Process for preparing dry extracts

Abstract

Processes for preparing dry extracts from fluid extracts and at least one additional substance by a spray-drying process is effected by adding the additional substance to the spray-drying process in a dry form.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A process for preparing dry extracts from a fluid extract and at least one additional substance by a spray-drying process, wherein said at least one additional substance is added to the spray-drying process in a dry form during the spray-drying process.  
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein said fluid extract is the extract of a medicinal plant.  
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said at least one additional substance is a galenic auxiliary agent.  
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 3 , wherein in that said auxiliary agent is selected from the group consisting of lactose, maltodextrin, dextrin, dry glucose, starch, microcrystalline cellulose, silicated/silicified microcrystalline cellulose, Povidone®, polyethylene glycol, calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, precipitated silica acid, precipitated silica, highly dispersed silica, sorbitol, mannitol, ir mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the particle size of said at least one additional substance is within a range of from 1 to 500 μm.  
     
     
         6 . A dry extract obtained by a process according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         7 . A medicament containing a dry extract according to  claim 6 .  
     
     
         8 . The medicament of  claim 7  in the form of a tablet.  
     
     
         9 . A process for preparing agglomerated particles containing an active agent, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing droplets of a fluid, said fluid containing said active agent;    (b) mixing said droplets with dispersed particles of a solid phase component; and    (c) drying said mixture.    
     
     
         10 . A process for preparing a dry composition containing an active agent, said process comprising the steps of: 
 (a) atomizing a fluid which contains said active agent;    (b) dispersing a solid component in the presence of said atomized fluid; and    (c) contacting said fluid and said solid component with a heated gas.    
     
     
         11 . A solid dosage form comprising an active agent and an auxiliary agent, the dosage form formed by: 
 (a) combining said active agent in fluid form with a solid phase component to form agglomerated particles; and    (b) incorporating the agglomerated particles into a solid dosage form.    
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid comprises St. John's Wort, and wherein said solid phase comprises silicified/silicated microcrystalline cellulose.  
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid comprises panax ginseng, and wherein said solid phase comprises silicified/silicated microcrystalline cellulose.  
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid comprises artichoke ( Cynara scolymus ), and wherein said solid phase comprises silicified/silicated microcrystalline cellulose.  
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid comprises echinacea (E. spp.), and wherein said solid phase comprises silicified/silicated microcrystalline cellulose.  
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid comprises eleuthococcus ( E. senticosus ), and wherein said solid phase comprises silicified/silicated microcrystalline cellulose.  
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid comprises ginkgo biloba, and wherein said solid phase comprises silicified/silicated microcrystalline cellulose.  
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid comprises green tea ( Camellia sinensis ), and wherein said solid phase comprises silicified/silicated microcrystalline cellulose.  
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid comprises garlic ( Allium sativum ), and wherein said solid phase comprises silicified/silicated microcrystalline cellulose.  
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid comprises horse chestnut ( Aesculus hippocastanum ), and wherein said solid phase comprises silicified/silicated microcrystalline cellulose.  
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid comprises glucosamine, and wherein said solid phase comprises silicified/silicated microcrystalline cellulose.  
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid comprises chondroitin, and wherein said solid phase comprises silicified/silicated microcrystalline cellulose.  
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid comprises St. John's Wort, and wherein said solid phase comprises silica.  
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid comprises goldenrod, and wherein said solid phase comprises silica and maltodextrin.  
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid comprises valerian root, and wherein said solid phase comprises silica and dry glucose.  
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid comprises nettle root, and wherein said solid phase comprises lactose.  
     
     
         27 . A process for manufacturing agglomerated particles containing an active agent, comprising combining a fluid containing said active agent with a particles of a solid phase component in a dryer to form agglomerated particles.  
     
     
         28 . A process for preparing a dry composition containing an active agent, comprising co-spraying a fluid, said fluid containing an active agent, and particles of a solid phase component, to form agglomerated particles.  
     
     
         29 . The process of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of compressing said mixture to form a tablet.  
     
     
         30 . The agglomerated particles obtained by the process according to  claim 9 .  
     
     
         31 . The dry composition obtained by the process according to  claim 10 .  
     
     
         32 . The agglomerated particles obtained by the process according to  claim 27 .  
     
     
         33 . The dry composition obtained by the process according to  claim 28 .  
     
     
         34 . The solid dosage form of  claim 11 , wherein said solid dosage form is selected from the group consisting of tablets, capsules, and entire coated tablets.  
     
     
         35 . The agglomerated particles of  claim 30  in a solid dosage form, said solid dosage form comprising one or more of tablets, capsules and entire coated tablets.  
     
     
         36 . The agglomerated particles of  claim 32  in a solid dosage form, said solid dosage form comprising one or more of tablets, capsules and entire coated tablets.