WO2003024245A1

WO2003024245A1 - Composition for reducing appetite in mammals comprising proxyanidin

Info

Publication number: WO2003024245A1
Application number: PCT/NL2002/000607
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arie Gijsbert Nieuwenhuizen; Katrien Maria Jozefa Van Laere
Original assignee: N.V. Nutricia
Priority date: 2001-09-20
Filing date: 2002-09-20
Publication date: 2003-03-27
Also published as: DE60207877T2; ES2254721T3; US20030064937A1; GB2395434A; EP1427297A1; EP1427297B1; MXPA04002623A; DE60207877D1; ATE311765T1; DK1427297T3; GB0406384D0; US6638542B2; CA2460824A1

Abstract

Procyanidin, optionally combined with hydroxycitric acid, is used in a method for the reduction of appetite in a mammal. Preferably procyanidin is administered to the mammal in a dosage of between 0.5 and 100 mg per kg bodyweight. Also shown is a process for the manufacture of a composition for oral administration.

Description

COMPOSITION FOR REDUCING APPETITE IN MAMMALS COMPRISING PROCYANIDIN

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method for reducing the appetite in mammals. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for the reduction of appetite in mammals, said method comprising administering procyanidin to the mammal, optionally combined with hydroxycitric acid, in an appetite reducing amount.

2. Description of the Prior Art Overweight and obesity are major problems within the Western community. Due to increased consumption, decreased exercise and changes in the nutritional value of foodstuffs, many humans and companion animals are suffering from overweight or have difficulty maintaining a desirable weight. Many methods have been proposed to solve these problems, for example via the administration of functional ingredients (e.g. nutritional supplements) which facilitate the reduction of overweight.

Ingestion of functional ingredients can contribute to the loss of weight or the maintenance of a desirable weight in a variety of ways. A popular way of loosing weight is the ingestion of thermogenic components, such as ephedrine. Alternatively, weight modification can be induced by influencing the digestive enzyme activity in an attempt to decrease the absorption of caloric nutritional components from ingested foodstuff. Well-known examples of such actions include the inhibition of intestinal carbohydrases or Upases. Other functional ingredients influence the absorption of nutritional molecules without decreasing intestinal enzyme activity. A further effective method for reducing overweight and obesity can be accomplished by the reduction of food intake, for example, by reducing the desire for food through the ingestion of appetite reducing functional ingredients.

EP815857 describes an antiobestic agent comprising as the active ingredient tamarind seed coat extracts (procyanidin). According to this application, the tamarind seed coat extract or procyanidin can act as a carbohydrase inhibitor, blood sugar increase inhibitor, monosaccharide absorption inhibitor, cholic acid adsorptive excretion promoter, cholesterol lowering agent, blood triglyceride lowering agent and lipase inhibitor.

WO0054610 describes a food complement for dietetic and/or cosmetic purposes, containing anti-lipase properties, for oral administration. Said food complement is characterized in that it comprises a grape extract rich in or enriched with polyphenols.

Several products are currently on the market advertised to induce weight reduction, some including hydroxycitric acid for reduction of the appetite and minor quantities of procyanidin containing extracts having antioxidant activity. Sunshine Slender™ and TJ. Clark's Advanced Liquid Weight Loss Formula™ are examples of such products.

As mentioned herein before, weight reduction can be induced via ingestion of a variety of functional ingredients. Severe downsides are attached to the application of functional ingredients which affect digestive pathways. Several functional ingredients modify the uptake of nutrients in vivo in an attempt to reduce caloric uptake. The main disadvantage of such procedure is the alteration of the intestinal uptake mechanisms, which may result in a decreased uptake of essential nutrients. Other functional ingredients act on metabolic pathways that induce the breakdown of excess body fat. In general, such components do not exclusively act as body fat reducers, but also can have severe side effects on other organs (e.g. heart). When reducing the food intake through the ingestion of appetite reducing agents, the disadvantageous side effects associated with the aforementioned functional ingredients, are not experienced. However, known appetite reducing agents also have undesirable side effects. Fenfluramine and sibutramine act on neurotransmitters in the brain, thereby inducing several adverse side effects. Combinations such as ephidrine and caffeine are also known to have appetite reducing effects, however have also been suggested to have adverse side effects. Therefore there remains a vast interest for safe, affordable and effective appetite suppressing functional ingredients with limited side effects.

