JP7385325B2 - Composition for improving locomotive syndrome - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a composition for improving locomotive syndrome containing a natural plant material as an active ingredient.

Kuromoji, a plant in the Lauraceae family, is a deciduous shrub that is widely distributed from southern Hokkaido to Kyushu. Its branches and leaves are called usho and have been used since ancient times as raw materials for crude and folk medicines that help the digestive system. I've been exposed to it. It is also characterized by its pleasant aroma, and is used in high-quality toothpicks to accompany Japanese sweets, and the essential oil obtained through steam distillation is used for aroma purposes.

Hitherto, various functionalities have been reported for this Kuromoji. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a melanin production inhibitor consisting of an extract of the bark of the bark of the Lauraceae family. Further, Patent Document 2 describes an anti-Helicobacter pylori agent containing an extract of plants such as Kuromoji as an active ingredient. Moreover, Patent Document 3 describes an alcohol damage preventive agent containing a crushed product of a part of a plant of the Lauraceae family such as Kuromoji or a fat-soluble solvent extract thereof. Further, Patent Document 4 describes a protease inhibitor containing an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Lindera Thunb. as an active ingredient. Further, Patent Document 5 describes a cosmetic composition characterized by containing steam-distilled water of plants of the Lauraceae family, such as Kuromoji. Further, Patent Document 6 describes an anti-influenza virus agent containing an extract of plants such as Kuromoji as an active ingredient. Moreover, Patent Document 7 describes a hypotensive agent characterized by containing a plant such as Kuromoji or an extract thereof. Further, Patent Document 8 describes a Maillard reaction inhibitor containing a plant extract such as Kuromoji as an active ingredient. Further, Patent Document 9 describes an IgE production suppressing composition and an anti-allergic composition characterized by containing a processed product of plants such as Kuromoji. Moreover, Patent Document 10 describes a ceramidase activity inhibitor characterized by containing an extract of plants such as Kuromoji as an active ingredient.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-277941 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-001429 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-344675 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-122728 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-226218 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-059463 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-051129 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-077123 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-180141 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-124984

An object of the present invention is to provide a composition that has excellent functionality using natural plant materials that are compatible with forms of use such as foods.

As a result of intensive research to achieve the above objective, the present inventors found that the Kuromoji extract extracted from Kuromoji, a plant of the Lauraceae family, has the effect of suppressing the decline in bone density, the effect of suppressing the decline in muscle mass, and the effect of suppressing the decline in joints. We have discovered an effect of suppressing the decrease in proteoglycan levels and have completed the present invention.

That is, firstly, the present invention provides a composition for improving locomotive syndrome, which is characterized by containing Kuromoji extract as an active ingredient.

In the above composition for improving locomotive syndrome, the composition is preferably used for maintaining or strengthening bones.

Further, in the above-mentioned composition for improving locomotive syndrome, it is preferable that the composition is used for muscle maintenance.

Moreover, in the above-mentioned composition for improving locomotive syndrome, it is preferable that the composition is used for joint protection.

Moreover, in the above-mentioned composition for improving locomotive syndrome, it is preferable that the Kuromoji extract contains a hot water extract of Kuromoji.

According to the present invention, Kuromoji extract extracted from Kuromoji, a plant belonging to the Lauraceae family, has the effect of suppressing the decrease in bone density, the effect of suppressing the decrease in muscle mass, and the effect of suppressing the decrease in the amount of proteoglycan in the joints. It became clear. As a result, it is possible to provide a composition having excellent functionality, such as a composition for improving locomotive syndrome, by using the kuromoji extract as an active ingredient. The composition is also suitable for use in foods and the like.

