Composition for alleviating, treating or preventing abdominal obesity and chronic inflammation with minimized side effects of traditional oriental medicine for weight control

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a composition for alleviating, treating, or preventing abdominal obesity is disclosed. The composition relates to a herbal medicine composition for weight loss comprising Ephedra sinica, Artemisia capillaris, chestnut, and Acorus calamus as active ingredients, and a method for preparing the same.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a herbal medicine composition that can be utilized for the alleviation, treatment, or prevention of abdominal obesity. More specifically, it relates to a complex herbal medicine composition that minimizes the side effects of existing diet herbal medicines and has the effect of reducing inflammation while simultaneously reducing weight. Background Technology

[0002] Ephedra has long been used in traditional Korean medicine as a remedy for weight loss. The ephedrine component contained in Ephedra is known to promote metabolism and suppress appetite, thereby producing weight loss effects. However, taking Ephedra alone or using it in high doses may cause side effects such as palpitations, and if food intake decreases while taking it, lethargy, sensitivity to cold, and stress may result. On the other hand, diet drugs prescribed by Western medicine are often psychotropic drugs, which can lead to side effects.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to develop a new obesity treatment that inherits the principles of traditional Korean medicine while incorporating modern scientific technology to minimize palpitations, nausea, heartburn, and headaches caused by the aforementioned palpitations, as well as minimize the development of tolerance, allowing for consistent long-term use. Prior art literature

[0004] Shekelle PG, Hardy ML, Morton SC, Maglione M, Mojica WA, Suttorp MJ, Rhodes SL, Jungvig L, Gagne J. Efficacy and safety of ephedra and ephedrine for weight loss and athletic performance: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 2003 Mar 26;289(12):1537-45. doi: 10.1001 / jama.289.12.1537. Epub 2003 Mar 10. PMID: 12672771. The problem to be solved

[0005] To solve the above problem, the present disclosure may provide a composition comprising Ephedra sinica, Artemisia annua, chestnut, and Acorus calamus as active ingredients.

[0006] The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prevention of abdominal obesity may be provided, comprising Ephedra sinica, Artemisia capillaris, chestnut, and Acorus calamus as active ingredients.

[0008] In one embodiment, the composition may further include Job's tears, mistletoe, and red perilla leaves.

[0009] In one embodiment, the ephedra may be included in the extract as an ephedra extract in an amount of 89% to 96% by weight.

[0010] In one embodiment, the ephedra extract may be prepared by including the step of extracting in water at 80°C to 100°C for 6 to 10 hours.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a food composition for alleviating or preventing abdominal obesity may be provided, comprising ephedra, Artemisia annua, and red perilla leaves as active ingredients, wherein the red perilla leaves are in an amount of 30 to 70 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of Artemisia annua.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a food composition for alleviating or preventing abdominal obesity may be provided, comprising Ephedra sinica, Artemisia capillaris, chestnut, and Acorus calamus as active ingredients. Effects of the invention

[0013] The present disclosure can provide a composition that preferentially breaks down visceral fat to cause a noticeable change in waist circumference, alleviates chronic inflammation to improve overall condition, and promotes metabolism.

[0014] Meanwhile, the effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0015] Various embodiments are described. In this specification, various descriptions are provided to facilitate an understanding of the present disclosure. However, it is evident that these embodiments can be practiced without such specific descriptions.

[0016] Furthermore, although the various steps of the invention disclosed in this specification have been described in a specific order, this is merely an example for illustrative purposes, and the order of the steps may be changed according to the technical concept of the invention. Accordingly, even if the steps are described in a specific order in a particular embodiment, such order is not limited to being an essential element of this disclosure. That is, the technical scope of this disclosure is not unduly limited by the order in which individual steps are performed, and may be included within the scope of protection of the claims even if the steps are arranged differently or some steps are combined or omitted.

[0017] Furthermore, the term "or" is intended to mean an implicit "or" rather than an exclusive "or." That is, unless otherwise specified or evident from the context, "X uses A or B" is intended to mean one of the natural implicit substitutions. In other words, if X uses A; if X uses B; or if X uses both A and B, "X uses A or B" may apply to any of these cases. Additionally, the term "and / or" as used herein should be understood to refer to and include all possible combinations of one or more of the enumerated related items.

