Composition containing ergothioneine

Abstract

In order to provide a composition that improves vitality and dynamism, improves positive emotions towards others, reduces anger, and improves negative emotions towards others, this composition for improving vitality and / or dynamism, improving friendliness and / or empathy, reducing anger, or reducing hostility and / or irritation over others contains L-ergothioneine as an active ingredient.

Description

Compositions containing ergothioneine

[0001] The present invention relates to a composition containing ergothioneine as an active ingredient.

[0002] Ergothioneine is a rare amino acid derivative and a natural substance with strong antioxidant properties. Patent Document 1 describes a food additive containing L-ergothioneine as an active ingredient for preventing or suppressing depression. Patent Document 2 describes an anti-anxiety composition for humans containing L-ergothioneine as an active ingredient.

[0003] Patent No. 6086568 International Publication No. 2022 / 230489

[0004] Incidentally, neither Patent Document 1 nor Patent Document 2 discloses that ergothioneine improves vitality and energy, improves positive feelings toward others, reduces anger, or improves negative feelings toward others. Patent Document 2 also discloses that the anti-anxiety composition has the following functions: "makes you feel lively" and "alleviates temporary declines in vitality and energy." However, this merely describes the claims, and does not disclose that ergothioneine actually improves vitality and energy.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a composition that increases vitality and energy, improves positive feelings toward others, reduces anger, and improves negative feelings toward others.

[0006] As a result of extensive research into ergothioneine, the inventors of the present application have found that ergothioneine has the functions of increasing vitality and / or energy, increasing friendliness and / or empathy, reducing anger, and reducing hostility and / or irritability towards others.

[0007] The first invention based on this finding is a composition containing L-ergothioneine as an active ingredient for improving vitality and / or energy, improving friendliness and / or empathy, reducing anger, or reducing hostility and / or irritability toward others.

[0008] The second invention is a composition containing maitake mushroom extract as an active ingredient for improving vitality and / or energy, improving friendliness and / or empathy, reducing anger, or reducing hostility and / or irritability towards others.

[0009] The third invention is the first or second invention, in which the composition is orally ingested by a healthy person to improve vitality and / or energy, improve friendliness and / or empathy, reduce anger, or reduce hostility and / or irritability towards others.

[0010] A fourth invention is the first or second invention, which further reduces sleepiness or stomach upset upon waking up.

[0011] A fifth invention is the first or second invention, wherein the intake amount of ergothioneine is 1 mg to 30 mg per day for an adult.

[0012] A sixth invention is a food composition according to the first or second invention.

[0013] A seventh invention is a pharmaceutical composition according to the first or second invention.

[0014] The present invention provides a composition containing, as an active ingredient, ergothioneine or a Pleurotus cornucopiae extract, which has the function of improving vitality and / or energy, improving friendliness and / or empathy, reducing anger, and reducing hostility and / or irritability toward others. Here, friendliness and empathy include positive feelings toward others, and anger and irritability include negative feelings toward others. The present invention can provide a composition that improves vitality and / or energy, improves friendliness and / or empathy, reduces anger, and reduces hostility and / or irritability toward others.

[0015] This is a graph showing the test results for "vigor-vitality" in POMS2. This is a graph showing the test results for "anger-hostility" in POMS2. This is a graph showing the test results for "friendship" in POMS2. This is a graph showing the test results for "heavy stomach" in the Izumo Scale. This is a graph showing the test results for "morning sleepiness" in OSA-MA.

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0017] [About the composition] This embodiment is a composition (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "the composition") for improving vitality and / or energy, improving friendliness and / or empathy, reducing anger, or reducing hostility and / or irritability toward others, which contains L-ergothioneine (e.g., maitake mushroom extract) as an active ingredient.

[0018] The composition can be orally administered to a person (e.g., a healthy person) in need of such an improvement, and can be used in an application or method for improving at least one of the following: improving vitality and / or energy, improving friendliness and / or empathy, reducing anger, or reducing hostility and / or irritability toward others.

