Plant beverage with effect of improving sleep as well as preparation method and application of plant beverage

Abstract

The invention provides a plant beverage with an effect of improving sleep as well as a preparation method and application of the plant beverage, and belongs to the technical field of food processing. The health-care food is mainly prepared from the following raw materials in parts by weight: 2-15 parts of Chinese wolfberry fruits, 2-15 parts of raspberries, 2-15 parts of longan aril, 2-15 parts of radix polygonati officinalis and 2-15 parts of walnut kernels. The traditional Chinese medicine theory is combined with screening of medicinal and edible traditional Chinese medicinal materials, a unique heart-nourishing, qi-tonifying and qi-blood-regulating formula is established, and the traditional Chinese medicine composition has the function of improving sleep, does not have side effects after being taken for a long time, and is safe and effective. The plant beverage provided by the invention can remarkably prolong the pentobarbital sodium sleep time of mice, increase the subthreshold dose sleep number of the mice and shorten the sleep latency period of the pentobarbital sodium of the mice; and the content of inhibitory neurotransmitters is increased. The composition has important significance on physiological function regulation of sub-health people with poor sleep quality caused by body function reduction due to long-term mental stress and fatigue disorder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of food processing technology, and in particular to a plant-based beverage with sleep-improving effects, its preparation method, and its application. Background Technology

[0002] As the pace of modern life accelerates and social pressures increase, the incidence of negative emotions and other problems is rising year by year. More and more people are troubled by sleep problems such as difficulty falling asleep, frequent dreams, light sleep, and frequent awakenings. In the short term, this can manifest as fatigue, sluggishness, and weakened immunity. Long-term sleep deprivation can lead to sleep deprivation, accompanied by a decline in quality of life and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Western medicine treatments are limited, primarily relying on medication. While these drugs offer rapid and significant short-term effects, long-term use can lead to a series of adverse reactions. Therefore, an increasing number of people with sleep disorders are beginning to address sleep anxiety and improve sleep quality by enhancing their daily health practices.

[0003] The theory and practice of "medicine and food sharing the same origin" in my country have been verified over two thousand years of history. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health preservation culture plays a vital role in maintaining population health, improving physical fitness, and enhancing disease resistance. The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) records insomnia as "inability to lie down" and "eyes unable to close." The primary cause of insomnia lies in the heart, closely related to the liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. In modern society, many people experience sleep deprivation due to emotional distress, irregular diet, imbalance between work and rest, and prolonged illness leading to organ dysfunction. This results in disharmony of Qi and blood, imbalance of Yin and Yang, and Yang failing to enter Yin, leading to decreased sleep quality. TCM functional foods focus on regulating the internal organs, using the principles of tonifying deficiency and purging excess to adjust the body's physiological functions and the Yin and Yang of the internal organs, restoring normal organ function and achieving a physiological state of "harmony of the five internal organs, peace of mind, and regular sleep."

[0004] Therefore, it is hoped that, based on the theoretical and practical foundation of traditional Chinese medicine scientific research, we can scientifically combine medicinal and edible herbs to enhance their health benefits and obtain products with the health benefit of improving sleep. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention aims to develop a product that improves sleep by using traditional Chinese medicine (which is both food and medicine) as its core and combining it with modern pharmaceutical processing technology.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0007] This invention provides a plant-based beverage that improves sleep, mainly made from the following ingredients in parts by weight: 2-15 parts wolfberry, 2-15 parts raspberry, 2-15 parts longan pulp, 2-15 parts Solomon's seal rhizome, and 2-15 parts walnut kernels.

[0008] The present invention also provides a method for preparing the plant beverage, comprising the following steps: taking wolfberry, raspberry, longan pulp, Solomon's seal and walnut kernels, adding water and ultrasonically soaking, decocting, separating solid and liquid, combining the filtrates and concentrating under reduced pressure to obtain a pharmaceutical composition, adding a clarifying agent for clarification, adding excipients for blending, and obtaining the plant beverage.

[0009] Preferably, the total weight ratio of wolfberry, raspberry, longan pulp, Solomon's seal, and walnut kernel to water is 1:6 to 14.

[0010] Preferably, the ultrasonic immersion time is 20–100 min, the power is 100–140 W, and the frequency is 30–50 kHz;

[0011] Preferably, the decocting temperature is 55–95°C, the number of times is 1–3, and the decocting time for each time is 30–150 minutes.

[0012] Preferably, the concentration temperature is 55-65℃, the pressure is 0.06-0.08MPa, and the concentration ratio of the concentrated drug solution is 1:2-1:10.

