Health food for suppressing epidermal thickening

Abstract

[Problem] The present invention provides a health food or health beverage that suppresses epidermal thickening and that suppresses a reduction in the amount of collagen in the epidermis and the like. [Solution] Intake of a health food that comprises nucleoproteins (nucleic acid) which are extracts of DNA-containing fish soft-roe-derived extract, RNA-containing yeast, and the like, collagen, and arginine, and that further contains magnesium carbonate, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, zinc, citric acid, vitamin C, other vitamins, an emulsifier, and the like has the effect of suppress epidermal thickening, suppressing a reduction in collagen in the dermis and the like, or promotion of an increase in collagen in the dermis and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a health food that suppresses epidermal thickening, and a health food that suppresses thickening and does not reduce the collagen content in the dermis.

Background Art

[0002] The human epidermis prevents the loss of body water and various biological components, is responsible for the transpiration of surface water and the constant maintenance of body temperature. On the other hand, it also has a barrier function to protect the body from external physical and chemical stimuli, such as temperature, humidity, ultraviolet rays, and various chemical substances. Due to its physiological functions, the human epidermis plays a very important role in the life activities of the living body. However, the physiological function fluctuations associated with environmental changes often cause epidermal dysfunction, and frequently induce epidermal thickening due to disruption of epidermal turnover, abnormal epidermal lipid metabolism, etc.

[0003] Chronic ultraviolet exposure on the face, the back of the hands, etc. causes epidermal abnormalities, epidermal thickening, and skin dryness. Epidermal abnormalities and epidermal thickening not only have pathological effects on the human body, but also lead to loss of skin elasticity, reduction of skin freshness, and cosmetic losses such as rough skin texture. In particular, postmenopausal women show adverse effects on the skin due to hormonal changes, etc., so it is important to improve these effects.

[0004] Patent Document 1 proposes to provide an epidermal thickening inhibitor that suppresses epidermal thickening caused by ultraviolet exposure, or a cosmetic, quasi-drug, pharmaceutical, or food and drink containing ascorbic acid, an ascorbic acid derivative, or a salt thereof as the inhibitor. Patent Document 2 proposes to provide an oral internal medicine and a skin cosmetic containing glucosylceramide extracted from pineapple as a wrinkle inhibitor that is excellent in safety and excellent in suppressing wrinkles, reduction of epidermal water content, and epidermal thickening caused by ultraviolet exposure.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-11254 Patent Document 2 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-241370 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] Patent Document 1 describes that the cell growth rate was measured and epidermal thickening was suppressed, but there is no description of measuring the thickness of the epidermis, and it does not show a sufficient effect based on the epidermal thickness. Further, Patent Document 2 describes the wrinkle volume ratio, wrinkle area ratio, number of wrinkles, and epidermal moisture content, but it does not show a sufficient effect even when compared with Reference Example 1. Furthermore, there is no data on the actual measurement of the epidermal thickness in the description of Patent Document 2. Therefore, one of the problems is to provide a health food that has a sufficient effect based on the data of the measured epidermal thickness.

[0007] The present inventors have attempted to analyze using a new evaluation method using rats and have worked on foods and beverages that suppress epidermal thickening. The object of the present invention is to provide a health food that suppresses epidermal thickening, and further a health food that has an action of increasing collagen such as in the dermis. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0008] The present inventors have found that the ingestion of collagen, arginine, and nuclear protein components derived from plants, fish, and dairy products suppresses epidermal thickening, and further have obtained the finding that the ingestion of magnesium carbonate, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, zinc, citric acid, vitamin C, etc. further exerts the action of suppressing epidermal thickening. Based on these findings, the present inventors have completed the health food of the present invention.

