METHOD FOR THE ISSUANCE OF CYTISIN

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention concerns a method for isolating cytisine from plant material.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Cytisine - (R,5S)-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro1.5-methano-8H-pyrido[1,2- α] (1,5) diazocin-8-one, with the following configuration: is a potent nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist that shows pharmacological effects similar to nicotine. It is used in fighting nicotine and alcohol dependence. Its presence has been established in various plant species like Faboideae subfamily that includes Laburnum, Anagyris, Thermopsis, Cytisus, Genista and Sophora. Cytisine is found also in Gymnocladus, a member of Caesalpinioideae subfamily etc. Extraction of cytisine from Laburnum seeds was reported more than a century ago (1). Cytisine was later extracted by processing milled seeds with alkali to the obtaining of a paste extracted for several hours using Soxhlet apparatus (2). The proposal includes the use of a mixture of dichloromethane, methanol and ammonium hydroxide (25%) for extraction of cytisine in two similar variants (3) and (4). A method for isolation of alkaloids from a mixture of biomaterial with 0.1 N HCl and subsequent elution of ion-exchange resin was described (5). A method is known for isolation of cytisine from biomaterials, which includes extraction of aqueous alkaline solution (carbonate, hydrogen carbonate or hydroxide of alkaline metal or ammonium hydroxide) of the biomaterial with plant oil (rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, flax oil, grape oil, peanut oil etc.), re-extraction in acid -aqueous phase (with sulfuric acid preferably), recovery of cytisine by alkaline extraction with dichloromethane (dichloromethane plus ammonium), removal of water and evaporation of the solvent. However, the purity of cytisine obtained in the above examples is very low (28%) (6). There is a semi-synthetic method for obtaining alkaloid derivatives of cytisine for treatment of CNS diseases, the initial stage consisting of maceration of powdered Ormosia, powdered roots and stems in particular, in methanol, followed by filtration and evaporation to dryness; distribution of the obtained extract between water solution of hydrochloric acid and ethyl acetate, separation of water and organic phases; alkalization of the aqueous phase to pH 10-12 with sodium carbonate; addition of dichloromethane and repeated separation of phases and isolation of compounds which are later subjected to chemical reactions to the obtaining of the target products (7). A method for extraction of cytisine from thermopsis lanceolata has been protected as well (8). A process for the extraction of cytisine in high purity, wherein the plant material is treated with methanol, acidified with HCl, extracted with chloroform or dichloromethane, alkalized, extracted and recrystallized from acetone, was also disclosed (9). A process for the extraction of cytisine in high purity, wherein the plant material is treated with ethanol, acidified with sulfuric acid, extracted with chloroform, alkalized, extracted and recrystallized from acetone, was also disclosed (10). Finally, a process for the isolation of cytisine in high purity, wherein the plant material is first alkalized, extracted, then acidified, extracted with water, alkalized again, extracted with chloroform and finally crystallized from petrolether, was also disclosed (11).

[0003] It is evident from the overview that the matter of cytisine extraction from plants, although with a long history, has not received a satisfactory solution. The known approaches for isolation of cytisine are multistage, labour-intensive, low-effective and result in a product with very low purity. This determines the great need of a method that ensures good yield of cytisine with higher purity. A need imposed by the increasing search and the expanding usage application of this alkaloid.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It was established that from cytisine-containing plant material, using accessible and efficient method, cytisine with high yield and purity grade of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) could be obtained. The method, according to the invention, includes extraction of the plant raw material with a lower alcohol (preferably methanol, ethanol), acidified with a mineral acid to pH in the range 1,5-3,5 and temperature of 20 - 50 °C. The combined alcohol- aqueous extracts which include 50-80 % of lower alcohol are concentrated under vacuum to eliminate the alcohol, and after filtration they are extracted with chloroform, methylene chloride, butyl acetate or normal butanol in a ratio of 1:1. The acidified aqueous concentrate thus purified from ballast substances is alkalized to pH 9 -12 with alkaline (sodium or potassium) hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide and the alkaline aqueous concentrate is extracted at least twice with chloroform, methylene chloride, butyl acetate or normal butanol in a ratio of concentrate : extractant from 1:5 to 1: 10. The combined organic extracts are evaporated to dryness, then acetone or ethyl acetate are added to obtain a suspension that is allowed to crystallize comletely at 5 - 10 ºC, then it is filtered and is dried it. The use of the simple and elegant method, according to the invention, surprisingly obtaines Cytisine HPLC grade of 98 - 99.9 %, and yield of 80 -85 %.

[0005] The Use of the simple and elegant method according to the invention surprisingly obtained a Cytisine HPLC Grade of 98-99.9% and a yield of 80-85%.

