Highly concentrated plant extracts of crocetin, methods of production and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plant extract obtained from saffron crocus having a crocetin concentration of at least 0.2% by weight relative to the total dry matter weight, measured using the HPLC method. The invention also relates to a method for obtaining such an extract, as well as to a composition comprising the extract and to the use thereof.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application date of July 28, 2017, application number 201780046578.2, and invention name “Plant extracts with highly concentrated croscarmellose, their production methods and uses”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to novel extracts obtained from plant-based raw materials containing safranal, in particular saffron, said extracts having a higher concentration of safranal than currently known plant extracts.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a specific method for obtaining the extract, as well as a composition containing the extract and its use. Background Art

[0004] Safranal can be extracted from several plants, such as Crocus sativus, Cornflower (Centaurea sibthorpii), Centaurea consanguinea, Centaurea amanicola, Erodium cicutarium, Chinese green tea, Calycopteris floribunda, Crocus heuffelianus, Sambucus nigra, Gardenia jasminoides, Lemon (Citrus limon), Cuminum (Cuminum cyminum L.), and Achillea distans, but is primarily extracted from Crocus sativus, also known as saffron.

[0005] Saffron is a traditional spice commonly grown in Iran. It has several uses, such as treating mood disorders, premenstrual syndrome, erectile dysfunction, or skin care, as shown in Javadi B&al. "A survey on saffron in major islamic traditional medicine books" Iranian journal of basic medicalsciences 2013; 16(1): 1-11. Several clinical studies attempting to demonstrate the effectiveness of saffron have been conducted over the years, in particular its use in the treatment of depression and anxiety, as in Akhondzadeh S&al. “Comparison of Crocus sativus L. and imipramine in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a pilot double-blind randomized trial” [ISRCTN45683816]. BMC Complement Altern Med 2004; 4: 12, or more recently in Hausenblas HA&al. “Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials”. Journal of integrative medicine 2013; 11(6): 377-83.

[0006] Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is composed of several molecules, including safranal, a volatile molecule that contributes to the fragrance of the spice and is recognized for its effectiveness in the aforementioned applications. Most extracts used in the prior art are standardized to 2% safranal using UV spectroscopy according to ISO 3632-2:2010 (Spices - Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) – Part 2: Test methods. ISO International standard; 2010: 1-42).

[0007] The standard describes a comprehensive analytical protocol that involves dissolving the saffron extract in water, stirring, filtering, and then spectrophotometrically reading at 330 nm. However, this method has been criticized for not reflecting the actual safranal concentration in the extract because it does not use any solvents and / or specific reagents to quantify molecules other than safranal.

[0008] Effectively, the analysis of safranal in the extract by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) used in the prior art showed that the actual concentration was 30-1000 times lower than the concentration obtained by analysis using UV spectroscopy according to standard ISO 3632-2, and there was a significant change in the correlation between the two methods, as confirmed by the results shown in Table 1 below:

[0009]

[0010] Table 1: Comparison of the results obtained by applying two methods of measuring safranal according to the prior art to several saffron extracts (results expressed as weight percentages relative to the total weight of the dry matter of the extract).

[0011] In fact, plant extracts containing safranal, in particular saffron extracts, which can be obtained using the methods of the prior art, have very low amounts of safranal.

[0012] The measurement method is therefore important because it leads to results that differ from those obtained using existing measurement methods, such as spectrometry, which are systematically used to measure the safranal concentration in products. This existing method, known as ISO 3632-2:2010, overestimates safranal concentrations, as demonstrated in this application and in the 2017 publication by Garcia-Rodriguez et al., "Comparative evaluation of an ISO 3632 method and an HPLC-DAD method for safranal quantity determination in saffron." This publication used 390 saffron samples for the study. The overestimation can be 20-50 times. Therefore, an extract indicated as having a concentration of X% safranal using the reference measurement method ISO 3632-2:2010 actually contains much less safranal. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The object of the present invention is to solve this problem by proposing a saffron extract having a higher content of safranal than existing extracts.

[0014] In particular, the present invention relates to a plant extract obtained from Crocus sativus L., wherein the concentration of safranal is at least 0.2% by weight relative to the total weight of the dry matter of the extract, measured using the HPLC method.

