JPWO2019208627A1 - Composition for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength - Google Patents

Abstract

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has a muscle mass loss suppressing action, a muscle weakening suppressing action, a muscle mass increasing action or a muscle strength increasing action, and contains a highly safe substance as an active ingredient, for suppressing muscle mass loss and for suppressing muscle weakness. , A composition for increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength, and a method for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle loss, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength. The composition for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength of the present invention contains one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins as an active ingredient.

Description

The present invention relates to a composition for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass, or increasing muscle strength. The present invention also relates to methods of suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength. The present invention also relates to the use of one or more soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength.

In a country like Japan where the proportion of elderly people is high, extending healthy life expectancy and improving quality of life (QOL) are issues. One of the factors for shortening healthy life expectancy is a decrease in muscle mass (muscle mass) and a decrease in muscle strength with aging. Decreased muscle mass and strength lead to increased risk of falls, injuries such as fractures, and long-term bed rest. When the amount of activity of the elderly decreases due to injury, illness, etc., a vicious cycle is caused in which muscle mass and strength are further reduced, which causes locomotive syndrome and the like.

In addition, muscle mass and strength also decrease when exercise is insufficient due to the development of transportation means, or when long-term rest is required for medical treatment of illness after surgery. In order to return to daily life sooner after healing, it is desirable to suppress muscle mass loss and muscle weakness.

Exercise therapy such as rehabilitation is performed as one of the means for suppressing or increasing the decrease or increase in muscle mass or strength. On the other hand, from a nutritional point of view, studies on components having a muscle-building effect are being conducted. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that ingestion of maslinic acid and oleanolic acid increased skeletal muscle mass and strengthened grip strength after resistance training without using training equipment, as compared with the case of not ingesting maslinic acid and oleanolic acid. ..

JP-A-2017-109942

It is difficult to carry out exercise therapy continuously due to time and physical reasons, and it may be physically burdensome for the elderly and the like. Therefore, it is required to develop a substance having high safety and effective for suppressing muscle mass loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength by oral ingestion or the like. Maslinic acid and oleanolic acid described in Patent Document 1 are components contained in plants such as olives and are considered to be highly safe, but they are substances having more excellent muscle mass loss suppressing action, muscle weakness suppressing action, and the like. Development is desired.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has a muscle mass loss suppressing action, a muscle weakness suppressing action, a muscle mass increasing action or a muscle strength increasing action, and contains a highly safe substance as an active ingredient, for suppressing muscle mass loss and for suppressing muscle weakness. , To provide a composition for increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength.

As a result of diligent research in view of the above problems, the present inventors have found that soyasapogenols and their glycosides, soyasaponins, have an excellent muscle loss inhibitory effect, muscle weakness inhibitory effect, muscle mass increasing effect or muscle strength increasing effect. Based on this finding, the present invention has been completed.

That is, the present invention relates to, but is not limited to, the following compositions, methods and uses for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength.
[1] A composition for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass, or increasing muscle strength, which comprises one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins as an active ingredient.
[2] The composition according to the above [1], which comprises one or more of the above soyasapogenols as an active ingredient.
[3] The composition according to the above [1] or [2], wherein one or more of the soyasapogenols is soyasapogenol A and / or soyasapogenol B.
[4] The composition according to the above [1], which comprises one or more of the above soyasaponins as an active ingredient.
[5] The composition according to the above [1] or [4], wherein one or more of the soyasaponins is one or more of the group A soyasaponins and / or the group B soyasaponins.
[6] "Muscle loss suppression", "Muscle maintenance", "Muscle gain", "Muscle improvement", "Muscle weakness suppression", "Muscle strength maintenance", "Muscle strength increase", "Muscle strength improvement", "Muscle building power""Support","Improvement of walking function", "Maintenance of walking function", "Improvement of motor function", "Maintenance of motor function", "Maintenance of muscles that decline with age" and "Maintenance of muscle strength that declines with age" The composition according to any one of the above [1] to [5], which is labeled with 1 or 2 or more.

[7] A method for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength, which comprises administering one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins.
[8] Use of one or more soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength.
[9] The method according to [7] above, wherein one or more of soyasapogenols are administered.
[10] The method according to the above [7] or [9], wherein one or more of the soyasapogenols is soyasapogenol A and / or soyasapogenol B.
[11] The method according to [7] above, wherein one or more of soyasaponins are administered.
[12] The method according to the above [7] or [11], wherein one or more of the soyasaponins is one or more of the group A soyasaponins and / or the group B soyasaponins.
[13] The use according to the above [8], which is the use of one or more kinds of soyasapogenols.
[14] The use according to the above [8] or [13], wherein one or more of the soyasapogenols is soyasapogenol A and / or soyasapogenol B.
[15] The use according to the above [8], which is the use of one or more kinds of soyasaponins.
[16] The use according to the above [8] or [15], wherein one or more of the soyasaponins is one or more of the group A soyasaponins and / or the group B soyasaponins.

According to the present invention, a substance having a muscle mass loss suppressing action, a muscle weakness suppressing action, a muscle mass increasing action or a muscle strength increasing action, and containing a highly safe substance as an active ingredient, for suppressing muscle mass loss, muscle weakness Compositions for suppression, muscle mass gain or muscle strength gain are provided. Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of suppressing muscle mass loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength. According to the present invention, for example, it is possible to maintain muscle mass or strength by suppressing a decrease in muscle mass or weakness due to factors such as aging, or by increasing muscle mass or strength. Therefore, the present invention can provide a new means that contributes to the improvement of QOL of elderly people and the like. The soyasapogenols and soyasaponins used in the present invention for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength are components contained in soybeans and the like, which are edible plants, and are highly safe and continue. It is also advantageous in that it can be ingested as a target.

