JP2005060338A - Proanthocyanidin-including composition - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a proanthocyanidin-including composition that can markedly increase a variety of physiological activities of proanthocyanidin. <P>SOLUTION: The composition comprises proanthocyanidin and catechins bearing a trihydroxyphenyl group. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a composition for enhancing the bioactive action of proanthocyanidins.

  Proanthocyanidins are condensed or polymerized (hereinafter referred to as polycondensation) tannins present in various plants, and are a group of compounds obtained by polycondensation using flavan-3-ol or flavan-3,4-diol as a constituent unit. These are given their names because they produce anthocyanidins such as cyanidin, delphinidin and pelargonidin by acid treatment. Among the proanthocyanidins, a condensation polymer having a polymerization degree of 2 to 4 is particularly referred to as oligomeric proanthocyanidin (hereinafter referred to as OPC).

  Proanthocyanidins are a kind of polyphenols and have a powerful antioxidant action (Patent Document 1), and further improve blood lipids; antihypertensive effects; blood sugar level rise inhibitory effects; restore blood vessel elasticity It is known that it has an effect of improving the use efficiency of vitamin C; an effect of improving blood fluidity, and the like.

  In recent years, in order to effectively utilize various bioactive actions of proanthocyanidins, combinations with other components have been studied, and synergistic effects on the proactive cyanidin's bioactive actions and other diseases and diseases have been observed. (Patent Documents 2 to 8). However, there is a demand for means capable of enhancing not only such actions but also various physiologically active actions of proanthocyanidins.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-16882 JP 2003-146898 A JP 2003-95965 A JP 2002-275076 A Japanese Patent No. 2503107 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-112441 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-80009 JP 2002-238497 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a novel composition that can further enhance various physiologically active actions of proanthocyanidins.

  The composition of the present invention is characterized by containing proanthocyanidins and catechins having a 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl group.

  The composition of the present invention contains proanthocyanidins and catechins having 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl groups.

  In a preferred embodiment, the 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl group is a galloyl group.

  Oral or transdermal administration of a composition containing the above-mentioned proanthocyanidins and catechins having a trihydroxyphenyl group, thereby improving the blood lipid improvement effect, lipid metabolism improvement effect, and blood glucose level increase of proanthocyanidins Physiological activities such as an effect, an antihypertensive effect, a blood flow improving effect and a skin beautifying effect can be remarkably enhanced. These effects are excellent effects that cannot be obtained by single administration of proanthocyanidins and catechins having a trihydroxyphenyl group, respectively. The composition of the present invention can be effectively used for foods, pharmaceuticals, quasi drugs, cosmetics and the like.

  Hereinafter, the composition of the present invention will be described. The configurations described below are not intended to limit the present invention, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

  The composition of the present invention contains proanthocyanidins and catechins having a 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl group, and optionally contains other components. Hereinafter, each component will be described.

(Proanthocyanidins)
As the proanthocyanidins used in the present invention, those containing many condensation polymers having a low degree of polymerization are suitable. The condensation polymer having a low polymerization degree is preferably a condensation polymer having a polymerization degree of 2 to 30 (2 to 30 mer), more preferably a condensation polymer having a polymerization degree of 2 to 10 (2 to 10 mer). Further, a condensation polymer having a degree of polymerization of 2 to 4 (2 to 4 mer: OPC) is more preferable. OPC is a particularly powerful antioxidant. Proanthocyanidins are concentrated in plant leaves, bark, fruit peels or seed parts. Specifically, proanthocyanidins, particularly OPCs, are bark of plants such as pine, cocoon and wild peach; grapes, blueberries, strawberries, avocados, black acacias, berries or seeds of barley; barley; wheat; soybeans; black soybeans; It is contained in red beans; tochi nut shells; peanut skins; ginkgo leaves. It is also known that cola nuts in West Africa, Latania roots in Peru, and Japanese green tea contain OPC. OPC is a substance that cannot be produced in the human body.

