JP2006022082A - Lipid metabolism improver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composition having lipid metabolism-improving activities for efficiently metabolizing the lipid in the body. <P>SOLUTION: The composition containing (A) an extract of pine bark and (B) at least one kind selected from the group consisting of a dietary fiber, γ-aminobutyric acid and a derivative thereof is provided as the composition having the lipid metabolism-improving activities. The composition has activities such as lipid absorption-inhibiting, body fat-reducing and lipid storage-inhibiting activities. As a result, the composition can be used as the lipid metabolism improver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a lipid metabolism improving agent comprising a pine bark extract as an active ingredient.

  Hyperlipidemia is one of the symptoms attracting attention as a cause of arteriosclerosis and stroke. In order to prevent or treat this hyperlipidemia, various methods or drugs have been studied. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for hyperlipidemia containing a peptide having an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity obtained by hydrolyzing corn protein.

  In addition, compounds having an action of inhibiting the biosynthesis of cholesterol in the liver, such as mevalotin or the ML-236B derivative described in Patent Document 2 below, are known.

  However, the mevalotin and ML-236B derivatives have a mechanism of action that inhibits the biosynthesis of cholesterol and may also inhibit the biosynthesis of cholesterol necessary in the body. Therefore, mevalotin and ML-236B derivatives are mainly used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia, and in fact are not suitable in terms of preventing hyperlipidemia.

  In addition, in order to suppress hyperlipidemia, attempts have been made to promote cholesterol absorption into the liver by reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the blood and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL). ing.

  For such purposes, for example, functional foods containing hyaluronic acid and fucoidan and compositions containing immunogenic epitopes of cholesterol ester transfer protein have been disclosed (see Patent Documents 3 and 4).

  In addition, it is also attempted to increase HDL by administering an acyl-CoA cholesterol O-acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor and an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (see Patent Document 5). . Furthermore, treatment or prevention of hyperlipidemia has been attempted to reduce lipids such as cholesterol in the body by promoting the degradation of cholesterol in the liver or promoting the elimination of cholesterol together with bile acids.

  However, in these techniques, the burden on lipid metabolism in the liver is large, and the function of the liver is reduced. For example, the burden of hepatitis virus infection, alcohol consumption, and drug administration may disrupt the balance between cholesterol metabolism and absorption in the liver, increase lipid accumulation in the liver, and may cause fatty liver. is there. When fat accumulates in the liver, necrosis of liver tissue occurs, and fibrosis of the liver occurs due to infiltration of cells into the necrotic tissue portion (ie, cirrhosis develops). Thus, lipid metabolism in the liver is an important function for maintaining health in the living body, and fat accumulation in the liver may result in major diseases and diseases. In addition, fat accumulation in the body causes obesity and causes adult diseases such as hypertension, fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis, but these adult diseases also become social problems. ing.

  Accordingly, attempts have been made to suppress fat absorption and prevent fat accumulation in the body (see Patent Documents 6 and 7).

However, these effects are not sufficient, and there is a problem that absorption of lipids cannot be sufficiently suppressed even if there is a lipase inhibitory effect.
Japanese Patent No. 3393304 Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-13699 JP 2002-223727 A Japanese National Patent Publication No. 11-507910 Japanese National Patent Publication No. 11-515025 JP-A-8-259461 Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-31955

  Therefore, a composition having an excellent lipid metabolism improving effect is desired.

  The inventor has intensively studied the above-described components that improve lipid metabolism. As a result, it has been found that a composition containing a pine bark extract and dietary fiber or γ-aminobutyric acid has an excellent lipid metabolism improving effect, and has completed the present invention.

  That is, the present invention relates to a composition containing (A) a pine bark extract and (B) at least one selected from the group consisting of dietary fiber, γ-aminobutyric acid or derivatives thereof.

  The present invention also relates to a lipid metabolism improving agent comprising (A) a pine bark extract and (B) at least one selected from the group consisting of dietary fiber, γ-aminobutyric acid or a derivative thereof.

  In a preferred embodiment, the dietary fiber is at least one selected from the group consisting of water-soluble dietary fiber, chitosan or a derivative thereof.

