Composition for improving fatigue

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a composition effective for improving fatigue with components having food experience in the food field. 【Solution means】Provided is a composition for improving fatigue, a composition for improving endurance, a composition for improving energy production, a composition for removing reactive oxygen species, or a composition for athletes, which contains Terminalia catappa L. and / or an extract thereof.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a composition for improving fatigue. The present invention also relates to a composition for improving endurance, improving energy production, removing reactive oxygen species, and for athletes.

Background Art

[0002] In modern times, people are feeling physically and mentally fatigued due to various social activities such as schoolwork and work. Fatigue, whether physical or mental such as a sense of malaise, can lead to a chain reaction and result in a decline in performance.

[0003] Generally, it is effective to get sleep and rest to improve fatigue, and appropriate measures are taken against fatigue by providing necessary nutritional supplements.

[0004] For the purpose of nutritional supplementation and nourishing the body during physical fatigue, not only nutritional agents in pharmaceuticals and quasi-drugs, but also energy drinks and supplements are sold in general foods.

[0005] For example, in Patent Document 1, it has been proposed to use imidazole dipeptides and / or their salts for improving fatigue.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] Components that are effective for improving fatigue and can be ingested in the food and beverage field are useful as daily fatigue countermeasures, and development is being promoted with various components, but it is still not sufficient.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a composition effective against fatigue that can also be ingested in the food and beverage field.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] As a result of intensive studies by the present inventors to solve the above problems, it has been found that momotamana (also known as: kobateishi; Terminalia catappa L.), which has food experience in the food field, has an effect on improving fatigue, and the present invention has been completed.

[0010] That is, the present invention provides the following compositions.

[0011] [1] A composition for improving fatigue containing an effective amount of momotamana (Terminalia catappa L.) and / or an extract thereof.

[0012] [2] A composition for improving endurance containing an effective amount of momotamana (Terminalia catappa L.) and / or an extract thereof.

[0013] [3] A composition for improving energy production containing an effective amount of momotamana (Terminalia catappa L.) and / or an extract thereof.

[0014] [4] A composition for removing reactive oxygen species containing an effective amount of momotamana (Terminalia catappa L.) and / or an extract thereof.

[0015] [5] A composition for athletes containing an effective amount of momotamana (Terminalia catappa L.) and / or an extract thereof.

[0016] [6] The composition according to [1], wherein the improvement of fatigue is the improvement of fatigue during exercise.

[0017] [7] The composition according to [2], wherein the improvement in endurance is an improvement in speed, distance, or time during walking or running.

[0018] [8] The composition according to any one of [1] to [4], which is used for a person who performs exercise with an exercise intensity of 3 mets or more.

[0019] [9] A method for improving fatigue, enhancing endurance, enhancing energy production, or removing reactive oxygen species, comprising the step of administering momotama (Terminalia catappa L.) and / or an extract thereof to a subject in need thereof.

[0020]

[10] A composition containing an effective amount of momotama (Terminalia catappa L.) and / or an extract thereof for use in improving fatigue, enhancing endurance, enhancing energy production, or removing reactive oxygen species.

[0021]

[11] Use of momotama (Terminalia catappa L.) and / or an extract thereof in the manufacture of a composition for improving fatigue, enhancing endurance, enhancing energy production, or removing reactive oxygen species.

[0022]

[12] Use of a composition containing an effective amount of momotama (Terminalia catappa L.) and / or an extract thereof in improving fatigue, enhancing endurance, enhancing energy production, or removing reactive oxygen species. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, by using momotama (Terminalia catappa L.) having a food experience in the food field, it becomes possible to effectively improve fatigue. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0024]

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[0025] [Composition for Improving Fatigue] In one embodiment, the composition for improving fatigue of the present invention contains Terminalia catappa L.

[0026] [Terminalia catappa L.] Terminalia catappa L. is a semi-deciduous tree of the genus Terminalia in the Combretaceae family. Terminalia catappa L. is one of about three Combretaceae plants distributed in Japan, and is planted, for example, as a street tree or park tree in the Ryukyu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands.

[0027] The leaves of Momotamana are large, growing to a length of 20 cm to 25 cm, and after turning red, they fall. In Japan, white flowers bloom from May to July, and then turn into green to red fruits. Oil can be extracted from the fruits of Momotamana, and the kernels in the fruits may also be stir-fried and used for food. The leaves of Momotamana are used as dyes and may also be ingested as tea in the form of extracts.

