GB1195050A - Method of Obtaining Depsides and Flavonoids Contained in Plants. - Google Patents

Abstract

1,195,050. Artichoke and fennel extracts. SOC. CIVILE DE RECHERCHE PHARMACEUTIQUE ET THERAPEUTIQUE. 21 Sept., 1967 [23 Sept., 1966; 20 Dec., 1966], No. 43075/67. Heading A5B. Despides and flavonoids are obtained from artichoke or fennel plants by amethod comprising: a) extracting said plants with MeOH and/or Et OH, separating the alcohol(s) and repeating the extraction procedure at least once upon the residue and combining the alcoholic extracts, (b) adding to the combined extract at least one hydrophobic solvent e.g. diethyl ether, petroleum ether or hexane, (c) extracting the resulting mixture with water at not greater than room temperature, (d) concentrating the resulting aqueous phase at a temperature <40‹C, (e) taking up the concentrate in MeOH or EtOH, separating the alcohol and repeating the treatment on the residue, and combining the alcohol fractions, (f) adding anhydrous diethyl ether to the combined (fractions to precipitate the desired principles, (g) decanting the supernatant liquid, (h) adding further anhydrous diethyl ether to the precipitate to form a suspension, allowing the suspension to settle and decanting the supernatant liquid, (i) repeating said suspension forming and decanting steps a number of times, and (j) finally drying the precipitate. Freshly out plants are preferably employed in the above method, a modified process in which steps (to) and (e) above are omitted being employed when dried plants are extracted. Steps (a) and (e) may be effected at a temperature in the range from and including ambient temperature and the boiling point of the alcoholic solvent. The aqueous phase may be concentrated by evaporation under reduced pressure, precipitation may be effected at a temperature not exceeding ambient temperature and the final precipitate may be dried by infra-red radiation. The watersoluble fennel and artichoke extracts are used for the treatment of hepatic affections, hypocholesterolemia and renal insufficiency by oral or rectal administration in the form of tablets, sweetened granules, packets of powder, effervescent tablets and drinking ampoules.