Oral composition

Abstract

The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an oral composition that contains an extract of a Salacia plant containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotaranol on a dry weight basis, while reducing the unpleasant belching odor after ingestion. [Solution] The oral composition of the present disclosure contains (A) an extract of a plant of the genus Salacia containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotaranol on a dry weight basis, and (B) at least one selected from the group consisting of γ-aminobutyric acid, citrus fiber, Gymnema extract, green tea extract, and Ginkgo biloba extract.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an oral composition that contains an extract of a Salacia plant rich in neocolatanol and has a reduced unpleasant aftertaste after ingestion.

Background Art

[0002] Plants of the genus Salacia are climbing perennial plants of the Celastraceae family that grow in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the southern regions of China. Components of plants of the genus Salacia are known to have an inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase activity and an effect of increasing GLP-1 production, and are ingested in the form of foods and beverages in order to obtain effects such as suppression of blood glucose level elevation and appetite suppression based on these effects.

[0003] In oral ingestion of plants of the genus Salacia, extracts of parts such as stems, roots, and bark are concentrated and formulated into foods and beverages to efficiently ingest the useful components of plants of the genus Salacia. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a food in the form of a tablet or capsule containing an extract of a plant of the genus Salacia with a 5,0% inhibitory concentration (IC50 value) of sucrase of 300 μg / ml or less.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Neocotalanol, an active ingredient found in plants of the genus Salacia, has recently attracted attention as an ingredient that moderates sugar absorption and suppresses the rise in blood glucose levels after meals. To improve the aforementioned effect, it is conceivable to incorporate an extract of Salacia plants rich in neocotalanol into food and beverages. The inventors of this invention investigated oral compositions containing an extract of Salacia plants rich in neocotalanol and found that when an extract of Salacia plants containing approximately 0.1% by weight of neocotalanol on a dry weight basis was incorporated, the after-effect of belching was hardly noticeable. However, when an extract of Salacia plants containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotalanol on a dry weight basis was incorporated, a new problem arose: a strong, unpleasant after-effect of belching occurred. In other words, it became clear that oral compositions containing an extract of Salacia plants containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotalanol on a dry weight basis have a unique problem of producing a strong, unpleasant after-effect of belching.

[0006] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an oral composition that contains an extract of a Salacia plant containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotaranol on a dry weight basis, while reducing the unpleasant belching odor after ingestion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The inventors of the present invention conducted diligent research to solve the aforementioned problems and unexpectedly discovered that when an extract of a Salacia plant containing 0.2% or more neocotaranol (on a dry weight basis), which strongly produces an unpleasant belching odor after ingestion, is combined with at least one selected from the group consisting of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), citrus fiber, Gymnema extract, green tea extract, and Ginkgo biloba extract, which also produce an unpleasant belching odor after ingestion, the unpleasant belching odor after ingestion is reduced. This disclosure was completed by further research based on this finding.

[0008] In other words, this disclosure provides inventions in the following embodiments. Item 1: (A) an extract of a plant of the genus Salacia containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotaranol on a dry weight basis, and (B) an oral composition containing at least one selected from the group consisting of γ-aminobutyric acid, citrus fiber, Gymnema extract, green tea extract, and Ginkgo biloba extract. Item 2 The oral composition according to Item 1, wherein, on a dry weight basis, it contains 0.01 to 20 parts by weight of component (B) per 1 part by weight of component (A). Item 3 An oral composition according to item 1 or 2, wherein the content of component (A) is 1 to 80% by weight on a dry weight basis. Item 4 An oral composition according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the content of component (B) is 0.01 to 80% by weight on a dry weight basis. Item 5 An oral composition according to any one of items 1 to 4, which is a powder, granules, or tablets. Item 6 (A) A method for reducing belching after ingesting an oral composition containing an extract of a plant of the genus Salacia that contains 0.2% by weight or more of neocotaranol on a dry weight basis, A method for reducing belching odor, comprising: (A) an oral composition containing an extract of a Salacia plant containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotaranol on a dry weight basis; and (B) at least one selected from the group consisting of γ-aminobutyric acid, citrus fiber, Gymnema extract, green tea extract, and Ginkgo biloba extract. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, an oral composition is provided that contains an extract of a Salacia plant containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotaranol on a dry weight basis, while reducing the unpleasant belching odor after ingestion. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] 1. Oral composition The oral compositions of this disclosure contain (A) an extract of a Salacia plant containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotaranol on a dry weight basis (hereinafter also referred to as "component (A)"), and (B) at least one selected from the group consisting of γ-aminobutyric acid, citrus fiber, Gymnema extract, green tea extract, and Ginkgo biloba extract (hereinafter also referred to as "component (B)"). The oral compositions of this disclosure will be described in detail below. In this specification, numerical ranges indicated by two numbers and "~" include those two numbers as the lower and upper limits. For example, the notation 2~15% by weight means 2% by weight or more and 15% by weight or less.

