Functional food composition for companion animals, and preparation method therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a functional food composition consumed by companion animals such as dogs and cats, and a preparation method therefor, and, more specifically, to a functional food composition for companion animals, and a preparation method therefor, the functional food composition using curcumin, which acts as an excellent physiologically active ingredient, in particular, using curcumin nanospheres with improved bioavailability so as to increase the absorption rate of curcumin such that the action of environmentally toxic substances in cells is suppressed, being capable of exhibiting various functionalities through functional additives that have an anti-obesity or anti-diabetic effect on companion animals, and causing the curcumin nanospheres to be supported or adsorbed on the surface and inside of porous silica nanoparticles, and then be absorbed therethrough, such that an intracellular delivery effect can be maximized and absorption rate can be improved through extended release.

Description

Functional food composition for companion animals and method of manufacturing the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a functional food composition for consumption by pets such as dogs or cats and a method for manufacturing the same. More specifically, regarding curcumin, which acts as an excellent physiologically active ingredient, the invention utilizes curcumin nanospheres with improved bioavailability to increase the absorption rate of curcumin, thereby inhibiting the action of environmental toxic substances within cells, and enables various functionalities through functional additives that have anti-obesity or anti-diabetic effects on pets. Furthermore, by loading or adsorbing curcumin nanospheres onto the surface and interior of porous silica nanoparticles and allowing them to be absorbed through this, the invention enables the maximization of intracellular delivery effects and the improvement of the absorption rate through continuous release.

[0002] As the number of households raising pets increases worldwide, related industries are growing rapidly. The pet food sector accounts for the largest share of these industries, and as more people regard their pets as family members, consumer demands for the quality and safety of pet food are rising. Consequently, safe and high-quality pet foods are being developed, and furthermore, functional foods designed to alleviate pet ailments are being widely created.

[0003] In Korea as well, according to a survey by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the number of households raising pets among all households has been increasing every year, reaching 23.7% in 2018, 26.4% in 2019, and 27.7% in 2020. Furthermore, as of 2020, the most commonly raised pets were dogs (81.6%) and cats (28.6%). As the number of pet owners increases, interest in the health of pets is also rising.

[0004] Looking at the average age of pets, dogs aged 10 or older account for 10.6%, while cats account for 3.5%, indicating that the proportion of elderly dogs is higher than that of cats. This aging of the dog population leads to chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and joint disease, significantly increasing the burden of related medical expenses. The pet pharmaceutical market is growing at an average annual rate of over 15%, and it has been found that more than 92% of pet owners feel burdened by high medical costs. In particular, obesity can occur due to factors such as age, lack of exercise, diet, and neutering, and since it can cause various complications like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, becoming the biggest threat to a dog's health, the development of pet food (including treats) capable of preventing obesity is essential.

[0005] Meanwhile, curcumin is a yellow natural polyphenol compound extracted from the roots of Curcuma longa (L.), a member of the ginger family. It is known as a natural product with various pharmacological effects on the human body, particularly for its deodorizing ability. However, despite these physiological effects, it has been reported that its bioavailability is very low due to a low absorption rate in the digestive system. Recently, many efforts have been made to develop new drug delivery systems to increase the absorption rate of curcumin. In particular, along with various studies on the nano-synthesis of curcumin, it has been reported that curcumin nano emulsions, another form of nano-synthesized curcumin, not only inhibit inflammatory responses in mice by more than 85% but also increase bioavailability by more than three times compared to mice administered curcumin (Liu and Chang, 2011).

[0006] These results suggest that in developing a new drug delivery system to enhance the absorption rate of curcumin, not only is particle size control through nanotechnology necessary, but various factors such as in vivo delivery are also required to increase bioavailability.

[0007] <Patent Literature>

[0008] Korean Registered Patent No. 10-2715909 (Published Oct. 11, 2024) "Anti-obesity pet food composition containing unripe tangerine peel"

[0009] In the case of the prior art disclosed in the above <Patent Document>, an anti-obesity food composition for pets is provided that includes unripe tangerine peel and provides an effect of reducing body weight and organ weight, but the main components or functionality are limited only to characteristic components.

[0010] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems,

[0011] The objective of the present invention is to provide a functional food composition for pets and a method for manufacturing the same, which utilizes curcumin nanospheres with improved bioavailability to increase the absorption rate of curcumin and inhibit the action of intracellular environmental toxic substances, as well as to exhibit various functionalities through a functional additive having anti-obesity or anti-diabetic effects on pets.

[0012] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a functional food composition for pets and a method for manufacturing the same, which maximizes the intracellular delivery effect and improves the absorption rate through continuous release by loading or adsorbing curcumin nanospheres onto the surface and inside porous silica nanoparticles and allowing them to be absorbed through this.