[0015] The extract can be obtained in particular by a process comprising a heat treatment step, in particular a specific process comprising carrying out the following steps:

[0016] - possible drying of raw materials,

[0017] - Grind the dry raw materials,

[0018] - aqueous or hydroalcoholic extraction, or extraction using an organic solvent,

[0019] - impregnating the obtained extract onto a carrier,

[0020] - Heat treatment of the extract.

[0021] This economical process, easy to implement, makes it possible to obtain a saffron extract having a safranal concentration of at least 0.2% by weight relative to the total weight of the dry matter of the extract, as measured using the HPLC method.

[0022] Advantageously, this extract contains a higher concentration of safranal than currently known extracts, thereby providing greater efficacy, particularly for combating depression, anxiety, mood disorders, erectile dysfunction, and premenstrual disorder. The present invention also relates to these uses of the saffron extract, as well as cosmetic, food, nutritional, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the saffron extract. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Other features and advantages will appear from the following detailed description of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show:

[0024] - Figure 1 : Chromatogram of the extract according to the invention from Example 1 obtained by UHPLC method,

[0025] - Figure 2 : Chromatogram of the extract according to the invention from Example 2 obtained by UHPLC method,

[0026] - Figure 3A : Chromatogram of the prior art extract according to Example 3A (obtained without heat treatment) obtained by UHPLC method,

[0027] - Figure 3B : Chromatogram of the prior art extract according to Example 3B (obtained without heat treatment) obtained by UHPLC method. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0029] Therefore, the present invention relates to a plant extract obtained from a plant (or plant-based raw material) comprising safranal, wherein the concentration of safranal is at least 0.2% by weight relative to the total weight of the dry matter of the extract, measured using the HPLC method.

[0030] The expressions "plant extract obtained from a plant comprising safranal" or "plant extract obtained from a plant-based raw material comprising safranal" are to be understood as meaning at least one molecule or a group of several molecules from a whole plant or a plant part comprising safranal. This may be a molecule from a specifically selected natural molecule present in the plant or obtained by any type of transformation of said natural molecule. The raw material for obtaining the extract may consist of all or part of the plant comprising safranal. If the plant comprising safranal is Crocus sativus, the plant extract according to the invention may be obtained in particular from the stigma and / or petals and / or bulb of Crocus sativus.

[0031] The extract according to the present invention is not itself a raw material. It is not considered to be a plant, plant part, dried plant, dried plant part, plant sample or dried plant sample. It is also not an essential oil.

[0032] The term "plant containing safranal" or "raw material containing safranal" (the terms plant and plant-based raw material can be used equivalently within the meaning of the present invention) is understood to mean any plant containing safranal, in particular Crocus sativus, Cornflower, Centaurea consanguinea, Centaurea amanicola, Celery Sunflower, Chinese Green Tea, Calyx wing vine, Crocus heuffelianus, Sambucus nigra, Gardenia jasminoides, Lemon, Cuminum cuminum and Achillea distans. Preferably, the plant containing safranal from which the extract according to the invention is obtained is Crocus sativus (Saffron).

[0033] The extract according to the invention contains at least safranal, which is present at a concentration of at least 0.2% by weight of dry matter, as measured using the HPLC method (High Performance Liquid Chromatography). This measurement method is crucial, as the results obtained using another measurement method, namely ultraviolet spectroscopy (ISO 3632-2), do not correspond to the actual safranal concentration due to the method's lack of specificity.

[0034] The HPLC method for analyzing molecules is a method known to the skilled person. It enables the precise identification and quantification of individual molecules.

[0035] Preferably, the analytical method used to measure the molecules contained in the extract according to the invention, in particular safranal, is a UHPLC method (Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography). This method also allows for higher resolution and separation of compounds, as well as the detection of several compounds from the same chromatogram of a single sample.

[0036] According to a particularly suitable embodiment, the HPLC or UHPLC analysis method comprises a step of preliminary sample preparation, which comprises the following steps:

[0037] - introducing the saffron extract to be measured into a hydroalcoholic solution,

[0038] - Magnetic stirring for at least 1 hour,

[0039] - ultrasonic bath for at least 5 minutes,

[0040] -Filter through a membrane before injection.

[0041] After sample preparation, analytical methods typically include an elution step followed by a detection step.