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the results of examining changes in muscle strength with aging in C57BL / 6J male mice. FIG. 2 is a graph showing the rate of change in grip strength (grip strength at the end of the test / grip strength at the start of the test) of each group of the control group, the soyasaponin group, and the soyasapogenol group. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the ratio of both hind limb muscle weights (both hind limb muscle weights / body weight) to the body weight of each group of the control group, the soyasaponin group, and the soyasapogenol group. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the amount of protein synthesis in the gastrocnemius muscle of mice to which the crude soyasapogenol fraction was administered. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the amount of phosphorylated p70S6K (T389) in the gastrocnemius muscle of mice to which the crude soyasapogenol fraction was administered. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the amount of protein synthesis in the gastrocnemius muscle of mice treated with soyasapogenol A, soyasapogenol B, maslinic acid or oleanolic acid. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the results of examining the effect of promoting myotube cell differentiation by the crude soyasapogenol fraction using normal human skeletal myoblasts.

The composition for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength of the present invention contains one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins as an active ingredient.
The composition of the present invention can also be expressed as a composition for suppressing muscle loss, a composition for suppressing muscle weakness, a composition for increasing muscle mass, or a composition for increasing muscle strength. An increase in muscle mass or strength can also be referred to as muscle building. The composition for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass, or increasing muscle strength of the present invention is hereinafter simply referred to as the composition of the present invention.

Soyasapogenols (also referred to as soyasapogenol compounds) and soyasaponins (also referred to as soyasaponin compounds) are compounds contained in legumes such as soybean (scientific name: Glycine max). In the composition of the present invention, as one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins, only one compound may be used, or two or more compounds may be used.

Examples of the soyasapogenol compounds in the present invention include soyasapogenol A and soyasapogenol B. The soyasapogenols in the present invention include one or more of these compounds. In one aspect, the composition of the present invention preferably contains one or more of soyasapogenols as an active ingredient. From the viewpoint of muscle mass loss inhibitory action, muscle weakness inhibitory action, muscle mass increasing action or muscle strength increasing action, soyasapogenol A and / or soyasapogenol B is preferable as one or more of the soyasapogenols.

Soyasaponins are glycosides containing the above-mentioned soyasapogenols as aglycones. Examples of the compound of soyasaponins include group A soyasaponins and group B soyasaponins. Group A soyasaponins are glycosides containing soyasapogenol A as an aglycone. Group B soyasaponins are glycosides containing soyasapogenol B as an aglycone. Soyasapogenols include one or more compounds. The composition of the present invention may contain one or more of soyasaponins as an active ingredient. From the viewpoint of muscle mass loss suppressing action, muscle weakness suppressing action, muscle mass increasing action or muscle strength increasing action, one or more of group A soyasaponins and / or group B soyasaponins are preferable as one or more of soyasaponins.

Examples of group A soyasaponins are soyasaponin Aa (soyasaponin A4), soyasaponin Ab (soyasaponin A1), soyasaponin Ac, soyasaponin Ad, soyasaponin Ae (soyasaponin A5), soyasaponin Af (soyasaponin A5), soyasaponin Af (soyasaponin A2) Ah (Soyasaponin A3) can be mentioned. Of these, soyasaponin Aa and soyasaponin Ab are preferable.

Examples of group B soyasaponins include soyasaponin Ba (soyasaponin V), soyasaponin Bb (soyasaponin I), soyasaponin Bc (soyasaponin II), soyasaponin Bb'(soyasaponin III), and soyasaponin Bc'(soyasaponin IV). Of these, soyasaponin Ba and soyasaponin Bb are preferable.

In one aspect, as soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins, soyasapogenols are preferable, and soyasapogenol A and / or soyasapogenol B is more preferable.

There are no particular restrictions on the origin and manufacturing method for obtaining soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins. Soybeans (particularly soybean seeds (soybeans)), adzuki beans, kakkonto, etc. are known as plants or parts thereof containing a large amount of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins. From these plants, soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins can be extracted and purified and prepared by a known method. Soyasapogenols can also be obtained by hydrolyzing soyasaponins by a known method. Commercially available products can also be used for soyasapogenols and soyasaponins.

In the present invention, a plant-derived raw material rich in one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins may be contained in the composition of the present invention as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited. Examples of plant-derived raw materials rich in one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins include soybean seeds raw or dried by freeze-drying, and soybean seeds extracted with hot water or an organic solvent. A concentrated or freeze-dried solution (extract), or a highly purified soyasapogenol and / or soyasaponins obtained by purifying the dried extract with a column or the like can be used. As the plant-derived raw material containing one or more of such soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins, a commercially available one may be used, or a plant such as soybean may be prepared by a known method.

As shown in the examples, when soyasapogenols or soyasaponins were ingested by aged mice, the grip strength of the mice was increased. Ingestion of soyasapogenols or soyasaponins also increased the proportion of muscle weight per body weight of aged mice. In addition, while the amount of protein synthesis decreased due to fasting, the amount of muscle protein synthesis increased significantly in the mice fed with soyasapogenols as compared with the fasted group. Phosphorylation of p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) was also promoted in mice fed with soyasapogenols. p70S6K is a major factor that controls muscle protein synthesis, and when phosphorylated, muscle protein synthesis is promoted. Therefore, promotion of phosphorylation of p70S6K promotes muscle protein synthesis and suppresses or increases muscle mass loss. By suppressing or increasing the decrease or increase in muscle mass by promoting the synthesis of muscle protein, the effect of suppressing or increasing the decrease in muscle strength can be obtained.
In addition, the amount of muscle protein synthesis was higher in the mice fed with one or more of soyasapogenols than in the mice fed with oleanolic acid and maslinic acid. This means that soyasapogenols exhibit a muscle loss inhibitory effect, a muscle weakness inhibitory effect, a muscle mass increasing effect or a muscle strength increasing effect, which are superior to those of oleanolic acid and maslinic acid. Furthermore, as shown in the examples, the fraction containing soyasapogenols promoted the differentiation from myoblasts to myotube cells. Muscle is formed from muscle fibers in which myoblasts differentiate into myotube cells and further myotube cells are fused. The promotion of differentiation of myoblasts into myotube cells results in suppression or increase in muscle mass, and suppression or increase in muscle strength. As for soyasaponins, the ingested soyasaponins become soyasapogenols by the action of digestive enzymes or metabolic enzymes in the body, and it is considered that the ingested soyasaponins exert the same effect as soyasapogenols in the body.
Therefore, soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins have a muscle mass loss suppressing action, a muscle weakness suppressing action, a muscle mass increasing action or a muscle strength increasing action, and suppress the muscle mass loss, thus suppressing the muscle weakness, and thus the muscle mass. Can be used to increase muscle strength. Soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins can also be used to promote the phosphorylation of p70S6 kinase and to promote the differentiation of myoblasts into myotube cells.

