Composition of inhibitory T cell proliferation

Abstract

To provide a composition that comprises barley young leaves and has new functions.SOLUTION: A composition comprises barley young leaves and acts to increase regulatory T-cells, inhibit immune response, maintain the normal immune function, and treat viral infections.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a composition capable of increasing regulatory T cells. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART In recent years, with the background of increasing interest in health, various health foods have been developed, and research into various materials to be used in health foods has been conducted.

[0003] Among these, young barley leaves are used as an ingredient in health foods and green juice, and their functionality, such as anti-cholesterol activity, has been widely studied (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-314170 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a composition using young barley leaves that has new functions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] While studying the functions of young barley leaves, the present inventors discovered that young barley leaves have the effect of increasing regulatory T cells, leading to the completion of the present invention.

[0007] That is, the present invention is as follows. [1] A composition for increasing regulatory T cells, characterized by containing young barley leaves. [2] A composition for suppressing immune responses, characterized by containing young barley leaves. [3] A composition for maintaining normal immune function, characterized by containing young barley leaves. [4] An antiviral composition containing young barley leaves. [5] A composition used to help increase regulatory T cells, characterized by containing young barley leaves. [6] A composition used to help suppress immune responses, characterized by containing young barley leaves. [7] A composition used to help maintain normal immune function, characterized by containing young barley leaves. [8] A composition used to help maintain or improve antiviral function, characterized by containing young barley leaves. [9] A composition containing young barley leaves and labeled as being useful for increasing regulatory T cells.

[10] A composition containing young barley leaves and labeled as being useful for suppressing immune responses.

[11] A composition containing young barley leaves and labeled as being useful for maintaining normal immune function.

[12] A composition containing young barley leaves and labeled as being useful for maintaining or improving antiviral function.

[13] A composition containing young barley leaves and characterized by being labeled with one or more functions selected from the group consisting of "suppressing immune responses," "helping to suppress immune responses," "helping to suppress immune responses," "maintaining normal immune function," "helping to maintain normal immune function," "helping to maintain normal immune function," "maintaining normal immune function," "helping to maintain normal immune function," "helping to maintain normal immune function," "maintaining immune homeostasis," "helping to maintain immune homeostasis," "maintaining normal mucosal immune function," "helping to maintain normal mucosal immune function," "helping to maintain normal immune function," and "helping to maintain normal mucosal immune function."

[14] A composition containing young barley leaves and characterized by being labeled with one or more functions selected from the group consisting of "suppressing immune responses," "helping to suppress immune responses," "helping to suppress immune responses," "maintaining normal immune function," "helping to maintain normal immune function," "helping to maintain normal immune function," "maintaining normal immune function," "helping to maintain normal immune function," "helping to maintain normal immune function," "maintaining immune homeostasis," "helping to maintain immune homeostasis," "maintaining normal mucosal immune function," "helping to maintain normal mucosal immune function," "helping to maintain normal immune function," and "helping to maintain normal mucosal immune function."

[15] A composition containing young barley leaves and characterized by being labeled with one or more functions selected from the group consisting of "maintaining the body's barrier function," "helping to maintain the body's barrier function," "enhancing the body's barrier function," "helping to enhance the body's barrier function," "upgrading the body's barrier function," "helping to enhance the body's barrier function," "strengthening the body's barrier function," "helping to enhance the body's barrier function," "maintaining the body's defenses," "helping to maintain the body's defenses," "enhancing the body's defenses," "helping to enhance the body's defenses," "maintaining mucosal barrier function," "helping to maintain mucosal barrier function," "enhancing mucosal barrier function," "helping to enhance mucosal barrier function," "maintaining mucosal defenses," "helping to maintain mucosal defenses," "enhancing mucosal defenses," "helping to enhance mucosal defenses," "maintaining defenses against viruses," "helping to maintain defenses against viruses," "enhancing defenses against viruses," "helping to enhance defenses against viruses," "maintaining normal immune function," and "helping to maintain normal immune function." [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The composition of the present invention can increase regulatory T cells, thereby suppressing the excessive proliferation and differentiation of immune cells such as effector T cells, thereby suppressing immune responses, maintaining normal immune function, and suppressing autoimmune diseases, allergic diseases (hay fever, food allergies, etc.), inflammatory diseases, and the like, which are caused by excessive immune responses. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the ratio of FoxP3-positive T cells (Treg ratio) among total CD4-positive cells in Peyer's patches of the small intestine of mice administered young barley leaves. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The composition of the present invention is characterized by containing young barley leaves. The composition of the present invention can increase regulatory T cells. Therefore, the composition of the present invention can be used as a composition for increasing regulatory T cells. Here, regulatory T cells in the present invention refer to Treg cells.

