Blood sugar level suppressants and intestinal regulators

Abstract

To provide a blood glucose-lowering agent with dramatically improved blood glucose-lowering effects, and an intestinal regulator with dramatically improved intestinal regulating effects. [Solution] A blood glucose level rise suppressant and intestinal regulator characterized by comprising a processed barley product and a processed product of at least one plant material selected from the group consisting of hops, mulberry, chlorella, kale, long-life grass, sweet potato, terminalia, turmeric, ginger, soybean, salacia, gymnema, guava, and Eucommia ulmoides.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a blood glucose level elevation inhibitor and an intestinal regulator, and more particularly, to a blood glucose level elevation inhibitor and an intestinal regulator containing a processed barley product and a processed specific plant material as active ingredients.

Background Art

[0002] As those pursuing the functions of processed barley products, for example, there are a collagen absorption promoter containing young barley leaves (see Patent Document 1) and a gene expression promoter of SOD (superoxide dismutase) containing young barley leaves as an active ingredient (see Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a blood glucose level elevation inhibitor having a dramatically improved blood glucose level elevation inhibitory action containing a processed barley product and an intestinal regulator having a dramatically improved intestinal regulating action.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Dietary fiber is considered to be effective in suppressing a rapid increase in blood glucose level after a meal. The inventors of the present invention focused on plant materials rich in dietary fiber, and first selected young barley leaves, young rice leaves, young wheat leaves, and cabbage as the main materials of the plant materials, and investigated the effect of the combination with hop leaves on the blood glucose level elevation inhibitory action. As a result, the best effect was shown when young barley leaves were used.

[0006] Therefore, the inventors diligently investigated and researched the effect of combining young barley leaves with other plant materials on suppressing blood glucose elevation, and found that combining specific plant materials with processed barley can dramatically improve the effect of suppressing blood glucose elevation. Specifically, they found that even if a plant material has little to no effect on suppressing blood glucose elevation, or has such an effect, combining it with processed barley can dramatically improve its effect compared to processed barley alone. At the same time, they also found that combining plant materials with little to no intestinal regulating effect with processed barley can dramatically improve the intestinal regulating effect compared to processed barley alone.

[0007] In other words, the present invention relates to a blood glucose level rise inhibitor characterized by comprising a processed barley product and a processed product of at least one plant material selected from the group consisting of terminalia, hops, mulberry, chlorella, kale, long-life grass, sweet potato, turmeric, ginger, soybean, salacia, gymnema, guava, and eucommia.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an intestinal regulator characterized by comprising a processed barley product and a processed product of at least one plant material selected from the group consisting of Terminalia, hops, mulberry, chlorella, kale, long-life grass, sweet potato, turmeric, ginger, soybean, Salacia, Gymnema, guava, and Eucommia ulmoides.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a blood glucose level rise inhibitor characterized by using a processed barley product as an active ingredient, and further using a processed product of at least one plant material selected from the group consisting of Terminalia, hops, mulberry, chlorella, kale, long-life grass, sweet potato, turmeric, ginger, soybean, Salacia, Gymnema, guava, and Eucommia as an active ingredient.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an intestinal regulator characterized by using a processed barley product as an active ingredient, and at least one processed plant material selected from the group consisting of Terminalia, hops, mulberry, chlorella, kale, long-life grass, sweet potato, turmeric, ginger, soybean, Salacia, Gymnema, guava, and Eucommia ulmoides as an active ingredient.

