PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING MONOTERPENES

摘要

The present invention provides a process for purifying a monoterpene or sesquiterpene having a purity greater than about 98.5% (w/w). The process comprises the steps of derivatizing the monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) to produce a monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) derivative, separating the monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) derivative, and releasing the monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) from the derivative. Also encompassed by the scope of the present invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) having a purity greater than about 98.5% (w/w). The purified monoterpene can be used to treat a disease such as cancer. The present monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) may be administered alone, or may be co-administered with radiation or other therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapeutic agents.

主权项

1. A process for purifying (S)-perillyl alcohol comprising the steps of:
(a) derivatizing a mixture comprising (S)-perillyl alcohol to form a perillyl alcohol derivative; (b) crystallizing the perillyl alcohol derivative; (c) separating the perillyl alcohol derivative crystals from the mixture; (d) releasing the (S)-perillyl alcohol from the separated perillyl alcohol derivative from step (c); and, (e) isolating the (S)-perillyl alcohol from step (d), wherein the isolated (S)-perillyl alcohol has a purity of greater than about 98.5% (w/w).