[0028] The parts of Momotamana used are not particularly limited and may be the whole plant, or may be leaves, fruits, flowers, branches, trunks, roots, seeds, or a mixture of at least two of them. The parts of Momotamana used preferably contain at least one selected from the group consisting of leaves, fruits, and flowers, more preferably contain leaves and / or fruits, and even more preferably contain leaves.

[0029] Momotamana may be used raw or may be used after being dried (e.g., freeze-dried, etc.). When extracting, from the perspective of improving extraction efficiency, it may be processed into a crushed or powdered state and used, for example.

[0030] For Momotamana, it is possible to use crushed or ground materials in the form of chips, powders, granules, or pastes, and among these, it is preferable to use powders.

[0031] Methods for processing into crushed or ground materials can use known methods and are not particularly limited. For example, using equipment or tools such as crushers, mills, blenders, mixers, and mortars, the treatment of crushing or grinding the plant body by any method commonly used by those skilled in the art can be mentioned.

[0032] Before crushing or grinding, the plant body may be dried. As the drying treatment method, known methods can be used and are not particularly limited. For example, freeze-drying, vacuum drying, blow-drying, or heat-drying, etc. can be mentioned.

[0033] When using the extract of Momotamana, the method is not particularly limited, and it can be extracted by the usual extraction methods used for extracting plant raw materials. Examples of the extraction method include, but are not limited to, solvent extraction method, steam distillation method, pressing method (direct, high temperature, or low temperature), or supercritical extraction method, etc. Also, a combination of these extraction methods may be used, for example, a method of solvent extraction after crushing may be used.

[0034] The extraction solvent is not particularly limited as long as it is a usual solvent used for extracting plant raw materials. For example, an organic solvent, an aqueous solvent, or a mixture of an organic solvent and an aqueous solvent can be used as the extraction solvent, but an aqueous solvent, or a mixture of an organic solvent and an aqueous solvent is preferable, and an aqueous solvent is more preferable.

[0035] Examples of the organic solvent include alcohol, acetone, benzene, ester, ethyl acetate, hexane, chloroform, or diethyl ether, and alcohol is preferable. The alcohol is not particularly limited as long as it is a usual solvent used for extracting plant raw materials. For example, monohydric alcohols having 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as ethanol, methanol, propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and butyl alcohol, and polyhydric alcohols having 2 to 5 carbon atoms such as 1,3 - butylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and glycerin can be mentioned.

[0036] The aqueous solvent is not particularly limited as long as it contains water. Examples include water, physiological saline, or buffer solution, etc. Examples of the buffer solution include phosphate buffer, sodium phosphate buffer, sodium carbonate buffer, citrate buffer, citrate phosphate buffer, acetate buffer, and Tris buffer, etc. Preferred aqueous solvents are water and / or physiological saline. The pH of the aqueous solvent is not particularly limited.

[0037] Among these extraction solvents, from the viewpoint of significantly achieving the effects of the present invention, at least one selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, 1,3-butylene glycol, and propylene glycol is preferable, water and / or ethanol is more preferable, and water or hydrous ethanol is even more preferable.

[0038] When using a mixture of an organic solvent and an aqueous solvent as the extraction solvent, the content of the aqueous solvent contained in the total amount of the extraction solvent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include 30% by mass or more, 40% by mass or more, 50% by mass or more, 60% by mass or more, 70% by mass or more, 80% by mass or more, or 90% by mass or more, 95% by mass or more, etc. Further, examples of the content of the aqueous solvent contained in the total amount of the extraction solvent include 95% by mass or less, 90% by mass or less, 80% by mass or less, 70% by mass or less, 60% by mass or less, etc. Further, examples of the content of the aqueous solvent contained in the total amount of the extraction solvent include 30 to 95% by mass, 40 to 95% by mass, 50 to 95% by mass, 30 to 90% by mass, 40 to 90% by mass, 50 to 90% by mass, 30 to 80% by mass, 40 to 80% by mass, 50 to 80% by mass, 30 to 70% by mass, 40 to 70% by mass, 50 to 70% by mass, 30 to 60% by mass, 40 to 60% by mass, 50 to 60% by mass, etc.

[0039] The extraction temperature is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include -50°C to 100°C, 0°C to 100°C, 5°C to 90°C, 10°C to 80°C, 15°C to 70°C, 15°C to 60°C, 15°C to 50°C, 15°C to 40°C, 15°C to 30°C, etc.