The composition of the present invention exhibits an excellent muscle mass loss suppressing effect, muscle weakness suppressing effect, muscle mass increasing effect or muscle strength increasing effect by containing one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins as an active ingredient. Further, such an effect enables, for example, prevention of muscle mass loss, maintenance of muscle mass, prevention of muscle weakness, maintenance of muscle strength, improvement of a state of reduced muscle mass or a state of reduced muscle strength, and the like. Therefore, the composition of the present invention is used for preventing muscle mass loss, preventing muscle weakness, improving a state of muscle weakness, improving a state of muscle weakness, maintaining muscle mass, and maintaining muscle strength. It can be used for maintenance, etc. In one aspect, the composition of the present invention is suitably used for suppressing muscle mass loss or muscle weakness, for example, for suppressing muscle loss due to aging-related muscle atrophy, suppressing muscle weakness, and the like. It can be preferably used. As the muscle, skeletal muscle is preferable, and muscles such as legs can be mentioned. An increase in muscle mass can be an increase in muscle weight per body weight.
The muscle mass of animals such as humans can be measured by, for example, micro PET / CT (positron emission tomography / computed tomography, INVEON, Siemens, USA).

The composition of the present invention can be used for the treatment of a condition or disease in which prevention or improvement can be expected by suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength. Such conditions or diseases include, for example, locomotive syndrome, cahexia (caused by debilitating diseases such as cancer and chronic diseases, severe skeletal muscle atrophy and organ dysfunction due to loss of appetite and impaired metabolic regulation). Examples include a state in which muscle mass is reduced or muscle strength is weakened, such as a state indicating a pathological condition, or a disease.
As used herein, prevention of a condition or disease involves preventing the onset of the condition or disease, delaying the onset of the condition or disease, reducing the incidence of the condition or disease, or risking the development of the condition or disease. Including mitigation. Improvement of a condition or disease includes recovering the subject from the condition or disease, alleviating the symptoms of the condition or disease, delaying or preventing the progression of the condition or disease.

The composition of the present invention can be applied to either therapeutic use (medical use) or non-therapeutic use (non-medical use).
The composition of the present invention can be provided, for example, in the form of foods and drinks, pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, feeds, etc., but is not limited thereto. The composition of the present invention may itself be a food or drink, a pharmaceutical product, a quasi-drug, a feed, or the like, or may be a preparation or a material of an additive or the like used for these. The composition of the present invention can be provided, for example, in the form of an agent, but is not limited to this form. The agent can be provided as it is as a composition or as a composition containing the agent. The composition of the present invention can also be said to be an agent for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength.
In one aspect, the composition of the invention is preferably an oral composition. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an oral composition having an excellent effect of suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength. Examples of the oral composition include foods and drinks, pharmaceuticals, and quasi-drugs, and foods and drinks are preferable.

The composition of the present invention may contain any additive and any component in addition to the above-mentioned soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. These additives and ingredients can be selected according to the form of the composition and the like, and generally those that can be used for foods and drinks, pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, feeds and the like can be used.

When the composition of the present invention is used as a food or drink, one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins and components that can be used in the food and drink (for example, food and drink materials, additives used as necessary, etc.) Can be blended into various foods and drinks. Foods and drinks are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include general foods and drinks, health foods, food additives, and raw materials thereof. The form of the food or drink is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include solid, semi-fluid, and fluid. Foods and drinks are oral solid preparations such as tablets, coated tablets, fine granules, granules, powders, pills, capsules, dry syrups and chewables; various forms of oral liquid preparations such as oral liquids and syrups. It can also be.

When the composition of the present invention is a pharmaceutical product or a quasi-drug, a pharmaceutical product in various dosage forms is prepared by blending one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins with a pharmacologically acceptable excipient or the like. Can be. From the viewpoint of more fully obtaining the effects of the present invention, oral administration is preferable as the administration form of the drug or quasi-drug. The dosage form may be a dosage form suitable for the dosage form. Dosage forms of oral pharmaceuticals include, for example, oral solid preparations such as tablets, coated tablets, fine granules, granules, powders, pills, capsules, dry syrups, chewables; oral solutions such as oral solutions and syrups. Examples include liquid formulations. The drug may be a non-human veterinary drug.

When the composition of the present invention is used as a feed, one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins can be mixed with components that can be used in the feed to make a feed. Examples of the feed include livestock feed used for cattle, pigs, chickens, sheep, horses, etc .; small animal feed used for rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, etc .; pet food used for dogs, cats, small birds, etc. ..