[0011] (A) Extracts of Salacia plants containing 0.2% or more neocotaranol by dry weight. The oral composition of this disclosure contains, as component (A), an extract of a Salacia plant containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotalanol on a dry weight basis. Extracts of Salacia plants containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotalanol on a dry weight basis strongly produce an unpleasant after-effect odor characteristic of belching after ingestion. However, the oral composition of this disclosure contains component (B), which reduces the unpleasant after-effect odor caused by these components.

[0012] There are no particular restrictions on the types of plants in the genus Salacia, but examples include Salacia chinensis, Salacia reticulata, Salacia oblonga, Salacia prinoides, Salacia latifolia, Salacia burunoniana, Salacia grandiflora, and Salacia macrosperma. Among these Salacia plants, Salacia chinensis is preferred.

[0013] It is known that the neocotalanol content of Salacia plants varies depending on their origin. For example, Salacia plants from India and Sri Lanka typically contain around 0.1 mg / g of neocotalanol, which is a small amount. Therefore, extracts obtained using Salacia plants from India and Sri Lanka as raw materials by general extraction methods contain at most about 0.1% by weight of neocotalanol. However, Salacia plants from Thailand typically contain around 0.6 mg / g of neocotalanol, which is about six times more than Salacia plants from India and Sri Lanka. Therefore, using Salacia plants from Thailand as raw materials makes it easier to obtain extracts containing a large amount of neocotalanol. In this disclosure, it is preferable to use Salacia plants from Thailand as raw materials in order to obtain an extract of Salacia plants containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotalanol on a dry weight basis using general extraction methods.

[0014] The part of the Salacia plant used as the raw material for component (A) in this disclosure is not particularly limited, but examples include rhizomes, leaves, fruits, bark, etc., preferably stems, roots, and bark, and more preferably stems and roots.

[0015] The extraction process for obtaining an extract of Salacia plants containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotalanol on a dry weight basis can be any general extraction method used in the production of plant extracts. The Salacia plants used as the raw material for extraction may be in their raw state, but may also be subjected to pre-treatment such as crushing, cutting, steaming, kneading, drying, or roasting as needed.

[0016] The extraction process can be carried out by methods such as solvent extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, or steam distillation. Among these, solvent extraction is preferred.

[0017] Examples of the extraction solvent used in the solvent extraction process include water; lower monohydric alcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, and n-butanol; polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol and 1,3-butylene glycol; hydrophilic solvents such as acetone; and mixed solvents thereof. Among these extraction solvents, water, lower monohydric alcohols, and mixed solvents thereof are preferable, water, ethanol, and mixed solvents thereof are more preferable, and water is particularly preferable.

[0018] When using a mixed solvent of water and a lower monohydric alcohol as the extraction solvent, the content of the lower monohydric alcohol in the mixed solvent is, for example, 10 to 90% by volume, preferably 20 to 80% by volume, more preferably 20 to 60% by volume, and still more preferably 25 to 55% by volume.

