Composition for promoting uptake of branched-chain amino acids

Abstract

To provide a composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids.SOLUTION: A composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids contains extracts of plants from the genus Chrysanthemum, family Asteraceae.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids, etc.

Background Art

[0002] Amino acids are essential nutrients for all living organisms including humans. In particular, valine, leucine, and isoleucine, which are branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs: Branched chain amino acids), cannot be synthesized in the human body, so they need to be ingested from foods as nutritionally indispensable essential amino acids.

[0003] In addition to protein metabolism, BCAA has various health promotion effects such as improving liver function, improving the quality of life of cirrhotic patients (Non-Patent Document 1), improving insulin resistance (Non-Patent Document 2), and improving brain function (Non-Patent Document 3), and it has been clarified that it plays a very important role as a nutrient. However, it has been shown that the effects of ingested amino acids decrease with aging (Non-Patent Document 4), and it has been suggested that the ability of cells to take up amino acids, that is, amino acid transporter activity, decreases with aging.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Non-Patent Document 3

Non-Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As described above, branched-chain amino acids have various effects. However, if the ability to take up amino acids into cells decreases, the efficacy of the ingested amino acids cannot be fully obtained.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] As a result of intensive studies in view of the above problems, the present inventors have found that an extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family has an action of promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids into cells.

[0008] That is, the present invention relates to, but is not limited to, the following composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids and the like. 〔1〕A composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids, containing an extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family. 〔2〕The composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids according to the above 〔1〕, wherein the branched-chain amino acid is leucine. 〔3〕The composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids according to the above 〔1〕 or 〔2〕, wherein the extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family is an extract of the flower and / or bud of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family. 〔4〕The composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids according to any one of the above 〔1〕 to 〔3〕, wherein the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family is Chrysanthemum morifolium. 〔5〕The extract is an extract of alcohol or an aqueous alcohol solution, The composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids according to any one of the above 〔1〕 to 〔4〕, wherein the alcohol is at least one selected from the group consisting of ethanol and methanol. 〔6〕The composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids according to any one of the above 〔1〕 to 〔5〕, which is an oral composition.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, a composition for promoting branched-chain amino acid uptake can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] The composition for promoting branched-chain amino acid uptake of the present invention contains an extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae. The composition for promoting branched-chain amino acid uptake of the present invention usually contains an extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae as an active ingredient. The composition for promoting branched-chain amino acid uptake of the present invention may also be referred to as the composition of the present invention hereinafter.

[0012] Examples of plants of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae include Chrysanthemum morifolium, Chrysanthemum indicum, and Chrysanthemum japonense. The plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae may be one species or two or more species. Among them, Chrysanthemum morifolium is preferable as the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae. The composition of the present invention preferably contains an extract of Chrysanthemum morifolium.

[0013] The part of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae is not particularly limited, but flowers, buds, roots, stems, leaves, seeds, or a combination of a plurality of these can be used. By extracting any part of this plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae with a solvent, an extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae can be produced. As the part of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae, flowers, buds, or a combination thereof are preferable. As the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae in the present invention, an extract of the flowers and / or buds of the plant is preferable.

[0014] The extraction method of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum for obtaining the extract is not particularly limited, and it can be obtained by the usual extraction methods used for extracting plant components. The extraction method can be set as appropriate, and the extraction conditions are not particularly limited either. For example, polar solvent extraction, supercritical extraction, etc. can be mentioned. Any one of these may be performed alone, or both of these may be performed, but preferably polar solvent extraction. In the preparation of the extract, the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum as the raw material may be directly subjected to the extraction step, or may be subjected to the extraction step after being pulverized, cut or dried. In the present invention, the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum may be an extract obtained by directly extracting the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum, or may be an extract obtained from the plant after being pulverized, cut or dried.

