JP2007131568A - Immunostimulator and immunostimulating food and drink containing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an immunostimulator containing Piperaceae plant component and to provide an immunostimulating food and drink containing the same. <P>SOLUTION: The immunostimulator contains the Piperaceae plant component (Piper longum extract, etc.). The immunostimulator is excellent in cytokine-inducing activity, especially excellent in TNF-α and IL12 inducing activity. The immunostimulating food and drink contain the immunostimulator. The immunostimulating food or drink is excellent in cytokine-inducing activity, especially excellent in TNF-α and IL12 inducing activity. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an immunostimulator and an immunostimulatory food or drink containing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an immunostimulant containing a pepper plant component and an immunostimulatory food or drink containing the same. The immunostimulant of the present invention and the immunostimulatory food and drink containing the same can be widely used in the food field, the medical field, and the like. For example, it is used as health drinks, health foods, health foods, pharmaceuticals, and the like. In particular, it is used for the purpose of enhancing various immune functions by inducing cytokine secretion.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, attention has been focused on methods for preventing and curing diseases by efficiently ingesting ingredients contained in various foods and utilizing the immune stimulating action of the living body. Among these, extracts of pepper family plants and the like, coronary vasodilatory action (Patent Document 1), hypertension suppression function (Patent Document 2), liver injury suppression function (Patent Document 3), ultraviolet absorption function (Patent Document 4), Known are pigmentation, stains, freckles prevention (Patent Document 5), promotion of lipolysis (Patent Document 6), coolability improving agent (Patent Document 7), and the like.

JP-A-62-178517 JP 2005-162745 A JP 05-262646 A JP 07-238275 A JP 2000-198741 A JP 2005-132847 A JP 2003-040788 A

However, no suggestion or examination has been made on the immunostimulatory effect on the pepper plant in any of the above-mentioned patent documents.
Although the immune mechanism is a complex biological system and there are many unclear parts, conventionally, cytokines secreted from lymphocytes are known to play an important role in the immune mechanism. For example, TNF (tumor necrosis factor), IL (interleukin), and the like are known to have an enhanced immunity to tumors and an allergic disease ameliorating effect that is attributed to an improved balance between Th1 and Th2 cells. . In addition, it is known that secretion of cytokines is induced by various kinds of specific foods or conversely suppressed. For this reason, in recent years, there has been a demand for immunostimulators, foods and drinks, etc. that can strengthen the bioimmune mechanism that can be easily ingested safely for a long period of time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an immunostimulator containing a pepper plant component and an immunostimulatory food or drink containing the same.

That is, the present invention is as follows.
(1) An immunostimulant comprising a pepper plant component.
(2) The immunostimulant according to (1), which induces cytokine secretion.
(3) The immunostimulator according to (2) above, wherein the cytokine comprises TNF-α.
(4) The immunostimulator according to (2) or (3) above, wherein the cytokine comprises IL12.
(5) The immunostimulant according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pepper plant component is an extract of a pepper family plant.
(6) The immunostimulator according to (5), wherein the extract is water-soluble.
(7) The immunostimulant according to any one of the above (1) to (6), wherein the pepper plant is a baboon.
(8) An immunostimulatory food or drink comprising the immunostimulator according to any one of (1) to (7) above.

According to the immunostimulant of the present invention, immune function can be improved.
When cytokine secretion is induced, immune function caused by cytokines can be improved.
When the cytokine contains TNF-α and the cytokine contains IL12, immune functions such as antitumor and antiallergic properties can be improved.
When the pepper plant component is an extract of the pepper family plant, particularly high immunostimulatory ability can be obtained.
When the extract is water-soluble, the extract can be extracted safely and inexpensively while being easy to handle industrially while obtaining the above effects.
In the case where the pepper family plant is Hibatsu, the above-mentioned effect can be obtained particularly remarkably.
According to the immunostimulatory food or drink of the present invention, the immune function can be improved.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.
[1] Immunostimulant The immunostimulant of the present invention is characterized by containing a pepper plant component.

  The above-mentioned “Pepperaceae plant component” is meant to include a Pepperaceae plant (such as a dry powder of Pepperaceae plant) and an extract extracted from the Pepperaceae plant. Of these, extracts are preferred. This is because more active ingredients are contained.

The pepper family plant used for this pepper family plant component is a plant belonging to the pepper family. Examples of the pepper family plants include various plants belonging to the genus Pepper (genus Piper) and various plants belonging to the genus Peperomia (genus Peperomia). As a plant belonging to the genus Pepperaceae, various kinds of Naga Pepper {Pipe longum, Piper officinarum and Pipe retrofactum, Pipe retrofractum, Pipe retrofractum, Pah. Examples thereof include Piper auncum, Piper beetle, Piper auritum, Piper cadsula, and the like. Examples of the genus Peperomia include Obetosfolia (Pepperia obtusifolia), Frazeri (Pepperomia fraseri), Argileia (Pepperia argyrea) and the like. Of these, the genus Pepper is preferable, and among the genus Pepper, various types of Naga Pepper are preferable. These various pepper family plants may use only 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together. Moreover, the production area (including the cultivation area and the own dough) of the pepper family is not particularly limited.
Among these pepper family plants, plants belonging to the genus Pepper are preferable, and more specifically, Hibatsu, Pepper, Hippopotamus, Machiko, Naga Pepper, Hibachimodoki and Betel are preferable.

  Moreover, the collection place (Indonesia, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Brazil, Malaysia, Fiji, New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tahiti, Africa, etc.) etc. of the above various pepper family plants are not particularly limited. Furthermore, the site | part (including the whole) used as a pepper family plant component is not specifically limited. That is, for example, parts such as fruits, fruit spikes, pericarps, seeds, roots, aerial roots, stems, flowers, leaves, petioles and the like can be mentioned. Moreover, you may use the whole plant. Of these, fruits, fruit spikes, pericarps, seeds, roots, aerial roots and flowers are preferred. Only one type of these sites may be used, or two or more types may be used in combination. Furthermore, the time to collect the pepper family is not particularly limited, but for example, when using the fruits, fruit spikes, pericarps, seeds, flowers, etc., this is a predetermined time when these can be obtained.

  Furthermore, the pepper family plant used as the pepper family plant component may be used in any form such as undried, dried, frozen, etc., and two or more of these forms may be used in combination. Good. In addition, when the pepper plant component is an extract, the pepper plant used for extraction of this extract may be used in any form such as undried, dried and frozen, Two or more of these forms may be used in combination. Further, the extract can be pretreated before being subjected to extraction described later. As pretreatment, drying treatment, pulverization treatment, degreasing treatment with a hydrophilic extraction solvent, and the like can be performed.

  The “extract” is a component extracted from the pepper family plant using an extraction solvent. The extraction conditions and extraction method for obtaining this extract are not particularly limited. The kind of extraction solvent is not specifically limited, Water, various organic solvents, etc. can be used. These solvents may use only 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. The water includes cold water, room temperature water, hot water, hot water, steam, and the like, and includes the state of water at all temperatures. Further, water that has been subjected to sterilization treatment and / or ion exchange treatment can be used. Furthermore, water can be used after adjusting osmotic pressure and / or buffering.

  Examples of the organic solvent include hydrophilic organic solvents and lipophilic organic solvents. These may use only 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Examples of the hydrophilic organic solvent include monohydric alcohols having 1 to 5 carbon atoms (ethanol, methanol, propanol, isopropanol, etc.), polyhydric alcohols having 2 to 5 carbon atoms (glycerin, isopropylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, etc.) ), Esters (such as methyl acetate) and ketones (such as acetone). Among these, monohydric alcohols having 1 to 5 carbon atoms and / or polyhydric alcohols having 2 to 5 carbon atoms are preferable, monohydric alcohols having 1 to 5 carbon atoms are more preferable, and ethanol is particularly preferable. These hydrophilic organic solvents may use only 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Examples of the lipophilic organic solvent include benzene, xylene, cyclohexane and the like. These lipophilic organic solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Among these extraction solvents, water, a mixed solvent of water and a hydrophilic organic solvent, and / or a hydrophilic organic solvent are preferable, water and / or the above mixed solvent are preferable, and water is particularly preferable. That is, the pepper plant extract is preferably water-soluble. The term “water-soluble” means that at least 50 μg / mL or more can be dissolved in pure water at a temperature of 18 ° C.

  The extraction method is not particularly limited, and immersion extraction, stirring extraction, reflux extraction, shaking extraction, ultrasonic extraction, and the like can be used. These may use only one type of extraction method, or may use two or more types in combination. Furthermore, the extraction conditions are not particularly limited. That is, for example, the extraction may be performed or may not be performed. Further, it may be pressurized or not pressurized. Furthermore, the extraction operation may be performed once, or may be performed a plurality of times (repeating the extraction residue obtained after the extraction operation is repeated a plurality of times).

  Among the above, for example, when the reaction is performed by heating, it can be performed at 30 to 80 ° C. (preferably 30 to 70 ° C., more preferably 30 to 60 ° C.). The extraction temperature can be appropriately determined depending on the type of extraction solvent. However, usually, if the extraction temperature is excessively high, the immunostimulatory action of the extracted component may be inhibited. Therefore, the extraction is preferably performed at a lower temperature and in a shorter time. When extracting without heating, it can carry out at normal temperature of 10-30 degreeC. Furthermore, extraction time is not specifically limited, For example, it can be set as 0.5 to 168 hours (preferably 0.5 to 120 hours, more preferably 0.5 to 72 hours). Moreover, pH adjustment may be performed and pH adjustment may not be performed. Extraction efficiency can be improved by adjusting pH.

Among these extraction conditions, extraction with water (hot water) at a temperature of 32 to 45 ° C. (particularly 35 to 40 ° C.) is particularly preferable. That is, the immunostimulant of the present invention preferably contains at least an extract from water (warm water) at a temperature of 32 to 45 ° C. (particularly 35 to 40 ° C.).
In addition, the extract with water at a temperature of 32 to 45 ° C. includes, for example, a mixed solvent of water and an extraction solvent other than water other than the extract with only water at a temperature of 32 to 45 ° C. It is also an extract contained in an extract obtained by extraction at a temperature of 32 to 45 ° C.

  The separation method of the extract obtained by the said extraction and extraction residue is not specifically limited, For example, it can isolate | separate by filter press, filtration (pressurization, normal pressure), etc. The extract separated from the extraction residue can be used as it is as the immunostimulant of the present invention. Further, the extracted liquid separated from the extraction residue can be used after removing the solvent contained therein. The method for removing the solvent from the extract is not particularly limited, and can be performed by, for example, spray drying, evaporation, freeze drying, or the like. The solid content (immunostimulatory agent) collected from the extract may be used as it is, or further purified. That is, after this solid content is dissolved in water and / or an organic solvent or the like, filtration is performed to remove impurities and the like, and then the solvent is removed for purification. Furthermore, a sterilization process etc. can be given as needed.

  Various pretreatment steps can be performed before performing the extraction (extraction step). Examples of the pretreatment step include a sterilization treatment step, a pulverization treatment step, and an enzyme treatment step for decomposing cell wall constituent components. The sterilization step can be performed by ultraviolet irradiation, deoxygenation, heating, or the like. The pulverization method in the pulverization process is not particularly limited, and various mills can be used. By performing this pulverization treatment, the extraction efficiency can be improved. The pulverized particle size is not particularly limited, but can usually be 10 to 1000 μm. The enzyme treatment step can be performed by immersing the enzyme and the extraction target (may be after pulverization) in a solvent, pH and temperature environment suitable for various enzymes. In this case, for example, one or more enzymes of cellulase, hemicellulase, pectinase, lipase and the like can be used.

Although content of a pepper family plant component is not specifically limited, It is preferable that 50 mg or more (usually 5000 mg or less) is contained in this immunostimulant in terms of a pepper family plant component (dry matter).
Moreover, the usage method of this immunostimulant is not specifically limited, The subject (human or other animals, these age, weight, and sex), symptom, and target effect (prevention, suppression, improvement, treatment, It is preferable that the dosage is appropriately determined according to the administration method (oral administration, injection administration, external administration, suppository administration, etc.), period of use, and other various conditions. For example, it is preferable to administer 1 mg / kg (usually 100 mg / kg or less) per day in terms of a pepper family plant component (dried product) to a normal adult. In this case, it may be administered once or divided into two or more times.