[0042] Preferably, a binary gradient is used for elution. For example, the first solvent can be an organic solvent and an acid. Preferably, a solution of formic acid in acetonitrile should be used. For example, the second solvent can be an acidified aqueous solvent. Preferably, an aqueous solution of formic acid should be used.

[0043] In addition to safranal, the extract according to the invention may comprise other molecules, in particular crocins and / or flavonoids derived from kaempferol and / or from amygdalin, in particular in the case of saffron extracts.

[0044] Where crocins are present, they should preferably constitute at least 1% by weight of the dry matter of the extract as measured using the HPLC method.

[0045] Where flavonoids derived from kaempferol are present, they should preferably constitute at least 500 ppm by weight of the dry matter of the extract as measured using the HPLC method.

[0046] Where amygdalins are present, they should preferably constitute at least 0.5% by weight of the dry matter of the extract as measured using the HPLC method.

[0047] Preferably, the extract according to the invention is impregnated onto a carrier. The term "support" or "filler" within the meaning of the present invention is understood to mean any food substance based on plant, mineral or chemical used as an ingredient or food additive, which is capable of impregnating and diluting the extract according to the invention.

[0048] The carrier may be selected from the following components: maltodextrin, sugar, silicon dioxide and gum arabic, preferably maltodextrin.

[0049] When the extract is impregnated onto a carrier, the percentage of the molecule present in the extract is expressed by weight of the dry matter of the extract (including the carrier).

[0050] The extract according to the invention can be obtained by any method capable of obtaining a content of at least 0.2% safranal by weight relative to the dry matter of the extract. Preferably, the extract according to the invention is obtained by a method comprising a heat treatment step. This step can be performed on the raw material at the beginning, during, or at the end of the method for obtaining the extract.

[0051] Within the meaning of the present invention, heat treatment is understood to mean heating to a temperature above ambient temperature. Preferably, the heat treatment step comprises a heat treatment at a temperature of 30°C to 95°C, preferably at a temperature of 30°C to 60°C, for at least 2 hours, preferably at least 24 hours.

[0052] The heat treatment can be carried out using any known method, in particular in a chamber, in an oven, by cooking, pasteurization or debacterialization. Preferably, the heat treatment is carried out in a chamber.

[0053] According to a particularly suitable embodiment, the plant extract according to the invention is obtained by a process comprising the implementation of the following steps, using saffron as starting material:

[0054] - possible drying,

[0055] - Grinding, preferably 50-500 μm,

[0056] - aqueous or hydroalcoholic extraction, or extraction using organic solvents,

[0057] - impregnating the obtained extract onto a carrier,

[0058] -Heat treatment.

[0059] The aqueous or hydroalcoholic extraction step, or the extraction using an organic solvent and the impregnation of the extract obtained onto a support, constitutes the known extraction method known as Tech'Care

[0060] The heat treatment step can be performed at any point during the process, preferably at the end of the process, on the raw saffron, and complete Tech'Care method.

[0061] According to a particularly suitable embodiment, the heat treatment step of the method is carried out in a chamber at a temperature of 30-95°C, even more preferably at a temperature of 30-60°C, for at least 2 hours, even more preferably at least 24 hours.

[0062] Grinding can be carried out by any suitable known method, in particular by means of a granulator mill, a pin mill or a hammer mill, preferably a pin mill.

[0063] The extraction step may be performed by any suitable known method.

[0064] In the case of water extraction, the ground material was introduced into water at a rate of 50 g / L.

[0065] In the case of hydroalcoholic extraction, the solvent may be ethanol, preferably 60% v / v ethanol.The ground material is introduced into the hydroalcoholic solution at a ratio of 50 g / L.

[0066] In case of extraction using an organic solvent, the solvent may be methanol or ethyl acetate, preferably 30% v / v methanol.The ground material is introduced into the organic solvent at a ratio of 100 g / L.

[0067] After extraction, the method may further include an acidification step. This step involves adding an acid to the aqueous or hydroalcoholic solvent. This lowers the pH of the extraction solution to between 3 and 5. This can be done by adding citric acid or hydrochloric acid to the hydroalcoholic solvent to adjust the pH to 4.

[0068] The step of impregnating the carrier includes adding a filler to the extraction solution. The carrier or filler may be selected from the following components: maltodextrin, sugar, silicon dioxide and gum arabic, but is preferably maltodextrin.

