Composition containing an extract of pericarpium zanthoxyli for protecting brain cells and improving memory

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition containing an extract of pericarpium zanthoxyli for protecting brain cells and improving memory, and the composition of this invention induces an effect of protecting brain cells for modern people under brain damage that is caused by environmental factors, such as various stresses, drinking and smoking habits, therefore, it can be used for medicines and health supplements inducing an effect of preventing, treating degenerative disorders and improving memory.

1 . A pharmaceutical composition containing an extract of  pericarpium zanthoxyli  for protecting brain cells and improving memory, wherein said extract of  pericarpium zanthoxyli  is extracted with water, organic solvent, or a mixed solvent in which said water and organic solvent are mixed together.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein it contains 0.5˜50-weight % of  pericarpium zanthoxyli  extract against total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein an extract of  pericarpium zanthoxyli  is obtained by extracting  pericarpium zanthoxyli  with an organic solvent that is selected from the groups comprising of a low alcohol having 1 to 4 of carbon atom, acetone, chloroform, methylene chloride, ether, ethyl acetate and their mixture.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein an extract of  pericarpium zanthoxyli  is obtained by dissolving the extract of  pericarpium zanthoxyli  obtained according to  claim 3  in a mixed solvent of methanol:water, then adjusting to pH 2˜4 by adding an acid, and further extracting and fractionating with equal volume of chloroform.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein an extract of  pericarpium zanthoxyli  is obtained by dissolving the extract of  pericarpium zanthoxyli  obtained according to  claim 3  in a mixed solvent of methanol:water, adjusting to pH 2˜4 by adding an acid, extracting with equal volume of chloroform, then adjusting the fraction that is insoluble in the chloroform to pH 9˜12 by adding ammonium hydroxide, and further extracting and fractionating with equal volume of a chloroform:methanol mixed solvent.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein an extract of  pericarpium zanthoxyli  is obtained by dissolving the extract of  pericarpium zanthoxyli  obtained according to  claim 3  in a mixed solvent of methanol:water, adjusting to pH 2˜4 by adding an acid, extracting with equal volume of chloroform, then adjusting the fraction that is insoluble in the chloroform to pH 9˜12 by adding ammonium hydroxide, and extracting with equal volume of chloroform:methanol mixed solvent, and further extracting and fractionating the fraction that is insoluble in the chloroform:methanol mixed solvent with methanol.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein an extract of  pericarpium zanthoxyli  is obtained by dissolving the extract of  pericarpium zanthoxyli  obtained according to  claim 3  in a mixed solvent of methanol:water, adjusting to pH 2˜4 by adding an acid, extracting with same volume of chloroform, then adjusting the fraction that is insoluble in the chloroform to pH 9˜12 by adding ammonium hydroxide, extracting with same volume of chloroform:methanol mixed solvent, and further extracting and fractionating the fraction that has not been soluble in the chloroform:methanol mixed solvent with methanol, and obtaining from the fraction that is insoluble in methanol.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein it may further contain carriers, excipients, diluents or their mixtures.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein it can be formed for dosage in the type of oral, external, suppository forms or sterile injectable solution.  
     
     
         10 . Health supplemental foods containing an extract of  pericarpium zanthoxyli  showing an effect of protecting brain cells and improving memory, and food supplemental additives that are allowable in bromatology.