[0019] Here, in this specification, "vitality" means "the power to generate activity" or "the power to move or work energetically." "Improving vitality" means increasing vitality from its current state, and includes the meaning of improving vitality. "Vibrancy" means "feeling lively." "Improving vitality" means increasing vitality from its current state, and includes the meaning of improving vitality. Compositions for improving vitality and / or vitality can be labeled with functions such as "feeling energized," "being able to move energetically," "being able to work energetically," "feeling energetic and lively," "being in a state full of vitality," and "being full of vitality," in addition to "improving vitality," "improving vitality," and "improving vitality and vitality."

[0020] "Friendship" means "close interaction as a friend" and refers to having positive feelings toward others. The "friendship" factor in POMS (registered trademark) 2, described below, represents a state of feeling trust and consideration toward others. Here, measuring the "friendship" factor includes questions such as (1) enjoying social interactions, (2) caring about others, (3) feeling sympathy, (4) feeling like one is helpful to others, (5) being able to warm others, and (6) trusting others, of which (1) to (4) are questions related to empathy. In the examples described below, the numerical value of at least one answer selected from questions (1) to (4) is improved, and the composition also improves empathy. Compositions for improving friendliness and / or empathy can be labeled with functions such as "improving friendliness," "improving empathy," and "improving effectiveness and empathy," as well as "developing positive feelings toward others," "being able to interact with others in a friendly manner," and "facilitating communication with others."

[0021] "Anger" means "to get angry" or "to be angry." In addition to "reducing anger," compositions for reducing anger can be labeled with functions such as "less likely to get angry," "less likely to get angry easily," and "less likely to become irritated." "Hostility" means "a desire to be hostile" or "feelings of hatred toward someone as an enemy." "Hostility" refers to harboring negative feelings toward others and causes "irritability." In addition to "reducing hostility," "reducing irritability," and "reducing hostility and irritability," compositions for reducing hostility and / or irritability toward others can be labeled with functions such as "less likely to get angry toward others," "less likely to feel hatred toward others," "more likely to become kinder toward others," and "less likely to feel unpleasant toward others."

[0022] Neither Patent Document 1 nor Patent Document 2 discloses that ergothioneine reduces morning sleepiness or stomach upset. As a result of extensive research into ergothioneine, the present inventors have discovered that ergothioneine has the functions of reducing morning sleepiness and stomach upset. A composition containing L-ergothioneine (e.g., Pleurotus cornucopiae extract) as an active ingredient can also be used as a composition for reducing morning sleepiness or stomach upset. This composition is a human composition. This composition can also be used in applications or methods for improving at least one of morning sleepiness or stomach upset by orally ingesting it in a person (e.g., a healthy individual) in need of such reduction.

[0023] Here, L-ergothioneine is a type of amino acid that has the chemical structure of the following formula (1) in a crystalline state.

[0024] L-ergothioneine may be in the free form or in the form of a salt. The salt of L-ergothioneine may be a salt formed with the carboxyl group in these structures, or a salt formed with the trimethylamino group or amino group. Furthermore, L-ergothioneine may be a solvate such as a hydrate. The salt of L-ergothioneine is not particularly limited as long as it is a pharmacologically acceptable salt or a salt acceptable for use in foods and beverages, and may be an acidic salt or a basic salt. Examples of acidic salts include inorganic acid salts such as hydrochloride, sulfate, nitrate, and phosphate; and organic acid salts such as acetate, citrate, maleate, malate, oxalate, lactate, succinate, fumarate, and propionate. Examples of basic salts include alkali metal salts such as sodium salt and potassium salt; and alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium salt and magnesium salt.

[0025] L-ergothioneine is known to be a tautomer with a thiol structure in solution, and is stable against heat and acid. Furthermore, like ascorbic acid, L-ergothioneine is an antioxidant that cannot be synthesized in vivo and must be ingested externally. From the standpoints of digestibility, safety, taste, etc., the L-ergothioneine contained in the present composition can be extracted and purified from natural products containing L-ergothioneine (e.g., mushrooms, sake lees), or chemically synthesized L-ergothioneine can also be used.

