JP2009102419A - Blood cholesterol-reducing agent - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a blood cholesterol-reducing agent capable of suppressing increase of blood lipid concentration by ingestion of dietary fat and reducing the level of blood fat amount and using a material derived from a natural product, and a composition capable of industrially effectively utilizing the agent. <P>SOLUTION: The blood cholesterol-reducing agent comprises an extract of root and/or rhizome of Astilbe thunbergii which is a plant belonging to the genus Astilbe, more preferably, a water-containing ethanol extract (having 10-50 mass% water-containing ratio) of the root and/or the rhizome or an ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of water-containing acetone extract (having 10-30 mass% water-containing ratio) of the root and/or the rhizome, and an extract of root and/or rhizome of Platycodon grandiflorum, more preferably, a hot water extract of the root and/or the rhizome of Platycodon grandiflorum or ethanol or water-containing ethanol (having 5 mass% water-containing ratio)-soluble fraction of the hot water extract. A food composition or a pharmaceutical composition is obtained by formulating the blood cholesterol-reducing agent therein. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a blood cholesterol-reducing agent comprising as an active ingredient an extract of red pepper that is a plant belonging to the genus Pleurotus and an extract of Kyoji, and an edible composition or a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same.

  In recent years, there has been an increase in the disparity between Western-style dietary forms and increased energy intake due to overeating and reduced energy consumption due to lack of exercise, increasing obesity with excessive body fat accumulation, and circulation such as hyperlipidemia It is an increasing cause of various lifestyle-related diseases including systemic diseases. In general, hyperlipidemia is a disease in which one or more lipid components among lipids in serum, ie, cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, free fatty acids, etc. increase abnormally and cause various disorders. There are hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. It is said that when the hyperlipidemia state becomes chronic, arteriosclerosis, fatty liver, stroke, angina pectoris, etc. are caused, and diseases such as diabetes and kidney disorders are likely to occur as complications.

  In order to prevent hyperlipidemia, many attempts have been made to suppress abnormal increases in blood lipids using ingredients contained in foods as well as treatment and prevention in the medical field. In other words, various chemical synthetic substances such as bravastatin are used in the treatment as drugs to lower the blood cholesterol level. For hypertriglyceridemia, sodium dextran sulfate, tocopherol nicotinate, pantethine, and sterin Drugs such as derivatives are used for treatment. In addition, food ingredients having an action of reducing blood cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations include γ-oryzanol (Non-patent Document 1), which is contained in a large amount of germs such as rice and corn, phytosterols such as soybean, corn and sesame (non- Patent Document 2), triterpene alcohol (Non-Patent Document 3) and the like contained in vegetable oils such as soybean oil and corn oil are known.

  In addition, it is known that the roots and rhizomes of plants belonging to the genus Tigetasas such as red pepper according to the present invention contain flavonoids such as bergenin, astilbine, astilbic acid in addition to starch and tannin, these Is said to exhibit the above-mentioned pharmacological action (Non-Patent Document 4).

  Oyster (Platycodon grandiflorum A. DECANDOLLE) is a perennial grass that grows naturally in East Asia including Japan and belongs to the family Oleaceae. Its roots and rhizomes contain saponins such as platycodin A, C, D and polygalacin D, and have been used as herbal medicines and herbal medicines with antitussive, expectorant, antiphlogistic, drainage, etc. since ancient times. ing. In addition, as an example of using an extract of Kyoukyo, a composition for preventing or treating periodontal disease as a protease inhibitor (Patent Document 1), a bathing agent expected to have a warm bath effect (Patent Document 2), hair nourishing / hair growth (Patent Document 3), preventive and therapeutic agents for atopic dermatitis (Patent Document 4), cosmetics having anti-tyrosinase activity (Patent Document 5) and the like have been proposed.

