Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K36/00—Medicinal preparations of undetermined constitution containing material from algae, lichens, fungi or plants, or derivatives thereof, e.g. traditional herbal medicines
  • A61K36/18—Magnoliophyta (angiosperms)
  • A61K36/185—Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
  • A61K36/28—Asteraceae or Compositae (Aster or Sunflower family), e.g. chamomile, feverfew, yarrow or echinacea
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K36/00—Medicinal preparations of undetermined constitution containing material from algae, lichens, fungi or plants, or derivatives thereof, e.g. traditional herbal medicines
  • A61K36/18—Magnoliophyta (angiosperms)
  • A61K36/185—Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K36/00—Medicinal preparations of undetermined constitution containing material from algae, lichens, fungi or plants, or derivatives thereof, e.g. traditional herbal medicines
  • A61K36/18—Magnoliophyta (angiosperms)
  • A61K36/185—Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
  • A61K36/23—Apiaceae or Umbelliferae (Carrot family), e.g. dill, chervil, coriander or cumin
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K36/00—Medicinal preparations of undetermined constitution containing material from algae, lichens, fungi or plants, or derivatives thereof, e.g. traditional herbal medicines
  • A61K36/18—Magnoliophyta (angiosperms)
  • A61K36/185—Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
  • A61K36/32—Burseraceae (Frankincense family)
  • A61K36/328—Commiphora, e.g. mecca myrrh or balm of Gilead
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K36/00—Medicinal preparations of undetermined constitution containing material from algae, lichens, fungi or plants, or derivatives thereof, e.g. traditional herbal medicines
  • A61K36/18—Magnoliophyta (angiosperms)
  • A61K36/185—Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
  • A61K36/35—Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle family)
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K36/00—Medicinal preparations of undetermined constitution containing material from algae, lichens, fungi or plants, or derivatives thereof, e.g. traditional herbal medicines
  • A61K36/18—Magnoliophyta (angiosperms)
  • A61K36/185—Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
  • A61K36/38—Clusiaceae, Hypericaceae or Guttiferae (Hypericum or Mangosteen family), e.g. common St. Johnswort
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K45/00—Medicinal preparations containing active ingredients not provided for in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
  • A61K45/06—Mixtures of active ingredients without chemical characterisation, e.g. antiphlogistics and cardiaca
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
  • A61K9/0012—Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
  • A61K9/0031—Rectum, anus
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
  • A61K9/0012—Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
  • A61K9/0053—Mouth and digestive tract, i.e. intraoral and peroral administration
  • A61K9/006—Oral mucosa, e.g. mucoadhesive forms, sublingual droplets; Buccal patches or films; Buccal sprays
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P1/00—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P17/00—Drugs for dermatological disorders
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P17/00—Drugs for dermatological disorders
  • A61P17/02—Drugs for dermatological disorders for treating wounds, ulcers, burns, scars, keloids, or the like
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P29/00—Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P31/00—Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P31/00—Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
  • A61P31/12—Antivirals
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P43/00—Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00

Definitions

• the present invention relates to herbal compositions useful for the treatment of mucosal lesions. Although primarily intended for oral use the composition may also be used on the labial, genital and other mucosal surfaces, as well as on the skin.
• plant extracts may be highly effective agents for the prevention and treatment of disease. This is particularly true when one considers the low toxicity and greatly reduced incidence of adverse effects associated with plant- based medicines as compared with many synthetic or highly purified drugs.
• extracts obtained therefrom exert their activities on a variety of physiologic processes, increasing the range of the desired therapeutic effect.
• traditional reference sources of herbal medicine are valuable guides to the safe and effective use of plant extracts, the appropriate selection and combination of extracted material is still a major challenge to the development of new, highly effective herbal medicines. The scale of this challenge may be more clearly appreciated when it is realized that there are approximately 750,000 species of flowering plants on earth, only very few of which have been scientifically studied for their potential therapeutic value.
• Oral diseases constitute a diverse group of conditions that are responsible for much human suffering.
• diseases of the hard tissues of the oral cavity e.g. dental caries
• pathological conditions affecting the oral mucosa and periodontal tissues.
• This group includes the commonly found conditions such as gingivitis, periodontal disease, aphthous ulceration and Herpes simplex lesions, as well as the oral manifestations of the less common vesicular-bullous conditions such as bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus, erytheme multiforme and lichen planus, as well as other autoimmune conditions .
