Composition containing poria cocos peel extract for treating neurodegenerative disorders

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition and a food composition for preventing or ameliorating degenerative neurological disease comprising Poria cocos peel extract for preventing, or treating neurodegenerative disorders. Poria cocos peel extract which is the active ingredients contained in the composition of the present invention, has a memory ameliorating activity through inhibiting of acetylcholine esterase and a neuroprotective effect and neuron protection by inhibiting the formation of beta amyloid and tau phosphorylation and promoting NGF production. Thus, the present invention may be useful as a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating degenerative neurological diseases, or as a health food for the above purpose.

1 . A method for preventing or treating a degenerative neurological disease, comprising  Poria cocos  peel extract as an active ingredient. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the degenerative neurological disease is selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's Dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, Guilin-Barre syndrome, Parkinson's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease, progressive dementia caused by gradual neuronal death and progressive Ataxia. 
     
     
         3 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising  Poria cocos  peel extract as an active ingredient, wherein the extract does not comprise  Poria cocos  WOLF or Jeokboryoung. 
     
     
         13 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 12 , wherein the extract of  Poria cocos  peel is in an amount of from 10 to 90% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         14 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 12 , further comprising 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. 
     
     
         15 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 12 , wherein the composition comprises:
 (a) 100 mg of the extract;   (b) 3.0 mg of sodium metabisulfite;   (c) 0.8 mg of methylparaben; and   (d) 0.1 mg of propylparaben; wherein the composition is in an injectable form.   
     
     
         16 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 12 , wherein the composition comprises:
 (a) 200 mg of the extract;   (b) 100 mg of lactose;   (c) 100 mg of starch; and   (d) a pharmaceutically acceptable amount of magnesium stearate; wherein the composition is in a tablet form.   
     
     
         17 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 12 , wherein the composition comprises:
 (a) 100 mg of the extract;   (b) 50 mg of lactose;   (c) 100 mg of starch;   (d) 2 mg of talc; and   (e) a pharmaceutically acceptable amount of magnesium stearate; wherein the composition is in a capsule form.   
     
     
         18 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 12 , wherein the composition comprises:
 (a) 1000 mg of the extract;   (b) 20 g of sugar;   (c) 20 g of high fructose corn; and   (d) a pharmaceutically acceptable amount of lemon incense; wherein the composition is in a liquid form.   
     
     
         19 . A method of preparing a pharmaceutical composition, the method comprising:
 (a) obtaining washed and dried  Poria cocos  peel;   (b) preparing a mixture by adding water, alcohol, or a mixture of water and alcohol to the  Poria cocos  peel; and   (b) subjecting the mixture to extraction at a temperature of 10° C. to 100° C. for 1 to 72 hours.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the  Poria cocos  peel extract is extracted with water, a lower alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the  Poria cocos  peel extract is extracted with 60 to 80 (v/v) % of ethanol.