KR20230161338A - Composition for prevention, improvement or treatment of arthritis and joint pain comprising Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora extract as effective component - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition for preventing, ameliorating or treating arthritis and joint pain containing a meadowsweet extract as an active ingredient, wherein the meadowsweet extract of the present invention expresses cartilage matrix decomposing enzymes (MMP-1 and MMP-13). It has an excellent inhibitory effect, increases weight bearing rate in pain-induced animal models, and induces inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, PGE2, and LTB ₄ ) and cartilage degeneration. Since it reduces the expression level of factors (MMP-2 and MMP-9), the composition of the present invention can be usefully used for preventing, improving, or treating arthritis and joint pain.

Description

Composition for prevention, improvement or treatment of arthritis and joint pain comprising Spiraea prunifolia var. simpleciflora extract as effective component}

The present invention relates to a composition for preventing, improving, or treating arthritis and joint pain, containing a meadowsweet extract as an active ingredient.

As we enter an aging society, inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, are becoming a social issue regardless of gender. Inflammatory diseases caused by this inflammatory reaction include gastritis, colitis, arthritis, nephritis, hepatitis, arteriosclerosis, cancer, and degenerative diseases. Among them, effective drugs or treatments for preventing and treating arthritis diseases have not been developed to date. Arthritis refers to inflammatory changes occurring within the joint due to various causes such as aging, mechanical damage, and immune abnormalities.

Among the above-mentioned arthritis, osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis, also called degenerative arthritis, and refers to arthritis that occurs due to degenerative changes in the cartilage and surrounding bone in synovial joints. In other words, osteoarthritis is a disease characterized by gradual loss of joint cartilage, hypertrophy of the bone located below the cartilage, bone formation at the joint edge, and non-specific synovial inflammation. Osteoarthritis is a disease that occurs when cartilage is damaged due to aging or excessive physical pressure (eg, obesity, trauma, etc.). Therefore, osteoarthritis causes severe pain and movement disorders in joints that receive a lot of weight, such as knee joints and hip joints, and if left untreated for a long period of time, it can even lead to deformation of the joints.

In addition, gouty arthritis is an inflammation that occurs when uric acid is deposited in the spaces and tissues within joints. As the concentration of uric acid (a product left over from the human body metabolizing a substance called purine ingested through food) increases in the blood, uric acid salts increase. (Uric acid exists in the form of urate in blood, body fluids, and joint fluid) It is a disease in which crystals are deposited in the cartilage, tendons, and surrounding tissues of joints. This phenomenon causes inflammation of the joints, causing recurrent attacks accompanied by extreme pain.

Meanwhile, Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora is a deciduous broad-leaved shrub distributed in mountains and fields across the country and used for ornamental, edible, and medicinal purposes. It grows well in semi-shady or sunny places and is not greatly affected by the soil environment. It is highly resistant to pollution and is often planted along roadsides.

Prior art related to arthritis and joint pain is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 2022-0000185 for ‘Pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating arthritis containing mixed extract of peony and licorice’, and in Korean Patent No. 1941183. 'A composition for preventing or improving arthritis containing Schisandra chinensis extract and a method for producing the same' are disclosed. However, the present invention's 'composition for preventing, improving, or treating arthritis and joint pain containing extract of spirea as an active ingredient' has not yet been disclosed.

The present invention was developed in response to the above-mentioned needs, and the present invention provides a composition for preventing, improving or treating arthritis and joint pain containing the extract of the sapphire tree as an active ingredient, and the extract of the tree of the present invention is used to form the cartilage matrix. Inhibits the expression of decomposition enzymes MMP-1 (Matrix metalloproteinase-1) and MMP-13 (Matrix metalloproteinase-13), increases weight bearing rate in pain-induced animal models, and reduces inflammation-causing factors (TNF-α, IL). The present invention was completed by confirming that the expression levels of -6, IL-1β, COX-2, PGE2 and LTB ₄ ) and cartilage degeneration-inducing factors (MMP-2 and MMP-9) were reduced.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a health functional food composition for preventing or improving arthritis and joint pain containing a spirea extract as an active ingredient.

Additionally, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of arthritis and joint pain containing a mesquite extract as an active ingredient.

Additionally, the present invention provides a feed additive for preventing or ameliorating arthritis and joint pain, containing meadowsweet extract as an active ingredient.

Additionally, the present invention provides a veterinary composition for the prevention or treatment of arthritis and joint pain containing a mesquite extract as an active ingredient.

In addition, the present invention provides a herbal medicine composition for preventing or treating arthritis and joint pain containing an extract of the quinceafolia as an active ingredient.

The present invention relates to a composition for preventing, ameliorating or treating arthritis and joint pain containing a meadowsweet extract as an active ingredient, wherein the meadowsweet extract of the present invention expresses cartilage matrix decomposing enzymes (MMP-1 and MMP-13). It has an excellent inhibitory effect, increases weight bearing rate in pain-induced animal models, and induces inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, PGE2, and LTB ₄ ) and cartilage degeneration. Since it reduces the expression level of factors (MMP-2 and MMP-9), the composition of the present invention can be usefully used for preventing, improving, or treating arthritis and joint pain.

Figure 1 shows the results of confirming changes in the content of MMP-1 (A) and MMP-13 (B) according to the treatment of the extract of spirea of the present invention. Con is a control group that was not treated with anything, IL-1β is a group in which the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-13 was induced by treatment with IL-1β, and meadowsweet extract + IL-1β is a group containing IL-1β and 100㎍/mL. This is the group treated with spirea extract. #### indicates that the content of MMP-1 and MMP-13 in the IL-1β treated group was significantly increased compared to the untreated control group (Con), p<0.0001. **** indicates that the content of MMP-1 and MMP-13 in the group treated with the spirea extract of the present invention was significantly decreased compared to the group treated with IL-1β, p<0.0001.
Figure 2 shows the results of confirming the change in weight-bearing ratio due to the extract of the spirea tree in an osteoarthritis animal model. Con is the control group that was not treated with anything, MIA is the group in which osteoarthritis was induced by treatment with MIA (monosodium iodoacetate), MIA+GLM is the positive control group, which is the group administered MIA and GLM (green lipped mussel), and MIA+Spiraea is MIA. and a group administered 200 mg/kg of spirea extract. #### indicates that the weight-bearing ratio of the osteoarthritis induction group was significantly reduced compared to the untreated control group, p<0.0001, and *, **** are the MIA+GLM or MIA+Jospermia extract group compared to the osteoarthritis induction group. This means that the weight bearing rate increased statistically significantly, * means p<0.05, and **** means p<0.0001.
Figure 3 shows the results of confirming changes in the expression of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, PGE _2, and LTB ₄ ) caused by the extract of the Spiraea tree in an animal model of osteoarthritis. Con is the control group that was not treated with anything, MIA is the group in which osteoarthritis was induced by treatment with MIA (monosodium iodoacetate), MIA+GLM is the positive control group, which is the group administered MIA and GLM (green lipped mussel), and MIA+Spiraea is MIA. and a group administered 200 mg/kg of spirea extract. #, ###, #### indicate that the expression level of inflammatory factors in the osteoarthritis induction group was significantly increased compared to the untreated control group, # is p < 0.05, ### is p < 0.001, #### is p<0.0001. *, ***, **** indicate that the expression level of inflammatory factors was significantly decreased in the MIA+GLM administered group or MIA+Jospermia extract administered group compared to the osteoarthritis induction group, * is p<0.05, and *** is p<0.001, and **** is p<0.0001.
Figure 4 shows the results of confirming the expression of cartilage degeneration-inducing factors MMP-2 (A) and MMP-9 (B) by meadowsweet extract in an osteoarthritis animal model. Con is the control group that was not treated with anything, MIA is the group in which osteoarthritis was induced by treatment with MIA (monosodium iodoacetate), MIA+GLM is the positive control group, which is the group administered MIA and GLM (green lipped mussel), and MIA+Spiraea is MIA. and a group administered 200 mg/kg of spirea extract. ##, #### indicate that the expression level of cartilage degeneration-inducing factors in the osteoarthritis-induced group was significantly increased compared to the untreated control group, ## is p<0.01, and #### is p<0.0001. *, ** indicate a statistically significant decrease in the expression level of cartilage degeneration-inducing factors in the MIA+GLM-administered group or MIA+Jospermia extract-administered group compared to the osteoarthritis-induced group, * is p<0.05, and ** is p<0.01. .

