JP2010100576A - Constipation-improving agent - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a constipation-improving agent effective for the improvement of the constipation and accompanying various disorders over the both sides of mental and body by promoting the normalization of intestinal functions and having high safety. <P>SOLUTION: This constipation-improving agent is characterized in that it comprises the extract of Sparassis crispa having a thick half gel state and prepared by extracting the dried powder of a fruit of the S. crispa with hot water under pressure, as an active ingredient; a liquid state medicinal composition containing the above constipation-improving agent and having the constipation-improving effect; a drink type beverage or food containing the constipation-improving agent and having the constipation-improving effect. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a constipation-improving agent, and more specifically, the constipation-improving agent effective for improving constipation and various disorders related to both mind and body by promoting normalization of intestinal function and the ameliorating agent. The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising

  Constipation is defined by the Japan Society of Internal Medicine as “no stool for more than three days. Or even if there is a stool every day, there is a feeling of residual stool.” It is said that no one has ever done it.

  The causes of constipation are roughly divided into organic constipation and functional constipation. The former is caused by physical disorders such as stenosis of the digestive tract itself, adhesion, and compression due to lesions of other organs. This is what happens. In order to improve organic constipation, it is necessary to remove the physical disorder that causes it.

  On the other hand, functional constipation is constipation caused by a decrease in function or abnormal function of the intestinal tract, and is broadly divided into transient constipation and chronic constipation. Transient constipation is acute and transient constipation, and is considered to be often caused by sudden changes in dietary habits, changes in living environment, mental factors, and the like due to diet. In addition, drug constipation due to long-term continuous use of drugs such as diuretics is also classified as transient constipation.

  On the other hand, chronic constipation is further divided into rectal constipation, flaccid constipation, and spastic constipation. Rectal constipation is thought to be caused by a slowing of the bowel reflex, such as enduring constipation repeatedly, and is common in women. Loose constipation is constipation caused by slowing of the large intestine's ability to exercise the colon due to lack of abdominal muscle strength, and is often seen in the elderly and long-term caregivers. Spastic constipation is constipation caused by convulsions such as dilatation of the intestinal tract and increased peristalsis, and stress such as irritable bowel syndrome caused by disorder of autonomic nerves is considered to be one of the causes.

  Constipation recovers spontaneously within a few days, and if it returns to a normal defecation pattern, only transient discomfort is required, but when it becomes chronic, various physical and mental symptoms appear. In other words, abdominal fullness, pressure, discomfort, painful, heartburn, loss of appetite, rough skin, headache, dizziness, fever, insomnia, increased anxiety and reduced concentration, etc. Can cause serious poisoning, and in severe cases it can lead to death from poisoning. In recent years, a causal relationship between constipation and colorectal cancer has been pointed out, which is a problem that cannot be overlooked.

  Particularly in elderly people, constipation is induced by overlapping adverse conditions such as reduced masticatory power, decreased food intake, long-term bedridden, exercise deficit, weak muscle strength, and mental incentives (such as unawareness of constipation due to cerebrovascular disorders). There is a risk that a vicious circle will be formed in which constipation leads to loss of appetite and malnutrition, leading to further decline in physical fitness. The same is feared even in patients who have impaired physical function due to various diseases.

  In order to improve functional constipation, hydration, regular dietary habits and defecation habits, moderate exercise and stress reduction have been recommended. In the diet, dietary fiber, lactic acid bacteria, yogurt, fructose, Active intake of oligosaccharides, organic acids such as citric acid and malic acid has been recommended. However, these measures have not always had a sufficient effect.

  As a drug that improves functional constipation, laxatives that stimulate the peristaltic mucosa and promote peristaltic movement are generally used.

  As the drug, for example, phenolphthalein laxatives have long been used. These drugs are known to stimulate the colonic mucosa and enhance peristaltic movement. Synthetic laxatives containing diphenylmethane compounds as active ingredients are laxatives developed relatively recently. For example, picosulfate sodium is not degraded in the stomach and small intestine, but is hydrolyzed in the large intestine and peristalsis of the large intestine. Stool is softened by water absorption suppression action. In addition, examples of the anthraquinone laxative include herbal physic laxatives containing plant components such as senna, large yellow, aloe, and cascara sagrada (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Among these, senna is an anthraquinone derivative of glycoside sennoside A which is easily hydrolyzed and sennoside B which is difficult to be hydrolyzed, and this is considered to be an active anthraquinone by colonic bacteria and enhance peristaltic movement of the large intestine. Yes.