[0006] The following examples illustrate the essence of the method according to the invention, without limiting it.EXAMPLES: EXAMPLE 1: Preparation of Cytisine by acid methanol extraction of milled seeds of Golden Chain tree (Cytisus laburnum L., Golden chain)

[0007] 15 kg of milled seeds of Golden Chain tree (Cytisus laburnum L.) are extracted twice, each with 45 L of acidified with 0,350 L of sulfuric acid 70 % methanol for 5 hours at pH 2,5 - 3 and temperature of 30°C. The combined alcohol- aqueous acid extracts are concentrated under vacuum to a volume of 25 L (1 / 5) of the initial volume, the solid components are removed by filtration and the obtained concentrate is twice extracted with 10 L of chloroform each at pH range of 2,5-3,0. The obtained purified acid aqueous concentrate is alkalized with 30% sodium hydroxide solution to pH 11, then it is extracted five times each extraction with 25 L of chloroform. -The combined organic extracts are subjected to distillation till the choroform is completely eliminated and to the obtained residue is added 2 L of acetone to obtain an acetone suspension which rested for 11 hours at 5 - 10 ºC, then is filtered and is dried it.

[0008] 127 g of Cytisine with HPLC grade of 99,15% and yield of 85 % are obtained.EXAMPLE 2: Preparation of Cytisine by acid methanol extraction of milled seeds of Golden Chain tree (Cytisus laburnum L., Golden chain)

[0009] As in Example 1, the milled seeds of Golden Chain tree (Cytisus laburnum L.) are extracted with 60 % methanol, acidified with hydrochloric acid. The acid aqueousconcentrate is purified with chloroform, according to Example 1, alkalized with 25% of sodium hydroxide solution to pH 11, and then it is extracted seven times each with 20 L of methylene chloride. The combined organic extracts are subjected to distillation till the methylene chloride is completely eliminated and to the obtained residue added 2 L of acetone to obtain acetone suspension which rested for 10 hours at 5 - 10 ºC, then the obtained precipitate is filtered and is dried it.

[0010] 121,5 g of Cytisine HPLC grade of 98,72 % and yield of 81% are obtained.EXAMPLE 3: Preparation of Cytisine by acid methanol extraction of milled seeds of Golden Chain tree (Cytisus laburnum L., Golden chain)

[0011] As in Example 1, the milled seeds of Golden Chain tree (Cytisus laburnum L.) are extracted with 70 % ethanol acidified with sulfuric acid, instead of acid methanol. The acid aqueous concentrate, purified with chloroform is alkalized according to Example 1, with 25% of ammonium hydroxide solution to pH 11, then it is extracted six times each with 25 L of chloroform. The obtained chloroform extracts further are threated as in Example 1.

[0012] 125 g of Cytisine HPLC grade of 98, 7% and yield of 83 % are obtained.EXAMPLE 4: Preparation of Cytisine by acid ethanol extraction of milled seeds of Golden Chain tree (Cytisus laburnum L., Golden chain)

[0013] As in Example 1, the milled seeds of Golden Chain tree (Cytisus laburnum L.), are extracted with acidified with sulfuric acid 70 % ethanol instead of acid methanol.

[0014] The acid aqueous concentrate is purified with chloroform using 40% of sodium hydroxide solution to pH 11, then it is extracted five times each with 25 L of chloroform. The obtained chloroform extracts further are threated as in Example 1.

[0015] 120 g of Cytisine HPLC grade of 98,3 % and yield of 80 % are obtained.EXAMPLE 5: Preparation of Cytisine by acid methanol extraction of milled seeds of Golden Chain tree (Cytisus laburnum L., Golden chain)

[0016] 15 kg of milled seeds of Golden Chain tree (Cytisus laburnum L.) are extracted three times each with 45 L of acidified with 1,09 L of hydrochloric acid 80 % ethanol, for 5 hours at pH 2.5 - 3.0 and temperature of 28 °C. The combined alcohol- aqueous acid extracts are concentrated under vacuum to a volume of 20 L, the acid concentrate is filtered, then it is extracted twice each with 10 L of methylene chloride at pH range of 2.5 - 3.0. The acid purified aqueous concentrate is alkalized with sodium hydroxide to pH 11, then it is extracted six times each with 20 L of methylene chloride. The combined organic extracts are subjected to distillation till the methylene chloride is completely eliminated and to the obtained residue is added 2 L of ethyl acetate to obtain ethyl acetate suspension, stirred it at 5 - 10 °C and allowing to stay at rest for 10 hours, then the obtained precipitate is filterred and also is dried it.

[0017] 119 g of Cytisine HPLC grade of 98,8 % and yield of 79 % are obtained.EXAMPLE 6: Preparation of Cytisine by acid methanol extraction of milled seeds of Golden Chain tree (Cytisus laburnum L., Golden chain)

[0018] 15 kg of milled seeds of Golden Chain tree (Cytisus laburnum L.) are extracted three times each with 45 L of acidified with 0,350 L of sulfuric acid 70 % methanol for 5 hours at pH 2,5 - 3 and temperature of 30 °C. The combined alcohol- aqueous acid extracts are concentrated under vacuum to a volume of 25 L (1 / 5) of the initial volume, the solid components are removed by filtration and the obtained concentrate are extrcted twice each with 10 L of butyl acetate at pH range of 2,5-3,0. The acid purified aqueous concentrate is alkalized with 30% of sodium hydroxide solution to pH 11, then it is extracted six times each with 25 L of butyl acetate. The combined organic extracts are subjected to distillation till the butyl acetate is completely eliminated and to the obtained residue is added 2 L of acetone, which is left at rest for 11 hours at 5 - 10 ºC to obtain aimed acetone suspension, then it is filtered and is dried it.