  In particular, when an extract containing proanthocyanidins having a high OPC content or proanthocyanidins having a high OPC content is used, it is superior to using proanthocyanidins having a high degree of polymerization (those having a low OPC content). Lipid metabolism improving effect, antihypertensive effect, blood glucose level increase suppressing effect and the like are obtained.

  As the proanthocyanidins used in the composition of the present invention, materials such as the bark of the above-mentioned plants, fruit or seed pulverized products, or extracts thereof can be used. Among these, it is preferable to use a plant-derived extract in terms of containing abundant proanthocyanidins, and it is particularly preferable to use a pine bark-derived extract. Among the plants containing proanthocyanidins, pine bark contains abundant OPC, and thus is preferably used as a raw material for proanthocyanidins. The extract is preferably one from which impurities are removed.

  Hereinafter, a method for preparing an extract containing proanthocyanidins as a main component will be described with reference to an example in which pine bark rich in OPC is used as a raw material plant.

  Pine bark extracts include pinus martima, larch, black pine, red pine, Japanese pine, pine pine, Korean pine, red pine, rhubarb pine, pine pine, pine pine, pine of the Quebec region of Canada An extract of the bark of a plant belonging to is preferably used. Among them, a bark extract of French coastal pine (Pinus Martima) is preferable.

  French coastal pine is a marine pine that grows on the Atlantic coast of southern France. This French coastal pine bark contains proanthocyanidins, organic acids, and other physiologically active ingredients, and it is known that proanthocyanidins, which are the main ingredients, have a strong antioxidant action to remove active oxygen. Yes.

  The pine bark extract is obtained by extracting the pine bark with water or an organic solvent. When using water, it is preferable to use warm water or hot water. In order to improve the extraction efficiency, it is preferable to add a salt such as sodium chloride to these waters. As an organic solvent used for extraction, an organic solvent that is acceptable for the production of food or drugs is used. For example, methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, acetone, hexane, cyclohexane , Propylene glycol, hydrous ethanol, hydrous propylene glycol, methyl ethyl ketone, glycerin, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, dichloromethane, edible oil, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, and 1,1,2-trichloroethene Is mentioned. These water and organic solvent may be used alone or in combination. In particular, water, hot water, ethanol, water-containing ethanol, and water-containing propylene glycol are preferable, and water, hot water, ethanol, and water-containing ethanol are more preferable from the viewpoint of safety when used in foods and pharmaceuticals.

  The method for extracting proanthocyanidins from pine bark is not particularly limited. For example, by adding 1 to 50 parts by weight of hot water of 50 to 120 ° C., preferably 70 to 100 ° C. with respect to 1 part by weight of dry weight of pine bark, the bioactive action is high and the water solubility is high. High pine bark extract can be obtained. A warm extraction method, a supercritical fluid extraction method, or the like may be used.

  Moreover, you may perform supercritical fluid extraction by the entrainer addition method. In this method, 2 to 20 W of ethanol, propanol, n-hexane, acetone, toluene, other aliphatic lower alcohols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, or ketones are added to the supercritical fluid. / V% is added, and supercritical fluid extraction is performed with the obtained extraction fluid, thereby dramatically increasing the solubility of the target extract such as OPC and catechins (described later) in the extraction solvent, or separation. This is a method for enhancing the selectivity of pine bark, and a method for efficiently obtaining a pine bark extract.

  For extraction from pine bark, a plurality of extraction methods may be combined. By combining a plurality of extraction methods, it becomes possible to obtain pine bark extracts having various compositions.

  The pine bark extract obtained by the above extraction may be purified for the purpose of increasing the content of proanthocyanidins. For the purification, a solvent such as ethyl acetate is usually used, but from the viewpoint of safety as a food or a pharmaceutical, a method that does not use a solvent, for example, ultrafiltration, Diaion HP-20, Sephadex-LH20 It is preferable to purify by a column method or a batch method using an adsorbent carrier such as chitin.