[0013] Preferably, the clarifying agent is one or more of gelatin, water-soluble chitosan, acid-soluble chitosan, or ZTC1+1 fruit juice clarifying agent.

[0014] Preferably, during clarification, the clarification temperature is 20–60°C, the clarification time is 2–24 h, and the amount of clarifying agent added is 2%–10%.

[0015] Preferably, the excipients are one or more of the following: solubilizers, binders, stabilizers, antioxidants, pH adjusters, or flavoring agents.

[0016] Preferably, the excipient is one or more of xylitol, maltitol, citric acid and β-cyclodextrin.

[0017] This invention provides the application of the plant-based beverage in the preparation of products that improve sleep.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of this application has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0019] 1. This invention uses xylitol and maltitol to replace traditional sucrose, reducing the amount of sucrose added. On the one hand, it can control the energy of the composition, achieving a plant-based beverage with 0 sugar, 0 fat, and 0 calories; on the other hand, it can adjust the flavor of the composition and improve its sensory properties. In addition, xylitol and maltitol do not raise blood sugar and produce fewer acidic byproducts that are corrosive to teeth, thus avoiding health problems such as tooth decay.

[0020] 2. The plant-based beverage of this invention is made from natural, green, and healthy ingredients, mainly containing five plant extracts and rich in various nutrients. It contains no central nervous system sedatives or hypnotic ingredients, and is non-addictive and non-dependent. It is safe for people with poor sleep quality, those with imbalanced Qi and blood, those in a sub-healthy state, and those seeking to reduce sugar and lipids.

[0021] 3. This invention features an innovative formula design. The pharmaceutical composition consists of five medicinal materials: wolfberry, longan pulp, raspberry, Solomon's seal, and walnut kernel. Longan pulp, in particular, benefits the spleen and invigorates intelligence, nourishing the heart and spleen, replenishing qi and blood, and calming the mind. It is the principal ingredient, used to treat weakness, insomnia, forgetfulness, palpitations, and anxiety. Solomon's seal nourishes yin, moistens dryness, relieves irritability, and quenches thirst. It is neither greasy nor cold, and has the function of "tonifying the five internal organs, nourishing qi and blood, gently tonifying and moistening, and also dispelling wind-heat," making it the assistant ingredient. Wolfberry is sweet and neutral, primarily nourishing the liver and kidneys, benefiting essence and improving eyesight, and replenishing blood. Raspberry is sweet and warm, primarily tonifying the middle jiao, calming the five internal organs, nourishing the spirit, and eliminating various diseases. The combination of these two ingredients nourishes the liver and kidneys, replenishes blood, and calms the mind, serving as adjuvant ingredients. Walnut kernel is sweet and warm, entering the kidney, lung, and large intestine meridians, and has the functions of tonifying the kidneys, warming the lungs, and moistening the intestines, serving as the guiding ingredient. Polygonatum odoratum, wolfberry, and raspberry nourish Yin, while walnut kernels tonify Yang. The interaction of Yin and Yang results in a formula that nourishes both Yin and Yang, and regulates both Qi and blood. Combined, this promotes a light and healthy body, and is particularly beneficial for those with poor sleep, addressing imbalances in their constitution and improving their overall health. This invention, through the integration of traditional Chinese medicine theory and the selection of medicinal and edible herbs, establishes a unique formula that nourishes the heart and invigorates Qi, regulating both Qi and blood. This combination provides health benefits such as improved sleep and anxiety relief, with no side effects even with long-term use; the formula is safe and effective.

[0022] The pharmaceutical composition provided by this invention can significantly prolong the sleep time of mice treated with sodium pentobarbital, increase the number of subthreshold dose sleeps in mice, shorten the sleep latency of mice treated with sodium barbital, and increase the content of inhibitory neurotransmitters. It is of great significance for regulating the physiological functions of sub-healthy individuals with poor sleep quality caused by long-term mental stress and work-rest imbalance leading to decreased bodily function. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the preparation process of the plant-based beverage of this invention.