3. Summary

The present invention discloses a method for reducing appetite in mammals comprising administering to said mammals, appetite reducing dosages of functional ingredients which are safe, are deemed not to have disadvantageous side effects, are affordable and plant derived.

The present invention relates to a method for the reduction of appetite in mammals through administering to said mammals of an effective dose of procyanidin. Procyanidins, which have, until now, been used mainly for their antioxidant and carbohydrase inhibitory activity, were surprisingly found to have appetite-reducing properties. The present invention provides in a novel therapeutic and/or cosmetic use of procyanidins, optionally combined with hydroxycitric acid (HCA). Optimal usage of the appetite reducing properties of procyanidin can be achieved through administering procyanidin, optionally combined with HCA, in an amount effective to reduce the appetite, not during the consumption of a meal, but some time after the meal, e.g. when experiencing first feelings of appetite or hunger.

The present inventors have now found that oral administration of the present invention reduces the appetite. Hence, the present invention provides in the demand for an effective appetite reducing agent which is safe.

Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is the inventors belief that the three main pathways by which glucose is metabolized are: A) oxidation in order to yield energy; b) conversion into fatty acids (de novo lipogenesis), a process which mainly occurs in the liver and c) conversion into glycogen, a process which mainly occurs in the liver and skeletal muscle.

It was suggested by the current inventors that procyanidins inhibit the uptake and oxidation of glucose by peripheral tissue, thereby increasing the availability of glucose for the conversion of glucose into glycogen in the liver. The increased glycogen formation is thought to have an appetite reducing effect. Hydroxycitric acid is thought to decrease the formation of fatty acids from glucose (de novo lipogenesis) thereby stimulating the storage of glycogen in the liver and inducing an appetite reducing effect.

The complementary action of procyanidins and hydroxycitric acid on different metabolic pathways (glucose oxidation and fatty acid formation respectively) could explain the synergistic action that has been observed by the present inventors. The inhibition of either one of the above "glucose consuming" pathways would not lead to such a significant increase in the glycogen storage in the liver, since the effect of the inhibition of one pathway could be compensated for through the increase of the other glucose consuming pathway. Inhibition of both pathways, however, may well be responsible for the unexpected appetite inhibiting effect resulting from the combined administration of procyanidin and hydroxycitric acid.

4. Detailed description.

One aspect of the invention is a method for the reduction of appetite in mammals, said method comprising administering to said mammal procyanidin, optionally combined with hydroxycitric acid, in an amount effective to reduce the appetite. Another aspect of the current invention provides a process for the manufacture of a composition, for oral administration, comprising admixing a) a plant extract obtained from one or more plant sources selected from the group consisting of: grape, pine, cocoa, tamarind, tomato, peanut, almond, apple, cranberry and blueberry, wherein said extract comprises between 50 mg and 3 gram procyanidins and wherein said plant extract comprises at least 50 wt.% procyanidin based on the dry weight of the extract and b) between 250 mg and 10 gram of hydroxycitric acid comprising composition, wherein said composition comprises at least 75 wt.% hydroxycitric acid based on dry weight.

Procyanidins

Procyanidines have been known and used especially for their antioxidant properties and their carbohydrase inhibitory effect. It has now surprisingly been found that procyanidins also have appetite reducing properties, when administered to a mammal in a therapeutically effective amount. Procyanidins are a member of the group of proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyanidms involve procyanidin, prodelphinidin, propelargonidin, proguibourtinidin, prof setinidin, prorobinetinidin, proteracacidin, promelacacidin, proapigeninidin, proluteolinidin and all of the stereoisomers thereof. The procyanidin used in the manufacture of the composition according to the present invention is a polymer, comprising 2 or more units of one or more of the monomers as shown in the following formula.

Figure 1: Structure of procyanidin monomer wherein: a. Rι = OH, R₂ = H, R₃ = H; or b. Rι = H, R₂ = OH, R₃ = H; or c. Ri = gallic acid ester, R₂ = H, R = H; or d. Ri = H, R = gallic acid ester, R₃ = H

According to a preferred embodiment the procyanidin is mainly present as a B-type polymer, which have a single interflavanoid bond (in contrast to A-type procyanidin polymers, which have a second interflavanoid bond). Even more preferably at least 70 mol % of the procyanidin polymers are present as B-type polymers.