• compositions for the treatment of mucosal diseases having higher efficacy and more rapid onset than compositions previously known in the art.
• compositions having lower toxicity and incidence of adverse effects than pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of mucosal diseases that have been previously described in the art are provided.
• compositions comprising particular combinations of plant extracts are highly effective in the treatment of certain mucosal lesions, particularly those of the oral, anal and genital mucosa, as well as in the treatment of certain skin lesions.
• compositions, medicaments and treatment methods of the present invention which will presently be disclosed, described and exemplified, have been unexpectedly found to cause a dramatic improvement in two significant clinical parameters associated with the mucosal and skin lesions being treated thereby.
• said compositions, medicaments and treatment methods lead to unexpectedly rapid resolution of the mucosal and skin lesions that are being treated..
• the compositions, medicaments and treatment methods of the present invention have also been surprisingly found to cause a dramatic reduction of the pain associated with the mucosal and skin lesions being treated thereby.
• the present invention is primarily directed to a therapeutic composition
• a therapeutic composition comprising extracts of the plant species Echinacea purpurea and Sambucus nigra and the extract (s) of at least one further plant selected from the group consisting of Hypericum perforatum, Commiphora molmol and Centella asiatica .
• the extract (s) of the at least one further plant are extracts of the plant species Hypericum perforatum and Commiphora molmol .
• composition of the abovementioned preferred embodiment of the composition of the invention is particular directed to an anti-viral composition comprising extracts of the plant species Echinacea purpurea, Sambucus nigra, Hypericum perforatum and Commiphora molmol .
• the above- mentioned anti-viral composition further comprises extracts of plants selected from the group consisting of Uncaria tomentosa, Thymus vulgaris , Ma tricaria recutita , Salix alha, Calendula officinalis r Usnea barbata , Ligusticum portieri-osha , Gaul theria procumbens, Camellia sinensis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Melissa officinalis, Allium sativum, Camellia sinensis and Krameria triandra .
• the above-mentioned anti-viral composition comprises extracts of the plant species Echinacea purpurea, Sambucus nigra, Hypericum perforatum, Commiphora molmol and Uncaria tomentosa .
• the present invention also provides a therapeutic composition comprising extracts of the plant species Echinacea purpurea and Sambucus nigra together with an extract of the plant species Centella asiatica .
• the immediately preceding therapeutic composition is intended for use in the treatment of diseases of the oral mucosa.
• said therapeutic composition is intended for use in the treatment of an oral mucosal disease selected from the group consisting of periodontal disease, gingivitis, aphthous ulceration, mechanical trauma, thermal trauma, lichen planus, bullous pe phigoid, pemphigus vulgaris, dermatitis herpetiformis, angular chelitis and recurrent herpes.
• the above therapeutic composition is intended for use in the treatment of skin lesions.
• said therapeutic composition is intended for use in the treatment of dermal trauma.
• the therapeutic composition is intended for use in the treatment of insect bites and other local, superficial irritations.
• the above therapeutic composition is intended for use in the treatment of anal lesions.
• said therapeutic composition is intended for use in the treatment of an anal lesion associated with a condition selected from the group consisting of anal fissures, hemorrhoids and non-specific irritation.
• the therapeutic composition for treating mucosal diseases that is disclosed immediately hereinabove be bound to any particular pharmacological or pathophysiological mechanism or mechanisms, it is believed that said composition exerts at least some of its desired effects by inhibiting one or more matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes that are present in the oral mucosal and periodontal tissues, and/or by increasing collagen production at or close to the mucosal site to which said composition is applied.
• MMP matrix metalloproteinase
• said therapeutic compositions may exert at least some of their desired effects by the specific inhibition of certain specific enzymes of the MMP group.
• the therapeutic compositions of the present invention are specific inhibitors of MMP subclasses 1-9, still more specifically of subclasses 1,2,8 and 9.
• the invention is also directed to a therapeutic composition comprising extracts of the plant species Echinacea purpurea, Sambucus nigra and Centella asia tica described hereinabove, for the inhibition of one or more matrix metalloproteinases.