2 is a chart showing the results of verifying the effect of administering Klomoji extract to lifestyle-related disease model mice on bone density in Test Example 1, (a) is a chart showing the results regarding the Klomoji extract administration group, (b) is a chart showing the results of a positive control using a reference drug. 2 is a chart showing the results of verifying the effect of administration of Kuromoji extract to lifestyle-related disease model mice on muscle mass in Test Example 2. 2 is a chart showing an example of the results of verifying the amount of proteoglycan expressed in the joint region of normal rats in Test Example 3, (a) is a visible image of a safranin O-stained specimen microscopically observed, and (b) is a visible image of a safranin O-stained specimen; (c) is an image in which the red-stained parts are whitened out by digital processing of the image, and (c) is an image in which the visible image is digitally processed and the red-stained parts of the red-stained parts are colored red. 2 is a chart showing an example of the results of verifying the amount of proteoglycan expressed in the joint region of a diabetic model rat in Test Example 3, (a) is a visible image of a microscopic observation of a safranin O-stained specimen, and (b) is a (c) is an image in which the visible image is digitally processed to make the red stained area white, and (c) is an image in which the visible image is digitally processed and the red stained area is colored red. be. FIG. 2 is a chart showing an example of the results of verifying the effect of administration of Kuromoji extract to a diabetic model rat on the amount of proteoglycan in a joint region in Test Example 3; (a) is a visible image of a microscopic observation of a safranin O-stained specimen; FIG. , (b) is an image in which the visible image is digitally processed and the red stained area is highlighted, and (c) is an image in which the visible image is digitally processed and the red of the red stained area becomes darker. This is a statue with parts colored red. 2 is a chart showing an example of the results of verifying the amount of proteoglycans expressed in the joints of normal mice in Test Example 4, (a) is a visible image of a safranin O-stained specimen microscopically observed, and (b) is a visible image of a safranin O-stained specimen; (c) is an image in which the red-stained parts are whitened out by digital processing of the image, and (c) is an image in which the visible image is digitally processed and the red-stained parts of the red-stained parts are colored red. 2 is a chart showing an example of the results of verifying the amount of proteoglycans expressed in the joint sites of lifestyle-related disease model mice in Test Example 4, (a) is a visible image of a microscopic observation of a safranin O-stained specimen, (b) (c) is an image in which the visible image is digitally processed to make the red stained area white, and (c) is an image in which the visible image is digitally processed and the red stained area is colored red. It is. FIG. 2 is a chart showing an example of the results of verifying the effect of administration of Kuromoji extract to lifestyle-related disease model mice on the amount of proteoglycans in joint sites in Test Example 4, in which (a) shows the visible image of microscopic observation of a safranin O-stained specimen. (b) is an image in which the visible image is digitally processed and the red stained area is highlighted, and (c) is an image in which the visible image is digitally processed and the red of the red stained area is dyed more deeply. This is a statue with the lower part colored in red. 2 is a chart showing an example of the results of verifying the effect of administering metformin hydrochloride, a hypoglycemic agent, to lifestyle-related disease model mice on the amount of proteoglycans in joint sites in Test Example 4; (a) is a Safranin O-stained specimen; (b) is an image in which the visible image is digitally processed to highlight the red stained area, and (c) is an image in which the visible image is digitally processed to show the red stained area in white. The part of the image that is darker in red is colored red. 12 is a table showing the results of comparing the stained area of the knee joint part by safranin O staining in Test Example 4 using relative values when the average value of the normal group is taken as 100.

The present invention has discovered that Kuromoji extract extracted from Kuromoji, a plant belonging to the Lauraceae family, has the effect of suppressing the decrease in bone density, the effect of suppressing the decrease in muscle mass, and the effect of suppressing the decrease in the amount of proteoglycan in the joints, Based on this, the present invention provides a composition for improving locomotive syndrome. Moreover, the composition for improving locomotive syndrome is used for maintaining or strengthening bones, for maintaining muscles, and for protecting joints. That is, it provides a composition with functionality that acts on the living body of humans and animals, and hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it may be referred to as a "functional composition" or simply "composition."

The source of the Kuromoji extract used in the present invention may be any plant belonging to the genus Lindera, such as Lindera umbellata Thunb., Lindera umbellata var. membranacea (Maxim.) Momiya. ma) , Lindera umbellata var. lancea Momiyama, Lindera sericea (Sieb.et Zucc.) Blume, Lindera sericea var. glabr Lindera triloba (Sieb. et Zucc. Blume), USA Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume, Lindera glauca Blume, Lindera obtusiloba Blume, Lindera strychnifolia (Sie b.et Zucc.) F. Vill.). Among these, black moji (Lindera umbellata Thunb.) is particularly preferred.

There are no particular restrictions on the parts of the plants mentioned above, and examples include trunk branches, stems, foliage, leaves, bark, roots, rhizomes, rhizomes, stems, flowers, seeds, pericarp, pulp, fruits, above-ground parts, underground parts, whole parts. Examples include trees. Among these, trunk branches are particularly preferred.

In the present invention, an extract is prepared from the above plant and used as an active ingredient. More specifically, Kuromoji extract, which is an extract of Kuromoji, is used as the component responsible for the above-mentioned functionality. The extraction solvent used for the extraction may be any suitable one, and typically includes water, organic solvents, and water-containing organic solvents. In particular, water is more preferable. Examples of the organic solvent include lower aliphatic alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, and water-compatible organic solvents such as ethyl acetate, acetone, chloroform, and n-hexane. These organic solvents can also be used in combination of two or more. Further, when using a water-containing organic solvent, the content of the organic solvent may range from more than 0% by volume to less than 100% by volume, but preferably 50% by volume or less, and 5 to 50% by volume. It is more preferably 10 to 45% by volume, even more preferably 10 to 45% by volume, and particularly preferably 20 to 40% by volume. Furthermore, when ethanol or aqueous ethanol is used for the extraction, aqueous ethanol with an ethanol content of 50% by volume or less is preferable, aqueous ethanol with an ethanol content of 5 to 50% by volume is more preferable, and aqueous ethanol with an ethanol content of 10 to 45% by volume is more preferable. Ethanol is even more preferred, and aqueous ethanol with an ethanol content of 20 to 40% by volume is particularly preferred.

As a specific extraction method, a general extraction method can be adopted. For example, after appropriately cutting the dried trunk and branches of Kuromoji, the total mass is 1 to 50 times, preferably 5 to 5 times. It is possible to add 20 times the amount of extraction solvent and perform immersion/heat extraction for about 1 to 24 hours at room temperature to the boiling point of the solvent used. If necessary, extraction may be performed under pressure. After extraction, the solvent may be removed by filtering as necessary, concentrating the obtained extract under reduced pressure, or freeze-drying, and prepare the desired extract as appropriate. be able to. The drying means may be vacuum drying or spray drying. Note that, for example, when the extraction solvent is water, the extraction temperature is preferably 5 to 100°C, more preferably 30 to 100°C, and even more preferably 50 to 100°C. Furthermore, when the extraction solvent is ethanol or aqueous ethanol, the extraction temperature is preferably 5 to 70°C, more preferably 30 to 70°C, and even more preferably 50 to 70°C. .

As shown in the examples below, the Kuromoji extract obtained as described above has the effect of suppressing the decrease in bone density, the effect of suppressing the decrease in muscle mass, and the effect of suppressing the decrease in the amount of proteoglycan in the joints. Are better. Therefore, by acting on the living body, it can be effectively used to improve locomotive syndrome. Further, the functional composition according to the present invention can be effectively used for maintaining or strengthening bones, maintaining muscles, and protecting joints. Note that "improvement" means that applying the composition of the present invention makes various symptoms and physical conditions better for the user than when not applying it, and also means that the composition of the present invention makes various symptoms and physical conditions better for the user. The meaning also includes preventive application to maintain good condition.

Here, locomotive syndrome generally refers to a state in which locomotion function is reduced due to a decline in the function of one or more of locomotor organs such as bones, muscles, and joints. These muscles, bones, and joints support each other, so even if you try to improve one part of the function, it is unlikely to lead to a major improvement in locomotor function. For example, if your skeletal muscles weaken due to lack of exercise, your muscles will not stimulate your bones enough, and your bones will become weaker. Even if you try to improve your bones alone, if your muscles are weakened, your bones will not improve, and your mobility will improve significantly. cannot be expected. When the functions of multiple areas are degraded in this way, it can be said that it is more effective to improve the multiple areas together than to improve any one part. According to the present invention, it is possible to expect the effect of improving the function of any of a plurality of parts such as bones, muscles, and joints, and therefore, it is possible to effectively improve a state in which movement function is deteriorated.