[0015] When preparing the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum by polar solvent extraction, the polar solvent to be used is not particularly limited. For example, water, alcohol (e.g., methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, 1,3-butylene glycol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, etc.), acetone, acetic acid, ethyl acetate, ether, hexane, etc. can be mentioned. For extraction, only one of these polar solvents may be used, or two or more kinds may be used in combination. Among them, water, alcohol, and alcohol aqueous solution are preferable, and alcohol and alcohol aqueous solution are more preferable. This is because alcohol can efficiently extract the active ingredient. In one aspect, the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the present invention is preferably an extract of the alcohol or alcohol aqueous solution of the plant. As the alcohol, the combined use of ethanol, methanol, ethanol and methanol is preferable, ethanol and methanol are more preferable, and ethanol is even more preferable. In one aspect, the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the present invention is preferably an extract of ethanol, ethanol aqueous solution, methanol or methanol aqueous solution, more preferably an extract of ethanol or ethanol aqueous solution, and even more preferably an extract of ethanol aqueous solution. As the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the present invention, the above-mentioned polar solvent extract can be preferably used.

[0016] When water is used as the extraction solvent, the extraction temperature is preferably 20 to 100 °C, more preferably 80 to 100 °C. The water for extraction is not particularly limited, and tap water, distilled water, mineral water, alkaline ion water, etc. can be used.

[0017] When an aqueous alcohol solution is used as the extraction solvent, the alcohol concentration is preferably 30 to 90% by weight. When two or more kinds of alcohols are contained in the above alcohol concentration, the above alcohol concentration is the total concentration thereof. Further, the extraction temperature is preferably 20 to 95 °C, more preferably 50 to 95 °C. When extracting with an aqueous alcohol solution, it is preferable to repeat the extraction at various concentrations.

[0018] When extracting with a polar solvent, the extraction method is not particularly limited. For example, any method such as continuous extraction, immersion extraction, countercurrent extraction, etc. can be adopted, and any device can be used at room temperature or under reflux heating. When performing extraction by the above method, only one of these may be performed, or two or more of these methods may be combined.

[0019] As a specific method, for example, the extraction raw material (a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the Asteraceae family) is put into a treatment tank filled with the extraction solvent, and the components are eluted while stirring. For example, when water, alcohol or an aqueous alcohol solution is used as the extraction solvent, it is preferable to use a polar solvent in an amount of about 5 to 100 times (weight ratio) of the extraction raw material and perform extraction for about 30 minutes to 5 hours. After eluting the components in the solvent, an extract is obtained by removing the extraction residue (the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum after extraction). The method for removing the extraction residue is not particularly limited, and known separation means such as filtration and centrifugation can be mentioned.

[0020] In the present invention, the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum obtained by extraction can be used directly as the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum. Also, as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired, the extract can be diluted, concentrated or dried by known methods to obtain a diluent, a concentrate or a powder, or it can be prepared in a paste form for use. Examples of the drying method include freeze-drying and spray-drying. Further, for the above-mentioned plant extract, its concentrate, dry powder, etc., within the range not impairing the effects of the present invention, purification may be carried out by methods such as activated carbon treatment, resin adsorption treatment, ion exchange resin, liquid-liquid countercurrent distribution, etc. as needed. The extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the present invention includes various solvent extracts obtained by the above-mentioned extraction methods, diluents thereof, concentrates thereof or dry powders thereof, and purified products thereof. Also, the extract can be diluted or dissolved in a solvent different from the extraction solvent for use. Moreover, extracts of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum are commercially available, and commercially available products can also be used. Examples of commercially available products of the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum include Chrysanthemum Flower Extract-P (product name, Oriza Oil Co., Ltd.).

[0021] In one aspect, as the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the present invention, an extract of ethanol or an aqueous ethanol solution of the plant is preferred, and an extract of an aqueous ethanol solution is more preferred. In one aspect, as the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the present invention, an extract of the flower and / or bud of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum is preferred, and an extract of ethanol or an aqueous ethanol solution of the flower and / or bud of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum is more preferred. As the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the present invention, an extract of ethanol or an aqueous ethanol solution of the flower and / or bud of Chrysanthemum morifolium is even more preferred.