[0026] Mushrooms from which L-ergothioneine can be extracted include Tamogitake mushroom (scientific name: Pleurotus cornucopiae var. citrinopileatus), Flammulina velutipes and the like belonging to the Flammulina genus, Leucopaxillus giganteus and the like belonging to the Leucopaxillus genus, Phellinus linteus and the like belonging to the Phellinus genus, Tricholoma sp. and the like belonging to the Tricholoma genus, Coprinus comatus and the like belonging to the Coprinus genus, and Hericium ericaceae and the like belonging to the Hericiaceae genus. erinaceum, etc., belonging to the genus Lyophyllum, such as Honshimeji (Lyophyllum shimeji), Lyophyllum decastes, etc., belonging to the genus Rozites, such as Rozites caperata, belonging to the genus Pholiota, such as Pholiota nameko, belonging to the genus Pleurotus, such as Pleurotus pulmonarius, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus eryngii, etc., belonging to the genus Mycoleptodonoides, such as Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii, etc., belonging to the genus Agrocybe, such as Yanagimatsutake (Agrocybe At least one or more species can be selected from the group consisting of Pleurotus ulmoides (Grifola cylindracea), etc., and Grifola gargal (Grifola gargal), etc. In particular, from the viewpoint of low side effects and safety when the extract is used over a long period of time, Tamogitake, Flammulina velutipes, Ginkgo biloba, Coprinus comatus, Yamabushitake, Honshimeji, Nameko, Pleurotus oyster mushroom, Pleurotus eryngii, and Bunaharitake are preferred, and among these, Pleurotus ulmoides is easy to collect domestically.

[0027] Furthermore, when the present composition is made into a food composition (including a beverage composition), it may contain, in addition to L-ergothioneine, other ingredients commonly used in foods and beverages (nutritional components such as vitamins and minerals, food ingredients, food additives, etc.) Examples of other ingredients that can be used include ethanol or water as a solvent, sweeteners, flavorings, seasonings, coloring agents, preservatives, bulking agents, thickeners, thickening stabilizers, antioxidants, bittering agents, acidulants, emulsifiers, strengthening agents, manufacturing agents, excipients, disintegrants, binders, lubricants, coating agents, and plasticizers.

[0028] The present composition can be provided as a food composition (including a beverage composition) such as a solid, semi-solid, or liquid, and can be provided as, for example, sweets (cookies, jellies, etc.), breads, processed fish products, processed meat products, noodles, soups, sauces, prepared foods, beverages (dairy drinks, lactic acid bacteria drinks, soft drinks, vegetable drinks, powdered drinks, sports drinks, nutritional drinks, etc.) The present composition can also be provided as a health food, functional food, nutritional supplement, supplement, food for specified health uses, food for patients, combination food for patients, food for the elderly, etc.

[0029] The composition can be provided as a pharmaceutical or quasi-drug. The composition can be ingested by an appropriate method depending on its form. The method of ingestion is not particularly limited as long as the active ingredient contained in the composition can be transferred into the circulating blood. For example, the composition can be in the form of an oral preparation, or a parenteral preparation such as an injection, topical preparation, suppository, or transdermal absorption agent, but is not limited to these. In this specification, the term "ingestion" is used to include all modes such as ingestion, taking, or drinking.

[0030] The present composition can be in the form (dosage form) of a solid, liquid, powder, granule, paste, mousse, gel, jelly, tablet, etc. The present composition can also be in the form enclosed in a bag, container, capsule, or the like.

[0031] The present composition can be used to provide an L-ergothioneine intake (daily intake per adult) of 1 mg to 30 mg, more preferably 3 mg to 25 mg, and even more preferably 5 mg to 25 mg. In the case of a solid or tablet form, the L-ergothioneine intake amount can be contained per unit or a specified number of units. Furthermore, in the case of a liquid, powder, granule, paste, mousse, gel, or jelly form, the L-ergothioneine intake amount can be contained in one package or container. The L-ergothioneine intake amount can be displayed on the package or the like as a recommended daily intake amount. Furthermore, the number of times per day to achieve the daily intake amount may be one or multiple times.