  In the present invention, the pine bark extract containing proanthocyanidins as a main component is specifically prepared by the following method, but this is an example and is not limited to this method.

  1 kg of French maritime pine bark is placed in 3 L of a saturated solution of sodium chloride and extracted at 100 ° C. for 30 minutes to obtain an extract (extraction process). Thereafter, the extract is filtered, and the resulting insoluble matter is washed with 500 mL of a saturated solution of sodium chloride to obtain a washing solution (washing step). The extract and washing solution are combined to obtain a crude extract of pine bark.

  Next, 250 mL of ethyl acetate is added to the crude extract and the phases are separated to recover the ethyl acetate layer 5 times. The collected ethyl acetate solutions are combined and added directly to 200 g of anhydrous sodium sulfate for dehydration. Thereafter, the ethyl acetate solution is filtered, and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure until the original volume is reduced to 1/5. The concentrated ethyl acetate solution is poured into 2 L of chloroform, and the resulting precipitate is collected by filtration. Thereafter, the precipitate is dissolved in 100 mL of ethyl acetate, and then added to 1 L of chloroform again for precipitation to perform a washing step of repeating twice. By this method, for example, about 5 g of pine bark extract containing 20% by weight or more of OPC and containing 5% by weight or more of catechins can be obtained.

  The extract derived from the raw material plant such as the pine bark preferably contains 40% by weight or more of proanthocyanidins. Furthermore, it is preferable to contain 20% by weight or more, and more preferably 30% by weight or more in the extract derived from the raw material plant. As described above, a pine bark extract is preferably used as a raw material containing a high proportion of proanthocyanidins.

  Since OPC is an antioxidant, it has the effect of reducing the risk of adult diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and cerebral thrombosis, and the effect of improving allergic constitutions such as arthritis, atopic dermatitis, and hay fever. In addition, it suppresses bacterial growth in the oral cavity and reduces plaque (dental glands); restores the elasticity of blood vessels; prevents damage to lipoproteins in the blood by active oxygen It also has the effect of preventing lipoproteins from aggregating on the inner wall of blood vessels and adhering cholesterol; the effect of regenerating vitamin E decomposed by active oxygen; and the effect of enhancing vitamin E.

(Catechin having 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl group)
The composition of the present invention contains catechins having a 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl group (hereinafter sometimes referred to as THP catechins). The catechins are a general term for polyhydroxyflavan-3-ols, and include (+)-catechin (referred to as catechin in a narrow sense), gallocatechin, afuzelekin, a 3-galloyl derivative of (+)-catechin, and 3- A galloyl derivative or the like is common.

  Examples of THP catechins include (+)-gallocatechin, (−)-epigallocatechin, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate and the like. Among these THP catechins, catechins in which the trihydroxyphenyl group is a galloyl group are preferable. Examples of such catechins having a galloyl group include catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate, and epigallocatechin gallate.

  THP catechins are contained in plants such as camelliaceae plants (for example, tea leaves such as green tea, black tea, and oolong tea), and maize. These plants or pulverized products or extracts thereof may be used as THP catechins. Preferred is a camellia plant, or a pulverized product thereof or an extract thereof. For example, green tea leaves contain about 10-15% catechins, of which about 80% or more are THP catechins and about 50% or more are THP catechins. Since it is a catechin having a galloyl group, it is preferable.

  THP catechins, together with proanthocyanidins, can remarkably enhance various bioactive effects of proanthocyanidins. Thus, the inventors found for the first time that THP catechins are materials that efficiently enhance the multiple bioactive effects of proanthocyanidins. In particular, catechins having a galloyl group have not only high antioxidant activity, but also have excellent effects on blood glucose level increase inhibitory action, antihypertensive action, antihyperlipidemia, etc. The physiologically active action can be remarkably enhanced.