Compositions according to the invention may, for example, be administered orally. There are no particular restrictions on the form for oral administration, and solid, liquid, or emulsified forms can be prepared using the above-described Kuromoji extract and base materials, carriers, solvents, etc. that are acceptable for oral administration. , a paste-like product, a jelly-like product, or the like. Further, it can be in the form of tablets, granules, powders, liquids, capsules, and the like. It is also possible to prepare the above-described Kromodi extract by mixing it with a suitable carrier, preferably fatty acid triglyceride, and filling it in a liquid state into soft capsules or the like.

On the other hand, the composition according to the invention may be administered parenterally, for example by external application to the skin. There are no particular restrictions on the form for this purpose, including solutions, emulsions, dispersants, suspending agents, stabilizers, etc., poultices, lotions, ointments, tinctures, creams, etc. It can be used in

In formulation, commonly used excipients, binders, disintegrants, lubricants, stabilizers, surfactants, solubilizing agents, Auxiliary agents, reducing agents, buffering agents, adsorbents, fluidizing agents, antistatic agents, antioxidants, sweeteners, flavoring agents, cooling agents, light shielding agents, flavoring agents, fragrances, fragrances, coating agents, plasticizers One or more types of formulation additives such as agents may be appropriately selected and added.

Specifically, such formulation additives include, for example, crystalline cellulose, low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, croscarmellose sodium, maltodextrin, ethylcellulose, lactose, sorbitol, silicic anhydride, and silicic acid. Magnesium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, stearic acid, oleic acid, liquid paraffin, dicalcium phosphate, dibutyl sebatate, macrogol, propylene glycol, corn starch, starch, pregelatinized starch, gelatin, povidone, crospovidone, glycerin, polysorbate 80, citric acid. Examples include acids, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, sodium carbonate, talc, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, and the like.

In the composition for improving locomotive syndrome according to the present invention, the above-described Kuromoji extract is used as an active ingredient, and other ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, and dietary fiber may be added.

The composition for improving locomotive syndrome according to the present invention preferably contains 0.001 to 99% by mass, and preferably 0.01 to 70% by mass of the above-mentioned Kuromoji extract as an active ingredient in terms of dry matter. The content is more preferably 0.05 to 50% by mass, and even more preferably 0.05 to 50% by mass.

When the composition for improving locomotive syndrome according to the present invention is orally administered to humans, the dosage varies depending on the age and body weight, but for example, the amount of the above-mentioned kuromoji extract per day for an adult is 1. It is preferably about 0 mg to 50 g, more preferably about 5.0 mg to 20 g, and even more preferably about 10 mg to 10 g.

There are no particular limitations on the usage form of the composition for improving locomotive syndrome according to the present invention. For example, it may be in the form of functional foods, supplements, medicines, cosmetics, etc. Note that these forms are not limited to those for humans, but may also be for animals. More specifically, foods with functional claims, foods for specified health uses, health foods, functional foods, nutritional supplements, supplements, pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, health foods for animals, functional foods for animals, and animals. It can be used in various product forms such as nutritional supplements for animals, supplements for animals, pharmaceuticals for animals, quasi-drugs for animals, and cosmetics for animals, or in combination with these products.

The composition for improving locomotive syndrome according to the present invention may be used in the form of a food composition. That is, by blending a predetermined amount of the Kuromoji extract described above into food or drink, a food composition that exhibits predetermined functionality can be obtained. Specifically, examples of solid, powdered, and granular products include biscuits, cookies, cakes, snacks, various confectionery such as rice crackers, bread, powdered drinks (powdered coffee, powdered cocoa, etc.), and candy. , caramel, etc., but are not limited to these. In addition, examples of liquid, emulsified, paste, and jelly-like products include various products such as drinks, jelly, and mousse, and medicinal liquors, but are not limited to these. Furthermore, it may be in the form of a food additive composition used to be added to these foods and drinks.

The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to Examples, but these Examples do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[Preparation example 1]
After cutting the dried trunk and branches of Lindera umbellata Thunb., 10 times the amount of water relative to the total mass was added and heated, and after boiling, immersion and heating extraction was performed for 1 hour. After extraction, insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the resulting extract was concentrated under reduced pressure, and the extraction solvent was removed by freeze-drying to obtain a dry powdered Kuromoji extract.