[0009] The present invention has been completed based on the above findings. That is, one aspect of the present invention is 1. A health food containing collagen, nuclear protein, and arginine, and having an inhibitory effect on epidermal thickening. 2. The health food according to 1, further containing one or more selected from the group consisting of magnesium carbonate, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, zinc, citric acid, and vitamin C. 3. The health food according to 1, wherein the nuclear protein is one or more selected from the group consisting of yeast-derived RNA, plant-derived RNA, fish-derived RNA, dairy product-derived RNA, and salmon milt-derived DNA. 4. The health food according to 1, wherein the nuclear protein is contained in an amount of 10% by mass or more based on the mass of the collagen. 5. The health food according to 1, wherein the nuclear protein is 0.5% by mass or more based on the total mass of the health food. 6. The health food according to 1, wherein the nuclear protein has dinucleotide, trinucleotide, tetranucleotide, or pentanucleotide. 7. The health food according to 1, wherein the content of dinucleotide is 0.8 to 2.0 relative to the content of mononucleotide in the nuclear protein. 8. The health food according to 1, wherein the contents of dinucleotide, trinucleotide, tetranucleotide, and pentanucleotide are 20% or more based on the content of the nuclear protein. 9. The health food according to any one of 1 to 8, further having an effect of increasing the collagen content in the dermis.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, a health food that suppresses epidermal thickening with high safety and no side effects is provided. In addition, according to the health food of the present invention, not only can it suppress the decrease in the thickness of the epidermis and dermis or the decrease in the collagen content in the dermis, but also it can promote the increase in the collagen content in the dermis.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] The present invention will be described in more detail below. Generally speaking, health foods refer to all foods that are purported to be effective in maintaining or promoting health, but there is no clear definition by administrative agencies, etc. The health foods in the present invention include confectionery, beverages, jelly, and tablets and capsules similar to pharmaceuticals (so-called supplements). And since health foods are not pharmaceuticals, there are no particular restrictions on the number of intakes, the amount of intake, and the timing of intake such as before or after meals. The health food of the present invention is characterized in that it contains a combination of collagen, nuclear protein, and arginine, and can suppress the thickening of human epidermis. Since the thickening of the epidermis is a phenomenon that easily appears in women after menopause, including women during menopause, especially menopausal women, the intake of the health food of the present invention is very useful for suppressing the thickening of the epidermis in such women. When the thickening of the epidermis is suppressed, women can maintain moist skin, and can also maintain good subcutaneous blood flow and capillary density, and an extension of healthy life expectancy can be expected. In addition, men secrete less female hormone and no dramatic decrease in its amount is observed. Therefore, the health food of the present invention is an effective food not only for postmenopausal women but also for general men. From the above, the targets for ingesting the health food of the invention are women during menopause, men during menopause, women after menopause, men after menopause, postmenopausal women, elderly women, and elderly men. Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention relates to the method of oral administration and use of the above health food.

[0013] Specific substances that can be added to the health food of the present invention can include, but are not limited to, the following. Hereinafter, the components contained in the health food of the present invention will be individually described.

[0014] Collagen includes porcine collagen peptide, fish collagen peptide (including gelatin), and collagen-containing mineral complex, etc. The above collagen can be used alone or as a mixture of two or more kinds.

[0015] Collagen is known to be abundant in the dermis, which can refine the texture of the skin and maintain its moisture. Therefore, the inventors created rats that had undergone ovariectomy, prepared collagen, nuclear proteins, and other components, and observed the state of epidermal hyperplasia and the amount of collagen in the dermis and other tissues to verify the components that can suppress epidermal hyperplasia and the decrease in collagen in the dermis and other tissues. Then, based on the results of the observation test of the state of epidermal hyperplasia and the amount of collagen in the dermis and other tissues, the inventors found the components of a health food that has the effect of suppressing epidermal hyperplasia and the decrease in collagen in the dermis and other tissues.

[0016] The nucleic acids contained in nuclear proteins are a general term for DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that retains genetic information and RNA (ribonucleic acid) that transmits genetic information and synthesizes proteins according to the information carried by DNA. They not only play an important role in cell proliferation and growth but also are very important substances in maintaining life activities. As a water-soluble nuclear protein, it can be produced by removing the skin, muscle, blood vessels, etc. from the milt, purifying to remove oil, and then performing enzymatic decomposition treatment with nuclease and protease. As the milt, for example, the milt of salmon, trout, sardine, cod, etc. can be used.

[0017] Examples of the RNA include RNA derived from yeast, plants, fish, and dairy products. Torula yeast as RNA derived from yeast has been recognized as safe for food use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the production of the bacterial cells is underway. The nucleic acid (RNA) extracted from the bacterial cells is used as a health food. For yeast, in addition to Torula yeast, there are, for example, brewer's yeast, milk yeast, and baker's yeast, and extracts (especially RNA) from these yeasts can be used. In the present invention, in addition to the yeast extract, the RNA contained in plant-derived components, fish-derived components, and dairy product-derived components can also be used. In one aspect of the present invention, the health food contains RNA other than the yeast extract. In the present invention, plant-derived components such as corn, wheat, soybeans, and rice, as well as fish- and dairy product-derived components are used, but it is not limited thereto.