Procyanidin: Source

Procyanidins can be easily obtained from various sources. Preferably the procyanidins are obtained from a natural, more preferably a plant source. Preferably the procyanidins are obtained from a plant source selected from the group consisting of grape, pine, cocoa, tamarind, tomato, peanut, almond, apple, cranberry, blueberry or mixtures thereof, especially from the group consisting of pine bark, grape seed, tamarind seed husk, cocoa bean, apple peel, apple pericarp or mixtures thereof and most preferred from grape seed and/or pine bark.

Procyanidins: Extract Many plant sources of procyanidins comprise very low levels of procyanidins. In order to accomplish the desired appetite reducing effect, vast amounts of raw plant material would have to be consumed. The use of an extract of one of the procyanidin sources may avoid such discomfort. An additional advantage of the use of a more concentrated form of procyanidins, e.g. in the form of an extract, resides in the fact that procyanidins may be administered without co-administering a significant amount of caloric plant material. More importantly, however, the inventors believe that the use of compositions having an increased weight percentage of procyanidins provides an increased appetite reducing effect compared to procyanidin containing compositions having a lower weight percentage procyanidins. Preferably the procyanidin containing plant extract used in the current invention comprises at least 25 wt.%, more preferably at least 50 wt.%, even more preferably at least 60 wt.%, especially at least 80 wt.% procyanidin based on the dry weight of the extract. The term "extract" as used in the present invention refers to an isolate that has been obtained by means of solvent extraction.

Procyanidin: Dosage

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, an oral dosage comprising between 0.5 and 100 mg procyanidin per kg body weight should be administered to a mammal. Typically said mammal would have a body weight above about 12 kg. Preferably said mammal is a human. More preferably the dosage is between 1 and 50 mg procyanidin per kg body weight, even more preferably between 2 and 30 mg procyanidin per kg body weight, most preferably between 3 and 20 mg procyanidin per kg body weight, especially between 5 mg and 10 mg procyanidin per kg body weight.

For human subjects above the age of about 10 years, an appetite reducing dosage of procyanidin is between 20 mg and 12.5 g procyanidin, preferably between 80 mg and 10 g procyanidin, more preferably between 100 mg and 5 gram, more preferably between 150 mg and 3 gram, most preferably between about 200 mg and 2 gram per dose, even most preferably between 250 mg and 1 gram per dose.

For human subjects with the age between about 4 and 15 years, an appetite reducing dosage of procyanidin, preferably apple procyanidin, is between 40 mg and 4 g procyanidin, preferably between 50 mg and 2 gram, more preferably between 60 mg and 1 gram, most preferably between about 75 mg and 500 mg per dose, especially between 90 mg and 300 mg.

According to a preferred embodiment, the appetite reducing composition comprising procyanidin, optionally combined with hydroxycitric acid, comprises at least 1 wt.% procyanidin based on dry weight, more preferably at least 2 wt.%, even more preferably at least 5 wt.%, most preferably at least 8 wt.%, especially at least 12.5 wt.%.

Although the exact effective appetite reducing dosage for use in mammals other than humans would have to be determined in these mammals, such as cats, dogs etc, with the current disclosure this is well within the capabilities of the skilled person.

Procyanidin and HCA: Synergism

It was found that the dose of procyanidin required for inducing an appetite reducing effect can be decreased through the co-administration of hydroxycitric acid. This is especially desirable, since it was found that the ingestion of vast amounts of procyanidin may lead to undesirable side effects such as intestinal stress. It was surprisingly found that the appetite reducing effect of procyanidin is increased by hydroxycitric acid (HCA) and that, similarly, the appetite reducing effect of hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is increased by procyanidin. This provides the possibility to decrease the appetite reducing dosage of both procyanidin and hydroxycitric acid. This synergistic effect was shown by co-administering a non-appetite reducing dosage of procyanidins and a non-appetite reducing dosage of hydroxycitric acid. Both the non-appetite reducing amount dosage of procyanidins and the non-appetite reducing dosage of HCA did not show any significant appetite reducing effect. Surprisingly, when coadministered, these dosages had a significant appetite reducing effect, showing the synergistic effect of HCA and procyanidin.