[0022] The composition of the present invention is used to promote the uptake of branched-chain amino acids into cells. Branched-chain amino acids are amino acids having a branched aliphatic side chain. The branched-chain amino acids may be one kind or two or more kinds. In the present invention, the branched-chain amino acids are preferably L-amino acids. Examples of the branched-chain amino acids in the present invention include valine, leucine, and isoleucine, and leucine is preferred. The composition of the present invention can be preferably used to promote the uptake of at least one branched-chain amino acid selected from the group consisting of valine, leucine, and isoleucine, and can be more preferably used to promote the uptake of leucine.

[0023] As shown in the examples described below, the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family has an effect of promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids into cells. The extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family can be used as an active ingredient for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids into cells. The extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family can be used for producing a composition for promoting branched-chain amino acid uptake.

[0024] By promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids into cells, the ingested branched-chain amino acids can be utilized efficiently. The extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family can be used to increase the utilization efficiency of the ingested branched-chain amino acids. Since the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family has an effect of promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids into cells, it is useful for maintaining health.

[0025] Branched-chain amino acids have effects such as improving liver function, improving the quality of life of cirrhosis patients (Non-Patent Document 1 above), improving insulin resistance (Non-Patent Document 2 above), improving brain function (Non-Patent Document 3), and enhancing muscle. In addition, effects such as preventing or improving obesity and suppressing fatigue can also be expected for branched-chain amino acids. By promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids, for example, the above effects of branched-chain amino acids can be fully exerted. In one aspect, the composition of the present invention can enhance the effects of branched-chain amino acids such as improving liver function, improving the quality of life of cirrhosis patients, improving insulin resistance, improving brain function, enhancing muscle, anti-obesity, and suppressing fatigue by promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids. In one aspect, the composition of the present invention can be used to enhance the effects of the ingested branched-chain amino acids. The composition of the present invention can be used for the prevention or improvement of a condition or disease for which a preventive or improvement effect can be expected by promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids. Examples of such a condition or disease include liver dysfunction, diabetes, brain dysfunction, frailty, sarcopenia, obesity, and the like. In the present specification, the prevention of a condition or disease includes preventing the onset of the condition or disease, delaying the onset, reducing the incidence rate, reducing the risk of onset, and the like. The improvement of a condition or disease includes recovering the subject from the condition or disease, reducing the symptoms of the condition or disease, improving the symptoms of the condition or disease, delaying the progression of the condition or disease, preventing it, and the like.

[0026] The composition of the present invention can be applied to either therapeutic use (medical use) or non-therapeutic use (non-medical use). Non-therapeutic means a concept that does not include medical acts, that is, human surgery, treatment, or diagnosis. From the perspective of more fully obtaining the effects of the present invention, the composition of the present invention is preferably an oral composition. Examples of oral compositions include food and beverages, oral pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, and feeds, preferably food and beverages or oral pharmaceuticals, and more preferably food and beverages. The composition of the present invention may itself be a food and beverage, pharmaceutical, quasi-drug, feed, etc. used for promoting branched-chain amino acid uptake, or may be a material or preparation, etc. formulated and used in these. The composition of the present invention can be provided, for example, in the form of an agent, but is not limited to this form. The agent can be provided as the composition itself, or as a composition containing the agent. In one aspect, the composition of the present invention can also be referred to as a branched-chain amino acid uptake promoter.

[0027] In the composition of the present invention, as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired, in addition to the above extract, arbitrary additives and arbitrary components can be contained. These additives and components can be selected, for example, according to the form of the composition, etc., and generally those that can be used in food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, feeds, etc. can be used.

