Compositions and methods of treatment with proanthocyanidin polymer antidiarrheal compositions

Abstract

Pharmaceutical compositions containing a proanthocyanidin polymer composition which are useful for the treatment and prevention of secretory diarrhea are provided. The invention specifically relates to pharmaceutical formulations of a proanthocyanidin polymer composition which has been isolated from a Croton spp. or a Calophyllum spp. In particular, the invention relates to a formulation of a proanthocyanidin polymer composition which protects the composition from the effects of stomach acid after oral administration, particularly to those formulations which are enteric coated. The invention also relates to methods of producing a directly compressible proanthocyanidin polymer composition, as well as compositions containing the directly compressible proanthocyanidin polymer composition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a proanthocyanidin polymer composition isolated from a  Croton  spp. or from a  Calophyllum  spp., or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, formulated to protect the proanthocyanidin polymer composition from the stomach environment; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         2 . A method of treatment for secretory diarrhea in animals, including humans, comprising: administering, to a non-human animal or human suffering from diarrhea, a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a proanthocyanidin polymer composition isolated from a- Croton  spp. or a  Calophyllum  spp., or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, formulated to protect the proanthocyanidin polymer composition from the stomach environment, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.