US 7,491,414 B2
Anti-inflammatory substances extracted from Echinacea
Xiping Wang, Brevard, N.C. (US)
Assigned to Gaia Herbs, Inc., Brevard, N.C. (US)
Filed on Oct. 12, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/248,517.
Prior Publication US 2007/0082074 A1, Apr. 12, 2007
Int. Cl. A61K 36/28 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 424—737 8 Claims
 
1. A process for isolating immunosuppressive alkamides from Echinacea plant material comprising the steps of:
(a) extracting Echinacea plant material with an alcohol to provide an Echinacea concentrate;
(b) extracting the Echinacea concentrate with olive oil to provide a lipophilic fraction containing immunosuppressive alkamides and a hydrophilic fraction; and
(c) separating the hydrophilic fraction from the lipophilic fraction and further extracting the lipophilic fraction with water to remove any hydrophilic components in the lipophilic fraction and to provide a remaining lipophilic fraction having a concentration of Echinacea immunosuppressive alkamides from 0.5 percent to 50 percent w/w.