[0013] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a functional food composition for pets and a method for manufacturing the same, which can additionally reduce the concentrations of triglycerides and total cholesterol in pets, improve bowel movements in pets, improve blood sugar levels in pets, and extend the shelf life of food.

[0014] The present invention is implemented by an embodiment having the following configuration to achieve the aforementioned objective.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a functional food composition for pets according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: curcumin nanospheres utilizing nanoparticles of curcumin or its extract or fraction; porous silica nanoparticles containing said curcumin nanospheres inside; and a functional additive having an anti-obesity or anti-diabetic effect on pets.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the porous silica nanoparticles in the present invention are formed in a spherical shape containing a plurality of pores on the surface and inside, with a particle size of 30 to 300 nm and a pore size of 3 to 5 nm, and 10 to 50% of curcumin nanospheres are loaded or adsorbed on the surface and inside relative to the total weight to maximize the surface area and increase the absorption rate in the body, and the functional additive comprises a first functional additive comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of soybeans, barley sprouts, Angelica gigas, sweet potato, cabbage, green tea, Coix lacryma-jobi, ginseng, oats, Cornus officinalis, Phellinus linteus, Cnidium officinale, butternut squash, fingerroot, Houttuynia cordata, broccoli, Jerusalem artichoke, Acanthopanax senticosus, Poria cocos, Stellaria media, Ulmus davidiana bark, tapioca, silkworm pupae, Coix lacryma-jobi, Schisandra chinensis, and corn silk, and kelp, wakame, green laver, Salicornia europaea, sea tangle, squid ink, jellyfish, agar, and brown algae It is characterized by including one or more of the following: a second functional additive comprising one or more extracts or fractions from a group consisting of bamboo grass, tangerine leaves, green barley, and lava seawater; a functional adjuvant comprising one or more extracts or fractions from a group consisting of ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, lemon, and milk; and a fourth functional additive comprising one or more extracts or fractions from a group consisting of buckwheat, curcuma longa, prickly pear, ox knee, and perilla.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for preparing a functional food composition for pets according to the present invention comprises the steps of: preparing curcumin nanospheres by utilizing nanoparticles of curcumin or its extract or fraction (S1); and preparing curcumin-supported silica nanoparticles by supporting or adsorbing curcumin nanospheres on the surface and inside porous silica nanoparticles (S3). and a step (S5) of preparing a functional food composition by mixing the curcumin-rod silica nanoparticles prepared in step S3 with a functional additive having an anti-obesity or anti-diabetic effect; wherein step S1 comprises: a step of preparing a mixture by mixing curcumin or its extract or fraction in a non-polar solvent in a weight ratio of 1:3 to 5 (S1-11); a step of adding 1 ml of the prepared mixture dropwise to 50 ml of boiling water and ultrasonically treating it at 40 to 60 kHz (S1-12); a step of stirring the ultrasonically treated solution in a stirrer at 700 to 900 rpm for 15 to 25 minutes and then concentrating it under reduced pressure (S1-13); a step of freeze-drying the solution under reduced pressure to obtain curcumin nanoparticles (S1-14); and a first mixture prepared by mixing dichloromethane and phospholipid powder with the curcumin nanoparticles. The method is characterized by including the step of preparing a second mixture by mixing in a ratio of 1:0.5 to 2 (weight / volume) (S1-21), and the step of obtaining curcumin nanospheres by ultrasonically treating the second mixture at 40 to 60 kHz for 1 to 2 hours (S1-22).

[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the non-polar solvent in the present invention is one selected from the group consisting of toluene, benzene, hexane, dimethyl ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane, and the phospholipid is one selected from the group consisting of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol phosphate, phosphatidylinositol biphosphate, and phosphatidylinositol triphosphate. It is characterized by being one type selected.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the S3 step of the present invention comprises a step of dispersing porous silica nanoparticles in a solvent (S3-1), a step of mixing curcumin nanospheres into the solution of the S3-1 step and ultrasonically treating at 40 to 60 kHz for 1 to 2 hours (S3-2), and a step of ultrasonically treating at 80 to 120 kHz while applying pressure for an additional 30 minutes after the S3-2 step (S3-3), and the functional additive in the S5 step comprises one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of soybeans, barley sprouts, Angelica gigas, sweet potatoes, cabbage, green tea, Coix lacryma-jobi, ginseng, oats, Cornus officinalis, Phellinus linteus, Cnidium officinale, butternut squash, fingerroot, Houttuynia cordata, broccoli, Jerusalem artichoke, Acanthopanax senticosus, Poria cocos, Stellaria media, Ulmus davidiana bark, tapioca, silkworm pupae, Coix lacryma-jobi, Schisandra chinensis, and corn silk. It is characterized by comprising one or more of the following: a first functional additive; a second functional additive comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of kelp, wakame, green laver, glasswort, maesaengi, squid ink, jellyfish, agar, and brown algae; a third functional additive comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of bamboo grass, tangerine leaves, green barley, and lava seawater; a functional adjuvant comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, lemon, and milk; and a fourth functional additive comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of buckwheat, curcuma longa, prickly pear, ox knee, and perilla.