  THP catechins are also carcinogenic, anti-arteriosclerotic, anti-fat metabolism, antihypertensive, platelet aggregation, antiallergic, antiviral, antibacterial, caries preventive, bad breath prevention It is known to have an action, an intestinal flora normalizing action, an active oxygen and free radical scavenging action, an antioxidant action, and the like.

(Other ingredients)
The composition of this invention contains the said proanthocyanidins and THP catechins, and may contain various components as needed. For example, ingredients that can be added as normal foods and pharmaceuticals (excipients, extenders, binders, thickeners, emulsifiers, colorants, fragrances, nutritional ingredients, food additives, etc.); and cosmetics, quasi drugs Ingredients usually used as external preparations for skin (whitening agents, moisturizers, antioxidants, UV absorbers, UV scattering agents, preservatives, fragrances, gelling agents, polymer polymers, oily ingredients, surfactants, potentiators Adhesives, alcohols, powder components, colorants, aqueous components, various skin nutrients, etc.).

  Nutritional components include, for example, vitamins such as ascorbic acid, tocopherol, riboflavin, β-carotene, folic acid and biotin; minerals such as calcium, magnesium, selenium and iron; sulfur-containing compounds contained in taurine and garlic; hesperidin Flavonoids and flavonoids such as quercetin; dietary fibers such as indigestible dextrin, alginic acid, chitin, chitosan and guar gum; proteins such as soy protein and collagen; peptides; amino acids; animals such as milk fat, lard, beef tallow and fish oil Vegetable oils such as soybean oil and rapeseed oil; fruits such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits and strawberries and their juices; royal jelly, propolis and the like. Examples of food additives include honey, reduced maltose, lactose, sugar alcohol, liquid sugar, and seasonings.

(Proanthocyanidin-containing composition)
As described above, the composition of the present invention contains proanthocyanidins and THP catechins, and if necessary, other components. Proanthocyanidins and THP catechins may be any of isolated compounds, food materials containing them, and extracts of the food materials as described above. For example, a plant extract containing THP catechins is added to a plant extract containing proanthocyanidins. Specifically, THP catechins are included in plant extracts that contain proanthocyanidins such as pine bark and cinnamon and most of the catechins that do not have a trihydroxyphenyl group. Add plant extract. When the plant extract contains both proanthocyanidins and THP catechins, the composition can be obtained by adding necessary components (for example, pine bark extract containing a large amount of proanthocyanidins) depending on the purpose. The quantity ratio of each component in it can be adjusted suitably.

  The content ratio of proanthocyanidins and THP catechins in the composition of the present invention is arbitrary. Preferably, the THP catechins are 1 to 5000 parts by weight, more preferably 3 to 2000 parts by weight, still more preferably 10 to 1000 parts by weight, most preferably 100 parts by weight of proanthocyanidins. It may be contained in a proportion of 50 to 500 parts by weight.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular in content of proanthocyanidin in the composition of this invention. Preferably, it is preferably contained so that the daily intake per adult is 1 to 1000 mg, more preferably 2 to 500 mg as proanthocyanidins. In the case of transdermal administration, since it is a topical administration, it is preferable to have a predetermined concentration. Specifically, proanthocyanidins are preferably contained in the composition in an amount of preferably 0.00001% to 20% by weight. Preferably, it may be contained in a proportion of 0.0001 wt% to 10 wt%, more preferably 0.001 wt% to 10 wt%, and most preferably 0.01 wt% to 10 wt%.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular in content of THP catechin in the composition of this invention. Preferably, it is contained so that the daily intake for adults is 10 mg to 10000 mg, more preferably 20 mg to 5000 mg. In the case of transdermal administration, since it is a topical administration in the same manner as proanthocyanidins, a predetermined concentration is preferable. Specifically, THP catechins are preferably contained in the composition in an amount of preferably 0.00001% by weight. -20% by weight, more preferably 0.0001% by weight to 20% by weight, still more preferably 0.001% by weight to 20% by weight, and most preferably 0.01% by weight to 20% by weight.

