The present invention relates to myconoside-containing extracts obtained from
in vitro systems of plants belonging to the genera Haberlea and Ramonda, including Haberlea rhodopensis Friv, Ramonda heldreichii (Boiss.) C.B. Clarke, Ramonda myconi (L.) Rchb., Ramonda nathaliae Pancic & Petrovic, and Ramonda serbica Pancic, as well as hybrids thereof, belonging to the family Gesneriaceae, and to methods for their preparation. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of said extracts as
chemoprotective, radioprotective, and UV-
protective agents in human and
veterinary medicine, dietary supplements, and
cosmetics. The described
in vitro plant extracts contain two fractions, Extract 1, a
polyphenol fraction containing primarily flavone C-glycosides and phenylethanoids (PHEs), and Extract 2, a fraction containing primarily
phenylethanoid myconosides, particularly myconosides and pauciflosides, either alone or in combination. Extract 1 contains 0.1-55.0 wt% PHEs, with free
phenols, sugars, organic acids, fatty acids, amino acids, and sterols accounting for up to 100 wt%. Extract 2 contains 55.0-99.9 wt% PHEs (particularly myconosides and pauciflosides), with phenolic compounds, monosaccharides, disaccharides, or their residues accounting for up to 100 wt%. Extracts 1 and 2 obtained according to the present invention consist primarily of broad-spectrum RHEs (particularly myconosides and pauciflosides) within the limits of quantitation. These compounds, especially the myconosides, have the high biological,
antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticlastogenic activity demonstrated herein and are therefore suitable for use alone or in combination by
dilution and by metered formulation for the preparation of products to be used as natural chemical, radiological and
UV protection agents with a controlled degree of protection.The latter are used in human and
veterinary medicine, dietary supplements and
cosmetics for the prevention and treatment of harmful chemical,
radiation and
ultraviolet effects.