<Test Example 1>
Using the Kromoji extract powder (hot water extract) obtained in Preparation Example 1, the effect on bone density was verified.

A lifestyle-related disease model mouse, C57BLKS/J Iar-+Lwprdb /+Lwprdb (db/db mouse), was used for the evaluation. When compared to normal mice, C57BLKS/J Iar-m+/+Lwprdb (db/+ mice), lifestyle-related disease model mice show a decrease in bone density, but can Kuromoji extract suppress this? Please rate it.

Specifically, the animals used (lifestyle-related disease model mice and normal mice, male, 7 weeks old) were pre-housed for one week, and then kept in fresh air, temperature: 24±2℃, humidity: 50±10%, lighting time. : The animals were kept in a breeding room in a barrier facility that was set for 12 hours a day (7:00 to 19:00). Radiation sterilized solid feed (Labo MR Stock, Nippon Nosan Kogyo Co., Ltd.) was used as food, and chlorine-sterilized well water was available ad libitum from a water bottle for drinking water. Distilled water was administered to the normal group and control group, and 300 mg/kg/day was administered orally to the Kuromoji extract administered group every day for 12 weeks using an oral probe. In addition, as a reference drug, metformin hydrochloride, a hypoglycemic agent, was orally administered daily for 12 weeks using an oral probe at a dose of 350 mg/kg/day. After the administration period, whole blood was collected from the heart under isoflurane inhalation anesthesia, and the tibia of the right hind leg was collected and stored frozen until measurement of bone density. Bone density was measured using a microfocus X-ray CT scanner tomographic imaging (“Scan The cancellous bone at the proximal end of the tibia was photographed with a slice thickness of 10.334 μm, analyzed using analysis software (TRI/3D-BON, Ratoc System Engineering Co., Ltd.), and bone density was calculated using the following formula. .

Bone density (%) = cancellous bone volume/bone tissue volume x 100...(1)

The results of three cases for each test group are shown in FIG. 1 as the average value and standard deviation of bone density. In addition, the tests for the Kuromoji extract administration group and the positive control using the reference drug were conducted for the normal group and the control group on different days.

As a result, as shown in Figure 1(a), it is clear that administration of Kuromoji extract suppresses the decline in bone density in lifestyle-related disease model mice and maintains bone density to the level of normal mice. It became. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1(b), administration of the hypoglycemic agent used as the reference drug did not suppress the decrease in bone density.

<Test Example 2>
Using the Kuromoji extract powder (hot water extract) obtained in Preparation Example 1, the effect on muscle mass was verified.

A lifestyle-related disease model mouse, C57BLKS/J Iar-+Lwprdb /+Lwprdb (db/db mouse), was used for the evaluation. When compared to normal mice, C57BLKS/J Iar-m+/+Lwprdb (db/+ mice), lifestyle-related disease model mice show a decrease in muscle mass, but can Kuromoji extract suppress this? Please rate it.

Specifically, the animals used, preliminary breeding, breeding environment, feeding and water supply, and administration method of Kuromoji extract were all the same as in Test Example 1. However, two types of administration groups, 100 mg/kg/day and 300 mg/kg/day, were established as the Kuromoji extract administration groups. In addition, as a reference drug, metformin hydrochloride, a hypoglycemic agent, was orally administered daily for 12 weeks using an oral probe at a dose of 350 mg/kg/day. After the administration period, whole blood was collected from the heart under isoflurane inhalation anesthesia, and then the gastrocnemius muscle was collected and weighed.

The results of 9 to 10 cases for each test group are shown in FIG. 2 as the average value and standard deviation of the gastrocnemius muscle weight.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, administration of Kuromoji extract increased the muscle mass of lifestyle-related disease model mice, particularly in the 300 mg/kg/day administration group. On the other hand, administration of the hypoglycemic agent used as a reference drug did not result in an increase in muscle mass.

<Test Example 3>
Using the Kromodi extract powder (hot water extract) obtained in Preparation Example 1, the effect on the amount of proteoglycan in joint sites was verified.