[0019] The solvent extraction process can be carried out by immersing the extraction target part of the Salacia plant (preferably the Salacia plant produced in Thailand) (for example, rhizome, leaf, fruit, bark, etc.; preferably stem, root, bark; more preferably stem, root), which has been subjected to treatments such as drying, cutting, and pulverization as necessary to enhance the extraction efficiency, in the extraction solvent and stirring as necessary. The solvent extraction process can be carried out, for example, by immersing it in about 0.3 to 1.5 L of the extraction solvent per 100 g of the extraction target part of the Salacia plant and carrying out the process for about 0.5 to 24 hours.

[0020] Also, the solvent extraction process can be carried out by heating, and the heating temperature is, for example, 60 to 110°C, preferably 80 to 100°C.

[0021] By removing solids through solid-liquid separation after the extraction process, an extract of a Salacia plant can be obtained. The extract obtained by the extraction process may, if necessary, be subjected to a purification process by subjecting it to adsorption processes such as filtration; various chromatographies using columns packed with carriers such as polystyrene gel (polystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer, etc.), ion exchange resins, activated carbon, etc. The obtained extract may be used as a liquid extract as it is, but if necessary, a part or all of the solvent may be removed and concentrated. Specific forms of the component (A) include, for example, liquid extracts, soft extracts, and dry extracts, and a dry extract is preferred.

[0022] The extract of the Salacia plant used in the present disclosure may contain neocotaranol at 0.2% by weight or more in terms of dry weight. However, from the viewpoint of gently regulating sugar absorption and improving the effect of suppressing the postprandial blood glucose level rise, the content (dry weight equivalent) of neocotaranol is preferably 0.25% by weight or more, more preferably 0.3% by weight or more. In the extract of the Salacia plant used in the present disclosure, the upper limit value of the content (dry weight equivalent) of neocotaranol is not particularly limited, but is usually 0.5% by weight or less, and from the viewpoint of further reducing an unpleasant aftertaste, it is preferably 0.45% by weight or less, more preferably 0.4% by weight or less. Specifically, the content (dry weight equivalent) of neocotaranol in the extract of the Salacia plant used in the present disclosure is preferably 0.2 to 0.5% by weight, more preferably 0.25 to 0.45% by weight, and still more preferably 0.3 to 0.4% by weight.

[0023] In the oral composition of this disclosure, the content of component (A) can be appropriately set depending on the form of the oral composition, etc., but for example, on a dry weight basis, it is usually 1 to 95% by weight, and from the viewpoint of improving the effect of suppressing blood glucose rise and appetite suppression, and from the viewpoint of further reducing unpleasant belching odor, it is preferably 1 to 80% by weight, more preferably 2 to 70% by weight, even more preferably 3 to 60% by weight, even more preferably 4 to 50% by weight, and particularly preferably 5 to 40% by weight. Because the oral composition of this disclosure is excellent in reducing unpleasant belching odor, it can effectively reduce unpleasant belching odor even if the content of component (A) is relatively high.

[0024] (B) Gamma-aminobutyric acid, citrus fiber, Gymnema extract, green tea extract, and Ginkgo biloba leaf extract The oral composition of this disclosure contains at least one selected from the group consisting of γ-aminobutyric acid, citrus fiber, Gymnema extract, green tea extract, and Ginkgo biloba extract as component (B). Component (B) may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Although component (B) itself produces an unpleasant belching odor after ingestion, when combined with component (A) in the oral composition, it can surprisingly effectively reduce the unpleasant belching odor.

[0025] [γ-aminobutyric acid] Gamma-aminobutyric acid, also known as GABA, is a component known to exert a blood pressure-lowering effect by promoting parasympathetic nervous system activity.

[0026] The γ-aminobutyric acid used in this disclosure is not particularly limited and may be obtained by any of the following methods: extraction from plants containing γ-aminobutyric acid, microbial fermentation, enzymatic synthesis, or chemical synthesis.

[0027] Furthermore, the γ-aminobutyric acid used in this disclosure may be in a purified state, or it may be in the form of a plant extract containing γ-aminobutyric acid, a fermented product from which γ-aminobutyric acid has been produced, or an extract thereof.

