Preferably, the composition is in a highly biovailable formulation like micelles or liposomes. The efficacy of this composition can be enhanced by further incorporation of further serum cholesterol level effecting compounds, such as (phyto) sterols and/or stanol or other cholesterol reducing agents, like lecithin, tocotrienol, saponins, fibers, long-chain waxy alcohols and niacin.

Elevated serum cholesterol levels (> 200 mg/dL) have been indicated as a major risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death. As a result, experts have recommended that those individuals at high risk decrease serum cholesterol levels through dietary changes, a program of physical exercise, and lifestyle changes. It is recommended that the intake of saturated fat and dietary cholesterol be strictly limited and that soluble fiber consumption be increased. Strictly limiting the intake of saturated fat and cholesterol does not, itself, present a risk to proper health and nutrition. Even where saturated fat and cholesterol are severely restricted from the diet, the liver remains able to synthesize sufficient quantities of cholesterol to perform necessary bodily functions.

More recently, experts have begun to examine the individual components of the lipid profile, in addition to the total cholesterol level (TC). While an elevated TC is a risk factor, the levels of the various forms of cholesterol which make up TC may also be risk factors. Elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a cause for concern, as these loosely packed

lipoproteins are more likely to lodge within the cardiovascular system leading to the formation of plaque. Low levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are an additional risk factor, as they serve to sweep artery-clogging cholesterol from the blood stream. A better indication of risk appears to be the ratio of TC: HDL.

A number of nutritional factors have been shown to improve serum cholesterol levels. For example, the use of phytosterols and-stanol and their esters has been well documented in human clinical trials and in animal studies to lower serum cholesterol levels. This cholesterol lowering effect has been attributed to interference with the absorption of dietary cholesterol. Phytosterols, being structurally similar to cholesterol, competitively bind with cholesterol sterol receptor sites, thus preventing cholesterol uptake. Unlike their cholesterol counterparts, phytosterols are very poorly absorbed, and some are not absorbed at all. Therefore, phytosterols do not contribute to an increase in serum cholesterol levels. In addition to competing for receptor sites, phytosterols also compete for the enzyme cholesterol esterase. This enzyme is required by cholesterol for its breakdown to components, which may be absorbed through the microvilli which line the wall of the small intestine. Thus, phytosterols also impede the enzymatic breakdown and intestinal absorption of cholesterol, which further reduces serum cholesterol levels. A newer group of sterols that functions similar to phytosterols are the phytostanols, which also naturally occur in small quantities in plant, and can be easily obtained by catalytic reduction of the corresponding phytosterols.

Plant derived long-chained aliphatic alcohols have also been documented to reduce serum cholesterol levels in experimental models, healthy humans and in type 11 hypercholesterolemic patients. These aliphatic alcohols with chain lengths of C24-C36, collectively known as policosanol, have been employed in the treatment of elevated serum cholesterol levels in only the past five years, but policosanol has shown much promise, as reported in a

number of published human clinical trials. The mechanism of action has not yet been elucidated, but policosanol's effectiveness is attributed to its influence on the biosynthesis of cholesterol within the liver. This accounts for the ability of policosanol to not only decrease total cholesterol, but also to decrease LDL serum levels and increase HDL levels.

Both phytosterol/stanol as well as waxy acids are water insoluble and therefore show low bioavailability. U. S. Pat. No. 5,502, 045 describes a method for reduction of serum cholesterol with sitostanol-ester dissolved in dietary fat like margarine. However, this invention shows the disadvantage of requiring the administration of 23-50 g/day of dietary fat and of being less effective at reducing cholesterol absorption in humans compared to the unesterified sterol. The only benefit by using the ester form of the stanols is their solubility in fats, which helps dispersing them in the gastro-intestinal tracts after ingestion.

U. S. Pat. No. 5,244, 887 comprises the use of stanols including sitostanol in food additives to reduce cholesterol absorption. In U. S. Pat. No.

