JP5584411B2 - Homocysteine lowering composition - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a composition that can reduce or suppress the increase in blood homocysteine concentration, and more specifically, one or more components in the vitamin group consisting of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid. And a composition containing sesamins.

  Homocysteine is a kind of sulfur-containing amino acid derived from methionine, which is an intermediate product of the methionine metabolic pathway and is supplied from protein in the diet. In vivo, homocysteine is metabolized to methionine or cysteine, but when an abnormality occurs in the metabolic pathway, the concentration of homocysteine in the blood increases. It has been pointed out that an increase in blood homocysteine concentration is associated with the occurrence of diseases of the cardiovascular system, the cerebral vascular system and the peripheral venous system, and is also associated with an increased frequency of Alzheimer's dementia and depression. It has also been reported that aging of body tissues is promoted by the accumulation of homocysteine in the body. Therefore, in order to prevent or treat symptoms associated with aging and prevention or treatment of diseases that are said to be involved in these homocysteine, the amount of homocysteine in the body, that is, the concentration of homocysteine in the blood is reduced. Alternatively, it is considered important to suppress an increase in blood homocysteine concentration.

  Levels of homocysteine in the blood due to factors such as genetic predisposition, vitamin cofactor deficiency (vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid), aging, sex (male), decreased renal function, diabetes, other diseases, drugs, and smoking Hyperhomocysteinemia that causes an increase in the blood pressure is known (see Non-Patent Document 1). In vivo homocysteine is either 1) dependent on vitamin B12 and folic acid and metabolized by a pathway involving methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase, or 2) dependent on vitamin B6 and by a pathway involving cystathionine synthase. It is known to be metabolized.

  In the conventional technique, as a treatment for hyperhomocysteinemia, folic acid administration for smoothly promoting homocysteine metabolism is used as the first stage treatment, and vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are administered as the second stage (non-non-biotic). Patent Document 1). However, in order to expect a homocysteine-lowering effect, folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 must be ingested at a dose that greatly exceeds the daily required intake, and such enzyme cofactors are administered in large amounts. There are concerns about side effects.

In addition, it is conceivable to suppress or lower the increase in blood homocysteine concentration by using daily food materials, and as such food materials, for example, green coffee bean extract (Patent Document 1) is proposed. However, no food ingredients have been reported so far that are used in combination with vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid to enhance these effects safely and synergistically.
JP 2006-16311 A Progress in Medicine, Vol.19, No.8, 1999 p. 49-54

  An object of the present invention is to provide a composition capable of synergistically and safely enhancing the blood homocysteine lowering action by intake of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid.

  The present inventors examined the blood homocysteine lowering effect by ingestion of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid, and found that the effect was not dependent on the dose but reached the peak. And as a result of earnest research to further enhance this action, it is possible to synergistically increase the homocysteine lowering action and / or the rise inhibiting action by blending sesamin with vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid. The headline and the present invention were completed.

That is, the present invention is as follows.
1. A composition containing vitamin B group consisting of one or more of vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid, and sesamin.
2. A composition containing vitamin B group consisting of vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid and sesamin.
3. 3. The composition according to 1 or 2 above, wherein the total weight of the vitamin B group is 1 to 500 (weight ratio), where the total weight of sesamin is 100.
4). 4. The composition according to any one of 1 to 3 above, wherein the sesamin is selected from sesamin, episesamin, or a mixture thereof.
5. The composition according to any one of the above items 1 to 4, which is a food or drink.
6). An agent for improving hyperhomocysteinemia, comprising as an active ingredient a vitamin B group consisting of one or more of vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid, and sesamin.
7). A hyperhomocysteinemia improving agent comprising vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, and sesamin as active ingredients.

  The present invention provides a composition containing a vitamin B group consisting of one or more of vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid, which has an action to improve hyperhomocysteinemia, and sesamin. Sesamin, a component derived from the B vitamins and sesame seeds, is a safe substance that has been ingested as a food and drink for many years, and it is safe to ingest orally over the medium and long term. The composition of the present invention is effective for the prevention, amelioration and treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia and related diseases. In addition, by orally administering sesamin and vitamin B group, not only hyperhomocysteinemia ameliorating action, but also other physiological activities can be expected to be additively or synergistically effective. Can be provided as.