• the one or more matrix metalloproteinases to be inhibited are selected from the group consisting of matrix metalloproteinases 1-9. In a more preferred embodiment, said one or more matrix metalloproteinases are selected from the group consisting matrix metalloproteinases 1,2,8 and 9. Still more preferably, the matrix metalloproteinase to be inhibited is matrix metalloproteinase 2. In a still further preferred embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, the matrix metalloproteinase-inhibiting therapeutic compositions described immediately hereinabove are intended for use in the treatment of a disease of the oral mucosa selected from the group consisting of periodontal disease and aphthous ulceration.
• the aforementioned therapeutic compositions for treating conditions of the oral or anal mucosal tissues, as well as the aforementioned therapeutic compositions for inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases further comprise extracts of plants selected from the group consisting of ⁇ ncaria tomentosa, Thymus vulgaris, Matricaria recuti ta , Salix alba, Calendula officinalis , ⁇ snea barbata , Ligusticum porterii -osha , Gaul theria procumbens, Camellia sinensis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Melissa officinalis, Allium sativum, Camellia sinensis and Krameria triandra .
• the present invention is directed to the use of a combination of extracts of the plant species Echinacea purpurea and Sambucus nigra and of at least one further plant species selected from the group consisting of Hypericum perforatum, Commiphora molmol and Centella asiatica in the preparation of a medicament.
• the invention is directed to the use of the combination of plant extracts described immediately hereinabove in the preparation of a medicament, wherein said extracts of at least one further plant are extracts of Hypericum perforatum and Commiphora molmol .
• this combination of plant extracts is used in the preparation of an anti-viral medicament.
• the present invention is directed to the use of extracts of plants selected from the group consisting of ⁇ ncaria tomen tosa, Thymus vulgaris, Ma tricaria recutita , Salix alba , Calendula .officinalis, ⁇ snea barbata , Ligusticum portieri -osha, Gaul theria procumbens, Camellia sinensis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Melissa officinalis, Allium sativum, Camellia sinensis and Krameria triandra, in addition to the extracts mentioned hereinabove, in the preparation of an anti-viral medicament .
• extracts of plants selected from the group consisting of ⁇ ncaria tomen tosa, Thymus vulgaris, Ma tricaria recutita , Salix alba , Calendula .officinalis, ⁇ snea barbata , Ligusticum portieri -osha, Gaul the
• the present invention is directed to the use of a combination of extracts of the plant species Echinacea purpurea , Sambucus nigra , Hypericum perfora tum, Commiphora molmol and ⁇ ncaria tomentosa in the preparation of an anti-viral medicament.
• the present invention also provides for the use of the above combination of plant extracts in the preparation of a medicament, said extract of at least one further plant being an extract of Centella asiatica .
• this combination of plant extracts is used in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a disease of the oral ucosa.
• said disease of the oral mucosa is selected from the group consisting of periodontal disease, gingivitis, aphthous ulceration, mechanical trauma, thermal trauma, lichen planus, bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris, dermatitis herpetiformis, angular chelitis and recurrent herpes.
• the invention also provides for the use of the above combination of plant extracts in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a skin lesion.
• the skin lesion to be treated is a lesion arising from dermal trauma.
• the skin lesion to be treated is an insect bite.
• the abovementioned combination of plant extracts is used in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a disease of the anal mucosa.
• said disease of the anal mucosa is selected from the group consisting of anal fissures, hemorrhoids and non-specific irritation.
• the invention provides for the use of a combination of extracts of the plant species Echinacea purpurea , Sambucus nigra and Centella asiatica in the preparation of a medicament for inhibiting one or more matrix metalloproteinases.
• said matrix metalloproteinases are selected from the group consisting of matrix metalloproteinases 1 to 9.
• the one or more matrix metalloproteinases to be inhibited are selected from the group consisting of matrix metalloproteinases 1,2,8 and 9.
• the abovementioned metalloproteinase-inhibiting medicament is used to treat a disease of the oral mucosa selected from the group consisting of periodontal disease and aphthous ulceratio .
