BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Curcuma amada Roxb. (family Zingiberaceae), also commonly known as Mango Ginger, is cultivated and grows wild throughout India. The herb is rhizomatous with a leafy tuft, 60-90 cm high with white or pale yellow flowers in spikes in the centre of the tuft of leaves.

A number of chemicals have been identified as major com- ponents of Curcuma amada. Among these are ocimene, dihy- dro-ocimene, a-pinene, a-curcumene, P-curcumene, li- nalool, cuminyl alcohol, keto-alcohol, camphor, turmer- one, linalyl acetate, safrole, curcumin, myristic acid, car-3-ene, myrcene, 1,8-cineol, limonene, perillene, etc.

Hypersensitivity is defined as a state of altered reac- tivity in which the body reacts with an exaggerated im- mune response to a substance (antigen). Hypersensitivity may be caused by exogenous or endogenous antigens.

Hypersensitivity reactions underlie a large number of diseases. Amongst these allergic and autoimmune condi- tions are of great importance. A classification of hyper- sensitivity diseases is given by Parveen Kumar and Mi- chael Clark in the textbook Clinical Medicine Type I hypersensitivity reactions (IgE mediated allergic reactions) are caused by allergens (specific exogenous antigens), e. g. pollen, house dust, animal dandruff, moulds, etc. Allergic diseases in which type I reactions play a significant role include asthma, eczema (atopic dermatitis), urticaria, allergic rhinitis and anaphy- laxis.

Type II hypersensitivity reactions are caused by cell surface or tissue bound antibodies (IgG and IgM) and play a significant role in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gra- vis, Goodpasture's syndrome and Addisonian pernicious anaemia.

Type III hypersensitivity reactions (immune complex) are caused by autoantigens or exogenous antigens, such as certain bacteria, fungi and parasites. Diseases in which type III hypersensitivity reactions play a significant role include lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and glomerulonephritis.

Type IV hypersensitivity reactions (delayed) are caused by cell or tissue bound antigens. This type of hypersen- sitivity plays a significant role in a number of condi- tions, e. g. graft-versus-host disease, leprosy, contact dermatitis and reactions due to insect bites.

A number of drug classes are available for the treatment of hypersensitivity reactions. Some of these are systemic and some are applied topically.

The corticosteroids are among the most widely used drugs for the treatment of hypersensitivity diseases. Corti- costeroids primarily exert their pharmacological action by non-selectively inhibiting the function and prolifera- tion of different classes of immune cells. Hereby hyper- sensitivity reactions are suppressed. Unfortunately the corticosteroids are associated with a number of serious side effects e. g. immuno-suppression, osteoporosis and skin atrophy (when applied topically).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION We have found that compounds of formula I: wherein R1 and R2 are independently CH20H or CHO, and ex- tracts or concentrates of Curcuma amada containing at least one compound of formula I significantly suppress hypersensitivity reactions.

Compared to the corticosteroids the compounds of formula I or extracts of Curcuma amada containing compounds ac- cording to formula I have the advantage of not being as- sociated with any serious side effects.

Compounds of formula I have never before been found to posses pharmacological activity, nor have they ever been identified as components of Curcuma amada.

Due to their pharmacological effects compounds of formula I or extracts of Curcuma amada containing compounds ac- cording to formula I can be employed for the following therapeutic applications: * Immunomodulation.

* Treatment or prevention of hypersensitivity diseases.

* Treatment or prevention of IgE mediated allergic reac- tions and conditions.

Treatment or prevention of autoimmune disorders.

* Alleviation of pain.

Accordingly the present invention provides a pharmaceuti- cal composition, dietary supplement or cosmetic contain- ing at least one compound of formula I or an extract or concentrate of Curcuma amada and a pharmaceutically ac- ceptable carrier.

A"dietary supplement"is defined, according to the U. S.

Food and Drug Administration in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA).

The DSHEA gives the following formal definition of a "dietary supplement" : ......................................................

A dietary supplement: is a product (other than tobacco) that is intended to supplement the diet that bears or contains one or more of the following dietary ingredients: a vitamin, a min- eral, an herb or other botanical, an amino acid, a die- tary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total daily intake, or a concentrate,

metabolite, constituent, extract, or combinations of these things. is intended for ingestion in pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid form.