[0040] At the time of extraction, from the viewpoint of improving the extraction efficiency, for example, it is preferably carried out while being subjected to stirring, shaking, or ultrasonic waves. The extraction time can be appropriately determined according to the used parts such as leaves, fruits, flowers, branches, trunks, roots, seeds, etc. Further, the extraction time can be appropriately determined according to the state of Momotamana, that is, whether it is raw or dried, or in a crushed or pulverized state, or their processed states. The extraction time is usually 1 minute to 72 hours, preferably 1 hour to 48 hours, and most preferably 12 hours to 36 hours.

[0041] As an example, the extract of Momotamana is an extract obtained by immersing and extracting Momotamana or its pulverized product with water and / or an organic solvent and filtering off the residue, a product obtained by removing the solvent from this extract, or these fine powders, or a product obtained by dissolving, dispersing, or diluting the above extract or solvent-removed product using an appropriate solvent, etc. It is also possible to use commercially available products. As an example of another extraction method, the extract of Momotamana can also be extracted after subjecting the leaves of Momotamana to processing such as steaming. Also, the branches attached to the leaves may be removed, or they may be used as they are without removal.

[0042] The content of the Momotamana plant or its extract can be appropriately adjusted according to the types and amounts of other components, dosage forms, etc., and is not limited. However, for example, it can be 0.01% by mass or more based on the total amount of the composition, and can be 0.05% by mass or more, 0.1% by mass or more, 0.5% by mass or more, 1% by mass or more, 10% by mass or more, 20% by mass or more, 30% by mass or more, 40% by mass or more, 50% by mass or more, 60% by mass or more, 70% by mass or more, etc. Also, the content of the Momotamana plant or its extract can be, for example, 100% by mass or less based on the total amount of the composition, and examples include 90% by mass or less, 80% by mass or less, 70% by mass or less, 60% by mass or less, 50% by mass or less, 40% by mass or less, 30% by mass or less, 20% by mass or less, 10% by mass or less, etc. Further, the content of the Momotamana plant or its extract can be, for example, 0.01 - 100% by mass, 0.1 - 100% by mass, 1 - 100% by mass, 5 - 100% by mass, 10 - 100% by mass, 20 - 100% by mass, 30 - 100% by mass, 40 - 100% by mass, 50 - 100% by mass, 0.01 - 90% by mass, 0.1 - 90% by mass, 1 - 90% by mass, 5 - 90% by mass, 10 - 90% by mass, 20 - 90% by mass, 30 - 90% by mass, 40 - 90% by mass, 50 - 90% by mass, 0.01 - 80% by mass, 0.1 - 80% by mass, 1 - 80% by mass, 5 - 80% by mass, 10 - 80% by mass, 20 - 80% by mass, 30 - 80% by mass, 40 - 80% by mass, 50 - 80% by mass, 0.01 - 70% by mass, 0.1 - 70% by mass, 1 - 70% by mass, 5 - 70% by mass, 10 - 70% by mass, 20 - 70% by mass, 30 - 70% by mass, 40 - 70% by mass, 50 - 70% by mass, 0.01 - 60% by mass, 0.1 - 60% by mass, 1 - 60% by mass, 5 - 60% by mass, 10 - 60% by mass, 20 - 60% by mass, 30 - 60% by mass, 40 - 60% by mass, 0.01 - 50% by mass, 0.1 - 50% by mass, 1 - 50% by mass, 5 - 50% by mass, 10 - 50% by mass, 20 - 50% by mass, 30 - 50% by mass, 0.01 - 40% by mass, 0.1 - 40% by mass, 1 - 40% by mass, 5 - 40% by mass, 10 - 40% by mass, 20 - 40% by mass, 0.01 - 30% by mass, 0.1 - 30% by mass, 1 - 30% by mass, 5 - 30% by mass, 10 - 30% by mass, 0.01 - 20% by mass, 0.1 - 20% by mass, 1 - 20% by mass, 5 - 20% by mass, etc.

[0043] [Use] The composition for improving fatigue of the present invention is suitably used for improving conditions, symptoms, and diseases related to fatigue. In this specification, fatigue refers to a state in which the activity ability has decreased due to an overload on the mind and body. Fatigue includes physical fatigue caused by a load on the body and mental fatigue caused by a load on the mind. The composition of the present invention is effective against any type of fatigue, but is preferably used against physical fatigue.

[0044] In the following examples (test examples), in healthy mice, when physical fatigue was induced by a treadmill, it was confirmed that by ingesting a composition containing Momotamana and / or its extract, the fatigue feeling was improved and the exercise ability was improved in terms of the maximum running speed, maximum running time, and running distance.

[0045] Therefore, by ingesting a composition containing Momotamana, for example, before and after a physical load or during the load, it is possible to improve the fatigue caused by the load.

