GB2294878A

GB2294878A - Antiviral tea compositions

Info

Publication number: GB2294878A
Application number: GB9422923A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joan Louise Hibberd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-11-14
Filing date: 1994-11-14
Publication date: 1996-05-15
Also published as: GB9422923D0

Abstract

Tea has antiviral activity. Administration may be as leaves, an aqueous extract, infusion, powders etc. Herpes viruses can especially be treated. Active ingredient may be given topically, internally or via inhalation.

Description

TREATMENT OF VIRAL INFECTIONS The present invention relates to compounds and compositions for use in anti-viral treatments, especially the treatment of HerDes viruses and their infections, in particular the Herpes simclex virus (HSV) which causes "cold sores" and genital herpes, HerDes Varicella-zoster which causes shingles and human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6).

The inventor has found that viral infections can be treated effectively and inexpensively using tea.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides tea for use in the treatment of viral infections.

The term "tea", for the purpose of the present invention, encompasses fresh, dried and processed plant material, particularly the leaves and young shoots, obtained from plants of the genus Camelia more particularly Camelia sinensis. The tea may be green tea which is unprocessed or black tea which has undergone a so-called "fermentation" process. The tea may also be a partially "fermented" tea such as that known as Oolong tea.

The tea may be in the form of an aqueous extract, preferably an extract made using hot or boiling water.

Alternatively, the tea may be dry and in the form of a powder.

Also, the tea may simply be the fresh, dried or processed leaves of tea dampened with water or remaining after extraction with water. The tea may be extracted with solvents other than water, for example an organic solvent such as alcohol. The solvent may be evaporated off and the extract residue dissolved in another solvent such as water before use.

An infusion of tea may be concentrated by evaporation to provide a concentrated solution. Dry tea leaves themselves, whether before or after aqueous extraction may be ground to tea may' be mixed with serum, artificial serum, blood, an aqueous salt solution or glucose solution. For subcutaneous or intramuscular injection the tea may be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Tea may be administered topically in a variety of ways depending on the virus to be treated and the nature and extent of the infection. For viral infections of the skin an extract or concentrate of tea may be applied to the skin and allowed to dry. Alternatively, the extract or concentrate can be applied as an aerosol. When a concentrate is used, this may be applied as a paint to the affected areas. Tea in the form of a powder may be dusted onto the affected areas. Tea may be combined with a cream or an ointment for direct application to the skin.

For viral infections of the eye the extract or concentrate of tea can be dropped onto the surface of the eye.

If the lungs are infected and require treatment then an aerosol of the extract or concentrate, or a fine dust of tea may be inhaled.

Tea may be administered to the gastro-intestinal tract directly or by ingestion. All forms of tea described above may be used. For infections of the mouth the leaves of tea may be simply chewed.

In a second aspect the invention provides the use of tea in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of viral infections.

In a third aspect the present invention provides a method of treating viral infections comprising the administration of tea as hereinbefore defined.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a EXAMPLE 2 - Use of tea infusion saueezed from the tea baa to treat Heroes simple lesions.

A female patient aged 63 suffering from lesions spreading over an area of about 6 cm in diameter caused by Herpes simolex infection was treated using the tea bag resulting from the preparation of the infusion as described in Example 1.

The tea bag was squeezed so that a concentrated extract of tea was expelled. Extract was squeezed directly on to the affected areas of the patient's skin. The tea bag itself was rested against the affected areas for 1 to 2 minutes.

Afterwards, any tea extract on the skin was allowed to dry naturally. The above tea bag treatment was repeated four or five times daily over a five day period. A freshly prepared tea bag in accordance with Example 1 was used on each occasion. At first the lesions were inflamed and painful, but the pain was relieved within 18 hours after the start of treatment and the infection did not spread further. Within four to five days the lesions crusted over and many resolved themselves. Alleviation of symptoms occurred within three and a half to four days. The lesions did not recur for some months after the above treatment was discontinued.

The lesions of the patient referred to in Example 2 had previously recurred two or three times a year. However, when the lesions recurred after the tea bag treatment they were noted clinically to be less severe and less extensive than before.

EXAMPLE 3 - Use of black tea to treat Herpes simplex lesions An infusion of tea was made as described in Example 1 except that a commercially available tea bag containing black tea was used instead of Earl Grey. The infusion was allowed to cool and was then applied to the infected area of the patient in Example 2 when suffering from a recurrence of the

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Tea for use in the treatment of viral infections.

2. A use as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the tea is green tea.

3. A use as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the tea is black tea or a partially fermented tea.

4. A use as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the treatment is a topical treatment.

5. A use as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the tea is in the form of an aqueous extract.

6. A use as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the tea includes bergamot oil.

7. A use as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the viral infection is caused by a Herpes virus.

8. A use as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the HerDes virus is HerDes simDlex or Heroes zoster.

9. The use of tea in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of HerDes viral infections.

10. A use as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the tea is green tea.

11. A use as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the tea is black tea or a partially fermented tea.

12. A use as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 11, wherein the treatment is a topical treatment.

25. A composition for the treatment of viral infections comprising tea in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

26. A composition as claimed in Claim 25, wherein the tea is green tea.

27. A composition as claimed in Claim 26, wherein the tea is black tea or a partially fermented tea.

28. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 25 to 27, wherein the composition is a topical composition.

29. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 25 to 28, wherein the tea includes bergamot oil.

30. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 25 to 29, wherein the virus is a HerDes virus.

31. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 25 to 29, wherein the Herpes virus is HerDes simple or HerDes zoster.