[0018] Additionally, the terms “comprising” and / or “comprising” should be understood to mean that such features and / or components are present. However, the terms “comprising” and / or “comprising” should be understood not to exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, components and / or groups thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified or clearly evident from the context to indicate a singular form, the singular in this specification and claims should generally be interpreted to mean “one or more.”

[0019] Hereinafter, identical or similar components are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, detailed descriptions of related prior art are omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions could obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed in this specification. Additionally, the attached drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical concept disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings.

[0020] And, the term “at least one of A or B” should be interpreted to mean “a case including only A,” “a case including only B,” or “a combination of A and B.”

[0021] Description of the presented embodiments is provided to enable those skilled in the art to use or practice the present disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. The present disclosure should be interpreted in the broadest possible scope consistent with the principles and novel features presented herein.

[0022] A composition according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include Ephedra sinica, Artemisia capillaris, chestnut, and Acorus calamus as active ingredients.

[0023] The Ephedra of the present disclosure can induce weight loss by promoting sympathetic nerve excitation and heat generation, thereby increasing energy expenditure in the body. It has strong fat-breaking and appetite-suppressing effects even in small amounts, so it can be used as a key component of diet herbal medicine.

[0024] The present disclosure contains artemisinin from Artemisia annua, which exhibits excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. When Artemisia annua and Ephedra are administered in combination, it can reduce internal stress caused by the intake of Ephedra and help maintain metabolic balance.

[0025] The chestnut (Castanea spp.) of the present disclosure is rich in dietary fiber, which increases satiety and promotes intestinal health. The high fiber content delays the digestion and absorption of food, helping to sustain satiety and reduce calorie intake. In addition, antioxidant components contained in chestnuts, such as vitamin C, gallic acid, and ellagic acid, have the effect of lowering inflammation levels by removing free radicals that cause inflammation in the body.

[0026] Acorus gramineus of the present disclosure is a medicinal herb that has been used in traditional Korean medicine for mental stability and the treatment of amnesia, and possesses both blood circulation improvement and anti-inflammatory effects. In the present composition, Acorus gramineus helps promote metabolism and improve peripheral blood circulation, and together with other components, can play a role in increasing energy consumption and reducing inflammation.

[0027] The composition of the present disclosure may further include Job's tears, mistletoe, and red perilla leaves.

[0028] The Job's Tears (Coix lacryma-jobi) of the present disclosure has diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects and has traditionally been used for reducing edema and treating arthritis. Its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects have been scientifically proven, and it helps improve body fat accumulation and lipid metabolism abnormalities caused by a high-fat diet. These actions of Job's Tears help eliminate waste products from the body and contribute to suppressing inflammatory reactions that may occur during dieting.

[0029] The Viscum album of the present disclosure is a medicinal herb that is semi-parasitic on host trees and has long been known for its anticancer and immune-enhancing effects. It exhibits excellent anti-inflammatory activity, with reported effects of inhibiting cytokine production and suppressing the expression of the inflammatory factor COX-2; it can also inhibit the differentiation of adipocytes and fat accumulation. Due to these effects, the Viscum album complements the weight loss effects of Ephedra and can alleviate inflammatory responses that occur during the process of body fat reduction.

[0030] The red perilla leaf (Perilla frutescens var. acuta) of the present disclosure is a red variety of perilla leaf, also known as shiso or chajogi, and exhibits excellent anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory efficacy. Flavonoid components, such as luteolin, contained in perilla leaves can reduce inflammatory responses by inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, etc.). Additionally, due to its strong antioxidant activity, it reduces oxidative stress in the body, aids digestive function, and is beneficial for improving blood lipid levels. These effects of the red perilla leaf alleviate inflammatory skin troubles or allergic reactions caused by dieting and improve overall health.

[0031] The present disclosure can provide unique synergistic effects that cannot be achieved by individual ingredients alone through a complex composition comprising Ephedra sinica, Artemisia capillaris, Coix lacryma-jobi, chestnut, mistletoe, red perilla leaves, and Acorus calamus. The overall combination of various natural ingredients included in the composition of the present disclosure embodies an approach that simultaneously solves the conflicting challenges of maximizing weight loss effects and minimizing side effects.

