Composition for oral care

Abstract

To provide a composition for oral care that continuously inhibits the growth of bacteria on the surface of a tongue and exerts a superior tongue coating removal effect.SOLUTION: A composition for oral care contains two or more selected from the group consisting of rosemary extract, propolis extract, Pterocarpus marsupium extract, and Carica papaya extract as active ingredients.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an oral care composition.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the number of people suffering from oral problems such as dental caries, periodontal disease, and halitosis has been increasing, and the demand for oral care products that can be used daily has been on the rise. Oral care products include oral care supplies such as mouthwashes, oral care tools such as tongue brushes, pharmaceuticals and quasi-drugs such as periodontal disease treatment and preventive agents, and oral care foods such as oral care tablets (Non-Patent Document 1). Among them, there are a wide variety of oral care products used for the purpose of removing the tongue coating, which is the main cause of halitosis. Conventionally, tongue brushes have been mainly used, but in recent years, oral care tablets, which are oral care foods, have been attracting new attention.

[0003] The tongue coating is an aggregate of microorganisms, food residues, exfoliated epithelium, etc. that mainly adheres to the part called the dorsal surface of the tongue on the surface of the tongue. As described above, it is widely known that the tongue coating is a cause of halitosis, but it is also speculated to play a role as a source of supplying bacteria to each oral internal part, and it is said that the influence of the bacteria in the tongue coating on the entire oral cavity is not small (Non-Patent Document 2). Although it is considered that various kinds of bacteria exist in the tongue coating, as the main bacteria, Candida genus such as Candida glabrata and Streptococcus genus bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans are known (Non-Patent Document 3).

[0004] Also, the removal of the tongue coating is important also from the perspective of preventive medicine. Oral care including the removal of the tongue coating has been shown to reduce the total number of microorganisms aspirated into the lower respiratory tract, and it has been clarified that oral care including the removal of the tongue coating plays an important role in preventing aspiration pneumonia and the like mainly caused by anaerobic bacteria inhabiting the oral cavity and pharynx (Non-Patent Document 4).

[0005] By the way, although the removal of tongue coating with an instrument such as a tongue brush has a certain effect as described above, it is only a temporary removal after all, and it cannot suppress the growth of bacteria in the tongue coating and the regeneration of the tongue coating. In fact, for the elderly living in a special nursing home, a dental hygienist gave oral hygiene guidance including cleaning the dorsal surface of the tongue with an instrument such as a brush. However, the number of Candida bacteria on the dorsal surface of the tongue did not decrease with the guidance once a month (Non-Patent Document 5).

[0006] Based on the above facts, currently, the evaluation method for the tongue coating removal effect mainly relies on subjective information such as visually evaluating the tongue coating on the dorsal surface of the tongue. However, in order to evaluate objectively, it can be said that it is important to conduct a quantitative evaluation such as the change in the number of bacteria in combination (this is also proposed in Non-Patent Document 6).

[0007] On the other hand, as prior art related to tongue coating removal, there is a food for tongue coating removal containing an actinidin purified product and an excipient (Patent Document 1). Here, the amount of tongue coating before and after using a protease (actinidin)-containing tablet and a placebo is compared, and it is disclosed that the amount of tongue coating adhesion significantly decreased in the group using the protease-containing tablet. Also, there is prior art regarding a method for manufacturing a tablet for tongue coating removal by mixing highly soluble saccharides and lowly soluble saccharides (Patent Document 2). Here, a physical tongue coating removal effect due to the unevenness of the tablet surface is disclosed. However, none of these prior arts mention the suppression of the growth of bacteria in the tongue coating.

[0008] As prior art related to the suppression of oral bacteria, there are oral compositions for preventing periodontal disease using peony extract, viola extract, hop extract, birch extract, saffron extract, or rosemary extract (Patent Document 3). Here, an oral composition using a material that suppresses bacteria causing periodontal disease is being examined, but the suppression of the growth of bacteria on the tongue coating is not mentioned. Also, there is prior art that has found that the extract of Indian quinine has an effect of suppressing the release of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) from gingival fibroblasts and provides this as something that improves periodontal disease, which is a cause of bad breath (Patent Document 4). However, this also does not focus on the suppression of the growth of bacteria on the tongue coating. That is, there has been no known oral care material that can continuously suppress the growth of bacteria on the tongue coating and suppress tongue coating reformation until now.

