Lung age improver

Abstract

To provide a new Chinese herbal medicine to lower a lung age.SOLUTION: A seihai-to extract is effective as an active ingredient of a lung age improver and can be taken by a person to get younger in his / her lung age.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an agent for improving lung age.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, as the number of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been increasing, an index called "lung age" proposed by the Japanese Respiratory Society has attracted attention in order to point out smoking, which is a risk factor for the onset of COPD, and to support smoking cessation.

[0003] The larger the value obtained by subtracting the actual age from the lung age, the lower the lung function. The first factor that increases the value obtained by subtracting the actual age from the lung age is smoking. On the other hand, there are also quite a few non-smokers whose lung age exceeds their actual age. As factors, in the case of men, the weight gain since the age of 20 is 7.1 kg or more or they do not exercise so as to sweat for 1 hour or more per week, and in the case of women, they do not walk for 1 hour or more per day (Non-Patent Document 1).

[0004] In addition, comparative studies have been conducted on the lung age of the normal group and the group suspected of having COPD (group with airflow limitation) by age and smoking status (non-smoking group, smoking cessation group, smoking group). Regardless of non-smoking, smoking cessation, or smoking, in the group with airflow limitation, the difference obtained by subtracting the actual age from the lung age is large, and the older the age group, the smaller the difference corresponding to the group with airflow limitation. That is, even if the difference is relatively small, the risk of COPD increases (Non-Patent Document 2).

[0005] [[ID=2I]] Incidentally, traditional Chinese medicine has a treatment concept called "tonifying agents," which does not exist in Western medicine. Tonifying agents are considered useful for maintaining overall health by replenishing qi and blood. In particular, the ginseng-based formulas Hochu-ekki-to, Juzen-taiho-to, and Renjin-yoei-to are thought to be effective against respiratory diseases. There are reports describing their respective effectiveness against COPD cases based on their immunostimulatory effects (Non-Patent Documents 3 and 4), and reports that Renjin-yoei-to was effective against respiratory infections (Non-Patent Documents 5 and 6). Thus, Renjin-yoei-to, in particular, has attracted attention due to its relationship with lung function. For this reason, clinically, Renjin-yoei-to is applied to people whose lung age is older than their actual age (Non-Patent Document 7). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Literature 1] "Characteristics of Lifestyle Habits that Worsen Lung Age in Non-Smokers," Human Dock Vol. 26, No. 1 2011 87-93 [Non-Patent Literature 2] "On Smoking and Lung Age," Journal of Smoking Cessation Science, Vol. 7 (2013)-13-P2 [Non-Patent Literature 3] "Clinical Efficacy of Three Major Ginseng-Based Herbal Medicines in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease," Kampo Medicine 40: 172-176, 2016 [Non-Patent Literature 4] "Prevention of Secondary Infections in COPD with Herbal Tonics," Kampo and Immunology / Allergy 20: 100-109, 2006 [Non-Patent Literature 5] "A Case of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in which Concomitant Use of Ninjin'yoeito was Effective," Kampo Medicine 12(9): 4, 1993 [Non-Patent Literature 6] "A Case of Atypical Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease Treated Effectively with Ninjin'yoei-to," Modern Oriental Medicine (Supplementary Edition) 15: 108-109. 1994 [Non-Patent Literature 7] Masanori Niimi, "What are some herbal medicines that can rejuvenate the lung age? [Explained by a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine]", [online], March 23, 2019, [Retrieved December 2, 2020], Internet<URL:https: / / kampo.jp / kampo119 / kampo-medicine-rejuvenating-lung-age / > [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Until now, traditional Chinese medicine aimed at improving lung function has mainly been applied to the elderly. However, in order to extend healthy life expectancy as much as possible in an aging society, it is desirable that lung age rejuvenation be applied to younger generations as well. Furthermore, given the recent increase in health consciousness, there is a demand not only to rejuvenate lung age, which is higher than chronological age, to bring it closer to chronological age, but also to further rejuvenate lung age, even if it is younger than chronological age. Therefore, a new option is desired for traditional Chinese medicine to rejuvenate lung age for a wider range of people.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a new herbal medicine for rejuvenating lung age. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The inventors, through diligent research, discovered that the Qingfei Tang extract can rejuvenate the lungs. This invention was completed by further research based on this finding.