In the evaluation, streptozotocin (STZ) was intraperitoneally injected into animals (Slc:SD rats, male, 6 weeks old) at a dose of 60 mg/kg/day, and blood sugar levels were measured 3 days after administration. Animals exhibiting a blood sugar level of 300 mg/dL or higher were used as a diabetic condition model. When compared with normal rats to which streptozotocin was not administered, the diabetic model rats showed a decrease in the amount of proteoglycans in the joints, and we evaluated whether Kromoji extract could suppress this.

Specifically, the animals used (Slc:SD rats, male, 6 weeks old) were pre-housed for 1 week, and then kept in all fresh air, temperature 24 ± 2°C, humidity: 50 ± 10%, lighting time: 12 days a day. The animals were kept in a breeding room in a barrier facility set at different times (7:00 to 19:00). Radiation sterilized solid feed (Labo MR Stock, Nippon Nosan Kogyo Co., Ltd.) was used as food, and chlorine-sterilized well water was available ad libitum from a water bottle for drinking water. Distilled water was administered to the normal group and control group, and 300 mg/kg/day was orally administered to the Kuromoji extract administered group every day for 8 weeks using an oral probe. After the administration period, all blood was collected from the abdominal aorta under isoflurane inhalation anesthesia, and then the tibia and femur of the left hind leg were preserved in 10% neutral buffered formalin without separating the knee joint. After the specimen was decalcified with EDTA, paraffin blocks were prepared and sliced into 3 μm thick sections using a microtome (LEICA SM200R) to prepare safranin O-stained specimens.

Proteoglycans stained red by Safranin O staining were observed under a microscope (“Digital Microscope VH-S30”, KEYENCE). In addition, the obtained images were analyzed using image analysis software (ImageJ), and the areas where red staining was visible in the knee joint were extracted, and the area and the areas with darker staining (predetermined by ImageJ software) were extracted. The area of the selected color density range was measured.

FIG. 3A shows an example of the results in normal rats to which streptozotocin was not administered. Further, FIG. 3B shows an example of the results in a diabetic model rat treated with streptozotocin. Moreover, FIG. 3C shows an example of the results when Kuromoji extract was administered to a diabetic model rat.

As seen in the comparison between FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, in the diabetic model rat, the area of the area heavily stained by proteoglycan expressed in the joint region was reduced compared to the normal rat. This indicates that in diabetic model rats, the amount of proteoglycans in joints is reduced compared to normal rats. On the other hand, as seen in FIG. 3C, when Kuromoji extract was administered to a diabetic model rat, the area of the area heavily stained with proteoglycans was restored. Therefore, it has been revealed that the decrease in the amount of proteoglycans in the joints of diabetic model rats can be suppressed by administration of Kuromoji extract.

<Test Example 4>
Using the Kromodi extract powder (hot water extract) obtained in Preparation Example 1, the effect on the amount of proteoglycan in joint sites was verified.

The same lifestyle-related disease model mice as in Test Example 2 were used for the evaluation. When compared with normal mice, lifestyle-related disease model mice show a decrease in the amount of proteoglycans in the joints, and we evaluated whether Kuromoji extract could suppress this.

Specifically, the animals used, preliminary breeding, breeding environment, feeding and water supply, and administration method of Kuromoji extract were all the same as in Test Example 1. However, a 300 mg/kg/day administration group was established as the Cromoji extract administration group, and metformin hydrochloride, a hypoglycemic agent, was administered as a reference drug at a dose of 350 mg/kg/day using an oral probe for 12 weeks. Measurements were carried out in the same manner as in Test Example 3, except that the drug was orally administered every day and this was added as a positive control.

FIG. 4A shows an example of the results in normal mice. Moreover, FIG. 4B shows an example of the results in a lifestyle-related disease model mouse. Moreover, FIG. 4C shows an example of the results when Kuromoji extract was administered to lifestyle-related disease model mice. Further, FIG. 4D shows an example of the results when metformin hydrochloride, a hypoglycemic agent, was administered to lifestyle-related disease model mice. Furthermore, Fig. 5 shows that Safranin O staining in the knee joint area was performed on 6 test animals in each group, and the area of the darker stained area was determined in the same manner as in Test Example 3, and the average of the normal group was calculated. The results are shown in terms of relative values when the value is 100.