[0009] Thus, although many studies have been made on tongue coating removal and the suppression of periodontal disease bacteria, there is no report that has found that it is possible to simultaneously achieve tongue coating removal and a reduction in the number of bacteria on the dorsal surface of the tongue.

[0010] As described above, in the conventional tongue coating removal techniques, there has been a problem that as time passes, the bacteria on the tongue surface grow, and the tongue coating is easily reformed, and the tongue coating removal effect does not last long.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0011]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Non-Patent Documents

[0012]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Non-Patent Document 3

Non-Patent Document 4

Non-Patent Document 5

Non-Patent Document 6

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0013] Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an oral care composition that continuously suppresses the growth of bacteria on the tongue coating and has an excellent tongue coating removal effect.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0014] As a result of intensive studies for the above object, the present inventors have found that rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quinine extract, and papaya extract effectively suppress the growth of Candida spp., which are the main bacteria on the tongue coating, and that rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quinine extract also effectively suppress the growth of Streptococcus spp. Furthermore, the present inventors have found that by combining and blending two or more of these materials, the growth of bacteria on the tongue coating can be continuously suppressed and an excellent tongue coating removal effect can be obtained, thereby completing the present invention. That is, the gist of the present invention is as follows.

[0015] [1] An oral care composition containing, as active ingredients, two or more selected from the group consisting of rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quince extract, and papaya extract. [2] The oral care composition according to [1], containing one or more selected from the group consisting of rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quince extract; and papaya extract as an active ingredient. [3] The oral care composition according to [1] or [2], containing rosemary extract, propolis extract, and papaya extract as active ingredients. [4] The oral care composition according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the total content of rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quince extract in the total amount of the composition is 10 to 90% by weight. [5] The oral care composition according to any one of [2] to [4], wherein the weight ratio of the total content of rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quince extract to the content of papaya extract is 1:9 to 9:1. [6] An oral care composition for removing tongue coating, containing, as active ingredients, one or more selected from the group consisting of rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quince extract, and papaya extract. [7] The oral care composition according to any one of [1] to [6], which is a tablet. [8] An oral care composition for suppressing the growth of Candida glabrata, containing, as active ingredients, one or more selected from the group consisting of rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quince extract, and papaya extract. [9] An oral care composition for suppressing the growth of Streptococcus mutans, containing, as active ingredients, one or more selected from the group consisting of rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quince extract. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an oral care composition that continuously suppresses the growth of bacteria on the tongue coating and has an excellent tongue coating removal effect. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. In addition, the terms used in this specification are interpreted in the meaning usually used in the technical field unless otherwise specified.

[0019] [Oral Care Composition] The oral care composition of the present invention contains two or more selected from the group consisting of rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quinine extract, and papaya extract as active ingredients. The oral care composition of the present invention, as its active ingredients, in addition to rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quinine extract, which have the effect of suppressing the growth of Candida spp. and Streptococcus spp., which are the main bacteria in the tongue coating, two or more of papaya extract, which has the effect of suppressing the growth of Candida spp., are blended to continuously suppress the growth of bacteria in the tongue coating and exhibit an excellent tongue coating removal effect.

[0020] <Active ingredient> The active ingredients in the present invention are rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quinine extract, and papaya extract. The oral care composition of the present invention may contain two or more of these active ingredients, and the combination is arbitrary.

[0021] Specific combinations of two active ingredients include combinations of rosemary extract and propolis extract, rosemary extract and Indian quinine extract, rosemary extract and papaya extract, propolis extract and Indian quinine extract, propolis extract and papaya extract, and Indian quinine extract and papaya extract.

[0022] Among the materials for the active ingredients in the present invention, rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quinine extract are water-insoluble. For example, when molded into tablets or the like, when combined with a water-soluble material (such as an excipient), the surface of the tablet becomes whetstone-shaped in the oral cavity (especially on the tongue), so that the effect of removing tongue coating can be enhanced. Therefore, it is preferable that one or more of the water-insoluble rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quinine extract are selected and formulated in the oral care composition of the present invention. In addition, among the active ingredients in the present invention, since papaya extract is water-soluble, for example, when molded into tablets or the like, when combined with the water-insoluble active ingredients in the present invention, a higher tongue coating removal effect can be obtained than when the water-insoluble active ingredients in the present invention are combined with a mere water-soluble material (such as an excipient). Therefore, it is more preferable that one or more of rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quinine extract, as well as papaya extract, are selected and formulated in the oral care composition of the present invention.

