Title of Invention	A PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF COMPOSITION USEFUL FOR ENHANCING BIOAVAILABILITY OF DRUGS/NEUTRACEVTICAL
Abstract	A process for the preparation of composition useful for enhancing bioavailability of drugs/neutraceutical by conventional active drug/neutraceutical and essentially a bioenhancer selected from a fraction obtained from Carum carvi extract or its fraction with atleast one other enhancer selected from zingiber officinale/piperine extract, the said process comprising mixing by conventional methods the drug/neutraceutical and the bioenhancer as defined above wherein the amount of carurn carvi extract ranges from 5 to 100mg/kg or active fraction of Carum carvi used ranges from 1 to 55 mg piperine ranges from 3-15 mg, zingiber officinale ranges from 10 to 150 mg and the ratio (w/w) of the bioenhancer (fraction/active molecule) and the drug/neutraceutical is in the range of 0.1 to 70.

Title of Invention

A PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF COMPOSITION USEFUL FOR ENHANCING BIOAVAILABILITY OF DRUGS/NEUTRACEVTICAL

Abstract

A process for the preparation of composition useful for enhancing bioavailability of drugs/neutraceutical by conventional active drug/neutraceutical and essentially a bioenhancer selected from a fraction obtained from Carum carvi extract or its fraction with atleast one other enhancer selected from zingiber officinale/piperine extract, the said process comprising mixing by conventional methods the drug/neutraceutical and the bioenhancer as defined above wherein the amount of carurn carvi extract ranges from 5 to 100mg/kg or active fraction of Carum carvi used ranges from 1 to 55 mg piperine ranges from 3-15 mg, zingiber officinale ranges from 10 to 150 mg and the ratio (w/w) of the bioenhancer (fraction/active molecule) and the drug/neutraceutical is in the range of 0.1 to 70.