[0028] For example, when the composition of the present invention is a food and beverage, components that can be used in food and beverages (for example, food materials, food additives used as necessary, etc.) can be blended with the extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the Asteraceae family to obtain various food and beverages. The food and beverages are not particularly limited, and examples include general food and beverages, health foods, health drinks, foods with functional claims, foods for specified health uses, health supplements, nutritional supplements, foods for patients, etc. The above health foods, foods with functional claims, foods for specified health uses, health supplements, nutritional supplements, foods for patients, etc. can be in various formulation forms such as fine granules, tablets, granules, powders, capsules, chewables, syrups, liquids, enteral foods, etc. In one aspect, the composition of the present invention can be preferably used, for example, as a nutritional supplement for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids.

[0029] When the composition of the present invention is used as a pharmaceutical or quasi-drug, for example, an extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family can be formulated with a pharmacologically acceptable carrier, additives added as necessary, etc. to obtain pharmaceuticals or quasi-drugs in various dosage forms. Such carriers, additives, etc. may be any pharmacologically acceptable ones that can be used in pharmaceuticals or quasi-drugs. Examples include one or more of excipients, binders, disintegrants, lubricants, antioxidants, colorants, etc. From the viewpoint of more fully obtaining the effects of the present invention, the oral administration form is preferred as the administration form of the pharmaceutical or quasi-drug. When the composition of the present invention is used as a pharmaceutical or quasi-drug, it is preferably an oral pharmaceutical or quasi-drug. Dosage forms for oral administration include solutions, tablets, powders, fine granules, granules, sugar-coated tablets, capsules, suspensions, emulsions, chewable tablets, etc. Pharmaceuticals and quasi-drugs may be for non-human animals.

[0030] When the composition of the present invention is used as a feed, the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family may be formulated in the feed. The feed also includes feed additives. Examples of the feed include livestock feeds for cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, horses, etc.; small animal feeds for rabbits, rats, mice, etc.; pet foods for dogs, cats, birds, etc. When the composition of the present invention is used as a food or drink, a pharmaceutical, a quasi-drug, a feed, etc., its production method is not particularly limited, and it can be produced by a general method.

[0031] The content of the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited and can be set according to its form and the like. The content of the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the composition of the present invention is, for example, preferably 0.0001% by weight or more, more preferably 0.001% by weight or more, still more preferably 0.01% by weight or more, in terms of the weight of the dried product of the extract, and may be 100% by weight or less, preferably 50% by weight or less, more preferably 30% by weight or less, still more preferably 10% by weight or less. In one aspect, the content of the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the composition of the present invention may be, for example, 0.0001 to 100% by weight, preferably 0.0001 to 50% by weight, more preferably 0.001 to 30% by weight, still more preferably 0.01 to 10% by weight, in terms of the weight of the dried product of the extract. In one aspect, when the composition of the present invention is used as a food or drink, a pharmaceutical, a quasi-drug, a feed, etc., it is preferable that the content of the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum is within the above range.

[0032] The composition of the present invention can be ingested or administered by an appropriate method according to its form. From the viewpoint of obtaining the effects of the present invention more fully, the composition of the present invention is preferably ingested orally (oral administration). The dosage (which can also be referred to as the intake amount) of the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, and any amount can be used as long as it can obtain the effect of promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids, and it can be appropriately set according to the dosage form, the administration method, the weight of the subject, and the like.

[0033] In one aspect, when the composition of the present invention is orally ingested or administered to humans (adults), the dosage of the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum is preferably 5 to 200 mg, more preferably 10 to 150 mg, per day, in terms of the weight of the dried product of the extract. It is preferable to ingest or administer the above amount once a day or divided into several times (for example, 2 to 3 times). In one aspect, in the case of humans (adults), it is preferable to ingest or administer the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family in an amount of the above per 60 kg of body weight per day. In one aspect of the present invention, the composition of the present invention may be an oral composition for causing a human to ingest or administer an extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family in the above amount per day.

[0034] In one aspect, it is preferable that the composition of the present invention has a content of the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family of 5 to 200 mg in terms of the weight of the dried product of the extract per adult daily dose, and more preferably 10 to 150 mg.

