Plant extracts for the treatment of increased bone resorption

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with nutritional or pharmaceutical compositions containing an extract or concentrate of a plant from the genus Lycopersicon. The compositions of the invention are useful for the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases or conditions which are characterized by increased bone resorption, such as Paget's disease, tumor-induced bone disease or particularly osteoporosis.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Use of an extract or concentrate from a plant of the genus Lycopersicon or mixtures thereof in the preparation of a pharmaceutical or nutritional composition for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease or condition which is characterized by increased bone resorption, such as Paget's disease, tumor-induced bone disease or particularly osteoporosis.  
     
     
         2 . Use of an extract or concentrate from a plant of the genus Lycopersicon in the preparation of a pharmaceutical or nutritional composition for one or more indications from the following group: 
 a) inhibiting bone resorption,    b) reducing the risk of developing a disease or condition which is characterized by increased bone resorption, such as Paget's disease, tumor-induced bone disease or particularly osteoporosis,    c) for supporting the treatment of a disease or condition which is characterized by increased bone resorption, such as Paget's disease, tumor-induced bone disease or particularly osteoporosis,    d) for supporting the treatment of osteoporosis, and    e) for reducing the risk of developing osteoporosis.    
     
     
         3 . The use according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein an extract or concentrate in solid form is employed.  
     
     
         4 . The use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pharmaceutical or nutritional composition is formulated to allow a daily administration of 0.1 to 20 grams of Lycopersicon extract or concentrate, on a solvent-free basis.  
     
     
         5 . The use according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plant is selected from the botanical species  Lycopersicon esculentum  (also referred to as  Lycopersicon lycopersicum,  “tomato”),  Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium  (“Current tomato”),  Lycopersicon hirsutum, Lycopersicon peruvianum, Lycopersicon parviflorum  and/or  Lycopersicon pennel  (“Fuzzy tomato”), whereby the use of  Lycopersicon esculentum  is preferred.  
     
     
         6 . A nutritional composition comprising 
 (a) at least one extract or concentrate from a plant of the genus Lycopersicon,    (b) a calcium source, and optionally    (c) at least one energy source selected from the group consisting of carbohydrate, fat and nitrogen sources, and optionally    (d) Vitamin D.    
     
     
         7 . A nutritional composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the plant extract or concentrate is selected from the group consisting of extracts and concentrates of the botanical species  Lycopersicon esculentum  (also referred to as  Lycopersicon lycopersicum,  “tomato”),  Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium  (“Current tomato”),  Lycopersicon hirsutum, Lycopersicon peruvianum, Lycopersicon parviflorum  and/or  Lycopersicon pennellii  (“Fuzzy tomato”), whereby  Lycopersicon esculentum  is preferred.  
     
     
         8 . A nutritional composition according to claims  6  or  7 , wherein the nitrogen source in component (c) is one or more selected from the group consisting of soy bean derived proteins; milk proteins, protein hydrolysates, a mixture of essential amino acids and arginine.  
     
     
         9 . A nutritional composition according to any of  claims 6  to  8 , wherein the carbohydrate source provides for 30 to 70% of the total energy supply, the nitrogen source for 5 to 40% and the fat source for 0.01 to 5% of the total energy supply of the composition.  
     
     
         10 . A nutritional composition according to any of claims  6  to 9, which comprises (in % by weight) from 3 to 25% of component (a), from 5 to 50% of component (b) and from 1 to 95% of component (c).  
     
     
         11 . A nutritional composition according to any of  claims 6  to  10 , which comprises in addition (in % by weight) 0.2 to 10% of other nutritionally acceptable components selected from the group consisting of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, fibers, flavors, preservatives, colorants, sweeteners and emulsifiers.  
     
     
         12 . A nutritional composition according to any of  claims 6  to  11 , which is in the form of a medical nutrition supplement having from 50 to 1500 kcal/day.  
     
     
         13 . A pharmaceutical composition in single dose unit form, comprising 
 (a) at least one extract or concentrate from a plant of the genus Lycopersicon, and    (b) a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier.