WO2007007994A1 - Food composition for improving liver function comprising a lonicera caerulea l. var. edulis extract - Google Patents

Food composition for improving liver function comprising a lonicera caerulea l. var. edulis extract Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007007994A1
WO2007007994A1 PCT/KR2006/002669 KR2006002669W WO2007007994A1 WO 2007007994 A1 WO2007007994 A1 WO 2007007994A1 KR 2006002669 W KR2006002669 W KR 2006002669W WO 2007007994 A1 WO2007007994 A1 WO 2007007994A1
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extract
caerulea
food
fruits
var
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PCT/KR2006/002669
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French (fr)
Inventor
Ju Hwan Eum
Man Chul Suh
Dur Han Kwon
Byeong Ku Yoon
Wha Jeong Choi
Kyung Mi Kwon
Chan Soo Kim
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H & K Bioscience
Korea Polytechnic University
Korea Research Institute Of Bioscience And Biotechnology
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Publication of WO2007007994A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007007994A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K36/00—Medicinal preparations of undetermined constitution containing material from algae, lichens, fungi or plants, or derivatives thereof, e.g. traditional herbal medicines
    • A61K36/18—Magnoliophyta (angiosperms)
    • A61K36/185—Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
    • A61K36/35—Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle family)
    • A61K36/355—Lonicera (honeysuckle)
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L33/00—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A21—BAKING; EDIBLE DOUGHS
    • A21D—TREATMENT, e.g. PRESERVATION, OF FLOUR OR DOUGH, e.g. BY ADDITION OF MATERIALS; BAKING; BAKERY PRODUCTS; PRESERVATION THEREOF
    • A21D2/00—Treatment of flour or dough by adding materials thereto before or during baking
    • A21D2/08—Treatment of flour or dough by adding materials thereto before or during baking by adding organic substances
    • A21D2/36—Vegetable material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23C—DAIRY PRODUCTS, e.g. MILK, BUTTER OR CHEESE; MILK OR CHEESE SUBSTITUTES; MAKING THEREOF
    • A23C9/00—Milk preparations; Milk powder or milk powder preparations
    • A23C9/12—Fermented milk preparations; Treatment using microorganisms or enzymes
    • A23C9/13—Fermented milk preparations; Treatment using microorganisms or enzymes using additives
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
    • A23G3/00—Sweetmeats; Confectionery; Marzipan; Coated or filled products
    • A23G3/34—Sweetmeats, confectionery or marzipan; Processes for the preparation thereof
    • A23G3/36—Sweetmeats, confectionery or marzipan; Processes for the preparation thereof characterised by the composition containing organic or inorganic compounds
    • A23G3/48—Sweetmeats, confectionery or marzipan; Processes for the preparation thereof characterised by the composition containing organic or inorganic compounds containing plants or parts thereof, e.g. fruits, seeds, extracts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
    • A23G4/00—Chewing gum
    • A23G4/06—Chewing gum characterised by the composition containing organic or inorganic compounds
    • A23G4/068—Chewing gum characterised by the composition containing organic or inorganic compounds containing plants or parts thereof, e.g. fruits, seeds, extracts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L13/00—Meat products; Meat meal; Preparation or treatment thereof
    • A23L13/40—Meat products; Meat meal; Preparation or treatment thereof containing additives
    • A23L13/42—Additives other than enzymes or microorganisms in meat products or meat meals
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L13/00—Meat products; Meat meal; Preparation or treatment thereof
    • A23L13/60—Comminuted or emulsified meat products, e.g. sausages; Reformed meat from comminuted meat product
    • A23L13/65—Sausages
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L2/00—Non-alcoholic beverages; Dry compositions or concentrates therefor; Their preparation
    • A23L2/38—Other non-alcoholic beverages
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L33/00—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof
    • A23L33/10—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof using additives
    • A23L33/105—Plant extracts, their artificial duplicates or their derivatives
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L33/00—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof
    • A23L33/10—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof using additives
    • A23L33/15—Vitamins
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L33/00—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof
    • A23L33/10—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof using additives
    • A23L33/16—Inorganic salts, minerals or trace elements
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12C—BEER; PREPARATION OF BEER BY FERMENTATION; PREPARATION OF MALT FOR MAKING BEER; PREPARATION OF HOPS FOR MAKING BEER
    • C12C5/00—Other raw materials for the preparation of beer
    • C12C5/02—Additives for beer
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12G—WINE; PREPARATION THEREOF; ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; PREPARATION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES NOT PROVIDED FOR IN SUBCLASSES C12C OR C12H
    • C12G3/00—Preparation of other alcoholic beverages
    • C12G3/04—Preparation of other alcoholic beverages by mixing, e.g. for preparation of liqueurs
    • C12G3/05—Preparation of other alcoholic beverages by mixing, e.g. for preparation of liqueurs with health-improving ingredients, e.g. flavonoids, flavones, polyphenols or polysaccharides
    • C12G3/055—Preparation of other alcoholic beverages by mixing, e.g. for preparation of liqueurs with health-improving ingredients, e.g. flavonoids, flavones, polyphenols or polysaccharides extracted from plants

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a food composition having the effect of restoring liver function, comprising an extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis.
  • the liver situated between the digestive system and the systemic circulatory system, plays important roles in protecting the whole body from foreign toxic substances and in the metabolism of exogenous materials. Since the exogenous materials taken up by the body initially enter the liver to be filtered, the liver has a high risk of being exposed to numerous toxic substances as well as nutrients. Thus, the liver is highly vulnerable to damage relative to other organs .
  • Liver diseases are classified into two major types according to cause: one is toxic liver disease caused by the excessive ingestion of alcohol or the like, and the other is viral liver disease caused by viral infection.
  • Viral liver diseases arise from infection with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, or the like. Recently, toxic liver disease is increasing due to food, medicaments, medicinal herbal substances, alcohol, and the like. Liver diseases are difficult to diagnose in early stages due to the absence of subjective symptoms. By the time individuals develop subjective symptoms, the liver has suffered great damage. The liver is an organ which has greater ability to recover its full function than other organs. However, it is difficult to restore normal liver function when hepatocytes have already been transformed.
  • silymarin Since silymarin has been domestically introduced as a therapeutic agent for liver damage in the 1970' s, many pharmaceutical preparations containing it as a major ingredient have been developed and are now available on the market. Pharmaceutical preparations containing silymarin as a major ingredient have already been widely applied for the clinical purpose of treating liver diseases. However, the major ingredient silymarin has a drawback in that it is not highly water-soluble, and thus has a low uptake in the body when orally administered. At present, silymarin preparations have been used merely in auxiliary therapy for liver diseases, such as toxic liver diseases, chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. Thus, there is a need for the development of drugs capable of rapidly restoring the normal function of hepatocytes .
  • Korean Pat. Registration No. 80759 discloses fermented milk, which is useful for maintaining and improving liver function, and a method of preparing the same.
  • Korean Pat. Laid-open Publication No. 2003-0027615 discloses a functional food composition containing an extract from fruits of Hovenia dulcis Thunb, the composition having effects of enhancing liver function and relieving hangover symptoms.
  • Korean Pat. Laid-open Publication No. 2003-0011818 discloses the use of an extract from Eleutherococcus senticosus in the production of functional rice coated therewith.
  • 2003-0063308 discloses a therapeutic agent for hepatitis B comprising an extract from the medicinal herb Phyllanthus urinaria, and a method of preparing the same.
  • Korean Pat. Laid-open Publication No. 2004-0018733 discloses a composition for treating viral liver diseases comprising an extract from Ixeris sonchifolia. Based on this background, the present inventors conducted intensive and thorough research to obtain from natural materials a substance having good therapeutic activity against liver diseases, other than conventional therapeutic compositions as described above. The research resulted in the finding that when a damaged hepatic cell line was dosed with an extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var.
  • the present invention aims to provide a food composition having the effect of restoring liver function, comprising an extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis.
  • Fig. 1 shows the effects of an extract from fruits of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis on the growth of HepG2 cells .
  • Fig. 2 shows the effects of ethyl alcohol on the growth of HepG2 cells .
  • Fig. 3 shows the comparison of absorbance of a well treated with ethyl alcohol alone and wells treated with ethyl alcohol and then an extract from fruits of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis with that of a control well not treated with either ethyl alcohol or the extract from fruits of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis.
  • Fig. 4 shows the restoration of liver function by administration of an extract from fruits of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis, which was observed on a SPOTCHEMTM II strip.