  According to the present invention, the composition containing (A) a pine bark extract and (B) at least one selected from the group consisting of dietary fiber, γ-aminobutyric acid or a derivative thereof increases blood lipids. Excellent lipid metabolism improvement effect such as suppression and body fat accumulation suppression effect. Accordingly, the composition of the present invention can be applied to foods and pharmaceuticals, and is at least one selected from the group consisting of (A) pine bark extract and (B) dietary fiber, γ-aminobutyric acid or a derivative thereof. It can also be used as a lipid metabolism improving agent containing the above.

  A composition or lipid metabolism improving agent (hereinafter simply referred to as the present invention) containing at least one selected from the group consisting of (A) a pine bark extract of the present invention and (B) dietary fiber, γ-aminobutyric acid or a derivative thereof. The composition or the lipid metabolism improving agent). In addition to these components, the composition or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention may further contain a functional component, a nutritional component, an additive, and the like as necessary. Hereinafter, each component contained in the composition or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention and the lipid metabolism improving agent 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 spirit of the present invention.

(I) Pine bark extract The pine bark used as the raw material for the pine bark extract is French coastal pine (Pinus Martima), larch, black pine, red pine, Japanese pine, Japanese pine, Korean pine, high pine, Ryukyu pine, Utsukushi pine, and Japanese pine. Bark of plants belonging to the order of Pinaceae, such as Japanese pine, white pine, and Aneda in Quebec, Canada are preferably used. Among them, the bark of French coastal pine (Pinus Martima) is preferably used.

  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.

  The pine bark extract used in the present invention is obtained by extracting the pine bark with water or an organic solvent. When water is used, warm water or hot water is used. When an organic solvent is used, a solvent that is acceptable for the production of foods or drugs can be used. Examples of such organic solvents include methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, acetone, hexane, cyclohexane, propylene glycol, hydrous ethanol, hydrous propylene glycol, methyl ethyl ketone, glycerin, Examples include methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, dichloromethane, edible fats and oils, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, and 1,1,2-trichloroethene. These water and organic solvent may be used independently and 2 or more types may be used together. In particular, water, ethanol, hydrous ethanol, and hydrous propylene glycol are preferably used. From the viewpoint of safety when used in foods or pharmaceuticals, water, ethanol, and water-containing ethanol are more preferable, and it is more preferable to extract by heating.

  The extraction method from pine bark is not particularly limited, and for example, a warm extraction method, a supercritical fluid extraction method, or the like is used.

  The supercritical fluid extraction method is a method of performing extraction using a supercritical fluid that is a fluid in a state exceeding the critical point (critical temperature, critical pressure) of a gas-liquid substance. As the supercritical fluid, carbon dioxide, ethylene, propane, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and the like are used, and carbon dioxide is preferably used.

  The supercritical fluid extraction method includes an extraction step of extracting a target component with a supercritical fluid and a separation step of separating the target component and the supercritical fluid. In the separation step, any one of extraction separation by pressure change, extraction separation by temperature change, or extraction separation using an adsorbent / absorbent may be performed.

  Moreover, you may use the supercritical fluid extraction method by the entrainer addition method. This method can be applied to the fluid that can form a supercritical fluid, for example, ethanol, propanol, n-hexane, acetone, toluene, other aliphatic lower alcohols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, and In this method, ketones are added in an amount of about 2 to 20 W / V%, and the target substance is extracted with this fluid in a supercritical fluid state. According to this method, the solubility of the target extract such as proanthocyanidins and catechins in the extraction solvent can be dramatically increased, or the selectivity of the separation can be enhanced. Can be obtained.

  Since the supercritical fluid extraction method can be operated at a relatively low temperature, it can be applied to substances that are altered or decomposed at high temperatures; the advantage that the extraction fluid does not remain; and the recycling of the solvent is possible. There is an advantage that the process can be omitted and the process becomes simple.

  Extraction from pine bark may be performed by a liquid carbon dioxide batch method, a liquid carbon dioxide reflux method, a supercritical carbon dioxide reflux method, or the like, in addition to the above method.

  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 is safe to be purified by ultrafiltration or a column method or a batch method using an adsorptive carrier (Diaion HP-20, Sephadex-LH20, chitin, etc.). From the viewpoint of

  Specifically, the pine bark extract used in the lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention is prepared by the following method, but this is illustrative and is not limited to this method.

