L-ergothioneine, milk thistle, and s-adenosylmethionine for the prevention, treatment and repair of liver damage

Abstract

This invention provides therapeutic compositions and combinations for the protection, treatment and repair of liver tissue. The invention relates to novel compositions and combinations comprising two or more compounds selected from the group consisting of S-adenosylmethionine, L-ergothioneine, and a substance selected from the group consisting of constituents of Milk thistle ( Silybum marianum ), silymarin and active components of silymarin, whether naturally, synthetically, or semi-synthetically derived, and to methods of preventing and treating liver disease and of repairing damaged liver tissue. The invention also provides a method of administering these compositions and combinations to humans or animals in need thereof.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A combination comprising any two or more of the following compounds: S-adenosylmethionine, L-ergothioneine and a substance selected from the group consisting of a constituent of Milk thistle ( Silybum marianum ), silymarin and active components of silymarin.  
     
     
         2 . The combination of    claim 1    wherein a single dose of S-adenosylmethionine for humans or animals ranges from about 1.25 milligrams to about 10 grams.  
     
     
         3 . The combination of    claim 1    wherein a single dose of S-adenosylmethionine for humans or animals ranges from about 0.5 milligrams per kilogram to about 100 milligrams per kilogram.  
     
     
         4 . The combination of    claim 1    wherein a single dose of L-ergothioneine for humans or animals ranges from about 1.25 micrograms to about 25 grams.  
     
     
         5 . The combination of    claim 1    wherein a single dose of L-ergothioneine for humans or animals ranges from about 0.5 micrograms per kilogram to about 250 milligrams per kilogram.  
     
     
         6 . The combination of    claim 1    wherein a single dose of the substance selected from the group consisting of a constituent of Milk thistle, silymarin and active components of silymarin for humans or animals ranges from about 1.25 milligrams to about 10 grams.  
     
     
         7 . The combination of    claim 1    wherein a single dose of the substance selected from the group consisting of a constituent of Milk thistle, silymarin and active components of silymarin for humans or animals ranges from about 0.25 milligrams per kilogram to about 200 milligrams per kilogram.  
     
     
         8 . The combination of    claim 1    wherein the substance selected from the group consisting of a constituent of Milk thistle, silymarin and active components of silymarin is standardized such that silymarin is present in the substance in an amount from about 55% to about 85% by weight of the substance.  
     
     
         9 . The combination of    claim 8    wherein silymarin is present in the substance in an amount from about 67.5% to about 72.5% by weight of the substance.  
     
     
         10 . The combination of    claim 1    wherein the substance selected from the group consisting of a constituent of Milk thistle, silymarin and active components of silymarin is standardized such that Silybin A and Silybin B are present in the substance in a combined amount from about 20% to about 35% by weight of the substance.  
     
     
         11 . The combination of    claim 10    wherein the Silybin A and Silybin B are present in the substance in a combined amount of about 28% by weight of the substance.  
     
     
         12 . The combination of    claim 1    wherein the substance selected from the group consisting of a constituent of Milk thistle, silymarin and active components of silymarin is standardized such that Isosilybin A and Isosilybin B are present in the substance in a combined amount from about 20% to about 35% by weight of the substance.  
     
     
         13 . The combination of any of claims  2 - 12  wherein the combination comprises a composition.  
     
     
         14 . A method of improving or maintaining the health of liver tissue of a human or other animal or of normalizing or improving the function of the liver of a human or other animal, comprising: administering to a human or other animal a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of any two or more of S-adenosylmethionine, L-ergothioneine, and a substance selected from the group consisting of a constituent of Milk thistle ( Silybum marianum ), silymarin and active components of silymarin.  
     
     
         15 . The method of    claim 14    wherein a daily dose of S-adenosylmethionine for humans or animals ranges from about 5 milligrams to about 10 grams.  
     
     
         16 . The method of    claim 14    wherein a daily dose of S-adenosylmethionine for humans or animals ranges from about 2 milligrams per kilogram to about 100 milligrams per kilogram.  
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 14    wherein a daily dose of L-ergothioneine for humans or animals ranges from about 5 micrograms to about 25 grams.  
     
     
         18 . The method of    claim 14    wherein a daily dose of L-ergothioneine for humans or animals ranges from about 2 micrograms per kilogram to about 250 milligrams per kilogram.  
     
     
         19 . The method of    claim 14    wherein a daily dose of the substance selected from the group consisting of a constituent of Milk thistle, silymarin and active components of silymarin for humans or animals ranges from about 5 milligrams to about 10 grams.  
     
     
         20 . The method of    claim 14    wherein a daily dose of the substance selected from the group consisting of a constituent of Milk thistle, silymarin and active components of silymarin for humans or animals ranges from about 1 milligram per kilogram to about 200 milligrams per kilogram.