[0046] When the physical load is exercise, for example, by ingesting a composition containing Momotamana before, during, or after exercise, it is possible to improve the fatigue feeling during exercise, improve the exercise endurance regarding the speed, distance, and time of exercise, prevent or improve palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, etc. that may be caused during exercise, or prevent or improve muscle disorders such as muscle pain that may be caused by exercise.

[0047] Although not limited, the exercise may be walking or running. By ingesting a composition containing Momotamana before, during, or after walking or running, it is possible to improve the speed, distance, or time during walking or running, prevent or improve palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, etc. that may be caused during walking or running, or prevent or improve muscle disorders such as muscle pain that may be caused by walking or running.

[0048] As described above, the composition containing momotamana can be suitably used for athletes. Such exercise is preferably an exercise with an exercise intensity of 3 mets or more. In the "Exercise Guidelines 2006 for Health Promotion" formulated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in July 2006 for the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases among the general public, "mets" is used as a unit to represent how many times the intensity of physical activity corresponds to that at rest. The intensity at rest in a sitting position is 1 met, and moderate or higher-intensity exercise and daily activities correspond to 3 mets.

[0049] The athletes include, but are not limited to, for example, those who perform exercise or daily activities with an intensity of 3 mets or more.

[0050] Examples of exercises with an intensity of 3 mets or more include light and moderate weight training, walking, gymnastics, golf, light cycling, etc. Examples of exercises with an intensity of 4 mets or more include brisk walking, underwater walking, table tennis, aqua aerobics, badminton, etc. Examples of exercises with an intensity of 5 mets or more include baseball, moderate cycling, etc. Examples of exercises with an intensity of 6 mets or more include high-intensity weight training, jogging, basketball, light swimming, aerobics, etc. Examples of exercises with an intensity of 7 mets or more include jogging, soccer, tennis, swimming, skating, etc. Examples of exercises with an intensity of 8 mets or more include cycling, running, moderate swimming, etc. Examples of exercises with an intensity of 10 mets or more include marathon, competitive swimming, etc.

[0051] Examples of daily activities with an intensity of 3 mets or more include normal walking (such as shopping, taking a walk, etc.), house cleaning (housework such as using a vacuum cleaner, mop, washing, etc., bathtub cleaning, etc.), taking care of children, etc. Examples of daily activities with an intensity of 4 mets or more include commuting, taking care of the elderly or disabled, playing with children, light agricultural work, planting, weeding, etc. Examples of daily activities with an intensity of 5 mets or more include actively playing with children (such as running around together, etc.), moving or moving house work (moving furniture), moderate agricultural work, etc.

[0052] Examples of the exercise intensity include, for example, 3 METs to 10 METs, 4 METs to 10 METs, 5 METs to 10 METs, 6 METs to 10 METs, 7 METs to 10 METs, 3 METs to 8 METs, 4 METs to 8 METs, 5 METs to 8 METs, 6 METs to 8 METs, 7 METs to 8 METs, etc.

[0053] The athlete may be a person who lacks confidence in exercise endurance, etc. For example, it may be a person who wants to start the exercise exemplified above or a person who wants to continue the exercise exemplified above.

[0054] In addition, in the following examples (test examples), it has been confirmed that by allowing healthy mice to ingest a composition containing Momotamana, the sugar metabolism at rest was enhanced. Therefore, even at rest or during light exercise such as walking, by ingesting a composition containing Momotamana, it becomes possible to improve energy production and improve energy metabolism.

[0055] In addition, in the following examples (test examples), although not limited, there are cases where healthy mice are allowed to perform spontaneous light exercise on a daily basis. The light exercise may correspond to performing exercise with an exercise intensity of about 3 METs on a daily basis. Therefore, the present invention can be used in combination, for example, with performing exercise with an exercise intensity of about 3 METs on a daily basis.

[0056] Although not limited, in one embodiment, the composition of the present invention can be suitably used for those who routinely perform exercises such as light and moderate weight training, walking, gymnastics, golf, light cycling, etc.

[0057] Although not limited, in another embodiment, the composition of the present invention can be suitably used for those who routinely perform life activities such as normal walking (shopping, walking, etc.), house cleaning (housework such as vacuuming, mopping, washing, etc., bathtub cleaning, etc.), and child care.

[0058] The frequency of the exercises and life activities exemplified above is preferably, for example, once or more a week, more preferably twice or more, still more preferably three times or more, even more preferably four times or more, and even more preferably five times or more.