[0020] The present invention can achieve the following effects through the combination and usage relationship of the embodiments described above and the configuration described below.

[0021] The present invention utilizes curcumin nanospheres with improved bioavailability to increase the absorption rate of curcumin, thereby inhibiting the action of intracellular environmental toxins, and also has the effect of exhibiting various functionalities through a functional additive that has anti-obesity or anti-diabetic effects for companion animals.

[0022] The present invention has the effect of maximizing the intracellular delivery effect and improving the absorption rate through continuous release by loading or adsorbing curcumin nanospheres onto the surface and inside porous silica nanoparticles and allowing them to be absorbed through this.

[0023] The present invention has the effect of improving the bowel movements of pets while additionally reducing the concentrations of triglycerides and total cholesterol in pets, and also improving the blood sugar levels of pets and extending the shelf life of food.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a step diagram of a manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 shows the experimental data on the cell absorption rate of CLSN.

[0026] Figure 3 shows experimental data representing the cell viability (non-toxicity) characteristics of CLSN.

[0027] Figure 4 shows experimental data regarding the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation (antioxidant) characteristics of CLSN.

[0028] Figure 5 shows experimental data illustrating the characteristics of CLSN on body weight and food intake.

[0029] Figure 6 shows experimental data illustrating the characteristics of CLSN on glucose and insulin resistance.

[0030] Figure 7 shows experimental data illustrating the characteristics of CLSN on body fat.

[0031] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a functional food composition for pets and a method for manufacturing the same according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that identical components in the drawings are represented by identical reference numerals wherever possible. Unless otherwise specifically defined, all terms in this specification have the same general meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and in the event of a conflict with the meaning of a term used in this specification, the definition used in this specification shall prevail. Throughout the specification, when a part is described as "comprising" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0032]

[0033] A functional food composition for pets according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising: curcumin nanospheres utilizing nanoparticles of curcumin or its extract or fraction; porous silica nanoparticles containing said curcumin nanospheres inside; and a functional additive having an anti-obesity or anti-diabetic effect on pets.

[0034] The above curcumin is a type of polyphenol mainly found in turmeric and is known to produce the yellow color of turmeric. It has been revealed that a specific component, PPAR-gamma (Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-gamma), acts as a mechanism to block mediators that cause inflammation, and has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer effects. In particular, the present invention utilizes the curcumin or its extract or fraction (in the present invention, 'fraction' refers to an active fraction obtained by fractionating a substance having the activity intended for the present invention from an extract using a specific solvent) as a major functional active ingredient capable of improving obesity in pets in functional foods for pets. At this time, the curcumin or its extract or fraction exhibits the functionality of inducing the secretion of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which can alleviate overweight and insulin resistance. Additionally, if necessary, glutamine may be included as an additional auxiliary ingredient to lower the incidence of heart disease and diabetes, and to add effects such as preventing muscle loss, increasing immunity, and improving intestinal function.

[0035] However, as explained above, despite its efficacy, curcumin has the disadvantage of very low bioavailability due to its low absorption rate in the digestive system. The present invention is characterized by enabling the absorption rate of curcumin to be increased by applying curcumin nanospheres utilizing curcumin nanoparticles to improve this problem. The manufacturing process of such curcumin nanospheres will be described later.

[0036] Meanwhile, the present invention is characterized by utilizing porous silica nanoparticles in which the curcumin nanospheres are immersed or attached to the interior or surface in addition to the curcumin nanospheres, thereby maximizing the intracellular delivery effect and further improving the absorption rate through continuous release. To this end, the porous silica nanoparticles are formed in a spherical shape containing a plurality of pores on the surface and interior, with a particle size of 30 to 300 nm and a pore size of 3 to 5 nm. The invention is characterized by maximizing the surface area by loading or adsorbing 10 to 50% of the total weight of curcumin nanospheres onto the surface and interior to increase the absorption rate in the body. The process of manufacturing curcumin-loaded silica nanoparticles by loading or adsorbing curcumin nanospheres onto the surface and interior of such porous silica nanoparticles will also be described later.

[0037] Meanwhile, the functional food composition for pets according to the present invention is characterized by further including a functional additive having an anti-obesity effect in addition to the above-mentioned cummin, thereby maximizing the obesity improvement effect through various functionalities that can improve the bowel movements of pets while reducing the concentrations of triglycerides and total cholesterol in pets.

[0038] The above functional additives may include three types of functional additives (from the first functional additive to the third functional additive).