[0023] In the present invention, the total content of rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quinquina extract in the total amount of the composition can be, for example, 10 to 90% by weight, preferably 20 to 70% by weight. By adjusting the water-insoluble active ingredients in the composition within such a range, the bacteriostatic effect of the active ingredients themselves can be efficiently combined with the effect of the composition having a whetstone-like shape, and the tongue coating removal effect can be further enhanced. Further, in the water-soluble components of the composition, the content of papaya extract can be, for example, 10 to 90% by weight, preferably 30 to 80% by weight. By adjusting the active ingredients in the water-soluble components of the composition within such a range, the bacteriostatic effect of the active ingredients themselves and the effect of the composition having a whetstone-like shape can be more efficiently combined, and the tongue coating removal effect can be further enhanced. From such a viewpoint, the weight ratio of the total content of rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quinquina extract to the content of papaya extract (total content of rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quinquina extract: content of papaya extract) is preferably 1:9 to 9:1, and more preferably 1:2 to 2:1.

[0024] (Rosemary extract) In the present invention, as the rosemary extract, a water-insoluble extract is used. For example, the leaves, stems, or whole plants of Labiatae, Rosmarinus, Rosmarinus officinalis L. can be used as they are or dried as extraction materials (the materials may be appropriately pulverized), and a water-insoluble extract extracted by a general method using a polar solvent (examples of the solvent type include methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol, etc., and ethanol is preferably used) can be used. Also, commercially available rosemary extracts can be used in the present invention, and any one or a combination of a plurality of commercially available rosemary extracts can be used.

[0025] In the present invention, the rosemary extract can be contained in an amount of 0.1 to 90% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 50% by weight, based on the total amount of the oral care composition.

[0026] (Propolis extract) Propolis is a gelatinous substance formed by mixing the sap mainly collected by bees from tree buds and tree bark, honey wax, and enzymes in the saliva of bees.

[0027] In the present invention, a water-insoluble extract of propolis is used. For example, propolis can be used as it is or after drying as an extraction material (the material may be appropriately pulverized), and a water-insoluble extract extracted by a general method using a polar solvent (examples of the solvent type include methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol, etc., and preferably ethanol) can be used. Also, commercially available propolis extracts can be used in the present invention, and any one or a combination of a plurality of commercially available propolis extracts can be used.

[0028] In the present invention, the propolis extract can be contained in an amount of 0.1 to 90% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 50% by weight, based on the total amount of the oral care composition.

[0029] (Indian kino extract) Indian kino is another name for Pterocarpus marsupium of the family Fabaceae, genus Pterocarpus.

[0030] In the present invention, an extract of Indian quinine is an insoluble-in-water extract. For example, the trunk or whole tree of Indian quinine can be used as it is or after drying as an extraction material (the material may be appropriately pulverized), and an insoluble-in-water extract obtained by extracting with a polar solvent (examples of the type of solvent include methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol, etc., and preferably ethanol) by a general method can be used. Also, commercially available extracts of Indian quinine can be used in the present invention, and any one or a combination of a plurality of commercially available extracts of Indian quinine can be used.

[0031] In the present invention, the extract of Indian quinine can be contained in an amount of 0.1 to 90% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 50% by weight, based on the total amount of the oral care composition.

[0032] (Papaya extract) In the present invention, a water-soluble extract is used as the papaya extract. For example, the squeezed juice obtained by squeezing the fruit of the family Caricaceae, genus Carica, Carica papaya L can be used as the papaya extract (extract). Also, a water-soluble extract obtained by extracting from the material obtained by pulverizing the fruit of papaya with a polar solvent (examples of the type of solvent include water, physiological saline, various aqueous buffer solutions, etc., and preferably water) by a general method can be used. Also, commercially available papaya extracts can be used in the present invention, and any one or a combination of a plurality of commercially available papaya extracts can be used.

[0033] In the present invention, the papaya extract can be contained in an amount of 0.1 to 90% by weight, preferably 1 to 50% by weight, based on the total amount of the oral care composition.

[0034] <Other components> In the oral care composition of the present invention, as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired, in addition to the above active ingredients, components (materials) that can be formulated in ordinary oral care compositions can be further formulated. Specifically, for example, when making tablets, excipients, lubricants, binders, disintegrants, etc. can be formulated. Furthermore, nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, lactic acid bacteria, dietary fiber, etc. can also be formulated, and flavors, acidulants, seasonings, colorants, etc. can also be formulated. In some cases, various saccharides can also be formulated from the viewpoints of adjusting taste and sweetness, etc., and furthermore, fruit juices, dairy products, etc. can also be formulated.