  1 kg of French pine bark is placed in 3 L of a saturated aqueous 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, and the process of recovering the ethyl acetate layer is repeated 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 again to 1 L of chloroform and precipitated for washing twice. By this method, for example, about 5 g of pine bark extract containing 20% by mass or more of proanthocyanidins having a degree of polymerization of 2 to 4 and 5% by mass or more of catechins is obtained. Here, the content of the specific component in the extract is a value based on the dry mass of the extract. The same applies hereinafter.

  The pine bark extract used in the present invention contains proanthocyanidins as one of the main active ingredients. Proanthocyanidins refer to a group of compounds consisting of a condensation polymer having a degree of polymerization of 2 or more, with flavan-3-ol and / or flavan-3,4-diol as a structural unit. It is a powerful antioxidant produced by plants and is intensively contained in plant leaves, bark, fruit peel and seeds. This proanthocyanidin is a substance that cannot be produced in the human body.

  When a pine bark extract containing this proanthocyanidin is ingested, an excellent effect of improving lipid metabolism is obtained. The pine bark extract contains a condensed polymer having a polymerization degree of 2 or more as proanthocyanidins, and further contains catechin and the like. In particular, proanthocyanidins containing a large amount of a condensation polymer having a low degree of polymerization are preferably used. 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 (2 to 4 mer) having a polymerization degree of 2 to 4 is more preferable. Proanthocyanidins, which are polycondensation polymers having a degree of polymerization of 2 to 4 (2 to 4 mer), are particularly easily absorbed by the body, and therefore have an effect of promoting the decomposition of neutral fat in addition to the action of promoting cholesterol excretion. It is thought that it is obtained effectively. In the present specification, the polymer having a degree of polymerization of 2 to 4 is referred to as oligomeric proanthocyanidin (hereinafter referred to as “OPC”).

  In addition, proanthocyanidins having a pentamer or more are considered to have an action of promoting cholesterol excretion and neutral fat absorption inhibition. The pine bark extract contains 15% by mass, preferably 20% by mass or more, more preferably 30% by mass of a condensation polymer having a degree of polymerization of 2 to 4 (2 to 4 mer; that is, OPC). An extract containing a pentamer or more proanthocyanidins in a proportion of 10% by mass or more, preferably 15% by mass or more is preferable. As described above, the pine bark extract contains OPC and a pentamer or more proanthocyanidins, and therefore, it is considered that the cholesterol excretion promoting action, the fat absorption inhibiting action, the body fat reducing action and the like can be obtained. . Such synergistic action improves lipid metabolism in the body.

  The pine bark extract may further contain catechins, and these catechins are preferably contained in a proportion of 5% by mass or more, more preferably 10% by mass or more. Catechin can be extracted together with proanthocyanidins (OPC) by the above extraction method. Catechin is a general term for polyhydroxyflavan-3-ol. As catechins, (+)-catechin (referred to as catechin in a narrow sense), (−)-epicatechin, (+)-gallocatechin, (−)-epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, and afzelechin Etc. are known. In addition to the above (+)-catechin, gallocatechin, afzelekin, and (+)-catechin or 3-galloyl derivatives of gallocatechin have been isolated from the pine bark extract. Catechin has carcinogenic activity, arteriosclerosis preventive effect, blood pressure increase inhibitory effect, platelet aggregation inhibitory effect, antiallergic effect, antiviral effect, antibacterial effect, caries preventive effect, halitosis preventive effect, intestinal flora normalization It is known that it has an effect, an active oxygen and free radical scavenging action, and an antioxidant action. In addition, catechins are known to have an antidiabetic effect that suppresses an increase in blood sugar. Catechins are poor in water solubility by themselves and have low physiological activity, but in the presence of OPC, catechins have the property of being activated at the same time as water solubility increases. Therefore, catechins work effectively when ingested with OPC.

  The catechins are preferably contained in the pine bark extract in an amount of 5% by mass or more. More preferably, the pine bark extract containing 20% by mass or more of OPC and 10% by mass or more of a pentamer or more of proanthocyanidins preferably contains 5% by mass or more of catechins. For example, when the catechin content of the pine bark extract is less than 5% by mass, the catechins may be added so that the content is 5% by mass or more. It is most preferable to use a pine bark extract containing 5% by mass or more of catechins, 20% by mass or more of OPC, and 10% by mass or more of proanthocyanidins of 5 or more.

