Compounds for altering food intake in humans

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process of providing an extract containing at least one simmondsin compound. The extract is provided from jojoba plant, and used as a dietary supplement for use in a weight control regiment in humans. The present invention also provides a method of treating an overweight human in need of such treatment, and comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of such an extract.

1 . A process of obtaining an extract containing at least one simmondsin, the extract provided from at least a portion of a jojoba plant, the process comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contacting at least a portion of a jojoba plant with an organic solvent to provide a mixture;    (b) heating the resulting jojoba plant/organic solvent mixture;    (c) separating the organic solvent and resulting extracted jojoba plant components therein from that portion of the jojoba plant that is insoluble in the solvent;    (d) concentrating the mixture of organic solvent and extracted components by applying heat to that mixture; and    (e) removing further solvent from the mixture.    
   
   
       2 . The process according to  claim 1 , whereby the organic solvent is a liquid.  
   
   
       3 . The process according to  claim 2 , whereby step (d) is performed under conditions of reduced pressure relative to atmospheric pressure.  
   
   
       4 . The process according to  claim 2 , whereby the organic solvent includes ethanol.  
   
   
       5 . The process according to  claim 2 , whereby the organic solvent is a mixture of ethanol and a solvent having an aqueous character, and the mixture is comprised primarily of ethanol, on a weight basis.  
   
   
       6 . The process according to  claim 1 , whereby the jojoba plant has the form of jojoba meal.  
   
   
       7 . The process according to  claim 2 , whereby step (e) is carried out through a spray drying process.  
   
   
       8 . The process according to  claim 2 , whereby the step (b) and step (d) each are conducted at about 5° C. to about 20° C. less than the boiling point of the solvent within the mixture.  
   
   
       9 . The process according to  claim 2 , whereby step (b) involves subjecting the j oj oba plant/organic solvent mixture to agitation.  
   
   
       10 . A method of providing a composition suitable for use by humans for the purpose of altering the desire for intake of food and for associated weight control of humans, the method comprising: 
 (a) contacting at least a portion of a jojoba plant with an organic solvent to provide a mixture;    (b) heating the resulting jojoba plant/organic solvent mixture;    (c) separating the organic solvent and resulting extracted jojoba plant components therein from that portion of the jojoba plant that is insoluble in the solvent;    (d) concentrating the mixture of organic solvent and extracted components by applying heat to that mixture; and    (e) removing further organic solvent from the mixture to provide an extract composition containing at least one simmondsin compound.    
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , whereby the organic solvent is a liquid.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , whereby prior to step (e), concentrated mixture resulting from step (d) is combined with a material suitable as a carrier, thereby providing a mixture comprising simmondsin compound and carrier in step (e).  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11 , whereby step (d) is performed under conditions of reduced pressure relative to atmospheric pressure.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 11 , whereby the organic solvent includes ethanol.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 11 , whereby the organic solvent is a mixture of ethanol and a solvent having an aqueous character.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 10 , whereby the jojoba plant has the form of jojoba meal.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 11 , whereby step (e) is carried out through a spray drying process.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 11 , whereby the step (b) and step (d) each are conducted at about 5° C. to about 20° C. less than the boiling point of the solvent within the mixture.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 11 , whereby step (b) involves subjecting the jojoba plant/organic solvent mixture to agitation.  
   
   
       20 - 39 . (canceled)