[0032] For example, when the composition is made into a solid composition, the maitake mushroom extract can be processed by freeze-drying or spray-drying to produce a solid composition. For example, when the composition is made into a beverage composition, the maitake mushroom extract can be deodorized and decolorized using a filtration membrane, and the filtrate after the deodorization and decolorization process can be powdered by spray-drying or the like, and the powder can be used as a beverage ingredient to produce a beverage composition. Alternatively, the maitake mushroom extract can be powdered by spray-drying or the like, and the powder can be used as a beverage ingredient to produce a beverage composition. The maitake mushroom extract can be prepared by subjecting the broth obtained by boiling maitake mushrooms to an ion exchange resin, obtaining an eluate of cationic compounds from the ion exchange resin, concentrating the eluate, and passing the concentrated liquid through high-performance liquid chromatography to separate and purify L-ergothioneine.

[0033] As an example of the present invention, a clinical trial using a food containing ergothioneine derived from Pleurotus cornucopius mushroom will be described below, targeting healthy individuals who are not suffering from any disease (those who experience daily stress and physical discomfort (chronic, not corresponding to a disease) such as poor sleep quality and fatigue). Note that the present invention is not limited to this example, as long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the units and measurement methods described in this example are in accordance with JIS standards.

[0034] - Test method - The clinical trial method employed was a randomized, parallel-group, double-blind comparative study using two test food intake groups: a group consuming an ergothioneine-containing food (test food group) and a group consuming a placebo food (control food group).

[0035] -Subjects- To select subjects, a screening survey was conducted on 59 individuals, and 52 individuals who met all of the eligibility criteria (1) to (11) and did not meet any of the exclusion criteria (A) to (D) were included as subjects. The subjects were randomly assigned using a permuted block method to avoid bias in gender ratio and age. Regarding subject background information for each group, the test food group consisted of 14 men and 12 women, while the control food group consisted of 13 men and 13 women. No significant differences were observed between groups in subject background data for height, weight, BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, or body temperature.

[0036] <Eligibility criteria> (1) Healthy individuals without any illness (those who experience stress on a daily basis and experience physical discomfort (chronic, not related to illness) such as poor sleep quality and fatigue) (2) Age: 18 to 65 years old (3) Gender: Any (however, to avoid bias in the male-female ratio, the number of individuals in each group will be set as equal as possible) (4) Non-smokers (5) Individuals who do not have the habit of eating foods that are high in ergothioneine (foods that are high in ergothioneine: mushrooms, liver, grains, beans) (6) Individuals who do not regularly use supplements or health foods (containing ergothioneine) (7) Individuals who do not suffer from lifestyle-related diseases (high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), rheumatism, liver damage, kidney damage, or other chronic diseases (8) Individuals with no history of treatment for malignant tumors, heart failure, or myocardial infarction (9) Individuals with no history of allergies to mushrooms, foods, or medicines that contain high amounts of ergothioneine (10) Those who are not currently receiving medical treatment or taking medication. (11) Those who have fully understood the contents of the clinical trial and have given written consent.

[0037] <Exclusion criteria> (A) Pregnant or breastfeeding women or those who intend to become pregnant during the study period. (B) Those who are currently participating in other clinical trials or studies, or those who have participated in other clinical trials or studies within the past three months. (C) Those who are unable to follow the instructions of the attending physician or medical institution staff. (D) Other individuals who are deemed to have some kind of problem by the person in charge of the study.