[0035] Examples of excipients include saccharides such as lactose, sorbitol, erythritol, D-mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, etc., synthetic aluminum silicate, sodium hydroxypropyl starch, crystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl starch, anhydrous calcium hydrogen phosphate, reduced maltose syrup, etc.

[0036] Examples of lubricants include sucrose fatty acid ester, glycerin fatty acid ester, magnesium stearate, etc.

[0037] Examples of binders include starch, gum arabic, hydroxypropyl cellulose, etc.

[0038] Examples of disintegrants include celluloses, etc.

[0039] <Form> The oral care composition of the present invention can be appropriately prepared into various forms such as paste-like, gel-like, liquid-like, solid-like, etc. as needed, and can be used as a general oral care product. Specifically, for example, it can be used as oral care products such as tooth cream, tooth gel, toothpaste, mouthwash, mouth spray, tooth powder, gel, candy, gummy, gum, tablet, etc. Among them, the oral care composition of the present invention can be preferably used as a tablet (for example, a tablet as a confectionery).

[0040] The above-mentioned form can be prepared by blending the aforementioned components (materials) and the like.

[0041] In addition, since the oral care composition of the present invention continuously suppresses the growth of bacteria on the tongue coating and has an excellent tongue coating removal effect, it can be suitably used, for example, for removing the tongue coating. Further, since the oral care composition of the present invention has an excellent Candida glabrata growth inhibitory effect, it can be suitably used, for example, for suppressing the growth of Candida glabrata.

[0042] [Oral care composition for tongue coating removal] The oral care composition for tongue coating removal of the present invention contains, as an active ingredient, one or more selected from the group consisting of rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quinine extract, and papaya extract. The oral care composition of the present invention, as its active ingredient, contains one or more of rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quinine extract, which have the effect of suppressing the growth of Candida spp. and Streptococcus spp., the main bacteria on the tongue coating, and papaya extract, which has the effect of suppressing the growth of Candida spp., thereby continuously suppressing the growth of bacteria on the tongue coating and exhibiting an excellent tongue coating removal effect. Note that the description of the active ingredient (material), other ingredients (materials), form, etc. in the aforementioned oral care composition also applies to the description of the composition here.

[0043] [Oral care composition for suppressing Candida glabrata growth] The oral care composition for suppressing the growth of Candida glabrata of the present invention contains, as an active ingredient, one or more selected from the group consisting of rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quince extract, and papaya extract. Since the oral care composition of the present invention contains, as its active ingredient, one or more of rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quince extract, and papaya extract, which have an excellent effect of suppressing the growth of Candida glabrata, it can be used as an oral care composition for suppressing the growth of Candida glabrata. Note that the description of the active ingredient (material), other ingredients (materials), form, etc. in the above-mentioned oral care composition also applies to the description of the composition here.

[0044] [Oral care composition for suppressing the growth of Streptococcus mutans] The oral care composition for suppressing the growth of Streptococcus mutans of the present invention contains, as an active ingredient, one or more selected from the group consisting of rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quince extract. Since the oral care composition of the present invention contains, as its active ingredient, one or more of rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quince extract, which have an excellent effect of suppressing the growth of Streptococcus mutans, it can be used as an oral care composition for suppressing the growth of Streptococcus mutans. Note that the description of the active ingredient (material), other ingredients (materials), form, etc. in the above-mentioned oral care composition also applies to the description of the composition here.

Examples

[0045] The present invention will be specifically described in the following examples, but the present invention is not limited by the examples.

[0046] [Antibacterial test 1] In this test, various test substances were cultured in a liquid medium together with the target bacteria (Candida glabrata or Streptococcus mutans), and after 4 hours, the growth of the bacteria was measured to evaluate the growth inhibitory effect of each test substance on each bacterium.

[0047] [Test substance] As the test substance, rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quinine extract, papaya extract, amla extract, holy basil extract, Adhatoda vasica extract, grape seed extract, curcumin, tetrahydrocurcuminoid, green tea extract, Gymnema sylvestre extract, cranberry extract, Cuscuta extract, olive cake extract were used.

[0048] [YM medium] As the medium for culturing Candida glabrata, the YM medium (liquid / solid) with the following composition was used.