[0069] After the maceration step, the method may also include an emulsification step and / or an encapsulation step of the resulting extract. This step involves high-speed stirring of the extraction solution containing the filler and possible auxiliary substances. Auxiliary substances such as acacia gum, cyclodextrins or fatty substances can be used.

[0070] The extract according to the invention can be used alone or incorporated into a cosmetic, food, nutritional or pharmaceutical composition in a proportion of 0.1-100% by weight of the dry matter of the composition. Preferably, the extract according to the invention is present in the composition in an amount such that at least 0.07 mg of the extract according to the invention per kg of body weight per day, even more preferably 1.4-4.2 mg of the extract according to the invention per kg of body weight per day, can be administered to a human or animal.

[0071] The present invention therefore relates to such compositions, preferably in the form of capsules, tablets, soft gelatin capsules, sticks, sachets, pre-prepared food products, oils, lotions, creams or emulsions.

[0072] The composition comprising the extract according to the present invention may contain other suitable known components, such as excipients, which are selected according to the form and intended use of the composition, or other active substances or molecules.

[0073] The extract according to the invention and the composition comprising it can be used for several applications, in particular for the prevention or treatment of depression and anxiety disorders, or for the prevention or treatment of mood disorders (pathological mood disorders), erectile dysfunction or premenstrual disorder.

[0074] The present invention also relates to the following uses of the extract:

[0075] - prevent or treat depression in humans or animals,

[0076] - prevent or treat anxiety disorders in humans or animals,

[0077] - prevent or treat mood disorders in people,

[0078] - prevention or treatment of erectile dysfunction in men,

[0079] -Prevention or treatment of premenstrual disorders in humans (women).

[0080] Advantageously, the extracts according to the present invention offer significant efficacy for these applications, due to the high concentration of safranal present (greater than any other existing extracts). Furthermore, and importantly, by using an extract rather than the raw material itself (whole plant or plant parts, dried or not), the extracts according to the present invention increase the bioavailability of the active molecule, making it more readily available to the organism, as it is no longer trapped in the floral matrix. The presence of a carrier in the extract also allows for improved homogeneity of the molecule of interest in the final product. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] The invention will now be illustrated using examples of extracts and methods of the invention (Examples 1 and 2), and comparative examples of prior art extracts (Examples 3A and 3B) and compositions.

[0082] For all examples, the method used to measure molecules in the extracts, specifically safranal, was a UHPLC method with the following characteristics:

[0083] 1. Sample Preparation

[0084] Sample extraction was performed using a hydroalcoholic solution. Magnetic stirring was performed for at least 1 hour, followed by an ultrasonic bath for at least 5 minutes. Filtering was performed through a membrane prior to injection.

[0085] 2.HPLC elution

[0086] Binary gradient:

[0087] Solvent A (formic acid in MeCN)

[0088] Solvent B (aqueous solution of formic acid)

[0089] 3. Detection

[0090]

[0091] 4. Standards

[0092] trans-crocin-4-gentiobiose-gentiobiose

[0093] trans-crocin-3-gentiobiose-glucose

[0094] β-Cyclocitral

[0095] Kaempferol glucoside

[0096] Safranal

[0097] Example 1: Extract according to the present invention

[0098] The first extract example is an extract obtained by performing a method consisting of the following steps:

[0099] -Using saffron stigmas,

[0100] - Grind to 250 μm using a pin grinder,

[0101] - Hydroalcoholic extraction using 60% v / v ethanol at a ratio of 50 g saffron per liter of hydroalcoholic solution,

[0102] - Impregnation on maltodextrin, introduction of hydroalcoholic solution,

[0103] - Heat treatment in a chamber at 40°C for 48 hours.

[0104] Several molecules of the obtained extract were measured using the UHPLC method as previously described in the section related to the Examples.

[0105] The chromatogram obtained is as follows Figure 1 shown.

[0106] The extract is characterized by:

[0107] - Safranal concentration is 0.238%,

[0108] - Crocin concentration is 3.96%,

[0109] - amygdalin derivative at a concentration of 1.08%, and

[0110] - Flavonoid concentration is 0.25%.