[0032] The powerful fat-dissolving and appetite-suppressing effects of Ephedra are the core mechanisms of action of this composition, but this may lead to excessive sympathetic nervous system excitation, internal stress, and the development of tolerance. This disclosure utilizes other ingredients to address these issues. As a result, the entire composition interacts to minimize palpitations, nausea, heartburn, and headaches that may occur with general diet herbal medicines, while simultaneously minimizing tolerance. It is formulated with a mixing ratio that enables steady weight loss even with long-term use of more than one year and amplifies efficacy, thereby finding a unique balance point.

[0033] Specifically, regarding the action of the present composition, the aforementioned components do not simply act in parallel, but can form a complex network within the body and act complementarily. For example, the metabolism-promoting action of Ephedra combines with the blood circulation-improving effect of Acorus calamus to maximize energy consumption within the body, and the antioxidant components of Artemisia capillaris and red perilla leaves effectively neutralize the oxidative stress that may occur during this process. At the same time, Coix lacryma-jobi and chestnut enhance the efficiency of metabolic processes by managing bodily fluids and waste products, while mistletoe can act as a regulator to maintain immune balance by improving chronic inflammation through its anti-inflammatory action throughout this entire process.

[0034] The ephedra included in the composition of the present disclosure may be quantified and included as an ephedra extract.

[0035] For example, the ephedra included in the composition of the present disclosure may be included in the composition as an ephedra extract in an amount of 89% to 96% by weight, preferably in an amount of 90% to 95% by weight. If the ephedra extract is included in the composition of the present disclosure in an amount exceeding 96% by weight of the composition, the likelihood of developing resistance may increase. On the other hand, if the ephedra extract is included in the composition of the present disclosure in an amount less than 89% by weight of the composition, the effect on abdominal obesity may decrease.

[0036] In the composition of the present disclosure, the remainder excluding the Ephedra extract may include Artemisia annua, chestnut, and Acorus calamus. The remainder may further include Coix seed, mistletoe, and red perilla leaves. For example, the composition may comprise 90% to 95% by weight of Ephedra extract, 0.5% to 1.5% by weight of Artemisia annua extract, 0.5% to 1.5% by weight of Coix seed extract, 0.5% to 1.5% by weight of chestnut extract, 0.5% to 1.5% by weight of mistletoe, 0.5% to 1.5% by weight of red perilla leaves, and 0.5% to 1.5% by weight of Acorus calamus, and may additionally include suitable herbal medicines.

[0037] In the composition of the present disclosure, the red perilla leaves may be included in an amount of 30 to 70 parts by weight, preferably 40 to 60 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of Artemisia annua. For example, the Artemisia annua extract and the red perilla leaf (Perilla frutescens) extract may be included in a ratio of 2:1.

[0038] The composition included in the above compositional ratio can effectively act on abdominal obesity.

[0039] The composition of the present disclosure may be for the prevention, treatment, or improvement of abdominal obesity and / or chronic inflammation.

[0040] The above composition may be a pharmaceutical composition. The routes of administration of the above pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein are not limited to but include oral, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-arterial, intramedullary, intradural, intracardiac, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, intestinal, topical, sublingual, or rectal, but oral administration is preferred.

[0041] The above pharmaceutical composition may be characterized as being intended for at least one of humans or animals. The above pharmaceutical composition of the present disclosure may vary depending on several factors including the activity of the specific compound used, age, body weight, general health, gender, formula, time of administration, route of administration, elimination rate, drug combination, and the severity of the specific disease to be prevented or treated, and the dosage of the above pharmaceutical composition may be appropriately selected by a person skilled in the art, although it depends on the patient's condition, body weight, degree of disease, form of medication, route of administration, and duration.

