Compositions and methods to relieve chronic diseases symptoms

Abstract

Compounds having unique properties are prepared from the herbal compositions described herein and comprise extracts derived from plants and fungi of the genera Panax, Ganoderma, and Saussurea. The compositions are useful in preventing, treating, relieving, and improving the quality-of-life of patients suffering from chronic diseases, such as liver diseases, cancer, cachexia, and immune system disorders.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for treating cancer in an individual in need thereof comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a composition consisting essentially of
 a  Ganoderma lucidum  extract;   a  Saussurea involucrate  extract; or   a combination thereof; and optionally,   at least one pharmaceutical excipient;   wherein said composition is in an amount effective to inhibit cancer cell proliferation;   wherein the extracts are extracted in an extraction solvent separately or in a mixture with reflux; and   wherein the extraction solvent is chosen from water, ethanol, and a combination of water and ethanol.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the composition is in a dosage form selected from the group consisting of a solution, a suspension, a liquid, a powder, a granule, an injection, a tablet, a capsule, and a pill. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the composition is administered in an adjuvant setting. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the composition is administered in a neoadjuvant setting. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the cancer is liver cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, or pancreas cancer. 
     
     
         26 . A method for treating a chronic disease in an individual in need thereof comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a composition consisting essentially of
 a  Panax  extract;   a  Ganoderma  extract;   a  Saussurea  extract; and optionally,   at least one pharmaceutical excipient;   wherein the chronic disease is selected from the group consisting of cancer, liver disease, an inflammatory or immune system disorder, and cachexia;   wherein said composition is in an amount effective to inhibit hepatitis B virus, inflammation, and/or cancer cell proliferation;   wherein the weight ratio of the  Panax, Ganoderma,  and  Saussurea  extracts is about 1:1:1;   wherein the extracts are extracted in an extraction solvent separately or in a mixture with reflux or at 60° C.;   wherein the extraction solvent is chosen from water, ethanol, and a combination of water and ethanol;   wherein the  Panax  extract is extracted from a plant selected from the group consisting of:  Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolia,  and  Panax notoginseng;      wherein the  Ganoderma  extract is extracted from a plant selected from the group consisting of:  Ganoderma lucidum,  and  Antrodia camphorata;  and   wherein the  Saussurea  extract is extracted from a plant selected from the group consisting of  Saussurea involucrata,  and  Saussurea Iappa.      
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the composition is in a dosage form selected from the group consisting of a solution, a suspension, a liquid, a powder, a granule, an injection, a tablet, a capsule, and a pill. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the composition is administered in an adjuvant setting. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the composition is administered in a neoadjuvant setting. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the chronic disease is liver disease 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the liver disease is selected from the group consisting of: hepatitis, cirrhosis, and autoimmune hepatitis. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the chronic disease is cancer. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of: liver cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, and pancreas cancer. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the chronic disease is cachexia. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the chronic disease is an inflammatory or immune system disorder. 
     
     
         36 . A composition consisting essentially of
 a  Ganoderma lucidum  extract;   a  Saussurea involucrate  extract; or   a combination thereof; and optionally,   at least one pharmaceutical excipient;   wherein said composition is in an amount effective to inhibit cancer cell proliferation;   wherein the extracts are prepared by extracting raw materials of at least one of  Ganoderma lucidum  and  Saussurea involucrate;      wherein the extracts are extracted in an extraction solvent separately or in a mixture with reflux; and   wherein the extraction solvent is chosen from water, ethanol, and a combination of water and ethanol.   
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 36 , consisting of the extracts and optionally at least one pharmaceutical excipient. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein the composition is in a dosage form selected from the group consisting of a solution, a suspension, a liquid, a powder, a granule, an injection, a tablet, a capsule, and a pill. 
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein the extracts are prepared by a process comprising: separately extracting the raw materials of  Ganoderma lucidum  and  Saussurea involucrate;  and combining the extracts. 
     
     
         40 . A composition consisting essentially of
 a  Panax  extract;   a  Ganoderma  extract;   a  Saussurea  extract; and optionally,   at least one pharmaceutical excipient;   wherein said composition is in an amount effective to inhibit hepatitis B virus, inflammation, and/or cancer cell proliferation;   wherein the extracts are extracted in an extraction solvent separately or in a mixture, with reflux or at 60° C.;   wherein the extraction solvent is chosen from water, ethanol, and a combination of water and ethanol;   wherein the  Panax  extract is extracted from a plant selected from the group consisting of:  Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolia,  and  Panax notoginseng;      wherein the  Ganoderma  extract is extracted from a plant selected from the group consisting of:  Ganoderma lucidum,  and  Antrodia camphorata;      wherein the  Saussurea  extract is extracted from a plant selected from the group consisting of  Saussurea involucrata,  and  Saussurea lappa;  and   wherein the extracts are prepared by extracting raw materials of  Panax, Ganoderma,  and  Saussurea  in a ratio of about 1:1:1.   
     
     
         41 . The composition of  claim 40 , wherein the composition is in a dosage form selected from the group consisting of a solution, a suspension, a liquid, a powder, a granule, an injection, a tablet, a capsule, and a pill.