Full Text	A process for the preparation of composition useful for enhancing bioavailability of drugs/neutraceutical Field of the invention The present invention relates to the use of bioavailability and/or bioefficacy enhancers - also termed as bioenhancers or BE and methods of their preparation which include their isolation from a natural source and obtaining the final products in their chemically characterized or fingerprint- profiled form. The present invention is directed to preparation of active extracts/ fraction from the plant Carum can// which include their chemical characterisation, fingerprint profiling and methods of using such products to enhance bioavailability and/ or bioefficacy of drugs, natural products and essential nutraceuticals. The present invention is directed to preparation of composite bioenhancers comprising polar and non-polar extracts of parts of Zingiber officinale and/ or piperine (Ex: Piper nigrum and Piper longum) which increased significantly (50- 180 %) , the bioavailability of a number of classes of drugs, for example, but not limited to, antibiotics, antifungals, anti-virals, anticancer, cardiovascular, CMS, anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic, anti-TB/ antileprosy, anti-histaminic/respiratory dosorders, corticosteroids, immunosppressants, anti- ulcer. Such extracts/ fractions of Carum can// either in presence or absence of Zingiber officinale and/ or piperine (Ex: Piper nigrum and Piper longum) have been found to be highly selective in their bioavailability/ bioefficacy enhancing action. Background of the invention There is a great interest and medical need for the improvement of bioavailability of a large number of drugs which are (a) poorly bioavailable, (b) given for long periods, and are (c) toxic and expensive. Maximizing oral bioavailability is therapeutically important because the extent of bioavailability directly influences plasma concentrations and consequently therapeutic efficacy and dose related toxic effects resulting after oral drug administration. Poorly bioavailable drugs remain sub-therapeutic because a major portion of a dose never reaches the plasma or exerts its pharmacological effect unless and until very large doses are given which may lead to serious side effects. Any significant improvement in bioavailability will result in lowering the dose or the dose frequency of that particular drug. Besides, inter-subject variability is inversely correlated with the extent of bioavailability. Therefore, low oral bioavailability leads to high variability and poor control of plasma concentration and pharmacodynamic effects. Inter-subject variability is particularly of concern for a drug with a narrow safety margin. Incomplete oral bioavailability has various causes. These include poor dissolution or low aqueous solubility, poor intestinal membrane permeation, degradation of the drug in gastric or intestinal fluids and pre-systemic intestinal or hepatic metabolism. The normal practice to offset some of these problems has been to increase the dosage as stated earlier which has the concerns of toxicity patients' non-compliance. Many therapeutic treatments are also accompanied by loss of essential nutraceuticals in the course of therapy. The present invention improves nutritional status by increasing bioavailability/ bioefficacy of various nutraceuticals also, which include metals and vitamins. The bioenhancers of the invention also have the potential to enhance the bioefficacy of a drug without influencing its plasma concentrations for various reasons, some of which, but not limited to, are described later in this invention under Section on 'Bioavailability/ Bioenhancing activity'. Description of related art Several approaches have been adopted in the past to maximize oral bioavailability, such as (a) particle size reduction (micronization. nanonization, etc.,) (b) polymorphic or crystal size and form selection, (c) solubilization of lesser soluble drugs by way of chemical modifications, complexation and use of co-solvents/ surfactants, (d) targeted delivery of drug at the site of action, (e) controlled drug delivery by film coating or use of polymeric matrices for sustained release of drugs, (f) prodrug approach, and (g) microencapsulation using liposomes. However, based on clues from Ayurvedic literature, a new approach of increasing the bioavailability of drugs including poorly bioavailable drugs had been conceptualized at RRL, Jammu. One of the groups of herbals which has been documented very frequently as essential part of about 70 % of Ayurvedic prescriptions, is 'Trikatu', that comprises three acrids viz. long pepper, black pepper and dry ginger in equal proportions. A single major alkaloidal constituent from peppers (piperine) was found to be responsible for bioavailability enhancing effect. The role of ginger is to regulate intestinal function to facilitate absorption. Influence of piperine was extensively studied on anti-TB drugs. It was determined that in combination with piperine the dose of rifampicin can be reduced by about 50% while >tf ining the therapeutic efficacy of this anti-TB drug at par with the standard dose (450 mg). oased on these findings several other reputed plants were evaluated for bioavailability/ bioefficacy enhancing activity. Polar and non-polar extracts of parts of a few plants viz., Zingiber officinale, and Cuminum cyminum increased significantly (25 - 300 %), the bioavailability of a number of classes of drugs, for example, but not limited to, antibiotics, antifungals, anti-virals, anticancer, cardiovascular, CNS, anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic, anti-TB/ antileprosy, anti-histaminic/respiratory disorders, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, anti-ulcer. Such extracts either in presence or absence of pipeline have been found to be highly selective in their bioavailability/ bioefficacy enhancing action. Carwn carvi is a prized culinary herb and is used extensively in India. The herb finds frequent mention in Ayurvedic and other Indian Systems of Medicine prescriptions against a wide variety of ailments. It remained a scientific curiosity that a single plant can have biological activities for such a large variety of ailments or diseases for which these prescriptions are employed. Chemistry of Carum carvi Carum carvi Linn seeds are known as lira (Beng.), Shahjiru (Guj.), Kala jira, Shiajira (Hindi), Shalajira (Mar.) Carum carvi is an annual or biennial glabrous herb, 30-100 cm in height, native to Europe and West Asia, found growing wild in Himachal Pradesh and cultivated in the hills and plains of North India and in the hills of South India for its aromatic seeds. Its seeds are widely used as a spice for culinary purposes and for flavouring bread, biscuits, cakes, candies, cheese, curries, pickles, sausages, meat products, confectionery and liqueurs of kummel type. They are also used as a flavouring constituent in cordials and in certain preparations of Cannabis. hi medicine, they are used as carminative, mild stomachic, aromatic and diuretic. Both the seeds and the essential oils (caraway oil) are prescribed in flatulent colic and stomach derangements. Exposing the affected parts in patients suffering from lumbago and rheumatism to the vapours from the seeds gives relief from the disease. The alcoholic extract of the fruits show dose-dependent antispasmodic effect. Its water finds use as a vehicle for paediatric medicines. Hexane extract of the fruits was found to have excellent larvicidal activity against the mosquito Culex pipiens fatigans Wiedm. [Marketing of Minor Spices in India, 1968, 119; Krishna & Badhwar, J. Sci. Industr. Res., 1952, 11A, suppl, 259; Sharma and Kapil, Loc. cit.; Ernbong et al Canad J PI Sci., 1977, 57, 543; I.P., 1966, 104; I PC., 55; Gharat, Pharmaceutist, 1958-59, 4 (2), 21; Cappelletti et al., J. Ethnopharmacol, 1982, 6, 178; Forster et al, Planta Med, 1980, 40, 309; Deshmukh et al, Pesticides, 1982, 16 (12), 7]. The dried crushed seeds, on steam distillation, gave a pale yellow to light brown essential oil (known as caraway oil) with a strong aromatic odour. The oil content of the seeds varies according to the degree of maturity of the seeds. Storage affects the oil content of seeds up to 2.8 per cent per annum. All Indian samples of the r. ads contained 5.8-8.1 per cent of caraway oil. Carvone and the limonene are the chief constituents of the oils and its odour and flavour are mainly attributed to them. Other constituents present in the oil are a- and p-pinene and p-cymene. Besides the above constituents, camphene, A3-carene, dihydrocarvone, p-fenchene, myrcene, a- and P-phellandrene, sabinene, a and y-terpinene, a-thujene, terpinolene, tricyclene, d-and 1-dihydropinol, 1-neodihydrocarveol, 1-isodihydrocarveol, carveol, d-dihydrocarveol, acetaldehyde, methyl alcohol, furfural have also been isolated from European caraway oil (Arctander, 124; Dijkstra and Speckmann, loc. cit. ; Atal & Sood, Indian J Pharm, 1967, 29, 42; I.P., 1966, 105; Padha et al Parfum u Kosmetik, 1969, 50, 296; Chem Abstr. 1980, 93, 191892; Salveson & Svendsen, Planta Med. 1976,30, 93, Guenther, IV, 582). Caraway oil is primarily used like caraway seeds in flavouring several food products, and in medicine as carminative. It is the main ingredient in the Scandinavian "Schnapps" and the German "kummel". It is employed in gargle preparations, toothpaste flavours, chewing gum, candy and as a masking agent in bad tasting pharmaceutical preparations and obnoxious insecticides. It also exhibits neurotropic anti-spasmodic activity. In mixture with alcohol and castor oil, it is used for the treatment of scabies. The essential oil shows moderate antibacterial and anti-fungal property against several bacteria and fungi. Decarvonised oil is sold in the market for scenting cheap soaps, in jasmine bases and tabac perfumes (IPC, 54; Arctander, 125; Chopra et al, 1958, 92; Chem Abstr, 1968, 68, 48218; Narayan et al Indian Drugs, 1979-80, 17, 394; El-keltawi et al, Herbapol, 1980, 26,245). The seeds also contain 3-glucosides and 3-galactosides of kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin, and a hydrocarbon (m p, 62-63°). Presence of 5-methoxy-, and 8-methoxy psoralens, sterol, umbelligerone, scopoletin and herniarin is also reported. The fatty acid composition of the oil is: palmitic, 3.6; oleic, 60.7; linoleic, 19.6 and petroselinic, 17.0% (Food technol Abstr., 1974, No. 93, 470; Harborne & Williams, Phytochemistry, 1972, II, 1741; Ceska et al., ibid, 1987, 26, 165; Chakraborti, Trans Bose Res Inst, 1956-58, 21, 61; Chem. Abstr., 1969, 71, 57561; Hilditch & Williams, 287). US Patent 5,7441,161 discloses a Zingiber officinale root extract based composition though not as a bioenhancing agent. In addition, piperine has been shown to be active only with certain drugs