[0059] The time of the exercises and life activities exemplified above can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, it is preferably 10 minutes to 3 hours, more preferably 15 minutes to 3 hours, still more preferably 30 minutes to 3 hours, and even more preferably 1 hour to 3 hours.

[0060] Although not limited, in one embodiment, the composition of the present invention is suitable for removing reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present specification, reactive oxygen species refers to a general term for compounds in which oxygen molecules have changed to more reactive compounds, and examples include superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen, etc., which act as oxidants in vivo.

[0061] In the examples (test examples) described below, by the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC method), it has been confirmed that the composition of the present invention has a significantly higher reactive oxygen species removing effect compared to ginger and garlic chives, the reactive oxygen species removing effects of which are known.

[0062] The composition of the present invention can be added to or mixed with pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, foods and drinks, pet foods, and feeds for use. Alternatively, it can be used as pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, foods and drinks, pet foods, feeds, etc. as it is. Further, the composition of the present invention can be used as foods and drinks that explicitly or implicitly indicate the purpose of improving endurance, improving energy production, removing reactive oxygen species, etc., that is, health foods, foods with functional claims, foods for patients, and foods for specified health uses. Also, even if the above functions are not explicitly or implicitly indicated, it can be used as a so-called doctor's supplement recommended or presented by a doctor in hospitals and / or clinics, such as internal medicine, orthopedics, and animal hospitals. When explicitly indicating the above functions, it may be indicated to reduce temporary fatigue in daily life (such as exercise and daily activities), reduce transient physical fatigue caused by daily life and exercise, reduce fatigue of a certain level of exercise (such as exercise intensity of 3 mets or more) occurring in daily life, but it is not limited to this.

[0063] When not explicitly indicating the above functions, for example, those who want to support their vitality, those who consider their daily vitality, those who want to be fully engaged in sports, work, etc., those who want to spend a daily life full of power and youthfulness as a stamina source, those who want to maintain their vitality, those who want support for training and want to lead an active daily life, those who want to improve their sports performance, those who want to work hard for a long time, those who want to obtain continuous energy, those who seek the highest endurance, those who want to exceed their limits, those who seek the best condition, those who want to obtain the power to fight for recovery after working hard, those who want to overcome a hard daily life, those who are tired from work or study, those who feel that overtime is tough, those who can't enjoy their hobby sports, those who are tired from housework or child-rearing, those who just sleep on holidays, those who feel that they can't accompany their children's play, those who want to suppress palpitations, attention, and shortness of breath during exercise, walking, or running, etc., or make similar indications, and it is also possible to use the composition of the present invention.

[0064] The dosage form of the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples include oral preparations and parenteral preparations, etc., but oral preparations are preferred. The oral preparations include, for example, solid or powder preparations such as fine granules, granules, tablets, capsules, and pills, as well as liquid preparations such as suspensions, emulsions, syrups, and extracts, etc. Examples of parenteral preparations include external preparations, poultices, etc.

[0065] The composition of the present invention may be composed of the plant body of Momotamana or its extract, or may contain the plant body of Momotamana or its extract.

[0066] When the composition of the present invention is an oral preparation, it may contain other additives, for example, excipients, binders, disintegrants, emulsifiers, lubricants, fluidity promoters, diluents, preservatives, coloring agents, fragrances, flavoring agents, stabilizers, humectants, antiseptics, antioxidants, or suspending agents, etc. Although not limited, examples of additives include gelatin, sodium alginate, starch, corn starch, sucrose, lactose, glucose, mannitol, carboxymethyl cellulose, dextrin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, crystalline cellulose, soybean lecithin, sucrose fatty acid ester, talc, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, magnesium silicate, silicic anhydride, or synthetic aluminum silicate, etc.

[0067] The composition of the present invention can be administered to humans, but the administration target may be animals other than humans, such as pets including dogs, cats, horses, ponies, donkeys, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, monkeys, hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets, mice, birds, etc.; livestock such as cows, chickens, and pigs; experimental animals such as mice and rats; and animals raised in pastures, zoos, etc. (horses, sheep, goats, monkeys, elephants, lions, cheetahs, etc.). Although not limited, among these, humans and horses are preferred. Among horses, Thoroughbred racehorses are preferred. This is because racehorses run at full speed in races, and high athletic abilities such as maximum running speed, maximum running time, and running distance are required.

[0068] The composition of the present invention may be a pharmaceutical, a quasi-drug, a food (food and drink), pet food, feed, or the like.

