Pharmaceutical compositions having appetite suppressant activity

Abstract

A pharmaceutical composition contains an extract obtainable from a plant of the genus Trichocaulon or Hoodia containing an appetite suppressant agent having the formula (1). A process for obtaining the extract and a process for synthesizing compound (1) and its analogues and derivatives is also provided. The invention also extends to the use of such extracts and compound (1) and its analogues for the manufacture of medicaments having appetite suppressant activity. The invention further provides novel intermediates for the synthesis of compound (1).

1 - 121 . (canceled)  
     
     
         122 . A method of suppressing appetite in a human or animal, said method comprising administering to said human or said animal a suitable dosage of an extract obtained from a plant of the genus  Trichocaulon  or the genus  Hoodia,  wherein said extract contains an effective amount of an appetite suppressant steroidal glycoside from said plant and is optionally admixed with an excipient, diluent or carrier.  
     
     
         123 . A method of  claim 122 , wherein said extract is a free-flowing powder.  
     
     
         124 . A method of  claim 123 , wherein said powder is a spray-dried extract of said plant.  
     
     
         125 . A method of  claim 123 , wherein said powder is a freeze-dried extract of said plant.  
     
     
         126 . A method of  claim 123 , wherein said powder is a vacuum-dried extract of said plant.  
     
     
         127 . The method of  claim 122 , wherein said plant is of the species  Hoodia currorii, Hoodia gordonii  or  Hoodia lugardii.    
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 122 , wherein said suitable dosage is a unit dosage.  
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein said suitable dosage is a unit dosage.  
     
     
         130 . A method of treating or combating obesity in a human or animal, said method comprising administering to said human or said animal a suitable dosage of an extract obtained from a plant of the genus  Trichocaulon  or the genus  Hoodia,  wherein said extract contains an effective amount of an appetite suppressant steroidal glycoside from said plant and is optionally admixed with an excipient, diluent or carrier.  
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein extract is a free-flowing powder.  
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 131 , wherein said powder is a spray-dried extract of said plant.  
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 131 , wherein said powder is a freeze-dried extract of said plant.  
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 131 , wherein said powder is a vacuum-dried extract of said plant.  
     
     
         135 . A method of any one of claims  130 , wherein said plant is of the species  Hoodia currorii, Hoodia gordonii  or  Hoodia lugardii.    
     
     
         136 . A method of any one of claims  130 , wherein said suitable dosage is a unit dosage.  
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 135 , wherein said suitable dosage is a unit dosage.