Promotion of lymphatic function

Abstract

The present invention refers to lipophilic extracts of members of the Iridaceae family, such as Iris germanica and/or Iris pallida, that have been found to promote lymphatic function. These extracts are suitable for the treatment of skin inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, impaired wound healing, chronic inflammatory diseases, chronic airway inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, rosacea, primary and/or secondary lymphedemas. The most active components were found to be the iridals.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a disease related to impaired lymphatic function comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a lipophilic extract of a member of the Iridaceae family selected from the group consisting of  Iris germanica, Iris pallida,  and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said disease is selected from the group consisting of skin inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, impaired wound healing, chronic inflammatory diseases, chronic airway inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, rosacea, primary lymphedemas, and secondary lymphedemas. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said lipophilic extract is a lipophilic extract of the rhizome of the member of the Iridaceae family. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said lipophilic extract is a lipophilic extract of  Iris germanica.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said lipophilic extract is a lipophilic extract of the rhizome of  Iris germanica.    
     
     
         6 . A method for treating a disease related to impaired lymphatic function comprising administering to a subject in need thereof one or more iridals. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said disease is selected from group consisting of skin inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, impaired wound healing, chronic inflammatory diseases, chronic airway inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, rosacea, primary lymphedemas, and secondary lymphedemas. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  or  7 , wherein said one or more iridals are selected from the group consisting of iripallidal, iriflorental, γ-irigermanal, α-irigermanal, the cis isomer of α-irigermanal, the cis isomer of α-dehydroirigermanal, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said iridal comprises iripallidal. 
     
     
         10 . A cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition comprising a lipophilic extract of a member of the Iridaceae family selected from the group consisting of  Iris germanica, Iris pallida,  and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 10  suitable for topical application. 
     
     
         12 . The cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition of  claim 10  or  11 , wherein said lipophilic extract is a lipophilic extract of the rhizome of the member of the Iridaceae family. 
     
     
         13 . The cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition of  claim 10  or  11 , wherein said lipophilic extract is a lipophilic extract of  Iris germanica.    
     
     
         14 . The cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition of  claim 13 , wherein said lipophilic extract is a lipophilic extract of the rhizome of  Iris germanica.    
     
     
         15 . A cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more iridals. 
     
     
         16 . The cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 15  suitable for topical application. 
     
     
         17 . The cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition of  claim 15  or  16 , wherein said one or more iridals are selected from the group consisting of iripallidal, iriflorental, γ-irigermanal, α-irigermanal, the cis isomer of α-irigermanal, the cis isomer of α-dehydroirigermanal, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition of  claim 17 , wherein said iridal comprises iripallidal. 
     
     
         19 . A method for treating at least one of lacrimal sacs, under-eye puffiness, photo-damaged skin, sunburn, skin aging, rosacea, swollen legs, and cellulite comprising administering to a subject in need thereof the cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition of any one of  claims 10 - 18 . 
     
     
         20 . A method for preparing a lipophilic extract of at least one member of the Iridaceae family, wherein at least a part of the rhizome is extracted with carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) comprising 5 to 10% ethanol.