[0038] - Test food and method of ingestion of test food - There were two types of test food, as shown in Table 1, and they were managed by distinguishing them with identification codes. The control food was designed so that it could not be distinguished from the test food by color, smell, appearance, etc. The test food ingested by the test food group was a beverage containing 5 mg of ergothioneine obtained from Pleurotus cornucopiae extract, and the control food ingested by the control food group was a beverage containing 0 mg of ergothioneine. Specifically, the test food was a beverage made by deodorizing and decolorizing Pleurotus cornucopiae extract using a filtration membrane, and then powdering the filtrate after the deodorization and decolorization process using spray drying, from which this powder was powdered.

[0039]

[0040] The test food (test food or control food) was taken immediately (within 30 minutes) after breakfast or dinner. No specific dietary requirements were specified, but participants were instructed to refrain from overeating during the intake period. If participants forgot to take the test food immediately after breakfast, they were instructed to take it immediately after dinner, and if they forgot to take it after dinner, they were instructed to take it before going to bed. From the next day, they were instructed to take it again after breakfast or at dinner.

[0041] - Test Schedule and Test Details - After the first test (test at 0 weeks of intake), each subject consumed one bottle of the test food per day for 28 days and then underwent a second test (test at 4 weeks of intake). Then, for another 28 days, they consumed one bottle of the test food per day and underwent a third test (test at 8 weeks of intake). The second test was conducted within 28 days ±3 days from the date of the first test, and the third test was conducted within 56 days ±6 days from the date of the first test. The test items underwent by each subject are shown in Table 2.

[0042]

[0043] In the "Efficacy evaluation" section in Table 2, the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition (POMS2) and the Izumo Scale were administered. In the "Daily diary entry" section in Table 2, the OSA Sleep Assessment Table MA version (hereinafter referred to as "OSA-MA") questionnaire was completed.

[0044] To ensure accurate evaluation, each subject refrained from overeating the day before, ate a meal after waking up on the day of the test, and underwent a medical interview, physical examination, blood pressure measurement, and blood and urine tests (at screening and 8 weeks after intake). Each subject also underwent Cognitrax tests (SDC test, Stroop test, shifting attention test, and 4-part continuous processing test) at weeks 0, 4, and 8 of intake to apply cognitive stress to the brain. Immediately after completing the Cognitrax tests, efficacy assessments (POMS2 and Izumo scale) were conducted. Each subject also completed an OSA-MA questionnaire every morning upon waking to evaluate sleep quality.

[0045] <About POMS2> POMS2 was administered as an emotional profile test. POMS2 is a test that evaluates mood states over a specified time frame (the past week, including the day of the test) using seven scales: "anger-hostility," "confusion-bewilderment," "depression-dejection," "fatigue-lethargy," "tension-anxiety," "vigor-vitality," and "friendship," as well as a "TMD score" that comprehensively represents negative mood states. In POMS2, each subject answered 65 questions at week 0 (0w), week 4 (4w), and week 8 (8w) of intake using five options: "not at all," "a little," "fairly," "quite a bit," and "very much."

[0046] <About the Izumo Scale> The Izumo Scale was administered to evaluate gastrointestinal symptoms. The Izumo Scale is a questionnaire for evaluating gastrointestinal symptoms. The Izumo Scale uses five factors - "heartburn," "stomach pain," "heavy stomach feeling," "constipation," and "diarrhea" - as test items to evaluate the decline in QOL due to gastrointestinal symptoms. Each subject answered the 16 items in these five factors using six options: "not at all bothersome," "not very bothersome," "a little bothersome," "bothered," "very bothersome," and "to the point of being unbearable."

[0047] <About OSA-MA> The "OSA-MA" was administered to measure sleep quality and sleep perception. In the OSA-MA, each subject was asked to answer five test items (sleepiness upon waking, falling asleep and maintaining sleep, dreaminess, fatigue recovery, and sleep duration) as psychological scales to evaluate sleep reflection upon waking. Each test item in the five test items was "very (negative rating)," "somewhat (negative rating)," "somewhat (positive rating)," or "very (positive rating)." In the OSA-MA, the above five test items were used.