When the composition of the present invention is a food or drink, a pharmaceutical product, a quasi-drug, a feed, etc., the production method thereof is not particularly limited, and one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins used as active ingredients may be used. It can be produced by a general method.
In the production of the composition of the present invention, purified compounds may be used as soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins, and a plant-derived raw material rich in one or more of the above-mentioned soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins. May be used. Soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins may be included in the composition in the form of plant-derived ingredients containing the compound.

The composition of the present invention may indicate one or more of the intended use, the type of active ingredient, the above-mentioned effect, the method of use (for example, ingestion method, administration method), etc. on the packaging, container, instruction manual, or the like. .. The composition of the present invention may be labeled as having a muscle mass loss suppressing action, a muscle weakness suppressing action, a muscle mass increasing action or a muscle strength increasing action, or an action based on these actions. The composition of the present invention includes, for example, "muscle loss suppression", "muscle maintenance", "muscle gain", "muscle improvement", "muscle weakness suppression", "muscle strength maintenance", "muscle strength increase", "muscle strength improvement". , "Supporting the ability to build muscle", "Improvement of walking function", "Maintenance of walking function", "Improvement of motor function", "Maintenance of motor function", "Maintenance of muscles that decline with age" and "Aging" One or two or more indications such as "maintenance of muscular strength weakened by" may be attached.

The content of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins in the composition of the present invention can be appropriately set according to the form of the composition and the like. For example, the total content of soyasapogenols and soyasaponins may be 0.01-90% by weight in the composition. In one embodiment, when the composition of the present invention is used as an oral composition for foods and drinks, pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, etc., the total content of soyasapogenols and soyasaponins is 0.01% by weight in the composition. The above is preferable, 0.2% by weight or more is more preferable, 20% by weight or less is preferable, and 10% by weight or less is more preferable. In one aspect, the total content of soyasapogenols and soyasaponins is preferably 0.01 to 20% by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 10% by weight in the composition of the present invention. The total content is the total amount of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins when two or more compounds are contained. The content of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins can be measured according to a known method, and for example, an HPLC method or the like can be used.

The composition of the present invention can be ingested or administered by an appropriate method according to its form. The compositions of the present invention are preferably orally administered or orally ingested.
The intake amount (which can also be referred to as a dose) of the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, and an amount (effective amount) capable of obtaining a muscle mass loss suppressing effect, a muscle weakness suppressing effect, a muscle mass increasing effect, or a muscle strength increasing effect. ), And may be appropriately set according to the administration form, administration method, and the like. For example, when a human (adult) is orally administered or ingested, the total intake of soyasapogenols and soyasaponins is preferably 5 mg or more, more preferably 10 mg or more, still more preferably 20 mg or more per day. Further, 500 mg or less is preferable, 200 mg or less is more preferable, and 100 mg or less is further preferable. In one aspect, when a human (adult) is orally administered or ingested, the intake of the composition of the present invention is preferably 5 to 500 mg per day as the total intake of soyasapogenols and soyasaponins. , 10 to 200 mg is more preferable, and 20 to 100 mg is even more preferable. It is preferable that the above amount is orally administered or ingested, for example, once a day or divided into 2 to 3 times. When the composition of the present invention is ingested for the purpose of obtaining a muscle mass loss suppressing effect, a muscle weakness suppressing effect, a muscle mass increasing effect or a muscle strength increasing effect in a human (adult), the total of soyasapogenols and soyasaponins It is preferable that the composition of the present invention is orally ingested or administered to the subject so that the intake amount is within the above range.

In one aspect, the composition of the present invention is one of the above-mentioned soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins in an amount such that the desired effect of the present invention can be obtained in consideration of its administration form, administration method and the like. It preferably contains more than a seed. As one embodiment, for example, when the composition of the present invention is an oral composition such as a food or drink, an oral drug, etc., the total content of soyasapogenols and soyasaponins in the daily intake of the composition per adult. The amount is preferably 5 to 500 mg, more preferably 10 to 200 mg, still more preferably 20 to 100 mg.

By continuously ingesting (administering) soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins, it is expected that the effects of suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength are enhanced. In a preferred embodiment, the compositions of the invention are for continuous ingestion. In one embodiment of the present invention, the composition of the present invention is preferably continuously ingested for 1 week or longer, more preferably 4 weeks or longer, still more preferably 8 weeks or longer.

Mammals (humans and non-human mammals) are preferable, and humans are more preferable, as the subject to which the composition of the present invention is administered or ingested (hereinafter, also simply referred to as an administration subject). In addition, as the administration target in the present invention, a target that requires or desires suppression of muscle loss, suppression of muscle weakness, increase in muscle mass, or increase in muscle strength is preferable. For example, a subject having a decreased muscle mass, a subject having a decreased muscle strength, a subject having a decreased muscle mass or a decreased muscle strength described above, or a subject who desires prevention or improvement of a disease can be mentioned as suitable subjects. In one aspect, the subject of administration of the composition of the present invention is preferably an elderly person. Soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins are suitably used for suppressing muscle weakness (muscle loss due to aging) and muscle weakness (muscle weakness due to aging) in the elderly, for example. In one aspect, the composition of the present invention is used for a healthy subject for the purpose of suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or preventing a condition or disease that can be expected to be improved by increasing muscle mass or strength. be able to.

The present invention also includes the following methods of suppressing muscle mass loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength.
A method of suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength, which comprises administering one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins.
The above method may be a therapeutic method or a non-therapeutic method. "Non-therapeutic" is a concept that does not include medical practice, ie surgery, treatment or diagnosis.
The dose of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins may be an amount that can obtain a muscle loss suppressing effect, a muscle weakness suppressing effect, a muscle mass increasing effect or a muscle strength increasing effect, that is, an effective amount, and is not particularly limited, for example. It is preferable to administer the amount described above. Soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins may be administered as they are, or may be administered as a composition containing one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins. For example, the composition of the present invention described above can be administered. The soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins, the subject to be administered, the method of administration, the dose and preferred embodiments thereof are the same as those in the composition of the present invention described above. According to the present invention, it is possible to safely obtain excellent effects of suppressing muscle mass loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength without causing side effects.

