Composition for preventing or alleviating obesity and reducing body fat, comprising herbal medicine extract as active ingredient

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or alleviating obesity and reducing body fat, the composition comprising a Pueraria lobata root extract and a Perilla frutescens leaf extract as active ingredients. A mixture of the Pueraria lobata root extract and the Perilla frutescens leaf extract according to the present invention is highly effective in reducing body weight and body fat, and thus can be effectively used as a medicine or food for preventing or alleviating obesity and reducing body fat.

Description

Composition for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat, containing herbal extracts as active ingredients

[0001] The present invention was made under the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Korea under the project identification number 1545026978 and detailed project number 821058-3. The project management specialized agency of the project is the National Institute of Agricultural and Food Technology Planning and Evaluation, the research project name is “Technology Commercialization Support Project”, the research project title is “Development and commercialization of health functional foods for menopausal women using domestic medicinal crops proven to improve circulation disorders”, the project performing agency is Helixmith Co., Ltd., and the research period is 2021.04.01-2023.12.31.

[0002] This patent application claims priority to Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2023-0178938, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 11, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat, which comprises herbal extracts, more specifically, galangal extract and perilla leaf extract, as active ingredients.

[0004]

[0005] Obesity primarily occurs when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure and is characterized by excessive fat accumulation. While lifestyle changes, such as restricting calorie intake and increasing activity, are essential for improving obesity, significant effort is required. For patients whose obesity has led to mobility difficulties, medication or functional foods may be necessary for improving the condition.

[0006] Numerous papers and patents are referenced and cited throughout this specification. The disclosures of these cited papers and patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to provide a clearer understanding of the state of the art and the scope of the present invention.

[0007]

[0008] To address the aforementioned problems, the inventors of the present invention have diligently researched and developed a composition containing natural ingredients that exhibits excellent anti-obesity effects while being free of side effects. As a result, they discovered that a composition combining extracts of galangal root and perilla leaf extracts exhibits excellent weight control and white fat accumulation reduction effects, thereby completing the present invention.

[0009] Accordingly, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat, which contains galangal extract and perilla leaf extract as active ingredients.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a food composition for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat, which contains galangal extract and perilla leaf extract as active ingredients.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description, claims and drawings below.

[0012]

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a composition comprising a galangal extract and a perilla leaf extract as active ingredients.

[0014] In this specification, Perillae Folium refers to the leaves and tips of Perilla frutescens Britton var. acuta Kudo or Perilla frutescens Britton var. crispa Decaisne of the Labiatae family, which are 30 to 60 cm tall and are called red-leafed perilla, perilla frutescens Britton var. crispa Decaisne, etc. It is produced in Korea, China, etc., and is used for food or medicine in Korea.

[0015] In the present invention, 'Puerariae Radix' is the root of Pueraria lobata Ohwi or Pueraria thomsonii Benth, which are perennial, deciduous plants belonging to the legume family (Leguminosae), either intact or with the pericarp removed.

[0016] The extracts of the root and leaves of the plant used in the present invention can be purchased or obtained by direct extraction from the herbal medicine. The extraction can be performed after cutting or crushing each herbal medicine into an appropriate size.

[0017] The extract mixture of the present invention can be prepared by (i) a single extraction process of extracting a mixture of galangal and perilla leaves with an extraction solvent, or (ii) a method of preparing extracts of each single component separately and then mixing the extracts of each component.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the extract of the root and / or perilla leaves may be extracted with water, an alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a mixed solvent thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0019] The amount of the above extraction solvent may vary depending on the amount of the root and / or perilla leaves to be extracted, and specifically, may be 1 to 20 times the volume of the weight of the root and / or perilla leaf mixture, specifically 5 to 30 times the volume, more specifically 5 to 12 times the volume, or 7 to 25 times the volume. Most specifically, in the case of the root, it is 8 times the volume of the weight, and in the case of the perilla leaves, it is 20 times the volume of the weight, but is not limited thereto.

[0020] The extraction temperature of the extract of the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 0-120°C, specifically, a temperature within the range of 15-100°C, 20-95°C, 25-95°C, 30-95°C, 35-95°C, 40-95°C, 50-95°C, 60-95°C, 70-95°C, 80-95°C, or 85-95°C, and more specifically, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90°C. In one embodiment of the present invention, the extraction temperature of the present invention is 85-95°C.