  • Fig. 5 shows the results of histochemical analysis on the effects of an extract from fruits of Lonicera caerulea
  • the present invention relates to a food composition for restoring liver function, comprising an extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis.
  • extract refers to an active ingredient isolated from a natural material.
  • the extract may be obtained by an extraction process using water, an organic solvent, or a solvent mixture thereof, and includes dry powder of the extract or all forms formulated therefrom.
  • Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis refers to all organs, for example, roots, branches, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits, of natural, hybrid or variant types of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis, but preferably indicates fruits of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis.
  • Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis is a dicotyledonous plant belonging to the Family Caprifoliaceae of the Order Rubiales. It is a deciduous shrub that grows to 1.5 m tall, is densely branched, and has shield-shaped bracts at nodes of twigs .
  • the inner part of branches is white.
  • the leaves are opposite, lanciform to elliptic and blunt- or sharp-ended, lack teeth on the margins, have short hairs on the margins and surface, and have many wooly hairs underneath.
  • the flowers usually have short stalks, which arise from leaf axils, have trumpet-shaped creamy white corollas, and bloom in summer.
  • Each calyx contains five toothed sepals.
  • the corollas are yellowish white, cylindrical campanulate, 1.2-1.5 cm long, and slightly hairy.
  • the stamens are shorter than styles and have no hairs, and the two ovaries are fused together.
  • the fruits are oval or nearly circular, ripen to purplish black between July and October, and are covered with white powder.
  • ALT and AST are enzymes present in hepatocytes . When hepatocytes are damaged or disrupted, these enzymes are released therefrom, leading to an increase in concentrations thereof in the blood. Thus, ALT and AST levels are used as biochemical indicators for liver diseases caused by liver cell damage.
  • a human liver cell line, HepG2 was damaged with ethyl alcohol and then dosed with an extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis, and stimulated growth rates were compared with those of a control not dosed with the extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis (also referred herein to simply as "L. caerulea extract”) .
  • the L. caerulea extract was found to stimulate the growth of damaged hepatocytes in a dose-dependent manner.
  • the L. caerulea extract stimulated the cell growth by about 27% at 0.25 mg/ml and about 54% at 0.5 mg/ml.
  • L. caerulea extract resultsed in a reduction of ALT and AST levels in HepG2 cells.
  • L. caerulea extract When the L. caerulea extract was administered into a transgenic mouse of acute hepatitis, it exhibited greater ability to restore liver function by 25% more than the conventional drug silymarin.
  • liver function refers to improvement or restoration of decreased liver function, which is caused by viruses (e.g., hepatitis virus A, B, C, D or E) , alcohol, drugs (antituberculosis drugs, aspirin, antibiotics, anesthetics, antihypertensive drugs, oral contraceptives, etc.), congenital metabolic disorders, and the like.
  • viruses e.g., hepatitis virus A, B, C, D or E
  • drugs antihypertensive drugs, oral contraceptives, etc.
  • liver diseases caused by decreased liver function are liver hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and fatty liver.
  • Liver hepatitis includes chronic and acute liver hepatitis.
  • the L. caerulea extract is prepared using extraction with water, an organic solvent, or a solvent mixture thereof.
  • the resulting extract may be used as it is or after being concentrated and/or dried.
  • the extraction process is carried out at room temperature or by heat treatment under conditions that prevent the destruction of effective ingredients or minimize such destruction using an organic solvent, such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, ethylene, acetone, hexane, ether, chloroform, ethylacetate, butylacetate, dichloromethane, N, N- dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), 1,3- butylene glycol, propylene glycol, or a solvent mixture thereof. Since the degree of extraction and loss of an effective ingredient may vary depending on the organic solvent used, a suitable organic solvent must be selected and employed.
  • the extraction method is not specifically limited, and includes cold precipitation, ultrasonic extraction, and reflux extraction.
  • the solvent extraction may further include a step of filtering the extract to remove suspending solid particles.
  • the removal of particles may be achieved using cotton, nylon, and the like, or using ultrafiltration, freezing filtration, centrifugation, and the like, but the present invention is not limited to the examples.
  • the concentration of the extract may be performed using reduced pressure, reverse osmosis, and the like.
  • the concentrate is dried by freeze drying, vacuum drying, hot wind drying, spray drying, drying under reduced pressure, foam drying, high frequency drying, infrared drying, and the like, but the present invention is not limited to the examples.
  • the present method may further include a step of pulverizing the final dried extract.
  • the extract may be optionally subjected to a fractionation process.
  • the extract is suspended in distilled water, and extracted using a nonpolar organic solvent, such as hexane, ether, dichloromethane, chloroform, ethylacetate, or a solvent mixture thereof to separate a nonpolar solvent-soluble layer.
  • a nonpolar organic solvent such as hexane, ether, dichloromethane, chloroform, ethylacetate, or a solvent mixture thereof to separate a nonpolar solvent-soluble layer.
  • the obtained nonpolar solvent-soluble layer is concentrated and/or dried.
  • the L. caerulea extract of the present invention was obtained by hot water extraction, cold water extraction, ultrasonic extraction or reflux extraction, preferably reflux extraction, using water, Ci to C 4 lower alcohol or a solvent mixture thereof weighing 5 to 25 times, preferably 7 to 15 times as much as the dry weight (kg) of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis, preferably fruits thereof.
  • the extraction was carried out at 20 ° C to 100°C, preferably 60°C to 100 ° C, for a period ranging from 0.5 hrs to 2 days, preferably 1 hr to 1 day, and was serially performed 1-5 times, preferably 2-3 times.
  • the extract was passed through filter paper.
  • the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure using a rotary vacuum concentrator at 20 ° C to 100 ° C, preferably 50 ° C to 70 ° C, and dried, thereby yielding the L. caerulea extract in powder form according to the present invention.
  • the L. caerulea extract in the powder form may be used as it is or after being dissolved in a solvent at a predetermined concentration.
  • the L. caerulea extract is safe and does not cause side effects or stimulate resistance thereto because it contains substances obtained from a natural material as effective ingredients.
  • the L. caerulea extract is useful as a food composition.
  • the L. caerulea extract is safe and does not cause side effects or stimulate resistance thereto because it contains substances obtained from natural material as effective ingredients.
  • the L. caerulea extract has an advantage in that it is able to be administered for a long period of time. Actually, an acute toxicity test in mice revealed that the L. caerulea extract is not toxic. Also, the composition may be applied to humans, as well as livestock including cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, goats, antelopes and dogs .
  • the L. caerulea extract is present in an amount of 0.01% to 100%, more preferably 1% to 80% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
  • the L. caerulea extract is present in an amount of 1-30 g, and preferably 3-20 g, in 100 ml of the drink.
  • the composition may further include an additive which is commonly used in pharmaceutical compositions to enhance flavor, taste, color, and the like.
  • the composition may include vitamins A, C, D, E, Bi, B 2 , B 6 and Bi 2/ niacin, biotin, folate, and pantothenic acid.
  • the composition may also include a mineral, such as Zinc (Zn) , iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), chrome (Cr), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) , and cupper (Cu) .
  • the composition may also include an amino acid, such as lysine, tryptophane, cysteine, and valine.
  • the composition may also be supplemented with food additives, including antiseptics (e.g., potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, salicylic acid, sodium dehydroacetate, etc.), disinfecting agents (e.g., bleaching powder, higher bleaching powder, sodium hypochlorite, etc.), antioxidants (e.g., butylhydroxyanisole (BHA), butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), etc.), colorants (e.g., tar dye, etc.), color fixing agents (e.g., sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite), bleaching agents (e.g., sodium sulfite), seasoning agents (e.g., MSG, sodium glutamate, etc.), sweeteners (e.g., dulcin, cyclamate, sodium saccharine, etc.), flavoring agents (vanillin, lactones, etc.), blowing agents (alum, potassium D-bitartrate, etc.), fortifying agents, emulsifying agents, thick
  • the food composition for restoring liver function comprising an extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis may be applied in the manufacture of various food products having the effect of restoring liver function.
  • the composition may be used to manufacture a processed food product having good storability as well as being modified to have natural characteristic for agricultural products, stock farm products, and marine products.
  • processed food products include, for example, confectioneries, drinks, alcoholic beverages, fermented foods, canned foods, processed milk products, processed meat products, and noodles.
  • Confectionery products include biscuits, pies, cakes, breads, candies, jellies, gums, and cereals (including substitute food for a meal, such as crop flakes) .
  • Drinks include carbonated drinks, functional ion drinks, juices (e.g., apple, pear, grape, aloe, mandarin orange, peach, carrot and tomato juices) , and rice nectar (Korean traditional sweet rice drink made from fermented rice) .