  The composition of the present invention can be prepared in various forms according to the purpose, for example, as food, pharmaceuticals, quasi drugs, cosmetics and the like.

  Among the above-mentioned uses, when the composition of the present invention is orally ingested (administered) as foods, pharmaceuticals, quasi drugs, etc., the form is not particularly limited. For example, capsules such as hard capsules and soft capsules, tablets, pills, powders (powder), granules, tea bags, bowl-like viscous liquids, liquids, pastes and the like are used in a form commonly used by those skilled in the art. Depending on the shape or preference, these may be taken as they are, or may be taken by dissolving in water, hot water, milk or the like, or may be taken after leaching the ingredients.

  Even when the composition of the present invention is applied to the skin as a quasi-drug, cosmetic, etc., these forms are not particularly limited, such as ointments, creams, emulsions, lotions, packs, poultices, bath preparations, etc. Any form may be used as long as it is conventionally used for a skin external preparation.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to examples, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples.

  In this example, a pine bark extract (trade name: Flavangenol, Toyo Shinyaku Co., Ltd.) containing 40% by weight of proanthocyanidins (containing 20% by weight of OPC in the material) as a material containing proanthocyanidins was used. . As THP catechins, an extract derived from green tea (trade name: Polyphenon 70S, Tokyo Food Techno Co., Ltd.) and epigallo containing 80% by weight of catechins and 60% by weight or more of catechins having a galloyl group. An extract derived from green tea containing 93% by weight of catechin gallate (trade name: Theavigo, Roche Vitamin Japan Co., Ltd.) was used. Here, since the above-mentioned “polyphenone 70S” contains 48 wt% or more of THP catechins, it is called “tea catechin 48”, and “Teavico” contains 93 wt% or more of THP catechins. It will be called “tea catechin 93”. Catechin (Sigma Aldrich Japan) was used as a catechin having no trihydroxyphenyl group.

(Example 1)
The following ingredients were mixed to prepare a refined feed: corn starch 29.49%, milk casein 20%, alfalfa meal 10%, α-potato starch 10%, cellulose powder 10%, sucrose 10% 6% by weight of soybean oil, 3.5% by weight of mineral mixture (AIN-76), 1% by weight of vitamin mixture (AIN-76), and 0.01% by weight of ascorbic acid. These were mixed with the refined feed so that the pine bark extract was 1.0% by weight of the whole and the tea catechin 48 was 0.5% by weight of the whole, and formed into a solid feed (formation of feed 1). ).

(Example 2)
A solid feed was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that tea catechin 93 was used instead of tea catechin 48 (referred to as feed 2).

(Comparative Example 1)
A solid feed was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that catechin was used instead of tea catechin 48 (referred to as feed 3).

(Comparative Example 2)
A solid feed was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the tea catechin 48 was not mixed (referred to as feed 4).

(Comparative Example 3)
A solid feed was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the pine bark extract was not mixed (referred to as feed 5).

(Example 3: Lipid improvement effect in blood and lipid metabolism improvement effect)
Commercial solid feed (RC4, Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd.) was given to a 3-week-old male guinea pig (Japan SLC Co., Ltd.) for one week to acclimatize. The guinea pigs were divided into 7 groups per group by the total randomization method. Each group of guinea pigs was allowed to freely take the above feeds 1 to 5 for 28 days. Furthermore, a group that freely ingested purified feed was provided as a control group. At the end of the intake period, the total cholesterol level, LDL cholesterol level, HDL cholesterol level, and triglyceride concentration in the blood of each group of guinea pigs were measured. The results are shown in Table 1. The measurement method is as follows.

  Total cholesterol (mg / dL) was measured by an enzymatic method using “Cellotech” TCHO-L (manufactured by Cellotech Co., Ltd.).

  LDL cholesterol (mg / dL) was measured by an enzyme method using Cholestest LDL (Daiichi Chemical Co., Ltd.).

  HDL cholesterol (mg / dL) was measured by enzyme method using Cholestest HDL (Daiichi Chemical Co., Ltd.).