[0021] The extraction time of the extract of the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 1 hour to 10 days, and specifically, 1 hour to 72 hours, 1 hour to 48 hours, 1 hour to 36 hours, 1 hour to 24 hours, 1 hour to 12 hours, 1 hour to 10 hours, 1 hour to 6 hours, 1 hour to 5 hours, or 1 hour to 4 hours. The above extraction time may be more specifically 2 hours to 72 hours, 2 hours to 48 hours, 2 hours to 36 hours, 2 hours to 24 hours, 2 hours to 12 hours, 2 hours to 10 hours, 2 hours to 6 hours, 2 hours to 5 hours, 2 hours to 4 hours, 3 hours to 72 hours, 3 hours to 48 hours, 3 hours to 36 hours, 3 hours to 24 hours, 3 hours to 12 hours, 3 hours to 10 hours, 3 hours to 6 hours, or 3 hours to 5 hours. In one embodiment of the present invention, the extraction time of the present invention is 3 hours.

[0022] The extract of the present invention can be extracted using known natural product extraction methods. For example, it can be extracted using cold extraction, hot water extraction, ultrasonic extraction, reflux cooling extraction, or heating extraction. Specifically, it can be extracted using hot water extraction or reflux cooling extraction, and the extraction can be repeated from 1 to 10 times.

[0023] Meanwhile, the extract mixture of galangal and perilla leaves used in the present invention can be prepared by mixing individual extracts of galangal and perilla leaves, or by treating a mixture of galangal and perilla leaves with an extraction solvent.

[0024] In the present invention, the extract of galangal and perilla leaves can be used in the form of a crude extract extracted by a solvent, and can also be used after being purified to a high purity.

[0025] The term 'extract' used herein has the meaning commonly used in the art as a crude extract as described above, but in a broad sense, it also includes fractions obtained by further fractionation of the extract. That is, the extracts of Pueraria root and Perilla leaf include not only those obtained using the above-described extraction solvent, but also those obtained by additionally applying a purification process thereto. For example, fractions obtained by passing the extract through an ultrafiltration membrane having a certain molecular weight cut-off value, separation by various chromatographies (designed for separation according to size, charge, hydrophobicity, or affinity), and other fractions obtained through various additional purification methods are also included in the extracts of Pueraria root and Perilla leaf of the present invention. The Pueraria root and Perilla leaf extracts used in the present invention can be manufactured into a powder state by additional processes such as distillation under reduced pressure and freeze drying or spray drying.

[0026] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the galangal root and perilla leaves are washed and dried, then mixed at a certain weight ratio, and then added to an extraction solvent having a volume (ml) that is 1-30 times the weight (g) of the mixture, and then extracted while stirring well at 15-95°C for 1-48 hours. Next, the extract is filtered, concentrated under reduced pressure at 50-65°C, and then freeze-dried to obtain a powdered extract mixture.

[0027] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the root and the leaves of the plant are each added to an extraction solvent of 1-30 times the volume (ml) of their respective weights (g), and then extracted while stirring well at 15-95°C for 1-48 hours. Next, each extract is filtered, concentrated under reduced pressure at 50-65°C, and then freeze-dried to obtain a powdered herbal extract. Then, each herbal extract is mixed at a certain weight ratio to obtain a powdered extract mixture.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, the galgeun extract and perilla leaf extract are included in a weight ratio of 1:1 to 10:1. More specifically, the weight ratio may be 1:1 to 10:1, 1:1 to 5:1, 1:1 to 4:1, 1:1 to 3:1, 2:1 to 10:1, 2:1 to 5:1, 2:1 to 4:1, 2:1 to 3:1, 3:1 to 10:1, 3:1 to 5:1, 3:1 to 4:1, 5:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1, or 1:1, but is not limited thereto.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the composition of the present invention is for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in an animal model for obesity fed a high-fat diet, the group administered the extract mixture of the root and perilla leaves of the present invention exhibited effects of inhibiting weight gain and body fat accumulation. Furthermore, the effects were dependent on the dose of the extract mixture administered.

[0031] In this specification, obesity generally refers to a condition in which body weight exceeds the normal range. However, since even non-obese individuals with a lot of muscle can gain a lot of weight, obesity is defined as a condition in which there is excessive fat tissue in the body. At the time of diagnosis, obesity is defined as a body mass index (body mass index: weight (kg) divided by height (m) squared) of 25 or higher.