[0018] By ingesting arginine in combination with collagen, activating the immune response, promoting cell proliferation, and promoting the production of collagen, it is expected that the inhibitory effect on the epidermal thickening of the ingestor will be promoted, and thus arginine can be contained in the health food of the present invention. The arginine contained in the health food of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can be added in a form that can be used in food, and examples include arginine alone and a form in which an arginine molecule is bound to an acid molecule.

[0019] By ingesting zinc in combination with nuclear protein, promoting protein metabolism, activating the metabolism of the whole body including the skin, and expecting to improve the skin problems of the ingestor, zinc can be contained in the health food of the present invention. The zinc contained in the health food of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can be added in a form that can be used in food, and it can be ingested in the form of zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate, edible zinc yeast, etc.

[0020] Since it promotes energy metabolism and protein synthesis, maintains the functions of all cells including blood vessels and nerves, and can prevent the progression of arteriosclerosis and aging due to magnesium deficiency, it is expected to suppress the maintenance of epidermal cells and the progression of aging of the ingestor, and thus magnesium can be contained in the health food of the present invention. Magnesium carbonate contained in the health food of the present invention is also a medical pharmaceutical and is not particularly limited as long as it can be added in a form that can be used in food. In the present invention, as the magnesium salt, magnesium oxide, magnesium chloride, etc. may be added instead of magnesium carbonate or a part thereof.

[0021] Chondroitin is said to have high water retention. Therefore, it is expected to improve the water retention of the skin, give moisture, firmness, gloss, and elasticity to the skin, etc., and further expect to suppress the thickening of the epidermis of the ingestor, and thus chondroitin can be contained in the health food of the present invention. The chondroitin contained in the health food of the present invention is a kind of glycosaminoglycan (mucopolysaccharide), and chondroitins, which are chondroitin and its derivatives and their salts having a structure in which sulfuric acid is bound to a sugar chain in which a disaccharide of D-glucuronic acid (GlcA) and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc) repeats as a basic structure, can be mentioned.

[0022] Hyaluronic acid is originally a component existing in the living body, but it is known that it begins to decrease with the peak at 20 years old. Therefore, hyaluronic acid can be contained in the health food of the present invention in expectation of maintaining the moisture inside the skin and bringing moisture and flexibility to the whole skin. The hyaluronic acid contained in the health food of the present invention is a kind of proteoglycan, and hyaluronic acids, which are hyaluronic acid and its derivatives and their salts having a structure in which a disaccharide unit in which the 1-position of β-D-glucuronic acid and the 3-position of β-D-N-acetyl-glucosamine are bound is linked as a basic structure, can be mentioned. Further, the hyaluronic acid in the present invention can include low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid or hyaluronic acid degradation products obtained by subjecting such hyaluronic acids to enzyme treatment using hyaluronidase or the like, or heat and pressure treatment. Specific hyaluronic acids that can be added to health foods include chicken comb extracts and the like. Furthermore, the hyaluronic acid or its salt may be extracted from biological tissues of animals or the like (for example, in addition to chicken combs, also tendons, skin, synovial fluid, etc.), or may be obtained by culturing microorganisms, animal cells or plant cells, or chemically or enzymatically synthesized ones can be used.

[0023] Vitamins are essential not only for beautiful skin but also for health. Therefore, vitamins including vitamin C can be added to the health food of the present invention in expectation of avoiding skin troubles caused by deficiency and suppressing the thickening of the epidermis of the ingestor. The vitamins are not particularly limited as long as they are vitamins or their derivatives capable of exerting the effects of the present invention, or salts thereof. For example, vitamin C (ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, ascorbic acid derivatives), and other vitamins generally contained in health foods can be mentioned.

[0024] Citric acid can be used as an acidulant and a pH adjuster. As the pH adjuster, in addition to citric acid, sodium citrate, lactic acid, sodium lactate, glycolic acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, sodium acetate, malic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, etc. can also be used.