The present invention relates to a health functional food composition for preventing or improving arthritis and joint pain, containing extract of the quince tree as an active ingredient.

Any part of the spirea tree can be used as the spirea tree, preferably leaves, but it is not limited to this.

The arthritis is preferably osteoarthritis, and the joint pain is preferably joint pain caused by osteoarthritis, but is not limited thereto.

The active ingredient reduces the expression of MMP-1 (Matrix metalloproteinase-1) and MMP-13 (Matrix metalloproteinase-13), increases weight bearing rate in pain-induced animal models, and reduces inflammation-causing factors (TNF-α, It is characterized by reducing the expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, PGE2, and LTB ₄ ) and cartilage degeneration inducers (MMP-2 and MMP-9).

The spirea extract may be prepared by a method including the following steps, but is not limited to this:

1) Extracting by adding an extraction solvent to the spirea tree;

2) filtering the extract of step 1); and

3) Preparing an extract by concentrating the filtered extract of step 2) under reduced pressure and drying it.

In step 1), the extraction solvent is preferably water, a lower alcohol of C ₁ to C ₄ or a mixture thereof, more preferably ethanol, and even more preferably 70% (v/v) ethanol, but is not limited thereto. .

In the above production method, extraction of spirea spruce can be performed using all conventional methods known in the art, such as filtration, hot water extraction, immersion extraction, reflux cooling extraction, and ultrasonic extraction. The vacuum concentration in step 3) is preferably performed using a vacuum vacuum concentrator or a vacuum rotary evaporator, but is not limited thereto. In addition, drying is preferably performed by reduced pressure drying, vacuum drying, boiling drying, spray drying, or freeze drying, but is not limited thereto.

The composition is preferably manufactured in a dosage form selected from powder, granule, pill, tablet, capsule, candy, syrup and beverage, but is not limited thereto.

When the health functional food composition of the present invention is used as a food additive, the extract of Sporanophylla tree can be added as is or used together with other foods or food ingredients, and can be used appropriately according to conventional methods. The mixing amount of the active ingredient can be appropriately determined depending on the purpose of use (prevention, health, or therapeutic treatment). Generally, when producing a food or beverage, the composition of the present invention is added in an amount of 15 parts by weight or less, preferably 10 parts by weight or less, based on the raw materials. However, in the case of long-term intake for the purpose of health and hygiene or health control, the amount may be below the above range, and since there is no problem in terms of safety, the active ingredient may be used in an amount above the above range. There are no special restrictions on the types of foods above. Examples of foods to which the extract or its fraction can be added include meat, sausages, bread, chocolate, candies, snacks, confectionery, pizza, ramen, other noodles, gum, dairy products including ice cream, various soups, beverages, and tea. , drinks, alcoholic beverages, and vitamin complexes, etc., and includes all health functional foods in the conventional sense.

When the composition of the present invention is used as a health drink, it may contain various flavoring agents or natural carbohydrates as additional ingredients like conventional drinks. The above-mentioned natural carbohydrates include monosaccharides such as glucose and fructose, disaccharides such as maltose and sucrose, polysaccharides such as textrin and cyclotenstrin, and sugar alcohols such as xylitol, sorbitol, and erythritol. As a sweetener, natural sweeteners such as thaumatin and stevia extract or synthetic sweeteners such as saccharin and aspartame can be used. The ratio of the natural carbohydrate is generally about 0.01 to 0.04 g, preferably about 0.02 to 0.03 g, per 100 g of the composition of the present invention. The composition of the present invention contains various nutrients, vitamins, electrolytes, flavors, colorants, pectic acid and its salts, alginic acid and its salts, organic acids, protective colloidal neutralizer, pH adjuster, stabilizer, preservative, glycerin, alcohol, carbonic acid. It may contain carbonating agents used in beverages. In addition, the composition of the present invention may contain pulp for the production of natural fruit juice, fruit juice drinks, and vegetable drinks. These ingredients can be used independently or in combination. The ratio of these additives is not very important, but the composition of the present invention is generally selected in the range of 0.01 to 0.1 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight.