[0011] The composition of the present invention can increase regulatory T cells, thereby suppressing the excessive proliferation and differentiation of immune cells such as effector T cells, suppressing immune responses, and maintaining normal immune function. Therefore, it can also suppress autoimmune diseases, allergic diseases (e.g., hay fever, food allergies), inflammatory diseases, and other conditions caused by excessive immune responses. That is, the composition of the present invention can be used as a composition for suppressing immune responses, a composition for maintaining normal immune function (a composition for maintaining immune homeostasis), a composition for suppressing autoimmune diseases, a composition for suppressing allergic diseases, or a composition for suppressing inflammatory diseases. Here, the maintenance of normal immune function (maintenance of immune homeostasis) includes the maintenance of normal mucosal immune function.

[0012] Furthermore, the composition of the present invention can increase regulatory T cells, thereby maintaining or improving immune function, thereby maintaining or improving the body's barrier function (defense function against pathogen infection via mucous membranes) and antiviral function. That is, the composition of the present invention can be used as an antiviral composition.

[0013] (young barley leaves) Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an annual or biennial herb belonging to the Poaceae family, believed to be native to Central Asia, and is broadly classified into two-row barley, six-row barley, etc., depending on the panicle shape. This barley is rich in barley β-glucan, a water-soluble dietary fiber, and insoluble dietary fiber. The barley leaves used in the composition of the present invention are not particularly limited as long as they are commonly available, and any variety of barley leaves, such as two-row barley or six-row barley, may be used. Furthermore, the barley leaves may also include stems.

[0014] As the young barley leaves, for example, pulverized material, squeezed juice, extract, etc. can be used. Examples of pulverized material include dried powder (young barley leaf powder), shredded material, and dried material thereof (dried shredded material). The squeezed juice and extract may be in liquid form, but can also be used as a paste or dry powder (juice powder, extract powder). The extract can be obtained by extraction using an appropriate solvent, and examples of the solvent that can be used include water (warm water, hot water), ethanol, and aqueous ethanol. In the present invention, pulverized material is preferred because it contains more dietary fiber and can better enjoy the effects of the present invention, and of pulverized materials, dry powder is particularly preferred.

[0015] Furthermore, in order to obtain the effects of the present invention more effectively, the barley leaves used in the present invention preferably contain dietary fiber in an amount of 20% by mass or more, more preferably 25% by mass or more, and even more preferably 30% by mass or more, the upper limit of which may be, for example, 70% by mass.

[0016] (Composition of the present invention) The composition of the present invention can be used as an oral composition for, for example, pharmaceuticals (including quasi-drugs) and so-called health foods, such as functional foods whose efficacy has been approved by a designated organization, such as foods for specified health uses, foods with nutrient functions, and foods with functional claims.

[0017] The composition for increasing regulatory T cells of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it contains young barley leaves and can be distinguished from other products in that it is used to increase regulatory T cells. For example, the scope of the present invention includes a product that displays the regulatory T cell-increasing function on the product itself, packaging, instructions, or promotional materials (advertising media) of the present invention. Specific examples include labeling that includes phrases such as "increase Treg cells to maintain normal immune function," "increase Treg cells," or "enhance the function of Treg cells." Furthermore, functional food products include those that use the increase in regulatory T cells as scientific evidence of their functionality.

[0018] The composition for increasing regulatory T cells of the present invention may be one that displays barley leaves as an active ingredient, but is not limited to one that displays barley leaves as an active ingredient on the product packaging, etc. For example, it may be one that does not specify the active ingredient. Furthermore, even general foods that are manufactured and sold with suggested uses are included within the scope of the present invention. For example, foods that are sold with personal testimonials of people who have taken the food, mentioning an increase in regulatory T cells, posted on a website, etc., are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0019] Furthermore, the composition for suppressing immune responses of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it contains young barley leaves and can be distinguished from other products in that it is used to suppress immune response function.For example, the scope of the present invention includes products that display their immune response function suppression function on the main body, packaging, instructions, or promotional materials (advertising media) of the product of the present invention.