[0010] In other words, the present invention provides inventions in the following embodiments. Item 1. A lung age-improving agent containing Seihaito extract. Item 2. A lung age-improving agent as described in Item 1, applicable to individuals aged 40 and over. Item 3. A lung age-improving agent as described in Item 1 or 2, applicable to non-smokers. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, a new herbal medicine for rejuvenating lung age is provided. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The lung age-improving agent of the present invention is characterized by containing Seihaito extract. The lung age-improving agent of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0013] Active ingredients The lung age-improving agent of the present invention contains Seihaito extract as an active ingredient. Seihaito is a mixed herbal medicine containing scutellaria baicalensis, platycodon grandiflorus, mulberry bark, apricot kernel, gardenia fruit, rhizome, fritillary bud, citrus peel, jujube, bamboo leucocephala, poria sclerotium, angelica tree, Ophiopogon japonicus, schisandra chinensis, ginger rhizome, and licorice. The specifications and parts of use of these herbal medicines are defined in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia and the Japanese Pharmaceutical Standards for Non-Pharmacopoeia Drugs. The preparation of Seihaito that can be used in the present invention can be carried out in accordance with the "Guide to General Use Kampo Prescriptions" (supervised by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, edited by the Kampo Expert Committee of the Japan Pharmaceutical Association, published by Yakugyo Jiho Co., Ltd.) or the "Revised Guide to General Use Kampo Prescriptions" (supervised by the Japan Official Compendium of Herbal Medicines, edited by the Japan Kampo Herbal Medicine Association, published by Jiho Co., Ltd.).

[0014] There are no particular restrictions on the mixing ratio of each herbal medicine contained in Seihaito, but typically, by weight, it is 2-2.5 parts scutellaria baicalensis, 2-2.5 parts platycodon grandiflorus, 2-2.5 parts mulberry bark, 2-2.5 parts apricot kernel, 2-2.5 parts gardenia fruit, 2-2.5 parts angelica tree, 2-2.5 parts fritillary rhizome, 2-2.5 parts citrus peel, 2-2.5 parts jujube, 2-2.5 parts bamboo leucocephala, 3 parts cinnamon bark, 3 parts Ophiopogon japonicus, 0.5-1 part schisandra berry, 0.5-1 part ginger, and 1 part licorice.

[0015] A suitable example of a crude drug formulation used in the production of the Seihaito extract used in the present invention is, by weight ratio, Scutellaria baicalensis 2, Platycodon grandiflorus 2, Morus alba bark 2, Apricot kernel 2, Gardenia fruit 2, Angelica acutiloba 2, Fritillaria thunbergii 2, Citrus unshiu peel 2, Ziziphus jujuba 2, Buxus microphylla 2, Poria cocos 3, Angelica acutiloba 3, Ophiopogon japonicus 3, Schisandra chinensis 0.5, Zingiber officinale 0.5, and Licorice root 1.

[0016] The form of the Seihaito extract may be either a liquid extract such as a fluid extract or a soft extract, or a solid dried extract powder.

[0017] The liquid extract of Seihaito can be obtained by extracting a mixture of crude drugs according to the formula for Seihaito and concentrating the resulting extract as needed. The extraction solvent used in the extraction process is not particularly limited, but water or aqueous ethanol is preferred. The dried extract powder of Seihaito can be obtained by drying the liquid extract. The drying method is not particularly limited, but examples include spray drying and adding a suitable adsorbent (e.g., anhydrous silicic acid, starch, etc.) to a concentrated soft extract to form an adsorbent powder.