[0011] The preferred forms of blood glucose-lowering agents and intestinal regulators are tablets, granules, powders, or capsules. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The blood glucose-lowering agent of the present invention can dramatically improve the blood glucose-lowering effect compared to the use of barley processed product alone. Furthermore, the intestinal regulator of the present invention can dramatically improve the intestinal regulating effect compared to the use of barley processed product alone. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This figure shows the blood glucose level measurement results (change value) of male KK-Ay mice treated with the blood glucose elevation suppressant of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows the results of measuring the number of fecal matter produced over 24 hours in male KK-Ay mice treated with the intestinal regulator of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows the results of measuring the body weight (change value) of male KK-Ay mice to which the agent of the present invention was applied. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The present invention provides a blood glucose-lowering agent and an intestinal regulator, characterized by comprising a processed barley product and a processed product of at least one plant material (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a secondary material) selected from the group consisting of Terminalia, hops, mulberry, chlorella, kale, long-life grass, sweet potato, turmeric, ginger, soybean, Salacia, Gymnema, guava, and Eucommia ulmoides. The secondary material may be used alone or in a mixture of two or more.

[0015] The barley processed material and plant material processed material used in the blood glucose level-inhibiting agent and intestinal regulator of the present invention may be any part of the plant, such as leaves, stems, roots, flowers, fruits, trunks, branches, etc., and plant material processed materials such as pulverized material, juice, or extract can be used. Examples of pulverized material include powder and granules. Juice and extract may be in liquid form, but can also be used as a paste or dried powder. Extracts can be obtained by extraction using a suitable solvent, and heating may be performed as necessary. Examples of extraction solvents include water-soluble solvents such as water, ethanol, and aqueous ethanol. These barley processed materials and auxiliary material processed materials can be commercially available.

[0016] [Barley processed product] As for the barley, two-row barley, six-row barley, etc., can be used. The parts used in this invention are preferably the stems and leaves, and especially the young leaves.

[0017] [Secondary materials] (Terminaria) Examples of terminalia include Terminalia bellirica (belerica), Terminalia catappa, Terminalia tomentosa, Terminalia citrina, Terminalia phellocarpa, Terminalia copelandii, Terminalia brassi, Terminalia ivorensis, Terminalia superba, Terminalia arjuna, and Terminalia chebula, among which Terminalia bellirica (belerica) and Terminalia chebula are preferred. The part used in the present invention is preferably the fruit excluding the seeds, and most preferably the pericarp or pulp of the fruit excluding the seeds. (hop) Hops are a climbing perennial plant belonging to the Cannabaceae family. In this invention, the vines and leaves are preferred as the parts to be used.

[0018] (Hoe) Mulberry is a plant belonging to the genus Morus in the family Moraceae. As the part used in the present invention, the stem and leaves are preferred, and the leaves are particularly preferred. (Chlorella) Chlorella is a freshwater unicellular green alga of the genus Chlorella. As the Chlorella used in the present invention, the whole algae of Chlorella obtained by culturing by a conventional method can be used, and this culture solution or a concentrate or dry powder of the whole Chlorella algae can be used.

[0019] (Kale) Kale is a plant of the family Brassicaceae. As the part used in the present invention, the leaves and stems are preferred. The variety of kale is not particularly limited, and various types of kale such as kitchen kale, tree kale, bush kale, marrow kale, collard, and green leafed kanran can be used. (Gynura procumbens) Gynura procumbens is a perennial herbaceous plant also called button burdock belonging to the genus Arctium in the family Asteraceae. As the part used in the present invention, the stem and leaves are preferred.

[0020] (Sweet potato) Sweet potato refers to a plant belonging to the family Convolvulaceae and is generally called sweet potato. The variety of sweet potato is not particularly limited, and examples include Suiou, Joywhite, Koganesengan, Shiroyutaka, Satsuma starch, Ayamurasaki, etc. As the part used in the present invention, the stem and leaves are preferred, and young leaves are particularly preferred. (Turmeric) Turmeric is a perennial herb of the genus Curcuma in the family Zingiberaceae and has been used as a dye, spice, etc. since ancient times. Examples of the types of turmeric include spring turmeric (Kyowu), autumn turmeric, purple turmeric (Gajutsu), etc., and autumn turmeric is particularly preferred. As the part used in the present invention, the rhizome is preferred.