[0024] Figure 2 Effect of extract on pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep time in mice;

[0025] Figure 3 The effect of the extract on the sleep latency of sodium barbital;

[0026] Figure 4 The effect of the extract on GABA content in mouse serum and hypothalamus;

[0027] Figure 5 The effect of the extract on the 5-HT content in mouse serum and hypothalamus. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions provided by the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] A plant-based beverage with sleep-improving effects is prepared as follows:

[0031] (1) Preparation of the drug composition: Take 12g of wolfberry, 12g of longan pulp, 12g of raspberry, 12g of Solomon's seal and 12g of walnut kernel, add 6 times the total weight of the Chinese medicine in purified water and sonicate (ultrasonic power 120W, ultrasonic frequency 40KHz) for 30min, then decoct at 90℃ 3 times for 50min each time, filter through a 200 mesh sieve, and combine the extracts; concentrate at 65℃ and 0.08MPa pressure to a drug concentration ratio of 1:4 to obtain the drug composition;

[0032] (2) Plant beverage preparation process: Add 4% (w / v) clarifying agent (acidic chitosan) and clarify at 50℃ for 2 hours. Then pass through a 200-mesh sieve to remove impurities. Take the supernatant to obtain a clarified beverage extract. Add 3% (w / v) xylitol, 4% (w / v) maltitol, 0.1% (w / v) citric acid and 0.1% (w / v) β-cyclodextrin for preparation and mix well.

[0033] (3) Cool to room temperature (25°C), seal and bottle (preparation flow chart as shown) Figure 1 ).

[0034] Example 2

[0035] A plant-based beverage with sleep-improving effects is prepared as follows:

[0036] (1) Preparation of the drug composition: Take 12g of wolfberry, 12g of longan pulp, 12g of raspberry, 12g of Solomon's seal and 12g of walnut kernel, add 6 times the total weight of the Chinese medicine in purified water and soak it in ultrasonic (ultrasonic power 120W, ultrasonic frequency 40KHz) for 40min. Then, decoct it three times at 90℃ for 50min each time. Filter it through a 200-mesh sieve and combine the extracts. Concentrate it at 65℃ and 0.08MPa pressure to a drug concentration ratio of 1:6 to obtain the drug composition.

[0037] (2) Plant beverage preparation process: Add 6% (w / v) clarifying agent (acidic chitosan) and clarify at 30℃ for 4 hours. Then pass through a 200-mesh sieve to remove impurities. Take the supernatant to obtain a clarified beverage extract. Add 3% (w / v) xylitol, 4% (w / v) maltitol, 0.1% (w / v) citric acid and 0.1% (w / v) β-cyclodextrin for preparation and mix well.

[0038] (3) Cool to room temperature (25°C) and seal in a bottle.

[0039] Example 3

[0040] A plant-based beverage with sleep-improving effects is prepared as follows:

[0041] (1) Preparation of the drug composition: Take 12g of wolfberry, 12g of longan pulp, 12g of raspberry, 12g of Solomon's seal and 12g of walnut kernel, add 6 times the total weight of the Chinese medicine in purified water and sonicate (ultrasonic power 120W, ultrasonic frequency 40KHz) for 50min, then decoct at 90℃ 3 times for 50min each time, filter through a 200 mesh sieve, and combine the extracts; concentrate at 65℃ and 0.08MPa pressure to a drug concentration ratio of 1:8 to obtain the drug composition;

[0042] (2) Plant beverage preparation process: After adding 8% clarifying agent (acidic chitosan) and clarifying at 40℃ for 8 hours, pass through a 200-mesh sieve to remove impurities, take the supernatant to obtain a clarified beverage extract, add 3% (w / v) xylitol, 4% (w / v) maltitol, 0.1% (w / v) citric acid and 0.1% (w / v) β-cyclodextrin for preparation and mix well;

[0043] (3) Cool to room temperature (25°C) and seal in a bottle.

[0044] Example 4

[0045] A plant-based beverage with sleep-improving effects is prepared as follows:

[0046] (1) Preparation of the drug composition: Take 12g of wolfberry, 12g of longan pulp, 12g of raspberry, 12g of Solomon's seal rhizome, and 12g of walnut kernel, add 6 times the total weight of the Chinese medicine in purified water, and soak in ultrasonic (ultrasonic power 120W, ultrasonic frequency 40KHz) for 60min. Then, decoct at 90℃ three times for 50min each time, filter through a 200-mesh sieve, and combine the extracts. Concentrate at 65℃ and 0.08MPa pressure to a drug-liquid concentration ratio of 1:6 to obtain the drug composition.

[0047] (2) Plant beverage preparation process: Add 4% (w / v) clarifying agent (acidic chitosan) and clarify at 40℃ for 4 hours to obtain supernatant. Pass through a 200-mesh sieve to remove impurities and obtain a clarified beverage extract. Add 2% (w / v) xylitol, 3% (w / v) maltitol, 0.05% (w / v) citric acid and 0.05% (w / v) β-cyclodextrin for preparation and mix well.