[0069] The food and drink include food and beverages. Specifically, as food, there are fresh cooked foods such as salads; cooked foods by heating such as steaks, pizzas, and hamburgers; stir-fried cooked foods such as stir-fried vegetables; vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, celery, loofahs, carrots, potatoes, and asparagus, and cooked foods processed from these vegetables; confectioneries such as cookies, bread, biscuits, dry bread, cakes, senbei, yokan, puddings, jellies, ice creams, chewing gums, crackers, chips, chocolates, and candies; noodles such as udon, pasta, and buckwheat noodles; fish paste products such as kamaboko, ham, and fish sausages; dairy products such as cheese, cream, and butter; seasonings such as miso, soy sauce, dressings, ketchup, mayonnaise, soup stock, noodle sauce, curry powder, mirin, and roux; soy foods such as tofu; agricultural and fishery processed products such as furikake, tsukudani, and cereals; and konnyaku, etc.

[0070] As beverages, for example, coffee beverages; cocoa beverages; vegetable juices obtained from the above-mentioned vegetables; fruit juice beverages such as grapefruit juice, orange juice, grape juice, and lemon juice; tea beverages such as green tea, black tea, sencha, and oolong tea; alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine (red wine, white wine, or sparkling wine, etc.), sake, umeshu, sparkling wine, whiskey, brandy, shochu, rum, gin, and liqueurs; milk beverages; soy milk beverages; liquid foods; and sports beverages, etc.

[0071] These foods or beverages may contain, but are not limited to, for example, antioxidants, fragrances, acidulants, colorants, emulsifiers, preservatives, seasonings, sweeteners, spices, pH adjusters, stabilizers, vegetable oils, animal oils, sugars and sugar alcohols, vitamins, organic acids, fruit juice extracts, vegetable extracts, grains, beans, vegetables, meats, seafood, and other food additives and food materials alone or in combination of two or more.

[0072] In the case of tablets, they can be prepared by mixing the powdered active ingredient with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier component (such as excipients) and compression molding. Confectionery tablets such as candies may be prepared by pouring into a mold. Tablets may be sugar-coated to form sugar-coated tablets. Furthermore, the tablets may be single-layer tablets or may be multilayer tablets such as bilayer tablets.

[0073] Powdered and granular preparations such as granules may be prepared by various granulation methods (such as extrusion granulation method, pulverization granulation method, dry compaction granulation method, fluidized bed granulation method, rolling granulation method, high-speed stirring granulation method, etc.). Tablets can be prepared by appropriately combining the above granulation methods, tableting methods (wet tableting method, direct tableting method, etc.).

[0074] Capsules can be prepared by filling capsules (soft or hard capsules) with powdered and granular preparations (powders, granules, etc.) by conventional methods.

[0075] Liquid preparations can be prepared by dissolving or dispersing each component in an aqueous medium (such as purified water, purified water containing ethanol, etc.) as a carrier component, filtering or sterilizing if necessary, filling into a predetermined container, and sterilizing. Preferred dosage forms of solid preparations are capsules or tablets, and soft capsules (soft capsule preparations, soft capsules) are more preferred.

[0076] Soft capsule preparations have a smooth surface and are easy to swallow, and are preferred by users. Examples of general methods for manufacturing soft capsule preparations include the flat plate method, the rotary method, and the seamless method.

[0077] In the manufacture of the rotary method (punching method), a sheet-like capsule film sandwiches the flowing filling content and forms a capsule shape along the holes of a rotating cylindrical mold. On the other hand, in the manufacture of the seamless method (dropping method), the capsule film composition and the content are simultaneously discharged from concentric multiple nozzles and formed into a seamless capsule shape.

[0078] The base of the film of the soft capsule preparation is not particularly limited, and starch, pullulan, cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, succinylated gelatin, etc. can be used. Starch, gelatin, and succinylated gelatin are preferred, and gelatin and succinylated gelatin are more preferred. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0079] The oral intake or dosage per day for an adult of the plant body of Momotamana or its extract can be appropriately determined according to the individual's condition, body weight, gender, age, activity of the material, intake or administration route, intake or administration schedule, dosage form, or other factors. The oral intake or dosage per day for an adult of the plant body of Momotamana or its extract is preferably, for example, 0.1 mg or more, more preferably 1 mg or more, still more preferably 10 mg or more, particularly preferably 20 mg or more, and most preferably 30 mg or more. Also, it may be 100 mg or more, 200 mg or more. The oral intake or dosage per day for an adult of the plant body of Momotamana or its extract is preferably, for example, 2000 mg or less, more preferably 1500 mg or less, still more preferably 1000 mg or less, and particularly preferably 500 mg or less. The oral intake or dosage per day for an adult of the plant body of Momotamana or its extract is preferably, for example, 0.1 to 2000 mg, more preferably 1 to 1500 mg, still more preferably 10 to 1000 mg, still more preferably 20 to 500 mg, and still more preferably 30 to 500 mg.