[0025] Other components include sweeteners such as fructose, glucose, liquid sugar, refined sugar, rare sugar-containing syrup, erythritol, and sucralose, fruit juices such as pineapple juice, preservatives such as sodium benzoate, coloring agents such as caramel pigment, emulsifiers (e.g., soy-derived), flavors, acidulants, etc. In addition, the present invention can include raw materials other than the above as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. Examples of such raw materials include water, excipients, antioxidants, preservatives, wetting agents, thickeners, buffers, adsorbents, solvents, stabilizers, surfactants, lubricants, water-soluble polymers, etc. When the health food of the present invention contains these other components, appropriate amounts of each component can be added. The present invention can also include other pharmaceutically active compounds.

[0026] The dosage of the health food of the present invention varies depending on age, body weight, patient sensitivity, degree of skin condition, etc. The health food can be ingested, for example, as a beverage, usually at least 30 ml at a time, preferably at least 60 ml. In the present invention, the molecular weight of DNA, the component ratio of nuclear protein and collagen are important. The nuclear protein (nucleic acid) can be blended in the range of 0.5% by mass or more, preferably 1.5% by mass or more, more preferably 2.0% by mass or more per 100% by mass of the food. The ratio of collagen to nuclear protein is important. Therefore, based on the mass of collagen, the nuclear protein (nucleic acid) can be formulated in the range of 10% by mass or more, preferably 15% by mass, more preferably 20% by mass or more. Regarding the molecular weight of DNA, the total content of mononucleotides, dinucleotides, trinucleotides, tetranucleotides and pentanucleotides with respect to the content of nuclear protein contained in the whitefish roe extract can be formulated at 20% or more, preferably 30% or more, more preferably 40% or more, particularly preferably 50% or more. In the molecular weight distribution of the DNA of the present invention, the contents of dinucleotides, trinucleotides, tetranucleotides and pentanucleotides are also important. The total content of dinucleotides, trinucleotides, tetranucleotides and pentanucleotides with respect to the content of nuclear protein contained in the whitefish roe extract can be formulated at 10% or more, preferably 20% or more, more preferably 25% or more, particularly preferably 30% or more. Furthermore, in the molecular weight distribution of the DNA of the present invention, the ratio of the content of mononucleotides to dinucleotides is also important. With respect to the content of mononucleotides 1 in the content of nuclear protein contained in the whitefish roe extract, the content of dinucleotides can be formulated at 0.7 to 2.0, preferably 0.8 to 2.0, more preferably 0.9 to 2.0, particularly preferably 0.9 to 1.5. Also, in the molecular weight distribution of the DNA of the present invention, the contents of dinucleotides and trinucleotides are also important. The content of dinucleotides with respect to the content of nuclear protein contained in the whitefish roe extract can be formulated at 5% or more, preferably 10% or more, more preferably 13% or more, particularly preferably 15% or more. Also, the content of trinucleotides with respect to the content of nuclear protein contained in the whitefish roe extract can be formulated at 1% or more, preferably 3% or more, more preferably 5% or more, particularly preferably 10% or more.

[0027] The health food of the present invention may be mixed with various components such as known sweeteners, acidulants, vitamins, etc. to form a product that suits the preferences of users. The health food of the present invention may be, for example, drinks as beverages, or may also be in solid, powder, granular form, and can be provided in the form of dairy products such as jelly, yogurt, seasonings, processed foods, supplements, tablets, capsules, desserts, confectioneries, etc. The manufacturing process of these health foods is not particularly limited. For example, during the processing of the health food, the target health food can be manufactured by adding the above-mentioned sweeteners, etc. by appropriate means.

[0028] The health food of the present invention is effective as Femtech and Femcare for alleviating women-specific symptoms, improves skin thickening caused by menopausal humans, post-menopausal humans, post-menopausal women, and elderly humans, and can also be expected to improve the decrease in the amount of collagen in the dermis.