JP-A-6-25000 JP-A-6-206814 JP-A-8-73324 JP 11-199500 A JP 2000-198712 A

“Basics and Clinical”, Vol. 4, pp. 123-140, 1983 The Lipid, Vol. 1, pp. 101-105, 1994 “Arteriosclerosis”, Vol. 2, pp. 273-278, 1985 Shimada, H et al., Yakugaku Zashi, 72, 578-588, 1952

  However, although the drug has an excellent effect, it has side effects, and there is a restriction that the dosage must be observed under the guidance of a doctor. In addition, the ingredients separated from the food are practically ineffective, are based on experimental results under impractical intake conditions, or must be consumed in large amounts in normal dietary forms. Neither of them was able to exert a sufficiently satisfactory effect. In view of the present situation, the present invention develops and provides a natural product-derived blood cholesterol reducing agent that can prevent abnormal increase in blood lipid concentration or can be effectively used for the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia, It was made into the subject to provide as a composition of the aspect which can utilize this industrially usefully. In the present specification, reducing the concentration of at least one of the blood lipids such as cholesterol and triglycerides in blood is sometimes referred to as blood lipid improvement.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present inventors have conducted extensive studies on the relationship between a large number of plant raw materials and their extracts and lipid metabolism. The inventors have found that the desired effects of the present invention are remarkably exhibited, and have completed the present invention.

  That is, according to the present invention, there is provided a blood cholesterol reducing agent characterized by comprising an extract of red pepper that is a plant belonging to the genus Pleurotus and an extract of Kyoma. Moreover, the edible composition or pharmaceutical composition which mix | blends this is provided.

  Here, the plant belonging to the genus Pleurotus is a plant belonging to the genus Astilbe belonging to the family of the family Uchinosida, and in the present invention, a red pepper is used and its root and / or rhizome extract (hereinafter sometimes referred to as extract) or purified. It is characterized by using a thing. It is desirable that the red pepper extract is extracted with water-containing ethanol having a water content of 10 to 50% by mass, and further, ethyl acetate of the extract using water-containing acetone having a water content of 10 to 30% by mass. More preferably, it is a soluble fraction.

  In addition, Kyokyo belongs to the family Kleopteraceae and is characterized by using an extract or purified product of its roots and / or rhizomes. The extract of Kyoko is preferably a hot water extract, and more preferably a soluble fraction obtained by extracting the hot water extract with ethanol or water-containing ethanol having a water content of 5% by mass.

  The edible composition and the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention are characterized by comprising the blood cholesterol reducing agent.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the blood cholesterol reducing agent containing the extract of a red pepper and an extract of Kyoko is provided. By taking this blood cholesterol reducing agent orally, especially when taking a high-fat diet with a high fat content for a long period of time, the effect of reducing blood cholesterol concentration when taking Akashoma extract alone is extracted with Kyōki. There is an effect that the object can be supplementarily promoted. In addition, it exhibits an excellent blood cholesterol reducing effect even compared to bergenin or astilbine itself, which is known as a physiologically active component of red pepper. The blood cholesterol reducing agent of the present invention also has an effect of reducing blood triglyceride concentration. In the present invention, there is further provided an edible composition or a pharmaceutical composition comprising the blood cholesterol-reducing agent, which is not only reduced in the blood cholesterol content but also caused by hyperlipidemia and the above. It can be effectively used for prevention and treatment of various diseases, weight loss and obesity prevention, dieting and the like.

  The present invention is described in detail below. First, the blood cholesterol-reducing agent of the present invention is characterized by containing an extract of red ginger which is a plant belonging to the genus Pleurotus and an extract of Kyoka. Plants belonging to the genus Astilbe are classified into the family Uchinosidae, and there are various examples, as will be described later. As a representative example, Akashima (scientific name: Astilbe thunbergii (SIEB. Et ZUCC.) MIQ. Etc.) can be mentioned. it can. A red ginger is a perennial that grows naturally in the mountains of Japan, and its rhizome is called red hemp, and has been used as a substitute for urtices (such as Cimifuga simplex WORMSKJORD) for the purpose of lower fever and detoxification since ancient times. It has been. In the present invention, what is referred to as red hemp or red hemp is also included.

  As an example of a plant belonging to the genus Tigetasashi, Astilbe chinensis, A. austrosinensis, A.M. thunbergii, A.M. thunbergii (SIEB. et ZUCC.) Miq. : Akashouma, A. thunbergii (SIEB. et ZUCC.) MIQ. var. congesta BOISS. (= A. Odontophylla MIQ.): Triashoma, A. polyandra, A.M. grandis, A.M. rivularis, A.M. japonica (MORR.et DECNE.) A. GRAY: Awamorisho, A. microphylla KNOLL: S. pylori, A. myriantha and the like. In the present invention, red pepper is used.