[0035] In addition to the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family, the composition of the present invention may contain one or more branched-chain amino acids. When a composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids contains branched-chain amino acids, the physiological activity of the amino acids can be fully exerted. The branched-chain amino acids and their preferred aspects are as described above, and leucine is preferred. Branched-chain amino acids can be contained in the composition using the amino acids themselves. In addition, proteins, peptides, etc. containing branched-chain amino acids can also be contained in the composition. Examples of the protein or peptide include, for example, animal proteins such as whey protein and casein; plant proteins such as soybeans; and degradation products of the above proteins.

[0036] When the composition of the present invention contains branched-chain amino acids, the content thereof is not particularly limited and can be appropriately set according to the form of the composition, the physiological activity of the desired branched-chain amino acids, and the like. The intake amount of branched-chain amino acids per adult per day may be, for example, 0.1 to 100 g, preferably 1 to 50 g. In one aspect, the composition of the present invention may contain 0.1 to 100 g of branched-chain amino acids, preferably 1 to 50 g, in the daily dose for an adult. In one aspect, the composition of the present invention preferably contains 0.1 to 100 g, more preferably 1 to 50 g, of branched-chain amino acids in the dose of the composition per 60 kg of body weight per adult per day.

[0037] When the composition of the present invention contains branched-chain amino acids, the content thereof may be, for example, 0.01 to 99.99% by weight in the composition. When two or more branched-chain amino acids are contained, the above content is the total content thereof.

[0038] The subject to which the composition of the present invention is administered (which may also be referred to as the administration subject) is not particularly limited. The administration subject is preferably a human or non-human mammal, more preferably a human. Examples of the administration subject in the present invention include subjects that require or desire to promote the uptake of branched-chain amino acids. In addition, examples of the administration subject include subjects that require or desire to prevent or improve a condition or disease for which a preventive or ameliorating effect can be expected by promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids. In one aspect, examples of the administration subject include subjects that require or desire to improve liver function, improve insulin resistance, improve brain function, enhance muscle, prevent or improve obesity, suppress fatigue, and the like.

[0039] The composition of the present invention can be used for subjects of a wide range of ages. Preferably, the composition of the present invention is administered to adults (e.g., 18 years old or older). In one aspect, middle-aged and elderly individuals are preferred as the subjects for administration in the present invention. Middle-aged and elderly individuals include the elderly. Among middle-aged and elderly individuals, the elderly are preferred as the subjects. In the present invention, middle-aged and elderly individuals may be, for example, humans 40 years old or older. The elderly may be, for example, humans 60 years old or older. In one aspect, the composition of the present invention is preferably used as a composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids for middle-aged and elderly individuals. In one aspect, as the subject for administration of the composition of the present invention, for example, humans aged 40 to 80 years are preferred. More preferably, as the subject for administration of the composition of the present invention, humans aged 60 to 80 years are preferred. In one aspect, the subject for administration of the composition of the present invention may be a healthy subject, and healthy middle-aged and elderly individuals are preferred. The composition of the present invention can also be used for healthy subjects for the purpose of, for example, improving liver function, preventing insulin resistance, improving brain function, enhancing muscles, preventing obesity, suppressing fatigue, etc.

[0040] The composition of the present invention may be used in combination with branched-chain amino acids. For example, by ingesting branched-chain amino acids simultaneously with the composition of the present invention, or by ingesting branched-chain amino acids before or after ingesting the composition of the present invention, the uptake of branched-chain amino acids can be more effectively promoted. In one aspect, the composition of the present invention is preferably ingested simultaneously with branched-chain amino acids, or within 1 hour before to 1 hour after the ingestion of branched-chain amino acids, and more preferably ingested simultaneously with branched-chain amino acids. For example, a kit containing the composition of the present invention and branched-chain amino acids is also included in the present invention. Branched-chain amino acids may be contained in a protein or peptide containing the same as described above.