[0029] Examples of the components of the health food of the present invention are shown below. Health Food Example 1 Beverage (mixing ratio, unit: mass%) Water-soluble nuclear protein-containing extract 0.3 - 3.0 Collagen-containing substance 5.0 - 20.0 Arginine 0.05 - 0.5 Magnesium carbonate 0.1 - 1.0 Chondroitin 0.01 - 0.1 Hyaluronic acid 0.001 - 0.01 Zinc 0.01 - 0.5 Vitamin C 0.3 - 3.0 Vitamins other than vitamin C 0.01 - 0.3 Citric acids 0.5 - 5.0 Sugars 5.0 - 20.0 Other added components Appropriate amount (Examples that may be included as other added components: fragrances / emulsifiers / pigments, etc.) Health Food Example 2 Jelly (mixing ratio per 15 g, unit: mass%) Water-soluble nuclear protein-containing extract 0.3 - 3.0 Collagen-containing substance 5.0 - 20.0 Arginine 0.05 - 0.5 Magnesium carbonate 0.1 - 1.0 Zinc 0.01 - 0.5 Vitamin C 0.3 - 3.0 Vitamins other than vitamin C 0.01 - 0.3 Other added ingredients Appropriate amount (Examples that may be included as other added ingredients: gelatin / chondroitin / hyaluronic acid / citric acids / sweeteners / saccharides / fruit puree, etc.) Health food example 3 Capsule-type supplement (blending ratio per 12 capsules Unit: mass%) Water-soluble nuclear protein-containing extract 0.3 - 3.0 Collagen-containing substance 5.0 - 20.0 Arginine 0.05 - 0.5 Magnesium carbonate 0.1 - 1.0 Zinc 0.01 - 0.5 Vitamin C 0.3 - 3.0 Vitamins other than vitamin C 0.01 - 0.3 Other added ingredients Appropriate amount (Examples that may be included as other added ingredients: brewer's yeast / ginkgo leaf extract / odorless garlic extract / pork plant extract / dextrin / gelatin / chondroitin / hyaluronic acid / copper / saccharides / sucrose fatty acid ester / ferrous citrate sodium / calcium pantothenate, etc.)

Example

[0030] Hereinafter, one aspect of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. The rats, samples, etc. used in the examples are as follows. 1. Rat breeding Female SD rats were introduced at 3 weeks of age and divided into 6 groups considering their average body weight (grouping is described in the next section). After acclimation, they were fed with experimental feed. In the 2nd, 4th, and 6th groups, ovariectomy (OVX treatment) was performed on the 7th day after starting the administration of the experimental sample to create a postmenopausal pathological model. It is generally said that OVX treatment causes a decrease in epidermal water content and a decrease in the ability to recover skin barrier function. OVX treatment is meaningful not only as a postmenopausal model but also as a pathological model with abnormal skin conditions and a pathological model prone to epidermal hyperplasia. In the 1st and 2nd groups, placebo (drink) was forcibly administered orally at 1 mL / 300 g (body weight) / day from 1 week before OVX treatment. In the 3rd and 4th groups, the health food (drink) before the improvement of the present invention was forcibly administered orally at 1 mL / 300 g (body weight) / day from 1 week before OVX treatment. In the 5th and 6th groups, the health food (drink) with improved DNA molecular weight distribution in the salmon roe extract of the present invention was forcibly administered orally at 1 mL / 300 g (body weight) / day from 1 week before OVX treatment. The rats in the 1st to 6th groups were dissected 7 weeks after OVX treatment, and the skin was excised and analyzed.

[0031] 2. Materials and Methods 2-1 Health Foods Using Water-Soluble Nuclear Protein-Containing Extracts Before and After Improvement Health foods containing a water-soluble nuclear protein-containing extract with improved DNA molecular weight distribution of the nuclear protein contained in the salmon roe extract and health foods containing the water-soluble nuclear protein-containing extract before improvement were prepared. The water-soluble nuclear protein-containing extract after improvement was achieved by adjusting hydrolysis conditions (temperature, enzyme amount, etc.), and the molecular weight distribution (amount of oligonucleotides) changed compared to the water-soluble nuclear protein-containing extract before improvement. Graphs of the molecular weight distribution are shown in Fig. 1 (before improvement) and Fig. 2 (after improvement). Comparing Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, it can be seen that the content of oligonucleotides has increased. In particular, since the usefulness of trinucleotides was found, the content of trinucleotides was increased. Apparatus for measuring molecular weight distribution: HPLC Prominence System manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation [Online degassing unit: DGU20A, Pump unit (with high-pressure gradient unit): LC20AD, Autosampler: SIL20AC(HT)] 2-2. Experimental animals and their breeding environment Female SD rats were purchased at 3 weeks of age from Shimizu Experimental Materials Co., Ltd. and maintained in the animal breeding room at Kinki University.