The present invention also includes the use of one or more soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength.
The above uses are usually in humans or non-human animals, preferably in humans or non-human mammals, more preferably in humans. The use may be therapeutic or non-therapeutic use. Preferred embodiments of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins and the like are the same as those of the composition of the present invention described above.

In the method and use of the present invention, one kind of compound may be used as one or more kinds of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins, or two or more kinds of compounds may be used. In the above method and use, it is preferable to continuously administer one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins. In one embodiment, it is preferable to continuously administer one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins for preferably 1 week or longer, more preferably 4 weeks or longer, still more preferably 8 weeks or longer.

In one aspect, the present invention also includes the use of one or more soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins for producing compositions for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength. To do. Soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins, compositions for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength, and preferred embodiments thereof are the same as the compositions of the present invention and preferred embodiments thereof. Is.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples, but this does not limit the scope of the present invention.

All animal experiments, including examples and comparative examples, were conducted based on a plan approved by the head of the institution after being examined by the in-house animal experiment committee in compliance with the Animal Care Management Law and other related laws and regulations.

<Preparation Example 1>
How to obtain soyasaponin and how to prepare the coarse fraction of soyasapogenol In the following tests, commercially available soybean-derived saponin (Saponin B-50 manufactured by J-Oil Mills Co., Ltd. (Group B soybean saponin content is 60% by weight, A) The group soybean saponin content was 13% by weight)). Group B soybean saponin in saponin B-50 includes soybean saponin Ba, soybean saponin Bb and the like, and group A soybean saponin includes soybean saponin Aa, soybean saponin Ab and the like.
Fractions containing soybean-derived sapogenol were prepared by the following method. A 20-fold amount of saponin B-50 was reacted in a 2N hydrochloric acid aqueous solution at 100 ° C. for 2 hours to cleave the sugar chain of saponin. After completion of the reaction, the reaction solution was cooled to room temperature and neutralized with an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The reaction solution is suction-filtered, the residue is washed with a large amount of distilled water, suction filtration is repeated, it is confirmed that there is no residual sodium hydroxide, and the residue is dried. Total) was obtained.

<Test Example 1>
Decrease in muscular strength due to aging of C57BL / 6J male mice In order to confirm the aging changes in muscular strength of C57BL / 6J male mice (Nippon Charles River Co., Ltd.), the transition of the total value of limb grip strength as an index was examined. Total limb grip strength at 7 months (23), 20 months (22), 22 months (7) and 24 months (7), grip strength measuring device (MK-380S, Muromachi Machinery Co., Ltd.) It was measured using the company) and used as the grip strength. Dunnett's multiple comparison test was used for the significance test. The grip strength measurement results of each group of 7 months old (7M), 20 months old (20M), 22 months old (22M) and 24 months old (24M) are shown in FIG. 1 (*: P <0.05, **). : P <0.01, comparison with 7 months old). The results are shown by the mean ± standard error of each group. As a result of statistical analysis, it can be seen that the grip strength of the 20-month-old, 22-month-old, and 24-month-old mice is significantly lower than that of the 7-month-old mouse. From this result, it was confirmed that the decrease in muscle strength with aging can be observed in the mice of the above strain.

<Example 1>
Suppression or increase of muscle weight and suppression or increase of muscle strength of the coarse fractions of soyasaponin and soyasapogenol Whether the coarse fractions of soyasaponin and soyasapogenol show an effect of suppressing or increasing muscle weakness against aging-related muscle weakness Whether or not it was evaluated was evaluated by measuring the grip strength of the limbs of the mouse. At the same time, it was also examined whether or not there is an effect of suppressing or increasing the muscle weight of the hind limbs of mice. As the crude fraction of soyasapogenol, the one prepared in Preparation Example 1 was used.

(Test method)
A 70-week-old C57BL / 6J male mouse (Japan Charles River Co., Ltd.) was preliminarily bred for 8 weeks. Pre-reared mice (aged mice) were divided into three groups: control group, soyasaponin group, and soyasapogenol group. Evaluation was performed on 5 to 8 animals in each group.
The control group was allowed to freely feed the CE-2 feed (Nippon Claire Co., Ltd.) for 8 weeks (test period). The soyasaponin group contains a CE-2 feed containing 0.5% by weight of saponin B-50 (manufactured by J-Oil Mills Co., Ltd.), and the soyasapogenol group contains 0.5% by weight of a crude soyasapogenol fraction. The compounded CE-2 feed was freely fed for 8 weeks.
At the end of the test period, mouse body weight, hind limb muscle weight and grip strength were measured. As for the grip strength, the total grip strength of the limbs of the mouse was measured using a grip strength measuring device (MK-380S, Muromachi Kikai Co., Ltd.). At the end of the test, the muscle weights of the hind limbs were measured by collecting the gastrocnemius muscle, soleus muscle, plantaris muscle, tibialis anterior muscle, extensor digitorum longus muscle, and quadriceps femoris. As an evaluation index of muscle weight, the ratio of both hind limb muscle weights (total weight of gastrocnemius muscle, soleus muscle, plantaris muscle, tibialis anterior muscle, extensor digitorum longus muscle and quadriceps muscle) was calculated. Dunnett's multiple comparison test was used for the significance test. A significance level P <0.05 was considered to be significantly different.

(result)
1-1 Grip strength measurement results For each group, the rate of change in grip strength (grip strength at the end of the test / grip strength at the start of the test) was calculated by dividing the grip strength at the end of the test by the grip strength at the start of the test. The rate of change in grip strength of each group of the control group, soyasaponin group and soyasapogenol group is shown in FIG. 2 (**: P <0.01, comparison with the control group). The results shown in FIG. 2 are shown by the mean value ± standard error of each group. As a result of statistical analysis, a significant increase in grip strength was confirmed in the soyasaponin group as compared with the control group, and an increase in grip strength was also confirmed in the soyasapogenol group.