  • Alcoholic beverages include cheongju (Korean traditional clear rice wine) , whisky, soju (Korean traditional liquor) , beer, wine, and fruit liquor.
  • Fermentation food products include soy sauce, Korean fermented soybean paste, and Korean hot pepper-soybean paste .
  • Canned products include marine canned products
  • Processed milk products include cheese, butter, and yoghurt.
  • Processed meat products include pork cutlets, beef cutlets, chicken cutlets, sausages, tangsuyuk (fried pork with sweet and sour sauce) , and neobiani (Korean grilled and sliced beef) .
  • Noodle products include sealed and packaged wet noodles.
  • the composition may be used in retort food, soups, and the like.
  • composition can be used in the manufacture of functional food, health food or health supplements .
  • Functional food, health food or health supplements mean foodstuff that has a nutritional function as well as having a body-modulating function due to physiologically active ingredients contained therein.
  • the present composition may be used in the manufacture of functional food, health food or health supplements because it contains the L. caerulea extract, which has the effect of restoring liver function.
  • the term “health food” refers to a foodstuff that positively maintains or improves health compared to general food
  • the term “health supplements” refers to a foodstuff to be used as a health supplement.
  • the above food may be prepared in various forms including tablets, capsules, powders, granules, liquid solutions, and pills.
  • EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of an extract from fruits of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis
  • EXAMPLE 2 Evaluation of the effect of the extract from fruits of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis on the growth of hepatocytes
  • HepG2 cells were seeded in a 96-well plate at a density of IXlO 4 cells per well, and incubated in a culture medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 16 hrs. After the 96-well plate was washed with physiological saline, the extract from L. caerulea fruits, which was diluted in culture medium in amounts of 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml, was added to each well. After incubation for 48 hrs, the cell number in each well was measured using a SRB method.
  • FBS fetal bovine serum
  • the culture medium containing the extract from L. caerulea fruits was removed from the 96-well plate.
  • the 96-well plate was washed with physiological saline, and the cells in each well were fixed with 70% acetone for 20 min.
  • the fixed cells were dried, stained with a SRB solution for 30 min, and washed with a 1% acetic acid solution five times to eliminate unbound SRB.
  • 10 mM Tris was added to the cells to dissolve cellular proteins and unbound SRB, and absorbance was measured at 562 nm using a spectrophotometer. The results were expressed as a percentage by comparing the absorbance of each well treated with the extract from L.
  • caerulea fruits with that of a control well not treated with the extract from L. caerulea fruits (Fig. 1) .
  • Fig. 1 When cells were dosed with the extract from L. caerulea fruits at up to 0.5 mg/ml, their number stayed the same or increased slightly, or their growth was little affected in comparison with the well not treated with the extract from L. caerulea fruits.
  • EXAMPLE 3 Evaluation of the effect of ethyl alcohol on the growth of hepatocytes
  • HepG2 cells were seeded in a 96-well plate at a density of IXlO 4 cells per well and incubated in a culture medium supplemented with 10% FBS for 16 hrs . After the 96- well plate was washed with physiological saline, ethyl alcohol, which was diluted in a culture medium in amounts of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% (v/v) , was added to each well in which HepG2 cells were cultured. After incubation for 48 hrs, the cell number in each well was measured using a SRB method.
  • the culture medium was removed, and the 96-well plate was washed with physiological saline.
  • the cells in each well were then fixed with 70% acetone for 20 min.
  • the fixed cells were dried, stained with an SRB solution for 30 min, and washed with a 1% acetic acid solution five times to eliminate unbound SRB.
  • 10 mM Tris was added to the cells to dissolve cellular proteins and unbound SRB, and absorbance was measured at 562 nm using a spectrophotometer. The results were expressed as a percentage by comparing the absorbance of each well treated with ethyl alcohol with that of a control well not treated with ethyl alcohol (Fig. 2) .
  • Ethyl alcohol was found to stimulate cell growth at concentrations of up to 1%, but reduced cell number at concentrations of 1.5% or higher.
  • EXAMPLE 4 Evaluation of the ability of the extract from L. caerulea fruits to restore the growth of cells whose growth is suppressed by ethyl alcohol
  • HepG2 cells were seeded in a 96-well plate at a density of IXlO 4 cells per well, and incubated in a culture medium supplemented with 10% FBS for 16 hrs . After the 96- well plate was washed with physiological saline, ethyl alcohol, which was diluted in culture medium in 1.5% (v/v) , was added to each well in which HepG2 cells were cultured. Cell damage was induced using ethyl alcohol for 24 hrs. Thereafter, the culture medium containing ethyl alcohol was removed, and the extract from L. caerulea fruits, which was diluted in culture medium in amounts of 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml, was added to each well.
  • caerulea fruits were compared with that of a control well which was not treated with ethyl alcohol or with the extract from L. caerulea fruits (Fig. 3) .
  • the well treated with 1.5% ethyl alcohol showed absorbance reduced by 22% in comparison with the well not treated with ethyl alcohol.
  • the reduced absorbance increased in a manner that was dependent on the concentrations of the extract from L. caerulea fruits when the extract was administered at up to 0.5 mg/ml to the well treated with ethyl alcohol.
  • Restoration rate of cell growth (group dosed with the extract from L. caerulea fruits - group dosed with ethyl alcohol alone) / (non treatment group - group dosed with ethyl alcohol alone)
  • EXAMPLE 5 Evaluation of the ability of the extract from L. caerulea fruits to restore liver function in hepatocytes damaged by ethyl alcohol
  • Hep3B cells were seeded in a 96-well plate at a density of 2X10 4 cells per well, and were incubated for 12 hrs to allow them to adhere to the bottom of the plate. After the culture supernatant was removed, the plate was washed with physiological saline. 5% Ethyl alcohol in culture medium was added to each well, and incubated for 12 hrs to induced cell damage. After the culture supernatant was removed from each well, a culture medium containing the extract from L. caerulea fruits (0.3 mg/ml) and a culture medium not containing the extract were individually added to the well in which cell damage was induced by ethyl alcohol .
  • ALT and AST levels were measured in wells treated with ethyl alcohol or not using a SPOTCHEMTM II strip from the Array Company in Japan.
  • the SPOTCHEMTM II strip enables the measurement on a single strip of all of amounts of ALT (GOT) , AST (GPT) , blood urea nitrogen, glucose, total cholesterol and total bilirubin.
  • the region measuring ALT and AST levels is present as a yellowish white zone in the strip. Increased ALT and AST levels in a sample change the yellowish white zone to dark blue.
  • the culture supernatant of each well was collected and loaded onto the SPOTCHEMTM II strip, and the strip was observed for color change in the yellowish white zone (Fig. 4) .
  • Fig. 4 the culture supernatant of each well was collected and loaded onto the SPOTCHEMTM II strip, and the strip was observed for color change in the yellowish white zone (Fig. 4) .
  • Fig. 4 the culture supernatant of each well
  • the control was a culture supernatant of Hep3B cells not treated with ethyl alcohol or with the extract from L. caerulea fruits.
  • the yellowish white zone was changed to light blue due to small amounts of ALT and AST present in the serum of culture medium.
  • a culture supernatant of a well treated with 5% ethyl alcohol was applied to the strip, the yellowish white zone was changed to dark blue, indicating rapidly increased AST and ALT activity.
  • cells were dosed with ethyl alcohol to induce cell damage and then with the extract from L. caerulea fruits (0.3 mg/ml) , the yellowish white zone changed to light blue. This result was also observed in the case in which the extract from L.
  • caerulea fruits (0.3 mg/ml) was administered alone. Also, compared to the culture supernatant of the well treated with ethyl alcohol but not treated with the extract from L. caerulea fruits, the development of light blue indicates a decrease in ALT and AST levels.
  • the hot water extract or hot water alcohol extract prepared in Example 1 was dissolved in distilled water, and administered to mice (ten per group) at a dosage of 500 mg/kg. Then, the mice were monitored for 7 days. No death was observed, indicating that the extract was not toxic.
  • EXAMPLE 7 Evaluation of the effect of the extract from L. caerulea fruits on acute hepatitis induced in mice
  • mice In order to determine whether the extract from L. caerulea fruits has the ability to restore liver function in acute hepatitis-induced mice, this test was carried out as follows. Forty mice (ICR) were divided into four groups
  • Group A was not dosed with any drug.
  • Group B was allowed to ingest olive oil alone.
