Process for the preparation of diosmin and flavonoid fraction

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of diosmin.

[0002] Diosmin is the compound of formula (I):

[0003] Diosmin is synthesized by oxidation of hesperidin. Hesperidin is the compound of formula (II):

[0004] Hesperidin is obtained from natural substances (orange peels). The diversity of orange peels used leads to hesperidins of unequal purity, containing other flavonoids with varying contents. For example, hesperidin can contain up to 4% isonaringin, which is converted to isorhoifolin upon oxidation.

[0005] Diosmin therefore generally contains other flavonoids, some of which come from the oxidation of the flavonoids present in the starting hesperidin, and others are secondary reaction products.

[0006] The specifications imposed by the European Pharmacopoeia for diosmin are as follows: Substances Diosmin specifications (European Pharmacopoeia) Diosmin 90,0 à 102,0 % Hesperidin < 4,0% Diosmetin < 2,0 % Isorhoifolin < 3,0 % Linarine < 3,0 % 6-Iododiosmin < 0,6 %

[0007] Diosmin Pharmacopoeia means diosmin meeting the above specifications.

[0008] Diosmin is also the major component of the micronized purified flavonoid fraction, or FFPM (Daflon ®< ).

[0009] A flavonoid fraction is an active ingredient comprising approximately 90% diosmin, mixed with hesperidin, diosmetin, linarin and isorhoifolin.

[0010] The flavonoid fraction according to the present invention preferably comprises from 86.0 to 95.0% of diosmin, from 2.5 to 6.0% of hesperidin, from 0.2 to 2% of diosmetin, from 0.8 to 3.5% of linarin and from 0.8 to 3.5% of isorhoifolin.

[0011] Furthermore, the flavonoid fraction according to the present invention may contain other flavonoids derived from hesperidin, the total content of which does not exceed 1.0%.

[0012] Diosmin Pharmacopoeia and the micronized purified flavonoid fraction are used in the treatment of venous diseases, such as chronic venous insufficiency or hemorrhoidal diseases.

[0013] Given their pharmaceutical interest, it is essential to obtain them with excellent yield and good purity, even starting from a hesperidin with a purity of around 90 to 95%.

[0014] In particular, it is essential that the diosmin obtained, whether in the form of Diosmin Pharmacopoeia or flavonoid fraction, contains less than 0.6% of 6-iododiosmin.

[0015] Methods for the preparation of diosmin from hesperidin have been described in the literature.

[0016] Patent applications FR2311028 and WO2016 / 124585 describe the production of diosmin by acetylation of hesperidin, oxidation of acetylated hesperidin to acetylated diosmin and then deacetylation.

[0017] This process is not ideal, as the yield is only 65% and 77% respectively. In addition, it involves several steps.

[0018] Patent applications EP3321273 and FR2782518 describe the production of diosmin by oxidation of hesperidin with iodine in a single step, in an amide solvent (EP3321273) or in pyridine (FR2782518).

[0019] However, the use of iodine in stochiometric quantities is problematic on an industrial scale.

[0020] The problem of the present invention was to obtain Pharmacopoeia Diosmin or the flavonoid fraction from hesperidin in a single step before isolation (without going through the step of acetylation of hesperidin and deacetylation of acetylated diosmin), with an excellent yield, while minimizing the content of 6-iododiosmin in the product obtained.

[0021] More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for the preparation of Diosmin Pharmacopoeia or flavonoid fraction by oxidation of hesperidin to diosmin by an iodine-donating oxidizing couple, at a temperature of 80 to 120°C, in a mixture of polar aprotic solvent and acetic acid, followed by isolation by addition of water, filtration, rinsing and drying.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, diosmin is obtained in the form of Diosmin Pharmacopoeia.

[0023] According to another embodiment, diosmin is obtained in the form of a flavonoid fraction comprising from 86.0 to 95.0% diosmin, from 2.5 to 6.0% hesperidin, from 0.2 to 2% diosmetin, from 0.8 to 3.5% linarin and from 0.8 to 3.5% isorhoifolin.

[0024] Furthermore, the flavonoid fraction according to the present invention may contain other flavonoids derived from hesperidin, the total content of which does not exceed 1.0%.