1-2 Muscle Weight Measurement Results For each group, the ratio of both hindlimb muscle weights per body weight (both hindlimb muscle weights / body weight) was determined by dividing the weights of both hindlimb muscles at the end of the test by body weight. The ratio of the muscle weights of both hind limbs to the body weight of each of the control group, the soyasaponin group, and the soyasapogenol group is shown in FIG. The results shown in FIG. 3 are shown by the mean value ± standard error of each group. As a result of statistical analysis, an increase in the ratio of both hind limb muscle weights per body weight was confirmed in the soyasaponin group and the soyasapogenol group as compared with the control group.

From the above, it was confirmed that soyasaponins and soyasapogenols have the effect of suppressing aging-related muscle weakness or increasing muscular strength to maintain muscular strength. In addition, it was confirmed that soyasaponins and soyasapogenols have the effect of increasing the ratio of hind limb muscle weight to body weight.

<Example 2>
Evaluation of muscle protein synthesis amount and muscle synthesis signal (Soyasapogenol crude fraction)
(Test method)
(reagent)
The Ponso S solution was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC-Na), Extra PAGE One Precast Gel, and Blocking one were purchased from Nacalai Tesque, Inc. The Tissue Protein Assay Reagent, Protein assay kit, and Pierce BCA protein assay kit were purchased from Thermo Fisher Scientific. Puromycin was purchased from InvivoGen and Anti-puromycin was purchased from Millipore. Anti-β-actin, Anti-mouse IgG, HRP-linked Antibody, Anti-rabbit IgG, HRP-linked Antibody, Phospho-p70 S6 Kinase (Thr389) Sandwich. PVDF membranes were purchased from Invitrogen and ECL Western Blotting Detection Reagents from General Electric Company. As the crude fraction of soyasapogenol, the one prepared in Preparation Example 1 was used.

(animal)
Male 7-week-old C57BL6J mice were purchased from Japan Claire Co., Ltd. and subjected to experiments after a 1-week acclimation period. Animals were bred in an air-conditioned breeding room (temperature 23.5 ± 1.0 ° C., humidity 55 ± 10%, ventilation frequency 12 to 15 times / hour, lighting 7: 00-19: 00 / day). During the acclimation period, commercial feed (CE-2, Japan Claire Co., Ltd.) and tap water were allowed to be freely ingested.

After the acclimation period was completed, 30 mice were divided into the following three groups.
Satiety group (Cont.) N = 6
Fasting group (Fast.) N = 12
Fasting + Soyasapogenol crude fraction group (Fast. + SS) n = 12
Two groups, excluding the satiety group, were fasted for 24 hours. After the end of the fast, immediately after the fast, 7 hours after the fast, and 22 hours after the fast, divide into 3 times, 0.5% CMC-Na aqueous solution for the fasting group and the fasting group, and the fasting + soyasapogenol crude fraction group. , 26 mg / kg (26 mg / kg body weight per dose) suspended in a 0.5% CMC-Na aqueous solution was orally administered (the dose of the crude soyasapogenol fraction was per day). 78 mg per kg of body weight). Twenty-three hours after fasting, a 1.25 mM puromycin aqueous solution was intraperitoneally administered at 200 μL / head to all groups. Individuals whose solution leaked from the abdominal cavity during administration of puromycin and individuals in which intra-abdominal bleeding was confirmed during laparotomy under anesthesia were excluded from analysis at this stage because they were considered to affect the uptake of puromycin into tissues. did. After the test was completed 24 hours after the fast, the gastrocnemius muscle was collected and cryopreserved at -80 ° C.

The amount of protein synthesis of the collected gastrocnemius muscle was measured by the following method. In addition, with respect to p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) in the gastrocnemius muscle, the amount of p70S6K (phosphorylated p70S6K (T389)) in which threonine (T389) at position 389 was phosphorylated was measured.

(Measurement of protein synthesis in gastrocnemius muscle)
The amount of protein synthesis in the gastrocnemius muscle was measured using the surface sensing of translation (SUNSET) method (Nat Methods. 2009 Apr; 6 (4): 275-7). The gastrocnemius muscle of mice was homogenized with ice-cooled Protein inhibitor cocktail and EDTA-containing Tissue protease reagent, and then centrifuged at 10,000 rpm, 10 min, and 4 ° C. to collect the supernatant. For the supernatant, protein concentration was quantified using the Pierce BCA protein assay kit, and SDS was performed for Western blotting. The obtained sample was prepared to have a protein concentration of 10 μg / 10 μL, 10 μL was applied to Extra PAGE One Precast Gel, and electrophoresis was performed using an electrophoresis device (Atto Co., Ltd.). After the electrophoresis was completed, the transfer was performed on the PVDF membrane using a blotting device. After confirming that there was no difference in the amount of protein transferred by staining with Ponso S solution, Anti-puromycin (1: 3000) and Anti-β-actin (1: 2000) were added in the presence of Blocking one, and 4 Incubation was carried out at ° C. for 18 hours. Anti-rabbit IgG and HRP-linked antibody (1: 10000) were added at room temperature, and after incubation for 2 hours, ECL Western Blotting Detection Reagents were added, and band detection and analysis was performed using FUSIONSOLO. The results were expressed as relative values with the fasting group (Fast.) As 100.

(Measurement of phosphorylated p70S6K (T389) amount in gastrocnemius muscle)
The amount of phosphorylated p70S6K (T389) in the gastrocnemius muscle was measured using an ELISA Kit according to the attached protocol. As the amount of phosphorylated p70S6K (T389), the amount of phosphorylated p70S6K (T389) per protein concentration in the sample was determined. The results were expressed as relative values with the fasting group (Fast.) As 100.

