27-deoxyactein form is provided in high purity using a multi-step process. The plant of the Cimicifuga genus (e.g., the root portion) is contacted with an organic solvent to extract certain components, including triterpene glycosides, from that plant. The resulting extracted portion is subjected to a reduction step to convert some of the triterpene glycosides to 27-deoxyactein. The 27-deoxyactein is then isolated, preferably by chromatographic techniques. The present invention also provides a therapeutic composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated 27-deoxyactein according to the above method.
Triterpene glycosides are provided in using a multi-step process. The plant of the Cimicifuga genus (e.g., the root portion) is contacted with an organic solvent to extract certain components, including triterpene glycosides, from that plant. The resulting extracted portion is subjected to a reduction step to convert some of the triterpene glycosides to compounds such as 27-deoxyactein. Optionally, compounds such as 27-deoxyactein then are isolated, preferably by chromatographic techniques. The present invention also provides a therapeutic composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the triterpene glycosides provided according to the above method.