[0032] 2-3. Grouping The rats were weighed at the time of introduction and divided so as to be average. The treatment methods, types of beverages, and numbers of rats for each group were as follows. Group 1: Non-OVX-treated, placebo beverage intake group, 6 rats Group 2: OVX-treated, placebo beverage intake group, 7 rats Group 3: Non-OVX-treated, health food (beverage) intake group before the improvement of the present invention, 6 rats Group 4: OVX-treated, health food (beverage) intake group before the improvement of the present invention, 7 rats Group 5: Non-OVX-treated, health food (beverage) intake group with improved molecular weight distribution of DNA contained in the salmon milt extract of the present invention, 6 rats Group 6: OVX-treated, health food (beverage) intake group with improved molecular weight distribution of DNA contained in the salmon milt extract of the present invention, 7 rats The formulation ratio of the placebo is shown below. Placebo beverage (formulation ratio unit: mass%) Sugars 10 Citric acids 2 Dextrin 13 Other added ingredients Appropriate amount (Other added ingredients: emulsifier / dye, etc.)

[0033] 2-4. Feed The feed was prepared at Kinki University. The prepared feed was stored frozen until use. The composition is as follows. Control fat feed (g) —————————————————————— Casein 200 Maltodextrin 125 Sucrose 68.8 Cellulose 50 AIN-93G Mineral 32 Calcium hydrogen phosphate 13 AIN-93 Vitamin mixture 10 Cystine 3 Choline chloride 2 Corn starch 506.2 Lard 20 Olive oil 25 —————————————————————— Total 1055 Kcal / g 3.85 During the domestication period, the whole group was fed the normal (experimental) diet MF (Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd.).

[0034] 2-5. Measurement of food intake The average calorie intake was calculated from the measurement of food intake. The food intake was calculated as the difference between the total mass of the experimental diet measured about 24 hours after changing the floor covering on the day before measuring the food intake and the mass of the experimental diet on the previous day, including the mass of the experimental diet that had fallen on the floor covering. The average calorie intakes of Groups 1 to 6 are shown in Figure 3.

[0035] 2-6. Measurement of body weight The body weight of the rats was measured between 10:00 am and 11:00 am at the time of introduction and once a week after starting the feeding of the experimental diet. The final body weight of the OVX-treated group was significantly increased compared to the non-OVX-treated group. There was no significant difference due to the administration of the invention product in both the non-OVX-treated and OVX-treated groups. The body weights at the time of dissection of Groups 1 to 6 are shown in Figure 4.

[0036] 3. Methods for measuring epidermal thickness and collagen content 3-1 Measurement of epidermal thickness (HE staining) The tissue specimens were dissected 7 weeks after OVX treatment, and the skin was removed and prepared. The epidermal thickness measurement was evaluated by HE staining the tissue sections and measuring the thickness of the epidermal part. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the state of the epidermis of rats. Each figure in Figure 5 shows the inside of the skin downward, and the darker-colored part is shown as the epidermis. Comparing the first and second groups in the placebo beverage intake group, it can be seen that the darker-colored part, that is, the epidermal part, of the second group subjected to OVX treatment is thicker than that of the first group not subjected to OVX treatment. Comparing the third and fifth groups and the fourth and sixth groups in the beverage intake group of the present invention, it can be seen that the darker-colored part, that is, the epidermal part, of the fourth and sixth groups subjected to OVX treatment is of the same thickness as that of the third and fifth groups not subjected to OVX treatment. Figure 6 is a graph measuring the thickness of the epidermis of rats. Comparing the first and second groups in the placebo beverage intake group, it can be seen that based on the epidermal thickness of the first group not subjected to OVX treatment, the epidermal thickness of the second group subjected to OVX treatment increased by about 6.7 μm on average in each group. Comparing the third and fourth groups in the beverage intake group before the improvement of the present invention, it can be seen that based on the epidermal thickness of the third group not subjected to OVX treatment, the epidermal thickness of the fourth group subjected to OVX treatment increased by about 6.4 μm on average in each group. Comparing the fifth and sixth groups in the beverage intake group after the improvement of the present invention, it can be seen that based on the epidermal thickness of the fifth group not subjected to OVX treatment, the epidermal thickness of the sixth group subjected to OVX treatment increased by about 2.6 μm on average in each group. From the above, it is inferred that epidermal hyperplasia occurs by performing OVX treatment. It was found that the average value of the epidermal thickness of the group that ingested the improved healthy beverage of the present invention was suppressed to 1 / 2.5 (2.6 / 6.7) or less compared to the average value of the epidermal thickness of the group that drank the placebo. In addition, even when comparing the average value of the epidermal thickness of the group that ingested the healthy beverage before improvement with the average value of the epidermal thickness of the group that ingested the healthy beverage after improvement, it was improved from an increase of 6.4 μm to an increase of 2.6 μm.