• the invention is directed to the use of the above combination of plant extracts in combination with further extracts of plants selected from the group consisting of Uncaria tomentosa, Thymus vulgaris, Matricaria recuti ta , Salix alba , Calendula officinalis, ⁇ snea barbata , Ligusticum portieri-osha , Gaultheria procumbens, Camellia sinensis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Melissa officinalis, Allium sa tivum, Camellia sinensis and Krameria triandra, in the preparation of medicaments for the treatment of a diseases of the oral and/or anal mucosal tissues, and in the preparation of medicaments for inhibiting the abovementioned one or more matrix metalloproteinases.
• Uncaria tomentosa Thymus vulgaris
• Matricaria recuti ta Salix alba
• Calendula officinalis ⁇ snea
• the present invention is directed to a combination of extracts of the plant species Echinacea purpurea and Sambucus nigra and of at least one further plant species selected from the group consisting of Hypericum perforatum, Commiphora molmol and Centella asiatica for use as a medicament.
• the invention is directed to a combination of extracts as disclosed immediately hereinabove, wherein the extracts of the at least one further plant are extracts of Hypericum perfora tum and Commiphora molmol .
• the invention is directed to said combination of extracts for use as an anti-viral medicament.
• said combination of extracts is further supplemented by extracts of one or more plants selected from the group consisting of ⁇ ncaria tomentosa, Thymus vulgaris, Matricaria recutita , Salix alba , Calendula officinalis, Usnea barba ta , Ligusticum portieri-osha , Gaul theria procumbens , Camellia sinensis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Melissa officinalis, Allium sativum, Camellia sinensis and Krameria triandra .
• the invention is directed to a combination of extracts of the plant species Echinacea purpurea, Sambucus nigra, Hypericum perfora tum, Commiphora molmol and ⁇ ncaria tomentosa for use as an antiviral medicament.
• the invention also provides a combination of plant extracts as disclosed hereinabove for use as a medicament, said extract of the at least one further plant being an ' extract of Centella asia tica .
• this combination of extracts is provided for use as a medicament for the treatment of diseases of the oral mucosa.
• the combination of plant extracts may be used as a medicament for the treatment of many different conditions of the oral mucosa
• the disease to be treated is selected from the group consisting of periodontal disease, gingivitis, aphthous ulceration, mechanical trauma, thermal trauma, lichen planus, bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris, dermatitis herpetiformis, angular chelitis and recurrent herpes.
• the combination of plant extracts is provided for use as a medicament for the treatment of skin lesions.
• the skin lesions are lesions arising from 'dermal trauma.
• the skin lesions are insect bites.
• the aforementioned combination of extracts is provided for use as a medicament for the treatment of diseases of the anal mucosa. While said combination of plant extracts may be used as a medicament for the treatment of many different conditions of the anal mucosa, in a preferred embodiment, the disease to be treated is selected from the group consisting of anal fissures, hemorrhoids and non-specific irritation. In another aspect, the above-described combination of extracts is used as a medicament for inhibiting one or more matrix metalloproteinases. Preferably, the one or more matrix metalloproteinases are selected from the group consisting of matrix metalloproteinases 1 to 9.
• said metalloproteinases are selected from the group consisting of matrix metalloproteinases 1,2,8 and 9.
• the abovementioned combination of extracts for inhibiting metalloproteinases is used in the treatment of a disease of the oral mucosa selected from the group consisting of periodontal disease and aphthous ulceration.
• the plant extracts used in the aforementioned combination of extracts are further supplemented by extracts of plants selected from the group consisting of ⁇ ncaria tomentosa, Thymus vulgaris, Matricaria recutita , Salix alba , Calendula officinalis , ⁇ snea barbata, Ligusticum portieri -osha , Gaultheria procumbens , Camellia sinensis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Melissa officinalis, Allium sa tivum, Camellia sinensis and Krameria triandra .
• the present invention also encompasses a method of treatment of mucosal and/or skin lesions comprising the application of a therapeutically-effective amount of a mixture of extracts of the plant species Echinacea purpurea and Sambucus nigra and the extract (s) of at least one further plant selected from the group consisting of Hypericum perforatum, Commiphora molmol and Centella asiatica to the mucosal lesions and surrounding tissue of a subject in need of such treatment.
• said extracts of at least one further plant are extracts of Hypericum perfora tum and Commiphora molmol .
• the lesions to be treated by this method of treatment are viral lesions.