5,244, 887, for an additive preparation sitostanol is dissolved with an edible solubilizing agent such as triglyceride, an antioxidant such as tocopherol, and a dispersant such as lecithin, polysorbate 80, or sodium lauryl sulfate. U. S. Pat. No. 5,118, 671 teaches the production of sitosterol-lecithin complexes for pharmaceutical use but does not mention its oral dosage for cholesterol lowering. U. S. Pat. No. 6,063, 776 discloses a method to form micellar phytostanols, which leads to a high bioavailability of the emulsified active ingredients. The main emulsifiers used are lecithin or sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate.

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, in particular for effecting serum cholesterol levels in humans and animals. The composition comprises

a) a waxy acid compound consisting of one or more long-chain waxy acids having 23 to 50 carbon atoms and b) optionally up to about 99,99 % by weight of one or more components having a serum cholesterol level effecting properties, such as phytosterol. The composition can further comprise as optional third component c) from 0 % to about 20 % by weight of a pharmaceutical acceptable formulation aid, such as diluents, stabilizers, binders, buffers, lubricants and aromatics, coating agents, preservatives, emulsifiers and suspension agents and surface active compounds.

In a preferred embodiment, the claimed composition comprises from about 20 % to about 90 % by weight of component b), e. g. phytosterol, and from about 1,0 % to about 40 % by weight of component a), in particular . long-chain waxy acids. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises about 100: 1 parts by weight of component b), e. g. phytosterol and long-chain waxy acids (component a)).

"Long-chain waxy acids"or"long chain fatty acids"means within this invention a single isolated waxy acid or carbon acid having from 23 to 50 C-atoms or preferably a mixture of high-molecular weight carbon acids having chains from C23 to C50 (see also Table 1). These fatty acids occur naturally in wax form. They can be comprised of straight or branch chains, and of saturated or single or multiple unsaturated nature. (Very) long-chain fatty acids are isolated from a number of different plant or animal sources, including for instance sugar cane wax, rice bran wax, beeswax, wool wax, and shellac wax. The processes to obtain the waxy acids are state-of-the-art and the procedures are well described, e. g. in the Chapter "Waxes"of Ullmann's Encyclopedia of technical chemistry, 3rd or 4th Edition, or Kirk-Othmer's Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd ed.

Furthermore synthetic or fossil waxy acids can also be used within this invention. For instance, waxy acid derived by catalytic oxidation of paraffins, polyethylenes, or long-chain omega-olefins, like oxidized Unilin (synthetic waxy alcohols), or Unilox (synthetic waxy acids) of Baker Petrolite, or montan-wax derived acid waxes, e. g. Licowax S, or Licowax WS of Cariant, German can be employed.

The composition of the waxy acids depends on the kind and origin of the waxes used, but preferably they mainly comprise long-chain waxy acid with chain-lengths of C24 through C36, whereby the number of carbon atoms in the chain is even.

Waxy acid derivatives preferably used within the scope of this invention as waxy acid component a) are e. g. an anhydride, a substituted or unsubstituted amid, a salt of ammonium, a salt of an alkaline or earth alkaline, a salt of an amino acid, a salt of an organic base such as a substituted ammonium, an ester of a mono-, di-or tri-alcohol, an ester of an oligo-or polyalcohol with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an ester with a phyto-compound such as phytosterole, a sugar or a mono-,, di-or triglyceride. The waxy acid component a) may be of biological, geological or synthetic origin and is preferably derived from plant, animal or mineral oils and/or waxes.

In a further preferred embodiment, this invention also comprises a composition with a hydrolyse waxy acid ester as waxy acid component; this waxy acid ester can preferably contain waxy alcohols, that show cholesterol effecting properties, which means properties, that control the cholesterol absorption or synthesis or that support the cholesterol excretion.

Table 1.

