Dimer digallate compositions

Abstract

A process is disclosed for the production of polyphenol oligomers having n polyphenol monomeric units, n being an integer from 2-18. The process includes coupling of a protected polyphenol, having protected phenolic hydroxyl groups, with a C-4 functionalized polyphenol monomer. The protected polyphenol may be a protected polyphenol monomer or a protected polyphenol oligomer having 2-17 monomeric units. Advantageously, polyphenol monomeric units forming the polyphenol oligomers may be the same or different flavanoid compounds.

1 - 41  (Canceled)  
     
     
         42 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a dimer digallate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof.  
     
     
         43 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 42  wherein the dimer digallate is EC-3-O-galloyl-(4β→8)-EC-3-O-gallate.  
     
     
         44 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 42  wherein the dimer digallate is C-3-O-galloyl-(4α→8)-EC-3-O-gallate.  
     
     
         45 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 42  wherein the dimer digallate is included in a food product.  
     
     
         46 . A method of treating or preventing an NO-responsive disease or disorder by administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a dimer digallate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof, and wherein the subject is a human or a veterinary animal.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the dimer digallate is EC-3-O-galloyl-(4β→8)-EC-3-O-gallate.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the dimer digallate is C-3-O-galloyl-(4α→8)-EC-3-O-gallate.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the dimer digallate is included in a food product.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the NO-responsive disease or disorder is hypertension, vascular disease, vascular circulation problems and/or kidney failure.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the NO-responsive disease or disorder is hypertension, vascular disease, vascular circulation problems and/or kidney failure.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the NO-responsive disease or disorder is hypertension, vascular disease, vascular circulation problems and/or kidney failure.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the subject is at risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and/or kidney failure.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the subject is at risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and/or kidney failure.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the subject is at risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and/or kidney failure.  
     
     
         56 . A method of treating or preventing hypertension by administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a dimer digallate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof, and wherein the subject is a human or a veterinary animal.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the dimer digallate is EC-3-O-galloyl-(4β→8)-EC-3-O-gallate.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the dimer digallate is C-3-O-galloyl-(4α→8)-EC-3-O-gallate.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the subject is at risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and/or kidney failure.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the subject is at risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and/or kidney failure.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the subject is at risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and/or kidney failure.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the dimer digallate is included in a food product.