[0028] [Citrus Fiber] Citrus fiber is a type of dietary fiber found in the peels of citrus fruits.

[0029] The citrus fiber used in this disclosure is not particularly limited and can be, for example, obtained by pressing citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes, removing the juice from the squeezed liquid to obtain a residue (dietary fiber), and then pulverizing this residue, or by further destroying the cell walls of the pulverized material by means of high impact or other means.

[0030] [Gymnema extract, green tea extract, ginkgo leaf extract] Gymnema extract is an extract of the leaves and stems of Gymnema sylvestre or Gymnema inodorum, a plant of the Asclepidaceae family that is native to India and grows widely in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, and southern China. Its main component is gymnemic acid, one of the triterpenoid saponins.

[0031] Green tea extract is obtained by extracting green tea (the leaves of the tea plant (scientific name: Camellia sinensis)) as the raw material.

[0032] Ginkgo biloba extract is a known component obtained by extracting ginkgo leaves (Ginkgo biloba L.).

[0033] For obtaining Gymnema extract, green tea extract, and Ginkgo biloba extract, the general extraction methods described in the "Extracts from Salacia Plants" section above are used, but solvent extraction is preferred. The specific solvent extraction procedures are as described in the "Extracts from Salacia Plants" section above.

[0034] In Gymnema extracts, the extraction solvent used in the solvent extraction process is preferably water, a lower monohydric alcohol, or a mixture thereof, more preferably a lower monohydric alcohol, and particularly preferably ethanol.

[0035] In green tea extracts and ginkgo leaf extracts, the extraction solvent used in the solvent extraction process is preferably water, a lower monohydric alcohol, or a mixture thereof; more preferably a mixture of water and a lower monohydric alcohol; and particularly preferably a mixture of water and ethanol. In the case of a mixture of water and a lower monohydric alcohol, the content of the lower monohydric alcohol is, for example, 10 to 90% by volume, preferably 20 to 80% by volume, more preferably 20 to 60% by volume, and even more preferably 25 to 55% by volume.

[0036] After the extraction process, solid matter is removed by solid-liquid separation to obtain extracts of Gymnema, green tea, or ginkgo leaf. The extract obtained from the extraction process may be purified as needed, such as by filtration and adsorption. The obtained extract may be used as is as a liquid extract, but it may be concentrated by removing some or all of the solvent as needed. Specific forms of Gymnema extract, green tea extract, and ginkgo leaf extract include, for example, liquid extract, soft extract, and dried extract, with dried extract being preferred.

[0037] [Content of component (B)] In the oral composition of this disclosure, the content of component (B) (total content if two or more are included) can be appropriately set according to the desired degree of reduction of unpleasant belching odor. On a dry weight basis, the content of component (B) per 1 part by weight of component (A) is usually 0.01 to 20 parts by weight, and from the viewpoint of further reducing unpleasant belching odor, it is preferably 0.05 to 15 parts by weight, more preferably 0.07 to 10 parts by weight, even more preferably 0.08 to 8 parts by weight, and even more preferably 0.09 to 6 parts by weight.

[0038] In one embodiment of the oral composition of the present disclosure, when component (B) is γ-aminobutyric acid, the amount of γ-aminobutyric acid per 1 part by weight of component (A) on a dry weight basis is preferably 0.03 to 15 parts by weight, more preferably 0.05 to 10 parts by weight, even more preferably 0.07 to 5 parts by weight, and even more preferably 0.08 to 3 parts by weight, from the viewpoint of further reducing unpleasant belching odor.

[0039] In another embodiment of the oral composition of the present disclosure, when component (B) is citrus fiber, the content of citrus fiber per 1 part by weight of component (A) on a dry weight basis is preferably 0.1 to 15 parts by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 10 parts by weight, even more preferably 0.3 to 6 parts by weight, and even more preferably 0.4 to 4 parts by weight, from the viewpoint of further reducing unpleasant belching odor.