Percentage of the different waxy acids of the waxy acid fraction (Ullmann)

. Wax Carnauba Montan Candelilla Beeswax [%] of acid C < 24 21 7 1 47 C 24 23 8 1 10 C 26 11 13 1 4 C 28 16 18 3 4 C 30 6 18 36 3 C 32 2 7 49 2 C 34 1 3 8 1 C 36 0 1 1 C > 36 0 1 Other waxes suiting as raw materials are spermaceti, shellac, Japan, ouricury, and/or rice branwax.

The waxes given should serve just as examples and should not limit the present invention.

As component b) of the claimed composition are preferably used components with cholesterol-absorption controlling properties and/or properties that control the cholesterol synthesis and/or that support cholesterol excretion. Suitable in this connection are e. g. sterol compounds of plant origin and more preferably phytosterols, phytostanols and acceptable derivatives or mixtures thereof, because of their properties of controlling the cholesterol absorption. The besaid preferred sterol component b) should be a branched or non-branched and/or (un-) saturated

fatty acid ester and/or can be derived from a vegetable oil or by synthesis therefrom.

Phytosterols are mixtures of waxy plant sterols like beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol. They are naturally occurring in many common vegetable food products. The particular phytosterol used in the preferred embodiment of the invention is derived from vegetable oil and has the formulation set forth in Table 2. This material is sold under the trademark CHOLESTATIN and is available from Degussa BioActives TracoLabs, Inc. Again, however, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular phytosterol product, and that any number of other commonly available phytosterols can also be used.

Table 2. Component Content CHOLESTATINs Total sterols-85 % beta-Sitosterol.-45% 40 % Min Campesterol ~ 25 % 20 % Min Stigmasterol # 15 % 11 % Min The current invention differs from prior art compositions of plant sterols and sitostanol as well as waxy acids in many significant ways.

Preferred components b) are also policosanoles or statines, because they may control cholesterol synthesis. Polysaccharids like pectine are suitable because of their capability to support cholesterol excretion.

The present invention as well as specific and preferred embodiments thereof provides many advantages.

First, the optional combined use of component b), e. g. phytosterols and waxy acids according to a preferred embodiment of the invention enables a more effective, two pronged approach to lower blood cholesterol than the single components do. Second, the preferred compositions do not necessarily contain triglycerides, fats, or oils. The component b), e. g. phytosterol and waxy acids need not be dissolved in fat. Further combining them with an emulsifier allows to form an aqueous vesicular complex, which can enter directly into the intestinal micelle phase. Third, such a preferred mixture can be prepared in solid form by drying aqueous or solvent micellar formulations of component b), e. g. phytosterol/waxy acid/emulsifier. Forth, the compositions of the invention and in particular the above-mentioned combinations can be added to non-cholesterol- containing and fat-free foods and beverages. Fifth, the mixture can be prepared in a manner to prevent self-association of components as occurs when it is dried from organic solvents containing sitostanol and solubilizing agents. The composition herein referenced has the advantage of a high degree of bioavailability as assayed with artificial bile in vitro. This is significant and cannot be achieved with fat carrier systems.

The claimed composition is useful for controlling and reducing cholesterol absorption in humans at dosages per day between 10 and 1500 mg, and a preferred dose is 500-1500 mg. These doses are less than required by current protocols.

The composition according to the invention is particularly suited for oral administration. Thus, a preferred embodiment according to the invention is a pharmaceutical composition for oral use.

The composition may be used in capsule, tablet, barr, beverage, oil, oil-of fat based emulsion, milk based product or suspension form, as a drug or dietary supplement. Alternatively, it may be used in foods as a food additive or substance generally recognized as safe for human consumption,

whereby a small partial form, and hereby a liposome or micellar form is preferred.

In preparation of the preferred compositions useful for reducing serum cholesterol in highly bioavailable form, the first step may be to provide an aqueous homogeneous micellar mixture for a plant sterol with a preferred emulsifier of choice.