(Statistical analysis)
The obtained values are shown as mean ± standard error. As a statistical test for confirming the effectiveness of the crude soyasapogenol fraction, analysis of variance was performed by one-way ANOVA, and then a multiple comparison test with the fasting group was performed using Dunnett's test. A significance level P <0.05 was considered to be significantly different. All of these analyzes were performed using Excel statistics (manufactured by BellCurve).

(result)
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the amount of protein synthesis in the gastrocnemius muscle of mice to which the crude soyasapogenol fraction was administered (*: P <0.05, comparison with the fasting group). FIG. 5 is a graph showing the amount of phosphorylated p70S6K (T389) in the gastrocnemius muscle of mice to which the crude soyasapogenol fraction was administered (*: P <0.05, comparison with the fasting group). The graph data shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are shown as mean ± standard error (n = 6 or 12).
From the comparison between the satiety group (Cont.) And the fasting group (Fast.) In FIG. 4, it can be seen that the amount of protein synthesis decreases due to fasting. Compared with the fasting group, a significant increase in muscle protein synthesis of 1.38 times was confirmed in the fasting + soyasapogenol crude fraction group (Fast. + SS) (Fig. 4).
In addition, the amount of phosphorylated p70S6K (T389) was also significantly increased in the fasting + soyasapogenol crude fraction group (Fast. + SS) as compared with the fasting group (Fast.) (Fig. 5). Phosphorylation of p70S6K is important for increasing muscle weight. It was considered that the amount of muscle protein synthesis increased due to the increase in the amount of phosphorylated p70S6K (T389).

<Example 3>
Evaluation of muscle protein synthesis (4 types of triterpenoid compounds)
Four types of triterpenoids, soyasapogenol A, soyasapogenol B, maslinic acid or oleanolic acid, were ingested by mice, and their effects on protein synthesis were investigated. Soyasapogenol A, Soyasapogenol B, maslinic acid, and oleanolic acid were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich.

(Test method)
The same animals as in Example 2 (male 7-week-old C57BL6J mice) were bred and acclimated in the same manner as in Example 2. After the acclimation period was completed, 54 mice were divided into the following 6 groups (9 mice in each group).
Saturation group (Cont.), Fasting group (Fast.), Fasting + Soyasapogenol A group (Fast. + SSA), Fasting + Soyasapogenol B group (Fast. + SSB), Fasting + Maslinic acid group (Fast. + MA), Fasting + Oleanol Acid group (Fast. + OA)
Five groups, excluding the satiety group, were fasted for 24 hours. After the end of the fast, immediately after the fast, 7 hours after the fast, and 22 hours after the fast, divide into 3 times, 0.5% CMC-Na aqueous solution for the fasting group and the fasting group, and 0 for the fasting + triterpenoid group. A 26 mg / kg (26 mg / kg body weight per dose) triterpenoid (Soyasapogenol A, Soyasapogenol B, maslinic acid or oleanolic acid) suspended in a 5.5% CMC-Na aqueous solution was orally administered. Twenty-three hours after fasting, a 1.25 mM puromycin aqueous solution was intraperitoneally administered at 200 μL / head to all groups. Individuals whose solution leaked from the abdominal cavity during administration of puromycin and individuals in which intra-abdominal bleeding was confirmed during laparotomy under anesthesia were excluded from analysis at this stage because they were considered to affect the uptake of puromycin into tissues. did. After the test was completed 24 hours after the fast, the gastrocnemius muscle was collected and cryopreserved at -80 ° C. For the collected gastrocnemius muscle, the amount of protein synthesis was measured by the same method as in Example 2.

(Statistical analysis)
The obtained values are shown as mean ± standard error. When comparing the effects of the four triterpenoids, analysis of variance was performed with one-way ANOVA, and then multiple comparison tests were performed using Tukey's test. A significance level P <0.05 was considered to be significantly different. All of these analyzes were performed using Excel statistics (manufactured by BellCurve).

(result)
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the amount of protein synthesis in the gastrocnemius muscle of mice to which soyasapogenol A, soyasapogenol B, maslinic acid or oleanolic acid was administered (*: P <0.05, comparison with each group). The data in the graph shown in FIG. 6 is shown as mean ± standard error (n = 9).
A significant increase in muscle protein synthesis was confirmed in the fasting + soyasapogenol A group (Fast. + SSA) and the fasting + soyasapogenol B group (Fast. + SSB) as compared with the fasting group (Fast.). Regarding the comparison between the four triterpenoids, a significant increase in muscle protein synthesis was confirmed in the fasting + soyasapogenol A group as compared with the fasting + oleanolic acid group (Fast. + OA). It was confirmed that the fasting + soyasapogenol A group tended to increase the amount of muscle protein synthesis as compared with the fasting + maslinic acid group (Fast. + MA). A significant increase in muscle protein synthesis was confirmed in the fasting + soyasapogenol B group as compared with the fasting + maslinic acid group and the fasting + oleanolic acid group (Fig. 6).

<Example 4>
Using normal human skeletal myoblasts (HSMM) (LONZA), the effect of the test substance on promoting myotube cell differentiation was investigated.
As the test substance, the crude fraction of soyasapogenol produced in Preparation Example 1 was used. In the presence of the test substance (4 μg / mL), HSMM was induced to differentiate into myotubes at n = 3 for 2 days. The obtained cells were subjected to myotube staining by MHC staining and nuclear staining by Hoechst33342 staining to quantify the myotube differentiation rate.

