Mitochondrial activity enhancer

Abstract

To provide a novel composition that enhances mitochondrial activity.SOLUTION: A mitochondrial activity enhancer comprises, as an active ingredient, an extract from a plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum in the family Lauraceae and / or an extract from a plant belonging to the genus Arctium in the family Asteraceae.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mitochondrial activity enhancer.

Background Art

[0002] Mitochondria play a major role in energy production (ATP production) within cells and are essential for maintaining the healthy functions of cells. However, it is known that the function of mitochondria declines with aging, resulting in a decrease in the energy supply to cells. Such mitochondrial aging is thought to be involved in the decline of cell functions and the progression of aging phenomena.

[0003] An anti-aging agent containing a polysaccharide derived from algae of the genus Arthrospira is known as an active ingredient for enhancing mitochondrial activity (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In view of the above prior art, the present inventor has conducted intensive research to find a novel composition having a mitochondrial activity enhancing effect. As a result, it has been found that an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum of the family Lauraceae and / or an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the family Asteraceae has a mitochondrial activity enhancing effect.

[0006] That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel composition that enhances mitochondrial activity.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention for solving the above problems is a mitochondrial activity enhancer containing an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum of the family Lauraceae and / or an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the family Asteraceae as an active ingredient.

[0008] In a preferred form of the present invention, the extract of the plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum of the family Lauraceae is a cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) extract, and the extract of the plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the family Asteraceae is a burdock (Arctium lappa) extract.

[0009] In a preferred form of the present invention, it enhances mitochondrial activity in one or more cells selected from epidermal keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and tendon cells.

[0010] In a preferred form of the present invention, the present invention is an agent for enhancing proteasome activity.

[0011] In a preferred form of the present invention, the present invention is an agent for improving or preventing symptoms associated with a decrease in mitochondrial activity.

[0012] In a preferred form of the present invention, the symptoms associated with the decrease in mitochondrial activity are aging, deterioration of skin condition, metabolic disorders, muscle disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases.

[0013] In a preferred form of the present invention, the present invention is a topical skin agent.

Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, a novel composition that enhances mitochondrial activity can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] <Mitochondria Activity Enhancer> The present invention relates to a mitochondria activity enhancer containing, as an active ingredient, an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum (Lauraceae) (hereinafter referred to as "the genus Cinnamomum of the Lauraceae family") and / or an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Arctiumu (Asteraceae) (hereinafter referred to as "the genus Arctiumu of the Asteraceae family").

[0017] In the present invention, the "mitochondria activity" includes the activity of the TCA cycle and the electron transport system of mitochondria in cells, the mitochondrial membrane potential generated thereby, and further includes the mitochondrial content in cells.

[0018] Hereinafter, the mitochondria activity enhancer of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0019] ≪Active Ingredient≫ The mitochondria activity enhancer of the present invention contains, as an active ingredient, an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum of the Lauraceae family and / or an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Arctiumu of the Asteraceae family. In the present invention, an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum of the Lauraceae family and an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Arctiumu of the Asteraceae family can also be used in combination.

[0020] As the plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum of the family Lauraceae according to the present invention, Cinnamomum cassia Blume (hereinafter referred to as "Cinnamomum cassia") can be preferably mentioned.

[0021] As the plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the family Asteraceae according to the present invention, Arctium lappa (hereinafter referred to as "Arctium lappa") can be preferably mentioned.

[0022] Regarding the extract of the plant according to the present invention, for the extraction operation, in addition to using the whole herb of the plant part, parts such as the whole plant body, aerial part, rhizome part, trunk part, leaf part, stem part, flower spike, flower bud, etc. can be used, but it is preferable to pulverize or finely cut these in advance to improve the extraction efficiency. As the extraction solvent, water, alcohols such as ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, polyhydric alcohols such as 1,3-butylene glycol, propylene glycol, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and polar solvents such as ethers such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, etc. One or more selected from them can be exemplified as suitable ones. As the extraction solvent, it is preferable to employ water, alcohols or a mixture of water and alcohols.