• the present invention also provides a method of treatment of viral lesions as described hereinabove, wherein the aforementioned plant extracts are supplemented by extracts of plants selected from the group consisting of ⁇ ncaria tomentosa, Thymus vulgaris, Ma tricaria recutita , Salix alba , Calendula officinalis, ⁇ snea barbata , Ligusticum portieri-osha , Gaultheria procumbens, Camellia sinensis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Melissa officinalis, Allium sa tivum, Camellia sinensis and Krameria triandra .
• the present invention provides a method of treatment of mucosal and/or skin lesions of viral origin comprising the application of a therapeutically-effective amount of a mixture of extracts of the plant species Echinacea purpurea, Sambucus nigra , Hypericum perfora tum, Commiphora molmol and ⁇ ncaria tomen tosa .
• the extract of the at least one further plant is an extract of Centella asiatica .
• the lesions to be treated are oral lesions associated with a disease selected from the group consisting of periodontal disease, gingivitis, aphthous ulceration, mechanical trauma, thermal trauma, lichen planus, bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris, dermatitis herpetiformis, angular chelitis and recurrent herpes.
• the lesions to be treated are skin lesions.
• the skin lesions to be treated are lesions arising from dermal trauma.
• the lesions are insect bites.
• the lesions to be treated are anal lesions associated with a disease selected from the group consisting of anal fissures, hemorrhoids and non-specific irritation.
• the present invention is directed to a method of inhibiting one or more matrix metalloproteinases in mucosal and/or skin lesions of a subject in need of such treatment, comprising the application of a therapeutically- effective amount of a mixture of extracts of the plant species Echinacea purpurea, Sambucus nigra and Centella asiatica to said mucosal and/or skin lesions and surrounding tissue.
• the one or more matrix metalloproteinases are selected from the group consisting of matrix metalloproteinases 1 to 9. More preferably, the one or more matrix metalloproteinases are selected from the group consisting of matrix metalloproteinases 1,2,8 and 9.
• the aforementioned inhibition of the one or more matrix metalloproteinases is used in the treatment of periodontal disease. In another preferred embodiment, the inhibition of the one or more matrix metalloproteinases is used in the treatment of aphthous ulceration.
• the mixture of plant extracts used may further comprise extracts of plants selected from the group consisting of Gotu kola, ⁇ ncaria tomentosa, Thymus vulgaris, Matricaria recutita , Salix alba, Calendula officinalis , ⁇ snea barbata , Ligusticum portieri -osha , Gaul theria procumbens , Camellia sinensis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Melissa officinalis, Allium sativum, Camellia sinensis and Krameria triandra .
• the antiviral compositions, medicaments and treatment methods are used in the treatment or management of viral lesions of the oral cavity.
• the antiviral compositions, medicaments and treatment methods are used in the treatment or management of perioral lesions of viral origin.
• the anti-viral compositions, medicaments and treatment methods are used in the treatment or management of genital lesions of viral origin.
• the anti-viral compositions, medicaments and treatment methods are used in the treatment or management of viral lesions caused by the Herpes simplex virus. In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-viral compositions, medicaments and treatment methods are used in the treatment or management of viral lesions of the skin.
• the present invention also encompasses a method for inhibiting one or more matrix metalloproteinases in vi tro, comprising contacting an effective amount of a mixture of extracts of the plant species Echinacea purpurea, Sambucus nigra and Centella asiatica with said one or more matrix metalloproteinases.
• the one or more matrix metalloproteinases to be inhibited are selected from the group consisting of matrix metalloproteinases 1 to 9.
• the one or more matrix metalloproteinases to be inhibited are selected from the group consisting of matrix metalloproteinases 1,2,8 and 9.
• Fig. 1 graphically illustrates the reduction in ulcer- associated pain following treatment with an herbal composition of the invention.
• Fig. 2 shows a typical gelatin zymogram indicating the inhibitory effects of composition of the invention on the activity of a mixture of matrix metalloproteinases.
• Fig. 3 graphically illustrates the reduction in insect bite-associated pain and irritation following treatment with an herbal composition of the invention.
• compositions and medicaments of the present invention are based on mixtures of plant extracts.
• extract is used herein to include all of the many types of preparations containing some or all of the active ingredients found in the relevant plants.
