Composition and methods for extracting and using phytochemicals for the treatment of influenza

Abstract

Methods and compositions for treating at least one symptom of a viral infection, said method of treatment comprising administering to a subject with a least one symptom of a viral infection an effective dosage unit of a composition comprising pomegranate extract. The compositions comprise pomegranate extract comprising polyphenols. The composition is produced by a process comprising providing one or more pomegranate solids selected from the group consisting of a pericarp, inner membrane and seeds, creating a mixture comprising said one or more pomegranate solids in an aqueous solution, heating said mixture to a temperature that permits enzyme catalysis of said pomegranate solids, and removing residual insoluble solid materials from said mixture to provide said pomegranate extract. Compositions containing the extract may be used as a food product, beverage, pharmaceutical preparations, nutritional supplements, vitamin supplements, food additives, and food supplements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a viral infection in a subject to alleviate one or more symptoms, the method comprising:
 selecting a subject having a viral infection, and administering to said subject an effective amount of a polyphenol composition extracted from one or more pomegranate solids, wherein said polyphenol composition comprises punicalagin and punicalin,   wherein a ratio of punicalagin and punicalin to ellagic acid and ellagic acid glycosides in said polyphenol composition by weight is greater than about 0.16.