[0018] In the present invention, the extract used as the Seihaito extract may be the extract prepared by the method described above, or a commercially available extract may be used. For example, as a dried extract of Seihaito extract, "Seihaito Dried Extract-S" (Nippon Funka Yakuhin Co., Ltd.) is a known product and can be obtained commercially.

[0019] In the lung age improving agent of the present invention, the content of Qingfei Tang extract is not particularly limited as long as it achieves the effects of the present invention. For example, the amount of Qingfei Tang extract in terms of dry extract powder is usually 10 to 100% by weight, preferably 20 to 90% by weight, more preferably 40 to 80% by weight, and even more preferably 60 to 70% by weight. In the present invention, the amount of Qingfei Tang extract in terms of dry extract powder refers to the amount of the dry extract powder itself when using Qingfei Tang extract, and the amount converted to the remaining amount after removing the solvent when using the liquid extract of Qingfei Tang. Furthermore, if the dry extract powder of Qingfei Tang contains additives such as adsorbents added during manufacturing, the amount refers to the amount excluding such additives.

[0020] Other ingredients In addition to the above components, the lung age improver of the present invention may contain other nutritional components and pharmacological components according to its intended use. Such additives and bases are not particularly limited as long as they are pharmaceutically acceptable. Examples include excipients, binders, disintegrants, lubricants, isotonic agents, plasticizers, dispersants, emulsifiers, solubilizers, wetting agents, stabilizers, suspending agents, adhesives, coating agents, gloss agents, water, fats and oils, waxes, hydrocarbons, fatty acids, higher alcohols, esters, water-soluble polymers, surfactants, metal soaps, lower alcohols, polyhydric alcohols, pH adjusters, buffers, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, preservatives, flavoring agents, fragrances, powders, thickeners, pigments, chelating agents, etc. These additives may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Also, the contents of these additives and bases are appropriately set according to the types of additives and bases used, the dosage form of the lung age improver, and the like.

[0021] In addition to the extract of Qingfei Decoction, the lung age improver of the present invention may contain other nutritional components and pharmacological components as needed. Such nutritional components and pharmacological components are not particularly limited as long as they are pharmaceutically acceptable. Examples include antacids, stomachics, digestive agents, intestinal regulators, antispasmodics, mucosal repair agents, anti-inflammatory agents, astringents, antiemetics, antitussives, expectorants, anti-inflammatory enzyme agents, sedative hypnotics, antihistamines, caffeine compounds, cardiotonic diuretics, antibacterial agents, vasoconstrictors, vasodilators, local anesthetics, extracts of crude drugs, vitamins, menthols, etc. These nutritional components and pharmacological components may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Also, the contents of these components are appropriately set according to the types of components used and the like.

[0022] Formulation Regarding the dosage form of the lung age improving agent of the present invention, there is no particular limitation as long as oral administration is possible. For example, solid preparations such as powders, fine granules, granules, tablets, troches, chewable tablets, capsules (soft capsules, hard capsules), pills, etc.; semi-solid preparations such as jelly preparations; liquid preparations such as liquids, suspensions, syrups, etc. are mentioned. Preferably, solid preparations are mentioned, and more preferably, granules or tablets are mentioned.

[0023] Manufacturing method The manufacturing method of the lung age improving agent of the present invention may be formulated according to the usual formulation methods employed in the pharmaceutical field using the above crude drug components.

[0024] Purpose The lung age improving agent of the present invention is used for the purpose of rejuvenating the lung age. Lung age is an index widely used as a measure to confirm the degree of respiratory function compared to a standard person from the amount of breath exhaled in one second (one-second volume).

[0025] Since the lung age improving agent of the present invention is excellent in the effect of rejuvenating the lung age, examples of its application targets include people whose lung age exceeds their actual age. The difference obtained by subtracting the actual age from the lung age is not particularly limited, but for example, it is 3 years or more, preferably 10 years or more, more preferably 15 years or more. The upper limit of the difference obtained by subtracting the actual age from the lung age is, for example, 25 years or less, preferably 20 years or less. Since the lung age improving agent of the present invention is effective even for people with a relatively small difference, the upper limit of the difference may be smaller, 15 years or less, 10 years or less, or 5 years or less.