  • Group C was orally dosed with 100 ⁇ of silymarin (Sigma) , which was dissolved in olive oil at 20 mg/ml, for 3 days.
  • Group D was orally dosed with 100 ⁇ l of the extract from L. caerulea fruits prepared in Example 1, which was dissolved in distilled water at 500 mg/ml, for 3 days.
  • Groups A
  • mice B, C and D all received only water. Then, 100 ⁇ l of 1% carbon tetrachloride in olive oil was intraperitoneally injected into mice of Groups B, C and D. After 18 hrs, blood samples were collected from the mice in Groups A, B, C and D. AST and ALT activities were determined in the mouse blood according to the same method as in Example 5, and mean AST and ALT activities were compared among groups . In Group A, which was not treated with carbon tetrachloride, mean levels of AST and ALT activities were 23 IU/L and 37 IU/L, respectively.
  • Example 7 Histochemical analysis was performed with mouse liver tissues from Test Groups A, B, C and D in Example 7, whose mean AST and ALT levels were already determined in Example 7.
  • the liver tissue from each mouse was sectioned, fixed in 10% formalin, immersed in different concentrations of ethyl alcohol to be dehydrated, and finally embedded in paraffin.
  • the paraffin-embedded tissue was sectioned to a size of 4-5 ⁇ m. Each paraffin section was covered with a slide glass, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and observed under an optical microscope (Fig. 5) . Mice treated with carbon tetrachloride showed multiple scattered necrotic areas in the liver tissue, which were not stained with hematoxylin and eosin (Fig.
  • liver tissues from mice pretreated with silymarin and mice pretreated with the extract from L. caerulea fruits (Fig. 5, B and C panels)
  • necrotic reaction rarely occurred compared to normal liver tissue (Fig. 5, D panel)
  • Fig. 5, D panel a panel
  • the liver tissue from mice pretreated with the extract from L. caerulea fruits was compared with that from mice pretreated with silymarin, fewer necrotic hepatocytes were found in the liver tissue from mice that received the extract from L. caerulea fruits.
  • EXAMPLE 9 Clinical test for the liver function-restoring effect of the extract from L. caerulea fruits
  • hepatitis symptoms Three volunteers having hepatitis symptoms were orally dosed with the extract from L. caerulea fruits (1 g) , prepared in Example 1, two times everyday for a period of 10 days or 20 days. Then, levels of the liver enzymes ALT and AST were measured. After the period of 10 days or 20 days, all of the three subjects showed a decrease in ALT and AST levels.
  • Subject 1 male age forty
  • AST and ALT levels decreased from 32 to 11.1 and from 73 to 14.3, respectively; 20 days after administration, AST and ALT levels decreased to 10.3 and 10.6, respectively.
  • Subject 2 male age thirty five
  • AST and ALT levels decreased from 53 to 2.25 and from 96 to 35, respectively; 60 days after administration, AST and ALT levels decreased to 2.25 and 5.75, respectively.
  • Subject 3 female age thirty five
  • AST and ALT levels decreased from 69 to 26 and from 72 to 29, respectively.
  • Extract from L. caerulea fruits 100 mg
  • Vitamin Bi 10 mg
  • Vitamin B 2 10 mg
  • Vitamin B 5 10 mg
  • Vitamin B 6 10 mg
  • Vitamin C 50 mg
  • Corn starch 140 mg
  • the composition including vitamins and minerals is a preferred mixture ratio of components relatively suitable for heath food, but the mixture ratio may be modified according to the intended use.
  • the above components were combined according to an ordinary method for preparing health food, and formulated into granules.
  • Vitamin C 50 mg
  • composition including citric acid and oligosugar is a preferred mixture ratio of components which is suitable for heath food, but the mixture ratio may be modified according to the intended use.
  • the above components were combined according to an ordinary method for preparing health food, thereby yielding a health drink.
  • Extract from L. caerulea fruits prepared in Example 1 200 mg Lactose : 20 mg
  • composition including lactose and cellulose is a preferred mixture ratio of components which is suitable for heath food, but the mixture ratio may be modified according to the intended use.
  • the above components were combined according to an ordinary method for preparing health food, and were formulated into powder capsules .
  • Extract from L. caerulea fruits prepared in Example 1 0.5 wt%
  • composition including gum base and sugar is a preferred mixture ratio of components which is suitable for heath food, but the mixture ratio may be modified according to the intended use.
  • the above components were combined according to an ordinary method for preparing health food, thereby yielding chewing gum.
  • Preparation Example 5 Preparation of candies
  • composition including sugar and glutinous starch syrup is a preferred mixture ratio of components which is suitable for heath food, but the mixture ratio may be modified according to the intended use.
  • the above components were combined according to an ordinary method for preparing health food, thereby yielding candies.
  • Extract from L. caerulea fruits prepared in Example 1 0.2 wt%
  • Palm shortening 11.78 wt%
  • composition including flour, sugar, glucose and milk is a preferred mixture ratio of components which is suitable for heath food, but the mixture ratio may be modified according to the intended use.
  • the above components were combined according to an ordinary method for preparing health food, thereby yielding biscuits.
  • Extract from L. caerulea fruits prepared in Example 1 0.2 wt% Pork meat: 65.18 wt%
  • Soybean proteins 1.7 wt%
  • the composition including pork meat, chicken meat and starch is a preferred mixture ratio of components which is suitable for heath food, but the mixture ratio may be modified according to the intended use.
  • the above components were combined according to an ordinary method for preparing health food, thereby yielding sausages.
  • Preparation Example 8 Preparation of alcoholic beverage 0.15-0.7% of the extract from L. caerulea fruits prepared in Example 1 was mixed with soju (Korean traditional liquor) , beer, wine, or fruit liquor, and suspended therein. The suspension was centrifuged using a centrifugator at 8,000 rpm for 15 min, or was mixed using a high speed blender at 9,000 rpm and filtered, thereby yielding an alcoholic beverage containing the L. caerulea fruit extract.
  • soju Korean traditional liquor
  • composition is a preferred mixture ratio of components which is suitable for favorite drinks, but the mixture ratio may be optionally modified depending on regional and national preferences, such as social classes or country, on demand, and depending on the use of favorite drinks .
  • the food composition comprising the L. caerulea extract according to the present invention has the good ability to restore liver function and liver regeneration with no side effects such as toxicity.
  • the present food composition can be effectively used in the manufacture of functional food, health food or health supplements .

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a food composition having the effect of restoring liver function, comprising an extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis. The composition may be useful in the manufacture of confectionery products, functional food, health food, or health supplements.

Description

[DESCRIPTION]
[invention Title]
POOD COMPOSITION FOR IMPROVING LIVER FUNCTION COMPRISING A LONICERA CAERULEA L. VAR. EDULIS EXTRACT
[Technical Field]
The present invention relates to a food composition having the effect of restoring liver function, comprising an extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis.
[Background Art] The liver, situated between the digestive system and the systemic circulatory system, plays important roles in protecting the whole body from foreign toxic substances and in the metabolism of exogenous materials. Since the exogenous materials taken up by the body initially enter the liver to be filtered, the liver has a high risk of being exposed to numerous toxic substances as well as nutrients. Thus, the liver is highly vulnerable to damage relative to other organs .
Liver diseases are classified into two major types according to cause: one is toxic liver disease caused by the excessive ingestion of alcohol or the like, and the other is viral liver disease caused by viral infection. Viral liver diseases arise from infection with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, or the like. Recently, toxic liver disease is increasing due to food, medicaments, medicinal herbal substances, alcohol, and the like. Liver diseases are difficult to diagnose in early stages due to the absence of subjective symptoms. By the time individuals develop subjective symptoms, the liver has suffered great damage. The liver is an organ which has greater ability to recover its full function than other organs. However, it is difficult to restore normal liver function when hepatocytes have already been transformed.
To date, potentially therapeutic agents for treating chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis have not been developed. Interferons and lamivudine, which is a nucleic acid analogue, have been used to treat chronic hepatitis. However, these drugs exert the effect of inhibiting viral activity but do not restore the normal function of hepatocytes. Silymarin, which is known as an agent for restoring the function of hepatocytes, is most commonly used worldwide. Silymarin is extracted from a medicinal herb, Carduus marianus Linne Silybum marianum, which has been known as an important medicinal herb since Before Christ (B.C.) in Western countries, including ancient Greece. Since silymarin has been domestically introduced as a therapeutic agent for liver damage in the 1970' s, many pharmaceutical preparations containing it as a major ingredient have been developed and are now available on the market. Pharmaceutical preparations containing silymarin as a major ingredient have already been widely applied for the clinical purpose of treating liver diseases. However, the major ingredient silymarin has a drawback in that it is not highly water-soluble, and thus has a low uptake in the body when orally administered. At present, silymarin preparations have been used merely in auxiliary therapy for liver diseases, such as toxic liver diseases, chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. Thus, there is a need for the development of drugs capable of rapidly restoring the normal function of hepatocytes .