• the extracts may be produced by cold extraction techniques using a variety of different extraction solvents including, but not limited to, water, fatty solvents (such as olive oil), and alcoholic solvents (e.g. 70 % ethanol) .
• Cold extraction techniques are usefully applied to softer parts of the plant such as leaves and flowers, or in cases wherein the desired active components of the plant are heat labile.
• the aforementioned solvents may be used to produce extracts of the desired plants by a hot extraction technique, wherein said solvents are heated to a high temperature, the precise value of said temperature being dependent on the properties of the chosen solvent, and maintained at that temperature throughout the extraction process.
• Hot extraction techniques are more commonly applied to the harder, tougher parts of the plant, such as bark, woody branches and larger roots. In some cases, sequential extractions need to be performed in more than one solvent, and at different temperatures.
• compositions and medicaments containing mixtures of extracts of different plant species may be prepared using different ratios of each extract.
• the antiviral medicaments and compositions of the present invention preferably comprise extracts of Echinacea purpurea, Sambucus nigra, Commiphora molmol and Hypericum perfora tum in the following range of weight ratios :
• these components are present in the weight ratio of 4:3:5:4.
• compositions of the invention used to treat mucosal diseases preferably comprise extracts of Centella asia tica, Echinacea purpurea and Sambucus nigra in the following range of weight ratios:
• compositions and medicaments of the present invention need to be administered in amounts such that, typically, each topical dose contains between 0.1 mg and 10 mg (dry weight) of each herbal extract, the precise values depending on the particular combination of extracts used, and on the mode of topical delivery.
• weights of the original plant material used to prepare a controlled-release delivery device are :
• Centella asiatica 1.6 mg Echinacea purpurea 1.6 mg Sambucus nigra 7.56 mg
• compositions and medicaments intended primarily for topical use such as those of the present invention
• the compositions and medicaments are to be given by incorporation into a controlled-release intra-oral device (as described in Example 2 hereinbelow)
• said device needs to remain in contact with the lesion to be treated for a period of between 1 and 5 hours. This treatment may be repeated up to 5 times each day, as required, and as determined by a competent clinician.
• Mouthwashes containing the compositions and medicaments of the present invention should be taken in quantities of between 5 ml and 15 ml and allowed to remain in contact with the lesions to be treated for periods of between 30 seconds and one minute. This treatment regime may be repeated up to 5 times per day.
• Lozenges, pastilles, candies and other solid, soluble formulations are to be placed in the mouth, if possible in close proximity to the lesions to be treated, and allowed to dissolve at the natural rate determined by ' the additives present in said formulations.
• compositions and medicaments of the present invention as disclosed hereinabove and exemplified hereinabove may be prepared and delivered in a number of different forms.
• medicaments and compositions are intended for topical application at the site of the mucosal lesion.
• Dosage forms suitable for topical application to mucosal surfaces include ointments, pastes, lotions, creams, mouthwashes, lozenges, candies, chewing gums, solutions, gels and sprays.
• the compositions of the present invention may also contain excipients such as zinc, zinc oxide, silicones, calcium silicate, aluminum hydroxide, polyethylene glycols, fats of animal or vegetable origin, oils, waxes gums, starch and cellulose or cellulose derivatives .
• compositions for vaginal administration or for anal administration may be prepared by mixing the active plant-derived components with suitable non-toxic, non-irritating carriers such as suppository wax, polyethylene glycol or cocoa butter.
• compositions and medicaments are administered by means of a localized delivery system that allows topical release of the active constituents of said compositions and medicaments.
• a localized delivery system that allows topical release of the active constituents of said compositions and medicaments.
• Any suitable local delivery device may be used to administer the compositions and medicaments to the mucosal surface.
• the local delivery device is a slow release device such as illustrated -hereinbelow in Example 2.
• Example 1 is provided for illustrative purposes and in order to more particularly explain and describe the present invention. The present invention, however, is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the examples.
• Example 1 is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the examples.
• the antiviral composition was prepared as follows: 2 ml of a 1:1 hydroalcoholic extract of Echinacea purpurea was mixed with 7.5 ml of a 1:5 hydroalcoholic extract of Sambucus nigra, 8 ml of a 1:4 hydroalcoholic extract of Commiphora molmol, 10 ml of a 1:4 preparation of a hydroalcoholic extract of ⁇ ncaria tomentosa and 20 ml of a 1:10 hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum.