(Vitamin B6, B12, folic acid)
The composition of the present invention contains at least one component of vitamin B group consisting of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid as an essential component. Here, vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid may be those usually used in foods and drinks and pharmaceuticals, and may be synthesized by a known method or obtained as a commercial product. Examples of vitamin B6 include pyridoxine, pyridoxal, or salts thereof (hydrochloride, sulfate, nitrate, hydrobromide, phosphate, etc.), preferably pyridoxine hydrochloride and pyridoxal phosphate. . Examples of vitamin B12 include cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, mecobalamin or salts thereof (hydrochloride, sulfate, nitrate, hydrobromide, phosphate, etc.), preferably cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin hydrochloride. , Hydroxocobalamin acetate and mecobalamin. Examples of folic acids include pteroylglutamate, 7,8-dihydropteroylglutamate, and their polyglutamines in a broad sense. These vitamins B6, B12 and folic acids can be used singly or in combination of two or more. These components are not limited to the production method, and any of natural extracts, microbial fermentation products, and synthetic products can be used.

  It is known that the vitamin B group consisting of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid has an action of reducing the homocysteine concentration in the blood. Vitamin B6 acts as a coenzyme for degradation enzymes that metabolize from homocysteine to cysteine, and folic acid and vitamin B12 act as coenzymes for degradation enzymes that metabolize from homocysteine to methionine. However, if the vitamin B group is not administered in a large amount, its effect cannot be expected, and side effects when ingested in a large amount may become a problem. Further, according to the present inventors, it has been found that even if a large amount of vitamin B group is ingested, an effect beyond a certain level cannot be obtained, that is, the effect reaches a peak.

The composition of the present invention can ingest vitamin B group in a safe amount, and has enhanced blood homocysteine concentration lowering action of vitamin B group.
(Sesamin)
The composition of the present invention synergistically increased the activity of the above-mentioned vitamin B group by blending sesamin with one or more components of vitamin B group consisting of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid. It is characterized by. The sesamin of the present invention includes sesamin and its analogs. Examples of the sesamin analog include episesamin and dioxabicyclo [3.3.0] octane derivatives described in JP-A-4-9331. Specific examples of sesamin can include sesamin, sesaminol, episesaminol, sesamorin and the like. Especially, since it is thought that sesamin and episesamin can exhibit an effect synergistically in this invention, it can illustrate as a more preferable aspect.

  The sesamin used for this invention is not restrict | limited at all by the form, manufacturing method, etc. For example, when sesamin is selected as the sesamin, sesamin (referred to as sesamin extract or concentrate) extracted from sesame oil by a known method (for example, a method described in JP-A-4-9331) is usually used. Although it can also be used, commercially available sesame oil (liquid state) can also be used as it is. However, when sesame oil is used, the sesamin content is low (usually less than 1%), so when trying to formulate the sesamin necessary to obtain the physiological effects of sesamin, per unit dosage of the formulated composition The volume can become too large, which can cause inconveniences. In particular, when formulated for oral administration, the dosage form (tablets, capsules, etc.) becomes too large, which causes problems in ingestion. Therefore, it is preferable to use a sesamin extract (or sesamin concentrate) from sesame oil from the viewpoint that the amount of intake may be small. In addition, since the flavor peculiar to sesame oil may be evaluated to be sensory unfavorable, the sesamin extract (or sesamin concentrate) may be made tasteless and odorless by a known means such as activated clay treatment.

  Thus, as sesamin, it is preferable to use a sesamin concentrate obtained by improving the concentration of sesamin by extraction and / or purification from a food-derived material such as sesame oil. The degree of concentration may be appropriately set depending on the type of sesamin used and the form of the composition to be blended. Usually, a sesamin concentrate concentrated so that the total amount of sesamin is 1% by weight or more is used. Is preferred. The total sesamin content in the sesamin concentrate is preferably 20% by weight or more, more preferably 50% by weight or more, still more preferably 70% by weight or more, and is concentrated (purified) to 90% by weight or more. Is optimal. In addition, as long as the metabolite of sesamin shows the effect of this invention, it is a sesamin analog contained in the sesamin of this invention, and can be used for this invention.

