Title:  Multicomponent biological vehicle

United States Patent:  6,395,311

Assignee:  Univera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Broomfield, CO)

Filed:  April 29, 1999

The present invention provides a novel vehicle for the delivery of biologically active agents. The vehicle, Maxcell.TM., is formulated from a novel combination of natural plant extracts and is comprised of Aloe vera polysaccharide fraction Immuno-10, cAMP, piperine, calcium phosphate and glycyrrhizinic acid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a novel biological vehicle that can be used for the delivery of a variety of biologically active agents. The vehicle, called Maxcell.TM., is comprised of Aloe polysaccharide fraction Immuno-10 (see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/169,449, filed Oct. 9, 1998, entitled "Process for the Preparation of Immunomodulatory Polysaccharides from Aloe," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), aqueous extract of Ziziphus jujuba fruits, hydrophilic solvent extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis rhizome, organic solvent extract of Piper nigrum or Piper longum, and calcium inorganic and/or organic salts. The components of Maxcell.TM. combine to facilitate the harmony between biologically active agents and targeted cells and organs by guiding the biological active agents to their sites of action; by preventing the clearance of the agents from blood; and by protecting cells against harsh properties of biological active agents. The biological vehicle functions as a bioadhesive polymer that selectively binds to the active ingredients thereby forming a complex; the complex thus formed then selectively binds to mannose-6-phosphate receptors on the cell membrane. This serves to promote efficient delivery of the active ingredients to the target cells.

The biological vehicle of this invention can be used to deliver a variety of biologically active agents including, but not limited to nutrients and dietary supplements, such as essential minerals like iron, chromium, selenium, zinc, copper, magnesium, manganese, calcium; vitamins such as vitamins A, E, K and D, and vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12; essential amino acids and derivatives thereof such as arginine, lysine, leucine, phenylalanine, taurine, and N, N-dimethyl glycine; anti-oxidants such as like bioflavonoids, polyphenols, beta-carotene, curcumine, catechins, anthocyanidins; hormones such as melatonin; single plant extracts such as like Echinacea, garlic, Gingko biloba, Goldenseal, Saw palmetto, Ginseng (Panex, Siberian, & American), Cat's claw Astragalus, St John's Wort; and combinations of the above nutrients and dietary supplements. The components of Maxcell.TM. not only function as a classical delivery system to target bioavailability, but also emphasize the response from the targeted living cells through renewal, enhancement and protection functions. Additionally, the components of Maxcell.TM. also combine to produce synergistic effects. Also included in the invention is a method for preparing the vehicle, methods for using the vehicle and nutritional supplement formulations containing the vehicle.

Claim 1 of 14 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A biological vehicle for the delivery of biologically active agents, said vehicle comprising Aloe vera polysaccharide, having the following characteristics:

(a) comprised greater than >95% of polysaccharides, said polysaccharides in said composition having an average molecular weight of 70-80 kDa with a molecular weight range between 50-200 kDa;

(b) said polysaccharides are comprised of D-galactose in amounts of approximately 5% or less, D-glucose in amounts of approximately 5% or less, and D-mannose in amounts of approximately 90%;

(c) said polysaccharides are comprised of monosaccharides having primarily .beta.-1,4 linkage; and

(d) said polysaccharides are highly acetylated having approximately 1 acetyl group per monosaccharide, wherein said acetyl group is on the 2, 3, or 6 position of the monosaccharide unit, and

piperine, cyclic adenosine monophosphate, calcium phosphate, and glycyrrhizin.

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