[0042] The above composition may be a food composition. The food composition according to the present disclosure is a composition that includes functional ingredients beneficial to the human body as a health functional food. This composition includes active ingredients capable of providing various health benefits, such as regulating metabolism in the body, boosting immunity, and providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and these ingredients may be obtained from natural extracts, fermentation products, plant powders, etc. In addition to the active ingredients, the food composition may include excipients, sweeteners, flavorings, preservatives, and coloring agents, and all of these ingredients are composed of substances harmless to the human body as food additives.

[0043] The food composition may be provided in various formulations for oral administration, such as tablets, capsules, powders, and liquids, and each formulation is manufactured using standardized methods to ensure uniform quality during the manufacturing process. The manufacturing process includes pretreatment steps such as sorting, washing, drying, grinding, and mixing of raw materials, and is completed into a final product through steps such as extraction, concentration, drying, coating, and packaging as necessary. These manufacturing processes are carried out in accordance with current food safety and quality control standards and are designed to enable mass production.

[0044] According to the technology at the time of filing this application, the health functional food composition can be applied as various forms of consumer goods, such as functional beverages, supplements, powder mixtures, capsules, and tablets. Furthermore, the food composition may be provided with improved taste, aroma, color, and texture so that consumers can consume it on a daily basis, and appropriate packaging technology is applied to ensure stability and extend shelf life. The food composition of this disclosure may apply optimal formulation ratios and manufacturing conditions to maximize the dissolution rate and bioavailability of active ingredients, and these conditions may be modified according to technical options for quality control and functional enhancement.

[0045] The pharmaceutical composition of the present disclosure may be a herbal medicine composition.

[0046] The herbal medicine composition of the present disclosure can be manufactured in the form of pills through the following process. To prepare the herbal medicine pills of the present disclosure, each herbal ingredient is first selected, thoroughly washed to completely remove foreign substances, and dried at an appropriate temperature and humidity to reduce moisture content. Subsequently, the dried herbal ingredients are ground into fine powder and processed to ensure uniform particle size. The powders prepared in this manner are precisely weighed according to a predetermined mixing ratio and evenly mixed using an automatic mixer, undergoing sufficient stirring time to ensure homogeneity of the mixture. A binder solution, such as a starch solution or natural honey water, is added to the mixed powder to form a dough, and this dough is molded into pills of a consistent size and shape using a mechanical device such as a pill-making machine. During the molding process, strict quality control standards are applied to ensure that the weight and size of each pill are uniform, and the molded pills are handled carefully to maintain a stable form without deformation or cracking during subsequent processes.

[0047] For example, raw materials containing the above composition may be weighed and subjected to an extraction step of extracting in water at 80°C to 100°C for 6 to 10 hours, followed by a mixing step according to a preset extraction mixing ratio. Next, auxiliary raw materials may be mixed and subjected to a purification process, and then packaged by packaging unit to manufacture a finished product.

[0048] As another example, dried raw materials are prepared and first ground into a coarse powder using a grinder, and then subjected to an additional fine grinding process to reduce the size of each particle to 50 μm or less. By increasing the surface area through fine grinding, the extraction efficiency of active ingredients can be maximized during the subsequent extraction process.

[0049] Each finely ground medicinal material is uniformly mixed according to a preset composition ratio, and then the active ingredients can be extracted to the maximum extent through a two-stage extraction process. First, the mixed powder is mixed with an appropriate amount of distilled water, and a first extraction step is performed by extracting at a temperature of 90°C to 100°C for 30 minutes to primarily extract water-soluble active ingredients (e.g., ephedrine, polysaccharides, etc.). Subsequently, after removing solids through a centrifugation or filtration process, a second extraction step is performed by re-extracting the remaining solids at a temperature of 80°C for 20 minutes. In the second stage, volatile and fat-soluble active ingredients that maintain stability at low temperatures, such as beta-asarone, are effectively extracted. Finally, the first and second extracts are combined to prepare the total extract.

[0050] The combined extract is concentrated to about one-third of its original concentration using a vacuum concentrator at a temperature of 60 to 70°C, and then converted into a dried powder in which the active ingredient is preserved through a vacuum drying or freeze-drying process. Finally, this dried powder undergoes a fine grinding and mixing process again to be mixed with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients (e.g., starch, cellulose, etc.) and processed into a pill form. The pills prepared in this way can induce diet effects, such as weight loss and reduction of waist circumference, by maximizing the dissolution rate of the active ingredient through the synergistic effect of fine grinding and the two-stage extraction process.