[0020] Specifically, examples of so-called health foods include those labeled with statements such as "suppresses immune response," "helps suppress immune response," "helps suppress immune response," "maintains normal immune function," "helps maintain normal immune function," "helps maintain normal immune function," "maintains normal immune function," "helps maintain normal immune function," "helps maintain normal immune function," "helps maintain normal immune function," "maintains immune homeostasis," "helps maintain immune homeostasis," "helps maintain immune homeostasis," "maintains normal mucosal immune function," "helps maintain normal mucosal immune function," "helps maintain normal immune function," "helps maintain normal mucosal immune function," and so on.

[0021] The composition for suppressing immune responses of the present invention may be one that displays barley leaves as an active ingredient, but is not limited to one that displays barley leaves as an active ingredient on the product packaging, etc. For example, it may be one that does not specify the active ingredient. Furthermore, even general foods that are manufactured and sold with a suggested use are included within the scope of the present invention. For example, foods that are sold with personal testimonials of people who have consumed them, mentioning immune response suppression, posted on a website, etc., are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0022] Furthermore, the composition for maintaining normal immune function of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it contains young barley leaves and can be distinguished from other products in that it is used to maintain normal immune function.For example, the scope of the present invention includes products that display the function of maintaining normal immune function on the main body, packaging, instructions, or promotional materials (advertising media) of the product of the present invention.

[0023] Specifically, examples of so-called health foods include those labeled with statements such as "suppresses immune response," "helps suppress immune response," "helps suppress immune response," "maintains normal immune function," "helps maintain normal immune function," "helps maintain normal immune function," "maintains normal immune function," "helps maintain normal immune function," "helps maintain normal immune function," "helps maintain normal immune function," "maintains immune homeostasis," "helps maintain immune homeostasis," "helps maintain immune homeostasis," "maintains normal mucosal immune function," "helps maintain normal mucosal immune function," "helps maintain normal immune function," "helps maintain normal mucosal immune function," and so on.

[0024] The composition for maintaining normal immune function of the present invention may be one that lists barley leaves as an active ingredient, but is not limited to one that lists barley leaves as an active ingredient on the product packaging, etc. For example, it may be one that does not specify the active ingredient. Furthermore, even general foods that are manufactured and sold with suggested uses are included within the scope of the present invention. For example, foods sold with personal testimonials from people who have consumed the food, mentioning its effectiveness in maintaining normal immune function, posted on websites, etc., are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0025] Furthermore, the antiviral composition of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it contains young barley leaves and can be distinguished from other products in that it is used for antiviral purposes (protection against viral infections). For example, the scope of the present invention includes products that display antiviral functions on the main body, packaging, instructions, or promotional materials (advertising media) of the product according to the present invention.

[0026] Specifically, examples of so-called health foods include those labeled with expressions such as "maintains the body's barrier function," "helps maintain the body's barrier function," "enhances the body's barrier function," "helps to enhance the body's barrier function," "upgrades the body's barrier function," "helps enhance the body's barrier function," "strengthens the body's barrier function," "helps enhance the body's barrier function," "maintains the body's defenses," "helps maintain the body's defenses," "enhances the body's defenses," "helps enhance the body's defenses," "maintains mucosal barrier function," "helps maintain mucosal barrier function," "enhances mucosal barrier function," "helps enhance mucosal barrier function," "maintains mucosal defenses," "helps maintain mucosal defenses," "enhances mucosal defenses," "helps enhance mucosal defenses," "maintains defenses against viruses," "helps maintain defenses against viruses," "enhances defenses against viruses," "helps enhance defenses against viruses," "enhances defenses against viruses," "helps enhance defenses against viruses," "maintains normal immune function," and "helps maintain normal immune function."

[0027] The antiviral composition of the present invention may be one that displays young barley leaves as an active ingredient, but is not limited to one that displays young barley leaves as an active ingredient on the product packaging, etc. For example, it may be one that does not specify the active ingredient. Furthermore, even general foods that are manufactured and sold with suggested uses are included within the scope of the present invention. For example, foods that are sold with personal testimonials of ingestors mentioning their antiviral function on their websites, etc., are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0028] Examples of the form of the composition of the present invention include tablets, capsules, powders, granules, liquids, particles, rods, plates, blocks, solids, rounds, pastes, creams, caplets, gels, chewable tablets, and sticks. The composition may also be in the form of ice cream, jelly, cookies, cakes, chocolate, or a bottled beverage. Among these, tablets, capsules, powders, granules, rounds, and chewable tablets are preferred, with powders and granules being particularly preferred.