In addition, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of arthritis and joint pain containing a mesquite extract as an active ingredient.

The arthritis is preferably osteoarthritis, and the joint pain is preferably joint pain caused by osteoarthritis, but is not limited thereto.

The composition of the present invention is preferably prepared in any one formulation selected from capsules, powders, granules, tablets, suspensions, emulsions, syrups, and aerosols, but is not limited thereto.

The composition of the present invention may further include pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, or diluents in addition to the above active ingredients, and may be in various oral or parenteral dosage forms. When formulated, it is prepared using diluents or excipients such as commonly used fillers, extenders, binders, wetting agents, disintegrants, and surfactants. Solid preparations for oral administration include capsules, powders, granules, tablets, pills, etc. These solid preparations contain one or more compounds and at least one excipient, such as starch, calcium carbonate, sucrose, or lactose ( It is prepared by mixing lactose, gelatin, etc. Additionally, in addition to simple excipients, lubricants such as magnesium stearate, talc, etc. are also used. Liquid preparations for oral administration include suspensions, emulsions, syrups, and aerosols. In addition to the commonly used simple diluents such as water and liquid paraffin, various excipients such as wetting agents, sweeteners, fragrances, and preservatives may be included. Preparations for parenteral administration include sterile aqueous solutions, non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, emulsions, lyophilized preparations, and suppositories. Non-aqueous solvents and suspension solvents may include propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oil such as olive oil, and injectable ester such as ethyl oleate. As a base for suppositories, witepsol, macrogol, tween 61, cacao, laurel, glycero gelatin, etc. can be used. When administering parenterally, it is preferable to choose external dermal application or intraperitoneal, rectal, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intrauterine dura, or intracerebrovascular injection.

The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention is administered in a pharmaceutically effective amount. In the present invention, "pharmaceutically effective amount" means an amount sufficient to treat the disease with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio applicable to medical treatment, and the level of the effective amount is determined by the type, severity, and activity of the patient's disease. , can be determined based on factors including sensitivity to the drug, time of administration, route of administration and excretion rate, duration of treatment, drugs used simultaneously, and other factors well known in the field of medicine. The composition of the present invention may be administered as an individual therapeutic agent or in combination with other therapeutic agents, may be administered sequentially or simultaneously with conventional therapeutic agents, and may be administered singly or multiple times. Considering all of the above factors, it is important to administer an amount that can achieve maximum effect with the minimum amount without side effects, and this can be easily determined by a person skilled in the art.

The dosage of the composition of the present invention varies depending on the patient's weight, age, gender, health condition, diet, administration time, administration method, excretion rate, and severity of the disease, and the daily dosage is based on the amount of spirea extract. As a standard, it is 0.01 to 2,000 mg/kg, preferably 30 to 500 mg/kg, and more preferably 50 to 300 mg/kg, and can be administered 1 to 6 times a day. The composition of the present invention can be used alone or in combination with surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and methods using biological response modifiers.

Additionally, the present invention relates to a feed additive for preventing or ameliorating arthritis and joint pain containing meadowsweet extract as an active ingredient.

The feed additive of the present invention corresponds to supplementary feed under the Feed Management Act. In the present invention, the term 'feed' may mean any natural or artificial diet, meal, etc., or a component of the meal, for or suitable for eating, ingestion, and digestion by animals. The type of feed is not particularly limited, and feed commonly used in the art can be used. Non-limiting examples of the feed include plant feeds such as grains, roots and fruits, food processing by-products, algae, fiber, pharmaceutical by-products, oils and fats, starches, cucurbits or grain by-products; Examples include animal feeds such as proteins, inorganic substances, fats and oils, minerals, oils and fats, single-cell proteins, zooplanktons or food. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

In addition, the present invention relates to a veterinary composition for the prevention or treatment of arthritis and joint pain containing a meadowsweet extract as an active ingredient.

