Method for preventing or treating arthritis

Abstract

The invention provides a method for preventing or treating arthritis comprising administrating to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of an extract of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng, which is obtained by eluting a crude extract of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng using 50%—95% alcoholic solution.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for preventing or treating arthritis comprising administrating to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of an extract of  Plectranthus amboinicus  (Lour.) Spreng, which is obtained by eluting a crude extract of  Plectranthus amboinicus  (Lour.) Spreng using 50%—95% alcoholic solution. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is characterized by having an absorption peak at retention time of about 45 min and an absorption peak of Carvacrol at about 55 min in a HPLC pattern detected at a wavelength of about 200 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is characterized by having 8 absorption peaks at retention time of 39-43 min and an absorption peak of Cirsmaritin at about 45 min in a HPLC pattern detected at a wavelength of about 320 nm. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alcoholic solution is ethanol. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the crude extract is eluted by 70%˜95% alcoholic solution. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the extract is characterized by having an absorption peak of Cirsmaritin at retention time of about 45 min and an absorption peak of Carvacrol at about 55 min in a HPLC pattern detected at a wavelength of about 200 nm. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the extract is characterized by having an absorption peak of Cirsmaritin at retention time of about 45 min and an absorption peak of Salvigenin at about 62 min in a HPLC pattern detected at a wavelength of about 320 nm. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the alcoholic solution is ethanol. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is obtained by a normal phase chromatography using hexane as a solvent. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the extract is further isolated by a normal phase chromatography using hexane/ethyl acetate as a solvent. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is obtained by a normal phase chromatography using hexane as a first solvent and hexane/ethyl acetate as a second solvent. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the extract is characterized by having an absorption peak of Carvacrol at retention time of about 55 min in a HPLC pattern detected at a wavelength of about 200 nm. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the extract is characterized by having three absorption peaks at retention time of about 18-21 min, three absorption peaks at 37-41 min, two absorption peaks at 43-45 min, one absorption peak of Cirsmaritin at about 45 min, four absorption peaks at 50-54 min, and one absorption peak of Salvigenin at about 62 min in a HPLC pattern detected at a wavelength of about 320 nm.