Natural compositions for the prevention of LDL oxidations

Abstract

Tomato oleoresin is used in the prevention of LDL oxidation. Furthermore, the preparation of a pharmaceutical and a dietary composition for arresting the progression of atherosclerosis is described.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for arresting the progression of atherosclerosis comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an amount sufficient therefor of oleoresin of tomatoes.  
     
     
         2 . A method for blocking the oxidation of LDL in serum which comprises contacting serum with tomato oleoresin.  
     
     
         3  A method in accordance with  claim 2  further comprising contacting the serum with a compound selected from the group consisting of dietary components, additives, excipients, binding agents, coatings, preservatives and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the tomato oleoresin is contained in dosage forms selected from the group consisting of tablets, caplets, vegecaps and hard shell gelatin capsules.  
     
     
         5 . A synergistic LDL-oxidative-inhibiting pharmaceutical or dietary composition which comprises tomato oleoresin.  
     
     
         6 . A composition in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the tomato oleoresin is selected from the group consisting of tomato oleoresin containing tocopherols (vitamin E) and a tomato oleoresin from which the tocopherols have been removed.  
     
     
         7 . (Amended) A composition in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the tocopherols have been removed from the tomato oleoresin.  
     
     
         8 . A composition in accordance with  claim 5  further comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of dietary components, additives, excipients, binding agents, coatings, preservatives and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         9 . A composition in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the tomato oleoresin is contained in a dosage form selected from the group consisting of tablets, caplets, vegecaps, and hard shell gelatin capsules.  
     
     
         10 . A method for arresting the progression of atherosclerosis comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a synergistic composition which comprises tomato oleoresin and vitamin E.  
     
     
         11 . Method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the tomato oleoresin is selected from the group consisting of tomato oleoresin containing tocopherols (vitamin E) and tomato oleoresin wherein the tocopherols have been removed.  
     
     
         12 . Method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the tocopherols have been removed from the tomato oleoresin.  
     
     
         13 . Method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the tomato oleoresin is part of a composition which contains a compound selected from the group consisting of dietary components, additives, excipients, binding agents, coating, preservatives and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         14 . Method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the tomato oleoresin is contained in a dosage form selected from the group consisting of tablets, caplets, vegecaps, and hard shell gelatin capsules.  
     
     
         15 . A method for blocking the oxidation of LDL in serum which comprises contacting the serum with a synergistic mixture of tomato oleoresin and vitamin E.  
     
     
         16 . A method in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the tomato oleoresin is selected from the group consisting of tomato oleoresin containing tocopherols (vitamin E) and tomato oleoresin wherein the tocopherols have been removed.  
     
     
         17 . A method in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the tocopherols have been removed from the oleoresin.  
     
     
         18 . Method in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the tomato oleoresin contains a compound selected from the group consisting of dietary components, additives, excipients, binding agents, coating, preservatives and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         19 . Method in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the tomato oleoresin is contained in a dosage form selected from the group consisting of tablets, caplets, vegecaps, and hard shell gelatin capsules.