  The immunostimulant of the present invention has an pepper as an immunostimulatory component (a component capable of exhibiting immunostimulatory ability, particularly a component that induces secretion of TNF-α and IL12) within the range where the effect of the immunostimulator is obtained. Other immunostimulatory components other than the plant component may be contained, but may not be contained. Examples of other immunostimulatory components include mushroom components (extracts and bulk powders) having immunostimulatory properties, seaweed (mekabu and mozuku etc.) components (extracts and bulk powders), and the like. These may use only 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. When no other immunostimulatory component is contained, that is, the immunostimulant of the present invention can be an immunostimulant containing only a pepper plant component (particularly a hinoki component) as the immunostimulatory component.

  Moreover, components other than the said immunostimulatory component can be contained in the range in which the effect of the immunostimulant of this invention is acquired. That is, for example, molding agents, binders, disintegrants, disintegration inhibitors, lubricants, carriers, solvents, extenders, tonicity agents, emulsifiers, suspending agents, thickeners, coating agents, absorption accelerators , Coagulants, preservatives (stabilizers, moisture-proofing agents, anti-coloring agents, antioxidants, etc.), flavoring agents, flavoring agents, coloring agents, antifoaming agents, soothing agents, antistatic agents, pH adjusting agents, etc. It is done. These may use only 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  Among the above, examples of the molding agent include lactose, sucrose, sodium chloride, glucose, starch, calcium carbonate, kaolin, crystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, corn starch, and alginic acid. Examples of the binder include simple syrup, glucose solution, starch solution, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, sodium alginate, gum arabic, water and ethanol. Examples of the disintegrant include starch, alginic acid, agar, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carboxymethyl cellulose, and sodium starch glycolate. Examples of the disintegration inhibitor include stearyl alcohol, stearic acid, cocoa butter, and hydrogenated oil. Examples of the lubricant include hardened vegetable oil derivatives, sesame oil, honey beeswax, carnauba wax, hardened oil, stearic acid, stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and polyethylene glycol. Examples of the carrier include starch, lactose, kaolin, bentonite, silicic anhydride, hydrous silicon dioxide, magnesium aluminate metasilicate, colloidal silicic acid and the like. Examples of absorption promoters include quaternary ammonium salts, sodium lauryl sulfate, urea and enzymes.

  The form of the immunostimulant of the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be solid, powder, granule, cream, liquid or the like. In each of the above forms, tablets (sugar-coated tablets, gelatin-encapsulated tablets, gastric-coated tablets, enteric-coated tablets, water-soluble film-coated tablets, etc.), capsules (hard gelatin capsules, soft capsules, etc.), powders , Granules, liquids, ointments, patches and the like. Furthermore, they can be used as oral preparations, injections, suppositories, external preparations, food and drink additives and the like.

  The immunostimulant of the present invention can be used for the purpose of enhancing immune function. In particular, the immunostimulant of the present invention has at least a cytokine-inducing ability. The cytokine includes at least TNF-α and IL12. Therefore, the immunostimulant of the present invention can be used as a TNF-α inducer (tumor necrosis factor inducer) because of its excellent ability to induce TNF-α. Moreover, since it is excellent in the induction ability of IL12, it can be used as an IL12 inducer (interleukin 12 inducer).

Furthermore, since it has the excellent TNF-α inducing ability and IL12 inducing ability, it can be used as an antitumor agent. The antitumor means that an effect such as prevention, suppression, improvement, treatment, or cure can be exerted on a neoplastic disease. As neoplastic diseases, myeloproliferative diseases {leukemia (including acute, chronic, myeloid, monocytic and lymphoid), leukemia, thrombocythemia, myelofibrosis, etc.}, malignant lymphoma (Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, etc.), myeloma, plasma cell tumor (multiple myeloma, plasmacytoma, primary macroglobulinemia, etc.), lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, colon adenocarcinoma, cervical cancer Endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, Wilms tumor, fibrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, melanoma, periosteal sarcoma, neuroblastoma, brain tumor, neuroendocrine tumor, kidney cancer, head and neck cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, stomach cancer, Examples include esophageal cancer, liver cancer, biliary tract cancer, sarcoma, skin cancer, thyroid cancer, testicular tumor, pancreatic cancer, mesothelioma and the like.
It can also be used as an antiallergic agent. Anti-allergy means that an effect such as prevention, suppression, improvement, treatment, or cure can be exhibited for allergic diseases. Examples of antiallergic diseases include atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, hives, hay fever, allergic gastroenteritis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic hepatitis and the like.