while showing nil or marginal effects with other drugs in the same therapeutic category. For example, with anti- d anti-leprosy drugs, piperine shows enhancement with dapsone and rifampicin to :> ^gnificant (p, 0.01) to highly significant ( Objects of the invention The main object of the invention is to provide a bioavailability enhancing composition containing extracts/fractions of at least Carum can//. It is another object of the invention to provide a bioavailability enhancing composition which utilizes the extracts/fractions of Carum can// with those of either of both Piper nigrum and Zingiber officinale. It is a further object of the invention to provide a bioefficiency enhancing composition which is a composite of extracts of Carum can//, Piper nigrum and Zingiber officinale. Summary of the invention Accordingly, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of composition useful for enhancing bioavailability of drugs/neutraceutical comprising conventional active drug/neutraceutical and essentially a bioenhancer selected from a fraction obtained from Carum can// extract or its fraction with atleast one other enhancer selected from zingiber officinale/piperine extract such as herein described, the said process comprising mixing by conventional methods tiac dwg/neutraceutical and the bioenhancer as defined above wherein the amount of carum carvi extract ranges from 5 to TOOmg/kg or active fraction of Carum can// used ranges from 1 to 55 mg piperine ranges from 3-15 mg, zingiber officinale ranges from 10 to 150 mg and the ratio (w/w) of the bioenhancer (fraction/active molecule) and the drug/neutraceutical is in the range of 0.1 to 70. The present invention also provides a composite bioenhancer comprising an effective amount of an aqueous extract or a bioactive fraction of Carum carvi and at least one other bioenhancer useful for enhancing the bioavailability of a drug, neutraceutical, vitamin, antioxidant, natural herbal products and essential nutritional components. In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one other bioenhancer is selected from piperine and Zingiber offieinale extract. The invention also provides a composition comprising Carum can// extract, fraction or a mixture thereof, piperine and an therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of antibiotic, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-viral, antitubercular, antileproxy, anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic, cardiovascular, antihistaminics, CMS drug, respiratory distress relieving drugs, immunosuppressants, antiulcers, nutraceuticals and herbal formulations. The bioenhancer is preferably used as an aqueous extract or a 50% alcoholic extract from Carum Can// or a fraction thereof or a mixture thereof. The effective dose of the bioenhancer extract used is in the range of 5 to 100 mg/Kg bodyweight. The dose of active fraction of Carum can// used ranges from 1 to 55 mg. The antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of fluroquinolone, macrolide, cephalosporin, penicillin and arninoglycoside. The fluroquinolone is selected from the group consisting of ciprofloxacin, o-floxacin and norfloxacin. The macrolide is selected from the group consisting of erythromycin, roxythromycin and azithromycin. The cephalosporin is selected from the group consisting of cefadroxil, cefatrioxone, cefixime and cefidnir. The penicillin is selected from amoxycinnin and cloxacillin and the arninoglycoside is selected from amikacin and kanamycin. The antifungal agent is selected from the group consisting of fluconazone, amphotericin B and Ketoconazole. The anti-cancer agent is selected from methotrexate and 5- fluorouracil. The cardiovascular agent is selected from the group consisting of lisinopril, atenolol and propranolol. The anti-viral agent is selected from acyclovir and zidovudine. The CNS drug used may be haloperidol. The anti inflammatory/antiarthritic agent is selected from nimesulide and rofecoxib. The anti-TB/antileprosy agent is selected from the group consisting of rifampicin, pyrazinamide, dapsone, etionamide and cycloserine. The anti-histamines/respiratory disorder agent is selected from the group consisting of salbutamol, theophylline, bromhexine and loratidine. The corticosteroid agent is selected from the group consisting of prednisolone, dexamethasone and betamethasone. The immunosuppressant is selected from cyclosporin A and tacrolimus. The anti-ulcer agent is selected from the group consisting of ranitidine, cimetidine and omeprazole. The herbal extract is selected from the group consisting of extract of Tinospora cordifolia, Picrorrhiza kurroa, Aegles marmelos, Andrographis paniculata, Terminalia chebula, Withania somnifera and Centella asiaiica. The neutraceutical agent is selected from the group consisting of vitamin, antioxidant, natural herbal product and essential nutritional component. The vitamin is selected from the group consisting of vitamin A, vitamin E vitamin Be, vitamin 812, vitamin C and folic acid. The antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of beta carotene, silymarin and selenium. The essential nutritional component is selected from the group consisting of methionine leucine, lysine, valine, isoleucine, zinc, calcium, glucose, potassium, copper and iron. The composition is administerable through oral, parental, nasal, inhalation including nebulisers, rectal, vaginal and transdermal routes. The dose of antibiotic ranges from 10-55 mg/kg, that of antifungal agent ranges from 50-80 mg/kg; of anticancer agent used ranges from 5-30 mg/kg; of cardiovascular drug ranges from 0.5-10 mg/kg; the dose of antiviral agent ranges from 10-50 mg/kg; dose of CNS drug ranges from 0.1-0.5 mg/kg; the dose of anti-inflammatory/antiarthritic agent ranges from 2-10 mg/kg; the dose of anti-TB/antileprosy drug ranges from 10-75 mg/kg; the dose of antihiataminics/respiratory drug ranges from 0.5-~^ mg/kg; "dose of corticosteroid ranges from 0.05-5 mg/kg; dose of immunosuppressant i tinges from 5-15 mg/kg. The dose of anti-ulcer agent ranges from 2-45 mg/kg. The dose of vitamin ranges from 0.1 mg/kg - 40 mg/kg. The dose of antioxidant ranges from 5 to 15 mg/kg. The dose of essential nutritional component ranges from 20-55 mg/kg. The dose of herbal extract ranges from lOmg/kg to 1 gm/kg. Unavailability / bioefficacy enhancing activity The present invention relates to the isolation of an extract and/ or its fraction from the plant Carum carvi, its standardization with its intended use as drug bioavailability and/or bioefficacy enhancer for the drugs belonging to therapeutic categories such as but not limited to antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-viral, antitubercular, antileprosy, antiinflammatory/anti-arthritic, cardiovascular, antihistaminics, respiratory distress relieving drugs, immunosuppressants, anti-ulcers, nutraceuticals in compositions to be administered orally/parenterally, topically, inhalations (including nebulizers), rectally, vaginally in human beings and/or veterinary conditions. The invention also relates to the preparation of a formulation containing extract and/ or its fraction/ from the plant Carum carvi and piperine, its standardization with its intended use as drug bioavailability and/ or bioefficacy enhancer for the drugs belonging to therapeutic categories such as antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-viral, antitubercular, antileprosy, antiinfiammatory, antiarthritic, cardiovascular, antihistaminics, respiratory distress relieving drugs, immunosuppressants, anti-ulcers, nutraceuticals in compositions to be administered orally/parenterally, topically, inhalations (including nebulizers), rectally, vaginally in human beings and/or veterinary conditions. The invention relates to the preparation of a formulation containing extract and/or its fraction from the plant Carum carvi and Zingiber qfficinale, its standardization with their intended use as drug bioavailability and/ or bioefficacy enhancer for the drugs belonging to therapeutic categories such as antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-viral, antitubercular, antileprosy, antiinfiammatory, antiarthritic, cardiovascular, antihistaminics, respiratory distress relieving drugs, immunosuppressants, anti-ulcers, nutraceuticals in compositions to be administered orally/ parenterally, topically, inhalations (including nebulizers), rectally, vaginally in human beings and/or veterinary conditions. The bioavailability/ bioefficacy enhancer principle may be any extract, its fraction or pure molecule isolated from the plant. Any drug may be selected from the therapeutic categories such as those mentioned above. The process for the preparation of extract(s)/ fraction(s) of plants can involve the use of water, alcohol, combinations of water and alcohol, halogenated hydrocarbons, ketones, ethers as solvents. The plants can include those containing piperine. The composite bioenhancers of the invention having active extracts/ fractions from Carum carvi and/ or Zingiber qfficinale with or without piperine make use of physical techniques like dialysis/ molecular sieves/ membranes, variety of chromatographic techniques and/ or liquid-liq;.id or solid phase extractions, followed by their complete finger print profiles (HPLC/ HPTLC/ LC- MS-MS). The combination/s of bioenhancre/s having active extract/ fraction do not represent a mere physical mixing but a specialized process for the purpose of formulations that may involve chemical techniques like particle size reduction, use of selective polar solvents or use of ionic/ non-ionic surfactants. The formulation of a drug selected from any of the therapeutic categories of the drugs, nutraceuticals, herbal drugs/ formulations in combination with the bioenhancer may be intended for routes of administration viz., oral, parenteral, nasal, inhalation including nebulisers, rectal, vaginal, transdermal and others. The bioenhancing effect of the extracts/ fractions of Carum carvi either alone or in combination with extracts/ fractions of Zingiber officinale and/ or piperine is selective, as shown but not limited to the accompanying examples and does not enhance the bioavailability/ bioefficacy of each and every drug, nutraceutical, herbal drug/formulation. The plant extracts/ fractions either individually or in combination express no biological or lexicological effect of their own at the doses at which they are intended to be used. The aqueous, aqueous - alcoholic, ketonic, ethereal, halogenated solvents extracts of the plant parts were evaluated with different therapeutic categories of drags and nutraceutical (vital amino acids, metals, antioxidants, vitamins) and herbal drugs. The bioavailability / bioefficacy enhancing (BE) activity of Carum carvi extracts was found to be consistent from 5mg to 100 mg irrespective