[0041] The present invention also includes the following methods and uses. A method for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids, which comprises administering an extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae. Use of an extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids. The above method may be a therapeutic method or a non-therapeutic method. The above use may be a therapeutic use or a non-therapeutic use. The branched-chain amino acids and their preferred embodiments are the same as the branched-chain amino acid uptake-promoting composition of the present invention described above. As the branched-chain amino acid, leucine is preferred. The extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum can be used to promote the uptake of branched-chain amino acids into cells in a subject. In one embodiment, the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum can be used to increase the utilization efficiency of branched-chain amino acids, etc., and can be preferably used, for example, as a dietary supplement used for such purposes.

[0042] In the above method and use, the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum, its preferred embodiments, etc. are the same as the composition of the present invention described above. The extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum is preferably an extract of the flowers and / or buds of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum. The plant of the genus Chrysanthemum is preferably Chrysanthemum morifolium. Also, the extract is preferably an extract of the above-mentioned alcohol or aqueous alcohol solution. In one embodiment, the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum can be used to enhance the effects such as improvement of liver function, improvement of brain function, anti-obesity, and suppression of fatigue by promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids.

[0043] In the above method and use, an extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family in an amount capable of obtaining a branched-chain amino acid uptake promoting effect (which may also be referred to as an effective amount) may be used. The preferred dosage, administration target, etc. of the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family are the same as those of the composition of the present invention described above. In the above method and use, it is preferable to allow the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family to be ingested or administered to the subject one or more times a day, for example, once to several times a day (for example, 2 to 3 times). The extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family is preferably orally ingested. The above use is preferably for use in humans or non-human mammals, more preferably for use in humans. The extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family may be ingested or administered as it is, or may be ingested or administered as a composition containing other components such as branched-chain amino acids. For example, the composition of the present invention may be ingested or administered. In the above method, it is preferable to administer the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family and branched-chain amino acids.

[0044] The extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family can be used for the production of foods and drinks, pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, feeds, etc. used for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids. In one aspect, the present invention also includes the use of an extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family for producing a composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids. The present invention also includes an extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family used for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids. The extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family, the composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids, and their preferred embodiments are the same as those of the composition for promoting the uptake of branched-chain amino acids of the present invention described above.

[0045] In this specification, a numerical range represented by a lower limit value and an upper limit value, that is, "lower limit value to upper limit value", includes those lower limit values and upper limit values. For example, the range represented by "1 to 2" means 1 or more and 2 or less, and includes 1 and 2. In this specification, the upper limit and the lower limit may be in any combination as a range. All of the academic documents and patent documents described in this specification are incorporated herein by reference.

Examples

[0046] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples, but this does not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0047] <Example 1> The effect of an extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum (Asteraceae) on the uptake of branched-chain amino acids into cells was evaluated. As the extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum (Asteraceae), Chrysanthemum flower extract-P (product name) of NOF Corporation was used. Chrysanthemum flower extract-P (product name) is a powder obtained by extracting from the buds or flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium, a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum (Asteraceae), with an aqueous ethanol solution. Chrysanthemum flower extract-P (product name) is hereinafter referred to as chrysanthemum extract.

[0048] The mouse myoblast cell line C2C12 (cell number: RCB0987) was purchased from Riken CELL BANK and used after subculture. All cells used in this experiment were undifferentiated cells without differentiation induction treatment. When subculturing C2C12 cells, they were seeded in a 10 cm dish and cultured in 500 mL of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM, containing 1.0 g / L glucose, L-glutamine, pyruvate, liquid: Nacalai Tesque, Inc.) supplemented with 50 mL of fetal bovine serum (FBS), sodium pyruvate, streptomycin sulfate, and penicillin G in a 37 °C, 5% CO2 incubator.

[0049] At the time of evaluation, 5.0×10 4 C2C12 cells were seeded in a 24-well plate and cultured in a 37 °C, 5% CO2 incubator. They were cultured in a medium containing chrysanthemum extract for 24 hours immediately before the evaluation of uptake (transport) activity. Control cells were cultured in a medium not containing chrysanthemum extract.