[0032] The aforementioned "fat" plays a crucial role in the body's energy metabolism and is divided into "white fat" and "brown fat." White fat stores energy in the body, while brown fat generates heat, maintaining body temperature and expending energy.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the body fat is white fat.

[0034]

[0035] The composition of the present invention can be prepared as a pharmaceutical composition.

[0036] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the composition of the present invention comprises (a) the extract mixture of the root and perilla leaves described above as an effective ingredient; and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a pharmaceutically effective amount of the extract mixture of the root and perilla leaves.

[0037] The term "pharmaceutically effective amount" in this specification means an amount sufficient to achieve the preventive or improving effect of the extract mixture of the above-mentioned galangal root and perilla leaves on obesity.

[0038] The present invention is a composition comprising extracts extracted from natural plant materials such as galangal and perilla leaves, and since there are no side effects on the human body even when administered in excessive amounts, the quantitative upper limit of the extracts included in the composition of the present invention can be selected and implemented within an appropriate range by a person skilled in the art.

[0039] As used herein, the term "prevention" means any action that inhibits the onset of a disease or pathological condition by administering the composition of the present invention, and "improvement" means any action that delays the progression of a disease or pathological condition by administering the composition of the present invention; and alleviates a disease or pathological condition.

[0040] When the composition of the present invention is prepared as a pharmaceutical composition, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is one commonly used in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, and includes, but is not limited to, lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, starch, acacia gum, calcium phosphate, alginate, gelatin, calcium silicate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, water, syrup, methyl cellulose, methylhydroxybenzoate, propylhydroxybenzoate, talc, magnesium stearate, and mineral oil.

[0041] The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may further comprise, in addition to the above ingredients, lubricants, wetting agents, sweeteners, flavoring agents, emulsifiers, suspending agents, preservatives, etc. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and formulations are described in detail in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (19th ed., 1995).

[0042] The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be administered orally or parenterally, and in the case of parenteral administration, it can be administered by intravenous administration, subcutaneous administration, intradermal administration, transdermal administration, skin administration, intramuscular administration, intranasal administration, intramucosal administration, intrathecal administration, intraperitoneal administration, intraocular administration, etc., and specifically, it can be administered orally.

[0043] The appropriate dosage of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention varies depending on factors such as the formulation method, administration method, patient's age, weight, sex, pathological condition, food, administration time, administration route, excretion rate, and response sensitivity, and a generally skilled physician can easily determine and prescribe a dosage effective for the desired treatment or prevention.

[0044] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the daily dosage of the extract mixture of galangal and perilla leaves, which is an effective ingredient of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention, is 0.001-1000 mg / kg. The daily dosage of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be, for example, 0.1-1000 mg / kg, 0.1-900 mg / kg, 0.1-800 mg / kg, 0.1-700 mg / kg, 0.1-600 mg / kg, 0.1-500 mg / kg, 0.1-400 mg / kg, 0.1-300 mg / kg, 0.1-200 mg / kg, 0.1-100 mg / kg, 0.1-50 mg / kg, 0.1-30 mg / kg, 0.1-20 mg / kg, 0.1-10 mg / kg, 0.1-7 mg / kg, 0.1-5 mg / kg, 1-1000 mg / kg, 1-900 mg / kg, 1-800 mg / kg, 1-700 mg / kg, It may be 1-600 mg / kg, 1-500 mg / kg, 1-400 mg / kg, 1-300 mg / kg, 1-200 mg / kg, 1-100 mg / kg, 1-50 mg / kg, 1-30 mg / kg, 1-20 mg / kg, 1-10 mg / kg, 1-7 mg / kg, 1-5 mg / kg, and more specifically 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mg / kg.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, the extract mixture is included in an amount of 0.001 to 30 wt% based on the total weight of the composition. More specifically, the extract mixture is present in an amount of 0.001 to 30 wt%, 0.001 to 20 wt%, 0.001 to 10 wt%, 0.001 to 5 wt%, 0.001 to 3 wt%, 0.001 to 2 wt%, 0.001 to 1 wt%, 0.01 to 30 wt%, 0.01 to 20 wt%, 0.01 to 10 wt%, 0.01 to 5 wt%, 0.01 to 3 wt%, 0.01 to 2 wt%, 0.01 to 1 wt%, 0.03 to 30 wt%, 0.03 to 20 wt%, 0.03 to 10 wt%, 0.03 to 5 wt%, 0.03 to 3 wt%, 0.03 to 2 wt%, 0.03 to 1 wt%, 0.05 to 30 wt%, 0.05 to 20 wt%, 0.05 to 10 wt%, 0.05 to 5 wt%, 0.05 to 3 wt%, 0.05 to 2 wt%, 0.05 to 1 wt%, but is not limited thereto.