  However, it has been pointed out that phenolphthalein has a carcinogenic potential, and is currently not used. On the other hand, diphenylmethane-based synthetic laxatives may have side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort, and thus must be used with caution, such as being used carefully.

  Anthraquinone-based herbal remedies have great reassurance because they are derived from plants and are widely used as laxatives. However, they are large intestine-stimulating agents, have strong action, and may be accompanied by abdominal pain and diarrhea. Further, long-term continuous use is not preferable because continuous use increases resistance and may reduce the effectiveness.

  On the other hand, ingestion of insoluble dietary fibers such as cellulose and agar is known to induce a laxative action, and is used as various constipation-improving drugs.

However, although insoluble dietary fiber has been known to improve the bowel movement effect by stimulation of the large intestine (see Non-Patent Document 1), it has been pointed out that it may have an adverse effect on convulsive constipation.
JP-A-4-154728 JP-A-8-310960 "Illustrated Pharmacology", Asakura Shoten, published December 1977, p.249

  The present invention has a high safety and a gentle bowel effect that is close to nature without side effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, as in the case of the laxatives conventionally used. An object of the present invention is to provide an agent for improving constipation.

  As a result of various studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have found that the extract of Hanabiratake has an effect of improving constipation, and have completed the present invention.

  That is, the gist of the present invention is a constipation-improving agent characterized by using an extract of agaric bamboo as an active ingredient. Another gist of the present invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the constipation-improving agent and having a constipation-improving action. Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage product containing the constipation-improving agent and having a constipation-improving action.

  According to the present invention, since the active ingredient is a component derived from the agaric bamboo extracted from abundant food habitat, a pharmaceutical for improving constipation safely and effectively that can be expected to have an effect by ingestion in daily life Compositions and foods and drinks can be provided, and their intake is extremely useful for safely and effectively improving constipation symptoms.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

  Hanabira bamboo (Sparassis crispa) is an edible mushroom that occurs in conifers such as larch and Japanese red pine and is classified biologically as the family Hanabiratake. Until now, its cultivation has been difficult and generally not well known, but in recent years, an artificial cultivation method has been established and has been mass-produced.

  In the present invention, the fruit body or mycelium of the bamboo shoot is used. The fruit body of the flower bud may be natural or artificially cultivated. As a method of artificial cultivation, it can be performed by preparing a conventionally known fungal bed for artificial cultivation (for details, see, for example, JP-A Nos. 11-56098 and 2002-369621). ).

  The fruit body of the bamboo shoot obtained in this manner may be transferred to the next extraction step as it is, or may be dried and processed into powder if necessary before being transferred to the extraction step.

  The constipation-improving agent in the present invention has an active ingredient that is extracted from Hanabira bamboo, and at that time, an active substance can be obtained by an extraction operation with a polar solvent or a nonpolar solvent. As the polar solvent, alcohols such as ethanol, pure water, acid aqueous solution, alkaline aqueous solution, salt solution, or the like can be used. In addition, these solvents can be used alone or in admixture of two or more for extraction.

  Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular in the quantity of the solvent used for extraction, It is preferable to use 2-100 times amount with respect to the mass of Hanabiratake. The operability is less than twice the amount, and the work efficiency is poor if the amount is more than 100 times.

  The extraction can also be performed multiple times using one or more solvents. In the case of performing multiple times, the extraction may be performed from Hanabiratake, or the extracted fraction obtained from Hanabiratake may be further extracted or fractionated. Moreover, it can carry out combining them.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular in the temperature in the case of extraction operation, According to the kind etc. of solvent, it can apply to about -20-200 degreeC suitably. The extraction time is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 20 minutes to 3 days. Extraction can be performed while standing, but the extraction efficiency can be increased by stirring, shaking, pressurizing, or the like.

  The constipation-improving agent of the present invention contains an extract of Hanabiratake obtained as described above. In the present invention, the obtained extracted fraction can be further fractionated and concentrated for inclusion. As a method of fractionation and concentration, known means such as alcohol precipitation and drying can be used.

  The form of the constipation improving agent of the present invention is gelling agent, tablet, capsule, powder, granule, pill, liquid, emulsion, suspension, solution, alcoholic beverage, syrup according to the application method. , Extract, elixir and the like.

  The active ingredient of the constipation-improving agent of the present invention is derived from Hanabiratake, which is a very safe food with a food experience. From this point, it is considered that the dose of the constipation improving agent of the present invention is not strictly limited, but generally the lower limit is an amount that can exert an effect according to the purpose of prevention or treatment, and the upper limit is the dose of In terms of ease of use, economics, etc., based on a practical amount, it is usually about 50 mg to about 20 g, preferably about 100 mg to about 10 g per day for an adult when converted to dried dried fruit. Good. Of course, it can be changed according to the age, weight, symptom, duration of treatment, course of treatment, etc. of the person taking the medicine. The daily dose can be administered in several divided doses.