[0051] The molded pills are then slowly dried using a hot air dryer or a low-temperature dryer to properly remove internal moisture, thereby ensuring the hardness and durability of the pills. During the drying process, the temperature and drying time are precisely controlled to maintain a uniform appearance of the pills and prevent the loss of active ingredients due to excessive drying. After drying is complete, sugar coating or film coating processes are performed as needed to improve the taste and appearance of the pills, while simultaneously controlling the disintegration time to ensure stable dissolution and release of active ingredients upon oral administration. Finally, the finished pills are packaged in airtight containers to maintain product quality against contamination or moisture, ensuring a stable condition even during long-term storage.

[0052] The herbal pills of the present disclosure are designed as a dosage form for oral administration, allowing patients to conveniently take them with water. Generally, for adult patients, it is recommended to take them two to three times a day after meals, with an average intake of approximately 3g of pills per dose. Upon oral administration, the pills dissolve slowly in the gastrointestinal tract, during which the active ingredient is gradually released and absorbed into the body. The dissolution and absorption of the pills are designed to achieve optimal effects when taken with sufficient water, and the frequency and dosage can be appropriately adjusted according to the patient's body weight, degree of obesity, and health condition.

[0053] Before taking the medication, it is advisable for patients to consume the pills with sufficient water to ensure smooth dissolution in the gastrointestinal tract and stable release of the active ingredients. Taking the medication after a meal is recommended because the pills are effectively broken down by the action of gastric acid and digestive enzymes, allowing the active ingredients to be gradually absorbed into the body. Furthermore, long-term use can be expected to improve weight and reduce fat accumulation, and maintaining a consistent interval between doses helps maximize the duration of the drug's efficacy. The dosage and frequency of administration may be adjusted based on the individual patient's condition under the judgment of a medical professional.

[0054] The herbal pills manufactured in this manner combine the efficacy of traditional herbal ingredients with modern formulation technology to provide a product of stable and consistent quality, and are designed to allow patients to take them continuously in their daily lives through oral administration.

[0055] Example 1

[0056] The present disclosure is described in detail below by way of the following examples. However, the following examples are merely illustrative of the present disclosure, and the content of the present disclosure is not limited by the following examples.

[0057] Preparation Example 1

[0058] To prepare the herbal medicine composition of the present disclosure, first, each raw material such as Ephedra sinica, Artemisia capillaris, Coix lacryma-jobi, chestnut, mistletoe, red perilla leaves (Perilla frutescens), and Acorus calamus was selected as a certified raw material for pharmaceutical manufacturing, and then thoroughly washed with clean water to completely remove impurities and dust. The washed raw materials were extracted in 10 times the amount of 100°C water for 8 hours and concentrated. Subsequently, each raw material was weighed individually in the following proportions based on the extraction mixing ratio.

[0059] raw materials Mixing ratio (%) Ephedra 94 Artemisia annua 1 Job's tears 1 night 1 mistletoe 1 Red perilla leaves 1 Acorus calamus 1

[0060] The dried raw material is freeze-dried and ground using a grinder, mixed with pharmaceutically approved excipients (e.g., starch, cellulose, etc.), and processed into a pill form. By maximizing the dissolution rate of the active ingredient, the pills prepared in this way can induce diet effects, such as weight loss and reduction of waist circumference.

[0061] Preparation Example 2

[0062] The composition of Preparation Example 2 was also prepared in the same manner as the composition disclosed herein, but contained only the components of Ephedra sinica, Artemisia capillaris, chestnut, and Acorus calamus. Each component was weighed in the weight ratio of the extract blend as shown in Table 2 below.

[0063] raw materials Mixing ratio (%) Ephedra 97 Artemisia annua 1 night 1 Acorus calamus 1

[0064] The raw materials weighed according to the above mixing ratio were mixed and processed into pill form through a two-stage extraction and fine grinding process. First, each herbal medicine was first extracted at 90°C to 100°C for 30 minutes, and then the remaining residue was re-extracted at 80°C for 20 minutes to extract the active ingredients to the maximum extent. The extract obtained in this way was made into a dried powder through filtration and concentration processes, and finally, it was mixed with excipients such as starch and molded into pill form.