Similar definitions exist in other parts of the world, e. g. in Europe. Different denominations concerning "dietary supplements"or similar food products are used around the world, such as"food supplements","neutra- ceuticals","functional foods"or simply"foods". In the present context the term"food supplement"covers any such denomination or definition.

More specifically the present invention provides the use of at least one compound of formula I or an extract or concentrate of Curcuma amada for preparing a medicament for immunomodulation, for the suppression of hypersensi- tivity reactions such as IgE mediated allergic reactions and autoimmune reactions, and for the alleviation of pain.

Thus, according to the invention at least one compound of formula I or an extract or concentrate of Curcuma amada can be used in a method for the treatment or prevention of a hypersensitivity disease in an individual, which comprises administering such substances or a pharmaceuti- cal composition or dietary supplement containing it to said individual; and the invention comprises the use of at least one compound of formula I or an extract or con- centrate of Curcuma amada for preparing a medicament for the treatment or prevention of hypersensitivity diseases.

Also, according to the invention at least one compound of formula I or an extract or concentrate of Curcuma amada can be used in a method for the treatment or prevention of an autoimmune disorder in an individual, which com-

prises administering such substances or a pharmaceutical composition or dietary supplement containing it to said individual; and the invention comprises the use of at least one compound of formula I or an extract or concen- trate of Curcuma amada for preparing a medicament for the treatment or prevention of autoimmune disorders.

Further, according to the invention at least one compound of formula I or an extract or concentrate of Curcuma amada can be used in a method for the treatment or pre- vention of an IgE mediated allergic reaction or condition in an individual, which comprises administering such sub- stances or a pharmaceutical composition or dietary sup- plement containing them to said individual; and the in- vention comprises the use of at least one compound of formula I or an extract or concentrate of Curcuma amada for preparing a medicament for the treatment or preven- tion of IgE mediated allergic reactions and conditions.

Also, according to the invention at least one compound of formula I or an extract or concentrate of Curcuma amada can be used in a method for the alleviation of pain in an individual, which comprises administering such substances or a pharmaceutical composition or dietary supplement containing them to said individual; and the invention comprises the use of at least one compound of formula I or an extract or concentrate of Curcuma amada for prepar- ing a medicament or dietary supplement for the allevia- tion of pain.

Further, the invention provides a method of preparing an extract of Curcuma amada, which comprises extracting said plant or parts thereof, preferably the rhizome, with an extraction agent comprising an organic solvent or water or mixtures thereof and subsequently, if necessary, re-

moving the extraction agent to obtain an extract suitable for utilisation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Surprisingly it has been found that compounds of formula I or extracts or concentrates of Curcuma amada containing at least one compound of formula I exert pharmacological actions relevant to the therapeutic treatment of condi- tions associated with hypersensitivity reactions and pain.

A particularly important compound according to formula I is Labda-8 (17), 12-diene-15,17-dial, which is shown in formula II: In all embodiments of the invention Labda-8 (17), 12-diene- 15,17-dial is preferred among the compounds according to formula I.

More specifically compounds of formula I or extracts or concentrates of Curcuma amada provide the following phar- macological effects upon administration to the living or- ganism: Immunomodulation.

* Suppression of hypersensitivity reactions.

* Suppression of IgE mediated allergic reactions.

'Suppression of autoimmune reactions.

Reduction of pain.

These actions provide part of the rationale for the fol- lowing therapeutic applications of Curcuma amada or parts thereof or extracts or components thereof: * A method for the treatment or prevention of hypersensi- tivity diseases characterised by the administration of at least one compound of formula I or an extract or concentrate of Curcuma amada. The therapeutic action may be relevant to all known diseases associated with hypersensitivity reactions. Below autoimmune disorders and IgE mediated allergic conditions are described more in detail. Besides these specific therapeutic areas the action of at least one compound of formula I or an ex- tract or concentrate of Curcuma amada is relevant to all known conditions and diseases associated with hy- persensitivity reactions and the following examples are not limiting with respect to this: infections (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, etc.), cold and flu, con- tact dermatitis, insect bites, allergic vasculitis, postoperative reactions, transplantation rejection (graft-versus-host disease), etc.