  Triglyceride (mg / dL) was measured by an enzymatic method using “Cellotech” TG-L (manufactured by Cellotech).

  From the results of Table 1, the group that ingested the feed (feed 1 and 2) containing the pine bark extract of the example and the THP catechins showed that the pine bark extract of the comparative example and the trihydroxyphenyl group (THP group) Blood total cholesterol and triglycerides, compared to a group that received a diet containing catechins without feed (feed 3) or a diet containing only one of pine bark extract and THP catechins (feeds 4 and 5) It can be seen that the content of is low. Furthermore, it can be seen that among cholesterol, the blood concentration of HDL cholesterol, which is said to be good, is high. These facts show that the composition containing proanthocyanidins and THP catechins has an excellent blood lipid improvement effect and lipid metabolism improvement effect that cannot be obtained when ingested alone.

Example 4
Mix and shape the basic feed (MF feed, Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd.) so that the pine bark extract is 0.5% by weight and the tea catechin 48 is 0.5% by weight. Prepared (referred to as feed 6).

(Comparative Example 4)
A solid feed was prepared in the same manner as in Example 4 except that catechin was used instead of tea catechin 48 (referred to as feed 7).

(Comparative Example 5)
A solid feed was prepared in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the tea catechin 48 was not mixed (referred to as feed 8).

(Example 5: blood glucose level increase suppressing effect)
Each group of 5 4-week-old SD rats (Japan SLC Co., Ltd.) was allowed to freely ingest the above feeds 6-8 for 2 weeks. Furthermore, a group that freely ingested the basic feed was provided as a control group. After the intake period, the animals were fasted for 12 hours. Thereafter, a glucose tolerance test was performed by forcibly orally administering a 20 wt% glucose solution to each group of rats so that the glucose was 250 mg / 100 g body weight. The blood glucose level immediately before the load test and the blood glucose level 60 minutes after the load test were measured to evaluate the effect of suppressing the increase in blood glucose level. The results are shown in Table 2.

  From the results of Table 2, the group that ingested the feed containing the pine bark extract of the example and the THP catechins (feed 6) had the pine bark extract of the comparative example and a trihydroxyphenyl group (THP group). It can be seen that the increase in blood glucose level is suppressed as compared with the group ingesting the feed containing catechin (feed 7) or the feed containing only the pine bark extract (feed 8).

  From the results of Tables 1 and 2 above, the composition containing pine bark extract and THP catechins has a blood lipid improving effect and a blood sugar level increase inhibiting effect, and therefore has a high effect on diet. It is thought that

(Example 6: Antihypertensive effect)
A 4-week-old male SHR rat (SHR and other disease model joint study group) was acclimated with a basic diet and water for 1 week. The rats were divided into 7 rats per group so that the average value of the body weight of each group was almost uniform. Each group of rats was allowed to freely take the above feeds 6-8 for 28 days. Furthermore, a group that freely ingested the basic feed was provided as a control group. During the intake period, all groups were allowed to freely drink drinking water containing 1% by weight of NaCl.

  Measure the systolic blood pressure of rats in each group using a non-invasive automatic sphygmomanometer (BP-98A: Softlon) on days 7, 14, 21, and 28, starting on day 0 of feeding. did. The rate of increase in systolic blood pressure after the lapse of each feeding day relative to the systolic blood pressure on the feeding start day was calculated from the following formulas. The transition of the rate of increase in systolic blood pressure is shown in FIG.

  From the results shown in FIG. 1, the group ingesting the feed (feed 6) containing the pine bark extract of the example and the THP catechins has the pine bark extract of the comparative example and the trihydroxyphenyl group (THP group). It can be seen that the increase in blood pressure is suppressed as compared with the group ingesting the feed containing catechins (feed 7) or the feed containing only the pine bark extract (feed 8). This indicates that a composition containing a pine bark extract and THP catechins is effective as a prophylactic / therapeutic agent for hypertension.