[0065] Experimental Example 1

[0066] In Experimental Example 1, the pills of Preparation Example 1 were orally administered to five subjects for three months, and changes in body weight and waist circumference were evaluated. The subjects took a fixed amount orally twice a day (morning and evening) (4g pills per dose, total 8g / day). The body weight of each subject was measured using a precision scale, and the waist circumference was measured with a measuring tape based on the horizontal line of the navel. As a result, the changes in body weight and waist circumference for each subject before administration and after 8 weeks are shown in Table 3 below.

[0067] Subject age Body weight before administration (kg) Weight (kg) after 1 month Weight (kg) after 3 months Waist circumference before administration (cm) Waist circumference after 1 month (cm) Waist circumference after 3 months (cm) A 38 years old 92 86 80 102 97 92 B 43 years old 72 65 60 88 83 78 C 38 years old 72 65 60 96 90 82 D 36 years old 85 80 75 86 80 71

[0068] All subjects orally administered the pills of Preparation Example 1 for 3 months, resulting in a positive effect of significantly reducing body weight and waist circumference. On average, body weight decreased by approximately 11.5 kg from an initial 80.3 kg to 68.8 kg after 3 months, and waist circumference decreased by approximately 12.2 cm from an initial 93 cm to 80.8 cm after 3 months. In particular, the reduction in waist circumference is an important indicator contributing to the improvement of abdominal obesity, and an average reduction of approximately 12.2 cm may suggest changes associated with a reduction in visceral fat. All subjects took the pills disclosed herein without serious side effects during the administration period, and while some reported mild symptoms of indigestion or insomnia during the initial 1 to 2 weeks, these symptoms gradually subsided.

[0069] Experimental Example 2

[0070] Next, in Experimental Example 2, the pills of Preparation Example 2 were orally administered to four subjects in the same manner for three months, and changes in body weight and waist circumference were evaluated. The subjects orally took 4g of the pills twice a day (morning and evening) (total 8g / day). The method of measuring body weight and waist circumference was carried out in the same way as in Experimental Example 1. As a result, the changes in body weight and waist circumference for each subject before administration, after one month, and after three months are shown in Table 4 below.

[0071] Subject age Body weight before administration (kg) Weight (kg) after 1 month Weight (kg) after 3 months Waist circumference before administration (cm) Waist circumference after 1 month (cm) Waist circumference after 3 months (cm) E 40 years old 90 87 85 100 98 96 F 45 years old 75 73 71 92 90 88 G 39 years old 80 77 75 95 92 90 H 37 years old 85 82 80 98 95 93

[0072] As a result of orally administering the pills of Preparation Example 2 to subjects for 3 months, a decrease in body weight and waist circumference was observed, but the magnitude of the decrease was smaller compared to Preparation Example 1. On average, body weight decreased by approximately 4.7 kg from an initial 82.5 kg to 77.8 kg after 3 months, and waist circumference decreased by approximately 4.5 cm from an initial 96.3 cm to 91.8 cm after 3 months. In addition, some subjects reported mild symptoms of indigestion during the administration period, and these symptoms persisted throughout the administration period.

[0073] Through these results, it was confirmed that the herbal medicine composition of Preparation Example 1 had a better effect on reducing body weight and waist circumference than the herbal medicine composition of Preparation Example 2, despite having a lower proportion of Ephedra, and also had a lower frequency of side effects.

[0074] Example 2

[0075] To find a diet herbal medicine composition with minimized side effects, diet herbal medicines were prepared by combining various ratios of Artemisia annua extract and Perilla frutescens extract. Preparation Example 3 was prepared in the same manner and composition ratio as Preparation Example 1, so that the ratio of Artemisia annua extract to Perilla frutescens extract was 1:1. Preparation Example 4 was prepared in the same manner as Preparation Example 1, but the ratio of Artemisia annua extract to Perilla frutescens extract was adjusted to 1:2. Preparation Example 5 was prepared in the same manner as Preparation Example 1, but the ratio of Artemisia annua extract to Perilla frutescens extract was adjusted to 2:1. Preparation Example 6 was prepared in the same manner as Preparation Example 1, but the ratio of Artemisia annua extract to Perilla frutescens extract was adjusted to 3:1.