[0040] In another embodiment of the oral composition of the present disclosure, when component (B) is a Gymnema extract, the amount of Gymnema extract per 1 part by weight of component (A) on a dry weight basis is preferably 0.05 to 15 parts by weight, more preferably 0.08 to 10 parts by weight, even more preferably 0.1 to 7 parts by weight, and even more preferably 0.2 to 5 parts by weight, from the viewpoint of further reducing the unpleasant belching odor.

[0041] In another embodiment of the oral composition of the present disclosure, when component (B) is a green tea extract, the amount of green tea extract per 1 part by weight of component (A) on a dry weight basis is preferably 0.1 to 15 parts by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 10 parts by weight, even more preferably 0.8 to 8 parts by weight, and even more preferably 1 to 7 parts by weight, from the viewpoint of further reducing the unpleasant belching odor after ingestion.

[0042] In another embodiment of the oral composition of the present disclosure, when component (B) is ginkgo biloba extract, the amount of ginkgo biloba extract per 1 part by weight of component (A) on a dry weight basis is preferably 0.05 to 15 parts by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, even more preferably 0.2 to 7 parts by weight, and even more preferably 0.3 to 4 parts by weight, from the viewpoint of further reducing the unpleasant belching odor.

[0043] Furthermore, in the oral composition of this disclosure, the content of component (B) (total content if two or more are included) can be appropriately set according to the desired degree of reduction of unpleasant belching odor. For example, on a dry weight basis, it is usually 0.01 to 90% by weight, and from the viewpoint of further reducing unpleasant belching odor, it is preferably 0.01 to 80% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 70% by weight, even more preferably 0.5 to 60% by weight, even more preferably 1 to 50% by weight, and particularly preferably 2 to 40% by weight.

[0044] In one embodiment of the oral composition of the present disclosure, when component (B) is γ-aminobutyric acid, the content of γ-aminobutyric acid in the oral composition of the present disclosure is preferably 0.01 to 70% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 60% by weight, even more preferably 0.5 to 50% by weight, even more preferably 1 to 40% by weight, and particularly preferably 1 to 30% by weight on a dry weight basis, from the viewpoint of further reducing unpleasant belching odor.

[0045] In another embodiment of the oral composition of the present disclosure, when component (B) is citrus fiber, the content of citrus fiber in the oral composition of the present disclosure is preferably 0.1 to 70% by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 60% by weight, even more preferably 1 to 50% by weight, even more preferably 2 to 40% by weight, and particularly preferably 3 to 30% by weight on a dry weight basis, from the viewpoint of further reducing unpleasant belching odor.

[0046] In another embodiment of the oral composition of the present disclosure, if component (B) is a Gymnema extract, the content of the Gymnema extract in the oral composition of the present disclosure is preferably 0.1 to 80% by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 70% by weight, even more preferably 1 to 60% by weight, even more preferably 2 to 50% by weight, and particularly preferably 3 to 40% by weight on a dry weight basis, from the viewpoint of further reducing an unpleasant belching odor.

[0047] In another embodiment of the oral composition of the present disclosure, if component (B) is a green tea extract, the content of the green tea extract in the oral composition of the present disclosure is preferably 1 to 80% by weight, more preferably 2 to 70% by weight, even more preferably 3 to 60% by weight, even more preferably 4 to 50% by weight, and particularly preferably 5 to 40% by weight on a dry weight basis, from the viewpoint of further reducing an unpleasant belching odor.

[0048] In another embodiment of the oral composition of the present disclosure, if component (B) is ginkgo biloba extract, the content of ginkgo biloba extract in the oral composition of the present disclosure is preferably 1 to 80% by weight, more preferably 2 to 70% by weight, even more preferably 3 to 60% by weight, even more preferably 4 to 50% by weight, and even more preferably 5 to 40% by weight on a dry weight basis, from the viewpoint of further reducing unpleasant belching odor.

