U.S. patent application number 15/958921 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-31 for dietary composition for preventing, reducing, alleviating or treating idiopathic vomiting.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mars, Incorporated. The applicant listed for this patent is Mars, Incorporated. Invention is credited to Ping Hu, Yakang Lin, Jean Soon Park, Lori Ann Reinsalu.
Application Number | 20200405800 15/958921 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005272678 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200405800 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Park; Jean Soon ; et
al. |
December 31, 2020 |
DIETARY COMPOSITION FOR PREVENTING, REDUCING, ALLEVIATING OR
TREATING IDIOPATHIC VOMITING
Abstract
The present invention relates to compositions containing plant
materials or extracts with inhibitory effect on a 5-HT.sub.3a
and/or NK-1 receptor for preventing or treating idiopathic
vomiting.
Inventors: |
Park; Jean Soon;
(Cincinnati, OH) ; Hu; Ping; (Mason, OH) ;
Lin; Yakang; (Liberty Township, OH) ; Reinsalu; Lori
Ann; (Cincinnati, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mars, Incorporated |
McLean |
VA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Mars, Incorporated
McLean
VA
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180236023 A1 |
August 23, 2018 |
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|
Family ID: |
1000005272678 |
Appl. No.: |
15/958921 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14198662 |
Mar 6, 2014 |
10441623 |
|
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15958921 |
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14198669 |
Mar 6, 2014 |
10548935 |
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14198662 |
|
|
|
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61786465 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
|
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61786485 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 36/889 20130101;
A61K 36/82 20130101; A61K 36/9068 20130101; A61K 36/835 20130101;
A61K 36/53 20130101; A61K 36/55 20130101; A61K 36/15 20130101; A61K
36/67 20130101; A61K 36/185 20130101; A61K 36/9066 20130101; A61K
36/718 20130101; A61K 36/19 20130101; A61K 36/81 20130101; A61K
36/324 20130101; A61K 36/41 20130101; A61K 36/54 20130101; A61K
36/752 20130101; A61K 36/48 20130101; A61K 36/484 20130101; A61K
36/61 20130101; A61K 36/634 20130101; A61K 36/23 20130101; A61K
36/77 20130101; A61K 36/28 20130101; A61K 36/00 20130101; A61K
36/45 20130101; A61K 45/06 20130101; A61K 36/736 20130101; A61K
36/708 20130101; A61K 36/47 20130101; A61K 36/16 20130101; A61K
36/87 20130101; A61K 36/88 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 36/9066 20060101
A61K036/9066; A61K 36/484 20060101 A61K036/484; A61K 36/752
20060101 A61K036/752; A61K 45/06 20060101 A61K045/06; A61K 36/889
20060101 A61K036/889; A61K 36/736 20060101 A61K036/736; A61K 36/718
20060101 A61K036/718; A61K 36/708 20060101 A61K036/708; A61K 36/67
20060101 A61K036/67; A61K 36/634 20060101 A61K036/634; A61K 36/61
20060101 A61K036/61; A61K 36/55 20060101 A61K036/55; A61K 36/54
20060101 A61K036/54; A61K 36/53 20060101 A61K036/53; A61K 36/48
20060101 A61K036/48; A61K 36/47 20060101 A61K036/47; A61K 36/45
20060101 A61K036/45; A61K 36/41 20060101 A61K036/41; A61K 36/324
20060101 A61K036/324; A61K 36/28 20060101 A61K036/28; A61K 36/23
20060101 A61K036/23; A61K 36/19 20060101 A61K036/19; A61K 36/185
20060101 A61K036/185; A61K 36/16 20060101 A61K036/16; A61K 36/15
20060101 A61K036/15; A61K 36/00 20060101 A61K036/00; A61K 36/9068
20060101 A61K036/9068; A61K 36/88 20060101 A61K036/88; A61K 36/87
20060101 A61K036/87; A61K 36/835 20060101 A61K036/835; A61K 36/82
20060101 A61K036/82; A61K 36/81 20060101 A61K036/81; A61K 36/77
20060101 A61K036/77 |
Claims
1. A pet dietary composition comprising one or more plant materials
or extracts thereof, wherein the plant materials or extracts
thereof consist of Curcuma longa and one or more of licorice,
ginger or rhubarb in amounts effective to result in a 5-HT.sub.3a
and/or NK-1 receptor inhibition of from 30% to 55%.
2. The pet dietary composition of claim 1, wherein the composition
is a pet food.
3. The pet dietary composition of claim 2, wherein the pet food
further comprises a source of carbohydrate, a source of protein,
and optionally a source of fat, and the one or more plant materials
or extracts are present in amounts from 0.1 ppm to 75,000 ppm.
4. The pet dietary composition of claim 3, wherein the one or more
plant materials or extracts are present in amounts from 1 ppm to
1000 ppm.
5. The pet dietary composition of claim 2, wherein the pet food is
in the form of dry kibbles, wet canned food, gravies, or
treats.
6. The pet dietary composition of claim 1, wherein the composition
is a pet supplement comprising from 0.1% to 99% of said one or more
plant materials or extracts thereof by weight.
7. The pet dietary composition of claim 6, wherein the pet
supplement comprises from 0.5% to 15% of said one or more plant
materials or extracts thereof by weight.
8. The pet dietary composition of claim 6 wherein the pet
supplement is in the form of a powder, liquid, syrup, pill,
encapsulated composition, or combinations of these.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/198,662, filed Mar. 6, 2014 (pending), which claims the
benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No.
61/786,465, filed Mar. 15, 2013. Each of these applications is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
FIELD
[0002] This invention is related to a dietary composition or a
method for preventing, reducing, alleviating, or treating
idiopathic vomiting in mammals, particularly domestic cats, using
one or more plant materials or extracts that have inhibitory effect
against the 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 serotonin (5-HT3a) and/or the
neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Chronic/cyclic idiopathic emesis or vomiting syndrome in
cats was identified in the late nineteenth century. Although
infrequent vomiting by cats under certain circumstances may be
acceptable, e.g., eating too fast or too much or presence of
excessive hair or other foreign objects in the stomach, frequent
vomiting or regurgitation without causes ("idiopathic vomiting")
can result in severe malnutrition in cats and cause damages to the
gastrointestinal (GI) health of the cats. The four main
characteristics that define idiopathic vomiting are: 1) three or
more recurrent separated episodes of vomiting or regurgitation; 2)
varying intervals of completely normal, healthy periods between the
episodes; 3) episodes are typical with regard to the timing of
onset, symptoms and durations; and 4) unknown causes of vomiting or
regurgitation. Subjects susceptible to idiopathic vomiting cannot
be identified by standard medical examination, including physical
examination and/or blood work. In humans, idiopathic vomiting may
be described as Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS), and may be
associated with dehydration, injury to the GI tract (particularly
the esophagus), and tooth decay (vomitus may be acidic).
[0004] The exact causes of idiopathic vomiting are not fully
understood. However, it has recently been recognized that one of
the potential causes in cats is related to central nervous system
(CNS) disorders. There are several neurotransmitter receptors in
the brain of the cats that can be triggered to stimulate or
activate different biological pathways leading to emesis. Examples
of such receptors include neurokinin (NK) receptors, histamine
receptors, acetylcholine receptors, serotonin receptors, mu-opioid
receptors, and dopamine-2 receptors. Therefore, a potential way to
prevent or reduce idiopathic vomiting is to inhibit or partially
block such receptors.
[0005] Certain 5-HT.sub.3a receptor antagonists, such as
dolasetron, granisetron, ondansetron, and palonosetron, have
demonstrated effectiveness as an antiemetics in humans and have
been used to manage chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in
cancer patients. Further, a new class of drugs known as NK-1
receptor antagonists has been recently developed for controlling
emesis in humans, which include aprepitant and maropitant, among
others. However, these compounds often lead to side effects.
Further, it is difficult to administer such compounds through
feeding, because of their undesirable taste. Unfortunately,
injection is not a convenient alternative means of administering
antiemetics. When treating animals, such as cats or dogs, injection
may require veterinary assistance, particularly if the animal
resists the injection.
[0006] Therefore, there is a continuing need for an effective and
more readily available treatment for preventing, reducing,
alleviating, or treating idiopathic vomiting. There is also a need
for treatments with lesser side effects that can be easily
administered such as, for example, through feeding or other oral
administration. There is still further a need for naturally-derived
therapeutic compounds or compositions. These needs are particularly
acute for domestic cats with a history of idiopathic vomiting.
SUMMARY
[0007] One aspect of the present invention meets the
above-described needs by providing a dietary composition for
preventing, reducing, alleviating, or treating idiopathic vomiting
in a companion animal, which contains one or more plant materials
or extracts thereof in an effective amount for inhibiting a
5-hydroxytryptamine-3a serotonin (5-HT.sub.3a) receptor and/or the
neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor.
[0008] The plant materials or extracts thereof consist of Curcuma
longa and one or more of licorice, ginger or rhubarb. The plant
materials or extracts are provided in the dietary composition in
amounts effective to result in a 5-HT.sub.3a and/or NK-1 receptor
inhibition of from 30% to 55%. The pet dietary composition is
desirably a pet food and as such may further comprise a source of
carbohydrate, a source of protein, and optionally a source of fat.
In such a food, the one or more plant materials or extracts are
present in amounts from 0.1 ppm to 75,000 ppm, or from 1 ppm to
1000 ppm.
[0009] In some embodiments, the pet food may be in the form of dry
kibbles, wet canned food, gravies, or treats, while in others, the
dietary composition may be provided in the form of a pet
supplement. In such embodiments, the pet supplement may comprise
from 0.1% to 99%, or from 0.5% to 15%, of the one or more plant
materials or extracts, by weight of the supplement. The pet
supplement may be in the form of a powder, liquid, syrup, pill,
encapsulated composition, or combinations of these.
[0010] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method
for preventing, reducing, alleviating, or treating idiopathic
vomiting in a companion animal, which includes the step of orally
administering to said companion animal one or more plant materials
or extracts thereof in an effective amount for inhibiting the
5-HT.sub.3a receptor and/or the NK-1 receptor.
[0011] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a
composition for preventing, reducing, alleviating, or treating
idiopathic vomiting in a companion animal, which contains one or
more plant materials or extracts thereof in an effective amount for
inhibiting the 5-HT.sub.3a receptor and/or the NK-1 receptor.
[0012] In a still further aspect, the present invention relates to
a package for preventing, reducing, alleviating, or treating
idiopathic vomiting in a companion animal, comprising: [0013] (a) a
dietary composition; and [0014] (b) a feeding manual providing
written instructions for an owner of said animal.
[0015] Specifically, the feeding manual may include information on:
(1) optionally, method of assessing severity of the idiopathic
vomiting condition of the companion animal; (2) frequency of
feeding; (3) duration of feeding; (4) method of feeding; and (5)
optionally, method of monitoring the idiopathic vomiting condition
of the companion animal to determine when to stop the feeding.
[0016] These and other aspects of the present invention will become
more apparent upon reading the following detailed description and
examples of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIGS. 1 to 39 show the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curves of
various plant materials and extracts.
[0018] FIGS. 40 to 44 are graphs showing the unexpected synergistic
5-HT.sub.3a inhibitory effect achieved by certain combinations of
plant materials or extracts.
[0019] FIGS. 45 to 64 show the NK-1 dosage response curves of
various plant materials and extracts.
[0020] FIG. 65 is a graph showing the unexpected synergistic NK-1
inhibitory effect achieved by a specific combination of plant
materials or extracts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Except as otherwise noted, the articles "a", "an", and "the"
mean "one or more." The term "comprising" means that other steps
and other ingredients which do not affect the end result can be
added, and this term encompasses the terms "consisting of" and
"consisting essentially of" The compositions and methods/processes
of the present invention can comprise, consist of, and consist
essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the
invention described herein, as well as any of the additional or
optional ingredients, components, steps, or limitations described
herein. All percentages, parts and ratios are based upon the total
weight of the compositions of the present invention, unless
otherwise specified. All such weights as they pertain to listed
ingredients are based on the active level and, therefore do not
include carriers or by-products that may be included in
commercially available materials. All ratios are weight ratios
unless specifically stated otherwise. All temperatures are in
Celsius degrees, unless specifically stated otherwise. All
dimensions and values disclosed herein (e.g., quantities,
percentages, portions, and proportions) are not to be understood as
being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited.
Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension or value
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."
[0022] Herein, the term "treat," "treating" or "treatment" covers
all manners of treatment of a disease or condition in the animal of
interest, which includes: (i) inhibiting the disease or condition,
i.e., completely arresting its development; (ii) reducing the
disease or condition, i.e., causing regression of the disease or
condition; and (iii) alleviating or relieving the symptoms
resulting from the disease or condition, i.e., relieving pain or
suffering without addressing the underlying disease or
condition.
[0023] The term "effective" means an amount of a subject active
high enough to provide a significantly positive modification of the
condition to be treated. An effective amount of the subject active
will vary with the particular condition being treated, the severity
of the condition, the duration of the treatment, the nature of
concurrent treatment, and like factors.
[0024] The term "vomit" or "vomiting" as used herein cover any
voluntary or involuntary expulsion of contents from either one's
stomach or esophagus into the mouth and sometimes into the nose.
Such acts can be referred to variously as vomiting, regurgitation,
emesis, throwing up, puking, heaving, and the like, but are
collectively covered herein by the same term "vomit" or
"vomiting."
[0025] The term "feline companion animal" or "feline" as used
herein broadly covers all animals in the Felidea family that can
potentially be taken in by humans as either indoor or outdoor
companions, which include, but are not limited to: domestic cats,
cougars, cheetahs, lynxes, ocelots, tigers, lions, jaguars,
panthers, leopards, and the like. The term "companion animal" as
used herein includes, but is not limited to: feline companion
animals as described hereinabove; all animals in the Canidea family
that can potentially be taken in by humans as either indoor or
outdoor companions, such as domesticated dogs (Canis familiaris),
wolves, foxes, jackals, coyotes, and the like; other smaller
domestic mammals, such as ferrets, raccoons, rabbits, mice, rats,
hamsters, guinea pigs, and the like.
[0026] The present invention has identified a specific group of
plant materials or extracts thereof that are particularly effective
as inhibitors of 5-HT.sub.3a and/or NK-1 receptor in felines and
canines. Such plant materials or extracts are naturally derived
with little or no side effects on the companion animals. Further,
such plant materials or extracts have improved tastes or smells in
comparison with synthetic compounds. Therefore, these plant
materials or extracts can be readily used to formulate dietary
compositions or regiments for managing and treating idiopathic
vomiting in canines and felines. These plant materials or extracts
may also be used in managing or treating idiopathic vomiting in
other companion animals, or in other mammals, including in
humans.
[0027] As used herein, the term "effective as inhibitors of
5-HT.sub.3a and/or NK-1 receptor" means a5-HT.sub.3a and/or NK-1
receptor affinity (IC.sub.50) of less than 100 ppm, preferably less
than 50 ppm, and more preferably less than 10 ppm. To determine the
5-HT.sub.3a and/or NK-1 receptor affinity, various receptor binding
assays well known in the art may readily be used.
Botanicals with 5HT.sub.3a Receptor Inhibitory Effect [0028] It has
been discovered by the inventors of the present invention that the
following plant materials or extracts thereof have surprisingly
high 5-HT.sub.3a receptor inhibitory effect with little or no cell
toxicity: [0029] Leptospermum Scoparium (lemon tea tree) leaf
extract; [0030] a water-soluble fraction of Melaleuca alternifolia
(tea tree) oil; [0031] Rheum palmatum (rhubarb); [0032] Lavandula
angustifolia (lavender tea tree) extract; [0033] Fusanus Spicatus
(Australian sandalwood) extract; [0034] Santalum Album (sandalwood)
oil; [0035] Evodia Rutaecarpa (evodia) fruit; [0036] Coptis
chinensis (coptis) rhizome; [0037] oils from Wisteria sinensis;
[0038] Myrtus Communis (myrtle) extract; [0039] Prunus serotina
(wild cherry) bark; [0040] Aquilaria sinensis (Chinese Agarwood)
resinous heartwood extract; [0041] Zingiber officinale (ginger)
root; [0042] Calendula officinalis (marigold); [0043] Boswellia
serrata (boswellia); [0044] oil from Boswellia carterii
(frankincense oil); [0045] Zanthoxylum americanum (prickly ash
fruit) extract; [0046] Pinus pinaster bark extract; [0047]
Marrubium vulgare (horehound); [0048] Citrus aurantium (bitter
orange) fruit; [0049] Angelica archangelica (angelica); [0050]
Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil; [0051] Rosa chinensis (Chinese rose);
[0052] Cinnamomum aromaticum (cinnamon); [0053] Vaccinium myrtillus
(bilberry) extract; [0054] Vaccinium corymbosum (blueberry) leaf
extract; [0055] Daucus carota (carrot) extract; [0056] Anthemis
eecutita (chamomile) extract; [0057] Curcuma longa (turmeric)
extract; [0058] Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) extract; [0059]
Linum usitatissimum (flax) oil powder; [0060] Hovenia dulcis
(Japanese raisin tree) seed extract; [0061] Andrographis paniculata
(Andrographis herb) extract; [0062] Bee pollen extract; [0063]
Eucalyptus radiata (Australia eucalyptus) extract; [0064] Yerba
santa extract; [0065] Piper nigrum (black pepper) oil; [0066]
Ginkgo biloba extract; and [0067] Capsicum annuum (cayenne)
extract.