[0025] The iodine-donating oxidizing couple is preferably chosen from NaI / H 2 O 2 , KI / H 2 O 2 , TBAI / H 2 O 2 and NaI / I 2 / H 2 O 2 .

[0026] The amount of iodine donor NaI, KI or TBAI is preferably 0.4 to 0.8 molar equivalents relative to the hesperidin involved.

[0027] The quantity of hydrogen peroxide is preferably 0.9 to 1.1 molar equivalents relative to the hesperidin used.

[0028] When NaI / I 2 / H 2 O 2 is used, the NaI / I 2 molar ratio is preferably about 9 / 1.

[0029] Among the polar aprotic solvents which can be used in the process according to the invention, mention may be made, by way of example, of dimethyl sulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidone and dimethylacetamide.

[0030] The preferred polar aprotic solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide.

[0031] When the polar aprotic solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide, S-methylated impurities may form during the process. It is important to minimize the content of these impurities.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the crude diosmin obtained is purified by a base / acid treatment: passage into solution in water in the presence of a base such as sodium hydroxide, then precipitation by salification with an acid such as sulfuric acid, filtration, rinsing and drying.

[0033] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the crude diosmin is first re-pasted in an organic solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide, N-butylpyrrolidone, pyridine, sulfolane, dimethyl carbonate or propylene carbonate, or in a mixture of organic solvent and water such as a mixture of pyridine and water, then filtered and rinsed with water, before undergoing a base / acid treatment.

[0034] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the diosmin obtained is purified by a base / acid treatment in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

[0035] The following examples illustrate the invention.

[0036] The purity of hesperidin used in the examples was 93.6%. Using a high purity hesperidin makes it possible to obtain Diosmin Pharmacopoeia. Abbreviations :

[0037] DMSOdimethylsulfoxide eq. molar equivalents (relative to hesperidin) HPLCHigh Performance Liquid Chromatography (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) m / mratio expressed as mass / mass NBPN-Butyl-Pyrrolidone NDNot detected TBAIItetrabutyl ammonium odide rpmrevolutions per minute volvolume equivalent (expressed as L / kg of the flavonoid involved) EXAMPLE 1 : Diosmine brute

[0038] In a 6L reactor, introduce hesperidin (800 g, 1.31 mol, 1.0 eq.) and sodium iodide (123.7 g, 0.82 mol, 0.63 eq.).

[0039] Then add the DMSO (3.1 vol, or 2.48 L) and the acetic acid (0.5 vol, or 0.40 L). Stir at 250 rpm (anchor) then heat to 97°C (T mass).

[0040] At 97°C, add the 3.5M aqueous H2O2 solution (367 mL, 0.98 eq.).

[0041] At the end of the pouring, the heterogeneous reaction medium is left to stir at 97°C for 15 min then brought back to 25°C.

[0042] At 25°C, water (1.5 vol, or 1.2 L) is added (exotherm of 12°C), then the medium is filtered through a porosity 3 frit.

[0043] The cake is rinsed with water (2x 2.5 vol, or 2x 2.0 L)

[0044] The resulting cake is filtered. The crude diosmin thus obtained can be used directly in the next step.

[0045] Alternatively, it can be isolated and dried in a ventilated oven at 80°C overnight. Diosmin is then obtained with a yield of 94% and a 6-iodo-diosmin content of 0.52%. EXAMPLE 2 : Base / acid treatment and micronization

[0046] Transfer the undried crude diosmin obtained in Example 1 into a 6L reactor.

[0047] Add water (5.0 vol relative to the hesperidin used in Example 1, i.e. 4.0 L) and sodium hydroxide (611 g, 4.58 mol, 3.5 eq.).

[0048] Stir at 25°C until completely dissolved (typically 1 hour).

[0049] Clarify the medium on a Clarcel ® pad then transfer the filtrate into a 6L reactor.

[0050] Cool the solution to 10°C then slowly add 37% sulfuric acid (typically 611 g, 2.30 mol) without exceeding 13°C (T mass) and until pH=3 is obtained.

[0051] Stir for 45 minutes at 10°C to complete the precipitation.

[0052] Filter the medium through a porosity 3 frit.