Procyanidin + HCA: Dosage of procyanidin Although HCA and procyanidin show synergistic effects, procyanidin and HCA are to be administered in significant amounts in order to provide an appetite reducing effect. It is the inventors belief that for a mammal having a body weight above 25 kg, between 0.5 mg and 30 mg procyanidin per kg body weight of the mammal should be coadministered with HCA to provide an appetite reducing effect. Preferably, between 0.75 mg and 20 mg procyanidin per kg body weight of the mammal, more preferably between 1 mg and 12 mg procyanidin per kg body weight of the mammal, even more preferably between 2 mg and 8 mg procyanidin per kg body weight of the mammal. For a human, an appetite reducing dosage of procyanidin, when coadministered with hydroxycitric acid, is preferably between 10 mg and 5 grams, more preferably between 40 mg and 4 g, more preferably between 50 mg and 3 gram, even more preferably between 75 mg and 2 gram, most preferably between about 100 mg and 1 gram per dose, especially between 150 mg and 750 mg.

Procyanidin + HCA: Dosage HCA

Where in this application the term hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is mentioned, hydroxycitric acid, its precursors (e.g. salts), metabolites or mixtures thereof are meant. Preferably calcium or potassium hydroxycitrate or mixtures thereof are used. HCA is preferably used in a dose of between 1 mg and 300 mg per kg body weight, more preferably between 2 mg and 250 mg per kg body weight, more preferably between 4 mg and 150 mg per kg body weight, even more preferably between 10 mg and 90 mg per kg body weight. For a human subject, the quantity of HCA per dose would thus typically be between 50 mg and 25 g, preferably 100 mg and 20 g, more preferably between 250 mg and 10 gram, even more preferably between 400 mg and 6 gram, most preferably between 500 mg and 4 gram per dose.

According to a preferred embodiment, the HCA containing raw material (source material) used to provide the HCA contains a high level of HCA. The use of such a relatively pure form of HCA offers the possibility to provide a fairly concentrated form of HCA after admixture with procyanidin. It is the inventors belief that an increased weight percentage of HCA in the appetite reducing composition increases the appetite reducing effect compared to a composition having a lower weight percentage HCA. Additionally, the usage of a relatively pure hydroxycitric acid source reduces the amount of hydroxycitric acid comprising raw material that is required for achieving the appetite reducing effect. Thus the dosage weight of the appetite reducing composition may be kept relatively low, enabling the preparation of a (single dose) appetite reducing composition in the form of a tablet, pill or capsule. Additionally it was found by the current inventors that substantially pure HCA has an unexpected increased appetite reducing effect compared to HCA compositions comprising a lower weight percentage HCA. Relatively pure HCA is believed to provide improved synergistic effects when coadministered with procyanidin. Preferably, the relatively pure HCA comprises at least 50-wt.%, more preferably at least 60-wt.%, even more preferably at least 75-wt.%, especially at least 95-wt-% HCA based on the dry weight of the HCA containing raw material used.

Preferably, a highly soluble and/or synthetic HCA is used. It is the inventors belief that an increased solubility of the HCA contributes to the appetite reducing effect of hydroxycitric acid, through the increased bioavailability.

Hydroxycitric acid exists in two forms, the free acid form and the lactone form. The free acid form is biologically active and the lactone form is inactive. The HCA containing raw material used to provide the HCA preferably comprises below 5 wt.% HCA in lactone form, preferably below 3 wt.%, even more preferably below 2 wt.%.

Optionals

In addition to the procyadinin, other components can be incorporated to the composition, including the above mentioned HCA, as well as fibers, caffeine, platycodon and mixtures thereof.

Fiber

To further stimulate the appetite reducing action of procyanidin, fiber can be added to the formulation. The fiber may be selected from the group of soluble and insoluble fibers. Not to be bound by theory, it is believed that the fiber may synergistically stimulate the satiety effect of procyanidin. Furthermore, the fibers may prevent or decrease constipation and/or reduce blood serum cholesterol levels. When the additional fiber is soluble fiber, the soluble fiber of the present invention is preferably selected from the group consisting of galactomannans, glucomannans, pectin and mixtures thereof. More preferably the fiber is selected from the group consisting of pectin, xanthan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, fenugreek fiber, konjak mannan and mixtures thereof. Preferably the additional fiber is administered in an amount of between 0.5 mg and 1 gram fiber per kg body weight, more preferably between 2 mg and 100 mg fiber per kg body weight, most preferably between 3 mg and 50 mg fiber per kg body weight.