  As the aspect of red pepper, the root and / or rhizome is appropriately subjected to processing such as drying, chopping or grinding. The extract of red pepper is an extract obtained by extracting the root and / or rhizome with a solvent, an extract obtained by removing the solvent from the extract, silica gel, magnesium silicate, ion exchange resin, activated alumina in the extract, Any of purified products subjected to purification treatment such as column chromatography using an adsorbent such as cellulose and activated carbon and solvent fractionation may be used. For use in food applications, it is convenient and easy to produce powder obtained by drying and appropriately milling roots and / or rhizomes of red pepper and extracting the fine fragments of the dried product with water or a hydrophilic organic solvent. Desirable in terms of cost. Moreover, when using for a pharmaceutical use, the said extract, an extract, or a highly purified product is desirable.

  As hydrophilic organic solvents, lower monohydric alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and isopropanol, polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerin, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ether, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and These hydrates and mixtures can be exemplified. In order to efficiently obtain an extract for producing the desired effect of the present invention, it is preferable to use ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate and a hydrated product thereof as an extraction solvent. The water content of the hydrated product is, for example, 1 to 99% by mass in the case of ethanol, more preferably 10 to 50% by mass, and 1 to 50% by mass in the case of acetone, more preferably 10 to 30% by mass. Yes, in the case of ethyl acetate, it is 80-99 mass%, More preferably, it is 85-95 mass%. Outside these ranges, the desired effect of the present invention is reduced or the yield of the extract is reduced.

  In order to easily and efficiently obtain the extract according to the present invention, it is preferable to extract with the above-mentioned water-containing ethanol or water-containing acetone, and further extract the extract with ethyl acetate to collect the soluble fraction. In the extraction treatment, the extraction solvent is added in an amount of about 1 to 100 mass times with respect to the treatment raw material, and the mixture is subjected to extraction treatment at normal temperature or under pressure at room temperature or in a heated state for 10 minutes to several days. The insoluble matter can be removed by filtration or centrifugation to obtain the extract according to the present invention, and the solvent can be removed from the extract by known means such as vacuum distillation, spray drying, freeze drying, etc. Such an extract can be obtained.

  On the other hand, as for the form of Kyoukyo, the roots and / or rhizomes are appropriately dried, shredded, or crushed, and the Kyoko extract is extracted by adding a solvent to these extracts. Column chromatography or solvent in which the solvent is removed from the extract to obtain an extract, and the extract is further filled with an adsorbent such as silica gel, magnesium silicate, ion exchange resin, activated alumina, cellulose, activated carbon, etc. It can be set as the refined | purified material which gave refinement | purification processes, such as fractionation, and any of these may be sufficient. When used for food applications, it is easy to dry powdered roots and / or rhizomes and appropriately pulverize the powder or shreds of the dried product with water or a hydrophilic organic solvent. In addition, the extract, extract or purified product described above is desirable for use in pharmaceutical applications.

  As the hydrophilic organic solvent used in this extraction treatment, lower monohydric alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and isopropanol, polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerin, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ether, petroleum Examples include ether, ethyl acetate, and mixtures thereof. As an extraction solvent for efficiently obtaining an extract exhibiting the desired effect of the present invention, it is preferable to use water, ethanol, acetone or a water-containing solvent thereof, and further, water or water content is 50% by mass or more. Hydrous ethanol is more preferred. If it is less than 50% by mass, the yield and desired activity of the extract are lowered. An example of a suitable embodiment of the extract is a soluble fraction obtained by further fractionating an extract extracted with water with ethanol.

  The extraction process may be performed as follows. That is, the extraction solvent is added in an equal mass or about 100 mass times with respect to the raw material in the above form, and at normal temperature or under pressure, at room temperature or in a heated state for 10 minutes to several days with stirring as necessary. When the extraction treatment is performed and the insoluble matter is removed by centrifugation or filtration, the extract according to the present invention can be obtained, and the solvent is further removed from the extract by means such as vacuum distillation, freeze drying, spray drying and the like. Thus, the extract according to the present invention can be obtained.

  Desirable embodiments of the blood cholesterol-reducing agent of the present invention include an extract or purified product of the root and / or rhizome of red ginger which is a plant belonging to the genus Pleurotus obtained as described above, and the root and / or rhizome of kikyo. An extract or purified product is contained as an essential raw material. A more desirable embodiment is that the one derived from red pepper is used as an essential main raw material, and the one derived from Kyoka is used in combination with this, and most preferably, an extract or purified product of red pepper is used as the main raw material. It contains an extract or a purified product of rhizomes. When these two kinds of plant-derived materials are used in combination, the effect of improving the blood cholesterol concentration, which is the object of the present invention, is synergistically expressed. The mixing ratio of both raw materials in this blood cholesterol reducing agent can be appropriately varied depending on the purpose and application for producing the desired effect, production cost, etc. More preferably, it is a ratio until both raw materials become equal amounts, and most preferably 90/10 to 60/40.

