Methods of reducing beta-amyloid polypeptides
AssigneeMayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, a Minnesota corporation
InventorsChristopher B. Eckman, Debra Yager, Sharie Haugabook, Abdul Fauq
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Abstract
The invention features methods of reducing the level of a β-amyloid (Aβ) polypeptide using an Cimicifuga extract. The invention also features methods of producing an active fraction from an extract of Cimicifuga. The invention further features a composition containing an active fraction of a Cimicifuga extract and an article of manufacture containing such a composition.
Claims36
A method of reducing the level of a β-amyloid (Aβ) polypeptide in or secreted from a cell, said method comprising contacting said cell with an amount of a Cimicifuga extract or of an active fraction thereof effective for reducing the level of said Aβ polypeptide in or secreted from said cell and monitoring the level of said Aβ polypeptide in or secreted from said cell.
A method for reducing the level of an Aβ polypeptide in a mammal, said method comprising administering an amount of a Cimicifuga extract or an active fraction thereof to said mammal effective for reducing the level of said Aβ polypeptide and monitoring the level of said Aβ polypeptide in said mammal.
A method of treating a mammal having AD or at risk to develop AD, said method comprising administering an amount of a Cimicifuga extract or an active fraction thereof to said mammal effective for treating or preventing AD in said mammal.
A method of producing an active fraction of a Cimicifuga extract, wherein said active fraction reduces the level of an Aβ polypeptide upon contact with a cell producing said Aβ polypeptide, said method comprising:
- obtaining an extract of Cimicifuga plant material;
- size-fractionating said extract through a filter to obtain an active fraction, wherein said active fraction comprises active components having a molecular weight of less than about 10 kD;
- and
- testing said active fraction to confirm that said active fraction reduces the level of said Aβ polypeptide upon contact with said cell producing said Aβ polypeptide.
A method of producing an active fraction of a Cimicifuga extract, wherein said active fraction reduces the level of an Aβ polypeptide upon contact with a cell producing said Aβ polypeptide, said method comprising:
- obtaining an extract of Cimicifuga plant material;
- extracting said Cimicifuga extract with hexane, thereby producing a hexane-soluble fraction and a hexane-insoluble fraction;
- and
- testing said hexane-insoluble fraction to confirm that said hexane-insoluble fraction reduces the level of said Aβ polypeptide upon contact with said cell producing said Aβ polypeptide.
A composition, said composition comprising:
- an active fraction of a Cimicifuga extract and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein said active fraction reduces the level of an Aβ polypeptide upon contact with a cell producing said Aβ polypeptide.
An article of manufacture, said article comprising:
- an active fraction of a Cimicifuga extract, wherein said active fraction reduces the level of an Aβ polypeptide upon contact with a cell producing said Aβ polypeptide;
- a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier;
- and
- packaging material, wherein said packaging material contains a label or package insert indicating that said composition is effective for reducing the level of an Aβ polypeptide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.