[0046] The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be manufactured in a unit dose form or can be manufactured by inserting it into a multi-dose container by formulating it using a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and / or excipient according to a method that can be easily performed by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. In this case, the formulation may be in the form of a solution, suspension or emulsion in an oil or aqueous medium, or in the form of an extract, powder, granules, tablet or capsule, and may additionally include a dispersing agent or stabilizer.

[0047] The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be administered in combination with a known compound or pharmaceutical composition having an effect of preventing and treating obesity.

[0048]

[0049] According to another aspect of the present invention, the composition of the present invention can be manufactured into a food composition.

[0050] The above food composition can be used as a health functional food or added to various foods.

[0051] The present invention also provides a health functional food comprising the food composition. The health functional food may be a beverage, meat, chocolate, food, confectionery, pizza, ramen, other noodles, gum, ice cream, alcoholic beverage, vitamin complex, or health supplement.

[0052] The content of the extract mixture of the present invention contained in the food composition may be appropriately adjusted depending on the form of the food, the desired use, etc., and there is no particular limitation. For example, the content of the extract mixture may be 0.001 to 30 wt% or 0.01 to 20 wt% of the total food weight, and in the case of a health beverage composition, it may be 0.001 to 15 g, 0.02 to 10 g, or 0.3 to 1 g based on 100 ml, but is not limited thereto.

[0053] When the composition comprising the extract mixture of the root and perilla leaves of the present invention is manufactured into a food composition, it may include not only the extract as an active ingredient, but also ingredients commonly added during food manufacturing. The added ingredients include, for example, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, nutrients, seasonings, and flavoring agents. Examples of the carbohydrates mentioned above include monosaccharides such as glucose, fructose, etc.; disaccharides such as maltose, sucrose, oligosaccharides, etc.; and polysaccharides such as dextrin, cyclodextrin, etc., and sugar alcohols such as xylitol, sorbitol, and erythritol. As flavoring agents, natural flavoring agents [thaumatin, stevia extracts (e.g., rebaudioside A, glycyrrhizin, etc.)] and synthetic flavoring agents (saccharin, aspartame, etc.) can be used. For example, when the food composition of the present invention is manufactured as a drink, citric acid, liquid fructose, sugar, glucose, acetic acid, malic acid, juice, Eucommia extract, jujube extract, licorice extract, etc. may be additionally included in addition to the extract of the present invention.

[0054] Since the food composition of the present invention contains an extract mixture of galangal and perilla leaves as an effective ingredient, similar to the pharmaceutical composition described above, description of common matters between the two inventions is omitted to avoid excessive duplication in the present specification.

[0055]

[0056] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a method for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat, comprising a step of administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising the above-described extract of galangal and the extract of perilla leaves as active ingredients.

[0057] In one embodiment of the present invention, the subject may be a mammal or a non-mammalian animal. The mammal may include, but is not limited to, a human, a non-human ape, a dog, a cat, a pig, a cow, a horse, a mouse, a rat, or a rabbit.

[0058] Since the method for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat according to one aspect of the present invention includes the composition according to one aspect of the present invention described above, the common contents between the two inventions are equally applicable.

[0059]

[0060]

[0061] The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat, comprising a galangal extract and a perilla leaf extract as active ingredients.

[0062] In addition, the present invention provides a food composition for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat, which comprises a galangal extract and a perilla leaf extract as active ingredients.

[0063] The mixture of the extract of the root of the present invention and the extract of the perilla leaf has excellent effects in reducing body weight and body fat, and can be usefully used as a medicine and food for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat.

[0064]

[0065] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the feed intake of mice in the normal diet group (G1), the high-fat diet group (G2), and the extract mixture of galangal and perilla leaves and high-fat diet groups (G3, G4).

[0066] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the body weight, white fat mass, and white fat mass per body weight of mice in the normal diet group (G1), high-fat diet group (G2), and the extract mixture of galangal and perilla leaf and high-fat diet groups (G3, G4).

[0067]

[0068]

[0069] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail through examples. These examples are intended solely to illustrate the present invention more specifically, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited by these examples, in accordance with the gist of the present invention.