of the amount of the drug (s) present in the formulation. Sub-fractions of the active extracts were also evaluated, with the same categories of drugs. The doses of the fraction (s) responsible for the BE activity ranged from 1.0 to 55 mg. The parent extract as well as the active fraction (s) were found to be active individually as well as in combination with each other with different categories of drugs. The individual extract or its fractions were found to be 20-110 % more active when used in combination with bioenhancer products developed from Zingiber officinale. The effective range for Zingiber officinale. BEs was 10-150 mg. Besides both the parent extracts as well as their fractions from Carum carvi in different combinations showed pronounced activity ranging from 25- 95 % in presence of piperine. The amount of piperine in these formulations ranged from 3-15 mg. The extracts or its fractions either in . ace or absence of BEs from Zingiber officinale. and/or piperine have been found to b ^aly selective in their bioavailability -.ad/ or bioefficacy enhancing activity. This is apparent from the degree of bioavailibility and/ or bioefficacy enhancement caused by these extracts/ fractions as exmeplified in accompanying examples. The reasons for this selective pattern may be attributable to one or more than one of the following reasons: (a) Promoting the absorption of drugs from GIT, (b) Inhibiting or reducing the rate of biotransformation of drugs in the liver or intestines, (c) Modifying the immune system in a way that the overall requirement of the drug is reduced substantially, (d) Increasing the penetration or the entry into the pathogens even where they become persistors within the macrophages such as for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and such others. This eventually ensures the enhanced killing of these organisms well secured within the places otherwise inaccessible to the active drug, (e) Inhibiting the capability of pathogens or abnormal tissue to reject the drug e.g., efflux mechanisms frequently encountered with anti-malarial, anti-cancer and anti-microbial drugs, (f) Modifying the signalling process between host and pathogen ensuring increased accessibility of the drugs to the pathogens, (g) Enhancing the binding of the drug with the receptors like proteins, DNA, RNA, etc., in the pathogen, thus pofentiating and prolonging its effect leading to enhanced antibiotic activity against pathogens, (h) Besides above plausible modes of action, the bioenhancer agents may also be useful for promoting the transport of nutrients and the drugs ^ross the blood brain barrier , which could be of immense help in the control of diseases like cerebral infections, epilepsy and other CNS problems. Primarily, but not exclusively, the invention enhances the carrier mediated entry of drugs and also the passive diffusion and the active transport pathways in the tissue which are responsible for transporting physiological substances such as nutraceuticals to their target sues. As applicable to any mechanism of action the products of this invention contribute in a synergistic and /or additive manner so that most drugs and nutraceuticals in presence of the products described in the present art are more bioavailable or bioefficaceous as a result of one or more of these mechanisms. The bioavailability and/ or bioefficacy of drugs and nutraceuticals is also relevant to animal health besides being important for humans. The invention therefore is also useful in veterinary preparations. The process for fractionation of the various extracts are given in the following schematic representations. (Table Removed) The following examples demonstrate some of the preferred embodiments and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Table 1: List of drugs as some of the examples for the purpose of the present invention. (Table Removed) In all the following tables, bioenhancers of Carum carvi comprise aqueous or 50% alcoholic extract thereof or fraction No. 1. Bioenhancers of Zingiber qfficinale, mean 50% alcoholic extract of fresh ginger. The doses remain unchanged whether the bioenhancers are used alone or in combination. Example 1 The amount of bioenhancers used are given below: L ,^m Carum carvi: extract 30 mg/k0 Dody weight (rats); Fraction No. .: 5 mg/kg body weight (rats) n. pipeline 8 mg/kg body weight (rats) ui. Zingiber officinale: 35 mg/kg body weight (rats) The drug used was rifampicin (40 mg/kg). The drug alone or in combination with the bioenhancers was administered to rats as given below: Group 1: control Group 2: Rifampicin alone Group 3: bioenhancer alone Group 4: Rifampicin with Carum carvi bioenhancer Blood from the control/treated animals at predetermined intervals (0 - 24 hours) (total 14 timings). Rifampicin was extracted from the blood (plasma) using dichloromethane. The concentration of rifampicin in the samples was determined using HPLC (Model: Shimadru 1080 BP); PDA detector. The mobile phase was phosphate buffer: acetonitrile in a ratio of 40:60, and a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. Escmple 2 The same protocol as in example 1 above was followed for various drugs. The details are given in tables below: fi) ANTIBIOTICS: (a) Fluroquinolones (Table Removed) (b) Macrolides (Table Removed) (c) Cephalosporins (Table Removed) (d) Penicillins (Table Removed) (e) Aminoglycosides (Table Removed) (ii). ANTIFUNGAL (Table Removed) (Hi) ANTI-CANCER (Table Removed) (i v) CARDIOVASCULAR (Table Removed) (v) ANTI-VIRAL (Table Removed) (VI) CNS DRUGS: (Table Removed) (vii) ANTI-INFLAMMATORY/ ANTIARTHRITIC: (Table Removed) (viii) ANTI-TB/ ANTILEPROSY DRUGS : (Table Removed) (ix). ANTI-HISTAMINES/RESPIRATORY DISORDERS: (Table Removed) (X) CORTICOSTEROIDS: (Table Removed) (xi) LMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS: (Table Removed) (xii) ANTI-ULCER (Table Removed) D. Herbal formulations (Table Removed) £. Nutraceuticals (Table Removed) Doses equivalent to elemental concentration We claim : 1. A process for the preparation of composition useful for enhancing bioavailability of drugs/neutraceutical comprising conventional active drug/neutraceutical and essentially a bioenhancer selected from a fraction obtained from Carum can// extract or its fraction with atleast one other enhancer selected from zingiber officinale/piperine extract such as herein described, the said process comprising mixing by conventional methods the neutraceutical and the bioenhancer as defined above wherein the amount of carum carvi extract ranges from 5 to 100mg/kg or active fraction of Carum carvi used ranges from 1 to 55 mg piperine ranges from 3-15 mg, zingiber officinale ranges from 10 to 150 mg and the ratio (w/w) of the bioenhancer (fraction/active molecule) and the drug/neutraceutical is in the range of 0.1 to 70. 2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein nutraceutical agent is selected from the group consisting of vitamins, antioxidants, natural herbal products and essential nutritional componets. 3. A process as claimed in claims 1-2 wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of antibiotic, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-viral, antitubercular, antileprosy, anti-inflammatory / anti-arthritic, cardiovascular, antihistaminics, respiratory distress relieving drugs, immunosuppressants, antiulcers, nutraceuticals, herbal formulations. 4. A process as claimed in claims 1-3 wherein antibiotics is selected from the group consisting of fluroquinolones, macrolides, cephalosporins, penicillins, aminoglycosides. 5. A process as claimed in claims 1-4 wherein fluroquinolones is selected from the group consisting of ciprofloxacin, o-floxacin and norfloxacin. 6. A process as claimed in claims 1-5 wherein macrolides is selected from the group consisting of erythromycin, roxythromycin and azithromycin. 7. A process as claimed in claims 1-6 wherein cephalosporins is selected from the group consisting of cefadroxil, cefatrioxone, cefixime and cefidinir. 8. A process as claimed in claims 1-7 wherein penicillin is selected from the group consisting of amoxycillin, cloxacillin. 9. A process as claimed in claims 1-8 wherein aminoglycosides is selected from amikacin and kanamycin. 10. A process as claimed in claims 1-9 wherein the antifungal agent is selected from the group consisting of fluconazole, amphotericin B, ketoconazole. 11. A process as claimed in claims 1-10 wherein anti-cancer agent is selected from the group consisting of methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil. 12. A process as claimed in claims 1-11 wherein cardiovascular agent is selected from the group consisting of lisinopril, atenolol, propranolol. 13. A process as claimed in claims 1-12 wherein anti-viral agent is selected from the group consisting of acyclovir and zidovudine. 14. A process as claimed in claims 1-13 wherein the cardiovascular agent is selected from the group consisting of lisinopril, atenolol and propranolol. 15. A process as claimed in claims 1-14 wherein anti-inflammatory/ antiarthritic agent is selected from the group consisting of nimesulide and rofecoxib. 16. A process as claimed in claims1-15 wherein anti-TB/antileprosy drugs agent is selected from the group consisting of rifampicin, pyrazinamide, dapsone, ethionamide and cycloserine. 17. A process as claimed in claims 1-16 wherein anti-histamines/respiratory disorders agent is selected from the group consisting of salbutamol, theophylline and loratidine 18. A process as claimed in claims1-17 wherein corticosteroids agent is selected from the group consisting of prednisolone, dexamethasone and betamethasone 19. A process as claimed in claims 1-18 wherein immunosuppressants agent is selected from the group consisting of cyclosporin A and tacrolimus. 20. A process as claimed in claims 1-19 wherein antiulcer agent used are selected from the group consisting of ranitidine, cimetidine and omeprazole. 21 .A process as claimed in claims 1-20 wherein herbal extract agent is selected from the group consisting of tinospora cordifolia, picrorrhiza kurroa, aegles marmelos, andrographis paniculata, terminalia chebula, withania somnifera and centella asiatica. 22.A process as claimed in claims 1-21 wherein the vitamin is selected from vitamin A , vitamin E vitamin B& , vitamin 612, vitamin c, folic acid . 23. A process as claimed in claims 1-22 wherein the antioxidant is selected from beta carotene, silymarin , selenium . 24. A process as claimed in claims 1-23 wherein the essential nutritional component is selected from the group consisting of methionine leucine, lysine, valine, isoleucine, zinc, calcium, glucose, potassium, copper and iron. 25. A process for the preparation of composition useful for enhancing bioavailability of drugs/neutraceutical substantially as herein described with reference to the examples.