[0039] First, the first functional additive may include one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of soybeans, barley sprouts, Angelica gigas, sweet potatoes, cabbage, green tea, Job's tears, ginseng, oats, Cornus fruit, Phellinus linteus, Cnidium officinale, pumpkin, fingerroot, Houttuynia cordata, broccoli, Jerusalem artichoke, Acanthopanax senticosus, Poria cocos, starwort, Ulmus davidiana bark, tapioca, silkworm pupae, Coix lacryma-jobi, Schisandra chinensis, and corn silk.

[0040] Among the aforementioned primary functional additive ingredients, soybeans, in particular, effectively supply protein to pets due to their high protein content and are rich in various minerals and vitamins, enabling a balanced supply of nutrients and making them suitable for use with diet functional ingredients; barley sprouts inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, a harmful intestinal bacterium, thereby preventing skin infections, osteoarthritis, pneumonia, and sepsis; Angelica root is effective in improving blood flow, thus creating good synergy with diet functional ingredients; sweet potatoes and cabbage are rich in fiber, making them effective in increasing bowel movements in pets; green tea is rich in catechins, particularly EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), and can prevent diabetes and obesity through its caffeine and theanine content; Job's tears exhibit antioxidant properties for anti-aging effects and are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which remove fat and cholesterol accumulated in blood vessels to cleanse them and thus contribute to obesity improvement; and ginseng, specifically by using ginseng leaves or ginseng berries, utilizes saponins as active ingredients to enhance immunity and Anti-obesity effects can be expected. Oats contain twice as much protein as rice and have more fat and fiber than brown rice, making them easy to digest. They also contain a large amount of beta-glucan, a type of polysaccharide, which is excellent for improving obesity by lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Cornus fruit contains loganin and ursolic acid as active ingredients to prevent obesity by inhibiting fat cell differentiation and increasing muscle mass. Phellinus linteus has a cholesterol-lowering effect, and Cnidium is effective in improving blood flow, creating good synergy with functional ingredients for dieting. Sweet pumpkin has a low calorie density, making it suitable for use as a main ingredient in weight-management pet food. Fingerroot is effective in preventing fat accumulation by promoting metabolism and breaking down body fat. Houttuynia cordata is effective for dieting by stimulating blood flow and diuretic action. Broccoli is effective for dieting by reducing cholesterol and activating gastrointestinal function.The fiber abundant in Jerusalem artichokes provides a feeling of fullness, preventing overeating and aiding in portion control; thus, they are effective for diabetes, relieving constipation, and weight loss. Acanthopanax senticosus is also effective for diabetes, relieving constipation, and weight loss due to its effectiveness in improving blood circulation. Poria cocos is effective for weight loss by reducing swelling and improving diuretic function through the activation of the heart, digestive system, and kidneys. Stellaria media is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, making it effective for improving obesity as well as boosting immune function. Ulmus davidiana is effective for weight loss due to its diuretic effects. Tapioca is effective for blood circulation by dilating blood vessels and exhibits excellent functionality for weight loss. Red silkworm pupae are highly effective for improving obesity in pets by inducing the conversion of preadipocytes into brown fat, which primarily functions to generate heat through fat burning, rather than white fat, which primarily functions to store fat, when they differentiate into fat. Finally, Coix seed (Job's tears) exhibits anti-aging effects through its antioxidant properties. Additionally, it is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which remove fat and cholesterol accumulated in blood vessels, thereby cleansing the blood vessels and contributing to obesity improvement. Schisandra berries have excellent anti-obesity effects through the improvement of athletic performance, and corn silk is effective for obesity improvement as it is effective for diuretic action, lowering blood pressure, and improving edema, as well as helping to improve cholesterol metabolism.

[0041] The second functional additive may include one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of kelp, wakame, green laver, glasswort, sea tangle, squid ink, jellyfish, agar, and brown algae.

[0042] Among the aforementioned secondary functional additive ingredients, in particular, kelp helps reduce body fat by blocking carbohydrate absorption and inhibiting fat synthesis; wakame is rich in nutrients beneficial to pets, such as fiber, iodine, carotene, vitamins, and minerals, making it good for weight loss as well as vascular health and aiding in the prevention of bone diseases such as osteoporosis; green laver contains a balanced mix of beneficial components like potassium, iodine, calcium, and dietary fiber, offering excellent effects in preventing obesity; glasswort, by utilizing hydrolyzed extract, stimulates food intake in pets to manage weight and prevent obesity, while also exhibiting functionalities for maintaining health and regulating immunity; maesaengi is a raw material for high-protein, low-calorie, low-fat foods containing various nutrients such as vitamins, chlorophyll, calcium, iron, and minerals, making it effective for weight loss as well as preventing osteoporosis and constipation; and squid ink contains the active ingredient lysoteam, which provides antiviral action along with It is effective for dieting due to its low fat, low calorie, and high protein content, and seaweed is effective for dieting due to its satiety-promoting effect, and brown algae contain phlorotannin as an active ingredient, so it has been confirmed to have an obesity-improving effect when continuously fed to overweight pets.