  In the blood cholesterol reducing agent of the present invention, various raw materials and components can be used in combination as long as not departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, there are excipients, moisture-proofing agents, preservatives, toughening agents, thickeners, emulsifiers, antioxidants, sweeteners, acidulants, seasonings, colorants, fragrances and the like used in ordinary foods and pharmaceuticals. . Moreover, it is one of the desirable aspects of this invention to use together the well-known raw material which has the effect | action which reduces blood lipids, such as blood cholesterol, a triglyceride, and a neutral fat. In addition to the above-mentioned plant sterol, γ-oryzanol, triterpene alcohol, and esters thereof, the following specific examples can be given as examples of this known material, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  Garcinia cambodia skin extract, hydroxycitric acid and its salts, grape seed extract, polyphenols such as apple, tea, cacao beans, catechins (catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, etc.), guava leaf extract, gymnema silvesta leaf Extract, Ginkgo biloba extract, buckwheat seed extract, jujube leaf extract, mulberry leaf extract, honeysuckle extract, bitter gourd extract, eucalyptus leaf extract, procyanidins, flavonoids (kaempferol, luteolin, isoquercitrin, etc. and their glycosides Body), lipase inhibitor, chlorophyllin, taurine, ginseng extract, Tochu extract, whey protein, citrus components (eg hesperetin, naringenin, limonoids, glycosides thereof), sesame-derived lignans and glycosides thereof, α -And β-amylase inhibitors, L -Carnitine and meat peptides containing it, polysaccharides of green algae and brown algae (alginic acid, amylopectin, carrageenan, agar, etc.), vegetable gums (guar gum, locust bean gum, tragacanth gum, tamarind gum, etc.), xyloglucan, oligogalactu Ronic acid, proline, threonine, peptides with n = 3-4, protein hydrolyzate, polyene fatty acid having 2-6 double bonds (linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, γ-linolenic acid, icosapentanoic acid, docosahexaene Acid) and esters and salts thereof, glycerophospholipids derived from soybeans and egg yolk (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, etc.) and their lyso forms, borage oil, evening primrose oil, pepper powder and extracts thereof , Garlic extract, green lily, green tea and pu-erh tea leaf powder and extract thereof, tsuchu naka powder and extract thereof, oolong tea leaf powder and extract thereof, dietary fiber (such as psyllium seed coat, polydextrose, glucomannan, pectin, etc.), akamegasiwa extract, chitin, Chitosan, xanthine derivatives, citrus aurantium extract, etc.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the present invention includes a red pepper extract and a kyoukyo extract, which have the action of reducing blood cholesterol levels and suppressing these abnormal increases to improve blood lipid metabolism. Preferably, a blood cholesterol reducing agent comprising a red pepper extract as a main raw material is provided. Such a blood cholesterol reducing agent may be used as it is for the desired purpose of the present invention, but the present invention also provides a composition comprising this. Examples of the composition include various foods, food additives, livestock feeds, pet foods and the like, and edible compositions or pharmaceutical compositions are preferred.

  The edible composition of the present invention contains, as an essential ingredient, the aforementioned blood cholesterol-reducing agent, that is, red pepper and kyoto, whose form is a root and / or rhizome extract or purified product. The blood cholesterol-reducing agent is blended.

  As an aspect of this edible composition, the extract or purified product is used as it is or the blood cholesterol reducing agent is used as a liquid, gel, powder or solid food, for example, fruit drink, soft drink, tea, soup , Jelly, yogurt, pudding, cake mix, sprinkle, miso, soy sauce, dressing, mayonnaise, grilled meat sauce, noodles, processed meat and meat such as ham and sausage, jam, milk, cream, butter and cheese, etc. The powder, solid or liquid dairy product, margarine, bread, cake, cookie and the like can be added.

  If necessary, dextrin, lactose, starch or processed materials thereof, excipients such as cellulose powder, vitamins, minerals, fats and oils of animals and plants and seafood, proteins, sugars, pigments, flavors, and other edible additives It can be processed into powders, granules, pellets, tablets, etc. together with agents, etc., coated with gelatin or the like to form capsules, or used as a drink or as a dietary supplement or health food. At this time, the composition which used together the well-known edible material which has the said blood lipid improvement effect is suitable. In addition, the edible composition of the present invention is not limited to the above exemplification over a wide variety of forms, but is added to foods containing a large amount of oils and carbohydrates from the viewpoint of lipid metabolism improvement, The above-mentioned dietary supplements and health foods are desirable.