[0023] As a specific extraction method, for example, with respect to the part used for extraction of the plant body etc. or 1 mass part of its dried substance, 1 to 30 mass parts of the solvent is added, immersed for several days at room temperature or for several hours at a temperature near the boiling point, cooled to room temperature, and then, if desired, the insoluble matter and / or the solvent is removed, and a method of fractionation and purification by column chromatography etc. can be mentioned, but the extraction method is not limited thereto.

[0024] Hereinafter, a description of the preferred form of the extract of the plant according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0025] When obtaining the extract of the plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum of the family Lauraceae according to the present invention, it is preferable to obtain the extract from the bark of the plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum of the family Lauraceae.

[0026] When obtaining an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum of the family Lauraceae according to the present invention, it is preferable to use water as the extraction solvent.

[0027] The extract of a plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum of the family Lauraceae according to the present invention is preferably a cinnamon extract extracted by the above extraction site and the above extraction solvent. Also, a commercially available cinnamon extract can be used for the cinnamon extract according to the present invention.

[0028] When obtaining an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the family Asteraceae according to the present invention, it is preferable to obtain an extract from the root of a plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the family Asteraceae.

[0029] When obtaining an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the family Asteraceae according to the present invention, it is preferable to use water, ethanol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol or a mixture thereof as the extraction solvent.

[0030] The extract of a plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the family Asteraceae according to the present invention is preferably a burdock extract extracted by the above extraction site and the above extraction solvent. Also, a commercially available burdock extract can be used for the burdock extract according to the present invention.

[0031] ≪Use≫ The extract of a plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum of the family Lauraceae and / or the extract of a plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the family Asteraceae can be used for the purpose of enhancing mitochondrial activity. That is, the present invention can be in the form of a mitochondrial activity enhancer containing, as an active ingredient, an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum of the family Lauraceae and / or an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the family Asteraceae. Also, the present invention can be in the form of a composition for enhancing mitochondrial activity containing, as an active ingredient, an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum of the family Lauraceae and / or an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the family Asteraceae.

[0032] Here, the method for detecting whether mitochondrial activity is enhanced is not particularly limited, and a method that can be appropriately selected by those skilled in the art can be used. In the examples described later, detection is performed using a mitochondrial membrane potential detection kit.

[0033] In the present invention, preferably, mitochondrial activity in one or more cells selected from epidermal keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and tendon cells is enhanced.

[0034] In the present invention, more preferably, an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum of the family Lauraceae enhances mitochondrial activity in epidermal keratinocytes and / or fibroblasts.

[0035] In the present invention, more preferably, an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the family Asteraceae enhances mitochondrial activity in tendon cells.

[0036] A decrease in mitochondrial activity is considered to be related to aging, deterioration of skin condition, metabolic disorders, muscle disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the mitochondrial activity enhancer of the present invention can be used for improving or preventing symptoms associated with a decrease in mitochondrial activity. For example, the present invention can be used as a component for improving or preventing aging, deterioration of skin condition, metabolic disorders, muscle disorders, and / or neurodegenerative diseases.

[0037] Here, it is known that the proteasome is activated in an ATP concentration-dependent manner (Nature volume 331: 192 - 194, 1988). Since it is considered that ATP production can be enhanced by enhancing mitochondrial activity, the mitochondrial activity enhancer of the present invention can be used to enhance proteasome activity.

[0038] Moreover, it has been confirmed that the proteasome present in cells is involved in the aging of human cells. For example, the proteasome decomposes proteins deteriorated by ultraviolet rays or reactive oxygen species (cross-linked, glycated or carbonylated proteins), prevents the accumulation of these deteriorated proteins in cells, and is known to contribute to the maintenance and improvement of the functions of skin cells. Therefore, it is considered that the aging of human cells can be improved by using the mitochondrial activity enhancer of the present invention in combination with a proteasome activity enhancer containing a component that enhances proteasome activity. Therefore, the mitochondrial activity enhancer of the present invention is preferably used as an adjuvant for a proteasome activity enhancer in combination with a proteasome activity enhancer containing a component that enhances proteasome activity.