(Composition, food and drink, feed)
The composition containing vitamin B6, B12, folic acid and sesamin of the present invention can enhance the blood homocysteine lowering action of vitamin B6, B12, folic acid. In addition, since each component in this composition has its own physiological action and does not interfere with each other, the use of this composition as a health food effectively promotes health. Can do.

  The composition of the present invention contains one or more of vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid and sesamin. The blending amounts and blending ratios of sesamins, vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid in the composition of the present invention (food and beverage, feed, etc.) are not particularly limited as long as the effect of lowering homocysteine is exhibited. What is necessary is just to select suitably according to conditions, such as the form of a thing, and the disease state used as object.

  Sesamin is usually preferably formulated so that 1 to 200 mg can be ingested per day for an adult, more preferably about 5 to 100 mg. The daily intake of vitamin B group adults is generally 0.1 to 50 mg, 0.2 to 30 μg, and 10 to 800 μg per day for vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid, respectively. 0.2 to 30 mg, 0.5 to 20 μg, and 50 to 500 μg.

  Depending on the total weight of the composition, for example, sesamin can be blended in the composition of the present invention in an amount of about 1 to 100 mg, preferably 1 to 60 mg, more preferably about 3 to 60 mg. Moreover, the vitamin B group contains vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid in the range of about 0.1 to 50 mg, 0.2 to 30 μg and 10 to 800 μg, respectively, preferably 0.1 to 30 mg, 0.5 to 20 μg, 20 ˜500 μg, more preferably 0.2 to 20 mg, 0.5 to 10 μg, 20 to 200 μg, and so on.

  The blending ratio of sesamin in the composition of the present invention is preferably 1% by weight or more, more preferably 1 to 50% by weight, and further preferably 1 to 10% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition. However, when the composition of the present invention is a liquid preparation, the total blending ratio of sesamins with respect to the total weight of the composition is about 0.0002 to 0.4% by weight, preferably 0.001 to 0.001. It can mix | blend so that it may be 0.04 weight%, More preferably, it is 0.002-0.01 weight%. The liquid referred to herein means a water-soluble liquid that is provided in the form of a container-packed beverage, and includes, for example, soft drinks, tea beverages, drinks, syrups and the like as described below.

  The mixing ratio of sesamin, vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid in the composition is not particularly limited as long as the effect of reducing homocysteine is exhibited, and is appropriately determined depending on conditions such as the form of the composition and the target disease state. However, when one or more of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid are blended, vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid are each preferably 0.1% with respect to 100 parts by weight of sesamin. It is a ratio of -1000 weight part, 0.0001-10 weight part, and 0.01-100 weight part. More preferably, the ratio is 1 to 500 parts by weight, 0.001 to 1 part by weight, and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, respectively, and most preferably 10 to 500 parts by weight, 0.01 to 1 part by weight, 0 .1 to 5 parts by weight. This ratio is based on sesamin of each component when any one or two or more of vitamin B6, B12 or folic acid is blended, and for the component not used, the component is 0 part by weight.

The total weight of the vitamin B group is most preferably 1 to 500 (weight ratio), where the total weight of sesamin is 100.
(Hyperhomocysteinemia improving agent)
Since the composition of the present invention has an excellent homocysteine lowering action and / or elevation-inhibiting action, it is also useful as a hyperhomocysteinemia improving agent. The definition of “improved” herein includes not only reducing or treating hyperhomocysteinemia, but also preventing or preventing it. In the present specification, the “improving agent” refers to an agent used for the improvement.

  Homocysteine (hereinafter abbreviated as Hcy) is measured as a total homocysteine value in the clinical examination or the like in combination with oxidized and reduced forms. In general, the normal value of the total Hcy concentration in the fasting is 5 to 15 μmol / L (preferably less than 6 μmol / L), and hyperhomocysteinemia is mild 15 to 30 μmol / L, moderate 30 to 100 μmol. / L, altitude> 100 μmol / L.

