Use of hederagenin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl((1-2)-[Beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-4)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside or an extract from pulsatillae radix containing the same as a therapeutic agent for solid tumors

Abstract

This invention relates to a use of hederagenin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl((1→2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→4)]-α-L-arabinopyranoside or a Pulsatillae radix extract containing the same as a therapeutic agent for solid tumors.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An agent for treating solid tumors, comprising an Pulsatillae radix extract as an active ingredient, wherein the Pulsatillae radix extract contains hederagenin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl((1→2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→4)]-α-L-arabinopyranoside.  
     
     
         2 . The agent according to  claim 1 , wherein the Pulsatillae radix extract is prepared by extracting Pulsatillae radix with an aqueous solution of ethanol, and forming precipitates by adding acetone thereto to obtain a water-soluble fraction.  
     
     
         3 . The agent according to  claim 2 , wherein the Pulsatillae radix extract is administered at a daily dose of 200 to 300 mg/kg body weight.  
     
     
         4 . The agent according to  claim 1 , wherein the Pulsatillae radix extract is a fraction having R f  in the range from 0.48 to 0.50 and developing red color, and then, blue color, upon sulfuric acid spraying followed by heating, which fraction is prepared by extracting Pulsatillae radix with an aqueous solution of ethanol, forming precipitates by adding acetone thereto to obtain a water-soluble fraction, and passing the fraction through a Sephadex LH20 column.  
     
     
         5 . The agent according to  claim 4 , wherein the Pulsatilla radix extract is administered at a daily dose of 20 to 40 mg/kg body weight.  
     
     
         6 . An agent for treating solid tumors, comprising hederagenin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl((1→2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→4)]-α-L-arabinopyranoside as an active ingredient.  
     
     
         7 . The agent according to  claim 6 , wherein hederagenin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl((1→2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→4)]-α-L-arabinopyranoside is administered at a daily dose of 3.5 to 8 mg/kg body weight.  
     
     
         8 . The agent according to any one of  claims 1  to  7 , which is dissolved in a solution selected from the group consisting of physiological saline, Ringer's solution, and nutrient solution, for administration.