(II) Dietary fiber The dietary fiber of the present invention includes any of insoluble dietary fiber or water-soluble dietary fiber. Tantalum seed gum, roast bean gum, gum arabic, guar gum, alginic acid, agar, polydextrose, lignin, karaya gum, tragacanth gum, gati gum, indigestible dextrin and derivatives thereof. Among such dietary fibers, water-soluble dietary fibers or chitosan or derivatives thereof (for example, reduced chitosan, chitosan oligosaccharide, etc.) are preferably used. Examples of water-soluble dietary fibers include indigestible dextrin and A product obtained by water-treating pectin, hemicellulose, chitosan, konjac mannan, tanmalide seed, psyllium, etc. (for example, an alkali-treated product). Among such water-soluble dietary fibers, indigestible dextrin, psyllium, tanmalide seeds, and hemicellulose are preferably used.

(III) γ-Aminobutyric acid and its derivatives γ-Aminobutyric acid (hereinafter sometimes referred to as GABA) is a kind of amino acid that plays an important role as a signal transmitter in the brain and regulates metabolism in the brain. Is known to be involved in In recent years, it has also been revealed that GABA has an antihypertensive action, and has started to be used as a food or a pharmaceutical for the purpose of preventing antihypertension. In particular, GABA is a component that has begun to be used as a functional component found in plants because GABA can be produced from glutamic acid by glutamate decarboxylase found in plants. The derivatives of GABA in the present invention include salts, esters and the like, and more specifically, nicotinoyl γ-aminobutyric acid, γ-aminobutyric acid calcium salt, GABA methyl ester, ethyl ester, propyl ester, Examples include isopropyl ester, butyl ester, tert-butyl ester and the like. Of course, plant bodies containing GABA or derivatives thereof and processed products thereof (squeezed or extracted from tea, barley young leaves, kale, etc., dried powder, germinated brown rice, etc.) may be used as γ-aminobutyric acid or derivatives thereof. Good.

(IV) Other components The composition or lipid metabolism-improving agent of the present invention may contain a functional component as another component, such as ascorbic acid and its derivatives, mucopolysaccharides, amino sugars, Examples include flavonoids and vitamins other than ascorbic acid.

  Ascorbic acid or a derivative thereof can more effectively exert the effects of proanthocyanidins, particularly OPC, in the pine bark extract. As a derivative of ascorbic acid, a derivative of ascorbic acid usually used as a food additive can be used, and examples thereof include ascorbic acid glycoside, sodium ascorbate, and magnesium ascorbate. In addition, use natural materials rich in ascorbic acid (for example, natural materials derived from fruits such as lemon, orange, and acerola, or natural materials derived from vegetables such as broccoli, me cabbage, peppers, komatsuna, and cauliflower). It is also possible.

  It is known that when ascorbic acid is ingested together with the OPC, the ascorbic acid absorption rate and physiological activity persistence is increased. In the present invention, ascorbic acid or a derivative thereof is contained for the purpose of protecting blood vessels, in particular, enhancing the flexibility and strength of blood vessels and lowering cholesterol in blood. In particular, ascorbic acid has the action of promoting the synthesis of collagen, which is a constituent protein of not only blood vessels but also all tissues, action to reduce stress (especially oxidative stress), antithrombotic action, and action to enhance immunity Therefore, it is effective not only for blood vessel protection and blood fluidity improvement, but also for improving the whole body tissue.

  When the lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention contains ascorbic acid or a derivative thereof, the mass ratio of proanthocyanidins in the pine bark extract is preferably 1: 0.1 to 1:50, more preferably It is contained so as to be 1: 0.2 to 1:20. However, the amount of ascorbic acid may be an amount exceeding the above ratio.

  Among the above functional components, mucopolysaccharides, amino sugars and the like have an effect of promoting cholesterol excretion similarly to the pine bark extract. Examples of vitamins other than ascorbic acid include vitamin A, vitamin B group, vitamin K, and vitamin E.

  Among the above functional components, in particular, diseases and diseases that are closely related to cell adhesion factors such as blood glucose level, blood lipids, components having an inhibitory effect on blood pressure increase, antithrombotic activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and antitumor activity The component which has the effect which prevents that may contain suitably. Such components include, for example, sulfur-containing organic compounds, vitamin B group, vitamin K, vitamin E, mucopolysaccharides, amino sugars, collagen, and the like, and flavonoids that have blood vessel protective action and antioxidant action, such as , Hesperidin, quercetin, rutin, and derivatives thereof can also be suitably used.