  The hyperhomocysteinemia-improving agent of the present invention exhibits a slightly higher value even in the above-mentioned patients with hyperhomocysteinemia (patients whose blood total Hcy concentration in the fasting exceeds 15 μmol / L) or normal values. It is preferably used for patients (patients whose fasting blood total Hcy concentration is 6 to 15 μmol / L). When the total Hcy concentration in blood exceeds 14 μmol / L, it has been reported that the risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia is doubled. Therefore, the hyperhomocysteinemia-improving agent of the present invention can be used as a preventive agent for Alzheimer's dementia. It can be said that it is useful.

Here, the subject (patient) to which the hyperhomocysteinemia improving agent of the present invention is administered is not only a human but also a mammal such as a domestic animal for work, a hound, a racehorse, a pet, and other animals.
The total blood Hcy concentration is a mutation of enzymes essential for Hcy metabolism (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, cystathionine synthase, methionine synthase), deficiency of vitamin B group (vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate), decreased renal function, Aging, sex (male), malignant tumors (breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, acute leukemia, etc.), psoriasis, drugs (methotrexate, phenytoin, carbamazevin, niacin, theophylline, oral contraceptives, etc.), smoking and drinking It rises due to various causes. The agent for improving hyperhomocysteinemia as referred to in the present invention refers to an agent that suppresses the increase in the total blood Hcy concentration that increases due to these various causes or reduces the increased blood total Hcy concentration. .

  The hyperhomocysteinemia-improving agent of the present invention is effective in suppressing the blood Hcy concentration that rises mildly due to deficiency or deficiency of the vitamin B group, smoking, drinking, etc., and particularly deficiency or deficiency of the vitamin B group It is preferably used for mammals. Further, since the hyperhomocysteinemia improving agent of the present invention is expected to exert its effect even when used in combination with a drug, it is also useful for suppressing blood Hcy concentration increased by the above drug. . In middle-aged and elderly people, asymptomatic cerebral infarction (SBI) has been found in about 25% of people by MRI diagnosis even in the absence of subjective symptoms, and SBI and hyperhomocysteinemia are reported to be positively proportional. ing. The hyperhomocysteinemia-improving agent of the present invention can also be taken daily as a preventive or therapeutic agent for such age-related diseases or symptoms.

  In addition, since it has been reported that aging of body tissues is promoted by accumulation of homocysteine in the body, the homocysteinemia improving agent of the present invention is an anti-cancer agent for preventing or improving aging of body tissues. It is also useful as an aging agent.

(Dosage form of composition, food and drink, and agent)
In the composition of the present invention, an active ingredient having an arbitrary physiological action can be blended in addition to the vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid and sesamin as long as the effect is not impaired. For example, vitamins such as vitamin E, vitamin C and vitamin A and antioxidants can be blended. Further, when the composition of the present invention or health food is formulated, for example, an emulsifier, a tonicity agent (isotonic agent), a buffer, a solubilizer, a preservative, a stabilizer, an antioxidant, a diluent. In addition, carriers, excipients and the like can be appropriately blended. Examples of diluents and carriers include liquid diluents such as water, ethanol, propylene glycol, and glycerin, and solid diluents or excipients such as glucose, sucrose, dextrin, cyclodextrin, and gum arabic. .

  In the present invention, health food refers to, for example, a preparation or food containing the composition itself containing the vitamin B6, B12, folic acid and sesamin of the present invention as an active ingredient, such as capsules and tablets, and general foods. The above-mentioned composition of the present invention is added as a single component, and a functional food (specific health food or (Contains conditional health foods).

  The composition or health food of the present invention containing vitamin B6, B12, folic acid and sesamin is not particularly limited in form, for example, solid form such as powder, granule, tablet, etc .; solution It can be prepared in any form, such as a liquid such as a liquid, emulsion or dispersion; or a semi-solid such as a paste. Specific dosage forms include powders, granules, fine granules, tablets, pills, troches, capsules (including soft capsules and hard capsules), chewables, drinks (solutions and suspensions). Syrup) and the like.