Caffeine

According to a further preferred embodiment, the present method comprises the administration of a combination of procyanidin and caffeine. The present inventors believe that a combination of procyanidin and caffeine, optionally combined with HCA, can be advantageously applied in the present method. The caffeine used in the present invention may be naturally, semi-synthetically or synthetically derived. According to a preferred embodiment naturally derived caffeine is used. Preferred sources of naturally derived caffeine include herbal extracts comprising between 5 and 95 % caffeine based on the dry weight of the herbal extract, more preferably between 10 and 50 %.

A dosage of caffeine in the procyanidin containing composition, optionally combined with HCA, preferably lies between 0.05 mg and 25 mg per kg of body weight. According to a particularly preferred embodiment the caffeine is administered in an amount between 0.1 and 15 mg, more preferably between 0.5 and 10 mg caffeine per kg body weight per dosage. A dosage that is advantageously used by human preferably comprises between 5 and 4000 mg caffeine, more preferably between 25 and 2000 mg, even more preferably between and 50 and 1000 mg, most preferably between 100 and 500 mg caffeine.

Platycodon

Platycodon root is a known source of triterpenoid saponins, such as platycodin A, C and D. A study on platycodon has demonstrated that administration of platycodon saponins to mice did not result in a reduction of their food intake (Han et al., J. Nutr. 132: 2241-2245, 2002). However, the present inventors found that a combination of procyanidins, HCA and an extract of platycodi radix reduced food intake in rats. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is the inventors belief that the procyanidin and platycodon extract act on different mechanisms and therefor synergistically reduce the appetite.

Hence according to a preferred embodiment, the present method comprises the administration of a combination of procyanidin and platycodon, optionally combined with HCA, caffeine, fiber or mixtures thereof. According to a preferred embodiment Platycodon grandiflorum is used in the present method. Advantageously, an extract of platycodon is used. Preferably, the platycodon or extract used in the present method contains platycodin D, preferably at least 0.4 wt.%), more preferably at least 1 wt.% platycodin D based on the dry weight of the platycodon or platycodon extract. Preferably platycodon or platycodon extract is administered in an amount equivalent to between 0.05 mg and 250 mg, more preferably between 0.5 mg and 100 mg, most preferably between 1 mg and 50 mg dry platycodon or dry platycodon extract per kg body weight per dosage. A dosage that is advantageously used by human preferably comprises platycodon or platycodon extract in an amount equivalent to between 1 and 8000 mg, more preferably between 5 and 4000 mg, even more preferably between and 25 and 2000 mg, most preferably between 50 and 1000 mg dry platycodon or dry platycodon extract. Advantageously, the platycodin D is administered in an amount between 0.01 mg and 50 mg, more preferably between 0.1 mg and 25 mg, most preferably between 0.5 mg and 10 mg platycodin D per kg body weight per dosage. A dosage that is advantageously used by human preferably comprises between 0.5 and 1000 mg, more preferably between 1 and 500 mg, even more preferably between and 5 and 250 mg platycodin D.

Administering

Generally, an individual's feelings and sensations between the start of a first meal and the next meal go through different phases. A set of sensations and sensations is usually discriminated within the art. If satiety is evaluated, several phases can be used to express the satiety after a meal. These can be termed very full, full, appetite and hungry. Preferably the procyanidin, optionally combined with HCA, is administered in the phases appetite, hunger or at the end of the full phase, more preferably in the appetite or hunger phase. In contrast to the actions of procyanidin as described in the art, such as the carbohydrase and lipase inhibitory effect, it was surprisingly found that procyanidin is capable of reducing the appetite, when administered in an appetite reducing amount. Normally, functional ingredients having e.g. carbohydrase and lipase inhibitory effects have to be administered shortly before or during a meal in order to provide an effect. Preferably, the procyanidin, optionally comprising hydroxycitric acid, is administered after the meal, when a feeling of hunger appears or when the feeling of hunger is likely to appear within a short period. Preferably, the procyanidin, optionally comprising HCA, is administered about 1-8 hours, more preferably about 2-6 hours after consumption of a meal. Typically the procyanidin is administered between 0.5 hour after one meal and 0.5 hour prior to the next meal, preferably between 1 hour after one meal and 1 hour prior to the next meal.