  In addition, when using as said TNF- (alpha) inducer, said IL12 inducer, said antitumor agent, and said antiallergic agent, it is the same as when using as said immunostimulant other than the component which has said various immunostimulatory ability. Various other components, forms, and blends can be applied as they are. Similarly, the usage method described later can be applied as it is.

[2] Immunostimulatory food or drink The immunostimulatory food or drink of the present invention is characterized by containing the immunostimulatory agent of the present invention.
As the immunostimulant, the immunostimulant of the present invention can be applied as it is. Although the amount of the immunostimulant contained in the immunostimulatory food or drink of the present invention is not particularly limited, the immunostimulatory food or drink contains 50 mg or more (usually 5000 mg or less) in terms of pepper plant components (dried product). It is preferred that
The method for ingesting the food and drink of the present invention is not particularly limited, and depends on the age, weight and sex, symptoms, intended effects (prevention, suppression, improvement, treatment, healing, etc.) of the human being ingested, the period of use, and other various conditions. It is preferable to use an appropriate one. For example, it is preferable to take 1 mg / kg or more (usually 100 mg / kg or less) per day for a normal adult in terms of a pepper plant component (dry matter). Moreover, in that case, it may be ingested once or may be divided into two or more times.

  The immunostimulatory food or drink of the present invention can be a food or drink in which a specific health effect is recognized, or a functional food or drink that takes advantage of the function of the biological adjustment component. The form of the immunostimulatory food or drink is not particularly limited and can be various. That is, for example, liquid food, solid food, semi-fluid food, gel food and the like can be mentioned. That is, for example, alcohol-containing beverages (alcohol, shochu, beer, etc.), soft drinks (carbonated beverages, fruit juice beverages, coffee, cocoa, tea, etc.), milk, lactic acid bacteria beverages, dairy products, ice confectionery, candy, gum, baked confectionery (Biscuits, cookies, etc.), processed grains (bread, noodles, cereals, fortified rice, etc.), processed marine products (mozuku, etc.) and the like. Among these, for example, it can be added to or used in combination with lactic acid bacteria beverages, processed marine products and the like.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described specifically by way of examples.
[1] Immunostimulant (1) Preparation of immunostimulant of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 Pepperaceae plant components shown below (Ahihatsu extract) and Agaricus extract are separately added to pure water And each 10 mass% liquid was adjusted. The obtained 10% by mass solutions were extracted at 40 ° C. for 48 hours. Then, after filtering using a filter with a pore size of 0.8 μm (Nihon Millipore Corporation, Milex AA), it was further filtered again with a filter having a pore size of 0.22 μm (Nihon Millipore Corporation, Milex GS). The water-insoluble component and the water-soluble component were separated and further sterilized. In this way, aqueous solutions of Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 were obtained.

In addition, an anti-malignant tumor streptococcal preparation {manufactured by Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., product name "Pisibanil 0.5KE", Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A type 3) Su strain penicillin-treated freeze-dried powder} is added to pure water and then described later The medium was added to prepare a 0.05KE solution of the anti-malignant tumor-lytic streptococcal preparation. Then, after filtering using a filter with a pore size of 0.8 μm (Nihon Millipore Corporation, Milex AA), it was further filtered again with a filter having a pore size of 0.22 μm (Nihon Millipore Corporation, Milex GS). The water-insoluble component and the water-soluble component were separated and further sterilized. In this way, an aqueous solution of an anti-malignant oncolytic preparation of Comparative Example 1 was obtained. Furthermore, a medium (only) described later was used as Comparative Example 3 (control).
Example 1: An aqueous solution of the extract of cherries (Pepperaceae plant component)
Comparative Example 1: Antineoplastic Streptomyces aqueous solution Comparative Example 2: Agaricus extract aqueous solution Comparative Example 3: Control (medium only)

  Pepperaceae plant component: Hihatsu extract (hot water extract), powder, manufactured by Maruzen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., product name "hihatsu extract powder MF"

(2) Culture of human lymphocytes Lymphocytes were isolated from 20 mL of blood collected from the human upper arm using Lymphoprep (manufactured by Nycomed Pharma AS). The obtained lymphocytes are seeded in each well of a 96-well plate at 500,000 to 1,000,000 cells / mL, and the aqueous solution of the extract of Example 1 obtained in the above (1) is 400 μg / mL. The aqueous solution of agaricus extract of Comparative Example 2 obtained in (1) above was added to a concentration of 400 μg / mL, and the cells were cultured under the culture conditions of 37 ° C. and 5% CO 2. For the culture, RPMI-1640 (medium) containing serum (10% FCS), β-mercaptoethanol (50 μM) and L-glutamine (2 mM) was used. The 400 μg / mL represents the concentration in the well. It means the amount of action of the extract (Pepperaceae plant component, Agaricus extract) used in [1] (1) above on the amount of liquid in the well. Further, the aqueous anti-malignant tumor lysate preparation aqueous solution of Comparative Example 1 was used at the concentration of 0.05KE.