Many studies have been performed to determine whether natural substances have effects of improving liver function. For example, Korean Pat. Registration No. 80759 discloses fermented milk, which is useful for maintaining and improving liver function, and a method of preparing the same. Korean Pat. Laid-open Publication No. 2003-0027615 discloses a functional food composition containing an extract from fruits of Hovenia dulcis Thunb, the composition having effects of enhancing liver function and relieving hangover symptoms. Korean Pat. Laid-open Publication No. 2003-0011818 discloses the use of an extract from Eleutherococcus senticosus in the production of functional rice coated therewith. Korean Pat. Laid-open Publication No. 2003-0063308 discloses a therapeutic agent for hepatitis B comprising an extract from the medicinal herb Phyllanthus urinaria, and a method of preparing the same. Korean Pat. Laid-open Publication No. 2004-0018733 discloses a composition for treating viral liver diseases comprising an extract from Ixeris sonchifolia. Based on this background, the present inventors conducted intensive and thorough research to obtain from natural materials a substance having good therapeutic activity against liver diseases, other than conventional therapeutic compositions as described above. The research resulted in the finding that when a damaged hepatic cell line was dosed with an extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis, cell growth was stimulated, bringing about the restoration of damaged liver function, which was determined by remarkable decreases in GOT and GPT levels as biochemical markers for liver function. These results revealed that a composition comprising the extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis has a good effect of restoring liver function, thereby leading to the present invention.
[Disclosure]
[Technical Problem]
Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide a food composition having the effect of restoring liver function, comprising an extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis. [Description of Drawings]
Fig. 1 shows the effects of an extract from fruits of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis on the growth of HepG2 cells . Fig. 2 shows the effects of ethyl alcohol on the growth of HepG2 cells .
Fig. 3 shows the comparison of absorbance of a well treated with ethyl alcohol alone and wells treated with ethyl alcohol and then an extract from fruits of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis with that of a control well not treated with either ethyl alcohol or the extract from fruits of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis.
Fig. 4 shows the restoration of liver function by administration of an extract from fruits of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis, which was observed on a SPOTCHEM™ II strip.
Fig. 5 shows the results of histochemical analysis on the effects of an extract from fruits of Lonicera caerulea
L. var. edulis and silymarin on acute hepatitis when they were administered into a transgenic mouse model of acute hepatitis .
[Best Mode]
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a food composition for restoring liver function, comprising an extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis.
The term "extract", as used herein, refers to an active ingredient isolated from a natural material. In the present invention, the extract may be obtained by an extraction process using water, an organic solvent, or a solvent mixture thereof, and includes dry powder of the extract or all forms formulated therefrom.
The term "Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis", as used herein, refers to all organs, for example, roots, branches, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits, of natural, hybrid or variant types of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis, but preferably indicates fruits of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis. Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis is a dicotyledonous plant belonging to the Family Caprifoliaceae of the Order Rubiales. It is a deciduous shrub that grows to 1.5 m tall, is densely branched, and has shield-shaped bracts at nodes of twigs . The inner part of branches is white. The leaves are opposite, lanciform to elliptic and blunt- or sharp-ended, lack teeth on the margins, have short hairs on the margins and surface, and have many wooly hairs underneath. The flowers usually have short stalks, which arise from leaf axils, have trumpet-shaped creamy white corollas, and bloom in summer. Each calyx contains five toothed sepals. The corollas are yellowish white, cylindrical campanulate, 1.2-1.5 cm long, and slightly hairy. The stamens are shorter than styles and have no hairs, and the two ovaries are fused together. The fruits are oval or nearly circular, ripen to purplish black between July and October, and are covered with white powder. This deciduous shrub is an arctic plant that is widespread in Siberia, Sakhalin, the Northern region of China, Tibet, North Korea, and the like. Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis was not investigated prior to the present invention for effects of stimulating the growth of hepatocytes and restoring liver function due to the stimulatory effect. The effect of restoring liver function can be objectively evaluated by measuring the degree of stimulation of growth rates of damaged hepatocytes due to composition administration and levels of hepatic enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST, also known as GOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT, also known as GPT) . ALT and AST are enzymes present in hepatocytes . When hepatocytes are damaged or disrupted, these enzymes are released therefrom, leading to an increase in concentrations thereof in the blood. Thus, ALT and AST levels are used as biochemical indicators for liver diseases caused by liver cell damage.
In a detailed practice of the prevent invention, a human liver cell line, HepG2, was damaged with ethyl alcohol and then dosed with an extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis, and stimulated growth rates were compared with those of a control not dosed with the extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis (also referred herein to simply as "L. caerulea extract") . The L. caerulea extract was found to stimulate the growth of damaged hepatocytes in a dose-dependent manner. The L. caerulea extract stimulated the cell growth by about 27% at 0.25 mg/ml and about 54% at 0.5 mg/ml. In addition, ALT and AST levels were measured to determine whether liver function was enhanced. The administration of L. caerulea extract resulted in a reduction of ALT and AST levels in HepG2 cells. When the L. caerulea extract was administered into a transgenic mouse of acute hepatitis, it exhibited greater ability to restore liver function by 25% more than the conventional drug silymarin. These results demonstrate that the L. caerulea extract of the present invention has an effect of restoring liver function by stimulating the growth of hepatocytes, and thus has preventive and therapeutic activities against liver diseases.
The term "restoration of liver function", as used herein, refers to improvement or restoration of decreased liver function, which is caused by viruses (e.g., hepatitis virus A, B, C, D or E) , alcohol, drugs (antituberculosis drugs, aspirin, antibiotics, anesthetics, antihypertensive drugs, oral contraceptives, etc.), congenital metabolic disorders, and the like. Examples of liver diseases caused by decreased liver function are liver hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and fatty liver. Liver hepatitis includes chronic and acute liver hepatitis.
In the present invention, the L. caerulea extract is prepared using extraction with water, an organic solvent, or a solvent mixture thereof. The resulting extract may be used as it is or after being concentrated and/or dried.
When an organic solvent is used, the extraction process is carried out at room temperature or by heat treatment under conditions that prevent the destruction of effective ingredients or minimize such destruction using an organic solvent, such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, ethylene, acetone, hexane, ether, chloroform, ethylacetate, butylacetate, dichloromethane, N, N- dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), 1,3- butylene glycol, propylene glycol, or a solvent mixture thereof. Since the degree of extraction and loss of an effective ingredient may vary depending on the organic solvent used, a suitable organic solvent must be selected and employed. The extraction method is not specifically limited, and includes cold precipitation, ultrasonic extraction, and reflux extraction.
The solvent extraction may further include a step of filtering the extract to remove suspending solid particles. The removal of particles may be achieved using cotton, nylon, and the like, or using ultrafiltration, freezing filtration, centrifugation, and the like, but the present invention is not limited to the examples. The concentration of the extract may be performed using reduced pressure, reverse osmosis, and the like. The concentrate is dried by freeze drying, vacuum drying, hot wind drying, spray drying, drying under reduced pressure, foam drying, high frequency drying, infrared drying, and the like, but the present invention is not limited to the examples. If desired, the present method may further include a step of pulverizing the final dried extract.
In addition, the extract may be optionally subjected to a fractionation process. For example, the extract is suspended in distilled water, and extracted using a nonpolar organic solvent, such as hexane, ether, dichloromethane, chloroform, ethylacetate, or a solvent mixture thereof to separate a nonpolar solvent-soluble layer. The obtained nonpolar solvent-soluble layer is concentrated and/or dried.