Full Text

A process for the preparation of composition useful for enhancing bioavailability of drugs/neutraceutical
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to the use of bioavailability and/or bioefficacy enhancers - also termed as bioenhancers or BE and methods of their preparation which include their isolation from a natural source and obtaining the final products in their chemically characterized or fingerprint- profiled form.
The present invention is directed to preparation of active extracts/ fraction from the plant Carum can// which include their chemical characterisation, fingerprint profiling and methods of using such products to enhance bioavailability and/ or bioefficacy of drugs, natural products and essential nutraceuticals. The present invention is directed to preparation of composite bioenhancers comprising polar and non-polar extracts of parts of Zingiber officinale and/ or piperine (Ex: Piper nigrum and Piper longum) which increased significantly (50- 180 %) , the bioavailability of a number of classes of drugs, for example, but not limited to, antibiotics, antifungals, anti-virals, anticancer, cardiovascular, CMS, anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic, anti-TB/
antileprosy, anti-histaminic/respiratory dosorders, corticosteroids, immunosppressants, anti- ulcer. Such extracts/ fractions of Carum can// either in presence or absence of Zingiber officinale and/ or piperine (Ex: Piper nigrum and Piper longum) have been found to be highly selective in their bioavailability/ bioefficacy enhancing action.
Background of the invention
There is a great interest and medical need for the improvement of bioavailability of a large number of drugs which are (a) poorly bioavailable, (b) given for long periods, and are (c) toxic and expensive. Maximizing oral bioavailability is therapeutically important because the extent of bioavailability directly influences plasma concentrations and consequently therapeutic efficacy and dose related toxic effects resulting after oral drug administration. Poorly bioavailable drugs remain sub-therapeutic because a major portion of a dose never reaches the plasma or exerts its pharmacological effect unless and until very large doses are given which may lead to serious side effects. Any significant improvement in bioavailability will result in lowering the dose or the dose frequency of that particular drug. Besides, inter-subject variability is inversely correlated with the extent of bioavailability. Therefore, low oral bioavailability leads to high variability and poor control of plasma concentration and pharmacodynamic effects. Inter-subject variability is particularly of concern for a drug with a narrow safety margin.
Incomplete oral bioavailability has various causes. These include poor dissolution or low aqueous solubility, poor intestinal membrane permeation, degradation of the drug in gastric or intestinal fluids and pre-systemic intestinal or hepatic metabolism. The normal practice to offset some of these problems has been to increase the dosage as stated earlier which has the concerns of toxicity patients' non-compliance.
Many therapeutic treatments are also accompanied by loss of essential nutraceuticals in the course of therapy. The present invention improves nutritional status by increasing bioavailability/ bioefficacy of various nutraceuticals also, which include metals and vitamins. The bioenhancers of the invention also have the potential to enhance the bioefficacy of a drug without influencing its plasma concentrations for various reasons, some of which, but not limited to, are described later in this invention under Section on 'Bioavailability/ Bioenhancing activity'. Description of related art
Several approaches have been adopted in the past to maximize oral bioavailability, such as (a) particle size reduction (micronization. nanonization, etc.,) (b) polymorphic or crystal size and form selection, (c) solubilization of lesser soluble drugs by way of chemical modifications, complexation and use of co-solvents/ surfactants, (d) targeted delivery of drug at the site of action, (e) controlled drug delivery by film coating or use of polymeric matrices for sustained release of drugs, (f) prodrug approach, and (g) microencapsulation using liposomes.
However, based on clues from Ayurvedic literature, a new approach of increasing the bioavailability of drugs including poorly bioavailable drugs had been conceptualized at RRL, Jammu. One of the groups of herbals which has been documented very frequently as essential part of about 70 % of Ayurvedic prescriptions, is 'Trikatu', that comprises three acrids viz. long pepper, black pepper and dry ginger in equal proportions. A single major alkaloidal constituent from peppers (piperine) was found to be responsible for bioavailability enhancing effect. The role of ginger is to regulate intestinal function to facilitate absorption. Influence of piperine was extensively studied on anti-TB drugs. It was determined that in combination with piperine the dose of rifampicin can be reduced by about 50% while >tf ining the therapeutic efficacy of this anti-TB drug at par with the standard dose (450 mg). oased on these findings several other reputed plants were evaluated for bioavailability/ bioefficacy enhancing activity. Polar and non-polar extracts of parts of a few plants viz., Zingiber officinale, and Cuminum cyminum increased significantly (25 - 300 %), the bioavailability of a number of classes of drugs, for example, but not limited to, antibiotics,
antifungals, anti-virals, anticancer, cardiovascular, CNS, anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic, anti-TB/ antileprosy, anti-histaminic/respiratory disorders, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, anti-ulcer. Such extracts either in presence or absence of pipeline have been found to be highly selective in their bioavailability/ bioefficacy enhancing action.
Carwn carvi is a prized culinary herb and is used extensively in India. The herb finds frequent mention in Ayurvedic and other Indian Systems of Medicine prescriptions against a wide variety of ailments. It remained a scientific curiosity that a single plant can have biological activities for such a large variety of ailments or diseases for which these prescriptions are employed. Chemistry of Carum carvi
Carum carvi Linn seeds are known as lira (Beng.), Shahjiru (Guj.), Kala jira, Shiajira (Hindi), Shalajira (Mar.) Carum carvi is an annual or biennial glabrous herb, 30-100 cm in height, native to Europe and West Asia, found growing wild in Himachal Pradesh and cultivated in the hills and plains of North India and in the hills of South India for its aromatic seeds.
Its seeds are widely used as a spice for culinary purposes and for flavouring bread, biscuits, cakes, candies, cheese, curries, pickles, sausages, meat products, confectionery and liqueurs of kummel type. They are also used as a flavouring constituent in cordials and in certain preparations of Cannabis. hi medicine, they are used as carminative, mild stomachic, aromatic and diuretic. Both the seeds and the essential oils (caraway oil) are prescribed in flatulent colic and stomach derangements. Exposing the affected parts in patients suffering from lumbago and rheumatism to the vapours from the seeds gives relief from the disease. The alcoholic extract of the fruits show dose-dependent antispasmodic effect. Its water finds use as a vehicle for paediatric medicines. Hexane extract of the fruits was found to have excellent larvicidal activity against the mosquito Culex pipiens fatigans Wiedm. [Marketing of Minor Spices in India, 1968, 119; Krishna & Badhwar, J. Sci. Industr. Res., 1952, 11A, suppl, 259; Sharma and Kapil, Loc. cit.; Ernbong et al Canad J PI Sci., 1977, 57, 543; I.P., 1966, 104; I PC., 55; Gharat, Pharmaceutist, 1958-59, 4 (2), 21; Cappelletti et al., J. Ethnopharmacol, 1982, 6, 178; Forster et al, Planta Med, 1980, 40, 309; Deshmukh et al, Pesticides, 1982, 16 (12), 7]. The dried crushed seeds, on steam distillation, gave a pale yellow to light brown essential oil (known as caraway oil) with a strong aromatic odour. The oil content of the seeds varies according to the degree of maturity of the seeds. Storage affects the oil content of seeds up to 2.8 per cent per annum. All Indian samples of the r. ads contained 5.8-8.1 per cent of caraway oil. Carvone and the limonene are the chief
constituents of the oils and its odour and flavour are mainly attributed to them. Other constituents present in the oil are a- and p-pinene and p-cymene. Besides the above constituents, camphene, A3-carene, dihydrocarvone, p-fenchene, myrcene, a- and P-phellandrene, sabinene, a and y-terpinene, a-thujene, terpinolene, tricyclene, d-and 1-dihydropinol, 1-neodihydrocarveol, 1-isodihydrocarveol, carveol, d-dihydrocarveol, acetaldehyde, methyl alcohol, furfural have also been isolated from European caraway oil (Arctander, 124; Dijkstra and Speckmann, loc. cit. ; Atal & Sood, Indian J Pharm, 1967, 29, 42; I.P., 1966, 105; Padha et al Parfum u Kosmetik, 1969, 50, 296; Chem Abstr. 1980, 93, 191892; Salveson & Svendsen, Planta Med. 1976,30, 93, Guenther, IV, 582).
Caraway oil is primarily used like caraway seeds in flavouring several food products, and in medicine as carminative. It is the main ingredient in the Scandinavian "Schnapps" and the German "kummel". It is employed in gargle preparations, toothpaste flavours, chewing gum, candy and as a masking agent in bad tasting pharmaceutical preparations and obnoxious insecticides. It also exhibits neurotropic anti-spasmodic activity. In mixture with alcohol and castor oil, it is used for the treatment of scabies. The essential oil shows moderate antibacterial and anti-fungal property against several bacteria and fungi. Decarvonised oil is sold in the market for scenting cheap soaps, in jasmine bases and tabac perfumes (IPC, 54; Arctander, 125; Chopra et al, 1958, 92; Chem Abstr, 1968, 68, 48218; Narayan et al Indian Drugs, 1979-80, 17, 394; El-keltawi et al, Herbapol, 1980, 26,245).
The seeds also contain 3-glucosides and 3-galactosides of kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin, and a hydrocarbon (m p, 62-63°). Presence of 5-methoxy-, and 8-methoxy psoralens, sterol, umbelligerone, scopoletin and herniarin is also reported. The fatty acid composition of the oil is: palmitic, 3.6; oleic, 60.7; linoleic, 19.6 and petroselinic, 17.0% (Food technol Abstr., 1974, No. 93, 470; Harborne & Williams, Phytochemistry, 1972, II, 1741; Ceska et al., ibid, 1987, 26, 165; Chakraborti, Trans Bose Res Inst, 1956-58, 21, 61; Chem. Abstr., 1969, 71, 57561; Hilditch & Williams, 287).
US Patent 5,7441,161 discloses a Zingiber officinale root extract based composition
though not as a bioenhancing agent. In addition, piperine has been shown to be active only
with certain drugs while showing nil or marginal effects with other drugs in the same
therapeutic category. For example, with anti- d anti-leprosy drugs, piperine shows
enhancement with dapsone and rifampicin to :> ^gnificant (p, 0.01) to highly significant ( Objects of the invention
The main object of the invention is to provide a bioavailability enhancing composition containing extracts/fractions of at least Carum can//.
It is another object of the invention to provide a bioavailability enhancing composition which utilizes the extracts/fractions of Carum can// with those of either of both Piper nigrum and Zingiber officinale.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a bioefficiency enhancing composition which is a composite of extracts of Carum can//, Piper nigrum and Zingiber officinale. Summary of the invention
Accordingly, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of composition useful for enhancing bioavailability of drugs/neutraceutical comprising conventional active drug/neutraceutical and essentially a bioenhancer selected from a fraction obtained from Carum can// extract or its fraction with atleast one other
enhancer selected from zingiber officinale/piperine extract such as herein
described, the said process comprising mixing by conventional methods tiac
dwg/neutraceutical and the bioenhancer as defined above wherein the amount of
carum carvi extract ranges from 5 to TOOmg/kg or active fraction of Carum can//
used ranges from 1 to 55 mg piperine ranges from 3-15 mg, zingiber officinale ranges from 10 to 150 mg and the ratio (w/w) of the bioenhancer (fraction/active molecule) and the drug/neutraceutical is in the range of 0.1 to 70.
The present invention also provides a composite bioenhancer comprising an effective amount of an aqueous extract or a bioactive fraction of Carum carvi and at least one other bioenhancer useful for enhancing the bioavailability of a drug,