The present invention provides procyanidin, optionally in combination with HCA, which can be ingested at any time during the day or night, however, in most cases after consumption of a meal and at least 1 hour before the next meal. Assuming most humans consume a meal at around 8 AM, 1 PM and 5 PM, the procyanidin, optionally combined with HCA is best consumed between 9 and 12 AM, between 2 and 4 PM and/or between 7 and 12 PM, when the use is aimed at preventing, reducing or postponing the hungry feeling. Alternatively, the procyanidin can be taken shortly before the meal or even during a meal, when the meal is expected to provide insufficient satisfaction, e.g. when the subject is subjected to a weight loss program.

In a further preferred embodiment, procyanidin containing dosages are administered at least twice, preferably at least trice per day. Preferably the time between administration of one procyanidin containing dosage and the next procyanidin containing dosage exceeds 2 hours. Suitably, the effective amounts of procyanidins are administered at least 30 minutes prior to one meal. In the case the method comprises the oral administration of procyanidins at least twice, preferably at least trice per day, the procyanidins are preferably administered in an amount of between 10 mg and 2.5 g procyanidin per dose, more preferably in an amount between 50 mg and 1 gram procyanidin per dose.

Whenever the term dose or dosage is used within this disclosure, any dosage form is encompassed which can be administered orally, within a fairly narrow time span. Whenever reference is made to a certain quantity that is administered per dose or dosage, said quantity is preferably admimstered within one hour, more preferably within 15 minutes, even more preferably within 5 minutes.

The medicament comprising an appetite-reducing amount of procyanidin, optionally also comprising HCA, may be administered orally in the form of a pill, tablet, capsule, liquid composition, or admixed in a meal, more preferably in the form of a pill, tablet, capsule or the like. A dose or dosage, when in the form of a pill, capsule or tablet or the like, can consist of more than one pill, capsule, table or the like. According to a preferred embodiment, a dose or dosage does not consist of more than 3 tablets, capsules, pill or the like, even more preferably the dose consists of a single pill, capsule, tablet or the like.

Use

The present invention is especially aimed at the reduction or prevention of appetite and/or feelings of hunger. The method according to the invention can, for example, be used by subjects having the desire to reduce appetite, induce satiety, satisfy hunger or reduce craving urges. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for the reduction craving urges, said method comprising administering to a human an effective amount of procyanidins. The appetite reducing amount of procyanidins can be used either alone or in combination with other substances contributing to weight loss or general health, such as for example herbal preparations, vitamins, minerals, fibers and antioxidants. In order to prevent insufficient ingestion of vitamins due to the appetite reducing effect of procyanidin, optionally combined with HCA, the method according to the invention will preferably further encompass the administration of at least one vitamin in an amount that exceeds 10% of the daily recommended intake of the vitamin. The Recommended Daily Administration (RDA) has been published by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Since appetite reduction is an important means through which overweight can be prevented or treated, the appetite-reducing medicament can be used either in a preparation essentially directed towards the reduction of the appetite or in a preparation or program for reducing the weight in a mammal wherein also other active or functional substances are (co)administered to the subject.

The administration of an appetite reducing amount of procyanidin will reduce the appetite of said mammal and consequently will reduce the caloric intake. The composition of the present invention can be administered to subjects participating in a weight loss program for reduction of the adverse side effects which can be experienced during such a program. Strong appetite or feelings of hunger are often experienced by subjects participating in a weight loss program. Such discomfort can be relieved by administering an appetite reducing amount of procyanidin, optionally combined with HCA during the time the subject is subjected to the weight loss program.

Additionally appetite reducing agents are useful in several other applications. These can be used to provide comfort to subjects having limited access to foodstuffs, such as for example military personal during a long mission.

