Compositions and methods for weight management

Abstract

Compositions and methods for promoting weight management are taught by the present invention. Preferably, the methods include the step of administering a composition of bio-active compounds further including 4-hydroxyisoleucine and one or more amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, aspartate, threonine, serine, glutamate, proline, glycine, alanine, cysteine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, ornithine, lysine, histidine, and gamma-aminobutyrate. In one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bio-active compounds are extracted from fenugreek seeds. The methods of the present invention preferably include a composition of bio-active compounds with between about 10% and 70% of 4-hydroxyisoleucine and between about 20% and 40% of the amino acids. In presently preferred embodiments of the present invention, methods may work independently of or synergistically with insulin to stimulate the activity of glucose transport receptors located in muscle. More particularly, methods of the present invention may stimulate the activity of glucose transport receptor type 4. In another presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for weight management includes the steps of: (1) performing a weight management analysis on an individual experiencing nutritional and metabolic deficiencies which impact proper metabolism of glucose and carbohydrates; (2) extracting a composition of bio-active compounds from fenugreek; and (3) administering the composition of bio-active compounds from fenugreek in an amount effective to enhance muscle glucose transportation within the body of the individual.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 434,444, filed May 7, 2003, and entitled “FENUGREEK SEED BIO-ACTIVE COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR EXTRACTING SAME,” which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to methods and compositions affecting metabolism, and more particularly, to novel compositions of bio-active components that support metabolism and the transportation of glucose and carbohydrates in animals and humans which are derived from fenugreek seeds and methods for extracting the same.

[0004] 2. The Background Art

[0005] Fenugreek is one of the oldest medicinal herbs and is native to southeastern Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia, but is widely cultivated in other parts of the world. Fenugreek is known technically as Trigonella foenum-graecum, a member of the family Fabaceae, and commonly referred to as Greek hay. As appreciated by those ski...

Examples

example i

Syrian Golden Hamster—15 mg / mL

[0103] A unique, high-potency bio-active extract is prepared from fenugreek seeds according to a presently preferred embodiment of a fenugreek seed preparation process 10 of the present invention. More particularly, a concentration of 15 mg 4-hydroxyisoleucine per mL is prepared from the yield of process 10. This concentration is administered to an in vitro cell line: HIT-T15, a Syrian golden hamster pancreatic islet of Langerhans beta cell and evaluated for changes in the concentration of insulin activity over time.

[0104] Referring now to FIG. 7, a procedure for preparing a cell culture and evaluating the bio-activities of fenugreek extract in cultured pancreatic beta cells from a Syrian golden hamster 140 is illustrated. In one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cell culture 142 from HIT-T15 may be obtained and the cells may be subcultured 144 by removing a growth medium and adding about 4 mL of a solution containing about 0....

example ii

Fenugreek Seed Extract in Syrian Golden Hamsters—60 mg / mL

[0106] As previously described in Example I and as illustrated in FIG. 7, a preparatory procedure 140 was used to culture, harvest, and evaluate pancreatic beta cells from a Syrian golden hamster. Referring now to FIG. 9, a schematic graph illustrates the results from this test. Pancreatic beta cells from a Syrian golden hamster were cultured according to the preparatory procedure 140 and evaluated following exposure to a concentration of the bio-active components of a fenugreek seed extract (e.g., Promilin™) at 60 mg 4-hydroxyisoleucine per mL. As shown, greater concentration of bio-active compounds yielded greater stimulated insulin production. As appreciated by those skilled in the art, and as depicted in the illustration, measurements taken of the insulin activity level in a pancreatic beta cell of a Syrian golden hamster over the course of the experiment indicate that the bio-active components do affect the level of insu...

example iii

Non-Debitterized Fenugreek Seed Extract in Humans—1 mg 4-hydroxyisoleucine / kg

[0108] Generally referring now to FIGS. 10-19, tests were conducted with three healthy male human subjects who had no history of diabetes or carbohydrate metabolism dysfunction. The test included two procedures. For the first procedure the subjects fasted overnight. Blood samples were taken from the subjects for glucose and insulin level measurements at time equal to negative 30 minutes, 0 minutes, 15, 30, 60 minutes, 120 minutes, and 180 minutes. At time equal zero, a solution of 75 gram (g) of glucose in 300 mL water was administered to the subjects. The insulin content of each of theblood samples was measured using Radioimmunassay (RIA) at the School of Pharmacy at University of Montana. The results of the blood sample testing is graphically summarized in FIGS. 10-20 as the “placebo portion” data points. As appreciated by those skilled in the art, this type of test is similar to an oral glucose toleranc...