In a detailed practice, the L. caerulea extract of the present invention was obtained by hot water extraction, cold water extraction, ultrasonic extraction or reflux extraction, preferably reflux extraction, using water, Ci to C4 lower alcohol or a solvent mixture thereof weighing 5 to 25 times, preferably 7 to 15 times as much as the dry weight (kg) of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis, preferably fruits thereof. The extraction was carried out at 20°C to 100°C, preferably 60°C to 100°C, for a period ranging from 0.5 hrs to 2 days, preferably 1 hr to 1 day, and was serially performed 1-5 times, preferably 2-3 times. The extract was passed through filter paper. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure using a rotary vacuum concentrator at 20°C to 100°C, preferably 50°C to 70°C, and dried, thereby yielding the L. caerulea extract in powder form according to the present invention. The L. caerulea extract in the powder form may be used as it is or after being dissolved in a solvent at a predetermined concentration. The L. caerulea extract is safe and does not cause side effects or stimulate resistance thereto because it contains substances obtained from a natural material as effective ingredients. Thus, the L. caerulea extract is useful as a food composition. The L. caerulea extract is safe and does not cause side effects or stimulate resistance thereto because it contains substances obtained from natural material as effective ingredients. Thus, the L. caerulea extract has an advantage in that it is able to be administered for a long period of time. Actually, an acute toxicity test in mice revealed that the L. caerulea extract is not toxic. Also, the composition may be applied to humans, as well as livestock including cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, goats, antelopes and dogs . The L. caerulea extract is present in an amount of 0.01% to 100%, more preferably 1% to 80% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. When the food is a drink, the L. caerulea extract is present in an amount of 1-30 g, and preferably 3-20 g, in 100 ml of the drink. Also, the composition may further include an additive which is commonly used in pharmaceutical compositions to enhance flavor, taste, color, and the like. For example, the composition may include vitamins A, C, D, E, Bi, B2, B6 and Bi2/ niacin, biotin, folate, and pantothenic acid. The composition may also include a mineral, such as Zinc (Zn) , iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), chrome (Cr), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) , and cupper (Cu) . The composition may also include an amino acid, such as lysine, tryptophane, cysteine, and valine. The composition may also be supplemented with food additives, including antiseptics (e.g., potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, salicylic acid, sodium dehydroacetate, etc.), disinfecting agents (e.g., bleaching powder, higher bleaching powder, sodium hypochlorite, etc.), antioxidants (e.g., butylhydroxyanisole (BHA), butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), etc.), colorants (e.g., tar dye, etc.), color fixing agents (e.g., sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite), bleaching agents (e.g., sodium sulfite), seasoning agents (e.g., MSG, sodium glutamate, etc.), sweeteners (e.g., dulcin, cyclamate, sodium saccharine, etc.), flavoring agents (vanillin, lactones, etc.), blowing agents (alum, potassium D-bitartrate, etc.), fortifying agents, emulsifying agents, thickening agents, coating agents, gum bases, antifoaming agents, solvents, and improving agents. The additives may be selected according to food type, and may be used in suitable amounts .
The food composition for restoring liver function comprising an extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis may be applied in the manufacture of various food products having the effect of restoring liver function.
In a detailed practice, the composition may be used to manufacture a processed food product having good storability as well as being modified to have natural characteristic for agricultural products, stock farm products, and marine products. Such processed food products include, for example, confectioneries, drinks, alcoholic beverages, fermented foods, canned foods, processed milk products, processed meat products, and noodles. Confectionery products include biscuits, pies, cakes, breads, candies, jellies, gums, and cereals (including substitute food for a meal, such as crop flakes) . Drinks include carbonated drinks, functional ion drinks, juices (e.g., apple, pear, grape, aloe, mandarin orange, peach, carrot and tomato juices) , and rice nectar (Korean traditional sweet rice drink made from fermented rice) . Alcoholic beverages include cheongju (Korean traditional clear rice wine) , whisky, soju (Korean traditional liquor) , beer, wine, and fruit liquor. Fermentation food products include soy sauce, Korean fermented soybean paste, and Korean hot pepper-soybean paste . Canned products include marine canned products
(e.g., canned tuna, mackerel, saury, and top shell (Turbo cornutus) ) , canned stock farm products (canned beef, pork, chicken, and turkey), and canned agricultural products (e.g., canned corn, peaches, and pineapples) . Processed milk products include cheese, butter, and yoghurt. Processed meat products include pork cutlets, beef cutlets, chicken cutlets, sausages, tangsuyuk (fried pork with sweet and sour sauce) , and neobiani (Korean grilled and sliced beef) . Noodle products include sealed and packaged wet noodles. In addition, the composition may be used in retort food, soups, and the like.
In addition, the composition can be used in the manufacture of functional food, health food or health supplements . Functional food, health food or health supplements mean foodstuff that has a nutritional function as well as having a body-modulating function due to physiologically active ingredients contained therein. The present composition may be used in the manufacture of functional food, health food or health supplements because it contains the L. caerulea extract, which has the effect of restoring liver function.
The term "functional food", as used herein, which is the same term as food for special health use (FoSHU) , refers to a foodstuff having high medicinal and medical effects, which is processed to effectively exert a body- regulating function. As used herein, the term "health food" refers to a foodstuff that positively maintains or improves health compared to general food, and the term "health supplements" refers to a foodstuff to be used as a health supplement. To obtain effects useful for improving and restoring liver function, the above food may be prepared in various forms including tablets, capsules, powders, granules, liquid solutions, and pills.
[Mode for Invention] A better understanding of the present invention may be obtained through the following examples which are set forth to illustrate, but are not to be construed as the limit of the present invention.
EXAMPLE 1: Preparation of an extract from fruits of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis
(1-1) Hot water extraction using water as a solvent
Fruits of native Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis were directly collected in Yanbian of China and Baekdu Mountain, and dried for use in experiments. 100 g of pulverized L. caerulea fruits were added to 1 liter of distilled water and agitated. The resulting solution was extracted under reflux for 3 hrs at 90°C to 95°C and filtered. The obtained galenic extract was concentrated under reduced pressure at 55°C to 65°C and freeze-dried, thereby yielding 21.2 g of a galenic composition powder extract.
(1-2) Hot water extraction using a solvent mixture of water and alcohol 1 liter of 25% ethyl alcohol was added to 100 g of pulverized L. caerulea fruits as used in Example 1-1, and agitated. Then, the resulting solution was extracted under reflux for 3 hrs at 80°C to 90°C and filtered. The obtained galenic extract was concentrated under reduced pressure at 55°C to 65°C and freeze-dried, thereby yielding 19.5 g of a galenic composition powder extract.
EXAMPLE 2 : Evaluation of the effect of the extract from fruits of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis on the growth of hepatocytes
HepG2 cells were seeded in a 96-well plate at a density of IXlO4 cells per well, and incubated in a culture medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 16 hrs. After the 96-well plate was washed with physiological saline, the extract from L. caerulea fruits, which was diluted in culture medium in amounts of 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml, was added to each well. After incubation for 48 hrs, the cell number in each well was measured using a SRB method.
After the incubation for 48 hrs, the culture medium containing the extract from L. caerulea fruits was removed from the 96-well plate. The 96-well plate was washed with physiological saline, and the cells in each well were fixed with 70% acetone for 20 min. The fixed cells were dried, stained with a SRB solution for 30 min, and washed with a 1% acetic acid solution five times to eliminate unbound SRB. After the cells were dried again, 10 mM Tris was added to the cells to dissolve cellular proteins and unbound SRB, and absorbance was measured at 562 nm using a spectrophotometer. The results were expressed as a percentage by comparing the absorbance of each well treated with the extract from L. caerulea fruits with that of a control well not treated with the extract from L. caerulea fruits (Fig. 1) . When cells were dosed with the extract from L. caerulea fruits at up to 0.5 mg/ml, their number stayed the same or increased slightly, or their growth was little affected in comparison with the well not treated with the extract from L. caerulea fruits.
EXAMPLE 3: Evaluation of the effect of ethyl alcohol on the growth of hepatocytes
HepG2 cells were seeded in a 96-well plate at a density of IXlO4 cells per well and incubated in a culture medium supplemented with 10% FBS for 16 hrs . After the 96- well plate was washed with physiological saline, ethyl alcohol, which was diluted in a culture medium in amounts of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% (v/v) , was added to each well in which HepG2 cells were cultured. After incubation for 48 hrs, the cell number in each well was measured using a SRB method.
The culture medium was removed, and the 96-well plate was washed with physiological saline. The cells in each well were then fixed with 70% acetone for 20 min. The fixed cells were dried, stained with an SRB solution for 30 min, and washed with a 1% acetic acid solution five times to eliminate unbound SRB. After the cells were dried again, 10 mM Tris was added to the cells to dissolve cellular proteins and unbound SRB, and absorbance was measured at 562 nm using a spectrophotometer. The results were expressed as a percentage by comparing the absorbance of each well treated with ethyl alcohol with that of a control well not treated with ethyl alcohol (Fig. 2) . Ethyl alcohol was found to stimulate cell growth at concentrations of up to 1%, but reduced cell number at concentrations of 1.5% or higher.
