Process for the preparation of an extract from human placenta containing glycosphingolipids and endothelin-like constituent peptides useful for the treatment of vitiligo

A process for the preparation of an extract from human placenta containing glycosphingolipids and endothelin-like peptides useful for the treatment of vitiligo which comprises:

• (a) chopping the whole placenta into small pieces;
• (b) triturating the chopped material by a known method using an aqueous solvent;
• (c) extracting the whole triturated material by heating in a phased manner, first at about 40.degree.-50.degree. C. for about 20-40 minutes and then at about 60.degree.-70.degree. C. for about 5-15 minutes, avoiding the application of direct heat;
• (d) aging the triturated and heated material in the dark for a suitable period of time at room temperature while minimizing exposure to air;
• (e) filtering through a coarse filtering aid to remove larger residues/tissue debris;
• (f) depending on the solvent concentration, adjusting said concentration to a strength of not less than 40% and not more than 60% by weight using distilled water;
• (g) aging the supernatant further by keeping the material for a suitable period of time in the dark at room temperature while minimizing exposure to air;
• (h) filtering through a finer filtering aid;
• (i) aging the supernatant thus obtained to allow finer particles to settle down and
• (j) centrifuging the resultant material to get the clear straw colored extract.