Composition comprising the extract of herbs for preventing or treating neurodegenerative disorders

Abstract

This invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition and a health functional food for preventing or improving neurodegenerative disorders comprising mixed herb extracts of Dioscorea Rhizoma and Dioscorea nipponica in a weight ratio of 3.5:1 (w/w). The herb extracts mixed Dioscorea Rhizoma and Dioscorea nipponica in a weight ratio of 3.5:1 have the synergetic effects on increasing the amount of nerve growth factor in vivo, increasing the neural cell proliferation, promoting the formation of neuritis and enhancing cognitive abilities. Thus, the herb extracts of the present invention may be used for a pharmaceutical composition and a health functional food for preventing or treating neurodegenerative disorders.

1 . A method for treating a neurodegenerative disorder in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) an extract of a mixture comprising  Dioscorea Rhizoma  and a rhizome of  Dioscorea nipponica  and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the neurodegenerative disorder is selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Parkinson's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease, paralytic dementia caused by gradual nerve cell death, and diseases caused by progressive incontinentia. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  Dioscorea Rhizoma  is a rhizome of  Dioscorea batatas  Decaisne or  Dioscorea japonica  Thunberg. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rhizome of  Dioscorea nipponica  is a rhizome of  Dioscorea nipponica  Makino. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises a suitable carrier, excipient or diluent selected from the group consisting of lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, maltitol, starch, acacia gum, alginate, gelatin, calcium phosphate, calcium silicate, cellulose, methyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, water, methylhydroxybenzoate, propylhydroxybenzoate, talc, magnesium stearate, and mineral oil. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in a solid form. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in a liquid form. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the  Dioscorea Rhizoma  is steamed and dried. 
     
     
         10 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) an extract of a mixture comprising  Dioscorea Rhizoma  and a rhizome of  Dioscorea nipponica  and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         11 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 10 , wherein the mixture is at a ratio of 1:1, 1:3.5, 1:5, 1:10, 10:1, 5:1, or 3.5:1 (w/w) of the  Dioscorea Rhizoma  and the rhizome of  Dioscorea nipponica.    
     
     
         12 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 10 , which further comprises sodium metabisulfite, methylparaben; and/or propylparaben. 
     
     
         13 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 10 , which further comprises lactose, starch, and/or magnesium stearate. 
     
     
         14 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 10 , which further comprises lactose, starch, and/or talc. 
     
     
         15 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 10 , which further comprises magnesium stearate. 
     
     
         16 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 10 , which further comprises sugar and/or isomerase. 
     
     
         17 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 10 , which is capable of (i) increasing the secretion of nerve growth factor, (ii) improving cognitive ability, (iii) enhancing generation of neurons, (iv) improving neuronal cell differentiation and enhancing neurite growth, or (v) any combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . A health functional food comprising an extract of a mixture comprising  Dioscorea Rhizoma  and a rhizome of  Dioscorea nipponica  (w/w) and a food additive, wherein the mixture is at a ratio of 1:1, 1:3.5, 1:5, 1:10, 10:1, 5:1, or 3.5:1 (w/w) of the  Dioscorea Rhizoma  and the rhizome of  Dioscorea nipponica.    
     
     
         19 . The health food of  claim 18 , which is capable of (i) increasing the secretion of nerve growth factor, (ii) improving cognitive ability, (iii) enhancing generation of neurons, (iv) improving neuronal cell differentiation and enhancing neurite growth, or (v) any combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . A method of preparing the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 10  comprising:
 (a) providing a mixture comprising dried  Dioscorea Rhizoma  and a rhizome of  Dioscorea nipponica  with ethanol; and 
 (b) precipitating an extract from the mixture.