• a l:x hydroalcoholic extract indicates that 1 gram of plant material was extracted with x volumes of the alcoholic extraction medium.
• the extraction medium was a "hydroalcohol” .
• the term "hydroalcohol” is defined as an aqueous solution of a lower alcohol.
• the lower alcohol used was ethanol, which was generally prepared as a 50% solution.
• ethanol was prepared at a different aqueous dilution within the range of 25 - 90 % (v/v), with respect to the ethanol.
• the weight ratio of E. purpurea : S. nigra : C. molmol : U. tomentosa : H. perforatum in this mixture is 4:3:4:5:4.
• alcoholic extracts were purchased either from Herbal Apothecary, Syston, Leicester, U.K. or from Analit Extracts Ltd, M.P. Hefer 38100, Israel.
• Disks of 3MM filter paper (Whatman Inc.) (5mm diameter) were soaked in a solution of the compositions to be tested, and placed on a semi-solid agar-containing culture medium covering a onolayer of BSC-1 (green monkey kidney) cells infected with a partially confluent dose of either Herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1) or Herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2) .
• ACG Acyclovir
• Virosyn is the herbal composition described hereinabove comprising extracts of the following five plant species: Echinacea purpurea , Hypericum perfora tum, Commiphora molmol , Uncaria tomentosa and Sambucus nigra .
• Topical slow-release device for delivery of the compositions to the oral mucosa
• This example demonstrates the preparation of a slow-release device and the incorporation therein of a plant extract mixture containing Centella, Echinacea and Sambucus .
• the slow release device consists of a mixture of carbomer (carbopol), hydroxypropyl cellulose and magnesium stearate blended as described hereinbelow. Magnesium stearate is used as a protective coating to reduce the solubility and adhesiveness of the device.
• the device is prepared as follows:
• the plant extract mixture is prepared by mixing 6 ml of a 1:4 hydroalcoholic extract of Centella asiatica with 1.5 ml of a 1:1 hydroalcoholic extract of Echinacea purpurea and 35 ml of a 1:5 hydroalcoholic extract of Sambucus nigra .
• the weight ratio of C. asiatica : E. purpurea : S. nigra in this mixture is 15:15:70.
• the hydroalcoholic extracts of Centella asia tica and Echinacea purpurea were purchased from Herbal Apothecary, Syston, Sheffield, U.K., while the hydroalcoholic extract of Sambucus nigra was purchased from Analit Extracts Ltd., M.P. Hefer 38100, Israel.
• extract values of the form l:x indicate that 1 g of the plant material was dissolved in x liters of solvent.
• hydroalcoholic extract indicates that the plant material was extracted using ethanol at concentrations of between 25% and 50% in water.
• the plant extract mixture is mixed with 2 g sucrose and evaporated to dryness at 40°C. The residue is dissolved in 2 ml water, a further small volume of water added, and the solution lyophilized overnight.
• Magnesium stearate (pharmaceutical grade, obtained from Riedel-De Haen, Germany) (1 g) is mechanically mixed with 2 g of the carbomer-hydroxypropyl cellulose mix.
• step 5. 14 mg of the magnesium stearate-polymer mix (step 5.) is placed on the bottom of the plunger (13 mm diameter die manufactured by Perkin-Elmer, U.K.) of a mechanical press
• various flavorings, excipients and colorings may be added in order to modify the taste, consistency and color of the preparation.
• the side of the device containing the herbal ingredients (i.e. the side not containing the magnesium stearate) is applied directly to the mucosal surface containing the lesion to be treated.
• the mucosal surface may be pre- oistened with water or saline before application of the device.
• the device is held in place with gentle pressure for approximately 10 seconds. After releasing the gentle pressure, the device adheres to the mucosal tissue for a period of up to five hours.
• the device containing the herbal mixture described hereinabove may be used several times per day (e.g. 3 times per day) for periods of between two days and one month.
• a convenient, non-random sample of 57 dental patients presenting in a private dental clinic with painful oral ulcers of either traumatic or aphthous origin were treated by applying to the affected site a slow-release device containing a herbal composition of the invention (as described in Example 2 hereinabove) .