[0111] Example 2: Extract according to the present invention

[0112] The second extract example is an extract obtained by performing a method consisting of the following steps:

[0113] -Using saffron stigmas,

[0114] - Grind to 250 μm using a pin grinder,

[0115] - Acidified water extraction using hydrochloric acid at pH 4,

[0116] - Impregnation on gum arabic, introduction of aqueous solution,

[0117] - Heat treatment in a chamber at 40°C for 72 hours.

[0118] Several molecules of the obtained extract were measured using the UHPLC method as previously described in the section related to the Examples.

[0119] The chromatogram obtained is as follows Figure 2 shown.

[0120] The extract is characterized by:

[0121] - Safranal concentration is 0.73%,

[0122] - Crocin concentration is 1.0%,

[0123] - amygdalin derivatives at a concentration of 2.93%, and

[0124] - Flavonoid concentration is 0.57%.

[0125] Example 3: Extract according to the present invention

[0126] The second extract example is an extract obtained by performing a method consisting of the following steps:

[0127] -Using saffron stigmas,

[0128] - Grind to 250 μm using a pin grinder,

[0129] - First heat treatment in a chamber at 105°C for 2-6 hours,

[0130] - Second heat treatment in a chamber at 140°C for 2-6 hours,

[0131] - Hydroalcoholic extraction using 60% v / v ethanol at a ratio of 50 g saffron per liter of hydroalcoholic solution,

[0132] - Impregnation on maltodextrin, introduction of hydroalcoholic solution,

[0133] - Freeze-dried liquid extract.

[0134] The extract is characterized by:

[0135] - Safranal concentration is 0.39%,

[0136] - Crocin concentration is 2.31%,

[0137] - amygdalin derivative at a concentration of 1.37%, and

[0138] - Flavonoid concentration is 0.24%.

[0139] Example 3A: Extract obtained by atomization (outside the present invention)

[0140] The first counterexample extract is an extract obtained by implementing a method consisting of the following steps:

[0141] -Using saffron stigmas,

[0142] - Grind to 250 μm using a pin grinder,

[0143] - Hydroalcoholic extraction using 60% v / v ethanol at a ratio of 50 g saffron per liter of hydroalcoholic solution,

[0144] - Impregnation on maltodextrin, introduction of hydroalcoholic solution,

[0145] -Spray drying of liquid extracts.

[0146] The chromatogram obtained is as follows Figure 3A shown.

[0147] The extract obtained is characterized by:

[0148] - Safranal concentration is 0.028%,

[0149] - Crocin concentration is 4.98%,

[0150] - amygdalin derivative at a concentration of 1.26%, and

[0151] - Flavonoid concentration is 0.24%.

[0152] Example 3B: Extract obtained by freeze drying (outside the present invention)

[0153] The second counterexample extract is an extract obtained by implementing a method consisting of the following steps:

[0154] -Using saffron stigmas,

[0155] - Grind to 250 μm using a pin grinder,

[0156] - Hydroalcoholic extraction using 60% v / v ethanol at a ratio of 50 g saffron per liter of hydroalcoholic solution,

[0157] - Impregnation on maltodextrin, introduction of hydroalcoholic solution,

[0158] - Freeze-dried liquid extract.

[0159] The chromatogram obtained is as follows Figure 3B shown.

[0160] The extract is characterized by:

[0161] - Safranal concentration is 0.038%,

[0162] - Crocin concentration is 4.40%,

[0163] - amygdalin derivative at a concentration of 1.15%, and

[0164] - Flavonoid concentration is 0.22%.

[0165] Example 4: Example of a nutritional composition for human use

[0166] Example 4 is a 150 mg capsule consisting of:

[0167] - Extract according to the invention from Example 1: 15 mg

[0168] -Maltodextrin: 135mg

[0169] The compositions are obtained by mixing the components under conventional conditions known to those skilled in the art and then transferring the mixture into capsules according to conventional conditions.

[0170] The recommended dose is 2 capsules per day.

[0171] Example 5: Examples of drugs for human use

[0172] Example 5 is a 1500 mg tablet consisting of:

[0173] - the extract according to the invention from Example 2: 20 mg,

[0174] - Sorbitol: 1430 mg,

[0175] -Magnesium stearate: 27 mg,

[0176] - Bright blue FCF paint E133: 20 mg,

[0177] -Acesulfame K (E950): 1.5 mg,

[0178] - Saccharin sodium (E954): 1.5 mg.