[0026] [[ID=*19]] The lung age improving agent of the present invention can further rejuvenate the lung age even for people whose lung age is less than their actual age. Therefore, examples of the application targets of the lung age improving agent of the present invention also include people whose lung age is less than their actual age.

[0027] The target age for application of the lung age-improving agent of the present invention is not particularly limited, but preferably 40 years of age or older, and more preferably 50 years of age or older. There is no particular upper limit to this age, but since it is desirable for lung function care to be carried out in a younger generation, and because the lung age-improving agent of the present invention is also effective in a relatively younger generation, for example, those under 60 years of age or under 50 years of age are included.

[0028] Furthermore, the lung age improving agent of the present invention may be applied to smokers, people who have quit smoking (people with a history of habitual smoking), and non-smokers, but is preferably applied to smokers and people who have quit smoking, more preferably smokers. [Examples]

[0029] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0030] Preparation of a lung age improvement agent In terms of dry weight, 2 parts by weight of Scutellaria baicalensis, 2 parts by weight of Platycodon grandiflorus, 2 parts by weight of Mulberry bark, 2 parts by weight of Apricot kernel, 2 parts by weight of Gardenia fruit, 2 parts by weight of Angelica acutiloba, 2 parts by weight of Fritillaria thunbergii, 2 parts by weight of Citrus unshiu peel, 2 parts by weight of Jujube, 2 parts by weight of Bitter orange, 3 parts by weight of Poria cocos, 3 parts by weight of Angelica acutiloba, A mixture of 3 parts by weight of *Cucumber*, 0.5 parts by weight of *Schisandra*, 0.5 parts by weight of *Ginger*, and 1 part by weight of *Licorice* was prepared. This mixture was then extracted at approximately 95°C for 1 hour using five times the amount of water (dry weight of the raw materials), and the extract was obtained by centrifugation. The resulting extract was filtered (150 mesh) to obtain the Qingfei Tang extract. The obtained Qingfei Tang extract was concentrated under reduced pressure at 60°C or below according to a conventional method, dried using a spray-drying method to prepare the Qingfei Tang extract powder, and then granulated to prepare granules.

[0031] Six men and women were given the above-mentioned lung age-improving agent for two weeks, and their lung age was measured before and after administration. Lung age was measured using a pulmonary function test (spirometry, also known as a vital capacity test) to determine each person's respiratory function (expiratory volume in the first second after forceful exhalation (FEV1.0)), and calculated using the following formula based on each person's height and the values ​​from the pulmonary function test. The results are shown in Table 1. Male: Lung age = (0.036 × height (cm) - 1.178 - FEV1.0) / 0.028 Female: Lung age = (0.022 × height (cm) - 0.005 - FEV1.0) / 0.022

[0032] [Table 1]

[0033] As is clear from Table 1, the six subjects included smokers, non-smokers, and non-smokers, as well as those whose lung age was higher than their chronological age and those whose lung age was lower than their chronological age. There was also considerable variation in the difference between lung age and chronological age. However, all six subjects showed improvement in lung age, with an average reduction of 4.3 years in lung age. When comparing smokers with smokers and non-smokers within the 40s and 50s age groups, a higher improvement in lung age was observed in the 50s age group. Considering that the risk of COPD is known to increase with age even if the difference between lung age and chronological age is relatively small, the improvement in lung age in the 50s age group shown in Table 1 can be considered to be a high effect that substantially exceeds the value of the difference.

Claims

1. A lung age-improving agent containing Seifei Tang extract.

2. The lung age improving agent according to claim 1, which is applied to people aged 40 or over.

3. The lung age improving agent according to claim 1 or 2, which is applied to non-smokers.