The veterinary composition of the present invention may further include appropriate excipients and diluents according to conventional methods. Excipients and diluents that may be included in the veterinary composition of the present invention include lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, maltitol, starch, gum acacia, alginate, gelatin, calcium phosphate, calcium silicate, Cellulose, methyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, water, methyl hydroxy benzoate, propyl hydroxy benzoate, talc, magnesium stearate, cetanol, stearyl alcohol, liquid paraffin, sorbitan monostearate. , polysorbate 60, methylparaben, propylparaben, and mineral oil.

The veterinary composition according to the present invention may further include fillers, anti-aggregants, lubricants, wetting agents, spices, emulsifiers, preservatives, etc. The veterinary composition according to the present invention provides rapid and sustained release of the active ingredient after administration to an animal. or may be formulated using methods well known in the art to provide sustained release, the dosage form being powders, granules, tablets, capsules, suspensions, emulsions, solutions, syrups, aerosols, soft or hard gelatin capsules, It may be in the form of a suppository, sterile injectable solution, or sterile topical medication.

The effective amount of the veterinary composition according to the present invention can be appropriately selected depending on the individual animal. Severity of the disease or condition, sensitivity to the active ingredient of the present invention depending on the individual's age, weight, health condition or gender, administration route, administration period, factors including other compositions mixed or used simultaneously with the composition, and other physiological or It can be determined based on factors well known in the veterinary field.

In addition, the present invention relates to a herbal medicine composition for preventing or treating arthritis and joint pain containing an extract of the Spiraea tree as an active ingredient.

The herbal medicine composition of the present invention means that it is manufactured according to an oriental medicine prescription, but is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail using examples. These examples are only for illustrating the present invention in more detail, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

Example 1. Preparation of spirea extract

To 1 kg of Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora leaves of the present invention, 15 liters of 70% (v/v) ethanol was added, extracted at 85°C for 3 hours, and the filtered liquid was concentrated under reduced pressure at 45°C. By drying, a spirea extract was obtained.

Example 2. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory efficacy in chondrocytes

In human chondrocytes (SW1353), changes in the expression of MMP-1 (Matrix metalloproteinase-1) and MMP-13 (Matrix metalloproteinase-13), which are cartilage matrix degrading enzymes activated by an increase in inflammatory cytokines due to treatment with meadowsweet extract, were confirmed. did.

[Cell culture]

After culturing human chondrocytes (SW1353) using a culture medium supplemented with 10% FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum) in DMEM/F12 (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium: Nutrient Mixture F-12), 100 ㎍/㎖ of S. After processing the extract and culturing it for 2 hours, it was treated with IL-1β (10ng/ml) for 24 hours.

(1) Confirmation of IL-1β-mediated effect of reducing expression of MMP-1 and MMP-13

Due to the increased expression and activation of MMPs due to the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, the extracellular matrix (ECM) that makes up cartilage tissue is decomposed. In order to determine whether the extract of the spirea tree affects the expression of MMPs, an ELISA kit was used. (R&D Systems) conducted the analysis.

As a result, the expression levels of MMP-1 and MMP-13 increased in the culture supernatant treated with IL-1β for 24 hours, but the expression levels of MMP-1 and MMP-13 were significantly decreased in the cells pretreated with the sapphire extract of the present invention. decreased (Figure 1).

Example 3. Confirmation of the effect of spirea extract on weight bearing in an animal model of osteoarthritis induced by MIA (monosodium iodoacetate)

In an animal model of MIA-induced osteoarthritis, in order to determine the effect of the extract of the spirea tree on weight bearing, MIA (diluted with 0.9% saline to a concentration of 60 mg/ml), an osteoarthritis-causing substance, was administered into the joint space of the right hind limb of 7-week-old SD rats. ) After inducing osteoarthritis by administering 50㎕, 200㎎/kg of spirea extract was administered orally once a day for a total of 21 days, and the weight-bearing ratio was measured at 7-day intervals. As a positive control group, green lipped mussel oil (GLM, 100 mg/kg) was orally administered.