• the device was left in place for a 24 hour period.
• the ulcer-associated pain experienced by the patients was recorded and expressed on a visual analog scale (S. Chrubasik et al . (2000) Am. J. Med. 109: 9-14), as depicted in Fig. 1.
• the highest recorded pain index reported by an individual patient in this study was 90.
• the effect of the herbal composition used therein on the healing of the oral ulceration experienced by the patients was determined by quantification of lesion size using a Scion image analysis system. Briefly, lesions were photographed and digitized using a digital camera and associated Smartcard. The image files obtained thereby were processed using the Photoshop software package (Adobe Systems Inc.) running in Microsoft Windows ME on an IBM- compatible personal computer. The periphery of each lesion was outlined and copied into a new window of the NIH Image software package (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD) , where, following thresholding, the lesion area was automatically calculated.
• NIH Image software package National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
• Results from a sequential study of 45 patients with oral ulceration demonstrate that the treatment with the herbal composition caused a mean 60 % decrease in lesional size over a 24-36 hour period.
• Protease activity was assessed on gelatin zymograms . Twelve percent polyacrylamide gels (0.75 mm thickness) were cast containing 10% gelatin as a substrate for the collagenase enzymes, which were applied to the gels under non-reducing conditions without heating. The gels were run, soaked in 200 ml of 2% Triton X-100 in distilled water on a gyratory shaker (0.5 hours, 20°C) , and incubated in developing buffer (50 mM Tris [pH 8.0], 1 mM CaCl 2 ) , unless otherwise indicated, for 15 hours at 37 °C. The gels were examined following staining with Coumassie blue.
• Protease activity shows up as clear bands (indicative of cleavage of the gelatin substrate) on a blue background.
• specific protease inhibitors DFP (1 Mm), EDTA (5 Mm), BBI (10 mg/ml) , phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMFS) (50 Mm) or tetracyclines (0.1 and 0.25 Mm)
• PMFS phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride
• tetracyclines 0.1 and 0.25 Mm
• a composition comprising a mixture of Echinacea purpurea, Sambucus nigra and Centella asia tica (prepared 'as described in Example 2, hereinabove) were added to the developing buffer after the run but before the gel was incubated in said developing buffer.
• the herbal composition was added to the buffer at a concentration of one volume composition to 50 volumes buffer.
• samples were run on zymograms and subsequently incubated in the appropriate buffer (50 Mm citrate-phosphate buffer [pH 5], 50 Mm ADA buffer [pH 6 and 7], 50 Mm TRIS [pH 8 and 9] or 50 Mm CAPS [pH 10]), containing 1 Mm CaCl 2 .
• Gingival Tissue removed during periodontal surgery was immediately placed on ice and subsequently frozen and stored at -80 degrees C, prior to performing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity analysis thereon, as described hereinabove in Example 5.
• MMP matrix metalloproteinase
• the gingival samples are prepared for this analysis by homogenizing the thawed tissue in PBS and centrifuging [lOOOOg x 10 min] .
• a subject having a painful insect bite on the skin overlying the upper arm was treated for a period of 24 hours with an adhesive patch comprising a composition containing Echinacea purpurea, Sambucus nigra and Centella asiatica (prepared as described in Example 2, hereinabove) .
• the insect bite-associated pain experienced by the patient was recorded and expressed on a visual analog scale, as depicted in Fig. 3.
• compositions of the invention are given for purposes of illustration and exemplifica ion only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Thus, both the concentration of active ingredient within each formulation may be changed without removing said formulation from the scope of the invention. Similarly, other formulations comprising the herbal compositions claimed herein that contain different carriers, diluents, excipients, colorings, flavorings and other additives are still to be considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
• Active ingredient used in the following formulation tables refers to any combination of herbal extracts that are within the scope of the invention.
• the weight percentage of the active ingredient is calculated in terms of the dry weight of the herbal composition. Representative examples of such combinations are: A) composition comprising Echinacea purpurea, Hypericum perforatum, Commiphora molmol, Uncaria tomentosa and Sambucus nigra in a weight ratio of 4:4:4:5:3.
• composition comprising Echinacea purpurea, Sambucus nigra and Centella asiatica in a weight ratio of 15:70:15.

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