Use of polyphenol compounds or derivatives thereof as free-radical scavengers in cigarette filters

Abstract

This invention provides for the use of polyphenol compounds or their derivatives, obtainable by chemical process, biotechnical processes or from plant extracts such as rosemary, as scavengers of free radicals in cigarette filter.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . A method for reducing free-radicals from cigarette smoke generated by smoking a cigarette having a filter, said method comprising the steps of passing the cigarette smoke through the filter wherein said filter is impregnated by an extract of a plant from the Labiatae family wherein said extract comprises polyphenol compounds or derivatives thereof.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the plant is rosemary.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the extract is generated by extraction with an alcoholic solvent or an aqueous alcoholic solvent.  
   
   
       16 . A method for reducing free-radicals from cigarette smoke generated by smoking a cigarette having a filter, said method comprising the steps of passing the cigarette smoke through the filter wherein said filter is impregnated by a mixture comprising at least one polyphenol compound or its derivative.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the mixture comprises at least one polyphenol compound or a derivative thereof selected from the group consisting of carnosol, rosmanol, rosmarinic acid, and carnosic acid.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the mixture comprises carnosol, carnosic acid, rosmarinic acid, and rosmanol.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the mixture comprises carnosic acid or carnosol.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the filter comprises from 0.5 g to 0.1 mg of at least one polyphenol compound or its derivative.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the filter comprises 0.01 g of at least one polyphenol compound or its derivative.  
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one polyphenol or its derivative is coupled to a polymeric carrier or is in a microcapsule matrix or is added to the fibers of a filter.