The preferred method is to use a combination of phytosterols and waxy acids because only small amounts are absorbed in the small intestine, but on the other hand, this plant sterol shows high inhibition properties of cholesterol absorption. Similar phytosterol compounds are also suitable, including sitosterol, campesterol, campestanol and stigmasterol.

Preferred is also a composition that comprises 1 to 40 % by weight of the waxy acid component a) and 20 to 90 % by weight of component b). The weight-to-weight-ratio of the waxy acid component and component b) is preferably within the range of 1: 10 to 100, in particular 1: 50 to 99 and more preferably 1: 99.

In a further preferred embodiment one or more emulsifiers are included in the composition.

Emulsifiers usually used are proteins and phospholipids such as lecithin, and the most preferred phospholipid systems useful to enhance the bioavailability is a mixture of lecithin and related products. Also effective agents used of this invention are SSL, bile acids, saponins, glycolipids and soaps of fatty-and waxy acids. The advantage of using saponins and waxy acid soaps are their property to lower themselves cholesterol, so they are excipient and active ingredient in one. Therefore, the invention also comprises a composition with a waxy acid component a) being saponified that acts as an additional emulsifier, whereby synthetic

emulsifiers such as mono-or diglycerides, esters at acetic, citric, lactic and tartaric acid, stearoyllactylate and salts hereof as well as sugar esters and (poly-) sorbitans are also useful as emulsifiers in producing the composition.

The way of preparation is to provide a fine emulsion of waxy acids and optionally one or more components b), such as plant sterols, in aqueous homogeneous mixture by using the above mentioned emulsifiers. The emulsion can be produced by well established methods employing high shear mixing, like vortexing, sonicating, passing through a small orifice, and similar processes.

Another process to generate highly dispersed micellar vesicles is to drop a solution of the mixture of the active ingredients and the emulsifier in an aqueous media in combination with agitation and reduced pressure to eliminate the solvent. The drying process can be vacuum drying, freeze drying or low-temperature ambient air drying at low temperature.

For a production, the optional component b), e. g. natural phytosterol mixtures (e. g. Cholestatin@) and waxy acid mixtures (e. g. DWAC#1) in the preferred ratio 100 : 1 can be mixed together in different solvents at various ratios of 1 : 1 through 1: 5 by weight. The waxy acids or the mixtures were then transferred to an evacuation tube and the solvent was removed under slightly reduced pressure and warming up. Solvents used for this purposes have been unpolar ones like pentane, hexane or petrolethers, alcohols like methanol, ethanol, iso-propanol and higher ones, esters like ethyl acetate, ethers, ketone, and mixtures of them. Thereafter, the dry materials were transferred into water and sonicated to build a stable suspension. The stability of the suspension and the micelles were evaluated by turbidity measurements using the nephelometric principle like the US EPA 180.1 method. Microscopic methods or a Zetasizer can be used to evaluate the integrity and size of the micelles as well. The obtained stable suspension can be dried using careful drying methods like

freeze-drying, lyophilization, or low temperature water-evaporation. The so produced materials are easily re-suspended in aqueous media to produce highly dispersed formulations.

As earlier mentioned, the daily dosage of the dry powder should be within the range of 100 to 2000 mg, and preferred 250 to 1000 mg per day. This daily dose should preferably be applied in divided portions, one to four times daily.

Component b), e. g. phytosterol, and (very) long-chain fatty acids preferably lower serum cholesterol by two independent and unrelated mechanisms of action. Both compounds together are expected to have a synergistic effect on lowering serum cholesterol. Phytosterols impede the enzymatic breakdown and intestinal absorption of cholesterol, which reduces serum cholesterol levels. (Very) long-chain fatty acids act directly on the cholesterol synthesis pathway itself, thereby inhibiting the biosynthesis of cholesterol from saturated fat. The preferred combination of phytosterol and (very) long-chain fatty acids into a single composition provides a more effective treatment for elevated serum cholesterol than would be expected from the additive effect of both components. However, the composition can also comprise other components with serum cholesterol effecting properties such as tocotrienols, saponins, fibers, long-chain waxy alcohols of 20 to 50 carbon atoms and their acceptable derivatives, artichoke-extracts and alfalfa-extracts, statins, bile sequestrants or niacin.