[0019] 125 g of Cytisine HPLC grade of 99, 85% and yield of 81% are obtained.EXAMPLE 7: Preparation of Cytisine by acid methanol extraction of milled seeds of Golden Chain tree (Cytisus laburnum L., Golden chain)

[0020] 15 kg of milled seeds of Golden Chain tree (Cytisus laburnum L.) are extracted three times each with 45 L of acidified with 0,350 L of sulfuric acid 70 % methanol for 5 hours at pH 2,5 - 3 and temperature of 30°C. The combined alcohol-aqueous acid extracts are concentrated under vacuum to a volume of 25 L (1 / 5) of the initial volume, the solid components is removed by filtration and the obtained concentrate is extracted twice each with 10 L of n-butanol at pH range of 2,5-3,0. The acid purified aqueous concentrate is alkalized with 30% sodium hydroxide solution to pH 11, then it is extracted six times each with 25 L of n-butanol. The combined n-butanol extracts fither is threated as in Example 6.

[0021] 120 g of Cytisine HPLC grade of 99, 66 % and yield of 82 % are obtained.EXAMPLE 8: Preparation of Cytisine by acid methanol extraction of milled seeds of Thermopsis (Thermopsis lanceolata R.Br)

[0022] 15 kg of powdered seeds of Thermopsis (Thermopsis lanceolata R.Br) are extracted three times each with 45 L of acidified with 0,350 L of sulfuric acid 70 % methanol for 5 hours at pH 2,5-3,0 and temperature of 30 °C. The combined alcohol-aqueous acidified extracts are concentrated under vacuum to a volume of 25 L (1 / 5) of the initial volume, the solid components is removed by filtration and the obtained concentrate is extracted twice each with 10 L of n-butanol at pH range of 2,5-3,0. The acid purified aqueous concentrate is alkalized with 30% sodium hydroxide solution to pH 11, then it is extracted six times each with 25 L of n-butanol. The combined n-butanol extracts further are threated as in Example 6.

[0023] 121 g of Cytisine HPLC grade of 99, 32 % and yield of 81 % are obtained.EXAMPLE 9: Preparation of Cytisine by acid ethanol extraction of milled seeds of Thermopsis (Thermopsis lanceolata R.Br)

[0024] 15 kg of milled seeds of Thermopsis (Thermopsis lanceolata R.Br) are extracted three times each with 45 L of acidified with 1,09 L of hydrochloric acid 80 % ethanol for 5 hours at pH 2,5-3 and temperature of 28 °C. The combined alcohol- aqueous acidified extracts are concentrated under vacuum to a volume of 20 L, the acid concentrate is filtered, then it is extracted twice each with 10 L of methylene chloride at pH range of 2,5-3,0. The acid purified aqueous concentrate is alkalized with sodium hydroxide to pH 12, then it is extracted six times each with 20 L of methylene chloride. The combined organic extracts are subjected to distillation till the methylene chloride is completely eliminated and to the obtained residue is added 2 L of ethyl acetate to obtain ethyl acetate suspension, stirred it at 5 - 10 ºC, allowing to stay at rest for 12 hours, then it is filtered and the obtained precipitate is dried.

[0025] 120 g of Cytisine HPLC grade of 98,9 % and yield of 80 % are obtained.

[0026] Literature sources used: 1. Partheil, A., Ber. 0. Ch. G. 23, 3201 (1890). 2. Klein, C., Handbuch der Pflanzenanalyse, Vienna (1933), Ed. J. Springer. 3. Wink, E., Pharmazie 51,768 (1996). 4. (Organic Synthesis 83,141 (2006). <1 5. DE 3429543 A1 6. EP 2292629 A 7. WO2014001348 A 8. CN 103724347B <1 9. CN 101891740 A 10. CN 107266448 A 11. Goina, T., Planta Medica 20, 4 (1971).

Claims

1. A method for isolation of cytisine by acid extraction of the cytisine-containing plant material, which is characterized in that the plant material is treated with lower alcohol, being methanol or ethanol, acidified with mineral acid to pH within 1,5-3,5 and temperature of 20 - 50 °C, then the combined alcohol- aqueous extracts which include 50-80% of lower alcohol, are concentrated under vacuum distillation till the alcohol is eliminated and after filtration they are extracted with chloroform, methylene chloride, butyl acetate or normal butanol in a ratio of 1:1 to obtain acid aqueous concentrate purified from ballast substances, which is alkalized to pH 9-12 with alkaline (sodium or potassium) hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide and the resulting alkaline aqueous concentrate is extracted at least twice with chloroform, methylene chloride, butyl acetate or normal butanol in a ratio of concentrate : extractant of 1:5 to 1:10, then the combined organic extracts are evaporated to dryness, acetone or ethyl acetate are added and the obtained suspension is allowed to crystallize completely at 5 - 10 °C, then it is filtered and it is dried.