Use of saffron and/or safranal and/or crocin and/or picrocrocin and/or derivatives thereof as a satiation agent for the treatment of obesity

Abstract

Use of saffron and its active ingredients, such as safranal and/or picrocrocin and/or crocin and/or derivatives thereof, for the production of an active satiation agent for the treatment of problems of overweight.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An oral formulation for treating an overweight or obese subject, comprising:
 a composition containing a saffron stigmata solvent extract including a combination of picrocrocin, safranal, and crocin, wherein said saffron stigmata solvent extract is obtained by:   a) isolating saffron stigmata; and   b) extracting the isolated saffron stigmata with a solvent, and wherein the saffron stigmata solvent extract is present in an amount which is effective for reducing fat-body mass while keeping lean-body mass and muscular mass stable;   wherein the oral formulation is in a form selected from the group consisting of a tablet, a film-coated tablet, an effervescent tablet, a lozenge, and a capsule.   
     
     
         10 . The oral formulation according to  claim 9 , wherein the oral formulation is in a form selected from the group consisting of a tablet, a film-coated tablet, and an effervescent tablet. 
     
     
         11 . The oral formulation according to  claim 9 , wherein the oral formulation further comprises at least one pharmaceutically and/or dietetically acceptable excipient in the composition. 
     
     
         12 . The oral formulation according to  claim 9 , wherein the oral formulation comprises a dose of the saffron stigmata solvent extract in an amount ranging from 60 mg to 150 mg. 
     
     
         13 . The oral formulation according to  claim 9 , wherein the oral formulation comprises the saffron stigmata extract in an amount of between 0.01 and 50%, relative to the total weight of the dosage form. 
     
     
         14 . The oral formulation according to  claim 13 , wherein the oral formulation comprises the saffron stigmata extract in an amount of between 0.05 and 20%, relative to the total weight of the dosage form. 
     
     
         15 . The oral formulation according to  claim 14 , wherein the oral formulation comprises the saffron stigmata extract in an amount of between 0.1 and 10%, relative to the total weight of the dosage form. 
     
     
         16 . The oral formulation according to  claim 9 , wherein the saffron stigmata extract is obtained from saffron stigmata by hydrodistillation, followed by liquid/liquid extraction. 
     
     
         17 . An oral formulation for treating an overweight or obese subject, comprising:
 a composition containing a saffron stigmata solvent extract including a combination of picrocrocin, safranal, and crocin, wherein said saffron stigmata solvent extract is obtained by:   a) isolating saffron stigmata; and   b) extracting the isolated saffron stigmata with a solvent, and wherein the saffron stigmata solvent extract is present in an amount which is effective for reducing fat-body mass while keeping lean-body mass and muscular mass stable;   wherein the oral formulation is a capsule comprising said saffron stigmata solvent extract, said capsule further comprising at least one excipient selected from the group consisting of a bulking agent selected from the group consisting of a maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, and a mixture thereof; magnesium stearate; magnesium silicate; and colloidal silica.   
     
     
         18 . The oral formulation according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein the saffron stigmata extract is obtained from saffron stigmata by hydrodistillation, followed by liquid/liquid extraction,   wherein the liquid/liquid extraction utilizes water and a solvent selected from the group consisting of ethanol, ethyl acetate, hexane, petroleum ether, acetone or methanol.   
     
     
         19 . The oral formulation according to  claim 16 , wherein the liquid/liquid extraction utilizes water and ethanol. 
     
     
         20 . The oral formulation according to  claim 9 , wherein said saffron stigmata solvent extract is extracted from Safran Crocus sativus L. 
     
     
         21 . An oral formulation for reducing or controlling intake of calories consumed on a daily basis to regulate body weight in a subject in need thereof, comprising:
 a composition containing an effective amount of a saffron stigmata solvent extract including a combination of picrocrocin, safranal, and crocin, wherein said saffron stigmata solvent extract is obtained by:   a) isolating saffron stigmata; and   b) extracting the isolated saffron stigmata with a solvent, and wherein the effective amount of saffron stigmata solvent extract reduces hunger sensation, and wherein said subject is overweight or obese;   wherein the oral formulation is in a form selected from the group consisting of:   i) a tablet, a film-coated tablet, or an effervescent tablet; and   ii) a capsule comprising said saffron stigmata solvent extract and an excipient selected from the group consisting of a bulking agent selected from the group consisting of a maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, and a mixture thereof; magnesium stearate; magnesium silicate; colloidal silica, and mixtures thereof.   
     
     
         22 . A method for reducing or controlling intake of calories consumed on a daily basis to regulate body weight in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering the oral formulation of claim  1  to the subject. 
     
     
         22 . A method for reducing or controlling intake of calories consumed on a daily basis to regulate body weight in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering the oral formulation of  claim 17  to the subject. 
     
     
         23 . A method for reducing or controlling intake of calories consumed on a daily basis to regulate body weight in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering the oral formulation of  claim 21  to the subject.