[0048] -Analysis method, analysis subjects- The actual measured values ​​and changes in each data were used as analysis data. Statistical methods used for efficacy assessment (POMS2, Izumo Scale, OSA-MA) were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test for between-group comparisons, and the Wilcoxon signed rank sum test for within-group comparisons with pre-intake values. The significance level was set at 5% on both sides. No adjustments were made for multiple testing of multiple items and multiple time points. SPSS Statistics 28.0.1 (IBM Japan, Ltd.) was used as statistical analysis software.

[0049] - Test analysis results - <Regarding POMS2> For POMS2, eight test items, including the seven scales mentioned above and the TMD score (total), were analyzed. The analysis results are shown in Table 3 (test food group) and Table 4 (control food group). No significant differences were observed between groups at week 0 of intake for any of the test items.

[0050]

[0051]

[0052] In POMS2, significant differences were confirmed between the test food group and the control food group in the amount of change in the following four test items: - Change in "vigor-vitality" after 4 weeks of intake (4w-0w): p<0.01 - Change in "friendship" after 4 weeks of intake (4w-0w): p<0.05 - Change in "anger-hostility" after 8 weeks of intake (8w-0w): p<0.05 - Change in "friendship" after 8 weeks of intake (8w-0w): p<0.01

[0053] Figures 1 to 3 show the analysis results for each test item: "Vibrancy-Energy," "Anger-Hostility," and "Friendship." In each figure, the vertical axis represents the average score for the corresponding test item (change from week 0 of intake) for the analysis subjects (subjects in each group). The horizontal axis represents the timing of the test (week 0 of intake, week 4 of intake, week 8 of intake). In each figure, the dashed line represents the analysis results for the test food group, and the solid line represents the analysis results for the control food group.

[0054] Of the test items shown in Figures 1 to 3, for "vigor-vitality" and "anger-hostility," p<0.01 was obtained before and after intake of the test food group at 4 weeks and 0 weeks, and before and after intake of the test food group at 8 weeks and 0 weeks, confirming significant differences within the groups.

[0055] According to the results of POMS2 analysis, L-ergothioneine was found to be effective in improving "vitality and energy," improving "friendship," and reducing (or suppressing) "anger-hostility." Compositions containing L-ergothioneine as an active ingredient are useful as vitality enhancers, energy enhancers (motivation enhancers), vitality and energy enhancers, friendliness enhancers, empathy enhancers, friendliness and empathy enhancers, hostility reducers, irritability reducers, hostility and irritability reducers, and anger reducers. They are particularly useful for healthy individuals.

[0056] On the other hand, no significant differences were confirmed between groups for test items other than "vigor-vitality," "anger-hostility," and "friendship." The POMS2 Japanese manual states, "If the scores for 'depression-dejection,' 'tension-anxiety,' and 'fatigue-lethargy' are high, the respondent is considered to have developed major depression (with comorbid anxiety disorder)." The results of POMS2 did not confirm the effect of ergothioneine on test items related to depression and anxiety disorders.

[0057] Furthermore, for the change in "vigor-vitality" over 8 weeks (8 weeks - 0 weeks) in all subjects, the correlation coefficient between "vigor-vitality" and "depression-depression" was -0.23 (weak negative correlation), the correlation coefficient between "tension-anxiety" was -0.35 (weak negative correlation), and the correlation coefficient between "fatigue-lethargy" was -0.31 (weak negative correlation). For the change in "friendliness" over 8 weeks (8 weeks - 0 weeks) in all subjects, the correlation coefficient between "friendliness" and "depression-depression" was -0.14 (no correlation), the correlation coefficient between "tension-anxiety" was -0.09 (no correlation), and the correlation coefficient between "fatigue-lethargy" was -0.26 (weak negative correlation).