neutraceutical, vitamin, antioxidant, natural herbal products and essential nutritional components.
In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one other bioenhancer is selected from piperine and Zingiber offieinale extract.
The invention also provides a composition comprising Carum can// extract, fraction or a mixture thereof, piperine and an therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of antibiotic, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-viral, antitubercular, antileproxy, anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic, cardiovascular, antihistaminics, CMS drug, respiratory distress relieving drugs, immunosuppressants, antiulcers, nutraceuticals and herbal formulations.
The bioenhancer is preferably used as an aqueous extract or a 50% alcoholic extract from Carum Can// or a fraction thereof or a mixture thereof. The effective dose of the bioenhancer extract used is in the range of 5 to 100 mg/Kg bodyweight. The dose of active fraction of Carum can// used ranges from 1 to 55 mg.
The antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of fluroquinolone, macrolide,
cephalosporin, penicillin and arninoglycoside. The fluroquinolone is selected from the
group consisting of ciprofloxacin, o-floxacin and norfloxacin. The macrolide is selected
from the group consisting of erythromycin, roxythromycin and azithromycin. The
cephalosporin is selected from the group consisting of cefadroxil, cefatrioxone, cefixime
and cefidnir. The penicillin is selected from amoxycinnin
and cloxacillin and the arninoglycoside is selected
from amikacin and kanamycin. The antifungal agent is selected from the group consisting of fluconazone, amphotericin B and Ketoconazole. The anti-cancer agent is selected from methotrexate and 5- fluorouracil. The cardiovascular agent is selected from the group consisting of lisinopril, atenolol and propranolol. The anti-viral agent is selected from acyclovir and zidovudine. The CNS drug used may be haloperidol. The anti inflammatory/antiarthritic agent is selected from nimesulide and rofecoxib. The anti-TB/antileprosy agent is selected from the group consisting of rifampicin, pyrazinamide, dapsone, etionamide and cycloserine.
The anti-histamines/respiratory disorder agent is selected from the group consisting of salbutamol, theophylline, bromhexine and loratidine. The corticosteroid agent is selected from the group consisting of prednisolone, dexamethasone and betamethasone. The immunosuppressant is selected from cyclosporin A and tacrolimus. The anti-ulcer agent is selected from the group consisting of ranitidine, cimetidine and omeprazole. The herbal extract is selected from the group consisting of extract of Tinospora cordifolia, Picrorrhiza kurroa, Aegles marmelos, Andrographis paniculata, Terminalia chebula, Withania somnifera and Centella asiaiica. The neutraceutical agent is selected from the group consisting of vitamin, antioxidant, natural herbal product and essential nutritional component.
The vitamin is selected from the group consisting of vitamin A, vitamin E vitamin Be, vitamin 812, vitamin C and folic acid. The antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of beta carotene, silymarin and selenium. The essential nutritional component is selected from the group consisting of methionine leucine, lysine, valine, isoleucine, zinc, calcium, glucose, potassium, copper and iron.
The composition is administerable through oral, parental, nasal, inhalation including nebulisers, rectal, vaginal and transdermal routes. The dose of antibiotic ranges from 10-55 mg/kg, that of antifungal agent ranges from 50-80 mg/kg; of anticancer agent used ranges from 5-30 mg/kg; of cardiovascular drug ranges from 0.5-10 mg/kg; the dose of antiviral agent ranges from 10-50 mg/kg; dose of CNS drug ranges from 0.1-0.5 mg/kg; the dose of anti-inflammatory/antiarthritic agent ranges from 2-10 mg/kg; the dose of anti-TB/antileprosy drug ranges from 10-75 mg/kg; the dose of antihiataminics/respiratory drug ranges from 0.5-~*^ mg/kg; "dose of corticosteroid ranges from 0.05-5 mg/kg; dose of immunosuppressant i tinges from 5-15 mg/kg. The dose of anti-ulcer agent ranges from 2-45 mg/kg. The dose of vitamin ranges from 0.1 mg/kg - 40 mg/kg. The dose of antioxidant ranges from 5 to 15 mg/kg. The dose of essential nutritional component ranges from 20-55 mg/kg. The dose of herbal extract ranges from lOmg/kg to 1 gm/kg.
Unavailability / bioefficacy enhancing activity
The present invention relates to the isolation of an extract and/ or its fraction from the plant Carum carvi, its standardization with its intended use as drug bioavailability and/or bioefficacy enhancer for the drugs belonging to therapeutic categories such as but not limited to antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-viral, antitubercular, antileprosy, antiinflammatory/anti-arthritic, cardiovascular, antihistaminics, respiratory distress relieving drugs, immunosuppressants, anti-ulcers, nutraceuticals in compositions to be administered orally/parenterally, topically, inhalations (including nebulizers), rectally, vaginally in human beings and/or veterinary conditions.
The invention also relates to the preparation of a formulation containing extract and/ or its fraction/ from the plant Carum carvi and piperine, its standardization with its intended use as drug bioavailability and/ or bioefficacy enhancer for the drugs belonging to therapeutic categories such as antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-viral, antitubercular, antileprosy, antiinfiammatory, antiarthritic, cardiovascular, antihistaminics, respiratory distress relieving drugs, immunosuppressants, anti-ulcers, nutraceuticals in compositions to be administered orally/parenterally, topically, inhalations (including nebulizers), rectally, vaginally in human beings and/or veterinary conditions.
The invention relates to the preparation of a formulation containing extract and/or its fraction from the plant Carum carvi and Zingiber qfficinale, its standardization with their intended use as drug bioavailability and/ or bioefficacy enhancer for the drugs belonging to therapeutic categories such as antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-viral, antitubercular, antileprosy, antiinfiammatory, antiarthritic, cardiovascular, antihistaminics, respiratory distress relieving drugs, immunosuppressants, anti-ulcers, nutraceuticals in compositions to be administered orally/ parenterally, topically, inhalations (including nebulizers), rectally, vaginally in human beings and/or veterinary conditions. The bioavailability/ bioefficacy enhancer principle may be any extract, its fraction or pure molecule isolated from the plant. Any drug may be selected from the therapeutic categories such as those mentioned above.
The process for the preparation of extract(s)/ fraction(s) of plants can involve the use of water, alcohol, combinations of water and alcohol, halogenated hydrocarbons, ketones, ethers as solvents. The plants can include those containing piperine. The composite bioenhancers of the invention having active extracts/ fractions from Carum carvi and/ or Zingiber qfficinale with or without piperine make use of physical techniques like dialysis/ molecular sieves/ membranes, variety of chromatographic techniques and/ or liquid-liq;.id or solid phase extractions, followed by their complete finger print profiles (HPLC/ HPTLC/ LC-
MS-MS). The combination/s of bioenhancre/s having active extract/ fraction do not represent a mere physical mixing but a specialized process for the purpose of formulations that may involve chemical techniques like particle size reduction, use of selective polar solvents or use of ionic/ non-ionic surfactants. The formulation of a drug selected from any of the therapeutic categories of the drugs, nutraceuticals, herbal drugs/ formulations in combination with the bioenhancer may be intended for routes of administration viz., oral, parenteral, nasal, inhalation including nebulisers, rectal, vaginal, transdermal and others.
The bioenhancing effect of the extracts/ fractions of Carum carvi either alone or in combination with extracts/ fractions of Zingiber officinale and/ or piperine is selective, as shown but not limited to the accompanying examples and does not enhance the bioavailability/ bioefficacy of each and every drug, nutraceutical, herbal drug/formulation.
The plant extracts/ fractions either individually or in combination express no biological or lexicological effect of their own at the doses at which they are intended to be used.
The aqueous, aqueous - alcoholic, ketonic, ethereal, halogenated solvents extracts of the plant parts were evaluated with different therapeutic categories of drags and nutraceutical (vital amino acids, metals, antioxidants, vitamins) and herbal drugs. The bioavailability / bioefficacy enhancing (BE) activity of Carum carvi extracts was found to be consistent from 5mg to 100 mg irrespective of the amount of the drug (s) present in the formulation. Sub-fractions of the active extracts were also evaluated, with the same categories of drugs. The doses of the fraction (s) responsible for the BE activity ranged from 1.0 to 55 mg. The parent extract as well as the active fraction (s) were found to be active individually as well as in combination with each other with different categories of drugs.
The individual extract or its fractions were found to be 20-110 % more active when used in combination with bioenhancer products developed from Zingiber officinale. The effective range for Zingiber officinale. BEs was 10-150 mg. Besides both the parent extracts as well as their fractions from Carum carvi in different combinations showed pronounced activity ranging from 25- 95 % in presence of piperine. The amount of piperine in these formulations ranged from 3-15 mg.
The extracts or its fractions either in . ace or absence of BEs from Zingiber officinale. and/or piperine have been found to b ^aly selective in their bioavailability -.ad/ or bioefficacy enhancing activity. This is apparent from the degree of bioavailibility and/ or bioefficacy enhancement caused by these extracts/ fractions as exmeplified in accompanying examples.
The reasons for this selective pattern may be attributable to one or more than one of the following reasons: (a) Promoting the absorption of drugs from GIT, (b) Inhibiting or reducing the rate of biotransformation of drugs in the liver or intestines, (c) Modifying the immune system in a way that the overall requirement of the drug is reduced substantially, (d) Increasing the penetration or the entry into the pathogens even where they become persistors within the macrophages such as for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and such others.
This eventually ensures the enhanced killing of these organisms well secured within the places otherwise inaccessible to the active drug, (e) Inhibiting the capability of pathogens or abnormal tissue to reject the drug e.g., efflux mechanisms frequently encountered with anti-malarial, anti-cancer and anti-microbial drugs, (f) Modifying the signalling process between host and pathogen ensuring increased accessibility of the drugs to the pathogens, (g) Enhancing the binding of the drug with the receptors like proteins, DNA, RNA, etc., in the pathogen, thus pofentiating and prolonging its effect leading to enhanced antibiotic activity against pathogens, (h) Besides above plausible modes of action, the bioenhancer agents may also be useful for promoting the transport of nutrients and the drugs ^ross the blood brain barrier , which could be of immense help in the control of diseases like cerebral infections, epilepsy and other CNS problems.
Primarily, but not exclusively, the invention enhances the carrier mediated entry of drugs and also the passive diffusion and the active transport pathways in the tissue which are responsible for transporting physiological substances such as nutraceuticals to their target sues. As applicable to any mechanism of action the products of this invention contribute in a synergistic and /or additive manner so that most drugs and nutraceuticals in presence of the products described in the present art are more bioavailable or bioefficaceous as a result of one or more of these mechanisms.
The bioavailability and/ or bioefficacy of drugs and nutraceuticals is also relevant to animal health besides being important for humans. The invention therefore is also useful in veterinary preparations.
The process for fractionation of the various extracts are given in the following schematic representations.
(Table Removed)
The following examples demonstrate some of the preferred embodiments and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Table 1: List of drugs as some of the examples for the purpose of the present invention.