* A method for the treatment or prevention of autoimmune disorders characterised by the administration of at least one compound of formula I or an extract or con- centrate of Curcuma amada. The applicant puts forward the hypothesis that the therapeutic action is due to the immunomodulating and suppressing effect on hyper- sensitivity reactions of compounds of formula I or ex- tracts or concentrates of Curcuma amada. The therapeu- tic action may be relevant to all known autoimmune dis- orders and the following examples are not limiting with respect to this: Autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary

cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, autoimmune hemolytic anemias, Grave's disease, myasthenia gravis, Type 1 diabetes mellitus, inflammatory myopathies, mul- tiple sclerosis, Hashimoto's thyreoiditis, autoimmune adrenalitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, glomerulonephritis, progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), Sjogren's disease, lupus erythematosus, primary vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile ar- thritis, mixed connective tissue disease, psoriasis, pemfigus, pemfigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis, etc.

A method for the treatment or prevention of IgE medi- ated allergic reactions and conditions characterised by the administration of at least one compound of formula I or an extract or concentrate of Curcuma amada. The applicant puts forward the hypothesis that the thera- peutic action is due to the suppressing effect on hy- persensitivity reactions of compounds of formula I or extracts or concentrates of Curcuma amada. The thera- peutic action may be relevant to all known IgE mediated allergic reactions and conditions and the following ex- amples are not limiting with respect to this: asthma, eczema (e. g. atopic dermatitis), urticaria, allergic rhinitis, anaphylaxis, etc.

* A method for the treatment or prevention of any condi- tion associated with pain characterised by the admini- stration of at least one compound of formula I or an extract or concentrate of Curcuma amada. The applicant puts forward the hypothesis that the therapeutic action is related to immunomodulation, possibly to suppressing effects on hypersensitivity reactions.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is an extract of Curcuma amada. Extracts according to the invention can i. a. be obtained by extraction or distillation (e. g. hy-

dro, steam or vacuum distillation) of fresh or dried Cur- cuma amada or parts thereof, preferably the rhizome. Ex- traction may be performed with a number of different or- ganic solvents, preferably water miscible solvents, and mixtures thereof with water. The extraction can also be performed with water immiscible solvents, such as al- kanes. The extraction can be performed hot or cold by the employment of any extraction technology e. g. maceration, percolation or supercritical extraction.

The preferred extraction solvents are pentane, hexane, heptane, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, lower alkanols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof with water. The preferred extraction temperature is close to the boiling point of the employed solvent due to extraction efficacy, but lower temperatures are also applicable making necessary a longer period of extrac- tion.

Supercritical extraction (e. g. performed with CO2) is also a preferred mode of extraction.

By changing the composition of the applied solvent the extraction can be made more selective for certain con- stituents of Curcuma amada thus enhancing or reducing their content in the finished extract. For example the content of phenolic glycosides can be increased by em- ploying a more hydrophilic solvent while the content of sesquiterpenes in the finished product can be enhanced by employing a more lipophilic solvent.

After the primary extraction process a second step of processing, such as liquid-liquid extraction, column <BR> <BR> <BR> chromatography or any type of distillation, can be em- ployed to remove or to concentrate and possibly isolate any constituent of the extract. Hereby any constituent of Curcuma amada can be avoided or concentrated in the fin-

ished extract, e. g. ocimene, dihydro-ocimene, a-pinene, a-curcumene, ß-curcumene, linalool, cuminyl alcohol, keto-alcohol, camphor, turmerone, linalyl acetate, sa- frole, curcumin, myristic acid, car-3-ene, myrcene, 1,8- cineol, limonene or perillene. Thus the content of any component of Curcuma amada can be standardised in the finished extract for the purpose of manufacturing a phar- maceutical composition.

According to the invention, compounds of formula I may be extracted from other plants than Curcuma amada, such as the seeds of Alpinia galanga (L.).

According to the invention at least one compound of for- mula I or an extract or concentrate of Curcuma amada can be combined with any other active ingredient or plant ex- tract to potentiate the therapeutic action. Consequently, we propose to combine Curcuma amada or parts thereof or extracts or components thereof with eicosapentaenoic acid from fish oils or y-linolenic acid for any of the above mentioned therapeutic applications of Curcuma amada or parts thereof or extracts or components thereof.