  When using the composition of the present invention as a food or drink, there is no particular limitation on the type and form of the food and drink, and conventional food and drink materials are added to vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid and sesamin which are active ingredients. Can be prepared. For example, beverages such as juice, milk, coffee drinks, soft drinks, tea drinks, liquid foods such as soups, pasty foods such as yogurt, semi-solid foods such as jelly and gummi, solid foods such as cookies and gums, Any food or drink such as oil-containing foods such as dressing and mayonnaise may be used.

The present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the following examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
Example 1. Blood homocysteine concentration lowering effect Vitamin B6, B12, folic acid and low dose sesamin were ingested to verify the homocysteine lowering effect.

  Sprague Dawley male rats (9 weeks old) were purchased from Charles River Japan Co., Ltd. and acclimated in a test environment for 1 week, and animals that showed normal growth were used for the test. On the day before the start of the test, the rats were divided into 4 groups each consisting of 3 animals, and the first group was a low-vitamin diet prepared by partially modifying AIN-93G (1/5 vitamin content of normal diet. In 100 g diet). The amount of vitamin B6: 0.12 mg, vitamin B12: 0.5 μg, folic acid: 0.04 mg: Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd.), and the second group is a normal feed prepared by partially modifying AIN-93G (Ordinary vitamin amount: Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd.) and the remaining third and fourth groups were prepared by partially modifying AIN-93G (a vitamin amount twice that of normal feed. 100 g of feed) The amount of vitamin B6: 1.2mg, vitamin B12: 5μg, folic acid: 0.4mg: Oriental Yeast Industry Co., Ltd.) was raised for 2 weeks. In the fourth group, sesamin (sesamin / episesamin mixture; sesamin: episesamin (weight ratio) = 5: 5) was dissolved in olive oil at a dose of 20 mg / Kg and administered orally using a sonde. The daily vitamin intake is 0.072 mg / Kg, 0.3 μg / Kg, and 0.024 mg / Kg for vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid, respectively, in the low vitamin feed intake group. , Vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid correspond to 0.72 mg / Kg, 3 μg / Kg and 0.24 mg / Kg, respectively. This administration was carried out at a rate of 5 times / week for 2 weeks, and after fasting overnight, blood was collected, and the amount of plasma homocysteine (total homocysteine concentration in blood) was measured. The amount of homocysteine was measured by Kuo K et al. (1997) Clin. Chem. 43, 1653. Specifically, after blood collection, EDTA plasma was separated, the thiol group of homocysteine was reduced, and then deproteinized with acid. After neutralization, the sample was diluted with a buffer, fluorescently labeled, and analyzed by HPLC. For HPLC analysis, column: Develosil RP AQUEOUS-AR, fluorescence: Ex. 385 nm / Em. 515 nm, flow rate: 0.8 ml / min, buffer: 0.1 M KH2PO4 (4% AcCN, pH 2.0) was used. The result is shown in FIG.

  From FIG. 1, compared with the low vitamin feed group, the amount of homocysteine decreased in the normal feed group and the high vitamin feed group, and the effect of lowering homocysteine by vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid intake was observed. However, there was no difference between the normal feed group and the high-vitamin feed group, suggesting that even if vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid intake are increased, these homocysteine-lowering effects may have peaked. Here, in the group in which high-vitamin diet was combined with 20 mg / Kg administration of sesamin, the result was that the amount of homocysteine was further reduced compared to the high-vitamin diet group, and vitamin B6, B12, folic acid and sesamin It was clarified that when taken in combination, it exerts a synergistic homocysteine lowering effect.

Reference Example: Blood homocysteine lowering effect by low-volume sesamin administration In the same manner as in Example 1, the blood homocysteine lowering effect of rats administered orally with a low-volume (20 mg / Kg) sesamin was examined.