6. Examples:

Example 1: Appetite reducing effects of procyanidin The appetite suppressive effects of a procyanidin containing extract from pine bark, comprising 65 wt.% procyanidin was tested in male Wistar rats. In a placebo-controlled cross-over study, either placebo or increasing dosages of procyanidins were administered as a single bolus intragastrically at 30 min before onset of the active (dark) period. Subsequently, voluntary food intake was recorded continuously for 48 hours. Following this period, the experiment was repeated as part of the cross-over design (that is, rats which first received the procyanidins now received the placebo and vice versa).

Results are shown as relative food intake when compared with the placebo treatment. Figure 1 show a clear dose-dependent decrease in food intake shortly after administration of the procyanidin extract.

A dose of about 26 mg procyanidin per kg rat resulted in a significant (p<0.05) reduction of food intake for over 12 hours, indicating a reduced appetite.

Example 2: Appetite reducing effects of coadministered procyanidin and hydroxycitric acid

The appetite suppressive effects of a combination of procyanidin (pine bark extract containing 65 wt.% procyanidin) and hydroxycitric acid (Regulator™ ex HOB Ireland, Dublin, Ireland) was tested in male Wistar rats. In a placebo-controlled cross-over study, either 13 mg procyanidin per kg rat (A), 155 mg hydroxycitric acid per kg rat (B) or 13 mg procyanidin per kg rat and 155 mg hydroxycitric acid per kg rat (C) were admimstered as a single bolus intragastrically at 30 min before onset of the active (dark) period. Subsequently, voluntary food intake was recorded continuously for 48 hours. Following this period, the experiment was repeated as part of the cross-over design (that is, rats which first received the procyanidins now received the placebo and vice versa).

Results are shown as absolute cumulative food intake after 1,2 and 4 hours (see Figure 2). Statistical analysis (paired student t) was made of the data. It can be concluded from the data and the statistical analysis thereof, that the administration of hydroxycitric acid (A) or procyanidin (B) did not result in a significant decrease in absolute cumulative food intake. The coadministration of hydroxycitric acid and or procyanidin resulted in a significantly (p<0.05) decreased absolute cumulative food intake. These results show the synergistic appetite reducing effects of procyanidin and hydroxycitric acid.

Example 3: Appetite reducing supplement for humans

Soft gelatin capsule containing ,

800 mg Nitis vinifera extract (comprising 85 wt.% procyanidins)

Example 4: Appetite reducing supplement for humans

Soft gelatin capsule containing,

400 mg pycnogenol (comprising 65 wt.% procyanidins)

800 mg synthetic hydroxycitric acid, comprising below 2 wt.% hydroxycitric acid in the lactone form

Example 5: Anti-Craving supplement for humans Tablet containing

800 mg Nitis vinifera extract (comprising 85 wt.% procyanidins) 250 mg Gymema sylvestre extract (comprising 25 wt.% gymnemic acid)

Example 6: Appetite reducing supplement for humans Tablet containing

200 mg Nitis vinifera extract (comprising 85 wt.% procyanidins) 700 mg synthetic hydroxycitric acid, comprising below 2 wt.% hydroxycitric acid in the lactone form Example 7: Appetite reducing bar for children Cereal bar containing:

50 mg procyanidins in the form of apple chunks 30 gram oat bran

Example 8: Appetite reducing effects of procyanidin in humans

The appetite suppressive effects of a procyanidin containing extract from grapeseed, comprising about 78 wt.% procyanidin was tested in humans. In a randomised, placebo controlled, double blind, parallel group study, either placebo or grapeseed were administered 1 hour prior to breakfast, lunch and dinner for 3 day period starting on Monday and ending on Wednesday. The daily dosage of the placebo amounted to 3g maltodextrin/day, i.e. lg three times a day whereas the daily dosage of grapeseed amounted to 300mg/day, i.e. lOOmg three times a day. During the study, the subjects were asked to continue their normal eating habits with the exception of Monday and Wednesday where consumption of snack was restricted. On these two days, when subjects wanted to eat a snack, only the sweet and savory cookies provided by the study personnel were allowed but the amount consumed was free. In addition, on these specific days the subjects were free to drink coffee, tea, water and light drinks (i.e. drinks providing less than lkcal/lOOml) but no other drinks and consumption of fruit was allowed. After administration of the placebo or grapeseed, the subject were asked to rate their hunger and satiety just before the meal upon a scale of 1 to 10, wherein 1 represents "little" and 10 "much". Consumption of the provided sweet and savory was also recorded.