[0080] Note that the oral intake or dosage per day for an adult, depending on the dosage form, for example, if it is a capsule preparation, may be taken divided into 1 to 6 capsules, 1 to 4 capsules, 1 to 3 capsules, or 1 to 2 capsules.

[0081] The composition of the present invention can be taken or administered usually once to several times a day, preferably once a day, divided into 1 to 6 times a day, 1 to 3 times a day, 1 to 2 times a day, or at any period and interval.

Example

[0082] Next, the present invention will be specifically described by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0083] [Test Example 1. Exercise Ability Evaluation Test 1] In the Momotamana intake group (with exercise, denoted as "Ex K"), the Momotamana intake group (without exercise, denoted as "Sed K"), the control group (with exercise, denoted as "Ex Con"), and the control group (without exercise, denoted as "Sed Con"), ICR mice (4 weeks old, male, Shimizu Experimental Materials Co., Ltd.) were used at 4 mice per group. In the Momotamana intake group (with exercise) and the Momotamana intake group (without exercise), the Momotamana extract (50% ethanol extract, ethanol manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Inc., special grade reagent) was forcibly administered orally every day for 2 weeks at 500 mg / kg using a gastric tube. This is approximately 30 g per day when converted to a human with a body weight of 60 kg. In the control group (with exercise) and the control group (without exercise), instead of the Momotamana extract, a 0.1% CMC (carboxymethylcellulose) solution was forcibly administered orally under the same conditions.

[0084] In the Momotamana intake group (with exercise) and the control group (with exercise), during the 2-week administration period, the ICR mice were continuously made to perform spontaneous running exercise using a wheel (manufactured by Trans Boot Co., Ltd.) installed in the breeding cage. Such spontaneous running exercise corresponds to performing daily activities such as walking, shopping, housework, and taking care of children, which are equivalent to ordinary walking in human daily life. Also, when compared to the exercise intensity of humans, it corresponds to exercise of 3 mets or more in daily life (exercise of 3 mets is, for example, light exercise such as walking or daily housework). In the Momotamana intake group (without exercise) and the control group (without exercise), no wheel was installed in the breeding cage. The group without exercise corresponds to a state where almost no exercise of 3 mets or more is performed in human daily life.

[0085] After the end of the 2-week administration period, using a treadmill, the running speed was increased over time, and each ICR mouse was made to run until it was no longer possible to continue exercising, and the exercise ability was evaluated. The inclination angle and exercise conditions in the exercise ability evaluation using the treadmill are shown in Table 1. The results of the maximum running speed are shown in Figure 1, the results of the maximum running time are shown in Figure 2, and the results of the running distance are shown in Figure 3. The results of the statistical evaluation by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test are also shown ( **** P < 0.0001, *** P < 0.001, ** P < 0.01, * P < 0.05).

[0086] [Table 1]

[0087] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, it was confirmed that by ingesting Momotamana and / or its extract, all of the maximum running speed, maximum running time, and running distance were significantly improved. From the above results, it was confirmed that by ingesting Momotamana and / or its extract, the fatigue during exercise was improved and the exercise endurance was enhanced. It was newly found that such an exercise ability improvement effect is particularly effectively exhibited when performing daily exercise and life activities of moderate intensity (exercise intensity of about 3 METs) or more, and the composition of the present invention is suitable, for example, for athletes.

[0088] [Test Example 2. Exercise Ability Evaluation Test 2] The intake amount of the Momotamana extract used in Test Example 1 was reduced, and the exercise ability evaluation test was conducted again. A high-dose Momotamana intake group (with exercise, 500 mg / 10 mL / kg, denoted as "K High"), a low-dose Momotamana intake group (with exercise, 200 mg / 10 mL / kg, denoted as "K Low"), a control group (with exercise, denoted as "Ex Con"), and a control group (without exercise, denoted as "No Ex") were used with 4 animals in each group, and the exercise ability evaluation test was conducted in the same manner as in Test Example 1.

[0089] The results of the maximum running time are shown in Figure 4, and the results of the running distance are shown in Figure 5. The results of the statistical evaluation by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test are also shown ( *** P < 0.001, * P < 0.05, +P < 0.10).