The composition according to this invention can also comprise an optional additional component c), in particular a formulation aid that is one of the group consisting of fillers, stabilizers such as antioxidants, diluents, binders, buffers, lubricants and aromatics, preservatives, emulsifiers, coating agents, suspending agents and surface active compounds.

There is also claimed a composition with a weight-to-weight ratio of the components a): b): c) that is from 1: (50 to 90): (9 to 49), preferably 1 : (70 to 85): (14 to 29), in particular 1: 79: 20.

One major point of the present invention are phytosterol-waxy acid esters, which are not described yet, and their synthesis. These esters are structurally similar to the short chain fatty acids of phytosterol of the U. S.

Pat. No. 5,502, 045, but the efficacy of the new chemical entities is beyond the embodiment of U. S. Pat. No. 5,502, 045, because of the combinatorial approach of two physiologically active building blocks.

Similar to the esters disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 5,502, 045 the claimed phytosterol-waxy-acid-esters that are cleaved by the intestinal juice, particularly by pancreatic lipases to release the cholesterol lowering phytosterol or waxy acids in highly dispersed micellar or liposomal form to become highly effective. The cleavage of waxy esters are described in the literature, e. g. Place AR; Am J Physiol 1992 Sep: 263 (3 Pt 2): R464-71), which show the efficacy of cleavage waxy ester of about 50 % in mammals. Fishes and birds are able to go even beyond 50 % in cleavage.

Preferably there are claimed esters of phytosterol-waxy-acids that contain a phytosterol component and a branched or non-branched and/or saturated or unsaturated fatty-acid, wherein the waxy acid component has 23 to 50 carbon atoms and is preferably of vegetable or lignit origin.

Previous clinical and toxicological testing of waxy acids and phytosterol has shown that the tolerance of both components is good. Phytosterols occur in almost all plant-derived foodstuff. The estimated daily intake by ingestion of a balanced diet in the Western Countries is usually over 250 mg (Hicks KB, Moreau RA, Food Technol, Vol 55, No 1, Jan 2001). Waxy acids are also found regularly in food material (Kawahara K et al. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1988 Dec; 34 (6): 633-9). Toxicological data on semi-synthetically derived waxy acids are public (Lange J, Wildgruber J;

Fette, Seifen, Anstrichmittel, Jahrgang 78, Nr. 2,1976 ; Gamez R, Toxicol Letters 2000 Dec 20; 118 (1-2): 31-41).

The herein-disclosed composition preferably combines the benefits of the single physiologically active constituents together with the technology to increase the bioavailability. Additionally, the invention discloses formulations, whereas for instance the emulsifier is not only an adjuvant, but also an active component. Thus, the purpose to favorite lecithin and/or saponins as emulsifier is not only because of their activity as surfactant, but also as cholesterol-lowering agent according to Dewailly P et al. ; Effects of Polyenylphosphatidylcholine on Lipoproteins in Patients with Hypercholesterinemia, Die Medizinische Welt 12/85. Therefore, in opposite to U. S. Pat. No. 6,063, 776 the use of lecithin should not be limited, but have to be present in a sufficient amount to be a useful addition to the formulation as emulsifier and as an active agent.

The following examples are offered to further illustrate, but not limit the process of the present invention.

Examples In these first three examples formulations to produce tablets or capsules are described which comprise combinations of phytosterol and waxy acids. The next examples disclose the procedures to prepare micellar formulations. Whereas the following example describes the efficacy in an animal model.

Phytosterols, as used here, mean in the most cases the natural occurring mixtures of sterols such as sitostanol, sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and their derivatives and reduction products. Phospholipids, as used here, mean glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids, as well as their derivatives,

such as lysophospholipids. Saponins, as used here, in most cases mean soy saponins obtained during the soy bean utilization process.