(3) Measurement of TNF-α and IL12 After 6 hours and 24 hours from the start of the culture, the medium and cells were centrifuged, and the supernatant was collected, and TNF- in the supernatant was collected. The secretion amount (content) of α was measured by the ELISA method. For this measurement, the product name “Endogen Human TNFα ELISA Kit” manufactured by Endogen was used. For quantification, a Vmax plate reader (Molecular Devices) was used at a measurement wavelength of 450 nm. The results are shown in Table 1, graphed and shown in FIG.
Furthermore, the culture medium and the cells were centrifuged after 24 hours in the same manner, the supernatant was collected, and the secretion amount (content) of IL12 in the supernatant was measured by ELISA. For this measurement, the product name “Endogen Human IL12 ELISA Kit” manufactured by Endogen was used. For quantification, a Vmax plate reader (Molecular Devices) was used at a measurement wavelength of 450 nm. The results are shown in Table 1 and are shown in a graph in FIG.

(4) Evaluation of immunostimulatory capacity From Table 1 and FIG. 1, the secretion amount after 6 hours of culturing TNF-α is 1153 pg / mL for Agaricus extract aqueous solution (Comparative Example 2), 1) was 1313 pg / mL. Furthermore, the amount of secretion of TNF-α after 24 hours was 2005 pg / mL in Comparative Example 2 and 2236 pg / mL in Example 1. That is, the secretion amount of TNF-α after 6 hours of culture was 14% higher in Example 1 than that of Comparative Example 2, and 12% higher after 24 hours of culture. From this, it is understood that Hihatsu can exhibit an immunostimulatory ability equivalent to or exceeding that of Agaricus known to have a high immunostimulatory effect. In addition, the amount of TNF-α secreted after 6 hours of cultivating an aqueous extract of Hibatsu (Example 1) is about 50% of the aqueous solution of anti-neoplastic streptococcal preparation (Comparative Example 1), and about 58% after culturing for 24 hours Met. From this, it is understood that Hihatsu has a TNF-α secretion inducing ability that can be compared with an aqueous solution of an anti-malignant tumor lytic streptococcus preparation used as a pharmaceutical because of its strong cytokine secretion inducing action.

  In addition, the secretion amount of IL12 after 24 hours was 612 pg / mL in Example 1, and 1500 pg / mL in Comparative Example 1 (anti-malignant tumor streptococcus preparation aqueous solution). That is, the amount of IL12 secreted after 24 hours of culture was 41% of that of Comparative Example 1 in Example 1, and an aqueous solution of an antineoplastic streptococcal preparation as in the case of TNF-α (Comparative Example 1). It can be seen that it has the ability to induce IL12 secretion, which can be compared with the above. Therefore, it turns out that the immunostimulant of this invention can exhibit the outstanding immunostimulation ability by having the outstanding TNF- (alpha) induction ability and IL12 induction ability.

[2] Immunostimulatory food / drink Since the immunostimulatory food / drink of the present invention contains the immunostimulatory agent of the present invention, the immunostimulatory effect recognized in [1] above is directly applied to the immunostimulatory food / drink. It can be seen that

It is explanatory drawing which graphed and showed the TNF- (alpha) secretion amount and IL12 secretion amount of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1-3, respectively.

Claims (8)

  An immunostimulant comprising a pepper family plant component.   The immunostimulant according to claim 1 which induces secretion of cytokine.   The immunostimulant according to claim 2, wherein the cytokine comprises TNF-α.   The immunostimulant according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cytokine comprises IL12.   The immunostimulant according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pepper plant component is an extract of a pepper plant.   The immunostimulant according to claim 5, wherein the extract is water-soluble.   The immunostimulant according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pepper family plant is Hibatsu.   An immunostimulatory food or drink comprising the immunostimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 7.