[0050] The medium containing chrysanthemum extract was prepared by the following method. The chrysanthemum extract was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to prepare a 100 mg / mL solution. This DMSO solution of the chrysanthemum extract was added to the medium at 0.1% by weight to obtain a medium containing chrysanthemum extract (final concentration of chrysanthemum extract: 0.1 mg / mL). DMSO was added to the control medium at 0.1% by weight.

[0051] After the above 24-hour culture, the medium of the cells in the well was aspirated and removed, and the cells were washed three times with an extracellular fluid buffer (ECF buffer) pre-warmed to 37°C in a warm bath. Then, 3 L-[4,5- 3 H(N)]-leucine ( 3 H]L-leucine, PerkinElmer) was added to the ECF buffer containing it to initiate uptake. After 2 minutes, the ECF buffer containing TM H]L-leucine was quickly aspirated and removed, and the cells were washed three times with the ECF buffer cooled on ice. 1N sodium hydroxide solution was added to each well, and the cells were left overnight to be completely lysed, neutralized with 5N hydrochloric acid, and used as a sample for measurement. The measurement of intracellular radioactivity was performed using a liquid scintillation counter, and the protein amount of the cells was quantified using the Pierce 3 BCA Protein Assay Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific). The higher the amount of

[0052] H]L-leucine incorporated into the cells, the stronger the intracellular radioactivity. 3 The uptake activity (transport activity) of branched-chain amino acids was evaluated by the Cell / Medium ratio (C / M ratio, (intracellular radioactivity per protein mass) / (radioactivity in the buffer)), which was obtained by dividing the intracellular radioactivity per protein mass by the radioactivity in the buffer. The larger the C / M ratio, the

[0053] Figure 1 is a graph showing the results of examining the uptake amount of branched-chain amino acids into cells. The results are shown as the ratio (ratio to the control) when the control Cell / Medium ratio (C / M ratio) is set to 1 (mean ± standard error, N = 5 - 6). In Figure 1, the chrysanthemum extract indicates cells to which a DMSO solution of the chrysanthemum extract was added at 0.1% by weight (final concentration of the chrysanthemum extract in the medium: 0.1 mg / mL). The L-leucine uptake activity of the cells to which the chrysanthemum extract was added was significantly higher compared to the control (p < 0.05, relative to the control).

[0054] As described above, a medium containing an extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family was prepared, and C2C12 cells were cultured for 24 hours. For the cells after the culture, the 3 intracellular uptake amount of [³H]L-leucine was evaluated for 2 minutes. As a result, as shown in Figure 1, it was shown that the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family has a significant activity of promoting the uptake of L-leucine. The branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine are taken into cells by amino acid transporters. It is presumed that the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family has an effect of increasing the transport activity of the amino acid transporter that takes branched-chain amino acids into cells. From the above results, it was shown that the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family promotes the uptake of branched-chain amino acids.

Claims

**Claim 1** A composition for promoting branched-chain amino acid uptake, containing an extract of a plant of the genus Chrysanthemum (Asteraceae). **Claim 2** The composition for promoting branched-chain amino acid uptake according to Claim 1, wherein the branched-chain amino acid is leucine. **Claim 3** The composition for promoting branched-chain amino acid uptake according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the extract of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum (Asteraceae) is an extract of the flower and / or bud of the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum (Asteraceae). **Claim 4** The composition for promoting branched-chain amino acid uptake according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the plant of the genus Chrysanthemum (Asteraceae) is Chrysanthemum morifolium. **Claim 5** The extract is an extract of alcohol or an aqueous alcohol solution, The composition for promoting branched-chain amino acid uptake according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the alcohol is at least one selected from the group consisting of ethanol and methanol. **Claim 6** The composition for promoting branched-chain amino acid uptake according to Claim 1 or 2, which is an oral composition.

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