[0048] (3) Cool to room temperature (25°C) and seal in a bottle.

[0049] Example 5

[0050] A plant-based beverage with sleep-improving effects is prepared as follows:

[0051] (1) Preparation of the drug composition: Take 12g of wolfberry, 12g of longan pulp, 12g of raspberry, 12g of Solomon's seal rhizome, and 12g of walnut kernel, add 6 times the total weight of the Chinese medicine in purified water, and sonicate (ultrasonic power 120W, ultrasonic frequency 40KHz) for 80min. Then, decoct at 90℃ three times for 50min each time, filter through a 200-mesh sieve, and combine the extracts. Concentrate at 65℃ and 0.08MPa pressure to a drug-liquid concentration ratio of 1:6 to obtain the drug composition.

[0052] (2) Plant beverage preparation process: After adding 4% clarifying agent (acidic chitosan) and clarifying at 40℃ for 4 hours, the supernatant is obtained. The supernatant is passed through a 200-mesh sieve to remove impurities and obtain a clarified beverage extract. 4% (w / v) xylitol, 5% (w / v) maltitol, 0.15% (w / v) citric acid and 0.15% (w / v) β-cyclodextrin are added and mixed well.

[0053] (3) Cool to room temperature (25°C) and seal in a bottle.

[0054] Example 6

[0055] Referring to the sensory evaluation criteria of the National Food Safety Standard (GB7101-2022), 10 judges with professional knowledge were invited to score the flavor, taste, color, aroma, and texture of the beverage according to the beverage sensory evaluation criteria. The Delphi method was used to assign weights to the factors affecting the sensory quality of the beverage. A central composite experiment with 4 independent variables (each with 3 levels) was designed using a fuzzy mathematical sensory evaluation system combined with Box-Behnken response surface methodology, and 29 sets of experiments were conducted.

[0056] Table 1 Results of Response Surface Experimental Design and Fuzzy Mathematical Sensory Scoring

[0057]

[0058]

[0059] As shown in Table 1, the optimal formula for the plant-based beverage with sleep-improving effects provided by the present invention is: 3% xylitol, 4% maltitol, 0.1% citric acid, and 0.1% β-cyclodextrin, based on the volume of the extract.

[0060] Example 7: Experiment on the effect of improving sleep.

[0061] The pharmaceutical composition prepared using Example 4 is an extract.

[0062] One hundred and twenty male ICR mice were randomly divided into three groups to conduct subthreshold dose hypnotic experiments, pentobarbital sodium sleep duration prolongation experiments, and pentobarbital sodium sleep latency experiments, respectively. Each group was further randomly divided into four subgroups: a blank control group, a low (4 g / kg) extract group, a medium (8 g / kg) extract group, and a high (16 g / kg) extract group. During the period, the blank control group was administered purified water by gavage at a volume of 0.1 mL / 10 g, while the low, medium, and high extract groups were administered the corresponding dose of extract by gavage once daily for 30 consecutive days. After gavage, various indicators were measured.

[0063] (1) Subthreshold dose hypnotic experiment with sodium pentobarbital

[0064] The experiment was conducted 30 minutes after the last gavage. Following an intraperitoneal injection of sodium pentobarbital solution (30 mg / kg), the number of mice falling asleep within 30 minutes was recorded as the indicator of the disappearance of the righting reflex within 1 minute. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0065] Table 2 Results of Hypnotic Experiments Using Subthreshold Doses of Sodium Pentobarbital

[0066]

[0067] The results in Table 2 show that, compared with the blank control group, all dose groups of the extract can increase the incidence of sleep induced by subthreshold sodium pentobarbital, and the high-dose group can significantly increase the incidence of sleep (P<0.05), which has a synergistic effect with subthreshold sodium pentobarbital on sleep.

[0068] (2) Experiment on prolonging sodium pentobarbital sleep time

[0069] The time from the disappearance to the recovery of the righting reflex was defined as sleep time. The experiment was conducted 30 minutes after the last gavage. Following an intraperitoneal injection of sodium pentobarbital solution (50 mg / kg), the time to sleep onset and wakefulness was recorded, with the disappearance of the righting reflex for 1 minute as the indicator. The sleep time for each mouse was calculated. The results are as follows: Figure 2 As shown.