(Table Removed)
In all the following tables, bioenhancers of Carum carvi comprise aqueous or 50% alcoholic extract thereof or fraction No. 1. Bioenhancers of Zingiber qfficinale, mean 50% alcoholic extract of fresh ginger. The doses remain unchanged whether the bioenhancers are used alone or in combination. Example 1
The amount of bioenhancers used are given below:
L ,^m Carum carvi: extract 30 mg/k0 Dody weight (rats); Fraction No. .: 5 mg/kg
body weight (rats)
n. pipeline 8 mg/kg body weight (rats) ui. Zingiber officinale: 35 mg/kg body weight (rats)
The drug used was rifampicin (40 mg/kg). The drug alone or in combination with the
bioenhancers was administered to rats as given below:
Group 1: control
Group 2: Rifampicin alone
Group 3: bioenhancer alone
Group 4: Rifampicin with Carum carvi bioenhancer
Blood from the control/treated animals at predetermined intervals (0 - 24 hours) (total 14 timings). Rifampicin was extracted from the blood (plasma) using dichloromethane. The concentration of rifampicin in the samples was determined using HPLC (Model: Shimadru 1080 BP); PDA detector. The mobile phase was phosphate buffer: acetonitrile in a ratio of 40:60, and a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. Escmple 2
The same protocol as in example 1 above was followed for various drugs. The details are given in tables below: fi) ANTIBIOTICS:
(a) Fluroquinolones
(Table Removed)
(b) Macrolides

(Table Removed)
(c) Cephalosporins

(Table Removed)
(d) Penicillins

(Table Removed)
(e) Aminoglycosides

(Table Removed)

(ii).

