Compositions comprising an american cranberry extract and phospholipids

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions comprising an American cranberry extract combined with phospholipids, and the use thereof in the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of said compositions, and formulations for oral administration comprising said compositions.

1 . A composition comprising:
 a) a  Vaccinium macrocarpon  extract in amounts ranging from 20% to 50% by weight of the total weight of the composition and   b) at least one phospholipid in amounts ranging from 50% to 80% by weight of the total weight of the composition.   
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1  wherein the  Vaccinium macrocarpon  extract has a proanthocyanidin content ranging from 15% to 40% by weight of the total weight of the extract. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 1  further comprising one or more technological adjuvants selected from water-soluble or water-insoluble diluents, lubricants and/or glidants and surfactants. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 3  wherein the diluent is not a maltodextrin, mannitol, isomalt or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A process for the preparation of a composition comprising:
 a) a  Vaccinium macrocarpon  extract in amounts ranging from 20% to 50% by weight of the total weight of the composition and   b) at least one phospholipid in amounts ranging from 50% to 80% by weight of the total weight of the composition,   said process comprising solubilizing or providing a dispersion of a  Vaccinium macrocarpon  extract, at least one phospholipid and optionally one or more technological adjuvants selected from water-soluble or water-insoluble diluents, lubricants and/or glidants and surfactants in an organic solvent at a temperature ranging from 30° C. to 90° C., to obtain a solution or dispersion, followed by drying the solution or dispersion to obtain a solid composition.   
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 5  wherein the organic solvent is selected from ethyl alcohol, ethyl acetate and acetone. 
     
     
         7 . The process according to  claim 5  comprising simultaneously solubilizing or providing said dispersion of the  Vaccinium macrocarpon  extract and the at least one phospholipid, followed by optionally adding one or more adjuvants. 
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 5  comprising solubilizing or providing said dispersion of a  Vaccinium macrocarpon  extract or at least one phospholipid in an organic solvent to obtain a solution or dispersion, and subsequently adding at least one phospholipid or a  Vaccinium macrocarpon  extract, and optionally one or more technological adjuvants, to said solution or dispersion. 
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 5  wherein the one or more adjuvants are used in such amounts that their weight ranges from 1% to 30% of the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . Method of treating infections of lower urinary tract in patients in need thereof with the pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical compositions according to  claim 1  said method comprising:
 administering a pharmaceutical effective amount of said composition to said patients; and 
 treating said infections of lower urinary tract. 
 
     
     
         12 . Solid formulation comprising a composition according to  claim 1  in admixture with one or more pharmaceutically and/or nutraceutically acceptable excipients. 
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 12  further comprising an additional portion of a  Vaccinium macrocarpon  extract in free form, not in admixture with phospholipids. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said pharmaceutical effective amount comprises two capsules a day administered for one week, each of said capsule comprising 120 mg of a composition comprising  Vaccinium macrocarpon  extract and at least one phospholipid. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said each of said capsule comprises 30 mg of  Vaccinium macrocarpon  extract containing 30% proanthocyanidins.