An improved design of sub-critical water extraction (SWE) apparatus and applications utilising the above

摘要

A method for preparing an extract containing pharmacologically active constituents from certain traditionally used medicinal herbs comprises reduction of the particle size of the botanical raw material, extracting the botanical raw material with subcritical water and then removing the water to give a pharmaceutically acceptable extract. The botanical raw material may be: Black Cohosh Cimicifuga (especially Dahurica or Racemosa), Paeonia (esp. Lactiflora and Suffructicosa), Cat's Claw Vine (Uncaria, esp. Tomentosa and Guianensis), Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut), Tribulus Terrestris, Angelica Radix, Buckwheat (Fagopyrum Esculentum), Marigold (Calendula Officinalis), Centella Asiatica or Red Clover (Trifolium Pratense). The extract may be formulated as a self emulsifying drug delivery system in order to improve the bioavailability of the active constituents. The method may be conducted using the apparatus of figure 1 comprising reservoir vessel A, temperature and pressure resistant switching valves S1 and S2, extraction vessels B1 and B2 and collection vessel C. The sub critical water extraction may be preceded by extraction in the same apparatus using hot water.