Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Plant material or plant extract of undetermined constitution...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-11-01
2004-08-10
Lankford, Jr., Leon B. (Department: 1651)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Plant material or plant extract of undetermined constitution...
C424S728000, C424S752000, C514S023000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06773729
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel use of a combination of the plants Ginseng, more precisely
Panax ginseng
, and Ginkgo, more precisely
Ginkgo biloba
and/or the combination of extracts of both plants to improve cognitive skills. The combination is useful for improving the speed of memory and memory quality in normal, healthy subjects as well as to prevent deterioration of the speed of memory in people with decreased cognitive functions as well as to counteract cognitive fatigue.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Extracts of
Ginkgo biloba
contain ginkgo-flavone glycosides and terpenoids which are known to have vaso-regulating and blood viscosity decreasing properties. The main indications for which Ginkgo is prescribed in Western countries, such as France and Germany, are intermittent claudication and cerebral insufficiency.
The roots of
Panax ginseng
C. A. Meyer contain several triterpene glycosides named ginsenosides (or panaxosides) which are believed to contribute to the adaptogenic and physical performance enhancing properties of the ginseng extracts. It is used to treat anemia, diabetes mellitus, insomnia, neurasthenia, gastritis, abnormal blood pressure, dyspepsia, overstrain and fatigue.
Petkov et al. disclose that the standardized extracts of
Panax ginseng, Ginkgo biloba
and a combination thereof improve the learned behavior of young and old rodents(Petkov, V. D. et al., Planta Med. 59 (1993) pp. 106-114). This study showed that the combination of
Panax ginseng
and
Ginkgo biloba
did not exhibit a synergistic effect compared with the single active principles in rats.
It has previously been suggested (Moss and Scholey, Psychopharmacology, 1996 124(3):255-60, Kennedy and Scholey, Psychopharmacology, 2000 149(1):63-71) that some demanding cognitive tasks may be facilitated by the simple augmentation of delivery of metabolic substrates to the brain. As an example, a previous study from this laboratory (Kennedy and Scholey Psychopharmacology, 2000 149(l):63-71) investigated the relationship between heart rate, blood glucose levels and performance on a “demanding” mental arithmetic task (serial verbal subtraction of 7 from a given number between 800 and 1000; “serial 7s”), a “less demanding” mental arithmetic task (serial subtraction of 3; “serial 3s”), and a long term verbal memory task. It was found that not only did both serial subtraction tasks engender significant increases in heart rate above that engendered by somatically identical counting tasks, but that performance on both was also related to the magnitude of fall in blood glucose levels during task performance. Performance on the most demanding task (serial 7s) was also not only improved by a glucose drink, but was also related to resting heart rate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Unexpectedly, it was found in cognitive tests that administering a combination of extracts of the root of
Panax ginseng
C. A. Meyer and of the leaves of
Ginkgo biloba
to humans positively effects cognitive skills, for example, such as the speed and quality of memory in normal, healthy subjects. Both
Panax ginseng
and
Ginkgo biloba
have been extensively used for various indications in Chinese medicine and are described in the traditional Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Ginkgo extracts and Ginseng extracts are known to have effects on cognitive functions, yet the effects produced by the combination are of a novel type.
Therefore the present invention is directed to a method to enhance the speed of memory and memory quality in normal, healthy subjects comprising the administration of a medication and/or a dietary supplement containing a combination of Ginseng and Ginkgo. Further, the combination may be used to prevent deterioration of the speed of memory in people with decreased cognitive functions and to counteract cognitive fatigue. Specifically, the composition of the present invention consists of herbal ingredients, for example, derived by an extraction from Ginseng roots and Ginkgo leaves. Another aspect of the present invention is a method for the enhancement of the mental effort and/or cognitive performance, in particular of children or young adults, said method comprising co-administration of synergistically enhancing amounts of the plant
Panax ginseng
, extracts thereof and/or the principle active substances thereof and the plant
Ginkgo biloba
, extracts thereof and/or the principle active substances thereof to a person in acute need of such treatment.
The Ginseng extract contains among other substances ginsenosides and polysaccharides, while the Ginkgo extract contains among other substances ginkgo flavone glycosides and terpene lactones. While all these substances are known to have pharmacological activities, the range of their pharmacological actions has not yet been fully elucidated, but in vitro studies indicate that some of them have antioxidant properties and that they inhibit platelet aggregation, while others exert an action on the oxygen uptake in the cells and others again may exert an immunomodulating action. It is considered, however, that only complete extracts prepared according to the methods set out in this invention possess the activities necessary to achieve the effects related to this invention.
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a method to improve the speed of memory and memory quality in normal, healthy subjects, to prevent deterioration of the speed of memory in people with decreased cognitive functions and to counteract cognitive fatigue. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for improving the speed of memory and to prevent a decrease of the speed of memory by taking formulations comprising herbal ingredients, wherein the medication and/or the dietary supplement is manufactured pursuant to a controlled process that preserves the herbal curing qualities of the ingredients. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a method for improving the speed of memory and to prevent a decrease of the speed of memory comprising herbal ingredients and having minimal or no side effects and thus being safe for internal consumption.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6083932 (2000-07-01), Pang et al.
Scholey et al., “Acute dose-dependent cognitive effects of Ginkgo biloba, Panax Ginseng and their combination in healthy young volunteers: differential interactions with cognitive demand”, Hum Psychopharmacol, Jan., 2002, 17(1):35-44, abstract.*
Kennedy et al., “Modulation of cognition and mood following administration of single doses of Ginkgo biloba, ginseng and and ginkgo/ginseng combination to healthy young adults”, Physiol Behav. Apr. 15, 2002, 75(5):739-51, abstract.*
Kennedy et al., “Differential, does dependent changes in cognitive performance following acute administration of a Ginkgo biloba/Panax ginseng combination to healthy young volunteers”, Nutr Neurosci, 2001 4(5):399-412, abstract.*
Wesnes et al., “The cognitive, subjective, and physical effects of a ginkgo biloba/panax ginseng combination in healthy volunteers with neurasthenic complaints”, Psychopharmacol Bull, 1997, 33(4):677-83.*
Kennedy et al., “The dose dependent cognitive effects of acute administration of Ginkgo biloba to healthy young volunteers”, Psychopharmacology, Sep. 2000, 151:416-423.*
Petkov Vesselin D. et al: Memory Effects of Standardized Extracts of Panax ginseng (G115), Ginkgo biloba (GK 501) and their Combination Fincosan (PHL-00701) Planta Med. 1993, 59(2):106-114.
Kennedy David O. et al: “Glucose administration, heart rate and cognitive performance:effects of increasing mental effort” Psychopharmacology 2000 149:63-71.
Petkov V D et al: “Effects of standardized extracts GK501, from Ginkgo Biloba L., G115 from panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, and their combination, gincosan(PHL-00701), on the brain levels of biogenic Monoamines and on the serum content of prolactin, growth hormone and ACTH” Phytotherapy Research, 1993, 7(2):139-145.
Belcheva S et al “Gingko biloba L. and Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. as memory-enhancing and anti-anxiety drugs.” Dokladi na Blg
Petrini Orlando
Scholey Andrew
Davis Ruth A.
Devlin Mary-Ellen M.
Lankford , Jr. Leon B.
Pharmaton S.A.
Pocchiari Susan K.
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