[0179] The compositions are obtained by mixing the components under conventional conditions known to those skilled in the art and then compressing the mixture according to conventional conditions.

[0180] The recommended dose is 1 tablet per day.

[0181] Example 6: Example of a nutritional composition for animal use

[0182] Example 6 is a 300 mg tablet consisting of:

[0183] - Saffron extract from Example 1: 60 mg,

[0184] - Microcrystalline cellulose: 135 mg,

[0185] -Magnesium stearate: 10 mg.

[0186] The compositions are obtained by mixing the components under conventional conditions known to those skilled in the art and then compressing the mixture according to conventional conditions.

[0187] The recommended dose is 1 tablet per day.

[0188] Example 7: Cosmetic composition for topical application in the form of a day cream

[0189] The composition is provided in the form of a cream for application to the skin.

[0190] It consists of:

[0191] - the extract according to the invention from Example 1: 10 mg,

[0192] - Preservatives: 0.5%,

[0193] - Fragrance: 0.6%,

[0194] - Fat phase + aqueous phase: 97.4%.

[0195] The fat phase is composed of emulsifiers and triglycerides, and the aqueous phase is composed of water and pyrrolidone carboxylic acid.

[0196] The saffron extract of Example 1 was added to the aqueous phase with preservatives and flavorings under stirring for 10 minutes to obtain a composition. The aqueous phase itself was then added to the fat phase under stirring and mixed for 30 minutes.

Claims

1. A plant extract obtained from a plant-based raw material containing safranal, wherein the plant-based raw material containing safranal is selected from the group consisting of Crocus sativus, Centaurea sibthorpii, Centaurea consanguinea, Centaurea amanicola, Erodium cicutarium, Chinese green tea, Calycopteris floribunda, Crocus heuffelianus, Sambucus nigra, Gardenia jasminoides, Citrus limon, Cuminum cyminum L. and Achillea distans, characterized in that It comprises safranal in a concentration of at least 0.2% by weight relative to the total weight of dry matter, measured using the HPLC method.

2. The plant extract according to the preceding claim, characterized in that It also includes crocins and / or flavonoids derived from kaempferol and / or amygdalin.

3. The plant extract according to the preceding claim, characterized in that It is impregnated on a carrier.

4. The plant extract according to the preceding claim, characterized in that It is impregnated on a carrier selected from maltodextrin, sugar, silica and gum arabic.

5. The plant extract according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that It is obtained from the stigma and / or petals and / or bulbs of Crocus sativus.

6. The plant extract according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that It may be obtained by a process comprising a heat treatment step at a temperature between 30°C and 95°C for at least 2 hours.

7. The plant extract according to claim 6, characterized in that The temperature is 30°C-60°C.

8. The plant extract according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that The heat treatment is carried out for at least 24 hours.

9. The plant extract according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that The heat treatment is performed in a chamber or an oven by steaming, pasteurizing or sterilizing.

10. The plant extract according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that The heat treatment step can be performed on the feedstock at the beginning, during or at the end of the process.

11. Method for obtaining a plant extract according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that It involves implementing the following steps: - grinding of a preferably previously dried plant-based raw material comprising safranal, - aqueous or hydroalcoholic extraction, or extraction using an organic solvent, - impregnating the obtained extract onto a carrier, - Heat treatment in a chamber at a temperature of 30°C-95°C for at least 2 hours.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that It also includes an acidification step after the extraction step.

13. The method according to claim 11 or claim 12, characterized in that The drying is performed at a temperature of 30°C to 60°C for at least 24 hours.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that It also includes an emulsification step and / or an encapsulation step of the obtained extract.

15. Cosmetic, food, nutritional or pharmaceutical composition comprising 0.1-100% by dry matter weight of the plant extract according to any one of claims 1-9.

16. The composition according to claim 115, characterized in that It comes in the form of capsules, tablets, soft gels, sticks, sachets, pre-prepared foods, oils, lotions, creams or emulsions.

17. Use of the plant extract according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for preventing or treating depression and anxiety in humans and animals.

18. Use of the plant extract according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for preventing or treating mood disorders, erectile dysfunction or premenstrual disorder in humans.

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