Hind limb weight bearing was measured using a paw weight tester (Incapacitance tester, Linton instrument Co., UK, Ser No. 01/45/25). The rat with osteoarthritis induced in the tester's holder stood on its normal foot to which MIA had not been administered due to pain, so the weight of both feet was unbalanced, and the weight of the foot to which MIA had been administered was measured to be relatively lighter compared to the weight of the normal foot. When measuring the weight of the feet, the weight (g) of both feet was measured while the SD rat's abdomen did not touch the sensor of the device, and using the measured weight of the feet, the weight bearing ratio (%) was calculated using the method of Equation 1 below. . The weight bearing is the force of supporting and pressing with the foot. Normally, the weight of both feet is balanced and the weight bearing rate of one foot is 50%. However, as the pain becomes worse due to osteoarthritis, the weight bearing rate (%) of the hind limb caused by osteoarthritis decreases.

[Equation 1]

Weight bearing ratio (%) = [Weight of hind limbs causing osteoarthritis / (Weight of both hind limbs)] × 100

As a result, it was confirmed that compared to the normal SD rat group, the weight bearing ratio (%) of the group in which osteoarthritis was induced by administering MIA decreased significantly compared to the control group over time. In contrast, the weight bearing ratio (%) of the positive control group or the group administered with spirea extract was significantly increased (Figure 2).

Example 4. Confirmation of the effect of spirea extract on inflammation-inducing factors and cartilage degeneration-inducing factors in an animal model of osteoarthritis induced by MIA (monosodium iodoacetate)

Inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, PGE ₂ , and LTB ₄ ) and cartilage degeneration factors (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in the blood and joints of animals with osteoarthritis. The expression level was confirmed using ELISA technique.

As a result, when osteoarthritis was induced by MIA, it was confirmed that the expression level of inflammation-inducing factors and cartilage degeneration-inducing factors increased, whereas when spirea extract was administered, the expression level of the increased inflammation-inducing factors decreased (Figures 3 and Figure 4). Through this, it was found that meadowsweet extract suppresses inflammation and joint cartilage damage caused by osteoarthritis.

Claims (12)

A health functional food composition for the prevention or improvement of arthritis and joint pain containing extract of the quince tree as an active ingredient. The health functional food composition for preventing or improving arthritis and joint pain according to claim 1, wherein the arthritis is osteoarthritis, and the joint pain is joint pain caused by osteoarthritis. The health functional food composition for preventing or improving arthritis and joint pain according to claim 1, wherein the composition reduces the expression of MMP-1 (Matrix metalloproteinase-1) and MMP-13 (Matrix metalloproteinase-13). . The health functional food composition for the prevention or improvement of arthritis and joint pain according to claim 1, wherein the extraction solvent of the Spruceae extract is water, C ₁ -C ₄ lower alcohol, or a mixture thereof. The health functional food composition for preventing or improving arthritis and joint pain according to claim 1, wherein the composition is manufactured in any one formulation selected from powder, granule, pill, tablet, capsule, candy, syrup, and beverage. . A pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of arthritis and joint pain containing extract of the quince tree as an active ingredient. The pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating arthritis and joint pain according to claim 6, wherein the arthritis is osteoarthritis, and the joint pain is joint pain caused by osteoarthritis. The pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating arthritis and joint pain according to claim 6, wherein the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent in addition to the active ingredient. The pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating arthritis and joint pain according to claim 6, wherein the composition is prepared in any one formulation selected from capsules, powders, granules, tablets, suspensions, emulsions, syrups and aerosols. A feed additive for the prevention or improvement of arthritis and joint pain containing meadowsweet extract as an active ingredient. A veterinary composition for the prevention or treatment of arthritis and joint pain containing extract of the spirea tree as an active ingredient. A herbal medicine composition for the prevention or treatment of arthritis and joint pain containing extract of the spirea tree as an active ingredient.