[0043] The third functional additive may include one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of bamboo grass, tangerine leaves, green barley, and volcanic seawater.

[0044] Among the above-mentioned third functional additive components, in particular, Sasa borealis helps reduce swelling and improve kidney function by promoting diuresis, thereby improving obesity, and is also effective against diabetes by slowing down the absorption rate of carbohydrates and promoting insulin secretion; tangerine leaves have excellent antioxidant activity due to their high content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, and can be expected to improve obesity by reducing blood cholesterol and the synthesis rate of cholesterol in the liver; green barley has a high carbohydrate content compared to other cereals and is rich in minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron, as well as vitamin B, and is effective for dieting as it is a low-calorie food ingredient relative to its nutritional value; and lava seawater contains abundant inorganic nutrient salts such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and silicon, so it can be used together with the obesity-improving functional components included in the present invention to produce a synergistic effect.

[0045] Meanwhile, in order to significantly improve the bioavailability of curcumin, a major active ingredient, and maximize the anti-obesity effect on pets, the functional food composition for pets according to the present invention may additionally include a functional adjuvant comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, lemon, and milk.

[0046] Among the components of the aforementioned functional supplements, ginger exerts a mechanism in which its contained components, such as saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids, act strongly on gastrointestinal mucus to promote absorption through the regulation of intestinal function; turmeric contains a large amount of capsaicin, which enables it to exhibit functionalities such as increased absorption rate and improved bioavailability; cinnamon is known to lower blood sugar levels and act similarly to insulin, particularly by increasing bioavailability to aid in drug absorption; and lemon and milk, especially when used in combination with turmeric, exhibit functionalities that enable more effective enhancement of curcumin bioavailability.

[0047] Meanwhile, the functional food composition for pets according to the present invention may exhibit additional functionality that improves blood sugar levels in pets and extends the shelf life of the food. To this end, the functional food composition for pets according to the present invention may additionally include a fourth functional additive that exhibits anti-diabetic effects.

[0048] The above-mentioned fourth functional additive is characterized by comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of buckwheat, turmeric, prickly pear, ox knee, and perilla.

[0049] Among the above-mentioned fourth functional additive components, in particular, buckwheat (Jeju is the largest buckwheat producing region in Korea, utilizing the blood sugar-improving efficacy of buckwheat), turmeric (utilizing the cholesterol-lowering and diabetes-effective effects of Jeju-produced turmeric), and prickly pear (utilizing the blood sugar-improving efficacy of Jeju-produced prickly pear) are Jeju specialties and are functional components capable of exhibiting anti-diabetic effects in addition to the clean raw material image. Additionally, Achyranthes root, a wild herb from Jeju, is a raw material known to be beneficial for joints and the lower back, and possesses high efficacy as a medicinal herb with antibacterial properties in addition to bone and joint strengthening effects, which can extend the shelf life of functional pet foods containing such components. Perilla is also a substance known for its detoxification and expectorant properties, and is effective in extending the shelf life of food through antibacterial properties. Therefore, in this invention, additional functionality can be exhibited to improve the blood sugar of pets and extend the shelf life of food through the fourth functional additive containing these components.

[0050]

[0051] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1, a method for manufacturing a functional food composition for pets according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0052] A method for preparing a functional food composition for pets according to the present invention may include: a step (S1) of preparing curcumin nanospheres by utilizing nanoparticles of curcumin or its extract or fraction; a step (S3) of preparing curcumin rod silica nanoparticles by supporting or adsorbing curcumin nanospheres on the surface and inside porous silica nanoparticles; and a step (S5) of preparing a functional food composition by mixing the curcumin rod silica nanoparticles prepared in step S3 with a functional additive having an anti-obesity or anti-diabetic effect.

[0053] The above step S1 is a process for manufacturing curcumin nanospheres using nanoparticles of curcumin or its extract or fraction. To this end, the above step S1 more specifically comprises: a step of preparing a mixture by mixing curcumin or its extract or fraction in a non-polar solvent at a weight ratio of 1:3 to 5 (S1-11); a step of adding 1 ml of the prepared mixture dropwise to 50 ml of boiling water and ultrasonically treating it at 40 to 60 kHz (S1-12); a step of stirring the ultrasonically treated solution in a stirrer at 700 to 900 rpm for 15 to 25 minutes and then concentrating it under reduced pressure (S1-13); a step of obtaining curcumin nanoparticles by freeze-drying the solution concentrated under reduced pressure (S1-14); and a first mixture prepared by mixing dichloromethane and phospholipid powder with the curcumin nanoparticles at a ratio of 1:0.5 to 2 The method may include a step of preparing a second mixture by mixing in a (weight / volume) ratio (S1-21), and a step of obtaining curcumin nanospheres by ultrasonically treating the second mixture at 40 to 60 kHz for 1 to 2 hours (S1-22).