[0058] The POMS2 Japanese manual states that "Vibrancy-Energy" is "defined by adjectives expressing high vitality, dynamism, and high energy. This factor was present in all six studies and showed a negative correlation with other POM factors. Additionally, several items in the "Friendship" factor showed high loadings on "Vibrancy-Energy," suggesting that "Vibrancy-Energy" expresses a certain degree of positive affect." It also states that "Despite their negative correlation, 'Fatigue-Apathy' and 'Vibrancy-Energy' appear to be independent, unidimensional factors rather than polar opposites of a bipolar factor." The manual also states that "Anger-Hostility" expresses a state of anger and antipathy toward others." The manual also states that "Friendship" is "interpreted as a barometer of the interpersonal domain" and "This scale is used as an indicator of positive feelings toward others—an orientation toward positive interpersonal relationships."

[0059] <About the Izumo Scale> The Izumo Scale was analyzed for each of the five test items listed above. The analysis results are shown in Table 5 (test food group) and Table 6 (control food group). No significant differences were observed between groups at week 0 of intake for any of the test items.

[0060]

[0061]

[0062] On the Izumo Scale, the change in the "heavy stomach" test item at 8 weeks of ingestion was p<0.05, confirming a significant difference between the test food group and the control food group. Figure 4 shows the analysis results for the "heavy stomach" test item. In Figure 4, the vertical axis represents the average score for the corresponding test item (change from week 0 of ingestion) for the analysis subjects. The horizontal axis represents the timing of the test (week 0 of ingestion, week 4 of ingestion, week 8 of ingestion). Also in Figure 4, the dashed line represents the analysis results for the test food group, and the solid line represents the analysis results for the control food group. In addition, for the "heavy stomach" test item, p<0.05 was obtained between before and after ingestion at week 4 and week 0 for the test food group, confirming a significant difference within the group.

[0063] According to the Izumo Scale, L-ergothioneine was found to be effective in improving (reducing) "heavy stomach feeling." A composition containing L-ergothioneine as an active ingredient is useful as an agent for improving (reducing) heavy stomach feeling. It is particularly useful for healthy individuals.

[0064] <Regarding OSA-MA> Regarding OSA-MA, each test item of the five factors mentioned above was analyzed. The analysis results are shown in Table 7 (test food group) and Table 8 (control food group). Note that no significant differences were observed between groups at week 0 of intake for any of the test items.

[0065]

[0066]

[0067] In OSA-MA, the actual measured values ​​for the test item "morning sleepiness" at 4 weeks after ingestion showed a p<0.05, confirming a significant difference between the test food group and the control food group. Figure 5 shows the analysis results for the test item "morning sleepiness." In Figure 5, the vertical axis represents the average score for the corresponding test item (actual measured values ​​at each test timing) for the analysis subjects. The horizontal axis represents the test timing (week 0, week 4, week 8 after ingestion). In Figure 5, the dashed line represents the analysis results for the test food group, and the solid line represents the analysis results for the control food group. In addition, for the test item "morning sleepiness," p<0.05 was obtained between before and after ingestion at 8 weeks after ingestion and at week 0 for the test food group, confirming a significant difference within the group.

[0068] According to OSA-MA, L-ergothioneine has been found to be effective in improving (reducing) "morning sleepiness." A composition containing L-ergothioneine as an active ingredient is useful as an agent for improving (reducing) morning sleepiness. It is particularly useful for healthy individuals.

[0069] The present invention is applicable to compositions containing ergothioneine as an active ingredient.

Claims

1. A composition for improving vitality and / or energy, improving friendliness and / or empathy, reducing anger, or reducing hostility and / or irritability towards others, comprising L-ergothioneine as an active ingredient.

2. A composition containing Tamogitake extract as an active ingredient for increasing vitality and / or energy, increasing friendliness and / or empathy, reducing anger, or reducing hostility and / or irritability towards others.

3. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, which, when orally ingested by a healthy subject, improves vitality and / or energy, improves friendliness and / or empathy, reduces anger, or reduces hostility and / or irritability towards others.

4. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, which further reduces morning drowsiness or stomach upset.

5. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intake amount of ergothioneine is 1 mg to 30 mg per day for an adult.

6. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, which is a food composition.

7. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, which is a pharmaceutical composition.

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