[0039] ≪Dosage and Administration≫ In the present invention, the stock solution of the extract extracted with an arbitrary solvent may be used as it is as the agent according to the present invention, or a solution obtained by diluting the stock solution of the extract to an arbitrary concentration may be used as the agent according to the present invention.

[0040] The mitochondrial activity enhancer of the present invention can be administered to mammals including humans.

[0041] The total content of the extract of the plant belonging to the genus Machilus of the Lauraceae family and / or the extract of the plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the Asteraceae family according to the present invention in the mitochondrial activity enhancer of the present invention is usually 0.001% by mass or more, preferably 0.01% by mass or more, more preferably 0.1% by mass or more, and still more preferably 0.2% by mass or more.

[0042] Moreover, the total content of the extract of the plant belonging to the genus Machilus of the Lauraceae family and / or the extract of the plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the Asteraceae family according to the present invention in the agent according to the present invention is usually 80% by mass or less, preferably 50% by mass or less, more preferably 30% by mass or less, still more preferably 10% by mass or less, and even more preferably 1% by mass or less.

[0043] The agent according to the present invention is preferably in the form of a topical skin preparation. The topical skin preparation can be produced using known methods and equipment as appropriate.

[0044] Examples of the topical skin preparation preferably include cosmetics, quasi-drugs, pharmaceuticals, etc. Since they can be used daily, cosmetics and quasi-drugs are more preferable. Cosmetics can be processed into forms such as lotions, emulsions, gels, creams, ointments, etc. Specifically, examples include skin toners, milky lotions, creams, gels, packs, hair creams, sprays, sun care products, etc. In particular, skin toners, milky lotions, and creams can be preferably exemplified.

[0045] In the topical skin preparation, the total content of the extract of the plant belonging to the genus Pittosporum of the Pittosporaceae family and / or the extract of the plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the Asteraceae family according to the present invention is usually 0.0001% by mass or more, preferably 0.001% by mass or more, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more, and even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more, based on the dry mass.

[0046] Also, in the topical skin preparation, the total content of the extract of the plant belonging to the genus Pittosporum of the Pittosporaceae family and / or the extract of the plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the Asteraceae family according to the present invention is usually 80% by mass or less, preferably 50% by mass or less, more preferably 30% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, and even more preferably 1% by mass or less, based on the dry mass.

[0047] When the present invention is in the form of a topical skin preparation, within a range not impairing the mitochondrial activity enhancing effect, whitening components, wrinkle-improving components, anti-inflammatory components, extracts derived from animals and plants other than the plants belonging to the genus Pittosporum of the Pittosporaceae family and the genus Arctium of the Asteraceae family, and components usually used in cosmetics other than the active ingredients may be blended as optional components. These optional components may be obtained and formulated from commercially available products, or may be formulated from those synthesized by known methods. Further, each optional component may have two or more effects (for example, a whitening effect and a wrinkle-improving effect).

[0048] Further, when the present invention is made into a skin external preparation, it is also preferable that the present invention be in a form with a display of "for enhancing mitochondrial activity".

[0049] The "display" includes all displays having a function of informing consumers of the use. That is, any display that can make consumers recall or analogize the use pertains to the "display", regardless of the purpose of the display, the content of the display, the object or medium to be displayed, etc. Further, the phrase "with the display attached" means that there is a display act of associating the display with a skin external preparation or the like (product) for recognition.

[0050] The display act is preferably one that allows consumers to directly recognize the use. Specifically, examples thereof include the act of describing the use on the product or the packaging of the product according to the present invention, advertisements related to the product, price lists, or transaction documents (including those provided by electromagnetic means).

Examples

[0051] Examples are given below to further describe the present invention in more detail, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited only to such examples.