(Preparation of test sample)
The crude soyasapogenol fraction was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). This was sequentially diluted 5-fold with a differentiation medium containing 0.1% DMSO and used in the test. As a control (Vehicle control), a differentiation medium containing 0.1% DMSO was used. As the differentiation medium, DMEM: F-12 medium (Lonza) supplemented with 2% HORSE SERUM (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was used. As a positive control, a differentiation medium containing 0.1% DMSO containing 0.5 μM LDN-193189 (Sigma-Aldrich) was used.

(Growth Factor Rediced (GFR) Matrigel Matrix Coat)
At the time of inducing myotube differentiation, a 96-well plate was coated with GFR Matrix Matrix (Corning) and used. After thawing GFR FR Matrix Matrix overnight at 4 ° C, dilute 100-fold with DMEM: F-12 medium (4 ° C), dispense 0.1 mL into each well of a 96-well plate on ice, and 1 at room temperature. Incubated for hours. The solution was aspirated and rinsed with DMEM: F-12 medium (0.1 mL) and used for cell seeding.

(Pre-cell culture)
HSMM is DMEM (high glucose) supplemented with growth medium (20% FBS (fetal bovine serum) (Thermo Fisher Scientific), 4% ultraserG (PALL), 1% Antibiotic-Antimycotic Mixed Stock solution (Nacalai Tesque, Inc.). ) (Sigma-Aldrich)) was precultured. When the cells reached 70% confluence, the cells were detached using Trypsin-EDTA (0.05%) and phenol red (both from Thermo Fisher Scientific), and 5,000 cells / 0.1 mL using a growth medium. The cells were seeded on a GFR Matrigel Matrix coated 96-well plate so as to be / well, and cultured in a _{CO 2 incubator.}

(Treatment of test substance (induction of myotube differentiation))
HSMM was seeded on a GFR Matrigel Matrix coated 96-well plate. The day after sowing, the cells were replaced with soyasapogenol crude fractionated differentiation medium (0.1 mL) and cultured in a _{CO 2 incubator for 2 days.} Controls were cultured using Vehicle Control (0.1% DMSO-containing differentiation medium) instead of Soyasapogenol crude fractionated differentiation medium.

(Immunostaining)
After culturing, the medium was removed, 0.1 mL of 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) (4 ° C.) was added, and the cells were fixed by incubating at 4 ° C. for 15 minutes. The wells were then washed 3 times with 0.1 mL of Dulbecco's Phosphate-Buffered Saline (DPBS) (Thermo Fisher Scientific), followed by a blocking / membrane permeation solution (3% BSA (bovine serum albumin) /). 0.3% Triton-X 100 / DPBS) was added in an amount of 0.1 mL, and the mixture was incubated at room temperature for 30 minutes. Next, it was replaced with 0.05 mL of a primary antibody solution (prepared by adding 1/150 amount of primary antibody to 3% BSA / DPBS) and incubated overnight at 4 ° C. After washing 3 times with 0.1 mL of 3% BSA / DPBS solution, secondary antibody solution (prepared by adding 1/500 amount of secondary antibody and 1/1000 amount of Hoechst33342 to 3% BSA / DPBS) 0. It was replaced with 05 mL and incubated at room temperature for 2 hours. After washing 3 times with 0.1 mL of DPBS, 0.1 mL of DPBS was added, and imaging and quantitative analysis were performed with Operetta CLS® (PerkinElmer). The primary antibody is Anti-Myosin-Heaby Chain Purified (anti-MHC antibody) (Affymetrix), and the secondary antibody is Good anti-Mouse IgG2b Secondary Antibodies, Alexa Frozy, Thermo Fisher 55, respectively. used.

(Imaging analysis)
Using an Operetta CLS®, 9 visual fields in the center of each well were photographed with a 10x objective lens. After acquiring images, nuclei and MHC-positive nuclei are detected and counted, and then fusion index (% of MHC-positive nuclei = 100 x MHC-positive nuclei / total number of nuclei) is calculated to quantify the myotube differentiation rate. did.

(Statistical analysis)
A significant difference test was performed between the comparative test groups (control vs. soyasapogenol crude fraction addition group) by Student's t-test. A two-sided test was performed, and P <0.05 was considered significant.

(result)
FIG. 7 is a graph showing the results of examining the effect of promoting myotube cell differentiation by the crude soyasapogenol fraction using normal human skeletal myoblasts (*: P <0.05, comparison with control). The soyasapogenol in FIG. 7 is a group to which the coarse fraction of soyasapogenol was added. In the soyasapogenol crude fraction-added group, the fusion index (% of MHC-positive nuclei) was larger and the myotube differentiation rate was higher than that of the control. The crude soyasapogenol fraction promoted the differentiation of normal human skeletal myoblasts into myotube cells.

Claims (8)

A composition for suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength, which comprises one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins as an active ingredient. The composition according to claim 1, which contains one or more of the soyasapogenols as an active ingredient. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more of the soyasapogenols is soyasapogenol A and / or soyasapogenol B. The composition according to claim 1, which comprises one or more of the soyasaponins as an active ingredient. The composition according to claim 1 or 4, wherein one or more of the soyasaponins is one or more of the group A soyasaponins and / or the group B soyasaponins. "Muscle loss suppression", "Muscle maintenance", "Muscle gain", "Muscle improvement", "Muscle weakness suppression", "Muscle strength maintenance", "Muscle strength increase", "Muscle strength improvement", "Supporting the ability to build muscle" , "Improvement of walking function", "Maintenance of walking function", "Improvement of motor function", "Maintenance of motor function", "Maintenance of muscles weakened by aging" and "Maintenance of muscle strength weakened by aging" 1 or 2 The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which has the above indication. A method of suppressing muscle loss, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength, which comprises administering one or more of soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins. Use of one or more soyasapogenols and / or soyasaponins for suppressing muscle weakness, suppressing muscle weakness, increasing muscle mass or increasing muscle strength.

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