purified, second precipitate N2 pyrrorizidinal alkaloid residuals of a maximum of 1 ppm were detected (LC-MS / MS).

The filtered second extract phase B is then chromatographed as a mobile phase in a chromatography column, which is filled as a stationary phase with acidic cation exchanger. The eluate contains residual pyrrolizidine alkaloids of not more than 0.1 ppm (LC-MS / MS). The stationary phase used is the polymer-based acidic catalyst described above. The eluate is adjusted to pH 6.2 with sodium hydroxide solution, concentrated by vacuum distillation and with ethanol (96% vol). added. In the thus stabilized and purified second extract phase B, the pyrrolizidine-alkaloid-purified, second precipitate N2 is suspended and dissolved and then additionally supplemented with purified water.

The aforementioned procedure yields a pyrrolizidine alkaloid-purified special extract SE, also called special fluid extract, from Symphytum, with a drug / extract ratio (DEV) of 1: 4.

Claims

Process for the preparation of a special extract (SE) from Symphytum, the process comprising the following steps:

- providing a suspension system (SS) from Symphytum;

differential fecal polysaccharide (SPS) precipitation, wherein the differential precipitation comprises the following steps:

first differential mucus precipitation of high molecular weight mucus polysaccharides (SPS) as the first precipitate (NI) in the suspension system (SS), separation of the first precipitate (NI) and an extraction residue as raffinate (R) and recovery of a first extract phase (A);

second differential mucus precipitation of low molecular weight polysaccharides (SPS) as second precipitate (N2) from the first extract phase (A), separation of the second precipitate (N2) and recovery of a second extract phase (B);

selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) from the second precipitate (N2) and / or the second extract phase (B); and

- combining the second precipitate (N2), in particular the pyrrolizidine-alkaloid-purified second precipitate (N2), and the second extract phase (B), in particular the pyrrolizidine-alkaloid-purified second extract phase (B), to the special extract (SE) ,

A process according to claim 1, wherein for the first differential slime precipitation, the pH of the suspension system is adjusted to 4-5.

A process according to claim 1 and / or 2, wherein the pH of the first extract phase (A) is adjusted to 2.5-3.5 for the second differential mucus precipitation of low molecular weight mucous polysaccharides (SPS). Method according to one or more of claims 2-3, wherein the pH of the suspension system and / or the first extract phase (A) is adjusted by means of a cation exchanger in acidic form, wherein the cation exchanger is designed on the basis of an organic polymer resin and wherein the cation exchanger in particular sulfonic acid groups on the polymer surface.

Method according to one or more of claims 1-4, wherein the special extract (SE) has a pyrrolizidine alkaloid content of not more than 0.5 ppm, in particular not more than 0.1 ppm.

Method according to one or more of claims 1-5, wherein the suspension system (SS) from Symphytum by means of discontinuous extraction, comprising the following steps:

- providing a suspended, first, mucus-free extraction phase (1) from Symphytum; and

Preparation of a second, mucus-containing extraction phase (2),

can be produced.

A process according to claim 6, wherein the suspended first extraction phase (1) is preparable by the following steps:

- providing plant parts of Symphytum;

- Adding the Pfianzenteile with a low molecular weight alcohol, especially with ethanol;

- Setting the alcohol content of the first extraction phase (1) to 65- 75% by volume, in particular to 70% by volume.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the provided and mixed with the low molecular weight alcohol parts of plants of Symphytum are suspended by wet comminution and / or turboextraction. Method according to one or more of claims 6-8, wherein the second extraction phase (2) by maceration, in particular by stirring, the first extraction phase (1) is produced, wherein the alcohol content of the second extraction phase (2) to 45 vol% - 55 vol %, in particular to 50% by volume. Method according to one or more of claims 1-9, wherein the selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) from the second precipitate (N2) comprises the following steps:

- Resuspension of the second precipitate (N2) in a washing solution, in particular in a washing solution having an acid, low molecular weight alcohol, wherein the alcohol in particular has a pH of 2-4, and

Separating the washed second precipitate (N2) from the wash solution;

or

Resuspension of the second precipitate (N2) in high-percentage, low-molecular-weight alcohol, in particular ethanol,