  Furthermore, the nutrient component that can be contained in the composition or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include royal jelly, protein, mineral, lecithin, chlorella powder, ashitaba powder, and moroheiya powder. Furthermore, stevia powder, matcha powder, lemon powder, honey, reduced maltose, lactose, sugar solution, and seasonings may be added to adjust the taste.

  Additives that can be contained in the composition or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention include excipients, fillers, binders, thickeners, emulsifiers, lubricants, wetting agents, suspending agents, coloring agents, and fragrances. , And food additives.

(V) Composition or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention The composition or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention comprises (A) the pine bark extract and (B) dietary fiber, γ-aminobutyric acid or a derivative thereof. Contains at least one selected from the group, and contains various functional ingredients, nutritional ingredients, additives and the like as necessary. Specifically, using these components, they are usually processed by those skilled in the art and prepared into various shapes.

  For example, the processing method of the composition or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention may be formed into a tablet or pill form by adding an excipient to the composition of the present invention, or may not be molded. In addition, it may be in the form of powder or other forms. Other dosage forms include capsules such as hard capsules and soft capsules, powders, granules, liquids, and pastes. It can also be processed into a tea bag shape or a bowl shape.

  The intake method of the composition or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, depending on its shape or preference, it may be eaten or consumed as it is, or it may be taken by dissolving it in water, hot water, milk or the like, or it may be taken from a component leached.

  The content of (A) pine bark extract and (B) dietary fiber, γ-aminobutyric acid or a derivative thereof in the composition or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention may be any ratio, but the composition of the present invention. In order to obtain the lipid metabolism improving effect of the product or lipid metabolism improving agent, the pine bark extract can be classified into several types as described below from its action mechanism (effect). In general, for example, in the case of foods and pharmaceuticals, the content of the pine bark extract varies depending on the desired mechanism for improving lipid metabolism (effect), but it is generally 0 in terms of the content of proanthocyanidins. 0.0005% by mass to 50% by mass is preferable.

  In order to obtain the lipid metabolism improving effect, the intake amount of the composition of the present invention or the lipid metabolism improving agent is as follows. As the pine bark extract, the daily intake amount of proanthocyanidins contained in the pine bark extract is In terms of content, the lower limit is 0.0005 g or more, preferably 0.001 g or more, more preferably 0.02 g or more, and most preferably 0.04 g or more. Moreover, the upper limit of the intake amount of the pine bark extract per day is 1.0 g or less, preferably 0.5 g or less, more preferably 0.3 g or less in terms of the content of proanthocyanidins. This value may vary depending on the desired action mechanism (effect).

  Hereinafter, the types contained in the lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention will be described.

(V-1) Lipid absorption inhibitor The lipid metabolism-improving agent of the present invention has the effect of suppressing lipid degradation during the digestion process. Therefore, the lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention can be used as a lipid absorption inhibitor. The lipid absorption inhibitor can be processed by the above processing method and can be ingested by the above ingestion method.
Moreover, a lipid absorption inhibitor contains a pine bark extract in arbitrary ratios. For example, in the case of foods and pharmaceuticals, the content of the pine bark extract is 0.0001% by mass to 50% by mass, preferably 0.001% by mass to 50% by mass, in terms of the content of proanthocyanidins. Preferably it is 0.005 mass%-20 mass%.

  In order to obtain the effect, the intake amount of the lipid absorption inhibitor is 0.002 g to 1.0 g, preferably 0.004 g to 0, in terms of the daily intake amount of an adult in terms of the content of proanthocyanidins. .5g.

(V-2) Cholesterol excretion promoter The lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention has the effect of efficiently excreting cholesterol in the body outside the body. Therefore, the lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention can be used as a cholesterol excretion promoter. The cholesterol excretion promoting agent can be processed by the above processing method and can be ingested by the above ingestion method.

  Further, the cholesterol excretion promoter contains a pine bark extract in an arbitrary ratio. For example, in the case of foods and pharmaceuticals, the content of the pine bark extract is 0.001% by mass to 50% by mass, preferably 0.005% by mass to 30% by mass, in terms of the content of proanthocyanidins. Preferably it is 0.01 mass%-20 mass%.