Examples of compositions made according to the invention is set forth below : Example 1 Tablet Formula : Composition Ingredient Amount/tablet Function Phytosterol complex (> 88 %) 250 mg active (e. g. Cholestatin@) Waxy acids 5 mg active Calcium phosphate 261, 7 mg excipient Cellulose 49,4 mg excipient Silicon dioxide 100 mg diluent The preparation of the blend is accomplished by thoroughly mixing of the above ingredients using a lab powder bender. The obtained blend is pressed to tablets using a bench tablet press.

Example 2 Formula for Chewable Tablets

Ingredient Amount/tablet Function Phytosterol complex (> 88 %) 430 mg active (e. g. Cholestatin@) Waxy acids 10 mg active Dextrose 700 mg sugar Sorbitol 75 mg sweetener Natural a/o Artificial flavors 50 mg excipient Stearic acid 25 mg excipient Silicon dioxide 10 mg excipient Magnesium Stearate 4 mg excipient Succinic acid 3 mg excipient Food color blend (var) 2 mg Coloring The preparation of the blend is accomplished by thoroughly mixing of the above ingredients using a lab powder bender. The obtained blend is pressed to tablets using a bench tablet press.

Example 3 Soft Gelatin Capsule Formulation Ingredient Amount/Capsule Function Phytosterol complex (> 88 %) 250 mg active (e. g. Cholestatin@) Waxy acids 5 mg active Lecithin 50 mg active/processing aid MCT (or substitute) 445 mg diluent

The preparation of the blend is accomplished through suspending the phytosterol complex, waxy acids, lecithin and any other desired components as described previously, in the carrier oil (MCT or any acceptable substitute). Further processing may include milling to ensure an encapsulatable particle size. Capsule fill weights from 500 mg to 1400 mg are envisioned to supply various quantities of active components. This blend is encapsulated at a toll encapsulator.

Example 4 Procedure A to prepare micellar/liposomal formulations using soy saponins 1 gram Phytosterol complex (e. g. Cholestatin@) and 15 mg of waxy acid complex (e. g. DWAC#1) are boiled in 50 ml of ethyl alcohol with 1.0 gram of a 20 % soy saponin mixture. The solution is dropped into a rotary evaporator vessel containing 250 mL vigorously stirred water under a vacuum of 100 mbar pressure, and at 50 °C, which supports the evaporation of the alcohol. Under these conditions a dispersion containing fine particles is obtained.

Example 5 Procedure A to prepare micellar/liposomal formulations using lecithin 1 gram Phytosterol complex (e. g. Cholestatin@) and 15 mg of waxy acid complex (e. g. DWAC#1) are boiled in 50 ml of ethyl acetate/iso-propanol mixture together with 1.0 gram of a 20 % lecithin (e. g. Epikuron). The solution is dropped into a rotary evaporator vessel containing 250 mL vigorously stirred water under a vacuum of 100 mbar pressure, and at 50 °C, which supports the evaporation of the alcohol. Under these conditions a dispersion containing fine particles is obtained.

Example 6 Procedure B to prepare micellar/liposomal formulations To prepare the phytosterol/waxy acid/emulsifier vesicles in a 1: 1 to 1 : 10 mass ratio, 2.5 gm of Cholestatin (r), 25 mg of DWAC waxy acids, or instead 25 mg of the reacted Cholestatin@-DWAC of example 7, was added to 2.5 to 25 gm of high phosphatidylcholine containing soy lecithin (e. g. Epikuron 130, or 200) in a 250 mL glass beaker. Different solvents in sufficient amount are added to dissolve the mixture with stirring to solubilize all components, and the solvent was then removed by elevated temperature (max. 75 °C).

After all the solvent was removed, at the end by employing reduced pressure for several hours (6 to 36 h) the solid in the beaker was then broken up with a glass rod, 100 mL of water was added per 10 g of solid, and the suspension was stirred vigorously for one hour. Micelles were prepared by sonicating the contents of the beaker with an ultrasonic bath at ambient temperature for 5 to 1.5 h.