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 434,444, filed May 7, 2003, and entitled “FENUGREEK SEED BIO-ACTIVE COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR EXTRACTING SAME,” which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to methods and compositions affecting metabolism, and more particularly, to novel compositions of bio-active components that support metabolism and the transportation of glucose and carbohydrates in animals and humans which are derived from fenugreek seeds and methods for extracting the same.

[0004] 2. The Background Art

[0005] Fenugreek is one of the oldest medicinal herbs and is native to southeastern Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia, but is widely cultivated in other parts of the world. Fenugreek is known technically as Trigonella foenum-graecum, a member of the family Fabaceae, and commonly referred to as Greek hay. As appreciated by those ski...

Examples

example i

Syrian Golden Hamster—15 mg / mL

[0103] A unique, high-potency bio-active extract is prepared from fenugreek seeds according to a presently preferred embodiment of a fenugreek seed preparation process 10 of the present invention. More particularly, a concentration of 15 mg 4-hydroxyisoleucine per mL is prepared from the yield of process 10. This concentration is administered to an in vitro cell line: HIT-T15, a Syrian golden hamster pancreatic islet of Langerhans beta cell and evaluated for changes in the concentration of insulin activity over time.

[0104] Referring now to FIG. 7, a procedure for preparing a cell culture and evaluating the bio-activities of fenugreek extract in cultured pancreatic beta cells from a Syrian golden hamster 140 is illustrated. In one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cell culture 142 from HIT-T15 may be obtained and the cells may be subcultured 144 by removing a growth medium and adding about 4 mL of a solution containing about 0....

example ii

Fenugreek Seed Extract in Syrian Golden Hamsters—60 mg / mL

[0106] As previously described in Example I and as illustrated in FIG. 7, a preparatory procedure 140 was used to culture, harvest, and evaluate pancreatic beta cells from a Syrian golden hamster. Referring now to FIG. 9, a schematic graph illustrates the results from this test. Pancreatic beta cells from a Syrian golden hamster were cultured according to the preparatory procedure 140 and evaluated following exposure to a concentration of the bio-active components of a fenugreek seed extract (e.g., Promilin™) at 60 mg 4-hydroxyisoleucine per mL. As shown, greater concentration of bio-active compounds yielded greater stimulated insulin production. As appreciated by those skilled in the art, and as depicted in the illustration, measurements taken of the insulin activity level in a pancreatic beta cell of a Syrian golden hamster over the course of the experiment indicate that the bio-active components do affect the level of insu...

example iii

Non-Debitterized Fenugreek Seed Extract in Humans—1 mg 4-hydroxyisoleucine / kg

[0108] Generally referring now to FIGS. 10-19, tests were conducted with three healthy male human subjects who had no history of diabetes or carbohydrate metabolism dysfunction. The test included two procedures. For the first procedure the subjects fasted overnight. Blood samples were taken from the subjects for glucose and insulin level measurements at time equal to negative 30 minutes, 0 minutes, 15, 30, 60 minutes, 120 minutes, and 180 minutes. At time equal zero, a solution of 75 gram (g) of glucose in 300 mL water was administered to the subjects. The insulin content of each of theblood samples was measured using Radioimmunassay (RIA) at the School of Pharmacy at University of Montana. The results of the blood sample testing is graphically summarized in FIGS. 10-20 as the “placebo portion” data points. As appreciated by those skilled in the art, this type of test is similar to an oral glucose toleranc...

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