Method for the preparation of phytoprogestogenic extracts from rhizoma ligusticum chuanxiong and uses thereof

An extract of Rhizoma Chuanxiong, characterized in that the extract is capable of eliciting progestogenic activity in a progestogen receptor assay.

Use of the extract of claim 1, for the manufacture of a medicament for treating a progesterone condition in a human or animal.

A method of preparing an extract, the method comprising the step of subjecting Rhizoma Chuanxiong herb to an alcoholic solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, methanol water, ethanol water, and mixtures thereof, at a temperature and for a time to produce the extract characterized by being capable of eliciting progestogenic activity in a progestogen receptor assay.

A method as claimed in claim 22, comprising using, as the mixed polarity solvent, a mixture comprising polar solvent and dichloromethane (DCM).

An extract of Rhizoma Chuanxiong, characterized in that the extract has a progestogenic activity to progesterone, in a range selected from the group consisting of:

• 23.39% to 79.86%;
• 23.39% to 48.17%;
• and 48.17% to 79.86%, and mixtures thereof.

A method for the preparation of an alcoholic extract from Rhizoma Chuanxiong useful as a progestogen, said method comprising subjecting powdered Rhizoma Chuanxiong to a first extraction with alsoholic solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, methanol-water, ethanol-water, and mixtures thereof, separating a first Rhizoma Chuanxiong extract obtained thereby from a supernatant, subjecting the filtered first extract to a second extraction with an alcoholic solvent to obtain a second extract, wherein the first and second extractions are at a temperature and for a time to produce the extract, wherein the extract is capable of eliciting progestogenic activity in a progestogen receptor assay.