  Sprague Dawley male rats (9 weeks old) were purchased from Charles River Japan Co., Ltd. and acclimated in a test environment for 1 week, and animals that showed normal growth were used for the test. On the day before the start of the test, the rats were divided into 2 groups each consisting of 3 animals, and both were bred for 2 weeks on the low vitamin diet used in Example 1, and then the control group was olive oil at a dose of 3 mg / Kg and the sesamin group. Sesamin (sesamin / episesamin mixture; sesamin: episesamin (weight ratio) = 5: 5) was dissolved in olive oil at a dose of 20 mg / kg and was orally administered using a sonde. This administration was performed at a rate of 5 times / week for 2 weeks, blood was collected after fasting overnight, and the amount of plasma homocysteine was measured. The results are shown in FIG. No change in the amount of homocysteine was observed in the sesamin 20 mg / Kg administration group, and it was revealed that even when ingested sesamin at a low dose, no homocysteine lowering effect was shown.

  Accordingly, the blood homocysteine lowering action of the sesamin obtained in Example 1 is not exhibited by sesamin alone, but is exerted so as to enhance the action of the vitamin B group when used in combination with the vitamin B group. It was found to be a synergistic effect.

Example 2: Formulation Example (Formulation Example 1) Granule Sesamin 2.0 g
Vitamin B6 900mg
Vitamin B12 1.4mg
Folic acid 60mg
Tocopherol acetate 20g
Silica 10g
Corn starch 167g
After uniformly mixing the above powder components, 100 ml of a 10% hydroxypropylcellulose / ethanol solution was added, kneaded as usual, extruded, and dried to obtain granules.

(Formulation Example 2) Capsule Gelatin 60.0%
Glycerin 30.0%
Methyl paraoxybenzoate 0.15%
Propyl paraoxybenzoate 0.51%
Appropriate amount of water The following composition was filled in a soft capsule skin made of the above-mentioned components by a conventional method to obtain about 360 mg of soft capsules per tablet.

Sesamin 3.5mg
Vitamin B6 0.4mg
Vitamin B12 0.7μg
Folic acid 45μg
Glycerin fatty acid ester 15.0mg
Beeswax 15.0mg
Wheat germ oil 257mg
(Formulation example 3) Tablet sesamin 20g
Vitamin B6 3g
Vitamin B12 3.5mg
Folic acid 200mg
259g starch
Sucrose fatty acid ester 9.0g
9.0g of silicon oxide
These components were mixed, and tableted with a single tableting machine to produce a tablet with a diameter of 9 mm and a weight of 300 mg.

(Formulation example 4) Drink agent Taste: DL-sodium tartrate 0.1 g
0.009 g of succinic acid
Sweetness: 800g liquid sugar
Acidity: Citric acid 12g
Vitamin C 50g
Sesamin 1g
Vitamin B6 100mg
Vitamin B12 240μg
Folic acid 16mg
Vitamin E 6g
Cyclodextrin 5g
Emulsifier 5g
Fragrance 15ml
1g potassium chloride
Magnesium sulfate 0.5g
The above ingredients were blended and water was added to make 10 liters. About 100ml of this drink is drunk.

  The present invention shows an excellent homocysteine lowering action, and sesamin has known antithrombotic action, blood pressure lowering action, cholesterol lowering action, etc., and therefore, arteriosclerosis, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, ischemic heart It is useful for prevention or treatment of diseases, circulatory dysfunction, peripheral vascular disorders, Alzheimer's disease, and other symptoms caused by blood vessels.

It is a figure which shows the homocysteine lowering effect by vitamin B6, B12, folic acid, and sesamin. It is a figure which shows the homocysteine reduction effect of sesamin 20mg / Kg intake.

Claims (3)

Vitamin B group consisting of one or more of vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid and sesamin are active ingredients, and the total weight of vitamin B group is 1 to 500 (100 total sesamin weight) Agent for reducing blood homocysteine concentration (excluding those intended for patients with arteriosclerosis or Alzheimer's disease) . The agent for reducing blood homocysteine concentration according to claim 1, wherein the vitamin B group comprises vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid (excluding those intended for patients with arteriosclerosis or Alzheimer's disease) . The agent for lowering blood homocysteine concentration according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sesamin is selected from sesamin, episesamin, or a mixture thereof (excluding those intended for patients with arteriosclerosis or Alzheimer's disease) .