[0049] Other ingredients The oral compositions of this disclosure may contain other nutritional and pharmacological components in addition to the components (A) and (B) described above. These nutritional and pharmacological components are not particularly limited as long as they are usable in food or oral medicine, but examples include vitamins, amino acids, minerals, carbohydrates, fatty acids, flavorings, seasonings, plant extracts (other than components (A) and (B) above), antioxidants, hypoglycemic agents, anticholinergic agents, immunostimulants, etc. These components may be used individually or in combination of two or more. The content of these components will be appropriately determined depending on the type of component used and the intended use of the oral composition.

[0050] Furthermore, the oral compositions of this disclosure may contain bases and additives as needed to prepare them into desired formulations. The bases and additives are not particularly limited as long as they are suitable for use in food or oral pharmaceuticals, but examples include excipients, disintegrants, lubricants, binders, thickeners, lower alcohols with 2 to 4 carbon atoms, solid oils, higher alcohols, water-soluble polymers, gelling agents, surfactants, polyhydric alcohols, pH adjusters, buffers, antioxidants, preservatives, chelating agents, and water. These components may be used individually or in combination of two or more. The content of these components will be appropriately determined depending on the type of component used and the intended use of the oral composition.

[0051] Dosage form / product classification The dosage form of the oral composition of this disclosure is not particularly limited as long as it can be taken orally, and may be solid (specifically, powder, granules, tablets, capsules, etc.), semi-solid (specifically, paste, gel, etc.), or liquid, and may be appropriately determined according to the type and use of the oral composition. Of these dosage forms, from the viewpoint of stability, etc., solid is preferred, and powder, granules, or tablets are more preferred.

[0052] The product classification of the oral composition in this disclosure is not particularly limited and may be any of the following: food and beverages (including foods for special dietary uses and health functional foods (nutrient function foods, foods with functional claims, foods for specified health uses, etc.), and general foods (nutritional supplements, health supplements, fortified foods, nutritional adjustment foods, supplements, etc.)) and oral pharmaceuticals (including quasi-drugs for oral use).

[0053] A suitable single dose of the oral composition of this disclosure is, for example, 15 mg or more in terms of the dry weight of component (A). Because the oral composition of this disclosure is excellent in reducing unpleasant belching odor, even a relatively large single dose can effectively reduce belching odor. From this viewpoint, a suitable single dose is preferably 20 mg or more, more preferably 25 mg or more, and even more preferably 30 mg or more in terms of the dry weight of component (A). There is no particular upper limit to the single dose of the oral composition of this disclosure, but from the viewpoint of further enhancing the belching odor reduction effect, it is preferably 500 mg or less, more preferably 300 mg or less, even more preferably 200 mg or less, and even more preferably 100 mg or less in terms of the dry weight of component (A).

[0054] 2. Methods to reduce belching odor This disclosure provides a method for reducing belching after ingesting an oral composition containing an extract of a Salacia plant containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotaranol on a dry weight basis. Specifically, the reduction method is characterized by (A) including an oral composition containing an extract of a Salacia plant containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotaranol on a dry weight basis, and (B) containing at least one selected from the group consisting of γ-aminobutyric acid, citrus fiber, Gymnema extract, green tea extract, and Ginkgo biloba extract. The types and amounts of ingredients used in this reduction method are as described in the "1. Oral Composition" section above. [Examples]

[0055] The present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0056] The details of the ingredients used in the following test examples and formulation examples are as follows: (A) component • Salacia Extract A: This is a dried powder of a hot water extract of the stems of Salacia chinensis from Thailand (containing 0.22% by weight of neocotaranol). Specifically, 1 kg of crushed Salacia chinensis stems from Thailand was mixed with 7 L of water, extracted at 98°C for 2 hours, and then concentrated under reduced pressure and spray-dried to obtain the Salacia extract. (B) Component • GABA-containing barley lactic acid fermentation extract: This is a dried powder (containing 90% by weight of γ-aminobutyric acid) obtained by separating and concentrating microbial cells from the alcohol fermentation product of barley shochu lees. • Citrus Fiber: This is made by pressing lime and lemon peels to obtain a liquid, removing the juice, and then drying and powdering the resulting residue (containing 85% dietary fiber by weight). • Gymnema extract: This is a powdered extract obtained by solvent extraction of the leaves and stems of Gymnema sylvestre with ethanol (containing 9% by weight of Gymnema saponins). Green tea extract: This is a powdered extract obtained by solvent extraction of tea leaves with aqueous ethanol (containing 80% by weight of catechins and 60% by weight of gallate-type catechins). Ginkgo biloba leaf extract: This is a powdered extract (containing 6% by weight of terpene lactones) obtained by solvent extraction of ginkgo leaves with aqueous ethanol.