[0053] Rinse the cake with water (2x 2.5 vol, or 2x 2.0 L).

[0054] The product is dried in a ventilated oven at 80°C overnight. The resulting product can be used for a reprocessing step in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

[0055] Alternatively, the resulting solid can be micronized.

[0056] Diosmin is then obtained in the form of micronized flavonoid fraction with a yield of 92% from hesperidin and a 6-iodo-diosmin content of 0.5%. Substances Percentage in the product of Example 2 Diosmin 87,8% 6-Iododiosmin 0,5 % EXAMPLE 3 : Base / acid reprocessing in the presence of hydrogen peroxide

[0057] Base / acid reprocessing in the presence of hydrogen peroxide makes it possible to eliminate any S-methylated impurities.

[0058] In a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask, introduce the diosmin obtained before micronization in Example 2 (10.0 g, 16.4 mmol).

[0059] Then add water (5.0 vol, or 50 mL) and sodium hydroxide (7.67 g, 3.5 eq.).

[0060] Shake until completely dissolved.

[0061] Add 35% hydrogen peroxide (0.1 or 0.2 eq.) in one portion then stir at room temperature for 30 min to 3 hours.

[0062] Cool to 10°C then add sulfuric acid (7.40 g, 1.7 eq.) until pH=3

[0063] Filter the medium through a porosity 3 frit.

[0064] The cake is rinsed with water (2x 2.0 vol, or 2x 10 mL).

[0065] The solid is then dried overnight at 80°C in a ventilated oven.

[0066] Diosmin is obtained in the form of flavonoid fraction. Substances 0.1 eq. H 2 O 2 30 min 0.2 eq. H 2 O 2 3h Diosmin 88,1 % 88,6 % 6-Iododiosmin 0,4 % 0,4% EXAMPLE 4 : Pyridine / water re-paste then base / acid treatment

[0067] The isolated and dried crude diosmin obtained in Example 1 was re-pasted in the binary system pyridine / H 2 O 6 / 1 (volume ratio), at 25°C, for 90 min. This re-pasting reduces the 6-iodo-diosmin content and eliminates any S-methylated impurities.

[0068] Transfer the crude diosmin (100g, dry weight, 164.3 mmol) obtained in Example 1 into a 1L reactor.

[0069] Add water (1.0 vol, or 100 mL) and pyridine (6 vol, or 600 mL).

[0070] Stir at 25°C for 90 minutes.

[0071] Filter the medium through a porosity 3 frit.

[0072] Rinse the cake with water (2x 2.5 vol, or 2x 250 mL).

[0073] Drain the solid on a filter and transfer the product without additional drying into a 1L reactor.

[0074] Add water (5.0 vol, or 500 mL) and sodium hydroxide (76.7 g, 575.1 mol, 3.5 eq.).

[0075] Stir at 25°C until completely dissolved (typically 1 hour).

[0076] Clarify the medium on a Clarcel ® pad then transfer the filtrate into a 1L reactor.

[0077] Cool the solution to 10°C then slowly add 37% sulfuric acid (typically 76.7 g, 289.3 mmol) without exceeding 13°C (T mass) and until pH=3 is obtained.

[0078] Stir for 45 minutes at 10°C to complete the precipitation.

[0079] Filter the medium through a porosity 3 frit.

[0080] Rinse the cake with water (2x 2.5 vol, or 2x 250 mL).

[0081] The product is dried in a ventilated oven at 80°C overnight.

[0082] Diosmin is obtained in the form of flavonoid fraction with a purity greater than 88%, a yield of 88% from hesperidin and a 6-iodo-diosmin content of 0.4%. Substances Diosmin 88,4 % 6-Iododiosmin 0,4 % S-methylated impurities Not detected EXAMPLE 5 : Re-pasting in other solvents.

[0083] The crude diosmin used was obtained under the conditions of Example 1. DMSO re-pasting:

[0084] In a 100mL three-necked flask, introduce diosmin (5.0 g) and DMSO (3 vol) then heat to 80°C until completely dissolved.

[0085] Allow to cool to 25°C then add water (3 vol). Filter through a porosity 3 frit, rinse the cake with water (2 x 2.5 vol) then dry in a ventilated oven overnight at 80°C.