[0070]

[0071] Example

[0072]

[0073] Throughout this specification, "%" used to indicate the concentration of a particular substance is (weight / weight) % for solid / solid, (weight / volume) % for solid / liquid, and (volume / volume) % for liquid / liquid, unless otherwise noted.

[0074]

[0075] Manufacturing Example 1: Preparation of extract

[0076] 100 g of dried Pueraria Radix was mixed with 800 ml of distilled water, stirred well, and refluxed for 3 hours at an extraction temperature of 90°C. The filtrate was separated and this process was repeated twice. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure at a temperature of 60°C or lower, and then freeze-dried to obtain Pueraria Radix extract powder (yield: 35%).

[0077] 100 g of dried perilla leaves (Perillae Folium) was mixed with 2000 ml of distilled water, stirred well, and refluxed for 3 hours at an extraction temperature of 90°C. The filtrate was separated and this process was repeated twice. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure at a temperature of 60°C or lower, and then freeze-dried to obtain perilla leaf extract powder (yield 15%).

[0078] The extract powder of galangal root and the extract powder of perilla leaves were mixed in a weight ratio (w / w) of 2:1, and named as perilla leaf extract mixture and used in the experiment.

[0079]

[0080] Experimental Example 1. Anti-obesity effect of extract mixture in a diet-induced obesity mouse model.

[0081] Six-week-old female C57BL / 6N mice were acclimated to the breeding environment after a one-week quarantine period upon arrival and used in the experiment. During the acclimation period, they were fed regular food. After one week, the mice were weighed and divided into groups based on their initial weights, as shown in Table 1. The mice were fed food and extract mixtures for 12 weeks.

[0082] Group Feeding Group G1 Normal diet G2 High-fat diet group (Rodent Diet with 60 kcal% fat) G3 High-fat diet group (Rodent Diet with 60 kcal% fat) + Perilla leaf root extract mixture 50 mg / kg (0.05% of feed) G4 High-fat diet group (Rodent Diet with 60 kcal% fat) + Perilla leaf root extract mixture 100 mg / kg (0.1% of feed)

[0083] Weight gain trends were assessed weekly for each group, and feed consumption was assessed by measuring the amount of feed fed twice a week and the amount of remaining feed. After 12 weeks, the animals were euthanized, and adipose tissue was removed and weighed.

[0084] The results are shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0085] As shown in Figure 1, the feed consumption was measured over 12 weeks, and the feed intake was slightly reduced in the high-fat diet groups (G2, G3, G4) compared to the normal diet group (G1). However, the feed intake was similar between the high-fat diet groups.

[0086] In addition, as shown in Figure 2, in terms of body weight, it was observed that the body weight significantly increased in the high-fat diet group (G2, G3, G4) compared to the normal diet group (G1), indicating that obesity was induced by the high-fat diet.

[0087] On the other hand, in the high-fat diet group (G3, G4) that was additionally fed the extract mixture of Perilla frutescens and Pueraria baicalensis, body weight significantly decreased compared to the high-fat diet group (G2), confirming that this extract mixture has an effect of suppressing weight gain. In addition, white fat mass increased according to the high-fat diet compared to the normal diet, but when the extract mixture of Perilla frutescens and Pueraria baicalensis was additionally fed (G3, G4), it tended to decrease compared to the high-fat diet group (G2), confirming that this extract mixture has an effect of reducing body fat.

[0088]

[0089] While specific aspects of the present invention have been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that these specific descriptions are merely preferred implementation examples and that the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical composition for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat, comprising galangal extract and perilla leaf extract as active ingredients.

2. A pharmaceutical composition for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat, wherein the extract in paragraph 1 is extracted with water, an alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a mixed solvent thereof.

3. A pharmaceutical composition for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat, wherein the fat in paragraph 1 is white fat.

4. A pharmaceutical composition for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat, wherein the galangal extract and the perilla leaf extract are included in a weight ratio of 1:1 to 5:1 in paragraph 1.

5. A pharmaceutical composition for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat, wherein the extract mixture in paragraph 1 is contained in an amount of 0.001 to 30 wt% based on the total weight of the composition.

6. A food composition for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat, containing an extract mixture of galangal and perilla leaves as an effective ingredient.

7. A method for preventing or improving obesity and reducing body fat, comprising a step of administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition containing a galgeun extract and a perilla leaf extract as active ingredients.

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