The results were similar to those of Test Example 3. That is, as seen in the comparison between FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B and in FIG. 5, in the lifestyle-related disease model mouse, the area of the area where the proteoglycan expressed in the joint region is deeply stained was reduced compared to the normal mouse. This indicates that in lifestyle-related disease model mice, the amount of proteoglycans in the joints is reduced compared to normal mice. On the other hand, as seen in FIGS. 4C and 5, when Kuromoji extract was administered to lifestyle-related disease model mice, the area of the area heavily stained with proteoglycans was restored. Therefore, similar to the results of the diabetic disease model rat, it was revealed that the decrease in the amount of proteoglycan in the joints of the lifestyle-related disease model mouse can be suppressed by administration of Kuromoji extract. On the other hand, as seen in FIGS. 4D and 5, when the hypoglycemic agent used as the reference drug was administered, recovery of the proteoglycan stained area by Safranin O staining was limited.

(Prescription example 1)
A candy containing Kuromoji extract was prepared with the composition shown below.
(1) Candy:
(Composition) (Parts by weight)
Powdered sorbitol 89.70
Fragrance 0.25
Kuromoji extract powder of Preparation Example 1 10.00
Sorbitol seeds 0.05
Total amount 100.00

(Prescription example 2)
A gum containing Kuromoji extract was prepared with the composition shown below.
(2) Gum:
(Composition) (Parts by weight)
Gum base 20.00
Calcium carbonate 2.00
Stevioside 0.10
Kuromoji extract powder of Preparation Example 1 10.00
Lactose 66.90
Fragrance 1.00
Total amount 100.00

(Prescription example 3)
A caramel containing Kuromoji extract was prepared with the composition shown below.
(3) Caramel:
(Composition) (Parts by weight)
Granulated sugar 32.00
Starch syrup 20.00
Milk powder 30.00
Hardened oil 4.00
Salt 0.60
Fragrance 0.03
Wednesday 3.37
Kuromoji extract powder of Preparation Example 1 10.00
Total amount 100.00

(Prescription example 4)
A carbonated drink containing Kuromoji extract was prepared with the composition shown below.
(4) Carbonated drinks:
(Composition) (Parts by weight)
Granulated sugar 8.00
Concentrated lemon juice 1.00
L-ascorbic acid 0.10
Citric acid 0.09
Sodium citrate 0.05
Coloring agent 0.05
Carbonated water 80.71
Kuromoji extract powder of Preparation Example 1 10.00
Total amount 100.00

(Prescription example 5)
A juice containing Kuromoji extract was prepared with the composition shown below.
(5) Juice:
(Composition) (Parts by weight)
Frozen concentrated orange juice 5.00
Fructose glucose liquid sugar 1.00
Citric acid 0.10
L-ascorbic acid 0.09
Kuromoji extract powder of Preparation Example 1 10.00
Fragrance 0.20
Pigment 0.10
Wednesday 83.51
Total amount 100.00

(Prescription example 6)
A lactic acid bacteria drink containing Kuromoji extract was prepared with the composition shown below.
(6) Lactic acid bacteria drink:
(Composition) (Parts by weight)
Milk solids 21% fermented milk 14.76
Fructose glucose liquid sugar 13.31
Pectin 0.50
Citric acid 0.08
Fragrance 0.15
Wednesday 61.20
Kuromoji extract powder of Preparation Example 1 10.00
Total amount 100.00

(Prescription example 7)
An alcoholic beverage containing Kuromoji extract was prepared with the composition shown below.
(7) Alcoholic beverages:
(Composition) (Parts by weight)
50% ethanol 32.00
sugar 8.60
Fruit juice 2.40
Kuromoji extract powder of Preparation Example 1 10.00
Wednesday 47.00
Total amount 100.00

Claims (2)

A composition for improving locomotive syndrome, characterized in that it contains as an active ingredient Kuromoji extract based on a plant belonging to the genus Lindera, and is used for protecting joints by suppressing the decline of proteoglycans. . The composition for improving locomotive syndrome according to claim 1, wherein the Kuromoji extract contains a hot water extract of Kuromoji that is derived from the plant .