The diameter of the micelles is about 250 nm. The turbidity of the aqueous suspensions is constant over a certain period of time, which indicates their stability.

Example 7 Preparation of Sterol esters of waxy acids as new chemical entities The preparation of phytosterol ester of very-long-chain fatty or waxy acids can be achieved by reaction between phytosterols and waxy acids (carbon chain higher than C22) or mixtures thereof at 200 C for 1-3 hours. The reaction product can be used as is or after re-crystallization from acetone

or other appropriate solvents. The obtained products are soluble in fatty products like margarine or vegetable and other edible oils.

100 mg of the sterols and 100 mg of the waxy acids are mixed thoroughly and heated in a heating block for 2 hours at 200 °C. After cooling the reaction product is ground and re-crystallized from 5 ml of acetone. The fine crystalline material is collected by filtration and dried at ambient temperature in the air. The yield in all cases is around 150 mg.

Thereafter, TLC was used to analyze the chemical entities. The melting points significantly show a new type of composition.

Conditions for the TLC: Stationary Phase: flexible plates for TLC Whatman AL SIL G/UV, 250 um Silica Gel Layer (cat#4420 222) Mobile Phase: Chloroform/Ethanol 99: 1 Development/Detection: 50 % Sulfuric acid, heated Melting Point: Capillary, open, Thiele apparatus Sterols used: # Sterol Manufact. FW mp/deg C Rf (TLC) ST1 Stigmasterol Sigma# S-2424 412. 7 165-167 0. 26 ST2 Beta-Sitosterol Aldrich # S340-2 414. 72 139-142 0. 24 ST3 Cholestatin Phytosterol complex 0. 25 Wax acids used:

# Wax acid Manufact. FW mp/deg C Rf (TLC) WA1 Tetracosanoic Aldrich # 23,468, 0 368. 65 75-83 0. 23 99% WA2 Octacosanoic 98 % Aldrich # 28, 443-2 424. 76 92-94 0. 21 WA3 Degussa waxy acid Degussa AG, 0.21 complex DWAC # 1 WA4 Montanic acids e. g. , Clariant 0.22 Ware Palmitic Aldrich # P5-1 256. 43 61-64 0. 36 f The following reactions have been conducted: Product of #1 ST1 + WA1 #2 ST2 + WA1 #3 ST3 + WA1 #4 ST1 + WA2 #5 ST2 + WA2 #6 ST3 + WA2 #7 ST1 + WA3 #8 ST2 + WAS #9 ST3 + WA3 #10 ST1 + WA4 &num 11 ST2 + WA4 &num 12 ST3 + WA3 &num 13 ST3 + WAref The compounds shown in the tables above are new chemical entities, and not described in the literature so far.

#1 Stigmasterol lignocerate #2 beta-Sitosterol lignocerate #4 Stigmasterol montanate #5 beta-Sitosterol montanate All other preparations (#3, 6-12) contain a variety of new components due the nature of the raw materials, which a mixtures of waxy acids, or phytosterols, respectively.

Example 8 Production of Sterol esters-Phytosterol combinations The production of phytosterol esters of very-long-chain fatty or waxy acids combined with phytosterol in the appropriate ratio can easily be accomplished by heating and melting a blend of a natural phytosterol complex (e. g. Cholestatin (r)) with a waxy acid complex (e. g. DWAC).

Blends of those components in a ratio 100: 1 were heated up to 200 °C for 1 to 5 hours. The reaction product can be used as is or after re-crystallisation from acetone or other appropriate solvents. The obtained products are soluble in fatty products like margarine or vegetable and other edible oils.

After processing with emulsifiers, it can be used in beverages or other aqueous media.