Results of the rating are shown in Figures 3-5.

Figure 3 shows the rating results given upon the question "Do you have a full feeling in your stomach". Figure 3 shows a higher fullness stomach rating with the grapeseed when compared to the placebo, thus indicative for the appetite reducing performance of the procyanidins containing grapeseed.

Figure 4 shows the rating results given upon the question "Do you feel satiated". Figure 4 shows a higher satiety rating with the grapeseed when compared to the placebo, thus indicative of the reduced appetite performance of the procyanidins containing grapeseed.

Figure 5 shows the consumption of snack during the study. Figure 5 shows a pronounced reduction of snack consumption with subject administered with the grapeseed when compared to the placebo, thus showing the appetite reduction of the procyanidins containing grapeseed.

Example 9: Appetite reducing effect of a combination of procyanidin, HCA and platycodon extract

The appetite suppressive effect of a combination of grape seed procyanidins (40 mg/kg body weight), HCA (150 mg/kg body weight) and platycodon radix extract (300 mg/kg body weight), hereinafter referred to as "the combination", was tested in male Wistar rats. In a placebo-controlled cross-over study, either placebo or the combination (dissolved in 1 ml water) was administered as a single bolus intragastrically at 30 min before onset of the active (dark) period. Subsequently, voluntary food intake was recorded continuously for 4 hours. Following this period, the experiment was repeated as part of the cross-over design (that is, rats which first received the combination now received the placebo and vice versa). Figure 6 shows the food intake at 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours after administration of the combination. Figure 6 shows that the combination significantly reduced food intake at 2, 3 and 4 hours after administration of the combination, thus indicative for the appetite reducing performance of the combination.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method for the manufacture of a composition for the reduction of appetite in a mammal, said method comprising the administration to said mammal of procyanidin, optionally combined with hydroxycitric acid, in an amount effective to reduce the appetite.

2. A cosmetic method for the reduction of appetite in a mammal, said method comprising the administration to said mammal of procyanidin, optionally combined with hydroxycitric acid, in an amount effective to reduce the appetite.

3. Method according to either one of Claim 1 or 2, wherein between 0.5 and 100 mg procyanidin per kg body weight is administered to said mammal per dosage.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein between 2 to 250 mg hydroxycitric acid per kg of body weight is administered to said mammal per dosage.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises administering to said mammal per dosage a combination of between 0.5 and 30 mg procyanidin per kg bodyweight and between 4 and 150 mg HCA per kg bodyweight.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the procyanidin is obtained from one or more plant sources selected from the group consisting of grape, pine, cocoa, tamarind, tomato, peanut, almond, apple, cranberry, or blueberry.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the procyanidin is obtained from one or more plant sources selected from the group consisting of grape seed, pine bark, tamarind husk, cocoa bean, apple pericarp or apple peel.

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the procyanidin, optionally combined with hydroxycitric acid, is administered in the form of a composition that comprises at least 1 wt % procyanidin, based on dry weight.

9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the procyanidin, optionally combined with hydroxycitric acid, is admimstered between 30 minutes after one meal and 30 minutes prior to the next meal.

10. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the procyanidin, optionally combined with hydroxycitric acid, is administered in the form of a tablet, pill or capsule.

11. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hydroxycitric acid is administered in the form of a composition containing at least 60 wt.% hydroxycitric acid based on dry weight.

12. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a procyanidin containing dosage is administered at least twice, preferably at least trice per day.

13. A process for the manufacture of a composition, for oral administration, comprising admixing a) a plant extract obtained from one or more plant sources selected from the group consisting of: grape, pine, cocoa, tamarind, tomato, peanut, almond, apple, cranberry and blueberry, wherein said plant extract comprises between 50 mg and 3 gram procyanidins and wherein said plant extract comprises at least 50 wt.% procyanidin based on the dry weight of the extract and b) between 250 mg and 10 gram of a hydroxycitric acid comprising composition, wherein said composition comprises at least 75 wt.% hydroxycitric acid based on dry weight