  The amount of the blood cholesterol reducing agent of the present invention in the foods and edible compositions is uniformly according to the type and form of the food and edible composition, the purpose of use and the type and form of the blood cholesterol reducing agent. Although it is difficult to specify, when added to general processed foods, for example, an extract obtained by extracting the rhizome of red pepper with water-containing ethanol having a water content of 50% by mass with the blood cholesterol reducing agent of the present invention: water If the extract is 50:50 (mass ratio), it is generally 0.01 to 50% by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 30% by mass. If it is less than this range, the desired effect of the present invention by ingestion is small. Conversely, if it is too much, depending on the type of food, the flavor may be impaired or it may be impossible to prepare the food. The blood cholesterol reducing agent of the present invention may be used for food as it is.

  The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is prepared by adding known excipients and additives that do not violate the spirit of the present invention to the blood cholesterol reducing agent as necessary, and processing by conventional methods to produce tablets, capsules, It is a preparation such as a granule, powder, or injection. It is applied for the prevention or treatment of hyperlipidemia and various diseases associated therewith by oral or enteral administration, vascular administration or intradermal administration. The compounding amount of the blood cholesterol reducing agent of the present invention is generally 0.01 to 50% by mass, although it is difficult to set uniformly depending on the form and the type, form, usage and dosage of the pharmaceutical preparation. The amount of intake in the case of oral administration is not particularly limited. For example, an extract obtained by extracting the rhizome of red blood with a water-containing acetone having a water content of 20% by mass as a cholesterol-reducing agent in blood is further fractionated with ethyl acetate. Soluble fraction: Extract obtained by water extraction of Rhizome rhizome = 75:25 (mass ratio), based on adult (weight 50 kg), 0.01-20 g per day, more preferably 0.1 10 g. If it is less than this range, the desired effect is lowered, and if it is too much, no further effect can be expected.

Reference production example 1
A dried rhizome of Astilbe thumbergii (SIEB. Et ZUCC.) MIQ. Was crushed to a size of about 5 mm square or less, and this was further processed by a pulverizer to give a fine powder that passed 200 Tyler mesh (Sample A-1 ) Was prepared.

Production Example 1
1 kg of red stalk rhizome fragments obtained in Reference Production Example 1 was placed in a stainless steel extraction kettle, 10 L of hydrous ethanol having a water content of 40% by mass was added, and the mixture was extracted at 60 ° C. for 6 hours with occasional stirring. Subsequently, the residue was separated by filtration to obtain an extract, and the solvent was distilled off from the extract under reduced pressure to obtain 75 g of a reddish brown extract (sample A-2).

Production Example 2
A 1 kg fine powder of rhizome of red pepper obtained in Reference Production Example 1 was placed in a stainless steel extraction kettle, and 5 L of water-containing acetone having a water content of 20% by mass was added and subjected to extraction treatment under reflux for 3 hours. Divided into residues. The residue was again added with 5 L of water-containing acetone and treated in the same manner to obtain an extract. Both extracts were combined and the solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure to prepare 68 g of a reddish brown extract (Sample A-3).

Production Example 3
45 g of red rhizome extract (Sample A-3) obtained in Production Example 2 was suspended in 1 L of distilled water, and the suspension was divided into 5 portions of 200 mL of ethyl acetate and subjected to solvent fractionation treatment. Was distilled off under reduced pressure to prepare each purified product of 29 g of ethyl acetate soluble fraction (sample A-4) and 15 g of insoluble fraction (sample A-5).

Reference production example 2
After drying the rhizomes of tricholoma (Astilbe odontophylla MIQ.) By sun-drying, 1 kg of the crushed pieces were treated in the same manner as in Production Example 1 to obtain 85 g of a reddish brown extract (sample A-6).

Reference production example 3
The dried sun-dried rhizomes containing roots of Pyocodon grandiflorum A.DC. were crushed to a size of about 5 mm square or less and further pulverized to give fine powder passing through 200 Tyler mesh (sample P-1) Was prepared.

