Açai berry seed extract, fractions of açai berry seed extracts, process for obtaining açai berry seed extracts, pharmaceutical and food compositions and method for the treatment of diseases or disorders with açai berry seed extract

Abstract

Açaí berry seed extracts (açai palm fruit, Euterpe oleracea) with effect in the treatment of diseases or disorders individually or jointly related to the metabolic syndrome; a process for obtaining an açai berry seed extract; a pharmaceutical and a food composition for treating diseases or disorders individually or jointly related to the metabolic syndrome, and a method for treating diseases or disorders individually or jointly associated with metabolic syndrome in humans or animals.

1 . An açai berry seed extract for treating diseases and disorders individually or jointly related to the metabolic syndrome, obtained by extraction with protic polar solvent. 
     
     
         2 . The extract according to  claim 1 , comprising one or more of procyanidin B2, epicatechin, rutin, catechin, vicenine 2, vitexin and chlorogenic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The extract according to  claim 1 , wherein the diseases or disorders are selected from the group consisting of: abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, dyslipoproteinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, increased blood pressure, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, increased fasting glucose and hepatic steatosis. 
     
     
         4 . Fractions of açai berry seed extract for treating diseases or disorders individually or jointly related to metabolic syndrome, obtained by extraction with protic polar solvent. 
     
     
         5 . The fraction according to  claim 4 , comprising one or more of procyanidin B2, epicatechin, rutin, catechin, vicenin 2, vitexin and chlorogenic acid. 
     
     
         6 . The fraction according to  claim 4 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of: water, C1-C2 lower alcohols, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A process for obtaining an açai berry seed extract comprising the steps of:
 (a) milling the açai berry seed, obtaining a powder; 
 (b) macerating the powder in a protic polar solvent, producing a solid residue; 
 (c) separating the solid residue, obtaining the extract, and 
 (d) optionally drying of the extract. 
 
     
     
         8 . A pharmaceutical composition for treating diseases or disorders individually or jointly related to the metabolic syndrome, comprising an açai berry seed extract, or fractions of the extract or one or more of the major components of the extract; and one or more excipients. 
     
     
         9 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the extract or fractions of the extract comprising one or more of procyanidin B2, epicatechin, rutin, catechin, vicenine 2, vitexin and chlorogenic acid. 
     
     
         10 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the açai berry seed extract or fractions of the extract are obtained by extraction with protic polar solvent. 
     
     
         11 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 8 , in a form selected from the group consisting of: solids, liquids, semisolids or pastes, pills, tablets, hard or soft capsules, lozenges, powders, granules, suspensions, dispersions, emulsions, micro or nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, and vesicles. 
     
     
         12 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 8 , administered in a form selected from the groups consisting of: oral, peroral, enteral, parenteral, topical, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intravenous, by infiltration, by inhalation, trans-mucosal, intramuscular, intrapulmonary, vaginal, rectal, intraocular, sublingual, and bolus. 
     
     
         13 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 8 , further comprising a biologically active compound or a substrate. 
     
     
         14 . The pharmaceutical compositions according to  claim 13 , wherein the biologically active compound or substrate is selected from the group consisting of: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-lipid, anti-hypertensive, hypoglycemic, anti-cholesterolemic, anti-obesity, anti-thrombotic, anti-triglycerides, appetite suppressant, vitamins, anti-depressant, anxiolytic, antibiotic, laxative, and anticonvulsant. 
     
     
         15 . A food composition for treating diseases or disorders individually or jointly related to the metabolic syndrome, comprising an açai berry seed extract, or fractions of the extract, or one or more of the major components of the extract; and one or more excipients. 
     
     
         16 . The food composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the extract or fractions of the extract comprising one or more of procyanidin B2, epicatechin, rutin, catechin, vicenine 2, vitexin and chlorogenic acid. 
     
     
         17 . The food compositions according to  claim 15 , wherein the açai berry seed extract or fractions of the extract are obtained by extraction with protic polar solvent. 
     
     
         18 . The food composition according to  claim 15 , in a form selected from the group consisting of: mixtures with cereals in bulk, mixtures with cereals in bar, shakes, juices, soft drinks, nutraceuticals, and ice creams. 
     
     
         19 . The food composition according to  claim 15 , further containing a biologically active compound or a substrate. 
     
     
         20 . The food composition according to  claim 15 , further comprising vitamins. 
     
     
         21 . A method for treating diseases or disorders individually or jointly associated with metabolic syndrome in humans or animals, administering a therapeutically effective amount of an açai berry seed extract, or fraction of the extract, or one or more components thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the components are one or more of procyanidin B2, epicatechin, rutin, catechin, vicenin 2, vitexin and chlorogenic acid. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the diseases or disorders are selected from the group consisting of: abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, dyslipoproteinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, increased blood pressure, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, increased fasting glucose, and hepatic steatosis. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 21 , for reducing visceral fat.