Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Plant material or plant extract of undetermined constitution...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-13
2002-09-03
Tate, Christopher R. (Department: 1651)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Plant material or plant extract of undetermined constitution...
C424S752000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06444237
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to compositions of herbal ingredients and, more particularly, to herbal compositions and methods which can be used for enhancing human sexual response.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The first major scientific breakthrough in the area of enhanced human sexual response in recent years has been attributed to researchers at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. who discovered the important role that cyclic guanosine monophosphate nucleotide (“cyclic-GMP”) plays in the occurrence of an erection in humans. For a clitoral or penile erection to occur this “pro-erection” chemical cyclic-GMP must be present in a sufficient quantity so that it can overcome an antagonist enzyme, phosphodiesterase type 5 (“PDE-5”) and produce an erection. This antagonist enzyme rapidly breaks down cyclic-GMP, thus hindering the sexual response.
Furthering this research, in 1998, the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology was awarded to American researchers who recognized nitric oxide as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system, including its role in vaso-dilation and the production and release of cyclic-GMP. Sufficient quantities of nitric oxide (NO) must be present for the cyclic-GMP to promote sexual response. Generally, when there is more cyclic-GMP in the penis/clitoris than there is PDE-5, and nitric oxide is present in sufficient quantities, an erection/distension may occur with sufficient stimulation.
Subsequently, it was recognized that the amino acid, arginine, plays an important role as a biochemical precurser to nitric oxide. Recently, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, discovered the enzyme, arginase, which breaks down the body's stores of arginine without producing NO. The researchers also discovered an agent, S-(2-boronoethyl)-L-cysteine (“BEC”), which binds to arginase preventing it from destroying the body's arginine. This discovery reconfirmed the role of arginine as a biochemical precursor to nitric oxide, and its importance in sexual function. As with most biochemical reactions, approaching either side of the equation produces equivalent (desirable) results. In other words, the arginase can be reduced or arginine can be supplemented. If arginine is supplemented in significant enough amounts to “flood” past, or use up the body's arginase (and still be present in significant amounts), then the desired results are achieved. Thus, for many people, the cause of erectile dysfunction is insufficient arginine (or an over abundance of arginase). Management of this deficiency helps to address sexual dysfunction.
At present, there are a number of products produced and made available to consumers desiring to improve or enhance their sexual performance. Generally, these products can be divided into two categories. The first category includes those products which contain “old school” or traditional herbal ingredients. Typically, these products rely on yohimbe or muira puama. Such herbal preparations provide only a marginal value to a limited population. Their mechanism of action, if any, is unknown. The second category includes pharmaceutical products which address the physiology of sexual response at the Cyclic GMP/PDE-5 level.
For instance, a major pharmaceutical company produces sildenafil (also known as Viagra™) that functions by blocking PDE-5 enzyme thus inhibiting its antagonistic action. The result is to provide a relative increase in chemical balance favoring cyclic-GMP. When cyclic-GMP is present in a higher proportion than its antagonist enzyme PDE-5, blood enters the sexual organs more easily. When nitric oxide is released upon sufficient sexual arousal, the penile artery dilates, the penis becomes engorged with blood and the force of turgor causes it to stiffen. When the penile artery is dilated, the veins that draw blood away are pinched shut, otherwise blood would leave just as quickly as it enters and turgor would not build. A comparable process occurs in females.
However, sildenafil and other pharmaceutical products are known to have some unfortunate side-effects, including headaches, nasal congestion, flushing and the infamous blue-tinted vision. In most cases, currently available products must be ingested one to several hours prior to desired effects, thus impeding spontaneity. Furthermore, approximately 30% of men and an even greater percentage of women with sexual dysfunction do not respond to products that function by blocking PDE-5 (such as sildenafil). This lack of response could be attributed to the timing of the sildenafil mechanism, in that the PDE-5 inhibition occurs after the arginase has degraded the system's supply of arginine and before NO is produced from the arginine. A system deprived of sufficient arginine cannot achieve sexual response.
Another natural/herbal product sought to address this deficiency by including L-arginine in combination with natural ingredients, such as ginseng and zizyphi fructus. However, based upon research and reported usage, the product did not consistently provide improved response. When beneficial response was reported, it generally did not appear until after 10 days to two weeks of administering the product daily. Generally, they failed to recognize the importance of ingesting large amounts of arginine to flood and overwhelm arginase. Despite the research and existence of arginine-bearing products, none have yet to appreciate the ability of arginine to provide significant synergistic effect when used in combination with ginseng and theanine.
Ginseng, specifically ginsenoside Rg1 and Rg3, is a NO synthase catalyst which acts to enhance the production of NO significantly. Theanine, a fast acting vasodilator, allows all the ingredients to assimilate into the body at a much greater speed. Both mechanisms serve to cause the flooding action to overwhelm the arginase.
Thus, there is a need for an improved product and method which are capable of enhancing sexual response and vitality without the disadvantages of the prior art products and methods. It is also desirable to provide a product and method that are effective, convenient and economical. It is further desirable to provide consumers with an effective natural/herbal alternative to current synthetic products. Another objective is to provide such a product that works equally as well for both men and women.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a unique combination of natural/herbal ingredients designed to inhibit arginase and stimulate sufficient release of nitric oxide to produce sustained, improved sexual response and psychological effects. The composition is comprised of extracts taken from crataegus monogyna (hawthorn) berry, turnera diffusa (damiana), pfaffia paniculata (suma), ginkgo biloba, pygeum africanum, and ginsenosides (panax ginseng extract), that are combined with L-arginine, L-glutamic acid and L-theanine in amounts effective to produce desired results. This composition uniquely combines an array of herbal derivatives that have been shown to have a beneficial effect.
Ginsenoside, particularly Rg1 and Rg3, and glutamic acid are mediators of nitric oxide release. They facilitate the release of the nitric oxide from the arginine. Crataegus monogyna, and ginkgo biloba are vaso-dilating. Crataegus monogyna and ginkgo biloba also inhibit blood platelet aggregation; thereby improving blood flow. They each contribute directly to more turgid erections/clitoral distensions since vascular insufficiency is a common mechanical deficit leading to erectile dysfunction. Pygeum africanum provides relief from benign prostatic hyperplasia (swollen prostate), often a cause of or a contributor to, erectile dysfunction in itself. Damiana and suma are traditional herbal sexual enhancements which have been shown to be effective in animal studies. The percentage achieving ejaculation is increased. and the intercopulatory interval is shortened with these components.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the composition further includes effective amounts of BEC and Lepidium meyenii
Cohen & Grigsby P.C.
Patten Patricia
Tate Christopher R.
LandOfFree
Herbal composition for enhancing sexual response does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Herbal composition for enhancing sexual response, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Herbal composition for enhancing sexual response will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2885173