[0049] Glucose (Wako) 10 g Peptone (Nippon Pharmaceutical) 5 g Yeast extract (DIFCO) 3 g Malt extract (Biokar) 3 g Ultra-pure water 1 L Agar (Wako) 15 g (in the case of solid)

[0050] [TBS medium] As the medium for culturing Streptococcus mutans, the TBS medium (liquid / solid) with the following composition was used. Note that it was adjusted to pH 7.1 before use.

[0051] Trypticase soy broth (Biokar) 30 g Yeast extract (DIFCO) 3 g Ultra-pure water 1 L Agar (Wako) 15 g (in the case of solid)

[0052] [Test method] (1) Preparation of diluted bacterial solution The bacteria (Candida glabrata or Streptococcus mutans) were inoculated on the solid medium and statically cultured overnight at 37°C and 5% CO 2 under the conditions. After culturing, the bacterial cells were inoculated into each liquid medium (10 mL) and incubated at 37°C and 5% CO2 It was pre-cultured overnight under the following conditions and then allowed to stand. The pre-culture solution was measured for OD630 using a plate reader (MTP-800, manufactured by Corona Electric Co., Ltd.), and diluted with a liquid medium so that the OD630 became 0.1. The obtained diluted bacterial solution was used for the test.

[0053] (2) Preparation of test solutions Dilution series were prepared for various test substances. First, the test substance was collected in a 1.5 mL tube (manufactured by Watson), and a reference solution (100 mg / mL) was prepared using ultrapure water or DMSO. By repeatedly diluting this reference solution 10-fold, dilution series (1, 10, and 100 mg / mL) were prepared. The obtained dilution series were used as test solutions for the test. For the papain extract, dilution series (100, 500, and 1000 mg / mL) were also prepared.

[0054] (3) Antibacterial test The antibacterial test was conducted on various test substances according to the following procedure. First, the diluted bacterial solution (198 μL / well) was dispensed into a 96-well plate (IWAKI), and then each of the above test solutions (2 μL / well) was dispensed and gently mixed by pipetting. In this way, diluted bacterial solutions containing the test substances at final concentrations of 0, 10, 100, 1000 μg / mL (for the papain extract, at final concentrations of 0, 1000, 5000, 10000 μg / mL in the antibacterial test against Candida glabrata) were prepared (here, for 0 μg / mL, ultrapure water or DMSO was dispensed instead of the test solution). This was statically cultured in an incubator at 37 °C and 5% CO 2 for 4 hours, and then the OD630 was measured using a plate reader. The inhibitory effect of each test substance on bacterial growth was evaluated by comparing the change in OD630 (growth rate) at each final concentration with the change in OD630 after 4 hours of culture relative to before culture in the diluted bacterial solution containing the test substance (final concentration 0 μg / mL) as a reference (growth rate 100%).

[0055] (Results) Figure 1 shows the results of Antibacterial Test 1. Figure 1A is a graph showing the growth rate of Candida glabrata at each concentration of the test substance, and Figure 1B is a graph showing the growth rate of Streptococcus mutans. Statistical analysis was performed by the Dunnett multiple comparison method, and all were two-sided tests with significance levels of 5% (*) and 1% (**). As shown in Figure 1, rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quinine extract, and papaya extract showed a significant growth inhibitory effect against Candida glabrata. Also, rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quinine extract showed a significant growth inhibitory effect against Streptococcus mutans. For the other test substances, only green tea extract showed a growth inhibitory effect against Streptococcus mutans (data not shown). From these results, it became clear that rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quinine extract, and papaya extract exhibit an excellent growth inhibitory effect against the bacteria in the tongue coating.

[0056] [Antibacterial Test 2] In this test, after culturing various test substances together with the target bacteria (Candida glabrata or Streptococcus mutans) in a liquid medium, this was seeded onto a solid medium (plate medium) and left standing at 37°C and 5% CO 2 For 17 hours for Candida glabrata and 43 hours for Streptococcus mutans, and the number of colonies formed was counted. Using the number of colony formations as an index, the inhibitory effect of various test substances on bacterial growth was evaluated.

[0057] (Test Substances) As test substances, rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quinine extract, and papaya extract were used (the same extracts as those used in Antibacterial Test 1 were used).

[0058] (Media) The same YM medium as in Antibacterial Test 1 was used as the medium for culturing Candida glabrata. The same TBS medium as in Antibacterial Test 1 was used as the medium for culturing Streptococcus mutans.