Production Example 4
After charging 1 kg of rhizome fragment containing the roots of Kyocera obtained in Reference Production Example 3 into a stainless steel extraction kettle, adding 20 L of distilled water and extracting under reflux for 5 hours, the residue was filtered to obtain an extract, The water in the extract was evaporated to obtain 310 g of a brown extract (sample P-2).

Production Example 5
1 L of hydrous ethanol having a water content of 5% by mass was added to 150 g of a rhizome extract (Sample P-2) containing the roots of Kyocera obtained in Production Example 4, and the extract was treated with occasional stirring at room temperature to dissolve and dissolve insoluble matter. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure to prepare each purified product of 110 g of ethanol-soluble fraction (sample P-3) and 35 g of insoluble fraction (sample P-4).

Test Example The effects of various processed products of red pepper and red pepper according to the present invention on blood lipid concentration were examined using the method described below.
(A) Reference test example: Effect of fat load on blood lipid elevation Wistar male rats (purchased from Nippon Claire Co., Ltd., body weight: 370 ± 5 g) were fasted overnight, control group and test substance administration group In the control group, 2 mL of lipid emulsion (containing 1 mL of distilled water) obtained by sonication of 6 mL of corn oil, 80 mg of cholic acid, 2 g of cholesterol oleate and 6 mL of distilled water was also tested. In the substance administration group, 2 mL of the lipid emulsion containing the test substance (containing 1 mL of the test substance solution prepared so that the final dose of the test substance was 1 g / kg rat body weight) was orally administered under non-anaesthesia. Blood was collected from the rat tail vein under non-anaesthesia over time after the lipid emulsion was administered, and plasma was immediately separated, and a commercially available test kit (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., triglyceride-E-test kit) was used. Used to measure the neutral fat content in plasma.

  As test substances, Samples A-2, A-3, A-4 and Samples P-2, P-3 of the present invention and Reference Samples A-1, A-5, A-6 and Sample P-1, In addition to P-4, known materials such as guava leaf extract (manufactured by BN Co., Ltd.), Garcinia Cambodian extract (manufactured by Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd.), Gymnema sylvesta leaf extract (manufactured by BN Co., Ltd.), γ-oryzanol ( Oriza Oil Chemical Co., Ltd.), chitosan (manufactured by Koyo Chemical Co., Ltd.), soybean-derived β-sitosterol (manufactured by Sigma Co., reagent), bergenin (manufactured by Aldrich Chemical Co., reagent), astilbine (non-patent document 4) Collected by the described method) was used alone or in combination. The dose of test substance is 1 g per rat body weight (1 kg). The results are shown in Table 1. In Table 1, when a plurality of test substances are used in combination, the mixing ratio based on their mass is shown in parentheses. The blood triglyceride content is shown as an average value ± standard deviation.

  From the data in Table 1, when a lipid emulsion containing a test substance (dry powder, extract thereof and purified product) derived from red pepper and Kyocera was administered, transient blood triglycerides (neutral fat by administration of the lipid emulsion alone) ) It was found that the increase in the amount over time was significantly suppressed. In addition, extracts extracted from the roots and rhizomes of red pepper, triaciforma and kikyo and purified products thereof were also found to reduce blood triglyceride levels. Furthermore, the same or even more remarkable effects were observed when these were used in combination or with a known material having a blood lipid improving action.

(B) Test example: Effect on changes in blood lipid level due to intake of high-fat diet A 3-week-old ICR female mouse (purchased from CLEA Japan, Inc.) was fed under a light-dark cycle of 23 ° C for 12 hours. (CE-2 manufactured by Japan Claire Co., Ltd.) was given and pre-bred for 1 week. Four week old healthy mice (weight: 19.5 to 20.4 g) were fed to a normal diet group (feed: CE-2, n = 11) and a high fat diet group (n = 11) Divided into (high fat diet + test substance 1%) group (n = 11) and (high fat diet + test substance 3%) group (n = 11), and freed each experimental diet and water for 12 weeks Ingested. Thereafter, the mouse was anesthetized with ether, blood was collected from the inferior vena cava, and plasma was immediately separated. The amount of triglyceride (neutral fat) and total cholesterol in plasma is measured by a conventional method using test kits (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., triglyceride-E-test kit and total cholesterol-E-test kit). did. The results are shown in Table 2.