[0021] (Ginger) Ginger is a plant of the genus Zingiber in the family Zingiberaceae, and examples include Sanzhou ginger, yellow ginger, Kintoki ginger, and Tanaka ginger. As the part used in the present invention, the rhizome is preferred. (soy) Soybeans are annual plants belonging to the genus Glycine in the family Fabaceae, and examples include black beans, red beans, green soybeans, white soybeans, and Kurosaki edamame. In this invention, the seeds are preferred as the part used. The soybeans may also be processed products, and kinako (roasted soybean flour) is particularly preferred.

[0022] (Salacia) Salacia is a plant belonging to the genus Salacia in the family Celastraceae, mainly native to Sri Lanka, India, and Southeast Asia. Examples include Salacia reticulata, Salacia oblonga, Salacia fimbrisepala, Salacia mamba, Salacia miegei, and Salacia chinensis, with Salacia reticulata being particularly preferred. In this invention, the root is preferred as the part used.

[0023] (Gymnema) Gymnema is a climbing plant belonging to the Apocynaceae family, native to India and Sri Lanka. For example, Gymnema sylvestre can be cited. In this invention, the stems and leaves are preferred as the parts to be used. (Guava) Guava is a plant belonging to the genus Psidium in the family Myrtaceae, and an example is Psidium guajava L. In the present invention, the stems and leaves are preferred as the parts to be used.

[0024] (Morizhong) Eucommia ulmoides is a deciduous tree native to China, and in this invention, the stems and leaves are preferred as the parts to be used, with Eucommia ulmoides leaves picked before leaf fall being particularly preferred.

[0025] [Other materials] (Pullulan) Pullulan is a water-soluble polysaccharide in which maltotriose, consisting of three glucose units linked by α-1,4 bonds, is linked in a chain by repeating α-1,6 bonds. When pullulan is added alone to barley processed products, it produces the same effects as the above-mentioned auxiliary materials. Pullulan can be added to barley processed products alone or together with the above-mentioned auxiliary materials. As a raw material for pullulan, fermented starch derived from corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc., can be used. Filamentous fungi can be used for fermentation, and an example of such a fungus is Aureobasidium pullulans.

[0026] The blending mass ratio of the barley-treated material and the plant-treated material is preferably in the range of 0.02:1 to 100:1, more preferably in the range of 0.05:1 to 50:1, even more preferably in the range of 0.1:1 to 40:1, and particularly preferably in the range of 0.5:1 to 30:1, based on dry mass. By having a blending ratio of the barley-treated material and the plant-treated material within the above range, the effects of the present invention can be more effectively realized.

[0027] The amount of barley processed product and plant processed product (active ingredient) in the blood glucose level rise inhibitor and intestinal regulator of the present invention may be appropriately included within the range that achieves the desired effect. For example, in the blood glucose level rise inhibitor as a pharmaceutical product of the present invention, it is preferable that the active ingredient be present in a dry mass of 0.01 to 100% of the total, more preferably 0.1 to 85% of the total, and even more preferably 0.5 to 70% of the total.

[0028] The blood glucose-raising inhibitor and intestinal regulator of the present invention can be used as an oral preparation, and there are no particular restrictions on the amount to be taken. However, from the viewpoint of exhibiting the effects of the present invention more significantly, it is preferable to take an amount of the active ingredient per day of 500 mg / day or more, more preferably 1000 mg / day or more, and even more preferably 1500 mg / day or more. The blood glucose-raising inhibitor and intestinal regulator of the present invention can be contained in one container, or divided into, for example, two or three containers, to constitute a one-day dose, so that the daily intake amount is as described above.

[0029] Furthermore, in particular, with respect to the blood glucose-raising inhibitor of the present invention, from the viewpoint of exhibiting the effects of the present invention more significantly, it is preferable to ingest a daily intake of 600 mg / day or more of dietary fiber, more preferably 1200 g / day or more, and even more preferably 1800 g / day or more. The blood glucose-raising inhibitor of the present invention can be contained in one container, or divided into, for example, two or three containers, to constitute one day's supply, so that the daily intake amount is as described above.