[0052] In the examples, cinnamon extract and burdock extract were used as plant extracts of plants belonging to the genus Cinnamomum of the family Lauraceae and plants belonging to the genus Arctium of the family Asteraceae, respectively.

[0053] <Test Example> Mitochondrial Activity Test Human epidermal keratinocytes, human fibroblasts, and human tendon cells were each seeded in a black 96-well plate at 1.2×10 4 cells / well, 1.0×104 cells / well and seeded at 1.0×10 4 cells / well, and cultured for 24 hours in an environment of 37°C, 5% CO₂. Twenty-four hours after seeding, cinnamic acid extract was added to the dedicated medium for human epidermal keratinocytes and the dedicated medium for human fibroblasts at a final concentration of 0.2% respectively, and arctium extract was added to the dedicated medium for human tendon cells at a final concentration of 0.2%, and further cultured for 48 hours.

[0054] Thereafter, mitochondrial activity was measured by JC-1 (manufactured by Dojindo Molecular Technologies) staining using a mitochondrial membrane potential detection kit (「JC-1 MitoMP Detection Kit」 manufactured by Dojindo) according to the protocol of the manufacturer. Fluorescence was measured with a fluorescence plate reader (ARVO X4, manufactured by PerkinElmer) using filter pairs of 530 nm / 590 nm and 490 nm / 530 nm. The control was set under the same conditions as above, except that no extract was added and the solvent of each extract was added.

[0055] When mitochondrial activity is high, the membrane potential difference is maintained, the low-molecular-weight fluorescent dye JC-1 aggregates, and fluorescence with a longer wavelength is emitted. When the activity decreases, the membrane potential difference also decreases, JC-1 becomes a monomer, and fluorescence with a shorter wavelength is emitted. Therefore, mitochondrial activity can be measured as the ratio of fluorescence with a longer wavelength measured at 530 nm / 590 nm to fluorescence with a shorter wavelength measured at 490 nm / 530 nm. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3 and Figures 1 to 3 as the ratio of the extract-treated examples to the control.

[0056]

Table 1

[0057]

Table 2

[0058]

Table 3

[0059] As shown in Tables 1 to 3, it was confirmed that the plant extract of the plant belonging to the genus Machilus of the Lauraceae family and the plant extract of the plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the Asteraceae family according to the present invention have a mitochondrial activity enhancing effect.

[0060] In particular, as shown in Tables 1 and 2, it was confirmed that the plant extract of the plant belonging to the genus Machilus of the Lauraceae family according to the present invention enhances the mitochondrial activity of epidermal keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Also, as shown in Table 3, it was confirmed that the plant extract of the plant belonging to the genus Arctium of the Asteraceae family according to the present invention enhances the mitochondrial activity of tendon cells.

Industrial Applicability

[0061] According to the present invention, a composition capable of enhancing mitochondrial activity can be provided.

Claims

1. A mitochondrial activity enhancer comprising an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum (Lauraceae) and / or an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Arctium (Asteraceae) as an active ingredient.

2. The extract of the plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum (Lauraceae) is a cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) extract, The mitochondrial activity enhancer according to claim 1, wherein the extract of the plant belonging to the genus Arctium (Asteraceae) is a greater burdock (Arctium lappa) extract.

3. The mitochondrial activity enhancer according to claim 1 or 2, which enhances mitochondrial activity in one or more cells selected from epidermal keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and tendon cells.

4. The mitochondrial activity enhancer according to claim 1 or 2, for enhancing proteasome activity.

5. The mitochondrial activity enhancer according to claim 1 or 2, for improving or preventing symptoms associated with a decrease in mitochondrial activity.

6. The mitochondrial activity enhancer according to claim 5, wherein the symptoms associated with the decrease in mitochondrial activity are aging, deterioration of skin condition, metabolic disorders, muscle disorders, and / or neurodegenerative diseases.

7. The mitochondrial activity enhancer according to claim 1 or 2, which is a topical skin preparation.

Images