Fagopyrum Nutraceutical Compositions

Abstract

Fagopyrum dibotyo nutraceuticals and methods of their use are provided. The disclosed F. dibotyo nutraceuticals are useful to improve or increase liver function and to treat liver diseases, especially those caused by viral hepatitis. In some embodiments, the F. dibotyo nutraceuticals also contain supplementary botanical extracts to confer additional health benefits.

1 . A nutraceutical composition comprising an amount of  Fagopyrum dibotyo  extract effective to inhibit viruses that affect the liver. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  comprising 0.1 mg to 10 g of  Fagopyrum dibotyo  extract, and optionally an excipient. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising 0.001% to 50% of 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavan-3-ol C 4 -C 8  dimers. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising 0.001% to about 50% of derivatives of 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavan-3-ol C 4 -C 8  dimers. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising other herbal compounds, extracts, or molecules. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the herbal compounds or extracts are selected from the group consisting of green tea extract, milk thistle extract,  Semen cassiae  extract,  Spica prunellae  extract,  Plantago depressa  Wild.,  Taraxacum mongolicum  Hand-Mazz., radix, forsythia,  Thlaspi arvense  Linn,  Artemisia capillaris  Thunb, Tai zi shen, poria, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a second therapeutic selected from the group consisting of an anti-inflammatory medication, a diuretic, an anti-cancer medication, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated for oral administration. 
     
     
         9 . A method of inhibiting viral hepatitis in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the nutraceutical composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the subject in need thereof has hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, or hepatitis C virus. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising administration of a second therapeutic for viral hepatitis. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the subject in need thereof has viral-induced late stage hepatitis. 
     
     
         13 . A method of improving or enhancing liver function in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the nutraceutical composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A method of treating liver disease in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a nutraceutical composition containing an effective amount of  Fagopyrum dibotyo  extract to improve or enhance liver function in the subject. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the nutraceutical composition comprises 0.1 mg to 10 g  Fagopyrum dibotyo  extract or 0.001% to 50% of 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavan-3-ol C 4 -C 8  dimers. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the nutraceutical composition is administered to the subject in need thereof until liver conditions improve. 
     
     
         17 . The methods of  claim 1 , wherein the improvement in liver function or liver conditions are measured by any one of symptoms of ascites, serum levels of liver enzymes including ALT, AST, ALP or γGT levels, liver fibrosis, or liver cirrhosis. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liver condition is hepatitis A virus infection, hepatitis B virus infection, or hepatitis C virus infection. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A composition consisting of
 5,7,3,4-tetrarydroxyflavon-3-ol C 4 -C 8  dimers;   Haike sapogenin, and   an excipient.   
     
     
         21 . (canceled)