[0030] Furthermore, in particular, with respect to the intestinal regulator of the present invention, from the viewpoint of exhibiting the effects of the present invention more significantly, it is preferable to ingest a daily intake of 650 mg / day or more of dietary fiber, more preferably 1300 g / day or more, and even more preferably 1950 mg / day or more. The intestinal regulator of the present invention can be contained in one container, or divided into, for example, two or three containers, to constitute one day's supply, so that the daily intake amount is as described above.

[0031] The blood glucose-raising inhibitor and intestinal regulator of the present invention are not particularly limited as long as they contain barley processed material and a specified plant processed material and can be distinguished from other products in that they are used to suppress blood glucose elevation or regulate intestinal function. For example, pharmaceuticals that indicate on the product itself, packaging, instructions, or promotional materials that they have the function of suppressing blood glucose elevation and / or regulating intestinal function are included in the scope of the present invention.

[0032] The blood glucose-lowering agent and intestinal regulator of the present invention can be manufactured by known formulation methods, with the addition of excipients acceptable for oral use as needed. Examples of excipients include calcium stearate, silicon dioxide, sucrose fatty acid ester, glycerin fatty acid ester, maltose, reduced maltose, reduced palatinose, cellulose, and hydroxypropylcellulose.

[0033] Examples of the blood glucose-lowering agent and intestinal regulator of the present invention include tablets, granules, powders, capsules, liquids, granules, rods, plates, blocks, solids, pills, pastes, creams, caplets, gels, chewables, sticks, and the like. Among these, the forms of tablets, granules, powders, capsules, and liquids are particularly preferred.

[0034] Furthermore, the blood glucose-lowering agent and intestinal regulator of the present invention may contain ingredients other than barley processed product and specified plant processed product as needed. Examples of ingredients other than barley processed product and specified plant processed product include water-soluble vitamins (vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, B13, B15, B17, biotin, choline, folic acid, inositol, PABA, vitamin C, vitamin P), oil-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, K), etc.; minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron; sulfur-containing compounds found in taurine, garlic, etc.; flavanoids such as hesperidin and quercetin; proteins such as collagen; peptides; amino acids; animal fats and oils; vegetable fats and oils; and crushed or extracted animal and plant materials. [Examples]

[0035] The present invention will be described below based on examples. [Example 1] Male KK-Ay mice aged 8-19 weeks (a model mouse that spontaneously develops type 2 diabetes and exhibits obesity and hyperglycemia) were divided into groups to ensure uniform blood glucose and body weight after an acclimatization or rest period. Each test group was given the test diet shown in Table 1 as ad libitum for 4 days.

[0036] [Table 1]

[0037] For the barley, dried and ground young leaves were used. For hops, dried and ground hop leaves and vines were used. For the mulberry, dried and pulverized stems and leaves were used. For the chlorella, we used commercially available chlorella micropowder. For kale, we used dried and pulverized leaf powder. For the Chomeiso plant, dried and pulverized stems and leaves were used. For sweet potatoes, dried and pulverized young leaves were used. For Terminalia, we used dried and pulverized aqueous extracts of the fruit and peel of Terminalia bellirica. For the turmeric, we used dried and pulverized rhizome powder of autumn turmeric. For ginger, we used dried and pulverized rhizome powder. For the soybeans, commercially available kinako (roasted soybean flour) was used. For Salacia, we used a dried powder of aqueous ethanol extract from the roots of Salacia reticulata. For Gymnema, we used a dried powder of an aqueous ethanol extract of Gymnema sylvestre leaves. For guava, we used a guava polyphenol concentrate (powder) extracted from the leaves using aqueous ethanol. For Eucommia ulmoides, a dried powder of a hot water extract of the leaves was used.

[0038] Each test group underwent blood glucose level measurement, bowel function improvement assessment, and weight measurement tests. Specifically, these were as follows:

[0039] (Blood glucose measurement test) Blood glucose levels (mg / dL) were measured by collecting blood from the tail vein after approximately one hour of fasting at the time of group assignment (day 0 of the study) and on day 3 of the study. A small blood glucose meter (Glutest Ace; Sanwa Chemical Research Institute Co., Ltd.) was used for the measurement.