[0029] When the composition of the present invention is made into a tablet, a round, or a chewable tablet, it is preferable to add one or more of an excipient, a lubricant, and a fluidizing agent. This improves moldability and improves the storage stability of the produced formulation. In particular, the use of an excipient and a lubricant can further improve storage stability.

[0030] The content of young barley leaves in the composition of the present invention may be appropriately determined within a range that achieves the desired effect. For example, the composition of the present invention may contain young barley leaves in an amount, calculated on a dry mass basis, of 0.001 to 100 mass%, preferably 0.01 to 100 mass%, more preferably 0.1 to 100 mass%, and even more preferably 1 to 100 mass%.

[0031] There is no particular limit to the amount of barley leaves that can be ingested in the present invention, but in order to obtain the effects more effectively, the amount of barley leaves that can be ingested is preferably 0.25 g or more, more preferably 0.5 g or more, and even more preferably 1.0 g or more per day for an adult. The upper limit is, for example, 30 g, preferably 20 g, and more preferably 10 g.

[0032] The composition of the present invention may be appropriately designed so that the daily intake of young barley leaves is the above-mentioned amount, and may be configured so that the above-mentioned amount is taken in one sitting or in multiple sittings. That is, for example, the daily amount may be contained in one container or divided into 2 to 4 containers.

[0033] The composition of the present invention can be produced by a known method, adding other ingredients in addition to young barley leaves, if necessary. [Example]

[0034] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0035] [Example 1] We investigated the effect of barley leaf intake on regulatory T cells (Treg cells).

[0036] <Sample> The raw material used was the above-ground parts (leaves and stems) of barley harvested at a height of approximately 30 cm. These were pretreated by washing with water to remove any adhering mud, and then cutting into pieces approximately 5-10 cm in size. The pretreated stems and leaves were blanched once in hot water at 90-100°C for 90-120 seconds, and then cooled in cold water. The resulting stems and leaves were then dried in a dryer for 20-180 minutes with hot air at 80-130°C until the moisture content was 5% by mass or less. The dried stems and leaves were coarsely pulverized to a size of approximately 1 mm. The resulting barley stems and leaves were finely pulverized to produce a dried powder of young barley leaves (young barley leaf powder).

[0037] <Test Method> Four-week-old male ICR mice were acclimated for two weeks. At six weeks of age, they were divided into three groups based on body weight (n = 10 per group) and fed a fiber-free diet (NFD), a cellulose-supplemented diet (CLD), or a young barley leaf powder (YBLP)-containing diet (YBD) for three weeks. The diet composition is shown in Table 1. The mice were allowed free access to water and food during the study.

[0038] [Table 1]

[0039] After 3 weeks, Peyer's patches were excised from the mouse small intestine and placed in RPMI1600 medium containing 5% FBS. The Peyer's patches were crushed with a 70 μm nylon mesh to collect cells. The ratio of FoxP3-positive T cells (Treg ratio) among total CD4-positive cells was analyzed using a flow cytometer.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows the results of the Treg cell ratio. As shown in Figure 1, the Treg cell ratio was 6.78±0.41% in the NFD-fed group, 6.70±0.52% in the CLD-fed group, and 10.00±0.699% in the YBD-fed group of the present invention. This indicates that the Treg cell ratio was significantly higher in the YBD-fed group of the present invention. Therefore, the composition containing young barley leaves of the present invention has the effect of increasing Treg cells, and can suppress immune responses and maintain normal immune function.

[0041] [Example 2] (Powdered beverage manufacturing) A powdered beverage containing the following ingredients was produced: This powdered beverage exhibited the effects of the present invention. Barley grass powder 74% by mass Matcha 4% by mass Reduced maltose 22% by mass

[0042] [Example 3] (Cookie manufacturing) Cookies were prepared from the following ingredients: These cookies exhibited the effects of the present invention. Barley grass powder 7.41% by mass Cake flour 37.04% by mass Butter 15.43% by mass Sugar 18.52% by mass Baking powder 1.54% by mass Egg 20.06% by mass [Industrial Applicability]

[0043] The composition of the present invention can be used as a health food or the like, and is therefore industrially useful.

Claims

1. A composition for increasing regulatory T cells, comprising ground young barley leaves.

2. A composition for suppressing immune responses of effector T cells, comprising ground young barley leaves.

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