EXAMPLE 4: Evaluation of the ability of the extract from L. caerulea fruits to restore the growth of cells whose growth is suppressed by ethyl alcohol
HepG2 cells were seeded in a 96-well plate at a density of IXlO4 cells per well, and incubated in a culture medium supplemented with 10% FBS for 16 hrs . After the 96- well plate was washed with physiological saline, ethyl alcohol, which was diluted in culture medium in 1.5% (v/v) , was added to each well in which HepG2 cells were cultured. Cell damage was induced using ethyl alcohol for 24 hrs. Thereafter, the culture medium containing ethyl alcohol was removed, and the extract from L. caerulea fruits, which was diluted in culture medium in amounts of 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml, was added to each well. After incubation for 48 hrs, the culture medium was removed, and the 96-well plate was washed with physiological saline. Cells in each well were then fixed with 70% acetone for 20 min. The fixed cells were dried, stained with an SRB solution for 30 min, and washed with a 1% acetic acid solution five times to eliminate unbound SRB. After the cells were dried again, 10 mM Tris was added to the cells to dissolve cellular proteins and unbound SRB, and absorbance was measured at 562 nm using a spectrophotometer. The absorbance of a well treated with ethyl alcohol alone and the absorbance of each well treated with alcohol plus the extract from L. caerulea fruits were compared with that of a control well which was not treated with ethyl alcohol or with the extract from L. caerulea fruits (Fig. 3) . The well treated with 1.5% ethyl alcohol showed absorbance reduced by 22% in comparison with the well not treated with ethyl alcohol. The reduced absorbance increased in a manner that was dependent on the concentrations of the extract from L. caerulea fruits when the extract was administered at up to 0.5 mg/ml to the well treated with ethyl alcohol. These results indicate that the ethyl alcohol-induced cell growth damage was restored by administration of the extract from L. caerulea fruits.
Thus, the degree of restoration of ethyl alcohol- induced cell growth damage by administration of the extract from L. caerulea fruits was calculated according to Equation 1, and the results are given in Table 1, below.
[Equation 1]
Restoration rate of cell growth = (group dosed with the extract from L. caerulea fruits - group dosed with ethyl alcohol alone) / (non treatment group - group dosed with ethyl alcohol alone)
TABLE 1
The ability of the extract from L. caerulea fruits to restore the growth of cells whose growth is suppressed by ethyl alcohol
Figure imgf000021_0001
As shown in Table 1, in cells in which cell damage was induced by ethyl alcohol (1.5%), the extract from L. caerulea fruits restored cell damage by 20.45±7.72% at 0.125 mg/ml, 27.14+8.14% at 0.25 mg/ml, and 54.77+3.37 at 0.5 mg/ml. These results indicate that the extract from L. caerulea fruits acts as a medicinal agent restoring the function of liver tissue by stimulating the growth of damaged hepatocytes.
EXAMPLE 5: Evaluation of the ability of the extract from L. caerulea fruits to restore liver function in hepatocytes damaged by ethyl alcohol
Hep3B cells were seeded in a 96-well plate at a density of 2X104 cells per well, and were incubated for 12 hrs to allow them to adhere to the bottom of the plate. After the culture supernatant was removed, the plate was washed with physiological saline. 5% Ethyl alcohol in culture medium was added to each well, and incubated for 12 hrs to induced cell damage. After the culture supernatant was removed from each well, a culture medium containing the extract from L. caerulea fruits (0.3 mg/ml) and a culture medium not containing the extract were individually added to the well in which cell damage was induced by ethyl alcohol . ALT and AST levels were measured in wells treated with ethyl alcohol or not using a SPOTCHEM™ II strip from the Array Company in Japan. The SPOTCHEM™ II strip enables the measurement on a single strip of all of amounts of ALT (GOT) , AST (GPT) , blood urea nitrogen, glucose, total cholesterol and total bilirubin. The region measuring ALT and AST levels is present as a yellowish white zone in the strip. Increased ALT and AST levels in a sample change the yellowish white zone to dark blue. After 48 hrs, the culture supernatant of each well was collected and loaded onto the SPOTCHEM™ II strip, and the strip was observed for color change in the yellowish white zone (Fig. 4) . In Fig. 4, the control was a culture supernatant of Hep3B cells not treated with ethyl alcohol or with the extract from L. caerulea fruits. In the control, the yellowish white zone was changed to light blue due to small amounts of ALT and AST present in the serum of culture medium. When a culture supernatant of a well treated with 5% ethyl alcohol was applied to the strip, the yellowish white zone was changed to dark blue, indicating rapidly increased AST and ALT activity. In contrast, when cells were dosed with ethyl alcohol to induce cell damage and then with the extract from L. caerulea fruits (0.3 mg/ml) , the yellowish white zone changed to light blue. This result was also observed in the case in which the extract from L. caerulea fruits (0.3 mg/ml) was administered alone. Also, compared to the culture supernatant of the well treated with ethyl alcohol but not treated with the extract from L. caerulea fruits, the development of light blue indicates a decrease in ALT and AST levels.
EXAMPLE 6: Toxicity test
The hot water extract or hot water alcohol extract prepared in Example 1 was dissolved in distilled water, and administered to mice (ten per group) at a dosage of 500 mg/kg. Then, the mice were monitored for 7 days. No death was observed, indicating that the extract was not toxic.
EXAMPLE 7 : Evaluation of the effect of the extract from L. caerulea fruits on acute hepatitis induced in mice
In order to determine whether the extract from L. caerulea fruits has the ability to restore liver function in acute hepatitis-induced mice, this test was carried out as follows. Forty mice (ICR) were divided into four groups
A, B, C and D, each group consisting of ten mice. Group A was not dosed with any drug. Group B was allowed to ingest olive oil alone. Group C was orally dosed with 100 μλ of silymarin (Sigma) , which was dissolved in olive oil at 20 mg/ml, for 3 days. Group D was orally dosed with 100 μl of the extract from L. caerulea fruits prepared in Example 1, which was dissolved in distilled water at 500 mg/ml, for 3 days. During the period of drug administration, Groups A,
B, C and D all received only water. Then, 100 μl of 1% carbon tetrachloride in olive oil was intraperitoneally injected into mice of Groups B, C and D. After 18 hrs, blood samples were collected from the mice in Groups A, B, C and D. AST and ALT activities were determined in the mouse blood according to the same method as in Example 5, and mean AST and ALT activities were compared among groups . In Group A, which was not treated with carbon tetrachloride, mean levels of AST and ALT activities were 23 IU/L and 37 IU/L, respectively. In Group B, which was treated with carbon tetrachloride, mean AST and ALT levels were 1,023 IU/L and 1,129 IU/L, respectively, indicating that acute hepatitis was induced. In Group C, which was pretreated with silymarin, mean AST and ALT levels were 337 IU/L and 446 IU/L, respectively. In contrast, in Group D, which was pretreated with the extract from L. caerulea fruits, mean levels of AST and ALT activities were 107 IU/L and 130 IU/L, respectively. The mean AST and ALT levels in mice pretreated with the extract from L. caerulea fruits decreased by 230 IU/L and 207 IU/L, respectively, in comparison with those in mice pretreated with silymarin. With respect to AST and ALT levels, silymarin restored liver function by 63.8%, and the extract from L. caerulea fruits by 89.0%. These results indicate that the extract from L. caerulea fruits had ability to restore damaged liver function which was 25% better than that of silymarin. EXAMPLE 8 : Comparison of the results of histochemical analysis between the extract from L. caerulea fruits and silymarin in acute hepatitis-induced mice
Histochemical analysis was performed with mouse liver tissues from Test Groups A, B, C and D in Example 7, whose mean AST and ALT levels were already determined in Example 7. The liver tissue from each mouse was sectioned, fixed in 10% formalin, immersed in different concentrations of ethyl alcohol to be dehydrated, and finally embedded in paraffin. The paraffin-embedded tissue was sectioned to a size of 4-5 μm. Each paraffin section was covered with a slide glass, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and observed under an optical microscope (Fig. 5) . Mice treated with carbon tetrachloride showed multiple scattered necrotic areas in the liver tissue, which were not stained with hematoxylin and eosin (Fig. 5, A panel) . In liver tissues from mice pretreated with silymarin and mice pretreated with the extract from L. caerulea fruits (Fig. 5, B and C panels), necrotic reaction rarely occurred compared to normal liver tissue (Fig. 5, D panel) . In particular, when the liver tissue from mice pretreated with the extract from L. caerulea fruits was compared with that from mice pretreated with silymarin, fewer necrotic hepatocytes were found in the liver tissue from mice that received the extract from L. caerulea fruits. EXAMPLE 9: Clinical test for the liver function-restoring effect of the extract from L. caerulea fruits
Three volunteers having hepatitis symptoms were orally dosed with the extract from L. caerulea fruits (1 g) , prepared in Example 1, two times everyday for a period of 10 days or 20 days. Then, levels of the liver enzymes ALT and AST were measured. After the period of 10 days or 20 days, all of the three subjects showed a decrease in ALT and AST levels.
