GB1019271A - Alder extracts for pharmaceutical use - Google Patents

Abstract

Alder extracts having hypercholeretic properties are prepared by macerating alder bark and/or leaves of Alnus glutinosa, Alnus viridis, Alnus cordata or Alnus incana for 5 to 15 hours with water at a temperature of 30 DEG to 50 DEG C., the proportion by weight of water to the plant being between 5 : 1 and 12 : 1, and concentrating the resultant solution after separation from the bark and/or leaf residue. Several macerating steps may be carried out and the resultant solutions may be filtered, heated, filtered again and concentrated under vacuum, the heating step being effected by boiling for 20 to 60 minutes or heating under pressure at about 120 DEG C. for 8 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, instead of heating, the filtered solutions resulting from maceration may be admixed with alcohol before being filtered again and concentrated. The concentrated solution obtained may be spray-dried, preferably at a temperature from ambient up to 50 DEG C., to yield a fine, dark maroon-coloured powder having an aromatic smell and a bitter taste. For application, the extract is admixed with a pharmaceutical carrier and, optionally, an emulsifier for cholesterol having the formula HO-(C2H4O)a-(C3H6O) b-(C2H4O)c-H in which a has a value between 25 and 31 and b + c a value between 130 and 170, the emulsifier preferably having a molecular weight of 7500 to 8500. The alder extract may be administered orally in the form of an aqueous solution containing also the above-mentioned cholesterol emulsifier, sorbitol and flavouring and colouring agents.