  The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention contains the aforementioned constipation-improving agent, and various pharmaceutically acceptable carriers necessary for the preparation can be further added. For example, excipients, binders, disintegrants, lubricants, flavoring agents, coloring agents, sweeteners, corrigents, solubilizers, suspending agents, emulsifiers, coating agents can be included. It is not limited to.

  In the case of preparing a liquid product, it is concentrated or diluted to a solution of various concentrations as necessary, or as it is, or a surfactant, an oil agent, an alcohol, an emulsifier, a pH adjuster, an antiseptic, an antioxidant. In addition, one or more of thickeners, pigments, fragrances and the like can be appropriately mixed as necessary. The liquid product thus prepared may be enclosed in a soft capsule.

  The food / beverage product of the present invention is prepared by blending the constipation improving agent of the present invention into the raw material of the food / beverage product so as to have the above-mentioned blending amount, for example, noodles, bread, candy, jelly, cookies, soup, etc. It can be in the form. The food and drink of the present invention further includes inorganic components such as iron and calcium, various vitamins, proteins such as soybean extract, lipids such as lecithin, saccharides such as oligosaccharides, sucrose and lactose, various seasonings, etc. However, it is not limited to these.

  Examples of the present invention and test examples for explaining the effects thereof will be given below, but these do not limit the present invention.

Example 1 (Preparation of constipation improving agent and control agent)
A dried product obtained by drying the fruit body of Hanabiratake with hot air at 60 ° C. for 6 hours was pulverized with a mill. 400 g of this was suspended in 8 L of drinking water and heated at 121 ° C. for 2 hours under pressure. After allowing to cool to room temperature, the precipitate was removed by centrifugation (8500 rpm × 20 min) to obtain about 5 L of supernatant. The obtained supernatant was thick and semi-gelled and easily gelled by refrigeration (5 ° C.).

  As a control agent, commercially available shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) fruit bodies were similarly dried with hot air and powdered, followed by extraction with pressurized hot water to obtain a supernatant.

Example 2 [Health volunteer test]
Ten healthy adult volunteers (34-93 years old, 2 men, 8 women) with subjective symptoms of mild constipation were given 5 ml of the constipation improving agent of Example 1 once a day after dinner.

  After 14 days from the start of the administration, the effect of constipation improving agents on the throat, taste, smell, number of bowel movements and stool softness, and overall satisfaction were investigated in a questionnaire format.

  After a 14-day no administration period, 5 mL of the control agent of Example 1 was similarly taken once a day after dinner.

  After 14 days from the start of administration, a questionnaire was used to investigate the effect of the control on the throat, taste, smell, number of bowel movements and stool softness, and overall satisfaction. The results are shown in Table 1.

From Table 1, it was shown that the constipation-improving agent of the present invention has an effect of improving constipation because many subjects are aware of an increase in the number of stools and softening of stool, compared with the control agent. In addition, because of the thickness, there were many subjects who felt that it was better than the control agent, and the total number of subjects who wished to continue taking the drug exceeded the control agent.

Example 3 [Study for patients with severe functional constipation]
Five patients with severe functional constipation took 5 mL of the constipation-improving agent of Example 1 for 14 days in the same manner as in Example 2 and interviewed the state of constipation before and after taking it using the VAS (Visual analogue scale) scale. did.

  FIG. 1 shows the VAS scale used. The scale with a scale that determines the score is hidden inside and does not touch the patient's eyes, and the patient can freely adjust the degree of constipation from “smile (good)” to “confused face (unbearable)” Let me show you. Although it is not suitable for comparison between individual patients, it well reflects changes in the degree of constipation in one patient. The scale score is 0 for the best and 100 for the worst. The average results of 5 patients are shown in Table 2.

Next, the results are shown in detail in Table 3 for three people who showed significant improvement.

From Table 2 and Table 3, it became clear that the constipation improving agent of this invention has the effect | action which remarkably improves the constipation symptom of functional constipation.

It is a figure which shows the VAS (Visual analogue scale) scale used for the dosing test.

Claims (3)

A constipation-improving agent characterized by comprising an extract of Hanabira bamboo. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the constipation improving agent according to claim 1 and having a constipation improving action. A food or drink comprising the constipation improving agent according to claim 1 and having an effect of improving constipation.