[0090] Also, after the end of the 2-week administration period, using a mass spectrometer for biological gas analysis (ARCO2000, manufactured by Alcosystem Co., Ltd.), the exhaled gas and respiratory exchange ratio of each ICR mouse were measured. The results of the exhaled gas are shown in Figure 6, and the results of the respiratory exchange ratio are shown in Figure 7. In the case of the respiratory exchange ratio (Figure 7), it was evaluated in the high-dose momotama intake group (with exercise, 500 mg / 10 mL / kg, denoted as "Ex K") and the control group (with exercise, denoted as "Ex Con").

[0091] As shown in Figure 6, it was confirmed that the sugar metabolism at rest was enhanced by ingesting momotama and / or its extract. That is, it is presumed that ingesting momotama and / or its extract can improve energy production in daily life.

[0092] As shown in Figure 7, it was confirmed that the respiratory exchange ratio decreased to around 0.85 by ingesting momotama and / or its extract. The fact that the respiratory exchange ratio approaches 0.85 indicates that the body is performing exercise efficiently and can also affect the calories consumed by exercise.

[0093] Also, after the end of the 2-week administration period, the body weight and food intake of each ICR mouse were evaluated. The results of the body weight are shown in Figure 8, and the results of the food intake are shown in Figure 9.

[0094] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it was confirmed that the body weight decreased by ingesting Momotamana and / or its extract. In the control group (with exercise), by exercising on the wheel installed in the breeding cage, the daily food intake increased, and an increase in body weight was confirmed after the end of the administration period. However, in the Momotamana intake group (with exercise), the daily food intake was suppressed, and the body weight decreased after the end of the administration period.

[0095] [Test Example 3. Oxygen Radical Absorbing Capacity Measurement Test] In addition to the Momotamana extract used in Test Example 1, the antioxidant activity of ginger extract (50% ethanol extract of commercially available ginger) and garlic extract (manufactured by OP Bioventures), which are known to have high antioxidant activity, was evaluated by the oxygen radical absorbing capacity measurement method (ORAC method).

[0096] The ORAC method is an evaluation method developed by the National Institute on Aging in 1992. In the ORAC method, fluorescein is used as a fluorescent probe, and in the presence of 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH), which is a radical generator, the fluorescence intensity of fluorescein decomposed thereby is measured over time, and the antioxidant power is measured using the change as an index. When an antioxidant coexists in this reaction system, the rate of decrease in the fluorescence intensity of fluorescein is delayed. Therefore, the antioxidant power of the sample converted to a standard substance can be calculated by comparing the degree of delay in the rate of decrease of fluorescein in the presence of the standard substance. Therefore, when a high value is shown in the ORAC test, it can be said that the stability against oxidation is high.

[0097] After adding 1.8 mL of 48 nM fluorescein solution to 0.3 mL of the solution (pH 7.4) of the above Momotamana extract, ginger extract, or garlic extract, 0.9 mL of 43 mM AAPH (pH 7.4) was added. After vortexing this mixture for 10 seconds, the fluorescence intensity (excitation wavelength: 485 nm, measurement wavelength 520 nm) was measured with a spectrofluorometer (product name FlexStation 3, manufactured by Molecular devices).

[0098] The ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species was calculated from the obtained fluorescence intensity (n = 1). The results are shown in Fig. 10. The ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species represents the antioxidant activity per 1 mg of the sample as an equivalent amount of Trolox (vitamin E derivative; antioxidant used as an index), and a higher value indicates a higher ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species.

[0099] As shown in Fig. 10, the Momotamana extract exhibited a high ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species, which was approximately 150 times that of Trolox, the antioxidant used as an index. Also, compared with the ginger extract, which is known to have a high antioxidant effect, the Momotamana extract showed an ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species that was approximately 5 times higher. Furthermore, compared with the chive extract, which is known to have a high antioxidant effect, the Momotamana extract showed an ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species that was approximately 7.5 times higher.

Claims

**Claim 1** A composition for improving fatigue, which contains an effective amount of Terminalia catappa L. and / or an extract thereof, and is used for those who perform daily exercise or life activities with an exercise intensity of 3 mets or more. **Claim 2** A composition for improving endurance, which contains an effective amount of Terminalia catappa L. and / or an extract thereof, and is used for those who perform daily exercise or life activities with an exercise intensity of 3 mets or more. **Claim 3** A composition for daily exercisers, which contains an effective amount of Terminalia catappa L. and / or an extract thereof. **Claim 4** The composition according to claim 1, wherein the improvement of fatigue is the improvement of fatigue during daily exercise. **Claim 5** The composition according to claim 2, wherein the improvement of endurance is the improvement of speed, distance, or time during walking or running.

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