Contacting the resuspended second precipitate (N2) with a catalyst, in particular an acid catalyst based on gelled polymer, the catalyst having in particular sulfonic acid groups on the polymer surface, and

Separating the catalyst from the resuspended second precipitate (N2) and then recovering the purified second precipitate (N2) from the purified suspension;

wherein the resuspending and pyrrolizidine alkaloid purification is repeatable with the purified second precipitate (N2); and

wherein the purified second precipitate (N2) in particular has at most 1 ppm of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA). Method according to one or more of claims 1-10, wherein the selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) from the second extract phase (B) has at least one of the following steps:

- pyrrolizidine alkaloid purification of the second extract phase (B) by means of a stationary phase, the stationary phase in particular having a cation exchanger in acidic form;

- adjusting the pH of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid-purified second extract phase (B) to 5.5-7, in particular to 6.2-6.5; and

- Concentration of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid-purified second extract phase (B), in particular by distillation

wherein the pyrrolizidine alkaloid-purified and possibly concentrated second extract phase (B), a maximum of 0.5 ppm pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), in particular a maximum of 0.25 ppm pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), in particular at most 0.1 ppm pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA).

Method according to one or more of claims 1-11, wherein at least one of the steps:

- providing a suspension system (SS) from Symphytum;

- first differential mucus precipitation of high molecular weight mucus polysaccharides (SPS);

second differential mucus precipitation of low molecular weight mucus polysaccharides (SPS);

selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) from the second precipitate (N2) and / or the second extract phase (B)

is carried out under inert gas.

13. Special extract preparable according to one or more of claims 1-12.

14. Special extract preparable according to one or more of claims 1-12 for use in therapy.

15. Special extract preparable according to one or more of claims 1-12 for use in the treatment of pain, inflammation, swelling,

Restrictions of movement, bruises, strains, expectorations, joint arthrosis, back pain, muscle discomfort and / or joint complaints. 16. A process for producing a suspended, first extraction phase (1) from Symphytum comprising the following steps:

Providing fresh, frozen and / or dried Pfianzenteüen the Symphytum;

Placing the plant parts with a low molecular weight alcohol, especially with ethanol;

Adjusting the alcohol content of the first extraction phase (1) to 65-75% by volume, in particular to 70% by volume.

17. A process for the preparation of a second mucilaginous extraction phase (2) from a provided first, substantially mucus-free extraction phase

(1) from Symphytum, the second, mucilaginous extraction phase (2) being prepared by maceration, in particular by stirring maceration, of the first extraction phase (1), the alcohol content of the extraction phase being 45% by volume - 55% by volume, in particular 50% by volume is set.

18. A method of fouling slime polysaccharides (SPS) comprising differential slime precipitation, wherein the differential slime precipitation comprises the steps of:

first differential mucus precipitation of high molecular weight mucus polysaccharides (SPS) as first precipitate (Nl) in one Suspension system (SS) from Symphytum, separation of the first precipitate (NI) and an extraction residue as raffinate (R) and recovery of a first extract phase (A);

second differential mucus precipitation of low molecular weight mucus polysaccharides (SPS) as second precipitate (N2) from the first extract phase (A), separation of the second precipitate (N2) and recovery of a second extract phase (B). A process for the selective removal of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) from a precipitate precipitated from a suspension system (SS) from Symphytum and separated from an extract comprising the following steps:

Separating the washed precipitate from the wash solution;

or

wherein the resuspending and cleaning with the purified precipitate is repeatable; and

wherein the purified precipitate in particular has at most 1 ppm of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA).

A process for the selective removal of pyrrolizide m-alkaloids (PA) from an extract phase separated from a precipitate in a suspension system (SS) from Symphytum, comprising at least one of the following steps: - Purification of the extract phase by means of a stationary phase, wherein the stationary phase in particular has a cation exchanger in acidic form;

- Concentration of the purified extract phase, in particular by means

Distillation,

wherein the purified extract phase (B) has a maximum of 0.5 ppm of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), in particular a maximum of 0.1 ppm of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA).