U.S. patent application number 11/814922 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-19 for method of producing proanthocyanidin oligomer.
This patent application is currently assigned to NAGASAKI UNIVERSITY. Invention is credited to Hajime Fujii, Isao Kohno, Takashi Nakagawa, Hiroshi Nishioka, Gen-ichiro Nonaka, Takashi Tanaka.
Application Number | 20090047305 11/814922 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36927463 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090047305 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tanaka; Takashi ; et
al. |
February 19, 2009 |
METHOD OF PRODUCING PROANTHOCYANIDIN OLIGOMER
Abstract
The present invention relates to a composition containing as its
main component proanthocyanidin oligomer to which a substance
having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure
has been bonded, and reduced in the molecular weight, which is
obtained by heating plant materials containing proanthocyanidin
polymer or extract thereof with a substance having a phloroglucinol
ring structure or resorcinol ring structure in an acidic aqueous
solution, production method thereof, and uses of the composition in
health products and pharmaceutical products. According to the
invention, proanthocyanidin oligomer having physiological activity,
to which a substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or
resorcinol ring structure has been bonded and reduced in the
molecular weight to such a level that the oligomer can be absorbed
into living body, which has been conventionally difficult to obtain
at high yield from plant raw materials, can be produced efficiently
and easily.
Inventors: |
Tanaka; Takashi; (Nagasaki,
JP) ; Nonaka; Gen-ichiro; (Saga, JP) ; Kohno;
Isao; (Nagasaki, JP) ; Fujii; Hajime;
(Hokkaido, JP) ; Nakagawa; Takashi; (Hokkaido,
JP) ; Nishioka; Hiroshi; (Hokkaido, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DENNIS G. LAPOINTE;LAPOINTE LAW GROUP, PL
PO BOX 1294
TARPON SPRINGS
FL
34688-1294
US
|
Assignee: |
NAGASAKI UNIVERSITY
NAGASAKI
JP
USAIEN PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.
Saga
JP
AMINO UP CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
Hokkaido
JP
|
Family ID: |
36927463 |
Appl. No.: |
11/814922 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
February 24, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2006/303402 |
371 Date: |
July 27, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
424/195.17 ;
424/725; 424/729; 424/735; 424/765; 424/766; 424/770; 514/456;
549/399 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 8/498 20130101;
A61K 36/74 20130101; A61P 9/12 20180101; A61K 36/734 20130101; A61K
36/45 20130101; A61P 25/28 20180101; A61P 17/18 20180101; A61K
36/185 20130101; A61K 36/14 20130101; A61P 43/00 20180101; A61Q
19/08 20130101; A61K 36/82 20130101; A61K 36/889 20130101; A61P
17/00 20180101; A61K 36/73 20130101; A61K 36/87 20130101; A61P
25/00 20180101; A61K 36/77 20130101; A61K 36/485 20130101; A61K
36/15 20130101; A61K 36/54 20130101; C07D 311/62 20130101; A61P
39/06 20180101; A61P 9/04 20180101; A61K 31/353 20130101; A61K
36/88 20130101; A61K 36/61 20130101; A61K 36/04 20130101; A61K
2800/522 20130101; A61K 36/04 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/14 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/15 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/185 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/485 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/54 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/61 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/73 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/734 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/74 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/77 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/82 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/87 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
36/88 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 36/889 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/195.17 ;
514/456; 424/725; 424/766; 424/770; 424/735; 424/765; 424/729;
549/399 |
International
Class: |
A61K 31/352 20060101
A61K031/352; A61K 36/00 20060101 A61K036/00; A61K 36/87 20060101
A61K036/87; A61K 36/15 20060101 A61K036/15; A61K 36/736 20060101
A61K036/736; A61K 36/732 20060101 A61K036/732; A61K 36/82 20060101
A61K036/82; A61K 36/04 20060101 A61K036/04; C07D 311/04 20060101
C07D311/04; A61P 25/28 20060101 A61P025/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 25, 2005 |
JP |
2005-051070 |
Claims
1. A composition containing as its main component proanthocyanidin
oligomer to terminal of which a substance having a phloroglucinol
ring structure or resorcinol ring structure has been bonded and
reduced in the molecular weight, which is obtained by heating plant
materials containing proanthocyanidin polymer or extract thereof
with a substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or
resorcinol ring structure, plant containing such a substance or
extract thereof in an acidic aqueous solution.
2. The composition containing as its main component
proanthocyanidin oligomer described in claim 1, wherein the plant
containing proanthocyanidin polymer is at least one kind selected
from a group consisting of grape, pine, Chamaecyparis obtuse,
camphor tree, wax myrtle, cacao, date plum, banana, Chinese quince,
apple, hawthorn, Litchee, Myrica rubra and Cinnamomi Cortex.
3. The composition containing as its main component
proanthocyanidin oligomer described in claim 1, wherein the
substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring
structure is at least one kind selected from a group consisting of
resveratrol, phloroglucinol, flavonoid and flavonoid (galloylester
of catechin).
4. The composition containing as its main component
proanthocyanidin oligomer described in claim 1, wherein the
substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring
structure is at least one kind selected from a group consisting of
green tea, fresh tea leaves, grape seed, grape seed coat, cube
gambir, red algae and extracts thereof.
5. The composition containing as its main component
proanthocyanidin oligomer described in claim 1, having a
polymerization degree of 2 to 4.
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. The composition containing proanthocyanidin oligomer according
to claim 1, wherein said composition is used in health food
products for treatment/prevention of lifestyle-related diseases
caused by generation of reactive oxygen species and brain diseases
or for prevention of aging.
11. The composition containing proanthocyanidin oligomer described
in claim 10, used in pharmaceutical products for
treatment/prevention of lifestyle-related diseases caused by
generation of reactive oxygen species and brain diseases or for
prevention of aging.
12. The composition containing proanthocyanidin oligomer described
in claim 10, used in cosmetic products for prevention of aging
caused by generation of reactive oxygen species.
13. A proanthocyanidin oligomer represented by formula (1) below.
##STR00011## (In the formula, n is 0 or an integer of 1 to 2.)
14. A proanthocyanidin oligomer represented by formula (2) below.
##STR00012## (In the formula, n is 0 or an integer of 1 to 2.)
15. A method for producing a composition containing as its main
component proanthocyanidin oligomer to terminal of which a
substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring
structure has been bonded and reduced in the molecular weight,
comprising a step of heating plant materials containing
proanthocyanidin polymer or extract thereof with plants having a
phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure or
extract thereof in an acidic aqueous solution and a step of
concentrating the reaction solution containing proanthocyanidin
oligomer having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring
structure bonded to the terminals and reduced in the molecular
weight and drying the solution.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the plant containing
proanthocyanidin polymer is at least one kind selected from a group
consisting of grape, pine, Chamaecyparis obtuse, camphor tree, wax
myrtle, cacao, date plum, banana, Chinese quince, apple, hawthorn,
litchee, Myrica rubra and Cinnamomi Cortex.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the substance having
a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure is at
least one kind selected from a group consisting of resveratrol,
phloroglucinol, flavonoid and flavonoid (galloylester of
catechin).
18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the substance having
a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure is at
least one kind selected from a group consisting of green tea, fresh
tea leaves, grape seed, grape seed coat, cube gambir, red algae and
extracts thereof.
19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the composition has a
polymerization degree of 2 to 4.
20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the acidic condition
is prepared by using an inorganic acid, organic acid or both of the
two.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein at least one kind is
selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric
acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid and
malic acid.
22. A method for producing a composition containing as its main
component proanthocyanidin oligomer to terminal of which a
substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring
structure has been bonded and reduced in the molecular weight,
comprising a step of concentrating a reaction solution containing
proanthocyanidin oligomer having a substance having a
phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure bonded
at the terminals and reduced in the molecular weight and a step of
subjecting the concentrated solution to fractionating
treatment.
23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the plant containing
proanthocyanidin polymer is at least one kind selected from a group
consisting of grape, pine, Chamaecyparis obtuse, camphor tree, wax
myrtle, cacao, date plum, banana, Chinese quince, apple, hawthorn,
litchee, Myrica rubra and Cinnamomi Cortex.
24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the substance having
a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure is at
least one kind selected from a group consisting of resveratrol,
phloroglucinol, flavonoid and flavonoid (galloylester of
catechin).
25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the substance having
a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure is at
least one kind selected from a group consisting of green tea, fresh
tea leaves, grape seed, grape seed coat, cube gambir, red algae and
extracts thereof.
26. The method according to claim 22, wherein the composition has a
polymerization degree of 2 to 4.
27. The method according to claim 22, wherein the acidic condition
is prepared by using an inorganic acid, organic acid or both of the
two.
28. The method according to claim 27, wherein at least one kind is
selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric
acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid and
malic acid.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a method of producing a
proanthocyanidin oligomer, which can reduce a molecular weight of
proanthocyanidin polymer in plant to a level that it can be
absorbed (easily by the gastrointestinal tract) into a living
body.
[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a composition
containing proanthocyanidin oligomer having a polymerization degree
of 2 to 4 and having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol
ring structure bonded at its terminal, which is obtained by heating
a material containing proanthocyanidin polymer together with a
substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring
structure in an acidic solution, a production method thereof, uses
of the composition and a novel proanthocyanidin oligomer having a
phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure bonded
thereto.
[0003] The composition containing proanthocyanidin oligomer
obtained according to the invention can be used in food products,
health food products, foods for specified health use, cosmetic
products and medical products. Especially, the composition is
useful as composition for health food products and medical products
for prevention of lifestyle-related diseases caused by generation
of reactive oxygen species, prevention and treatment of brain
diseases or prevention of aging.
BACKGROUND ART
[0004] Owing to excessive fat intake clue to changes in our eating
habits, increased exposure to UV rays due to changing environment,
ozone depletion and the like, increase in environmental pollutants
and the like, incidence rates of so-called, lifestyle-related,
diseases such as hyperlipemia, hypercholesteremia, high pressure,
diabetes and cancers are increasing and the number of patients with
allergies or with brain diseases such as dementia is also
increasing. There is concern that the number of patients with
dementia or Alzheimer's syndromes will be increasing in the future
with rapid aging of the society. Involvement of reactive oxygen
species generated in vivo has been pointed out as factors
contributing to these diseases. (Bioorganic & Medicinal
Chemistry, Vol. 10 (2002), p.p. 2497-2509; Non-Patent Document 1).
However, since perfect technology for suppressing or controlling
generation of reactive oxygen species has not been developed yet,
there has not been established a sufficiently sure medical
technology useful for treating and preventing lifestyle-related
diseases, brain diseases and the like.
[0005] Recently, natural substances present in plants and
exhibiting physiological activities, especially, compounds of
polyphenols have been attracting attentions. Polyphenols, which are
generally contained, in teas, vegetables, fruits, herbs and the
like, can be expected to be ingested as food and beverages for a
long period of time and serve as treatment/prevention agent free of
side effects.
[0006] Polyphenol compounds, plant secondary metabolites, which
universally exist in the plant world in large quantity and are
known to exhibit various physiological activities, attracted
attention in the fields of pharmaceuticals and phytochemistry in
old times and recently have been drawing attention in the field of
health food. For example, tea polyphenols, especially catechins are
known to have a wide range of physiological activities such as
antibiotic properties, antiviral action, antimutagenic property,
antioxidation effect, blood-pressure increase suppression, property
of reducing cholesterol in the blood, antidecay property,
antiallergic activity, improvement of enteric flora, odor
eliminating activity and the like.
[0007] Among polyphenols, proanthocyanidins are contained in a
wider range of plants. In order for proanthocyanidins to exhibit
various physiological activities, proanthocyanidin compound needs
to be absorbed into the living body by the gastrointestinal tract.
However, molecular weights of proanthocyanidins are generally said
to be on the order of several thousands to several tens of
thousands. Substance having such a large molecular weight is
difficult to be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and in many
cases, even if it is ingested, it is not absorbed in the living
body and not used as nutrition.
[0008] The term "proanthocyanidins", is a generic name for
procyanidin, prodelphinidin, propelargonidin and the like of
polymers of dimer, trimer, tetramer, decamer or higher oligomers
having as constituent unit flavan-3-ol (also referred to as
catechins) and those with gallic acid, esterified thereto, and
stereoisomers thereof, which are polyphenol compounds generating
anthocyanidins through acid treatment. The constituent units are
bonded to each other through carbon-carbon bond between the
4-position and 8-position of the carbon skeleton or between the
4-position and 6-position, or sometimes through ether bond between
the 2-position and 7-position in addition to the carbon-carbon
bond.
[0009] Proanthocyanidin has an excellent antioxidative effect
(Arch. Biochem. Biophys., Vol. 374, p.p. 347-355, 2000: Non-Patent
Document 2), and moreover, since it has other effects such as
improvement of blood flow, antistress action, antihypertensive
efficacy, antibiotic effect, antitumor effect, anticataract
activity and antidiarrheic effect, it has been used as a
naturally-derived substance having a health-maintaining effect.
[0010] Proanthocyanidins are isolated as mixture from pine bark,
immature apple fruit, grape seeds and the like and now, are blended
in beverages, confectioneries, health foods, cosmetic products,
hair-growth drugs and the like which are commercially
available.
[0011] In many plants containing proanthocyanidin, various
proanthocyanidins from those having a low polymerization degree to
those having a high molecular weight are contained as mixture, and
many of them are plants mainly containing proanthocyanidins of high
polymerization degree such as persimmon, banana and Chinese quince.
However, among proanthocyanidins, a proanthocyanidin polymer having
a high polymerisation degree is said to be inferior in
pharmacological activities to proanthocyanidin oligomers having
polymerization degree of 2 to 4 due to its poor absorbability from
the intestine. Also, it is preferable that such a proanthocyanidin
polymer, having strong astringency and poor solubility in water, be
eliminated when the plant is used in food products (Free Radical
Res., Vol. 29, p.p. 351-358, 1998: Non-Patent Document 3). Based on
these facts, proanthocyanidin oligomer having a polymerization
degree of 2 to 4 have been attracting attention as having excellent
health-maintaining effect, and those derived from pine bark are
used in beverages and health foods.
[0012] In order to obtain only proanthocyanidin from plant extract,
absorption method (see, for example, H06-49053: Patent Document 1)
and the like are employed. But it is difficult to isolate those
different in polymerization degrees. In order to obtain only
proanthocyanidin oligomers of polymerisation degree 2 to 4, solvent
partition method using ethyl acetate, solid-phase extraction method
with methyl acetate and chromatography method (PCT Publication
WO00/64883: Patent Document 2), chitin absorption method (PCT
Publication WO03/091237: Patent Document 3) and the like are
employed for isolate only low molecular weight proanthocyanidins
through extraction. However, in these methods, a large amount of
high molecular weight proanthocyanidin polymers is discarded, which
is disadvantageous in terms of yield.
[0013] As an alternative method replacing the methods isolating
proanthocyanidin oligomers of polymerization degree 2 to 4 from
plants containing proanthocyanidin polymers, the present inventors
previously proposed a method of reacting proanthocyanidin
polymer-containing material with SH-containing compound such as
cysteine in an acidic solution to reduce the molecular weight of
the proanthocyanidin oligomer (PCT Publication WO2004/103988:
Patent Document 4). According to the method, proanthocyanidin
oligomer having the cysteine bonded thereto to thereby reduce the
molecular weight and be excellent in systemic absorption can be
obtained. It has been confirmed that the proanthocyanidin oligomer
has no toxicity and can be used safely. However, at present, in
some countries (including Japan), there is a problem that strict
procedures are required for obtaining approval of uses of health
food products containing proanthocyanidin having cysteine attached
thereto which is non-natural chemical substance.
[0014] [Patent Document 1]Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Ho.
H06-49053
[0015] [Patent Document 2]PCT Publication No. WO00/64883
[0016] [Patent Document 3]PCT Publication No. WO03/091237
[0017] [Patent Document 4]PCT Publication No. WO2004/103988
[0018] [Non-Patent Document 1]Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry,
Vol. 10 (2002), p.p. 2497-2509
[0019] [Non-Patent Document 2]Arch. Biochem. Biophys., Vol. 374,
p.p. 347-355, 2000
[0020] [Non-Patent Document 3] Free Radical Res., Vol. 29, p.p.
351-358, 1998
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by Invention
[0021] The object of the invention is to provide a convenient and
efficient method for reducing molecular weight of proanthocyanidin
oligomer, being widely distributed in nature as proanthocyanidin
polymer but limited in naturally-derived materials as oligomer, by
using as starting material proanthocyanidin polymer, plant
containing proanthocyanidin polymer or extract thereof and bonding
the material to a substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure
or resorcinol ring structure.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0022] With a view to achieving the above object, the inventors
have made intensive studies and as a result, have found that
proanthocyanidin can be fractionated and reduced in its molecular
weight and at the same time can be converted into proanthocyanidin
oligomer having catechin bonded thereto at terminal by gently
boiling fruit, fruit skin, bark, leaves or extract thereof
containing proanthocyanidin polymer such as date plum, banana,
grape, pine, Chamaecyparis obtuse, camphor tree, wax myrtle,
Chinese quince, litchee, Myrica rubra and Cinnamomi Cortex together
with green tea or fresh tea leaves containing a large amount of
low-molecular weight catechins in an acidic solution for 2 to 3
hours.
[0023] Further, the inventors have found that proanthocyanidin can
be fractionated, reduced in its molecular weight and converted into
proanthocyanidin oligomer having a substance having a
phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure bonded
thereto by using the substance having a phloroglucinol ring
structure or resorcinol ring structure and other plant materials
(such as grape seed and grape skin) containing such a substance
instead of green tea or fresh tea leaves, and have completed the
invention based on the findings.
[0024] That is, the invention relates to the following 1 to 14
items, a composition containing as its main component
proanthocyanidin oligomer to terminal of which a substance having a
phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure is
bonded by heating a plant containing proanthocyanidin polymer or
extract thereof with green tea or fresh tea leaves in an acidic
aqueous solution (1 to 5),
Production method thereof (6 to 9), uses of the composition (10 to
12) and a novel proanthocyanidin oligomer (13 to 14). 1. A
composition containing as its main component proanthocyanidin
oligomer to terminal of which a substance having a phloroglucinol
ring structure or resorcinol ring structure has been bonded and
reduced in the molecular weight, which is obtained by heating plant
materials containing proanthocyanidin polymer or extract thereof
with a substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or
resorcinol ring structure, plant containing such a substance or
extract thereof in an acidic aqueous solution. 2. The composition
containing as its main component proanthocyanidin oligomer
described in 1, wherein the plant containing proanthocyanidin
polymer is at least one kind selected from a group consisting of
grape, pine, Chamaecyparis obtuse, camphor tree, wax myrtle, cacao,
date plum, banana, Chinese quince, apple, hawthorn, litchee, Myrica
rubra and Cinnamomi Cortex, 3. The composition containing as its
main component proanthocyanidin oligomer described in 1, wherein
the substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol
ring structure is at least one kind selected from a group
consisting of resveratrol, phloroglucinol, flavonoid and flavonoid
(galloylester of catechin). 4. The composition containing as its
main component proanthocyanidin oligomer described in 1, wherein
the substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol
ring structure is at least one kind, selected, from a group
consisting of green tea, fresh tea leaves, grape seed, grape seed
coat, cube gambir, red algae and extracts thereof. 5. The
composition containing as its main component proanthocyanidin
oligomer described in 1, having a polymerization degree of 2 to 4.
6. A method for producing the composition containing as its main
component proanthocyanidin oligomer described in any one of 1 to 5,
comprising a step of heating plant materials containing
proanthocyanidin polymer or extract thereof with plants having a
phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure or
extract thereof in an acidic aqueous solution and a step of
concentrating the reaction solution containing proanthocyanidin
oligomer having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring
structure bonded to the terminals and reduced in the molecular
weight and drying the solution. 7. A method for producing the
composition containing as its main component proanthocyanidin
oligomer described in any one of 1 to 5, comprising a step of
concentrating the reaction solution containing proanthocyanidin
oligomer having a substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure
or resorcinol ring structure bonded at the terminals and reduced in
the molecular weight and a step of subjecting the concentrated
solution to fractionating treatment. 8. The method for producing a
composition containing as its main component proanthocyanidin
oligomer described in 6 or 7, wherein the acidic condition is
prepared by using an inorganic acid, organic acid or both of the
two. 9. The method for producing a composition containing as its
main component proanthocyanidin oligomer described in 8, wherein at
least one kind selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric
acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, citric acid,
ascorbic acid and malic acid. 10. The composition containing
proanthocyanidin oligomer described in any one of 1 to 5, used in
health food products for treatment/prevention of lifestyle-related
diseases caused by generation of reactive oxygen species and brain
diseases or for prevention of aging, 11. The composition containing
proanthocyanidin oligomer described in 10, used in pharmaceutical
products for treatment/prevention of lifestyle-related diseases
caused by generation of reactive oxygen species and brain diseases
or for prevention of aging. 12. The composition containing
proanthocyanidin oligomer described in 10, used in cosmetic
products for prevention of aging caused by generation of reactive
oxygen species. 13. A proanthocyanidin oligomer represented by
formula (1) below.
##STR00001##
(In the formula, n is 0 or an integer of 1 to 2.) 14. A
proanthocyanidin oligomer represented by formula (2) below.
##STR00002##
(in the formula, n is 0 or an integer of 1 to 2.)
EFFECT OF INVENTION
[0025] The invention provides a method for producing a composition
containing as its main component proanthocyanidin oligomer to which
a substance having phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring
structure has been bonded at the terminals and which thereby has
been reduced in the molecular weight, which composition is obtained
by concentrating and drying a reaction solution obtained by heating
plant materials containing proanthocyanidin polymer or extract
thereof with a substance or plants having a phloroglucinol ring
structure or resorcinol ring structure or extract thereof in an
acidic aqueous solution. According to the invention,
proanthocyanidin oligomer, to which a substance having
phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure has been
bonded at the terminals and which thereby has been reduced in the
molecular weight, and which is useful as composition for health
food products and pharmaceutical products for treatment/prevention
of lifestyle-related diseases caused by generation of reactive
oxygen species and brain diseases or for prevention of aging, can
be efficiently produced from proanthocyanidin polymer-containing
materials.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0026] The invention is described in greater detail
hereinbelow.
[0027] Raw materials used for producing proanthocyanidin oligomer
according to the method of the invention are proanthocyanidin
polymer-containing plants (such as fruit, fruit skin, bark and
leaves) or extracts thereof.
[0028] Here, examples of proanthocyanidin polymer-containing plants
include fruit vegetables such as astringent persimmon, banana,
apple, pear, grape, strawberry, persea americana, blueberry,
hawthorn, lotus root, buckwheat, litchee and Myrica rubra, herbs,
spices, wood, Cinnamomi Cortex and pine balk. Among these,
astringent persimmon, banana, grape, pine, Chamaecyparis obtusa,
camphor tree, wax myrtle, Chinese quince, litchee and Myrica rubra
are preferably used.
[0029] In the invention, these plants containing proanthocyanidin
polymer are chopped (cut) or crushed and then used and extracts
obtained by heating and concentrating/drying these materials in
aqueous solvent are used.
[0030] There is no particular limitation on the substance having
phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure used in
the reaction of the present invention as long as the substance is a
plant containing resveratrol, phloroglucinol, flavonoid and
flavonoid (galloylester of catechin) or extracts thereof. Examples
thereof include green tea, fresh tea leaves, grape seed, grape seed
coat, cube gambir, red algae and extracts thereof. Among these, in
consideration that the main uses of the proanthocyanidin oligomer
produced in the present invention is health food products,
ingredient for food for specified health use, cosmetic products and
pharmaceutical products, especially food for specified health use
and pharmaceutical products, grape seed, grape seed coat, green
tea, fresh tea leaves and extracts thereof, which have been
conventionally applied to drinking and safety of which has been
confirmed, are prefer red.
[0031] The proportion of proanthocyanidin polymer-containing plant
materials and substance having phloroglucinol ring structure or
resorcinol ring structure used in the reaction is arbitrarily
selected. It is preferred, that the amount of the latter be large
enough to bond to the fragments of the proanthocyanidin polymer
having reduced in the molecular weight. If the amount of the
substance having phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring
structure is too small, proanthocyanidin having a high molecular
weight may remain unreacted, and in that case, the remaining
proanthocyanidin having a high molecular weight can be easily
removed by column chromatography.
[0032] Reaction between plant containing proanthocyanidins or
proanthocyanidins contained in extract thereof and the substance
having phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure
(herein after, sometimes simply referred to as "phloro/resorcinol
ring-containing substance") is conducted in solvent by heating.
[0033] As reaction solvent, water, methanol, ethanol and a mixture
of two or more of them is used. In consideration that the product
is used in food or pharmaceutical products, water and ethanol are
preferred.
[0034] It is preferred that the reaction be carried out under an
acidic condition. An acid appropriately selected from inorganic
acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and nitric acid and
organic acids such as acetic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid and
malic acid is used in a concentration of 0.1 to 1.0 N, preferably
about 0.5 N.
[0035] Reaction between plant or plant extract containing
proanthocyanidins and phloro/resorcinol ring-containing substance
is carried out at a temperature of room temperature to 100.degree.
C. for 0.5 hours to 1 week, preferably at 90 to 100.degree. C. for
1 to 4 hours.
[0036] The reaction solution after the reaction is subject to
filtration or the like treatment to thereby remove solid content
and isolate the liquid. The resultant extract (liquid) containing
proanthocyanidin oligomer can be used in various forms such as
liquid, powder, gel, solid molded product or the like after
condensed and dried. The reaction solution after the reaction may
be concentrated, and dried or concentrated and fractionated. By
these methods, the target substance is separated from the reaction
solution, concentrated and purified by conventional method. For,
example, residues are separated by filtration and after the
filtrate is concentrated, the concentrated liquid can be purified
by subjecting the extract to film treatment (such as
ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis treatment) or to treatment with
adsorbent or the like treatment to thereby concentrate and isolate
the target substance.
[0037] Examples of adsorbents include styrene-divinylbenzene
adsorbent, methacrylic acid adsorbent, hydrophilic vinyl polymer,
modified, dextran gel, polyacrylamide gel, reverse-phase silica gel
and ion-exchange resin. In a case where such an adsorbent is used,
proanthocyanidin oligomers, which have been reduced in the
molecular weigh through reaction with the phloro/resorcinol
ring-containing substance, are contained in fraction adsorbed to
the adsorbent (herein after, referred to as "adsorbed
fraction(s)"). By elating the adsorbed fraction with hydroalcohol,
alcohol, acetone or the like, components having various molecular
weights can be obtained. On this occasion, by isolating the target
proanthocyanidin oligomer having a polymerization degree of 2 to 4
front the reaction solution through column, chromatography using
aromatic compound-based synthetic adsorbent, proanthocyanidin
having a high molecular weight can be sifted out and concentration
of the eluate is easy, which is preferred. Preferred examples of
aromatic compound-based synthetic adsorbent include cross-linked
styrene-based porous polymer such as SEPABEADS.
[0038] By results of measurements using .sup.1H-NMR, UV, HPLC, GPC
and TLC, it is confirmed that the thus-obtained proanthocyanidin
oligomer contains dimers to tetramers of proanthocyanidin whose
typical chemical structure is represented by formulae (1) and
(2).
##STR00003## ##STR00004##
(In the formula, R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl
group, and R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group,
R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a galloyl group,
##STR00005##
and n represents 0 or an integer of 1 to 2.)
[0039] Although in formulae (1) and (2), only structures having
bonded, between 4 position and 8 position are shown, those having
bonding between 4 position and 6 position or bonding of 2-O-7 also
exist.
[0040] Through reaction between proanthocyanidin polymer and
phloro/resorcinol ring-containing substance according to the
invention, proanthocyanidin polymer having a high molecular weight
(5 in terms of polymerization degree) and not absorbable into
living body can be easily fragmented to thereby render the polymer
a low molecular weight substance absorbable and at the same time, a
composition mainly containing proanthocyanidin oligomers of dimer
to tetramer can be obtained.
[0041] The proanthocyanidin oligomer having a phloro/resorcinol
ring structure-containing substance bonded to its terminal,
obtained according to the invention, which exhibits strong
antioxidative activity in DPPH, TEAC and FRAP antioxidation tests,
has high antioxidative function as compared with other polyphenol
materials. Further, in animal experiments regarding
lifestyle-related diseases and monitoring tests antioxidation index
on humans, data evidencing that the effect can be judged to be
based on antioxidative activity have been obtained,
[0042] Accordingly, products containing the proanthocyanidin
oligomer of the invention as active ingredient have not only an
action to suppress generation of lipid peroxide in vivo but also
effects on diseases caused by oxidative induced due to active
oxygen. Therefore, the products, which have effects of preventing
various organ failures caused by generation of lipid peroxide or
active oxygen and also preventing aging, are effective in
preventing and treating various diseases caused by such organ
failures and aging. Moreover, the products can be considered to be
effective in suppressing/preventing/treating cerebral dysfunctions
such as dementia presumably caused by brain aging. At the same
time, along with improvement in brain functions, enhancement in
learning function, easing irritation, relieving insomnia, easing
disconcertedness and the like effects can be expected. Thus,
products containing proanthocyanidin oligomer of the invention as
active ingredient can be used in health food products,
pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and the like.
[0043] No toxicity is observed with products containing
proanthocyanidin oligomer of the invention as active ingredient and
the products can be used safely. These products are used orally or
parenterally. The dosage amount in a case of oral use differs
depending on the age, weight, symptoms, target therapeutic effect,
administration method and the like. Generally, it is in a range of
50 to 1000 mg per dose for adults. In case of oral administration,
products of the invention are used in form of tablet, ball,
capsule, powder, granulated powder, syrup and the like. In case of
parenteral administration, they are used in form of injectable
solution, coating agent and the like. In case of preparing
granulated products, tablet products or syrup products, appropriate
auxiliary agents (such as starches, dextrin, sweetening agents,
colorants and flavoring agents) can be used.
EXAMPLES
[0044] Hereinafter, the invention is described specifically by
referring to Examples. The invention is by no means limited by the
Examples.
Example 1
##STR00006##
[0046] Procyanidin B4(100 mg) and epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (100
mg) were dissolved in 40 mL of 2% citric acid solution and heated
at 100.degree. C. for 2 hours. After cooled down, the reaction
solution was subjected to MCI-gel CHP20P (aqueous methanol) column
chromatography and then to Sephadex LH-20(60% methanol) column
chromatography, to thereby recover as raw material procyanidin
B4(10 mg) and epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (59.2 mg) and also
obtain newly generated (-)-epicatechin (25.4 mg) and (+)-catechin
(4.beta..fwdarw.8) (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (17.3 mg). By
comparing in .sup.1H-NMR spectra the generated catechin and
proanthocyanidin with compositions of prior art, identification of
the obtained compositions was conducted. (See the above structural
formulae.)
Example 2
##STR00007##
[0048] 0.5 g of procyanidin polymer extracted from beetle nut and
(-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (0.5 g) were dissolved in 200 mL
of 2% citric acid solution and heated at 95.degree. C. for 3 hours.
The reaction solution was subjected to column chromatography in the
same manner as Example 1, epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (403 mg),
newly generated (+)-catechin (48.6 mg) and (-)-epicatechin
(4.beta..fwdarw.8)-(-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (148.3 mg)
which is proanthocyanidin were obtained (see the above structural
formulae).
Example 3
[0049] 5 g of Japanese cypress bark containing a mixture of
catechin and procyanidin and 1 g of green tea were dissolved in 100
mL of 2% citric acid solution and heated at 95.degree. C. for 3
hours. After cooling down, 100 mL of ethanol was added to the
solution and the solution was subjected to suction filtration. The
filtrate was analysed by HPLC. The conditions for HPLC analysis
were as follows.
[0050] Column: Cosmosil 5C18 ARII (4.6.times.250 mm),
[0051] Column temperature: 35.degree. C.,
[0052] Mobile phase: A; 50 mM phosphoric acid, [0053] B;
CH.sub.3CN, [0054] B from 4% to 30% (for 39 minutes), from 30 to
75% (for 15 minutes),
[0055] Flow rate: 0.8 mL/min,
[0056] Detection: Photodiode array detection
[0057] 5 g of Japanese cypress bark and 1 g of green tea were
separately heated in citric acid solution under the same condition
and then subjected to extraction treatment. HPLC analysis was
conducted in the same manner (see HPLC in FIG. 1). In the extract
solution obtained by treating the mixture of Japanese cypress bark
and green tea in the citric acid solution, peaks derived front many
new compounds, which were not found in the cases of treating
Japanese cypress bark and green tea separately, were detected. It
was presumed by comparison in ultra violet absorption spectra of
the peaks between those obtained in this Example and those obtained
Examples 1 and 2 that all of the compounds were
proanthocyanidins.
[0058] The extract liquid obtained in Example 3 by heating Japanese
cypress hark and green tea in the citric acid solution was
concentrated and then subjected to solvent partition with 50 mL of
water and 50 mL of ethyl acetate 5 times. The obtained ethyl
acetate layer was gathered together and also concentrated to
thereby obtain 0.67 g of ethyl acetate extracted product. The
extracts obtained from the separately treated Japanese cypress bark
and green tea respectively were subjected to solvent partition in
the same manner, to thereby obtained 0.30 g of ethyl acetate
extracted product from the Japanese cypress bark and 0.37 g of
ethyl acetate extracted product from the green tea. The thus
obtained three extracts of ethyl acetate were analyzed by TLC. The
conditions of TLC are as follows.
[0059] Silica gel 60,
[0060] Developing solvent: [0061] benzene-ethyl formate-formic acid
(1:7:1, v/v)
[0062] Coloring reagent: vanillin hydrochloric acid reagent (see
TLC in FIG. 2.)
[0063] Vanillin hydrochloric acid reagent, which is a detection
reagent for catechins and proanthocyanidins, takes on a color of
characteristic red when these substances are present. With respect
to the extract obtained through treatment of Japanese cypress bark
and green tea in the citric acid solution, spots derived from
proanthocyanidin dimmer and trimer were acknowledged.
[0064] In the water layer remaining after ethyl acetate partition
in Example 3, proanthocyanidin, having a higher molecular weight
than the molecular weight of those transferred to the ethyl acetate
layer, remains. Then, molecular weights of acetylated compounds of
proanthocyanidins contained in the water layer were compared by gel
permeation chromatography analysis. The water layer after Japanese
cypress bark and green tea was treated with citric acid solution
and the water layer of Japanese cypress bark were concentrated and
dried to be solid. After dissolved in acetic anhydride-pyridine,
the solution was left standing at room temperature for 8 hours. The
reaction solutions were respectively poured into ice water, and
insoluble matter deposited was taken out though filtration and
vacuum-dried. The obtained acetylated body was analysed under
conditions of TSK-GEL G4000H6 column, solvent of tetrahydrofuran,
and detection with 254 nm UV absorption. According to molecular
weight of the obtained products estimated based on calibration
curves prepared by using benzene and polystyrenes having molecular
weights of 4000, 25000 and 50000, the peak top of proanthocyanidin
contained in the water layer after treating Japanese cypress bark
and green tea with citric acid was about 1300 while the peak top of
proanthocyanidin contained in the water layer of Japanese cypress
bark was about 2000. It was found out that by adding green tea in
the citric acid treatment, the molecular weight was reduced.
Example 4
[0065] 100 g of fresh banana skin was pulverized together with 300
mL of acetone-water mixture solution (4:1, v/v) by using a whirling
blender and subjected to suction filtration. Acetone was distilled
off the filtrate by using an evaporator to thereby prepare an
aqueous solution, insoluble matter was filtered out and water is
added to the solution to make the total amount 200 ml. Separately,
3 g of green tea leaves was boiling extraction in 300 mL of water
and after the resultant was subjected to suction filtration, water
was added to make the total amount 300 ml. 100 mL of banana extract
(corresponding to 50 g of banana skin) and 100 mL of green tea
extract (corresponding to 1 g of green tea) were mixed together and
2 g of citric acid was dissolved in the mixture. Then the mixture
was heated at 95.degree. C. for 3 hours. After cooled down, the
solution was extracted with ethyl acetate 3 times to thereby obtain
0.312 g of ethyl acetate extracted product. In the same manner,
banana extract liquid and green tea extract liquid, were separately
subjected to partitioning with ethyl acetate, to thereby obtain
0.015 g and 0.18 g of extracts of ethyl acetate respectively. The
obtained extracts of ethyl acetate were analysed by TLC (see TLC in
FIG. 3). Due to the high molecular weight of proanthocyanidin in
the banana skin extract, the extract is positive for vanillin
hydrochloric acid, reagent only at the origin point on the TLC
analysis while in the product obtained by treating banana skin
extract and green tea extract with citric acid, spots derived from
new proanthocyanidin dimmer and trimer, which had not existed in
the original extracts before the treatment, were observed.
Example 5
[0066] Astringent component contained in a large amount in
astringent persimmon is proanthocyanidin having a very high
molecular weight and constituted by four kinds of tea catechins
(Tanaka et al., J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans 1, 1013-1022, 1994). 100
g of fresh immature persimmon fruit was pulverized, together with
500 mL of 1% citric acid solution by using a whirling blender and
further, 500 mL of 1% citric acid solution and 20 g of green tea
were blended therein and the mixture was gently boiled for 3 hours.
The reaction solution was subjected to suction filtration while it
was hot, to thereby obtain 950 mL of filtrate. A half amount of the
filtrate, 475 mL, was subjected to partitioning with ethyl acetate
4 times, to thereby obtain 2.56 g of ethyl acetate layer. The
remaining half, 475 mL, was allowed to pass through a column of
Sepabeads SP850 (200 mL) and after washed with water to thereby
remove sugar, the adsorbed polyphenols were eluted out with 40-60%
ethanol. The eluate was concentrated to thereby obtain 3.26 g of
fraction containing catechin and proanthocyanidin. On the other
hand, 200 g of immature persimmon fruit was pulverised together
with 900 mL of acetone-water mixed solution (4:1, v/v) and
subjected to extraction. Acetone was completely distilled off the
filtrate and the obtained extract solution was allowed to pass
through a column of Sepabeads S850 (200 mL). As a result, Most of
persimmon proanthocyanidins (persimmon tannin) was not adsorbed but
eluted out only with water. The amount of polyphenol fraction
adsorbed to the column and eluted out with aqueous alcohol was as
small as 0.76 g. The molecular weight of proanthocyanidin in
persimmon is assumed to be approximately 1.38.times.10.sup.4
(Mastuo, T. et al., Agric. Biol. Chem., 42, 1637-1643, 1978), too
large to come into pores of Sepabeads. On the other hand, persimmon
proanthocyanidin treated with green tea, fractionated and reduced
in the molecular weight, can come into pores of Sepabeads to be
adsorbed. By the present Example, it was found out that Sepabeads
could sift out proanthocyanidins having large molecular weights.
The ethyl acetate extracted product obtained by treating persimmon
with green tea and citric acid and the substance adsorbed to
Sepabeads SP825 were compared with ethyl acetate extracted product
of green tea and extract of aqueous acetone of immature persimmon
by using TLC (see TLC in FIG. 4). With respect to the portion
adsorbed to Sepabeads SP825, normal phase HPLC analysis was
conducted and comparison was made with polyphenol fraction
(containing catechin monomer, procyanidin dimer, trimer and
tetramer and procyanidin having a higher molecular weight) obtained
by separating hot water extracted product of Japanese cypress with
DIAION HP20SS column chromatography (see HPLC in FIG. 5). The
conditions of normal phase HPLC analysis were as follows,
[0067] column: LiChroCART Superspher Si 60(4.6.times.250 mm),
[0068] column temperature: 28.degree. C.,
[0069] mobile phase:
[0070] hexane:methanol:tetrahydrofuran:trifluoroacetate
(45:40:13.5:1.5),
[0071] flow rate: 1.0 mL/min,
[0072] detection: 254 nm
[0073] As controls, (-)-epicatechin(monomer), procyanidin
B4(dimer), procyanidin C1(trimer) and cinnamtannin A2 (tetramer)
were used. These controls were separated from loquat seeds and
identified by making comparison of .sup.1H-NMR spectra with the
values described in references. In HPLC, although a peak for
caffeine was observed and besides it was conformed that polymers of
up to four monomer molecules were present, it involved less
peak-tailing thereafter as compared with proanthocyanidin of
Japanese cypress.
Example 6
[0074] 1 kg of fresh immature persimmon fruit was pulverized
together with 2 L of water and the resultant was mixed with 200 g
of green tea and 80 g of citric acid. Water was added to make the
total amount 8 L and then the mixture was gently boiled for 3
hours. After heating, filtration was conducted while it was hot.
The obtained filtrate was cooled, down, allowed to pass through a
column of Sepabeads SP825 and washed with water. The adsorbed
portion was elated out with aqueous ethanol, concentrated and then
freeze-dried to obtain 59.0 g of a catechin-proanthocyanidin
mixture. 6 g of the obtained mixture was allowed to pass through a
column of Sephadex LH-20 to thereby fractionate it into eight
fractions (Fr.) (see FIG. 6). The obtained, amount of Fr. 1, which
mainly contained epicatechin and epigallocatechin, was 0.79 g. The
obtained amount of Fr. 2, which mainly contained epicatechin
3-O-gallate, was 0.15 g. The obtained amount of Fr. 3, which mainly
contained epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate, was 0.87 g. The obtained
amount of Fr. 4, which was a mixture of epigallocatechin
3-O-gallate and proanthocyanidin dimmer, was 0.2 g. The obtained
amounts of Fr. 5 and Fr. 6 which both contained proanthocyanidin
dimer, were 0.25 g and 0.51 g respectively. The obtained amount of
Fr. 7, which mainly contained proanthocyanidin trimer, was 0.88 g.
The obtained amount of Fr. 8, which contains the same trimer as Fr.
7 or proanthocyanidins having molecular weight higher than that,
was 1.63 g. Among these fractions, Fr. 5 and Fr. 6 were purified
with MCI-gel CHP20P column chromatography and Chromatorex ODS
column chromatography (both using aqueous methanol as solvent) to
thereby obtain 101.6 mg of (-)-epicatechin
(4.beta..fwdarw.8)-(-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate, 121.1 mg of
(-)-epigallocatechin (4.beta..fwdarw.8)-(-)-epigallocatechin
3-O-gallate and 24.3 mg of (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate
(4.beta..fwdarw.8)-(-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (see the
following structural formulae). Besides, although many kinds of
proanthocyanidin dimers were present, the inventors succeeded in
pure separation of the above three types, identifying their
structures by comparison of .sup.1H-NMR spectra.
##STR00008##
Example 7
Production Example of Resveratrol-Bonded Compound
[0075] 100 mg of grape seed polyphenol powder (Grape Seed P. E.,
products of Guilin Layn Natural Ingredients Corp., content of
proanthocyanidins: 95% or more) and 120 mg of resveratrol, together
with 100 mg of citric acid, dissolved in 10 mL of water, put into
hot water for 3 hours (87 to 93.degree. C.) to allow reaction to
proceed, and the resultant was left standing to cool down to room
temperature. With this liquid, a column of Sephadex LH-20 (inner
diameter 2 cm, length 15 cm, about 50 mL, 70% methanol) was
charged. 50 mL of 70% methanol and then 50 mL of 100% methanol were
poured in sequentially to pass through the column, to thereby
concentrate the fraction of the target substance. After
freeze-drying treatment, 6.0 mg of a powder (herein after,
abbreviate as Invention Substance A) was obtained.
[0076] This dry powder was dissolved in 1 mL of 70% methanol and
with this solution, a column of MCI-gel CHP-20 (inner diameter 2
cm, length 15 cm about 50 mL) was charged. 50 mL of the same
solvent was allowed to pass through the column to thereby
concentrate the fraction of the target substance. After
freeze-drying treatment, 2.4 mg of a powder was obtained. The
obtained powder was subjected to HR-FAB-MS (High Resolution Fast
Atom Bombardment Mass Spectrum) and .sup.1H-NMR (hydrogen nuclear
magnetic resonance spectrum, see Table 1). [M].sup.+ of the
compound the obtained fraction mainly contained was observed at
m/s: 516.1404 in HR-FAB-MS, which coincided with the value 516.1420
corresponding to a molecular formula C.sub.29H.sub.25O.sub.9 with
an error of 3.1 ppm. Therefore, the fraction was assumed to contain
a compound represented by the molecular formula
C.sub.29H.sub.25O.sub.9, which led to a chemical structure where
resveratrol bonded to catechin or epicatechin through carbon-carbon
bond was considered.
[0077] In .sup.1H-NMR (see Table 1) of the compound, in addition to
the five proton signals on aromatic ring which are common in
catechin and epicatechin, a group of signals having oxygen atoms at
bases were observed at .delta.5.04 (1H, br.s, 2-H) and .delta.4.01
(1H, br.s, 3-H), which suggested presence of steric configuration
of epicatechin. The signal at .delta.4.64 (1H, br.s) was attributed
to 4a-position of epicatechin part, and the resveratrol part was
assumed to be located at 4b position. Besides, an envelope in 2H
having the same shape as that of the signal observed at .delta.6.55
in phloroglucinol was observed, shifting to 0.56 ppm lower filed,
showing that the newly formed c-c bond has a similar steric
environment as well. In addition, the AB system on B-type conjugate
double bond derived from a transstilbene structure of resveratrol
(56.79, 6.97, each 1H, J=16.5 Hz), and A2B2 signal on the other
aromatic ring (.delta.6.80, 7.36. each 2H, J=8.6 Hz) were observed.
Based on the information, the chemical structure of the compound
was assumed to be 4b-(4-resveratrol)-(-)-epicatechin shown as
follows.
##STR00009##
[Table 1]
TABLE-US-00001 [0078] TABLE 1 .sup.1H-NMR Signal Assignment of
Invention Substance A (.delta. in ppm) H No. 2-H 5.01 (br, s) 3-H
3.96 (br, s) 4-H 4.53 (br, s) 6-H 6.01 (d, J = 2.2 Hz) 8-H 5.98 (d,
J = 2.2 Hz) 2'-H 6.96 (d, J = 1.7 Hz) 5'-H 6.74 (d, J = 8.3 Hz)
6'-H 6.67 (dd, J = 8.3, 1.7 Hz) Ph 4-H 5.99 (envelope) 6-H 5.99
(envelope) Note 1) Invention Substance was measured in
acetone-d.sub.6-D.sub.2O
Example 8
Production Example of Phloroglucinol-Bonded Compound
[0079] Each 1.00 g of grape seed polyphenol and phloroglucinol were
dissolved together with 500 mg of citric acid in 50 ml of water and
the mixture was put in hot water (87 to 93.degree. C.) for 3 hours.
After the reaction, the resultant was left standing to cool down to
room temperature. After a column of DIATOM HP20 (inner diameter 3
cm, length 14 cm, about 100 mL) was charged with this solution,
washing with about 300 mL of water was conducted. Then elation with
about 200 mL of methanol, was conducted, and the target fraction
was concentrated and freeze-dried to obtain 1.24 g of a powder
(herein after abbreviated as Invention Substance B).
[0080] Invention Substance B was dissolved in 5 mL of 70% methanol
and a column of Sephadex LB-20 (inner diameter 3 cm, length 25 cm,
about 180 ml) was charged with the solution. 500 mL of the same
solvent was allowed to pass through the column, and the target
fraction was concentrated and freeze-dried to thereby obtain 62.2
mg of a powder. The obtained powder was subjected to HR-FAB-MS and
.sup.1H-NMR analyses. With respect to the compound the obtained
fraction mainly contained, [M].sup.+ was observed at m/z:414.0941,
in HR-FAB-MS, which coincided with the calculation value 414.0950
corresponding to the molecular formula C.sub.21H.sub.18O.sub.9,
with an error margin of 2.2 ppm. (an error of 10 ppm or less is
allowable). Accordingly, the compound was assumed to have a
molecular formula of C.sub.21H.sub.18O.sub.9, which suggested, a
chemical structure where phloroglucinol was bonded to catechin or
epicatechin through carbon-carbon bond. In .sup.1H-NMR of the
compound (see Table 2), in addition to five proton, signals on the
aromatic ring common to catechin and epicatechin, a group of
signals having oxygen atoms at the foot was observed at 5.01 (1H,
br.s, 2-H) and 3.96 (1H, br.s, 3-H), suggesting that the compound
had an epicatechin steric configuration. It was assumed that the
proton signal of .delta.4.53 (1H. br.s) was attributable to 4
position of epicatechin part and that the phloroglucinol part was
located at 4 position. Besides, a signal attributable to c-4 and
c-6 derived from phloroglucinol in 2H was observed at .delta.5.99
as equivalent envelope, suggesting that the newly formed C--C bond
generated a rotation barrier. Based on this information, the
chemical structure of the compound was assumed to be
4-(2-phloroglucinol)-(-)-epicatechin as shown in the following
formula. .sup.13C-NMR (carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
spectrum, see Table 3) on the compound supported the chemical
structure.
##STR00010##
[Table 2]
TABLE-US-00002 [0081] TABLE 2 .sup.1H-NMR Signal assignment of
Invention Substance B (.delta. in ppm) H No. 2-H 5.04 (br, s) 3-H
4.01 (br, s) 4-H 4.64 (br, s) 6-H 6.00 (d, J = 2.2 Hz) 8-H 6.02 (d,
J = 2.2 Hz) 2'-H 6.97 (d, J = 1.7 Hz) 5'-H 6.74 (d, J = 8.3 Hz)
6'-H 6.67 (dd, J = 8.3, 1.7 Hz) Res 2 and 6-H 6.55 (envelope)
.alpha.-H 6.79 (d, J = 16.5 Hz).sup.a) .beta.-H 6.97 (d, J = 16.5
Hz).sup.a) 2' and 6'-H 6.80 (d, J = 8.6 Hz).sup.c) 3' and 5'-H 7.36
(d, J = 8.6 Hz).sup.c) Note 1) Invention Substance B was measured
in acetone-d.sub.6-D.sub.2O 2) If the same letter is appended on
right shoulders, the assignment may be exchanged with each
other.
[Table 3]
TABLE-US-00003 [0082] TABLE 3 .sup.13C-NMR Signal Assignment of
Invention Substance B (.delta. in ppm) C No. C-2 76.8 -3 72.3 -4
36.7 -5 157.7.sup.a) -6 95.4 -7 158.4.sup.b) -8 96 -9 158.5.sup.b)
-10 100.3 -1' 132.2 -2' 115 -3' 145.0.sup.c) -4' 145.3.sup.c) -5'
115.1 -6' 119 Ph-1 157.7.sup.a) -2 100.3 -3 157.5.sup.a) -4 106.6
-5 157.7.sup.a) -6 106.6 Note 1) Invention Substance B was measured
in acetone-d.sub.6-D.sub.2O 2) If the same letter is appended on
right shoulders, the assignment may be exchanged with each
other.
Example 9
Production Example of Compound Having Grape Seed-Derived
Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) Bonded Thereto
[0083] 5.00 g of grape seed polyphenol powder (Grape Seed P.E.,
LAYN, proanthocyanidin content 95%) was dispersed and dissolved in
about 100 mL of water and then the solution was poured into a
column of SEPABEADS SP850 (inner diameter 3.8 cm, length 20 cm,
about 230 mL) and elated with water. The obtained fraction was
concentrated and freeze-dried to thereby obtain 2.44 g of a polymer
powder (48.8%).
[0084] Each 1.00 g of the obtained grape seed polyphenol polymer
powder and EGCG were dissolved together with 500 mg of citric acid
in 50 mL of water and the vessel containing the mixture was put in
hot water (87 to 93.degree. C.) for three hours. After the
reaction, it was left standing to cool down to room temperature. A
column of DIAION HP20 (inner diameter 3 cm, length 14 cm, about 100
mL) was charged with this liquid and washing with about 300 ml,
water was conducted. The fraction obtained by eluting with about
200 mL of methanol was concentrated and freeze-dried to thereby
obtain 1.85 g of a powder (herein after abbreviated as Invention
Substance C).
Example 10
Production Example of Compound Having Myricae Cortex Polyphenol
(EGCG Polymer) EGCG Bonded Thereto
[0085] A piece of Wax myrtle (Myricaceae), a piece of Myrica rubra
(Myricaceae) bark, that is, "Myricae Cortex", was immersed in cold
50% acetone of an amount of 5 to 10 times (W/V) of the piece for 3
to 7 days to thereby obtain a dark brown extract liquid. The
obtained liquid was concentrated and yellow crystal of myricitrin
(myricetin 3-O-.alpha.-L-rhamnopyranoside) was filtered out
repeatedly by using filter paper. The obtained filtrate, after
further concentration, was freeze-dried to thereby obtain a dark
brown powder at a yield of 14% from resin piece. 14.0 g of this
powder was dissolved in about 70 mL of 50% methanol and a column of
Sephadex LH-20 (inner diameter 5 cm, length 20 cm, about 400 mL)
was charged with the solution. After 1.5 L of the same solvent and
then 0.7 L of 70% methanol were allowed to pass through the column,
1 L of 70% acetone were allowed to pass therethrough, to recover
EGCG polymer fraction. The obtained fraction was concentrated and
freeze-dried to obtain 9.37 g of an EGCG polymer powder (66.9%).
Each 1 g of EGCG polymer derived from Myricae Cortex and EGCG was
dissolved with 500 mg of citric acid in 50 mL of water and the
vessel containing the mixture was put in hot water (87 to
93.degree. C.) for 3 hours. After reaction, the resultant was left
standing to cool down to room temperature. A column of DIAION HP20
(inner diameter 3 cm, length 14 cm, about 100 mL) was charged with
this liquid, washing with about 300 mL of water was conducted. The
fraction obtained by elating with about 200 mL of methanol was
concentrated and freeze-dried, to thereby obtain 1.85 g of a powder
(herein after referred to as "Invention Substance D").
Example 11
Production Example of Persimmon-Skin-Derived Compound Having Tea
Polyphenol Bonded Thereto
[0086] 1.00 g of dry powder of persimmon skin and 300 mg of tea
extract (PF-TP 90, manufactured by Pharma Foods International co.,
Ltd., tea polyphenol content: 90% or more, total content of
catechin: 80% or more (with EGCG content of 50% or more) were
dissolved with 500 mg of citric acid in 50 mL of water and the
vessel containing the mixture was put in hot water (87 to
93.degree. C.) for 3 hours. After reaction, the resultant was left
standing to cool down to room temperature. After a column of
SEPABEADS SP850 (inner diameter 3 cm, length 14 cm, about 100 mL)
with this liquid, washing with about 300 mL of water was conducted
and elution with about 200 mL of methanol was conducted. After a
column of DIAION HP20 (inner diameter 3 cm, length 14 cm, about 100
mL) was charged with the obtained fraction, washing with about 300
mL of water was conducted. Then the fraction obtained by elution
with about 200 mL of methanol was concentrated and freeze-dried to
thereby obtain 464 mg of a powder (herein after referred to as
"Invention Substance E").
Example 12
Production Example of Compound Having Litchee-Derived Polyphenol
Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) Bonded Thereto
[0087] 5.00 g of litchee nut polyphenol powder (Litchi P.E.,
product of Guilin Layn Natural Ingredients Corp., proanthocyanidin
content: 90% or more) was dispersed and dissolved in about 100 mL
of water and a column of SEPABEADS SP850 (inner diameter 3.8 cm,
length 20 cm, about 230 mL) was charged with the mixture. The
fraction obtained by eluting with water was concentrated and
freeze-dried to thereby obtain 3.02 g of a polymer powder
(60.4%).
[0088] Each 1.00 g of the obtained litchee nut polyphenol polymer
powder and EGCG was dissolved with 500 mg of citric acid in 50 mL
of water and the vessel containing the mixture was put in hot water
(87 to 93.degree. C.) for 3 hours. After reaction, the resultant
was left standing to cool down to room temperature. After a column
of DIAION HP20 (inner diameter 3 cm, length 14 cm, about 100 mL)
was charged with this liquid, washing with about 300 mL of water
was conducted. The fraction obtained by elating with about 200 mL
of water was concentrated and freeze-dried to thereby obtain 1.80 g
of a powder (herein after referred to as Invention Substance
F).
Test Example 1
[0089] With respect to Invention Substances A to E obtained in
Examples 7 to 11 respectively, evaluation teats were conducted on
antioxidative properties by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl
(DPPH) radical-scavenging activity and TEAC (Trolox Equivalent
Antioxidant Capacity) method.
[DPPH Assay]
Procedures:
[0090] With respect to each sample, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl
(DPPH) radical-scavenging activity was evaluated as follows. In a
96-hole microplate, 100 .mu.L of DPPH solution (60 .mu.M ethanol
solution) was placed. Added thereto was 100 .mu.L of ethanol
solution of test sample or 100 .mu.L of ethanol as control, and the
mixture was gently mixed together and left standing at room
temperature for 30 minutes. Then, absorbance at 520 nm was
measured. The DPPH radical-scavenging activity was calculated by
the following formula and 50% effective concentration (EC50) was
calculated from The DPPH radical-scavenging activity value of test
sample gradually diluted and its concentration.
[0091] [Formula 1]
DPPH radical-scavenging activity (%)=(1-absorbance of test
sample)/absorbance of control.times.100
[0092] As substance to be compared with Invention Substance A,
epicatechin (EP) and resveratrol (RS) were used. As substance to be
compared with Invention Substance B, epicatechin and phloroglucinol
(PL) were used. As substance to be compared with Invention
Substances C to E, grape seed polyphenol polymer(GP) was used. The
measurement results are shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, together with data
of compared substances.
[0093] In epicatechin, DPPH activity of 48.7% was acknowledged
while in resveratrol, the activity was only 23.1%. In Invention
Substance A where epicatechin and resveratrol were combined with
each other, the activity was as high as 76.1%, which was
significantly excellent (FIG. 7).
[0094] In epicatechin, DPPH activity of 43.0% was observed while in
phloroglucinol, little such activity was observed. Invention
Substance B where phloroglucinol was combined with epicatechin
showed significantly high scavenging activity as compared with both
of the substances (FIG. 8).
[0095] Further, Invention Substances C (41.3%) and D (35.1%) showed
higher scavenging activities than the compared substances did
(26.9%). The scavenging activity Invention Substance E (26.8%)
showed was equivalent to that of the compared substances (FIG.
9).
[TEAC]
[0096] Method: TEAC (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity) method
is a method of relatively evaluating antioxidative strength by
converting antioxidative activity of a compound into antioxidative
activity of Trolox which is a .alpha.-tocopherol derivative and the
method is widely employed as an index of antioxidative
activity.
[0097] To 36 .mu.L of 70 .mu.M metmyoglobin solution, 300 .mu.L of
ABTS solution and 487 .mu.M-L? of 5 mM phosphate buffered saline
were added. Subsequently, sample solution or 1.25 mM Yrolox
solution was added thereto and gently mixed together for 5 minutes
at 0.degree. C. After 167 .mu.L of 450 .mu.M hydrogen peroxide
solution was added thereto and mixed for 10 seconds, reaction was
allowed to proceed for 5 minutes at room temperature. Absorbance at
734 nm was measured and the absorbance ratio between the sample and
the Trolox solution was calculated to serve as TEAC value of the
sample against 1.00 mM Trolox.
[0098] As in the above-described DPPH assay, as substance to be
compared with Invention Substance A, epicatechin and resveratrol
were used and as substance to be compared with Invention Substance
B, epicatechin and phloroglucinol were used. As substance to be
compared with Invention Substances C to E, grape seed polyphenol
polymer was used. The measurement results are shown in FIGS. 10 to
12, together with data of compared substances.
[0099] In epicatechin, TEAC activity of 1.2 mM was observed while
in resveratrol, the activity was only 1.11 mM. In Invention
Substance A where epicatechin and resveratrol were combined with
each other, the activity was 1.33 mM, which was significantly high
(FIG. 10). In phloroglucinol, TEAC activity was as low as 0.52 mM
while in Invention Substance B where epicatechin was combined with
phloroglucinol, the activity was 1.44 mM, which was significantly
higher than the two when alone (FIG. 11).
[0100] Invention Substances C (1.11), D (1.11) and E (0.97) showed
high TEAC values as compared with the compared substance (0.73)
(FIG. 12).
Test Example 2
[0101] As substance to be compared with Invention Substance F
obtained in Example 12, litchee nut polyphenol(LP) and tea extract
were used to conduct comparative experiment.
[In Vitro Test]
[0102] Test method: NIH3T3 cells were seeded on a 96-hole plate and
cultivated overnight at 37.degree. C. On the next day, the medium
was changed to a serum-free culture medium and the substance to be
tested was added thereto and further cultivation is conducted for
an hour. Then, UV was irradiated for 20 minutes. The medium was
changed to a serum-containing medium and cultivation was conducted
overnight at 37.degree. C. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT
method. The cell in the medium without addition of the substance to
be tested was used as control group (C).
[0103] The results are shown in FIG. 13. In the control group, the
cell viability against UV irradiation was about 20% while in
Invention Substance F, the viability was the highest, which showed
that Invention Substance F, significantly reducing the number of
cell deaths as compared with the compared substance, had UV
protection effect.
[In Vivo Test]
[0104] Test method: To Slc:ddY male mice of 9 weeks old. Invention
Substance F, LP and TE were forcibly orally administered
respectively each in an amount of 50 mg/kg body weight every day
for 3 weeks. To a control group of mice (C), the same amount of
water was administered. Two hours after administration of the test
substance on the final day, the TEAC antioxidative activity and the
amount of lipid peroxide in the serum were measured by collecting
blood from the heart under ether anesthesia. The TEAC measurement
was conducted in the above-described manner. The lipid peroxide
amount was measured by using a commercially available kit (lipid
peroxide-Test Wako, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries,
Ltd.) and measuring fluorescence at excitation wavelength 515 nm
and fluorescent wavelength 553 nm in reaction between precipitation
of lipid peroxide and 2-thiobarbituric acid reagent in
phosphotungstic acid solution under the acidic condition of
sulfuric acid.
[0105] The results are shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Invention
Substance F showed significantly high antioxidative activity as
compared with the compared substance and the control group. Also,
the amount of lipid peroxide in the serum was significantly low as
compared with the case using the compared substance.
[In Vivo Test]
[0106] Test method: To Slc:ddY male mice of 6 weeks old, Invention
Substance F, LP and TE were forcibly orally administered
respectively each in an amount of 50 mg/kg body weight every day
for 3 weeks. To a control group of mice (C), the same amount of
water was administered.
[0107] On the day before dissection, 2NP (70 mg/kg body weight) was
intraperitoneally administered and 24 hours later, collection of
blood from the heart was conducted under ether anesthesia to
thereby measure GOT and GPT in the serum. Further, the liver was
isolated to measure the lipid peroxide amount in the organ.
[0108] The results are shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. Due to
administration of 2-NP, disorder was caused to the liver, which
resulted in increasing GOT and GPT concentrations. However,
Invention Substance F significantly reduced such increases as
compared with the control group and the compared substance.
Moreover, the amount of lipid peroxide in the liver was
significantly low as compared with the case using the compared
substance.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0109] FIG. 1(A) is an HPLC chromatogram on Example 3 treating
Japanese cypress bark and green tea with heat under an acidic
condition. FIGS. 1(B) and (C) are HPLC chromatograms on Example 3
treating Japanese cypress bark (FIG. 1(B)) and green tea (FIG.
1(C)) each independently with heat under an acidic condition,
respectively.
[0110] FIG. 2 is a TLC photograph showing that new
proanthocyanidins which had not been present in raw material
Japanese cypress bark and green tea were generated by heat treating
the materials with heat in Example 4. In the FIG., A is the result
on ethyl acetate layer of green tea after treatment, B is the
result on ethyl acetate layer of Japanese cypress bark after
treatment, and C is the result on ethyl acetate layer of Japanese
cypress bark and green tea after treatment. Spot M is derived from
Non-galloylated monomer, MG is derived from galloylated
proanthocyanidin monomer, D is derived mainly from galloylated
proanthocyanidin dimer and T is derived mainly from galloylated
proanthocyanidin trimer.
[0111] FIG. 3 is a TLC photograph showing that new
proanthocyanidins which had not been present in raw material banana
skin extract and green tea were generated by heat treating the
materials with heat in Example 6. In the FIG., A is the result on
ethyl acetate layer of green tea alone after treatment, B is the
result on ethyl acetate layer of banana skin extract alone after
treatment, and C is the result on ethyl acetate layer of banana
skin extract and green tea after treatment.
[0112] FIG. 4 is a TLC photograph showing that new
proanthocyanidins which had not been present in raw material
immature persimmon fruit and green tea were generated by heat
treating the materials with heat in Example 5. In the FIG., A is
the result on ethyl acetate layer of green tea alone after
treatment, B is the result on ethyl acetate layer of immature
persimmon fruit alone after treatment, C is the result on ethyl
acetate layer of immature persimmon fruit and green tea after
treatment and D is the result of the product obtained by allowing
the resultant (extract liquid) obtained by treating the immature
persimmon fruit and green tea to pass through Sepabead 825 and
elating the adsorbed portion with water-ethanol. Spots M, MG, D and
T are the same as in FIG. 2.
[0113] FIG. 5(A) is the results of normal-phase HLPC analysis on
the product obtained after allowing the resultant (extract liquid)
obtained by treating the immature persimmon fruit and green tea to
pass through Sepabead 825 and then elating the adsorbed portion
with water-ethanol in Example 5. FIG. 5(B) is the results of
normal-phase HLPC analysis on the Japanese cypress proanthocyanidin
used as comparative example.
[0114] FIG. 6 shows the result of TLC analysis on fractions (Fr 1
to Fr 8) obtained by treating immature persimmon fruit and green
tea with heat under acidic condition and then allowing the obtained
catechins and proanthocyanidins to pass through Sephadex
LH-20column chromatography and on a mixture (E) before the
separation in Example 6.
[0115] FIG. 7 shows the DPPH radical-scavenging activity of
Invention Substance A obtained in Example 7.
[0116] FIG. 8 shows the DPPH radical-scavenging activity of
Invention Substance B obtained in Example 8.
[0117] FIG. 9 shows the DPPH radical-scavenging activity of
Invention Substances C to E obtained in Examples 9-11.
[0118] FIG. 10 shows the results of evaluation by TEAC method on
antioxidative ability of Invention Substance A obtained in Example
7.
[0119] FIG. 11 shows the results of evaluation by TEAC method on
antioxidative ability of Invention Substance B obtained in Example
8.
[0120] FIG. 12 shows the results of evaluation by TEAC method on
antioxidative ability of Invention Substances C to S obtained in
Examples 9 to 11.
[0121] FIG. 13 shows the results of UV-protection effect test, on
Invention Substance F obtained in Example 12.
[0122] FIG. 14 shows the results of evaluation by TEAC method on
antioxidative ability of Invention Substance F obtained in Example
12.
[0123] FIG. 15 shows measurement results of the LPO level in the
serum in the antioxidative ability test on Invention Substance F
obtained in Example 12.
[0124] FIG. 16 shows measurement results of the GOT and GPT levels
in the serum in the antioxidative ability test on Invention
Substance F obtained in Example 12.
[0125] FIG. 17 shows measurement results of the LPO level in the
liver in the antioxidative ability test on Invention Substance F
obtained in Example 12.
* * * * *