[0059] <Test method> (1) Preparation of diluted bacterial solution Inoculate the solid medium with bacteria (Candida glabrata or Streptococcus mutans), and use an incubator (MCO-96, manufactured by SANYO) to incubate statically overnight at 37°C and 5% CO 2 under the conditions. After culturing, inoculate the cultured bacterial cells into a liquid medium (10 mL), and pre-culture statically overnight at 37°C and 5% CO 2 under the conditions. Dilute the pre-culture solution with the liquid medium to obtain a diluted bacterial solution of approximately 1000 cells / mL, and use this for the test.

[0060] (2) Preparation of test solution Collect the test substance in a 1.5 mL tube (manufactured by Watson), and prepare a test solution with a concentration of 300 mg / mL of the test substance using ultrapure water or DMSO. Use the obtained test solution for the test.

[0061] (3) Antibacterial test For various test substances, an antibacterial test was performed according to the following procedure. First, dispense 90 μL of the diluted bacterial solution into a 1.5 mL tube, and then dispense 10 μL of the test solution and gently mix by pipetting. At this time, for the control, dispense ultrapure water or DMSO instead of the test solution. Incubate this statically at 37°C and 5% CO 2 under the conditions for 30 minutes, and then seed the entire volume onto a solid medium (plate medium). Incubate this statically at 37°C and 5% CO 2 under the conditions, and count the number of colonies formed on the medium. Calculate the relative value of the number of colonies in each test solution based on the number of colonies in the control (100%), and evaluate the inhibitory effect of each test substance on bacterial growth.

[0062] (Results) Figure 2 shows the results of Antibacterial Test 2. Figure 2A is a graph showing the colony formation rate of Candida glabrata, and Figure 2B is a graph showing the colony formation rate of Streptococcus mutans. As shown in Figure 2, rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quinine extract, and papaya extract showed excellent growth inhibitory effects against Candida glabrata. Also, rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quinine extract showed excellent growth inhibitory effects against Streptococcus mutans. From these results, it became clear that rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quinine extract, and papaya extract exhibit excellent growth inhibitory effects against the bacteria in the tongue coating.

[0063] [Bacterial Inhibition Test in Tongue Coating When Each Active Ingredient is Taken Alone] After having each of the four active ingredients of the present invention (rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quinine extract, and papaya extract) taken by the subjects alone, the number of bacteria in the tongue coating collected from the dorsal surface of the tongue was measured to evaluate the bacterial inhibition effect in the tongue coating when each active ingredient was taken alone. Note that the same extracts as in Antibacterial Test 1 were used.

[0064] [Test Method] The subjects (healthy adult males) were made to place 200 mg of the active ingredient on the tongue, then move their tongues for about 30 seconds so that it would spread over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue, and then swallow it. Immediately before and after ingestion, the number of bacteria in the tongue coating was measured according to the following measurement method. The rate of change in the number of bacteria was calculated based on the number of bacteria immediately before ingestion (100%), and the bacterial inhibition effect in the tongue coating was evaluated.

[0065] [Measurement Method] The number of bacteria in the tongue coating was measured using a bacteria counter (DU-AA01NP-H, manufactured by Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.). Specifically, a cotton swab (manufactured by Heiwa Medical Co., Ltd.) was applied to the central part of the dorsal surface of the tongue, and the tongue coating was collected by making 3 round trips with a width of 1 cm before and after. The cotton swab with the tongue coating attached was set in the cell counter to measure the number of bacteria. Hereinafter, the number of bacteria in the tongue coating was measured by the same method.

[0066] (Result) Figure 3 shows the results of the antibacterial test of the tongue coating when each active ingredient was taken alone. As shown in Figure 3, the number of bacteria in the tongue coating significantly decreased after ingestion compared to just before ingestion in all cases. From this result, it became clear that rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quinine extract, and papaya extract exhibit excellent growth inhibitory effects on the bacteria in the tongue coating even when taken alone.

[0067] [Antibacterial effect test and tongue coating removal effect test of tongue coating] In this test, Tablet 1 (invention product) containing three active ingredients (rosemary extract, propolis extract, and papaya extract) of the present invention was licked by the subjects without chewing, and the number of bacteria in the tongue coating collected from the dorsal surface of the tongue was measured, and the antibacterial effect and tongue coating removal effect of Tablet 1 on the tongue coating were evaluated by visually observing the tongue coating removal. Also, for reference, two commercially available oral care tablets (Tablet 2 and Tablet 3) were evaluated in the same manner.

