Herbal drug composition for cartilage protection

Abstract

The present invention relates to a herbal drug composition for cartilage protection comprising plant extracts of Clematis Radix, Trichosanthis Radix, and Prunellae Spica and an optimal content of rosmarinic acid to: (i) alleviate pains; (ii) inhibit the acute/chronic inflammation, platelet/whole blood aggregation, immunocyte (B-lymphcyte and T-lymphcyte) proliferation, inflammation-inducing enzyme activities, and enzyme activities associated with degradation of joint tissue; (iii) scavenge activity of toxic active oxygen radicals; and (iv) further provide excellent cartilage protection activity to be effectively used as an anti-inflammatory agent with analgesic effects, blood circulation enhancer, arthritis therapeutic agent and cartilage protective.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A herbal drug composition for the cartilage protection comprising Clematis Radix, Trichosanthis Radix, Prunellae Spica, wherein more than 0.6 wt. % of rosmarinic acid is present in the total composition.  
     
     
         2 . The herbal drug composition for the cartilage protection according to  claim 1 , wherein said rosmarinic acid is present in the range of from 0.6 to 5.0 wt. % relative to the total composition.  
     
     
         3 . The herbal drug composition for the cartilage protection according to  claim 1 , wherein said herbal drug composition comprises oleanolic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in addition to said rosmarinic acid.  
     
     
         4 . The herbal drug composition for the cartilage protection according to  claim 1 , wherein said oleanolic acid is present in the range of from 2.0 to 6.0 wt. % to the total composition.  
     
     
         5 . The herbal drug composition for the cartilage protection according to  claim 3 , wherein said 4-hydroxybenzoic acid is present in the range of from 0.01 to 0.04 wt. % to the total composition.  
     
     
         6 . A cartilage protective comprising the herbal drug composition selected from the possible combinations consisting of said claims  1 - 5  as an active ingredient for cartilage protection and arthritis therapeutic treatment.  
     
     
         7 . The cartilage protective according to  claim 6 , wherein said cartilage protective is formulated in the form of tablets or soft gelatin capsules for oral administration, injection solutions, ointments, or transdermals.  
     
     
         8 . The cartilage protective according to  claim 7 , wherein the dosage of said tablet or soft gelatin capsule for oral administration is in the range of from 50 to 2400 mg daily.