[0076] Next, five subjects in the experimental group were administered a diet herbal medicine combination with adjusted extraction ratios by taking the medicine for 3 days, stopping for 7 days, and then taking it again for 3 days. During the administration process, the five subjects in the experimental group assessed the degree of side effects at each ratio using a 5-point scale, and the results are shown in Tables 5, 6, 7, and 8. In this case, scores were assigned from 0 to 5, with higher numbers indicating more side effects.

[0077] side effect Kim 00 (35 years old) Shin 00 (37 years old) Lee 00 (32 years old) Hwang 00 (35 years old) Choi 00 (42 years old) Insomnia 4 3 4 3 2 sickness 3 1 2 3 1 headache 3 0 3 0 0 Heart palpitations 1 1 2 0 1 Hand tremors 1 0 2 0 0

[0078] side effect Kim 00 (35 years old) Shin 00 (37 years old) Lee 00 (32 years old) Hwang 00 (35 years old) Choi 00 (42 years old) Insomnia 4 3 3 3 3 sickness 3 2 3 3 2 headache 3 1 4 1 1 Heart palpitations 2 2 3 1 1 Hand tremors 2 0 3 0 0

[0079] side effect Kim 00 (35 years old) Shin 00 (37 years old) Lee 00 (32 years old) Hwang 00 (35 years old) Choi 00 (42 years old) Insomnia 3 2 3 2 1 sickness 1 1 1 1 0 headache 2 0 2 0 0 Heart palpitations 1 0 1 0 1 Hand tremors 1 0 2 0 0

[0080] side effect Kim 00 (35 years old) Shin 00 (37 years old) Lee 00 (32 years old) Hwang 00 (35 years old) Choi 00 (42 years old) Insomnia 4 3 3 3 3 sickness 3 1 3 3 1 headache 3 1 4 1 1 Heart palpitations 2 1 3 0 2 Hand tremors 2 1 3 1 0

[0081] Table 5 above shows the results of administering Preparation Example 3, in which the ratio of Artemisia annua to Perilla frutescens is 1:1; Table 6 above shows the results of administering Preparation Example 4, in which the ratio of Artemisia annua to Perilla frutescens is 1:2; Table 7 above shows the results of administering Preparation Example 5, in which the ratio of Artemisia annua to Perilla frutescens is 2:1; and Table 8 above shows the results of administering Preparation Example 6, in which the ratio of Artemisia annua to Perilla frutescens is 3:1. Upon reviewing the results, the diet herbal medicine with the ratio of Artemisia annua to Perilla frutescens set to 2:1 showed a significantly lower incidence of side effects than that of the diet herbal medicine containing Artemisia annua and Perilla frutescens in different ratios.

[0082] The description of the presented embodiments is an example provided to enable a person skilled in the art to use or practice the present disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments presented herein, but should be interpreted in the broadest possible scope consistent with the principles and novel features presented herein.

Claims

Claim 1 A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prevention of abdominal obesity, comprising Ephedra sinica, Artemisia annua, chestnut, and Acorus calamus as active ingredients. Claim 2 A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prevention of abdominal obesity according to claim 1, further comprising Job's tears, mistletoe, and red perilla leaves. Claim 3 A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prevention of abdominal obesity according to claim 1, wherein the ephedra comprises 89% to 96% by weight as an ephedra extract. Claim 4 A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prevention of abdominal obesity according to claim 3, wherein the above-mentioned ephedra extract is prepared by including the step of extracting in water at 80°C to 100°C for 6 to 10 hours. Claim 5 A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prevention of abdominal obesity, comprising Ephedra sinica, Artemisia annua, and red perilla leaves as active ingredients, wherein the red perilla leaves comprise 30 to 70 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of Artemisia annua. Claim 6 A food composition for alleviating or preventing abdominal obesity, comprising Ephedra sinica, Artemisia annua, chestnut, and Acorus calamus as active ingredients.