[0068] (Tablet 1) As shown in the formulation of Table 1, three active ingredients of the present invention and excipients, etc. were mixed to prepare tablet powder. Here, rosemary extract and propolis extract are water-insoluble, and papaya extract is water-soluble (the same as those used in the antibacterial test). As excipients, lubricants, and fragrances, materials generally used for tablets were used.

[0069]

Table 1

[0070] The prepared powder was put into a tableting machine (HANDTAB-100, manufactured by Ichihashi Seiki Co., Ltd.) and pressed up to 20 kN to produce Tablet 1. The produced tablets were stored in a sealed container with a desiccant in a dark place until the test.

[0071] (Tablets 2 and 3) Two commercially available oral care tablets were prepared as Tablet 2 and Tablet 3. Tablet 2 is a composition focusing on removing the biofilm produced by bacteria on the tongue surface. Also, Tablet 3 is a composition focusing on removing tongue coating.

[0072] <Test on the effect of inhibiting bacteria in tongue coating when taking tablets> The subjects (6 healthy adult men) were asked to lick Tablet 1 (1 tablet) until it completely dissolved without chewing. Immediately before ingestion, immediately after ingestion, and 4 hours after ingestion, the number of bacteria in the tongue coating was measured according to the aforementioned measurement method. The same was done for Tablet 2 and Tablet 3 (however, there were 4 and 5 subjects respectively). Based on the number of bacteria immediately before ingestion as the reference (100%), the rate of change in the number of bacteria was calculated to evaluate the effect of inhibiting bacteria in the tongue coating. In addition, the number of bacteria in the tongue coating of all subjects before ingestion was 3 million or more.

[0073] (Results) Figure 4 shows the results of the test on the effect of inhibiting bacteria in the tongue coating when taking Tablet 1 (the invention product), Tablet 2 and Tablet 3 (the prior products). As shown in Figure 4, for Tablet 1, the number of bacteria in the tongue coating decreased significantly both immediately after ingestion and 4 hours after ingestion compared with that immediately before ingestion, and it showed a more significant effect of inhibiting bacteria compared with Tablet 2 and Tablet 3. In particular, the effect of Tablet 1 (the invention product) persisted even 4 hours after ingestion (the rate of decrease in the number of bacteria was 90%), and the number of bacteria in the tongue coating further decreased compared with that immediately after ingestion (the rate of decrease in the number of bacteria was 80%). On the other hand, for Tablet 2 and Tablet 3 (the prior products), although an effect of inhibiting bacteria in the tongue coating was observed immediately after ingestion, thereafter the number of bacteria increased, and the persistence of the effect was not observed.

[0074] Figure 5 shows the photos of the tongue immediately before ingestion, immediately after ingestion, and 4 hours after ingestion of Tablet 1. It can be confirmed that the tongue coating was effectively removed by taking Tablet 1.

[0075] <Sustained test (effect of inhibiting bacteria in tongue coating when taking Tablet 1)> The subjects (healthy adult males) were asked to lick Tablet 1 (one tablet) until it completely dissolved without chewing it after brushing their teeth before going to bed, and the number of bacteria in the tongue coating was measured before and after that. Specifically, the number of bacteria was measured after brushing teeth before going to bed (immediately before taking the tablet), before going to bed (immediately after ingestion), when waking up the next day (7 hours after ingestion), before lunch (12 hours after ingestion), before dinner (19 hours after ingestion), and when waking up the day after tomorrow (33 hours after ingestion). Based on the number of bacteria immediately before ingestion as the reference (100%), the rate of change in the number of bacteria was calculated to evaluate the bacteriostatic effect in the tongue coating. During the measurement period, the subjects were allowed to live their normal lives without any particular restrictions except for prohibiting the intake of other oral care products. For reference, the number of bacteria was also measured for the same subjects when they did not take Tablet 1 (only after brushing teeth before going to bed and when waking up the next day).

[0076] (Results) Figure 6 shows the results of the persistence test. As shown in Figure 6, the number of bacteria in the tongue coating after taking Tablet 1 decreased significantly compared to that before ingestion, maintaining a bacteria reduction rate of 90% or more until before dinner the next day (19 hours after ingestion), and the bacteriostatic effect persisted until waking up the day after tomorrow (33 hours after ingestion: bacteria reduction rate 80%). On the other hand, when the tablet was not taken, the number of bacteria in the tongue coating increased when waking up the next day compared to before going to bed. From these results, it became clear that Tablet 1 is excellent in the bacteriostatic effect in the tongue coating and the persistence of that effect.