[0054] That is, the above S1 step may comprise steps S1-11 to S1-14 for primarily manufacturing curcumin nanoparticles, and steps S1-21 to S1-22 for manufacturing curcumin nanospheres using the curcumin nanoparticles thus manufactured.

[0055] First, the process of manufacturing curcumin nanoparticles is carried out through the following steps: preparing a mixture by mixing curcumin or its extract or fraction in a non-polar solvent at a weight ratio of 1:3 to 5 (S1-11); adding 1 ml of the prepared mixture dropwise to 50 ml of boiling water and ultrasonically treating it at 40 to 60 kHz (S1-12); stirring the ultrasonically treated solution in a stirrer at 700 to 900 rpm for 15 to 25 minutes and then concentrating it under reduced pressure (S1-13); and obtaining curcumin nanoparticles by freeze-drying the solution under reduced pressure (S1-14). The "non-polar solvent" used here refers to a solvent in which the solvent molecules do not possess a permanent dipole and, as a result, lack the power to cause intermolecular association with polar chemical species. Examples of such non-polar solvents include toluene, benzene, hexane, dimethyl ether, and chloroform. It may be one selected from the group consisting of ethyl acetate and dichloromethane, and specifically may be toluene.

[0056] Subsequently, the process of manufacturing curcumin nanospheres is carried out through the steps of: preparing a second mixture by mixing a first mixture, prepared by mixing dichloromethane and phospholipid powder with the curcumin nanoparticles, in a ratio of 1:0.5 to 2 (weight / volume) (S1-21); and obtaining curcumin nanospheres by ultrasonically treating the second mixture at 40 to 60 kHz for 1 to 2 hours (S1-22). The "phospholipids" utilized at this time include phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylinositol (PI), and phosphatidylinositol. It may be one selected from the group consisting of phosphate (Phosphatidylinositol phosphate, PIP), phosphatidylinositol biphosphate (PIP2), and phosphatidylinositol triphosphate (PIP3), and specifically, it may be phosphatidylinositol (meaning "lecithin").

[0057] The above step S3 is a process for manufacturing curcumin-roded silica nanoparticles by supporting or adsorbing curcumin nanospheres on the surface and inside of porous silica nanoparticles. To this end, the above step S3 may more specifically include a step of dispersing porous silica nanoparticles in a solvent (S3-1), a step of mixing curcumin nanospheres into the solution of the above step S3-1 and ultrasonically treating at 40 to 60 kHz for 1 to 2 hours (S3-2), and a step of ultrasonically treating at 80 to 120 kHz while applying pressure for an additional 30 minutes after the above step S3-2 (S3-3).

[0058] That is, in the S3 step of the present invention, in order to support or adsorb curcumin nanospheres on the surface and inside the porous silica nanoparticles, curcumin nanospheres are primarily mixed into an aqueous solution in which porous silica nanoparticles are dispersed in a solvent, and then ultrasonically treated at 40 to 60 kHz for 1 to 2 hours to improve dispersibility and enhance surface adsorption of curcumin nanospheres on the porous silica nanoparticles, and additionally, by adding an additional step of ultrasonically treating at 80 to 120 kHz while applying pressure for an additional 30 minutes, the efficiency of supporting and adsorbing curcumin nanospheres into the pores of the porous silica nanoparticles is maximized, thereby maximizing the manufacturing efficiency of curcumin-loaded silica nanoparticles.

[0059] Step S5 above is a process of preparing a functional food composition by mixing the curcumin-roded silica nanoparticles prepared in Step S3 with a functional additive having anti-obesity or anti-diabetic effects. The type, components, and effects of the functional additive used at this stage have been previously explained, so a redundant explanation will be omitted.

[0060]

[0061] Below, we will explain the characteristics of curcumin-loaded silica nanoparticles (CLSN) prepared according to the present invention as confirmed through experimental results.

[0062] [Experiment 1] Characteristics of CLSN Cell Absorption Rate

[0063] After treating HepG2 cells (3 × 10⁴ cells / cm²) with 10 μg / mL of CLSN for 1, 2, and 3 hours, cellular uptake of CLSN was quantified and visualized using flow cytometry and confocal fluorescence microscopy, respectively. Confocal images showed that CLSN fluorescence was located in the perinuclear region (stained blue with DAPI) (Fig. 2A), suggesting that intracellular uptake was efficient at the time of examination. Additionally, flow cytometry results confirmed that fluorescence intensity increased over time (Figs. 2B, 2C), further confirming the gradual cellular internalization of CLSN. These results demonstrate that CLSN achieves efficient cellular internalization, suggesting potential to improve intracellular delivery and drug bioavailability.