[0070] Figure 2 The results showed that, compared with the blank control group, the medium-dose group and the high-dose group of the extract significantly prolonged the sleep time of mice with sodium pentobarbital (P<0.05), indicating that within a certain dosage range, the extract and sodium pentobarbital have a synergistic effect and can prolong the sleep time of mice.

[0071] (3) Sodium barbiturate sleep latency test

[0072] Sleep latency was defined as the time from injection of sodium barbital to the mice entering a sleep state. The experiment was conducted 30 minutes after the last gavage. Mice in each group were injected with sodium barbital solution (300 mg / kg), and the disappearance of the righting reflex within 1 minute was used as an indicator to observe the mice's sleep onset. The sleep onset time was recorded, and the sleep latency was calculated. The results are as follows: Figure 3 As shown.

[0073] Figure 3 The results showed that, compared with the blank control group, both the medium and high dose groups of the extract significantly shortened the sleep latency induced by sodium barbital (P<0.05, P<0.01).

[0074] (4) After the behavioral experiment, blood was collected from the eyeballs of mice. 0.5–0.8 mL of ophthalmic artery blood was collected, and the mice were then euthanized. Hypothalamic tissue was rapidly separated on ice and stored at -80°C. After the blood was allowed to stand at 4°C for 2 hours, it was centrifuged (4°C, 3000 r / min, 20 min) to separate the serum for testing. Hypothalamic tissue samples stored at -80°C were homogenized with PBS homogenate at a ratio of 1:9 (mass ratio). After homogenization, the supernatant was collected by centrifugation (4°C, 3000 r / min, 20 min). The 5-HT and GABA levels in mouse serum and hypothalamus were determined according to the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit instructions. The results are as follows: Figure 4 and 5 As shown.

[0075] Figure 4 The results showed that, compared with the blank control group, the extract significantly increased the GABA content in mouse serum and hypothalamus (P<0.05, P<0.01). GABA can act on brain nerve cells, regulate neural activity, keep the brain's nerve center in a relaxed state, effectively relieve mental tension, and improve sleep quality, indicating that the extract of this invention may have the effect of relieving mental tension and improving sleep quality.

[0076] Figure 5 The results showed that, compared with the blank control group, the extract significantly increased the 5-HT content in the hypothalamus of mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Serotonin (5-HT) is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in regulating mood, appetite, and sleep, indicating that the extract of this invention has potential applications in improving sleep and alleviating anxiety.

[0077] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A plant-based beverage with sleep-improving effects, characterized in that, It is mainly made from the following ingredients by weight: 2-15 parts wolfberry, 2-15 parts raspberry, 2-15 parts longan pulp, 2-15 parts Solomon's seal rhizome, and 2-15 parts walnut kernels.

2. The method for preparing the plant-based beverage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process includes the following steps: taking wolfberry, raspberry, longan pulp, Solomon's seal and walnut kernels, soaking them in water using ultrasound, decocting them, separating the solid and liquid, combining the filtrates and concentrating them under reduced pressure to obtain the drug composition, adding a clarifying agent to clarify it, and adding excipients to adjust it to obtain the plant beverage.

3. The method for preparing the plant-based beverage as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The total weight ratio of wolfberry, raspberry, longan pulp, Solomon's seal, and walnut kernels to water is 1:6 to 14.

4. The method for preparing the plant-based beverage as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The ultrasonic immersion time is 20–100 min, the power is 100–140 W, and the frequency is 30–50 kHz; The decocting temperature is 85-95℃, and the number of times is 1-3, with each decocting time being 30-150 minutes.

5. The method for preparing the plant-based beverage as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The concentration temperature is 55-65℃, the pressure is 0.06-0.08MPa, and the concentration ratio of the concentrated drug solution is 1:2-1:

10.

6. The method for preparing the plant-based beverage as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The clarifying agent is one or more of gelatin, water-soluble chitosan, acid-soluble chitosan, or ZTC1+1 fruit juice clarifying agent.

7. The method for preparing the plant-based beverage as described in claim 6, characterized in that, During clarification, the clarification temperature is 20–60℃, the clarification time is 2–24 h, and the amount of clarifying agent added is 2%–10%.

8. The method for preparing the plant-based beverage as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The excipients are one or more of the following: solubilizers, binders, stabilizers, antioxidants, pH adjusters, or flavoring agents.

9. The method for preparing the plant-based beverage as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The excipients are one or more of xylitol, maltitol, citric acid, and β-cyclodextrin.

10. The use of the plant-based beverage of claim 1 or the plant-based beverage prepared by any one of claims 2 to 9 in the preparation of products that improve sleep.

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