  In order to obtain the effect, the intake of the above-mentioned cholesterol excretion promoter is 0.001 g to 1.0 g, preferably 0.02 g to 0, in terms of the daily intake of adults in terms of the content of proanthocyanidins. 0.5 g, more preferably 0.04 g to 0.3 g.

(V-3) Body fat reducing agent The lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention has the effect of suppressing the degradation of lipids during the digestion process and the effect of promoting the degradation of absorbed lipids. Therefore, the lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention can be used as a body fat reducing agent. The body fat reducing agent can be processed by the above processing method and can be ingested by the above ingestion method.

  Moreover, a body fat reducing agent contains a pine bark extract in arbitrary ratios. For example, in the case of foods and pharmaceuticals, the content of the pine bark extract is 0.00005% by mass to 50% by mass, preferably 0.001% by mass to 50% by mass, in terms of the content of proanthocyanidins. Preferably it is 0.005 mass%-20 mass%. In the case of a pine bark extract, the lower limit of the content is 0.0001% by mass or more, preferably 0.001% by mass or more, more preferably 0.005% by mass or more, and the upper limit is 50% by mass. % Or less, preferably 20% by mass or less.

  In order to obtain the effect, the intake amount of the body fat reducing agent is 0.0005 g to 1.0 g, preferably 0.001 g to 0, in terms of the daily intake amount of adults converted to the content of proanthocyanidins. .5g.

(V-4) Fat Accumulation Inhibitor The lipid metabolism-improving agent of the present invention has an effect of suppressing lipid degradation during the digestion process. Therefore, the lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention can be used as a fat accumulation inhibitor. The fat accumulation inhibitor can be processed by the above processing method and can be ingested by the above ingestion method.
Moreover, a fat accumulation inhibitor contains a pine bark extract in an arbitrary ratio. For example, in the case of foods and pharmaceuticals, the content of the pine bark extract is 0.00005% by mass to 50% by mass, preferably 0.001% by mass to 50% by mass, in terms of the content of proanthocyanidins. Preferably it is 0.005 mass%-20 mass%. In the case of a pine bark extract, the lower limit of the content is 0.0001% by mass or more, preferably 0.001% by mass or more, more preferably 0.005% by mass or more, and the upper limit is 50% by mass. % Or less, preferably 20% by mass or less.

  In order to obtain the effect, the intake amount of the fat accumulation inhibitor is 0.0005 g to 1.0 g, preferably 0.001 g to 0 in terms of the daily intake amount of adults in terms of the content of proanthocyanidins. .5g.

  Further, the daily intake amount of dietary fiber contained in the composition or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention for an adult is not particularly limited, but as an intake amount for effectively obtaining an effect of improving lipid metabolism, The lower limit is 0.01 g or more, preferably 0.1 g or more, and the upper limit is 70 g or less, preferably 30 g or less. In addition, although the mixture ratio of the dietary fiber to the composition or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention varies depending on the dosage form, the lower limit is 1 mass in terms of dry mass of the composition or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention. % Or more, preferably 5% by mass or more, and the upper limit is 50% by mass or less, preferably 40% by mass or less.

  Furthermore, the intake amount of γ-aminobutyric acid or a derivative thereof is a lower limit value of 0.001 g or more, preferably 0.003 g or more, and the upper limit value is 1.0 g or less as the daily intake amount of an adult. Preferably, it is 0.5 g or less, and the content ratio to the composition or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention is 0.001% by mass as the lower limit in terms of the dry mass of the composition or lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention. As mentioned above, Preferably it is 0.01 mass% or more, and as an upper limit, it is 50 mass% or less, Preferably it is 30 mass% or less.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although this invention is demonstrated based on an Example, this Example does not restrict | limit this invention.

(Example 1) Evaluation of lipid absorption inhibitory effect Pine bark extract (OPC content 30 mass%; Toyo Shinyaku Co., Ltd.) obtained by extraction with ethanol and water and indigestible dextrin (Matsuya Chemical Co., Ltd.) Was used to evaluate the lipid absorption inhibitory action as follows.