Furthermore it is obvious that in the use according to the invention for preparing medicaments at least one com- pound of formula I or an extract or concentrate of Cur- cuma amada may be mixed with additives such as surfac- tants, solvents, thickeners, stabilisers, preservatives, antioxidants, flavour etc. to obtain a desirable product formulation. Similarly, the pharmaceutical compositions, dietary supplements or cosmetics according to the inven- tion may further contain such additives. There are no limitations to the route of administration or dosage form of the formulation and the following examples are not limiting with respect to this: tablets, capsules, fluids, granulates, gels, ointments, liniments, emulsions (e. g.

cremes and lotions), sprays (e. g. aerosol), eye drops, etc. Optionally, the composition may also contain surfac- tants such as bile salts, polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid esters or polyalcohol mixed chain-length fatty acid esters for improving dispersibility of the composition in the digestive fluids leading to improved bioavailability or for obtaining the final dosage form of the composi- tion.

EXAMPLES Example 1 An extract of Curcuma amada according to the invention was prepared as follows: 50 g dried root of Curcuma amada was extracted with 500 ml of boiling methanol for 3 hours. This extraction was repeated with the same starting material using again 500 ml methanol in 3 hours. Thereafter the extract was fil- trated and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. Thus, 2.5 g of an amber-coloured liquid extract was obtained suit- able for the manufacture of tablets, hard gelatine cap- sules, ointment, nasal drops, etc.

Example 2 An extract of Curcuma amada according to the invention was prepared as follows: 50 g dried root of Curcuma amada was extracted with 500 ml of boiling 50 % methanol for 3 hours. This extraction was repeated with the same starting material using again 500 ml ethanol in 3 hours. Thereafter the extract was filtrated and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. Thus, 2.8 g of an amber-coloured liquid extract was obtained

suitable for the manufacture of tablets, hard gelatine capsules, ointment, nasal drops, etc.

Example 3 An extract of Curcuma amada according to the invention was prepared as follows: 50 g dried root of Curcuma amada was extracted with 500 ml of boiling acetone for 3 hours. This extraction was repeated with the same starting material using again 500 ml acetone in 3 hours. Thereafter the extract was fil- trated and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. Thus, 2.1 g of an amber-coloured liquid extract was obtained suit- able for the manufacture of tablets, hard gelatine cap- sules, ointment, nasal drops, etc.

Example 4 An extract of Curcuma amada according to the invention was prepared as follows: 50 g dried root of Curcuma amada was extracted with 500 ml of boiling ethyl acetate for 3 hours. This extraction was repeated with the same starting material using again 500 ml ethyl acetate in 3 hours. Thereafter the extract was filtrated and evaporated to dryness under vacuum.

Thus, 1.4 g of an amber-coloured liquid extract was ob- tained suitable for the manufacture of tablets, hard gelatine capsules, ointment, nasal drops, etc.

Example 5 An extract of Curcuma amada according to the invention was prepared as follows: 50 g dried root of Curcuma amada was extracted with 500 ml of boiling hexane for 3 hours. This extraction was re-

peated with the same starting material using again 500 ml hexane in 3 hours. Thereafter the extract was filtrated and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. Thus, 1.8 g of an amber-coloured liquid extract was obtained suitable for the manufacture of tablets, hard gelatine capsules, oint- ment, nasal drops, etc.

Example 6 An extract of Curcuma amada according to the invention was prepared as follows: Dried root of Curcuma amada was steam-distilled. A golden-coloured liquid extract was obtained suitable for the manufacture of hard gelatine capsules, ointment, na- sal drops, etc.

Example 7 An extract of Curcuma amada according to the invention was formulated in a preparation for use as nasal drops or nasal spray, according to the following prescription: For the preparation of 100 g nasal spray, 1 mg/ml: a) Extract of Curcuma amada: 0.05 g b) Cremophor RH 40, BASF: 2.00 g c) Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, Fluka: 0.05 g d) Benzalkoniumchloride, Sigma: 0.01 g e) Sodium chloride, Merck: 0.89 g f) Milli-Q water, Millipore: 97. 00 g

Procedure : a) is dispersed in b) while heated to 37 °C on a water bath; c), d) and e) are added. After mixing, f) is added little by little under vigorous mixing.

A nasal spray formulation prepared according to the above prescription using an extract of Curcuma amada prepared as described in example 5, was tested by 5 volunteers.

The nasal spray was reported to be effective against al- lergic rhinitis.

