Neuroprotective Natural Extract from Passion Fruit

Abstract

Methods for the treatment and prevention of neural cell and neuro-pathological disorders are provided, comprising contacting the neural cells, or administering to a subject in need thereof, botanical raw material (BRM) or an extract obtainable from passion fruits. Compositions, as well as a nutraceutical composition comprising the same are also provided.

1 . A method for protection from, reduction, prevention or inhibition of neural cell damage or deterioration in neural cell function, said method comprising the step of contacting said neural cell with a botanical raw material (BRM) or an extract obtainable from passion fruits. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , for protection from, reduction, prevention or inhibition of neural cell damage or deterioration in neural cell function in a subject suffering from a neuro-pathological condition, said method comprising the step of administering to said subject an effective amount of a botanical raw material (BRM) or an extract obtainable from passion fruits. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said passion fruits are of at least one of a cultivar designated 428 and a cultivar designated Passion Dream (PD), or any crosses or progeny thereof. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said BRM or an extract obtainable from passion fruits is any one of a juice, fruit skin, pulp or seeds obtained from at least one variety or cultivar of passion fruits or a mixture of two or more cultivars of passion fruits, or any concentrate or preparation obtained from said juice, fruit skin, pulp, seeds or fruits. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said BRM or extract obtainable from passion fruits reduces at least one of radical cellular oxygen species (ROS) levels, oxygen species toxicity and glutamate toxicity. 
     
     
         8 . A method for the treatment, prophylaxis, amelioration, inhibition or delaying the onset of a neuro-pathological condition, said method comprising the step of administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a BRM or an extract obtainable from passion fruits. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said passion fruits are of at least one of a cultivar designated 428 and a cultivar designated PD, or any crosses or progeny thereof. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said BRM or an extract obtainable from passion fruits is any one of a juice, fruit skin, pulp or seeds obtained from at least one variety or cultivar of passion fruits or a mixture of two or more cultivars of passion fruits, or any fraction, concentrate or preparation obtained from said juice fruit skin, pulp, seeds or fruits. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said BRM or extract obtainable from passion fruits reduces at least one of radical cellular oxygen species (ROS) levels, oxygen species toxicity and glutamate toxicity. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said neuropathological condition is a neurodegenerative disorder, a condition involving neurological injury or an ischemic disease or condition, wherein said neurodegenerative disorder is any one of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), said ischemic disease or condition is stroke and said condition involving neurological injury is any one of acute, traumatic or chronic brain injury. 
     
     
         14 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said BRM or an extract obtainable from passion fruits is administered as part of a nutraceutical composition, pharmaceutical composition, functional food, functional nutrition product, medical food, medical nutrition product or dietary supplement. 
     
     
         18 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A composition for protection from, reduction, prevention or inhibition of neural cell damage or deterioration in neural cell function comprising a botanical raw material (BRM) or an extract of passion fruits, said composition optionally further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent. 
     
     
         30 . The composition according to  claim 29 , for the treatment, prophylaxis, amelioration, inhibition or delaying the onset of a neuro-pathological condition in a subject, said composition comprising as an active ingredient a botanical raw material (BRM) or an extract of passion fruits. 
     
     
         31 . The composition according to  claim 29 , wherein said passion fruits are of at least one of a cultivar designated 428 and a cultivar designated PD, or any crosses or progeny thereof. 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The composition according to  claim 29 , wherein said BRM or extract is any one of a juice, fruit skin, pulp or seeds obtained from at least one variety or cultivar of passion fruits or a mixture of two or more cultivars of passion fruits, or any concentrate or preparation obtained from said juice, fruit skin, pulp, seeds or fruits. 
     
     
         34 . The composition according to  claim 29 , for protection from, reduction, prevention or inhibition of neural cell damage or deterioration in neural cell function, wherein said BRM or extract of passion fruits reduces at least one of radical cellular oxygen species (ROS) levels, oxygen species toxicity and glutamate toxicity. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The composition according to  claim 30 , wherein said neuro-pathological condition is a neurodegenerative disorder, a condition involving neurological injury or an ischemic disease or condition, and wherein said neurodegenerative disorder is any one of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease or ALS, said ischemic disease or condition is stroke, and said condition involving neurological injury is any one of acute, traumatic or chronic brain injury. 
     
     
         37 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . The composition according to  claim 29 , wherein said composition is a nutraceutical composition, pharmaceutical composition, functional food, functional nutrition product, medical food, medical nutrition product or dietary supplement 
     
     
         41 . The composition according to  claim 40 , being a nutraceutical composition comprising as an active ingredient a botanical raw material (BRM) or an extract obtainable from passion fruits. 
     
     
         42 . The composition according to  claim 40 , being a functional food comprising as an active ingredient a botanical raw material (BRM) or an extract obtainable from passion fruits.