ANTIFUNGAL

(Table Removed)
(Hi) ANTI-CANCER

(Table Removed)
(i v) CARDIOVASCULAR

(Table Removed)
(v) ANTI-VIRAL

(Table Removed)
(VI) CNS DRUGS:

(Table Removed)
(vii) ANTI-INFLAMMATORY/ ANTIARTHRITIC:

(Table Removed)
(viii) ANTI-TB/ ANTILEPROSY DRUGS :

(Table Removed)
(ix). ANTI-HISTAMINES/RESPIRATORY DISORDERS:

(Table Removed)
(X) CORTICOSTEROIDS:
(Table Removed)
(xi) LMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS:

(Table Removed)
(xii) ANTI-ULCER

(Table Removed)
D. Herbal formulations

(Table Removed)
£. Nutraceuticals

(Table Removed)
* Doses equivalent to elemental concentration

We claim :
1. A process for the preparation of composition useful for enhancing bioavailability of drugs/neutraceutical comprising conventional active drug/neutraceutical and essentially a bioenhancer selected from a fraction
obtained from Carum can// extract or its fraction with atleast one other enhancer selected from zingiber officinale/piperine extract such as herein
described, the said process comprising mixing by conventional methods the neutraceutical and the bioenhancer as defined above wherein the amount of carum carvi extract ranges from 5 to 100mg/kg or active fraction of Carum carvi used ranges from 1 to 55 mg piperine ranges from 3-15 mg, zingiber officinale ranges from 10 to 150 mg and the ratio (w/w) of the bioenhancer (fraction/active molecule) and the drug/neutraceutical is in the range of 0.1 to 70.
2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein nutraceutical agent is selected from the group consisting of vitamins, antioxidants, natural herbal products and essential nutritional componets.
3. A process as claimed in claims 1-2 wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of antibiotic, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-viral, antitubercular, antileprosy, anti-inflammatory / anti-arthritic, cardiovascular, antihistaminics, respiratory distress relieving drugs, immunosuppressants, antiulcers, nutraceuticals, herbal formulations.
4. A process as claimed in claims 1-3 wherein antibiotics is selected from the
group consisting of fluroquinolones, macrolides, cephalosporins, penicillins,
aminoglycosides.
5. A process as claimed in claims 1-4 wherein fluroquinolones is selected from
the group consisting of ciprofloxacin, o-floxacin and norfloxacin.
6. A process as claimed in claims 1-5 wherein macrolides is selected from the
group consisting of erythromycin, roxythromycin and azithromycin.
7. A process as claimed in claims 1-6 wherein cephalosporins is selected from
the group consisting of cefadroxil, cefatrioxone, cefixime and cefidinir.
8. A process as claimed in claims 1-7 wherein penicillin is selected from the
group consisting of amoxycillin, cloxacillin.
9. A process as claimed in claims 1-8 wherein aminoglycosides is selected from
amikacin and kanamycin.
10. A process as claimed in claims 1-9 wherein the antifungal agent is selected
from the group consisting of fluconazole, amphotericin B, ketoconazole.
11. A process as claimed in claims 1-10 wherein anti-cancer agent is selected
from the group consisting of methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil.
12. A process as claimed in claims 1-11 wherein cardiovascular agent is
selected from the group consisting of lisinopril, atenolol, propranolol.
13. A process as claimed in claims 1-12 wherein anti-viral agent is selected from
the group consisting of acyclovir and zidovudine.
14. A process as claimed in claims 1-13 wherein the cardiovascular agent is
selected from the group consisting of lisinopril, atenolol and propranolol.
15. A process as claimed in claims 1-14 wherein anti-inflammatory/ antiarthritic
agent is selected from the group consisting of nimesulide and rofecoxib.
16. A process as claimed in claims1-15 wherein anti-TB/antileprosy drugs agent
is selected from the group consisting of rifampicin, pyrazinamide, dapsone,
ethionamide and cycloserine.
17. A process as claimed in claims 1-16 wherein anti-histamines/respiratory
disorders agent is selected from the group consisting of salbutamol,
theophylline and loratidine
18. A process as claimed in claims1-17 wherein corticosteroids agent is
selected from the group consisting of prednisolone, dexamethasone and
betamethasone
19. A process as claimed in claims 1-18 wherein immunosuppressants agent is
selected from the group consisting of cyclosporin A and tacrolimus.
20. A process as claimed in claims 1-19 wherein antiulcer agent used are
selected from the group consisting of ranitidine, cimetidine and omeprazole.
21 .A process as claimed in claims 1-20 wherein herbal extract agent is selected from the group consisting of tinospora cordifolia, picrorrhiza kurroa, aegles marmelos, andrographis paniculata, terminalia chebula, withania somnifera and centella asiatica.
22.A process as claimed in claims 1-21 wherein the vitamin is selected from vitamin A , vitamin E vitamin B& , vitamin 612, vitamin c, folic acid .

23. A process as claimed in claims 1-22 wherein the antioxidant is selected from
beta carotene, silymarin , selenium .
24. A process as claimed in claims 1-23 wherein the essential nutritional
component is selected from the group consisting of methionine leucine,
lysine, valine, isoleucine, zinc, calcium, glucose, potassium, copper and iron.
25. A process for the preparation of composition useful for enhancing
bioavailability of drugs/neutraceutical substantially as herein described with
reference to the examples.

Documents:

91-del-2003-abstract.pdf

91-del-2003-claims.pdf

91-del-2003-correspondence-others.pdf

91-del-2003-correspondence-po.pdf

91-del-2003-description (complete).pdf

91-del-2003-form-1.pdf

91-del-2003-form-2.pdf

91-del-2003-form-3.pdf

91-del-2003-form-4.pdf

91-del-2003-petition-138.pdf

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Patent Number

197565

Indian Patent Application Number

91/DEL/2003

PG Journal Number

37/2008

Publication Date

12-Sep-2008

Grant Date

09-Mar-2007

Date of Filing

04-Feb-2003

Name of Patentee

COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

Applicant Address

RAFI MARG, NEW DELHI-110001, INDIA

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	GULAM NABI QAZI	REGIONAL RESEARCH LABORATORY JAMMU, INDIA.
2	KASTURI LAL BEDI	REGIONAL RESEARCH LABORATORY JAMMU, INDIA.
3	RAKESH KAMAL JOHRI	REGIONAL RESEARCH LABORATORY JAMMU, INDIA.
4	MANOJ KUMAR TIKOO	REGIONAL RESEARCH LABORATORY JAMMU, INDIA.
5	ASHOK KUMAR TIKKO	REGIONAL RESEARCH LABORATORY JAMMU, INDIA.
6	SUBHASH CHANDER SHARMA	REGIONAL RESEARCH LABORATORY JAMMU, INDIA.
7	SHEIKH TASADUQ ABDULLAH	REGIONAL RESEARCH LABORATORY JAMMU, INDIA.
8	OM PARKASH SURI	REGIONAL RESEARCH LABORATORY JAMMU, INDIA.
9	BISHAN DATT GUPTA	REGIONAL RESEARCH LABORATORY JAMMU, INDIA.
10	KRISHAN AVTAR SURI	REGIONAL RESEARCH LABORATORY JAMMU, INDIA.
11	NARESH KUMAR SATTI	REGIONAL RESEARCH LABORATORY JAMMU, INDIA.
12	RAVI KANT KHAJURIA	REGIONAL RESEARCH LABORATORY JAMMU, INDIA.

PCT International Classification Number

A61K 35/78

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1			NA