[0077] <Observation of tongue coating removal> An appropriate amount of staining gel (Plaque Check Gel BR, manufactured by GC Corporation) was taken on a cotton swab (manufactured by Hirado Medical Co., Ltd.) and applied to the entire dorsal surface of the tongue of the subjects (healthy adult males). After rinsing the mouth with water to remove the excess gel, the subjects were asked to lick Tablet 1 or 3 (one tablet each) until it completely dissolved without chewing it. The degree of tongue coating removal was visually evaluated using the tongue photographs before and after ingestion, with the staining (decolorization) level before and after ingestion as the index. Photographs were taken before staining, after staining (before ingestion), and immediately after ingestion.

[0078] Also, in order to compare the removal effects, the influence of cleaning with a tongue brush (for 4 minutes) was also verified by the same test.

[0079] (Result) Figure 7 is a tongue photograph showing the level of tongue coating removal in the ingestion of Tablets 1 and 3 or tongue brushing. It can be seen that the tongue coating is visualized by staining with the staining gel (refer to "after staining"). When comparing after ingestion (or after cleaning), it can be confirmed that the ingestion of Tablet 1 significantly reduces the staining level (removes tongue coating). In the sides and tip of the tongue, almost no stained parts are seen, and only a small amount remains on the back of the tongue. For Tablet 3, the staining level is only partially reduced, and a large amount of stained parts (tongue coating) still remains. In tongue brushing, the staining level uniformly decreases (removes tongue coating), but it is not usually used for 4 minutes and there is a possibility of damaging the tongue, so it can be said that it is difficult to repeat daily. From these facts, it was shown that the ingestion of Tablet 1 is a useful means for efficiently removing tongue coating.

[0080] It was revealed that the tablet of the present invention continuously suppresses the growth of bacteria in the tongue coating and exhibits an excellent tongue coating removal effect.

[0081] The following shows formulation examples of the oral care composition of the present invention. The blending ratio is in weight%.

[0082] <Formulation Example 1: Tablet (Confectionery)> Rosemary extract 30% Propolis extract 1% Papaya extract 20% Sorbitol 19% Erythritol 18% Magnesium stearate 2% Flavor 10% Total 100%

[0083] <Formulation Example 2: Candy (Sugar Confectionery)> Indokioki extract 15% Propolis extract 4% Papaya extract 15% Sugar 50% Maltose 10% Flavor 6% Total 100%

[0084] <Prescription Example 3: Gum (Chewing Gum)> Extract of Indian Quercus serrata 10% Rosemary extract 10% Papaya extract 20% Gum base 24% Xylitol 20% Maltitol 15% Flavor 1% Total 100%

[0085] <Prescription Example 4: Toothpaste (Toothpaste)> Extract of Indian Quercus serrata 5% Rosemary extract 8% Propolis extract 1% Papaya extract 10% Calcium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous 30% Xylitol 20% Glycerin fatty acid ester 5% Xanthan gum 20% Flavor 1% Total 100%

Industrial Applicability

[0086] The oral care composition of the present invention continuously suppresses the growth of bacteria in the tongue coating and exhibits an excellent tongue coating removal effect. Such an oral care composition is useful as an oral care product such as a tablet (for example, a tablet as a confectionery), etc.

Claims

1. An oral care composition for tongue coating removal, containing two or more selected from the group consisting of rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quince extract, and papaya extract as active ingredients, and containing at least rosemary extract and propolis extract.

2. The oral care composition for tongue coating removal according to Claim 1, containing one or more selected from the group consisting of Indian quince extract and papaya extract.

3. One or more selected from the group consisting of rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quince extract; and The oral care composition for tongue coating removal according to Claim 1 or 2, containing papaya extract as an active ingredient.

4. The oral care composition for tongue coating removal according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, containing rosemary extract, propolis extract, and papaya extract as active ingredients.

5. The oral care composition for tongue coating removal according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the total content of rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quince extract in the total amount of the composition is 10 to 90% by weight.

6. The oral care composition for tongue coating removal according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the weight ratio of the total content of rosemary extract, propolis extract, and Indian quince extract to the content of papaya extract is 1:9 to 9:

1.

7. The oral care composition for tongue coating removal according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, which is a tablet.

8. An oral care composition for suppressing the growth of Candida glabrata, containing one or more selected from the group consisting of rosemary extract, propolis extract, Indian quince extract, and papaya extract as active ingredients, and containing at least rosemary extract and propolis extract.

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