100 kg of Cholestatins and 1 kg of the waxy acid products (Montanic acids or DWAC#1) are mixed thoroughly and heated in a reaction vessel equipped with a stirring 2 hours at 200 °C. After cooling the reaction product is ground, and ready to used with the products and formulations described in the present invention. The yield is quantitative. The reaction of Cholestatins with DWAC#1 or montanic acids leads to a product with physical-chemical properties similar to Cholestatin@. The existence and

content of Cholestatin as well as the reaction product was evaluated by TLC, and saponification number.

The analysis showed a quantitative conversion of the acid-components.

Example 9 Incorporation of Present Invention into Salad Dressing and similar entities.

The present invention has been successfully incorporated into horseradish sauce at a level of 0.65 grams per serving (9 grams). Presence of the invention had no adverse effect on the taste or texture of the horseradish sauce.

In addition, a finely ground form of the present invention was incorporated into a fat free French Dressing (Marzetti's). The presence of the invention in no way adversely affected the taste or texture of the salad dressing.

Example 10 Animal efficacy study The effect of the waxy acid and phytosterol/waxy acid combination on cholesterol absorption was compared within an animal model under atherogenic diet.

The purpose of the described research was to examine the efficacy and mechanism of action of orally administered long chain fatty acid complexes on cholesterol and lipoprotein profiles, and cholesterol synthesis, in the hamster which has been identified as a good model of human lipid metabolism (Dietschy et a. 1993). The objectives of the conduced investigation were to compare the action of different phytosterol/waxy acid preparations, versus a control preparation without active components, on cholesterol levels in plasma, and de novo cholesterol biosynthesis.

Seventy-two Golden Syrian male hamsters weighing between 100 and 120 g have been used in this experiment. The animals were to be systematically randomized in 6 groups of 12 hamsters per group, housed in individual cages and subjected to 12 hr: 12 hr light : dark cycling for 2 week before commencement on the experimental protocol. During the pre-experimental and experimental periods, hamsters will be provided with free access to water, and be fed ad libitum a semi-synthetic diet (control diet), based on the composition of the AIN-76A which contains 0.025 % cholesterol. The total fat content of this diet will be 5 % fed in the form of a mix of lard and safflower oil to provide a P/S ratio of 0.4. The control diet alone has been be fed to group 1. Groups 2-4 have been supplied with the control diet containing 15 mg/kg of either waxy acids formulations or the phytosterol complex. Group 5 and 6 were provided with the combination of the sole component of the groups 2-4. Food intake and body weight of individual animals will be monitored regularly through the feeding period.

After 30 days on diets, hamsters in each group will be anesthetized with halothane. Blood samples were collected for total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) subclass cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels.

Experimental Method for Lipid analysis Plasma total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and TG levels have been measured using a VG Autoanalyzer in conjunction with commercial enzymatic kits and appropriate standards (Abbott Diagnostics). The concentration of non apolipoprotein (Apo) -A cholesterol, taken as LDL-cholesterol, have been calculated as total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol concentration. In the case of the hamster it is considered inappropriate to use the Friedewald equation due to the distribution of

lipids across lipoprotein groups (Friedewald et al. 1972, Gidez et al. 1992).

All samples were processed through the above system in duplicate.

Table A. The effect of phytosterol, waxy acids, and their combination on hamster lipid profiles (% change of control mean) Diet CHOL LDL Control 0 0 DWAC#1-8. 32 10. 14-5. 53 32. 45 Licowax-8.15 13. 46-5.63 37. 75 Cholestatins-21. 24 13. 75-14.17 40.46 Cholestatin PLUS DWAC#1-30. 1 11. 84-20.07 35. 29 Cholestatin PLUS Licowax-29.13 12. 32-19.52 ~ 32. 62 This results show that, compared to placebo, waxy acids, phytosterol, and in particular the combination of both are effective in lowering cholesterol blood levels. The mechanism of action of waxy acids seems to be different from that of the phytosterol and explains the synergetic effect.

While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions my be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of example and not by limitation.