[0057] Test example Oral compositions with the compositions shown in Table 1 were prepared in the form of hard capsules. The following evaluations of belching odor were then performed using the hard capsules. The test dose per dose was 30 mg of the oral composition in all cases.

[0058] <Evaluation of belching odor> Five trained panelists were given hard capsules prepared with lukewarm water on an empty stomach. Sixty minutes after administration, they were given an effervescent agent to induce belching. They then performed a sensory evaluation of the unpleasantness of the belching odor on a 10-point scale (1: no noticeable belching odor, 10: strong, unpleasant belching odor), and the average score was calculated. A lower average score indicates a weaker unpleasant belching odor. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0059] [Table 1]

[0060] As shown in Table 1, the oral composition of Comparative Example 1 had a considerably strong unpleasant belching odor from component (A), and the oral compositions of Comparative Examples 2 to 6 also had strong unpleasant belching odors from each of the components (B). However, as shown in Examples 1 to 15, the oral compositions formulated by combining component (A) and each of the components (B) showed a significant reduction in unpleasant belching odor, yielding unexpected results. Furthermore, all panelists evaluated the oral compositions of Examples 1 to 15 as having an acceptable level of belching odor for food use.

[0061] Furthermore, an oral composition containing 30 mg of Salacia extract B (dried powder) containing 0.15% by weight of neocotaranol was prepared in the form of hard capsules. When the belching odor was evaluated using the same method as described above with the prepared hard capsules, the average score was 6.2, indicating that the belching odor was hardly noticeable.

[0062] Furthermore, hard capsules were prepared in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 15 and Comparative Example 1, except that Salacia extract C (dried powder) containing 0.30% by weight of neocotaranol was used instead of Salacia extract A containing 0.22% by weight of neocotaranol (Examples 1' to 15' and Comparative Example 1'). The belching odor was evaluated using the same method as described above with the prepared hard capsules. As a result, the oral composition of Comparative Example 1' had a very strong unpleasant belching odor due to Salacia extract C, while the oral compositions of Examples 1' to 15' showed a significant reduction in the unpleasant belching odor.

[0063] Prescription examples Oral compositions with the compositions shown in Table 2 were prepared. All of the prepared oral compositions showed a significant reduction in unpleasant belching odor.

[0064] [Table 2]

Claims

1. (A) an extract of a Salacia plant containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotaranol on a dry weight basis, and (B) an oral composition containing at least one selected from the group consisting of γ-aminobutyric acid, citrus fiber, Gymnema extract, green tea extract, and Ginkgo biloba leaf extract.

2. The oral composition according to claim 1, wherein, on a dry weight basis, it contains 0.01 to 20 parts by weight of component (B) per 1 part by weight of component (A).

3. The oral composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of component (A) is 1 to 80% by weight on a dry weight basis.

4. The oral composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of component (B) is 0.01 to 80% by weight on a dry weight basis.

5. An oral composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is a powder, granules, or tablets.

6. (A) A method for reducing belching after ingesting an oral composition containing an extract of a Salacia plant that contains 0.2% by weight or more of neocotaranol on a dry weight basis, A method for reducing belching odor, comprising: (A) an oral composition containing an extract of a Salacia plant containing 0.2% by weight or more of neocotaranol on a dry weight basis; and (B) at least one selected from the group consisting of γ-aminobutyric acid, citrus fiber, Gymnema extract, green tea extract, and Ginkgo biloba extract.

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