[0037] 3-2 PSR staining The collagen content of the dermis was observed by examining the state of the collagen-positive regions within the skin. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the state of the collagen-positive regions in rats. Each diagram in Figure 7 shows the interior of the skin facing downwards. The white portions of each diagram in Figure 7 shown in black-and-white photographs (representing the areas with strong red color in the color photograph as bright white) are the collagen-containing portions of the dermis. Comparing the first and second groups in the placebo beverage intake group, it can be seen that the white portion, i.e., the collagen-containing portion, in the second group subjected to OVX treatment is less than that in the first group not subjected to OVX treatment. Comparing the third and fifth groups and the fourth and sixth groups in the beverage intake group of the present invention, it can be seen that the white portion, i.e., the collagen-containing portion, in the fourth and sixth groups subjected to OVX treatment has increased significantly compared to the white portion in the third and fifth groups not subjected to OVX treatment. Figure 8 is a graph showing the collagen-positive regions (%) in rats. Comparing the first and second groups in the placebo beverage intake group, it can be seen that based on the thickness of the collagen-positive region in the first group not subjected to OVX treatment, the collagen-positive region in the second group subjected to OVX treatment has decreased by approximately 12.5% on average for each group. Comparing the third and fourth groups in the beverage intake group of the present invention, it can be seen that based on the collagen-positive region in the third group not subjected to OVX treatment, the thickness of the collagen-positive region in the fourth group subjected to OVX treatment has increased by approximately 1.9% on average for each group. Comparing the fifth and sixth groups in the beverage intake group of the present invention, based on the collagen-positive region in the fifth group not subjected to OVX treatment, the 6 thickness of the collagen-positive region in the group subjected to OVX treatment has increased by approximately 3.8% on average for each group. From the above, it is inferred that when drinking placebo, the collagen-positive region decreases due to OVX treatment. However, it has been found that by ingesting the health beverage of the present invention, the collagen-positive region not only does not decrease but rather increases even when subjected to OVX treatment. It has been found that ingesting the health beverage of the present invention not only suppresses the decrease of collagen but also promotes the increase of collagen.

Industrial Applicability

[0038] The health food of the present invention can keep the skin in good condition by ingestion. The product of the present invention is useful as a beauty and health food.

Claims

1. A health food containing collagen, nuclear protein and arginine, which has an inhibitory effect on epidermal hyperplasia, wherein the nuclear protein is 0.5% by mass or more based on the total mass of the health food, the nuclear protein has mononucleotides, dinucleotides, trinucleotides, tetranucleotides and pentanucleotides, the content of the dinucleotide is 0.8 to 2.0 relative to the content of the mononucleotide of 1, the content of dinucleotides, trinucleotides, tetranucleotides and pentanucleotides in the nuclear protein is 20% or more based on the content of the nuclear protein, the content of mononucleotides, dinucleotides, trinucleotides, tetranucleotides and pentanucleotides in the nuclear protein is 30% or more based on the content of the nuclear protein, the content of the dinucleotide in the nuclear protein is 10% or more based on the content of the nuclear protein, the content of the trinucleotide in the nuclear protein is 3% or more based on the content of the nuclear protein, A health food for inhibiting epidermal hyperplasia.

2. The health food for inhibiting epidermal hyperplasia according to claim 1, further containing one or more selected from the group consisting of magnesium carbonate, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, zinc, citric acid and vitamin C.

3. The nucleic acid contained in the nuclear protein is one or more selected from the group consisting of yeast-derived RNA, plant-derived RNA, fish-derived RNA, dairy product-derived RNA and salmon roe-derived DNA, and the health food for inhibiting epidermal hyperplasia according to claim 1.

4. The health food for inhibiting epidermal hyperplasia according to claim 1, wherein the nuclear protein is contained in an amount of 10% by mass or more based on the mass of the collagen.

5. The health food further has an effect of increasing the collagen content in the dermis, and is the health food for inhibiting epidermal hyperplasia according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The health food for inhibiting epidermal hyperplasia according to claim 5, which has an inhibitory effect on epidermal hyperplasia in humans during and after menopause.

Images