[0040] Figure 1 shows the blood glucose measurement results (change values). Compared to the blood glucose levels of the standard feed only control group and the standard feed with barley or each auxiliary ingredient individually, the embodiments of the present invention that incorporated barley and auxiliary ingredients showed a decrease in blood glucose levels in all cases, confirming the synergistic effect of barley and each auxiliary ingredient.

[0041] (Test to confirm the effect on regulating bowel function) On the fourth day of the experiment, fecal samples collected from the 24 hours prior to the measurement were gathered, and the number of fecal samples collected during that 24-hour period was measured.

[0042] Figure 2 shows the results of measuring the number of feces. Compared to the number of feces in the control group fed only the standard feed, or in the standard feed with barley or each of the auxiliary ingredients added individually, the number of feces in the embodiment of the present invention, which included barley and the auxiliary ingredients, was clearly increased, confirming the synergistic intestinal regulating effect of barley and each of the auxiliary ingredients.

[0043] (Weight measurement test) Weight was measured using an electronic balance at the time of group assignment (Day 0 of the trial) and on Day 4 of the trial.

[0044] Figure 3 shows the results of weight measurement (change). Compared to the control group fed only standard feed, and the group fed standard feed with barley or each auxiliary ingredient individually, the weight gain rate was smaller in all cases in the embodiments of the present invention that incorporated barley and auxiliary ingredients, confirming the synergistic effect of barley and each auxiliary ingredient.

[0045] [Reference example] In place of the above auxiliary material, pullulan was used and the same test was conducted as in Example 1. As a result, in blood glucose measurement, the change was approximately +210 mg / dL in the feed containing pullulan alone, while it decreased significantly to approximately -145 mg / dL in the feed containing barley and pullulan, confirming the synergistic effect of barley and pullulan. Furthermore, in the confirmation of the intestinal regulating effect, the number of fetuses was 61 in the feed containing pullulan alone, while it was 95 in the feed containing barley and pullulan, confirming the synergistic effect of barley and pullulan. In addition, in weight measurement, the change was approximately +1.3 g in the feed containing pullulan alone, while it was approximately +0.2 g in the feed containing barley and pullulan, confirming the synergistic effect of barley and pullulan.

[0046] [Example 2] (Manufacturing of tablets) Each component was mixed in the proportions shown below, and the mixture was compressed into tablets using a tablet press.

[0047] Ingredients Composition (mg) Barley grass powder 135 Hop leaf powder 15 Dextrin 120 Vitamin supplements 15 Anhydrous citric acid 15

[0048] Taking approximately 4 to 10 tablets of this product per day (daily intake of 600 to 1500 mg of the active ingredient) is expected to suppress blood sugar spikes and / or improve bowel function.

[0049] [Example 3] (Manufacturing of capsules) 1 part by weight of chlorella powder was mixed with 15 parts by weight of barley grass powder, and the mixture was prepared as granules according to a conventional method. 300 mg of these granules were then filled into capsules to prepare capsules.

[0050] Taking six of these capsules per day (a daily intake of 1800 mg of the active ingredient) is expected to suppress blood sugar spikes and / or improve bowel function.

[0051] [Example 4] (Manufacture of granules) 1 part by weight of ginger powder was mixed with 15 parts by weight of processed barley, and the mixture was prepared into granules according to a conventional method. 1.8 g of the granules was then packaged in an aluminum stick.

[0052] By taking three packets of this granule preparation per day (daily intake of 5400 mg of the active ingredient), it is expected that blood glucose level elevation suppression and / or intestinal regulation effects can be obtained. [Industrial applicability]

[0053] The blood glucose-lowering agent and intestinal regulator of the present invention have the effect of suppressing the rise in blood glucose levels or regulating intestinal function, and can be used as an oral preparation, thus possessing high industrial utility.

Claims

[Claim 1] An oral composition containing barley grass powder and chlorella powder.

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