  Fifteen 5-week-old male SD rats (Nippon Charles River Co., Ltd.) were acclimated for 1 week with a basic feed (MF feed, Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd.). Next, the animals were fasted for 16 hours and divided into 3 groups so that the average body weights of the groups were almost the same. Next, after collecting blood from the orbit and obtaining serum, each group of rats was mixed with 0.5 ml cottonseed oil so that the pine bark extract was 50 mg / kg body weight and the indigestible dextrin was 1 g / kg body weight. Forced oral administration with a sonde (referred to as test group). For the other group, 0.5 ml cottonseed oil and the above pine bark extract were administered at 50 mg / kg body weight (referred to as control group 1), and the other group was treated with 0.5 ml cottonseed oil. And indigestible dextrin were administered at 1 g / kg body weight (referred to as control group 2).

  One hour and four hours after the administration, blood was collected again from the orbit, and the neutral fat level in the blood was measured with a neutral fat measurement kit (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.). The measurement results were calculated with the measured value before administration as 1, and the measured values at each time after administration as relative values. The results are shown in Table 1.

  From the results of Table 1, the test group to which the pine bark extract of the present invention and the indigestible dextrin were added was able to suppress the increase in blood neutral fat associated with cottonseed oil administration compared to the control group to which no addition was made. I understand. That is, it can be seen that the composition of the present invention has a lipid absorption inhibitory action and suppresses an increase in neutral fat in the blood. Therefore, it turns out that the composition of this invention can be utilized as a lipid metabolism improving agent.

(Example 2) Evaluation of fat accumulation inhibitory action and body fat reducing action Pine bark extract containing 60% by mass of proanthocyanidins (OPC content 30% by mass; Toyo Shinyaku Co., Ltd.), chitosan (Koyo Chemical Co., Ltd.) Company), γ-aminobutyric acid-containing rice germ extract (containing 90% by mass or more of γ-aminobutyric acid; Oriza Oil Chemical Co., Ltd.) The reduction effect was evaluated.

  Twenty-one 7-week-old female ICR mice (CLEA Japan, Inc.) were acclimated for 1 week with a basic feed (MF feed, Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd.). Subsequently, it divided into 3 groups so that the average body weight of each group might become substantially equivalent. Next, a group of mice was allowed to freely ingest a test diet containing 40% by weight of beef tallow, 9% by weight of granulated sugar, 2% by weight of the above pine bark extract, and 5% by weight of chitosan (test group). 1). In addition, the same test feed was prepared and freely ingested in the other group, except that 5% by mass of γ-aminobutyric acid-containing rice germ extract was used instead of chitosan in test group 1 (test group). 2). The remaining one group of mice was allowed to freely ingest a control feed similar to the test feed of test group 1 but without any pine bark extract, chitosan or γ-aminobutyric acid-containing rice germ extract (control group). And).

On the 25th day from the start of ingestion, the body weight of each rat was measured, and the rate of increase in body weight was calculated by the following formula (I).

  Furthermore, subcutaneous fat was measured by X-ray CT for laboratory animals (trade name: LATHETA; Aroka). Subsequently, the retroperitoneal fat and peritoneal fat were removed, and the total mass of these fats (massage of visceral fat) was measured. The results are shown in Table 2.

  From the results of Table 2, the test group to which the composition of the present invention containing pine bark extract and chitosan or γ-aminobutyric acid was added suppressed the increase in body weight compared to the control group not added, and visceral fat and subcutaneous It turns out that the amount of fat is also decreasing. That is, it can be seen that the composition of the present invention has an effect of improving lipid metabolism, particularly has an action of suppressing fat accumulation of visceral fat and subcutaneous fat, and reduces body fat.

The composition or lipid metabolism-improving agent of the present invention contains at least one or more of the group consisting of (A) pine bark extract and (B) dietary fiber, γ-aminobutyric acid or a derivative thereof as active ingredients. It is useful because it has the action of inhibiting lipid absorption and excretion, promoting the degradation of neutral fat, efficiently metabolizing fat, and improving lipid metabolism in vivo.

Claims (3)

  A composition comprising (A) a pine bark extract and (B) at least one selected from the group consisting of dietary fiber, γ-aminobutyric acid or a derivative thereof.   A lipid metabolism improving agent comprising (A) pine bark extract and (B) at least one selected from the group consisting of dietary fiber, γ-aminobutyric acid or a derivative thereof. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dietary fiber is at least one selected from the group consisting of water-soluble dietary fiber, chitosan or a derivative thereof.