  The composition of the high-fat diet is: beef tallow: 40 parts (mass basis; the same applies hereinafter), α-corn starch: 10 parts, granulated sugar: 9 parts, vitamin mixture: 1 part, mineral mixture: 4 parts, casein: It was 36 parts (excluding granulated sugar, manufactured by Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd.). In the experimental food to which the test substance was added, the added mass of the test substance was replaced with a part of the casein mass.

  From the data in Table 2, the lipid level in the high fat diet group is higher than that in the normal diet group. However, plants belonging to the genus Pichia, such as red pepper and triashoma, as well as extracts of Kyary and purified products thereof. In the group administered with a high-fat diet to which a predetermined amount was added, the blood triglyceride level and blood cholesterol level were found to be lower than or below that of the normal diet group. In addition, even if a known material having blood lipid improving action is administered alone, the desired effect is small, but a remarkable effect can be obtained by combining with the processed product (extract or purified product) of the present invention. It became clear.

Prototype example 1
30 mg of Garcinia camphor skin extract, 45 mg of beeswax peel and 55 mg of borage oil were added to 120 mg of the blood cholesterol reducing agent of the present invention consisting of a mixture of sample A-2 and sample P-3 (1: 1, mass ratio), and about 45 ° C. Were mixed thoroughly to obtain a homogeneous state, and this was subjected to a capsule filling machine to prepare a gelatin-coated capsule preparation having an inner volume of 250 mg per grain. When 15 capsules (adult males and females) of this capsule preparation were given a monitor test of 1 capsule per day for 2 weeks, 13 patients had decreased blood triglyceride levels and 12 patients had decreased total blood cholesterol levels. Admitted. This preparation can be used as an edible composition for improving blood lipids or a pharmaceutical composition that can be taken orally.

Reference prototype 1
Sample A-2: Oolong tea leaf powder = 5.0 kg of a mixture of 3: 2 (mass ratio), modified starch (Matsuya Chemical Co., Ltd., trade name: Pine Flow) 3.5 kg, tribasic calcium phosphate 0.3 kg, vitamins B ₁ 0.3 kg, Vitamin B ₂ 0.2 kg, Vitamin B ₆ 0.2 kg and Vitamin C 0.5 kg were charged into the blender and stirred and mixed for 10 minutes. The mixture was supplied to a direct compression tableting machine to prepare a tablet having a diameter of 7 mm, a height of 4 mm, and a mass of 150 mg, and then a shellac thin film was coated on the coating machine to produce a tablet-shaped food.

Reference prototype 2
Put 110g of butter, 110g of shortening, 90g of white sugar and 100ml of milk into a home whipper, add 1 egg with stirring and mix well, then sample A-1 and sample P-2 together with 190g of weak flour and 2g of baking powder 10 g of the mixture (3: 1, mass ratio) was added and kneaded sufficiently. This was allowed to stand for 30 minutes, then divided into 50 pieces with a mold and baked in an oven to produce a butter cookie.

Prototype example 2
Blood cholesterol of the present invention comprising 1 L of commercially available vegetable juice, sample A-2: sample P-3: camellia seed extract (trade name: activin, manufactured by Interhealth) = 1: 2: 1 (mass ratio) 5 g of a reducing agent was added and mixed to produce a vegetable juice for improving blood lipid for those who are concerned about neutral fat and cholesterol. This was no inferior to the original vegetable juice.

  The blood cholesterol reducing agent of the present invention reduces the increase in blood cholesterol level due to ingestion of a high fat diet by ingesting it, and is caused not only by reduction of blood lipid but also hyperlipidemia and the like. It can be effectively used for prevention and treatment of various diseases, weight loss and obesity prevention, dieting and the like.

Claims (5)

  A blood cholesterol-reducing agent comprising an extract of red ginger which is a plant belonging to the genus Pleurotus genus and an extract of Kyoka.   The blood cholesterol reducing agent according to claim 1, wherein the blood cholesterol is reduced by intake of a high fat diet.   The extract of red pepper is a water-soluble ethanol (water content 10-50% by mass) extract of red pepper and / or rhizome, or an ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of water-containing acetone (water content 10-30% by mass) extract. The blood cholesterol-reducing agent according to claim 1 or 2.   The extract of Kyoukyo is a hot water extract of roots and / or rhizomes of Kyoukyo, or an ethanol-soluble fraction or a water-containing ethanol (water content 5 mass%) soluble fraction of the hot water extract. The blood cholesterol reducing agent according to claim 2.   The edible composition or pharmaceutical composition formed by mix | blending the blood cholesterol reducing agent of any one of Claims 1-4.