[0086] Diosmin is obtained in the form of flavonoid fraction (4.9 g). Sulfolane re-pasting:

[0087] In a 100mL three-necked flask, introduce diosmin (5.0 g) and sulfolane (7 vol) then shake at room temperature for 1 hour.

[0088] Filter through a porosity 3 frit. Rinse the cake with water (2 x 2.5 vol) then dry in a ventilated oven overnight at 80°C.

[0089] Diosmin is obtained in the form of flavonoid fraction (5.0 g). Dimethyl carbonate re-paste:

[0090] In a 100mL three-necked flask, introduce diosmin (5.0 g) and dimethyl carbonate (7 vol) then shake at room temperature for 1 hour.

[0091] Filter through a sintered filter with porosity 3. Rinse the cake with water (2 x 2.5 vol) then dry in a ventilated oven for 2 days at 50°C.

[0092] Diosmin is obtained in the form of flavonoid fraction (4.9 g). Propylene carbonate re-pasting:

[0093] In a 100mL three-necked flask, introduce diosmin (5.0 g) and propylene carbonate (7 vol) then shake at room temperature for 1 hour.

[0094] Filter through a sintered filter with porosity 3. Rinse the cake with water (2 x 2.5 vol) then dry in a ventilated oven for 2 days at 50°C.

[0095] Diosmin is obtained in the form of flavonoid fraction (4.8 g). NBP re-pasting:

[0096] In a 100mL three-necked flask, introduce diosmin (5.0 g) and N-butylpyrrolidone (7 vol) then shake at room temperature for 1 hour.

[0097] Filter through a porosity 3 frit. Rinse the cake with water (2 x 2.5 vol) then dry in a ventilated oven overnight at 80°C.

[0098] Diosmin is obtained in the form of flavonoid fraction (4.8 g). Substances Crude Diosmin Purification by re-mashing Before re-mashing DMSO Sulfolane Dimethyl carbonate Propylene carbonate NBP Diosmin 88,2% 86,8% 86,9% 86,9% 86,9% 87,3% 6-Iododiosmin 0,5% 0,5% 0,5% 0,5% 0,5% 0,4% S-methylated impurities <0,1% ND ND ND ND ND

Claims

1. A method for the preparation of diosmin by oxidation of hesperidin by an iodine-donating oxidizing couple, at a temperature of 80 to 120°C, in a mixture of polar aprotic solvent and acetic acid, followed by isolation by addition of water, filtration, rinsing, and drying.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the diosmin obtained is in the form of Diosmin Pharmacopoeia, comprising from 90.0 to 102.0% of diosmin, less than 4.0% of hesperidin, less than 2.0% of diosmetin, less than 3.0% of isorhoifolin, less than 3.0% of linarin and less than 0.6% of 6-iododiosmin.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the diosmin obtained is in the form of a flavonoid fraction comprising from 86.0 to 95.0% of diosmin, from 2.5 to 6.0% of hesperidin, from 0.2 to 2% of diosmetin, from 0.8 to 3.5% of linarin and from 0.8 to 3.5% of isorhoifolin.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the diosmin obtained contains less than 0.6% of 6-iododiosmin.

5. The method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the iodine-donating oxidizing couple is selected from NaI / H2O2, KI / H2O2, TBAI / H2O2, and NaI / I2 / H2O2.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the iodine-donating oxidizing couple is NaI / H2O2.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the amount of NaI is from 0.4 to 0.8 molar equivalents relative to the hesperidin used.

8. The method according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the quantity of hydrogen peroxide is from 0.9 to 1.1 molar equivalents relative to the hesperidin used.

9. The method according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the polar aprotic solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide.

10. The method according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the diosmin obtained is purified by an acid / base treatment.

11. The method according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the diosmin obtained is first re-pasted into an organic solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide, N-butylpyrrolidone, pyridine, sulfolane, dimethyl carbonate, or propylene carbonate, or in a mixture of an organic solvent and water, such as a mixture of pyridine and water, then filtered and rinsed with water, before undergoing an acid / base treatment.

12. The method according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the diosmin obtained is purified by an acid / base treatment.