[0064] [Experiment 2] Cell Viability (Non-toxicity) Characteristics of CLSN

[0065] An MTT assay was performed to determine the non-cytotoxic concentration of CLSN on HepG2 cells. Cells were seeded at 1 × 10⁴ cells / well and cultured overnight. Afterward, the cells were treated for 24 hours with various concentrations of CLSN (0–5 μg / mL) with or without the addition of 0.5 mM oleic acid / BSA (OA / BSA), and cell viability was evaluated by measuring absorbance at 540 nm. CLSN (maximum 1.25 μg / mL) did not significantly reduce viability, and viability remained above 85% when administered with OA / BSA (Fig. 3A), while viability remained above 90% when administered with OA / BSA (Fig. 3B).

[0066] [Experiment 3] Characteristics of Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Production (Antioxidant) by CLSN

[0067] HepG2 cells were cultured with DMEM containing 10 μM DCFH-DA for 30 minutes prior to treatment with the CLSN and OA / BSA complex for 24 hours, and ROS levels were evaluated by measuring fluorescence intensity (excitation / emission: 485 / 535 nm) using a microplate reader. Additional cells cultured on coverslips were stained with DAPI and analyzed using a confocal laser scanning microscope with DAPI and FITC filters. Fluorescence images (Fig. 4A) showed that CLSN reduced OA-induced ROS production in a dose-dependent manner, and quantitative analysis (Fig. 4B) confirmed that relative ROS levels in the CLSN treatment groups (0.625 and 1.25 μg / mL) were significantly reduced compared to the negative control group. These results confirm that CLSN exhibits an antioxidant effect in OA-induced HepG2 cells.

[0068] [Experiment 4] Characteristics of CLSN on body weight and food intake through animal model experiments

[0069] - Animal model experimental design: Six-week-old male C57BL / 6 mice were acclimatized for one week and then divided into four groups (n = 10 per group) (ND, HFD→ND, HFD→CLSN50, HFD→CLSN100). The ND group was fed a normal diet (2.18 kcal / g) for the entire period, while the other groups were fed a high-fat diet (HFD; 60% fat kcal, 5.24 kcal / g) for seven weeks to induce obesity. After consuming HFD for six weeks, the group was switched to a normal diet, and CLSN nanoparticles were orally administered daily at a dose of 50 mg or 100 mg per kg of body weight to the HFD→CLSN50 and HFD→CLSN100 groups, respectively. Body weight was measured weekly, and food intake was monitored daily. After 13 weeks, blood, liver, and epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) were collected from the mice for analysis.

[0070] - All groups that consumed HFD for the first 7 weeks showed a significant increase in body weight compared to the ND group (Fig. 5A). After switching to a normal diet for 6 weeks, body weight gain in the CLSN group decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner, and the HFD→CLSN100 group showed a significant decrease starting from week 8, suggesting an anti-obesity effect of CLSN. As a result of the analysis of dietary and energy intake (Fig. 5B), all high-fat diet groups (HFD) had lower intake than the ND group during the HFD administration period due to their high calorie content, and the CLSN group had significantly lower food and energy intake than the HFD→ND group during the treatment period, suggesting that CLSN exhibits appetite-suppressing or metabolism-enhancing effects.

[0071] [Experiment 5] Characteristics of CLSN on Glucose and Insulin Resistance

[0072] During the final week of treatment for the above animal models, oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were performed. For the OGTT, mice were fasted overnight and administered 1 g / kg of glucose, while for the ITT, mice were fasted for 3 hours after a 1-week recovery period and administered 0.75 U / kg of insulin. Blood glucose levels were measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes. Mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) showed decreased glucose clearance and elevated glucose levels during the OGTT (Fig. 6A), whereas mice administered CLSN (50 mg / kg and 100 mg / kg) significantly improved glucose tolerance and reduced AUC. Similarly, the ITT results (Fig. 6B) indicated that CLSN restored insulin sensitivity in mice fed an HFD. Overall, CLSN supplementation improved glucose metabolism and insulin responsiveness, supporting potential antidiabetic effects in diet-induced obese mice.

[0073] [Experiment 6] Characteristics of CLSN on Body Fat

[0074] Whole-body composition was evaluated in animal models using a DXA system. Mice administered CLSN showed a significantly reduced body fat percentage compared to the high-fat diet group (Figs. 7A, 7B). This confirms that the anti-obesity effect of CLSN is involved not only in weight loss but also in the favorable regulation of body composition, suggesting the potential to reduce obesity in diet-induced obese mice.