Example 8 An extract of Curcuma amada according to the invention was formulated in an ointment preparation according to the following prescription: For the preparation of 30 g ointment, 0,5 %: a) Extract of Curcuma amada: 0.3 g b) Cremeol E-45, Arhus Oliefabrik A/S: 19.5 g c) Volatile Silicone VS72, Bionord A/S: 9.0 g d) Cremeol HF-52 SPC, Arhus Oliefabrik A/S: 1.2 g Procedure : d) is melted at approx. 100 °C; and b) is added under continuous heating and mixing. Then c) is added, and the mixture is cooled to room temperature. Finally a) is added, and the formulation is mixed. The formulation is filled on tubes, ointment jars or similar.

Ointment formulations prepared according to the above prescription using extracts of Curcuma amada prepared as described in Example 1 and Example 3, respectively, were

tested by 5 volunteers. Both ointment preparations were reported to be effective against atopic eczema, by alle- viating eczema rash and itching.

Example 9 Study object : Four extracts of Curcuma amada according to the invention were prepared as described in examples 1,3,4 and 5, hereafter correspondingly called Extract 1,3,4 and 5, respectively, were investigated in this study.

Summary of the study : Background The objective of the study was to evaluate the anti- allergic effect of the four extracts of Curcuma amada in a well established assay for anti-allergic activity, the Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis (PCA) test.

Methods The assay was performed according to Goose and Blair2.

Test substances (Extract 1,3, and 5; 500 mg/kg), and vehicle (control) were given by oral administration (p. o.) to a group of 3 Long Evans derived rats, passively sensi- tized 16 hours earlier by intradermal injection of reaginic (IgE) antiovalbumin serum (0.05 ml). Within 30 minutes after administration of test substance, the ani- mals were challanged i. v. with a mixture of ovalbumin (1 mg) and Evans Blue dye (5 mg) and sacrificed 30 minutes later. Inhibition of the resulting PCA blue colored wheal indicates possible antiallergic activity.

Furthermore, a similar PCA test using i. v. administration of the test substances (Extract 1,3,4 and 5) and vehi- cle (control) was performed. The test substances were ad- ministered i. v. (20 mg/kg) to a group of 3 Long Evans de- rived rats passively sensitized 16 hours earlier by in- tradermal injection of reagenic (IgE) antiovalbumin serum (0.05 ml). Immediately after administration of test sub- stance, the animals were challanged i. v. with a mixture of ovalbumin (1 mg) and Evans Blue dye (5 mg) and sacri- ficed 30 minutes later.

Findings The percent inhibition (mean) compared to the vehicle (control) of the PCA blue colored wheal for the groups treated with the test extracts in the assay using p. o. administration is shown in figure 1. The similar results obtained in the assay using i. v. administration is shown in figure 2.

In the assay using p. o. administration, all three ex- tracts (Extract 1,3 and 5) revealed a marked % inhibi- tion, as shown in figure 1, compared to the vehicle (control). As shown in figure 2, the results from the as- say using i. v. administration revealed even higher % in- hibition compared to the vehicle (control).

In t erpretation In this study it is clearly demonstrated that extracts from Curcuma amada according to the invention and pre- pared as described in example 1,3,4 and 5, possess pow- erful anti-allergic activities.

Example 10 Study object : An extract of Curcuma amada, according to the invention, was compared with placebo in a well established model of inflammation in the skin.

Summary of the study : Background The objective of the study was to test an extract accord- ing to the invention in a well established model of ec- zema, arachidonic acid induced inflammation in the mouse.

Methods The assay was performed according to Chang et al. Ear inflammation was induced by topical application of ara- chidonic acid (5 mg in 20 J. l acetone). Groups of five BALB/c mice were pre-treated 30 minutes before arachi- donic acid application and 15 minutes after (post- treatment) with the extract of Curcuma amada prepared in example 3 (1,5 mg per ear per challenge).

The degree of swelling was recorded four hours after ara- chidonic acid application.

Findings The mean percent inhibition of ear swelling was 32% as compared to the control. The extract demonstrated a sta- tistically significant effect as compared to the control (p<0,05, Wilcoxon rank sum test).

Interpretation The study clearly shows that the extract according to the invention possesses marked anti-inflammatory effects.

REFERENCES 1. Kumar, P. and Clark, M.:"Clinical Medicine", 3rd edi- tion, Baillière Tindall, London 1994, pp. 147-150.

2. Goose, J. and Blair, A. M.: Immunol. 16: 749,1969.

3. Chang, J. et al.: Eur. J. Pharmacol. 142: 197,1987.