(Example 7)
Pine bark extract, tea catechin 93, and excipients were mixed in the proportions (% by weight) shown in Table 3 to produce tablets (about 200 mg per tablet).

(Comparative Examples 6 and 7)
In the same manner as in Example 7, the ingredients listed in Table 3 were mixed to produce tablets (about 200 mg per tablet), which were designated as Foods 2 and 3.

(Example 8: Blood flow improvement effect)
Twenty-four healthy males and females (12 males and 12 females) from 22 to 63 years old were subjects and randomly divided into 3 groups except for equal gender. For each group of 8 subjects, blood flow was first measured before food intake. Next, the subjects took the foods 1 to 3 (about 200 mg per tablet) together with 100 mL of water at a rate of 2 tablets per day. This ingestion was performed for 28 days, and after the ingestion period, the blood flow was measured again. The blood flow rate was measured using a blood flow meter (laser blood flow imaging device PIM II; Sweden Permied) at the subcutaneous site of the index finger of the right hand. In addition, 3 hours before measurement avoided eating and drinking and had you rest. The results are shown in Table 4. The values in Table 4 are the average value ± standard error, and the larger the value, the greater the blood flow.

  From the results of Table 4, the group ingesting the food (food 1) containing the pine bark extract of the example and the THP catechins has the pine bark extract of the comparative example and a trihydroxyphenyl group (THP group). It can be seen that the blood flow rate is greatly increased as compared with the group ingesting the food containing catechin (food 2) or the food containing only the pine bark extract (food 3). This indicates that a composition containing a pine bark extract and THP catechins has an effect of improving blood flow in peripheral tissues.

Example 9
Pine bark extract, tea catechin 48, alcohol, glycerin, and 1,3-butylene glycol were dissolved in purified water at the ratio (% by weight) shown in Table 5 to prepare a lotion. This was named lotion 1.

(Comparative Examples 8 and 9)
In the same manner as in Example 9, the ingredients listed in Table 5 were mixed and dissolved in purified water to prepare a lotion. These were designated as skin lotions 2 and 3.

(Example 10: Skin beautifying effect)
Eighteen women who were worried about rough skin (stains, wrinkles, and kusumi) were randomly divided into three groups. The above-mentioned lotions 1 to 3 (2 mL) were applied at a frequency of once a day before going to bed at a place where the skin of the subjects in each group was concerned. This application was carried out for 28 days. After completion of the application period, the subjects were asked to self-evaluate whether there was an improvement effect on spots, wrinkles, and kusumi, and the number of people who had an improvement effect on each item was counted. The results are shown in Table 6.

  From the result of Table 6, the group which applied the skin lotion (lotion 1) containing the pine bark extract of an Example and THP catechins is only one of the pine bark extract of a comparative example, and THP catechins. It can be seen that wrinkles, stains and stains are improved as compared with the group to which the lotion containing lotion (lotion 2 and 3) was applied. This indicates that a composition containing a pine bark extract and a catechin having a trihydroxyphenyl group has a skin beautifying effect.

  The composition of the present invention can be administered orally (ingested) or transdermally (applied) to improve the lipid metabolism of proanthocyanidins, improve lipids in blood, suppress blood glucose, suppress hypertension, Physiologically active effects such as flow improvement effect and skin beautifying effect can be remarkably enhanced. These effects are excellent effects that cannot be obtained when proanthocyanidins and THP catechins are administered alone. The composition of the present invention can be used for foods, pharmaceuticals, quasi drugs, cosmetics and the like.

A rat containing a pine bark extract and a catechin having a trihydroxyphenyl group, a pine bark extract and a catechin having no trihydroxyphenyl group, and a feed containing only a pine bark extract It is a graph which shows transition of the blood-pressure rise rate when it is made to take each for 28 days.

Claims (2)

  A composition comprising proanthocyanidins and catechins having 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl groups.   The composition according to claim 1, wherein the 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl group is a galloyl group.

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