[0075]

[0076] Although the applicant has described various embodiments of the present invention above, such embodiments are merely examples of implementing the technical concept of the present invention, and any modification or alteration that implements the technical concept of the present invention should be interpreted as falling within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Curcumin nanospheres utilizing nanoparticles of curcumin or its extracts or fractions; Porous silica nanoparticles containing the above-mentioned curcumin nanospheres inside; A functional food composition for pets characterized by comprising a functional additive having an anti-obesity or anti-diabetic effect on pets.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above porous silica nanoparticles are formed in a spherical shape containing multiple pores on the surface and inside, with a particle size of 30–300 nm and a pore size of 3–5 nm, and 10–50% of curcumin nanospheres by weight are loaded or adsorbed on the surface and inside to maximize the surface area and increase the absorption rate in the body, The above functional additive comprises: a first functional additive comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of soybeans, barley sprouts, Angelica gigas, sweet potato, cabbage, green tea, Coix lacryma-jobi, ginseng, oats, Cornus officinalis, Phellinus linteus, Cnidium officinale, butternut squash, fingerroot, Houttuynia cordata, broccoli, Jerusalem artichoke, Acanthopanax senticosus, Poria cocos, Stellaria media, Ulmus davidiana bark, tapioca, silkworm pupae, Coix lacryma-jobi, Schisandra chinensis, and corn silk; a second functional additive comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of kelp, wakame, green laver, Salicornia europaea, sea tangle, squid ink, jellyfish, Gracilaria verrucosa, and brown algae; a third functional additive comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of Sasa borealis, tangerine leaves, green barley, and volcanic seawater; a functional adjuvant comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, lemon, and milk; and buckwheat, curcuma longa, A functional food composition for pets characterized by comprising one or more of a fourth functional additive comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of Opuntia ficus-indica, Achyranthes bidentata, and Perilla frutescens.

3. A step (S1) of preparing curcumin nanospheres using nanoparticles of curcumin or its extract or fraction; Step (S3) of preparing curcumin-roded silica nanoparticles by supporting or adsorbing curcumin nanospheres on the surface and inside of porous silica nanoparticles; and The method includes the step (S5) of preparing a functional food composition by mixing curcumin-rod silica nanoparticles prepared in the above step S3 with a functional additive having an anti-obesity or anti-diabetic effect, and The above step S1 comprises: a step of preparing a mixture by mixing curcumin or its extract or fraction in a non-polar solvent in a weight ratio of 1:3 to 5 (S1-11); a step of adding 1 ml of the prepared mixture dropwise to 50 ml of boiling water and ultrasonically treating it at 40 to 60 kHz (S1-12); a step of stirring the ultrasonically treated solution in a stirrer at 700 to 900 rpm for 15 to 25 minutes and then concentrating it under reduced pressure (S1-13); a step of freeze-drying the solution concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain curcumin nanoparticles (S1-14); a step of preparing a second mixture by mixing the curcumin nanoparticles with a first mixture prepared by mixing dichloromethane and phospholipid powder in a weight / volume ratio of 1:0.5 to 2 (S1-21); and mixing the second mixture for 1 to 2 hours for 40 to A method for preparing a functional food composition for pets, characterized by including the step (S1-22) of obtaining curcumin nanospheres by ultrasonically treating at 60 kHz.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above non-polar solvent is one selected from the group consisting of toluene, benzene, hexane, dimethyl ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane, and A method for preparing a functional food composition for pets, characterized in that the above phospholipid is one selected from the group consisting of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol phosphate, phosphatidylinositol biphosphate, and phosphatidylinositol triphosphate.

5. In Paragraph 3, The above step S3 comprises a step of dispersing porous silica nanoparticles in a solvent (S3-1), a step of mixing curcumin nanospheres into the solution of step S3-1 and ultrasonically treating at 40 to 60 kHz for 1 to 2 hours (S3-2), and a step of ultrasonically treating at 80 to 120 kHz while applying pressure for an additional 30 minutes after step S3-2 (S3-3). The functional additive in step S5 above comprises: a first functional additive comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of soybeans, barley sprouts, Angelica gigas, sweet potato, cabbage, green tea, Coix lacryma-jobi, ginseng, oats, Cornus fruit, Phellinus linteus, Cnidium officinale, butternut squash, fingerroot, Houttuynia cordata, broccoli, Jerusalem artichoke, Acanthopanax senticosus, Poria cocos, starflower petals, Ulmus davidiana bark, tapioca, silkworm pupae, Coix lacryma-jobi, Schisandra chinensis, and corn silk; a second functional additive comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of kelp, wakame, green laver, Salicornia europaea, sea tangle, squid ink, jellyfish, agar-agar, and brown algae; a third functional additive comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of Sasa borealis, tangerine leaves, green barley, and volcanic seawater; and a functional adjuvant comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, lemon, and milk. A method for preparing a functional food composition for pets, characterized by comprising one or more of a fourth functional additive comprising one or more extracts or fractions from the group consisting of buckwheat, turmeric, prickly pear, ox knee, and perilla.

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