Subject 1: male age forty
Before administration: suffered from hepatitis B since eight years previously
After administration: after 10-day administration, AST and ALT levels decreased from 32 to 11.1 and from 73 to 14.3, respectively; 20 days after administration, AST and ALT levels decreased to 10.3 and 10.6, respectively.
Subject 2: male age thirty five
Before administration: suffered from liver diseases and had high AST and AST levels at every physical examination
After administration: after 20-day administration, AST and ALT levels decreased from 53 to 2.25 and from 96 to 35, respectively; 60 days after administration, AST and ALT levels decreased to 2.25 and 5.75, respectively.
Subject 3: female age thirty five
Before administration: all family members suffered from hepatitis.
After administration: after 20-day administration, AST and ALT levels decreased from 69 to 26 and from 72 to 29, respectively.
EXAMPLE 10: Preparation of functional health food
Preparation Example 1 : Preparation of functional health food
Extract from L. caerulea fruits: 100 mg
Vitamin Bi: 10 mg
Vitamin B2: 10 mg Vitamin B5: 10 mg
Vitamin B6: 10 mg
Folic acid: 20 mg
Vitamin C: 50 mg
Calcium citrate: 20 mg Magnesium gluconate: 20 mg
Potassium gluconate: 20 mg
Corn starch: 140 mg The composition including vitamins and minerals is a preferred mixture ratio of components relatively suitable for heath food, but the mixture ratio may be modified according to the intended use. The above components were combined according to an ordinary method for preparing health food, and formulated into granules.
Preparation Example 2: Preparation of health drink
Hot water extract from L. caerulea fruits prepared in Example 1: 1O g Citric acid: 20 mg
Oligosugar: 5 g
Vitamin C: 50 mg
Taurin: 1 g
Purified water: up to 100 ml
The composition including citric acid and oligosugar is a preferred mixture ratio of components which is suitable for heath food, but the mixture ratio may be modified according to the intended use. The above components were combined according to an ordinary method for preparing health food, thereby yielding a health drink.
Preparation Example 3: Preparation of powder capsules
Extract from L. caerulea fruits prepared in Example 1: 200 mg Lactose : 20 mg
Crystalline cellulose: 5 mg
Magnesium stearate: 275 mg
The composition including lactose and cellulose is a preferred mixture ratio of components which is suitable for heath food, but the mixture ratio may be modified according to the intended use. The above components were combined according to an ordinary method for preparing health food, and were formulated into powder capsules .
Preparation Example 4 : Preparation of chewing gum
Extract from L. caerulea fruits prepared in Example 1: 0.5 wt%
Gum base: 20 wt%
Sugar: 76.9 wt% Perfume: 1 wt%
Water: 2 wt%
The composition including gum base and sugar is a preferred mixture ratio of components which is suitable for heath food, but the mixture ratio may be modified according to the intended use. The above components were combined according to an ordinary method for preparing health food, thereby yielding chewing gum. Preparation Example 5: Preparation of candies
Extract from L. caerulea fruits prepared in Example 1:
0.2 wt%
Sugar: 60 wt% Glutinous starch syrup: 39.7 wt% Perfume: 0.1 wt%
The composition including sugar and glutinous starch syrup is a preferred mixture ratio of components which is suitable for heath food, but the mixture ratio may be modified according to the intended use. The above components were combined according to an ordinary method for preparing health food, thereby yielding candies.
Preparation Example 6: Preparation of biscuits
Extract from L. caerulea fruits prepared in Example 1: 0.2 wt%
First-grade cake flour: 25.59 wt%
First-grade all purpose flour: 22.22 wt%
White sugar: 4.80 wt%
Edible salt: 0.73 wt% Glucose: 0.78 wt%
Palm shortening: 11.78 wt%
Ammonium: 1.54 wt%
Sodium bicarbonate: 0.17 wt%
Sodium bisulfite: 0.16 wt% Rice powder: 1.45 wt% Vitamin B1: 0.0001 wt% Vitamin B2: 0.0001 wt% Milk flavor: 0.04 wt% Water: 20.4998 wt%
Whole milk powder: 1.16 wt% Imitation milk powder: 0.29 wt% Calcium phosphate, monobasic: 0.03 wt% Sprayed salt: 0.29 wt% Sprayed milk: 7.27 wt%
The composition including flour, sugar, glucose and milk is a preferred mixture ratio of components which is suitable for heath food, but the mixture ratio may be modified according to the intended use. The above components were combined according to an ordinary method for preparing health food, thereby yielding biscuits.
Preparation Example 7 : Preparation of sausages
Extract from L. caerulea fruits prepared in Example 1: 0.2 wt% Pork meat: 65.18 wt%
Chicken meat: 25 wt%
Starch: 3.5 wt%
Soybean proteins : 1.7 wt%
Edible salt: 1.42 wt% Glucose: 0.5 wt% Glycerin: 1.5 wt%
The composition including pork meat, chicken meat and starch is a preferred mixture ratio of components which is suitable for heath food, but the mixture ratio may be modified according to the intended use. The above components were combined according to an ordinary method for preparing health food, thereby yielding sausages.
Preparation Example 8 : Preparation of alcoholic beverage 0.15-0.7% of the extract from L. caerulea fruits prepared in Example 1 was mixed with soju (Korean traditional liquor) , beer, wine, or fruit liquor, and suspended therein. The suspension was centrifuged using a centrifugator at 8,000 rpm for 15 min, or was mixed using a high speed blender at 9,000 rpm and filtered, thereby yielding an alcoholic beverage containing the L. caerulea fruit extract.
Preparation Example 9: Preparation of yoghurt
25 g of the extract from L. caerulea fruits prepared in Example 1, 24 g of skim milk and 5 g of sugar were added to 115 ml of purified water and mixed to make a base for preparing yoghurt. The base was inoculated with 3% of a commercially available lactic acid bacterium, Bifidobacterium longum KCTC8649P, and fermented at 38°C for 6 hr 40 min, thereby yielding a galenic yoghurt.
The above composition is a preferred mixture ratio of components which is suitable for favorite drinks, but the mixture ratio may be optionally modified depending on regional and national preferences, such as social classes or country, on demand, and depending on the use of favorite drinks .
[industrial Applicability] As described hereinbefore, the food composition comprising the L. caerulea extract according to the present invention has the good ability to restore liver function and liver regeneration with no side effects such as toxicity. Thus, the present food composition can be effectively used in the manufacture of functional food, health food or health supplements .

Claims

[CLAIMS]
[Claim l]
A food composition for improving liver function, comprising an extract from Lonicera caerulea L . var . edulis .
[Claim 2]
The composition according to claim 1, wherein the extract is obtained from fruits of Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis.
[Claim 3]
The composition according to claim 1, wherein the extract is prepared by an extraction process using water, an organic solvent, or a solvent mixture thereof.
[Claim 4] The composition according to claim 1, wherein the extract from Lonicera caerulea L. var. edulis is present in an amount of 0.01% to 100% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
[Claim 5] The composition according to claim 1, which is in the form of powders, granules, tablets, capsules or solutions.
[Claim 6]
A food prepared with the composition of claim 1.
[Claim 7]
The food according to claim 6, which is a functional food, health food, or a health supplement .
[Claim 8]
The food according to claim 6, which is a confectionery product, a drink, an alcoholic beverage, a fermented food, a canned food, a processed milk product, a processed meat product, or a noodle product.
PCT/KR2006/002669 2005-07-13 2006-07-07 Food composition for improving liver function comprising a lonicera caerulea l. var. edulis extract WO2007007994A1 (en)

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CN111387381A (en) * 2020-05-08 2020-07-10 圣海奥斯健康产业有限公司 Lonicera edulis compound fruit juice beverage and preparation method thereof
CN112280645A (en) * 2020-11-07 2021-01-29 劲牌持正堂药业有限公司 Method for decoloring, purifying and enriching effective components of compound extracting solution and application

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