[0068] Further, it has been discovered that the following
combinations of plant materials or extracts act in synergy as
inhibitors of 5-HT.sub.3a receptor: [0069] Curcuma longa (turmeric)
and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice); [0070] Turmeric, licorice, and
ginger; [0071] Turmeric and ginger; [0072] Turmeric and rhubarb;
and [0073] Licorice, ginger, and rhubarb. Botanicals with NK-1
Receptor Inhibitory Effect
[0074] It has been discovered by the inventors of the present
invention that the following plant materials or extracts thereof
have surprisingly high NK-1 receptor inhibitory effect with little
or no cell toxicity: [0075] Podophyllum peltatum (podophyllin);
[0076] Rhodiola rosea (rhodiola); [0077] Tanacetum parthenium
(feverfew); [0078] Pinus massoniana (pink bark); [0079] Boswellia
serrata (boswellia); [0080] Dracaena cinnabari (Dragon's Blood)
extract; [0081] Tilia vulgaris (linden); [0082] Paullinia cupana
(guarana); [0083] Uncaria tomemtosa (cat's claw); [0084] Hypericum
perforatum (St. John's wort); [0085] Calendula officinalis
(calendula); [0086] Camellia sinensis (green tea) extract; [0087]
Vitis vinifera (grape) extract; [0088] Cinnamomum aromaticum
(cinnamon) extract; [0089] Curcuma longa (turmeric) extract; [0090]
Fructus forsythiae (forysthia fruit) extract; [0091] Glycyrrhiza
glabra (licorice) extract; [0092] Litsea cubeba oil; [0093]
Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil; and [0094] Phyllanthus
emblica (amla) extract.
[0095] Further, it has been discovered that the combination of
turmeric and licorice acts in synergy as inhibitors of NK-1
receptor.
Methods of Administration
[0096] The above-listed plant materials or extracts can be
administered by any well-known delivery method, which includes, but
is not limited to: oral delivery, inhalation, rectal injection, or
parenteral delivery, such as, for example, topical application,
transdermal application, intravenous injection, subcutaneous
injection, intra-muscular injection, and the like. Such plant
materials or extracts can be administered alone or in combination
with any acceptable carriers or diluents to form compositions such
as dry kibbles, wet canned food, gravies, treats, tablets,
capsules, lozenges, troches, hard candies, powders, sprays, creams,
salves, suppositories, jellies, gels, pastes, lotions, ointments,
aqueous suspensions, injectable solutions, elixirs, syrups, and the
like.
[0097] In a preferred but not necessary embodiment of the present
invention, such plant materials or extracts are orally administered
to a companion animal, for example, as a part of a dietary
composition for the companion animal. Such a dietary composition
can be a liquid, a solid, or a semi-solid. Further, the dietary
composition may be formulated as either a pet food that is fed to
the animal at meal times, or a pet food supplement that is fed to
the animal either separately from or in combination with the pet
food for the animal.
[0098] As a pet food, the dietary composition may comprise a
nutritionally complete diet for the intended recipient companion
animal. A nutritionally complete diet contains known required
nutrients to sustain life of the companion animal in proper amounts
and proportions based on recommendations of well recognized
authorities, including governmental agencies such as United States
Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinarian Medicine,
the American Feed Control Officials Incorporated, with the
exception of water.
[0099] For example, a pet food composition of the present invention
may comprise at least a source of carbohydrate, a source of
protein, and optionally a source of fat. More preferably, the pet
food composition provides the companion animal with a nutritionally
complete and balanced diet, which may comprise: from about 1% to
about 99%, preferably from about 1% to about 90% and more
preferably from about 5% to about 45%, by weight of carbohydrates;
from about 5% to about 99.9%, preferably from about 10% to about
90% and more preferably from about 20% to about 60%, by weight of
protein; from about 0.1% to about 50%, preferably from about 1% to
about 40% and more preferably from about 5% to about 20%, by weight
of fat; from about 0.01% to about 20%, preferably from about 1% to
about 11%, by weight of dietary fiber; from about 0.01% to about
15%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 10% and more preferably
from 1% to 8%, by weight of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and
other nutrients supporting the needs of the companion animal. The
carbohydrates can be provided by grains such as rice, corn, milo,
sorghum, barley, wheat, oats and the like. The protein can be
provided by either animal-derived sources, such as meats (beef,
pork, lamb, poultry, fish, and the like), eggs, and milk, or
plant-derived sources, such as soybean, cereals, cottonseed,
peanut, and the like. The dietary fibers can be provided by
cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, lignin, and gums. Further, the
pet food composition of the present invention may contain various
ingredients typically used in pet foods, such as fillers, flavors,
binding agents, thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers, sweeteners,
food-grade colorants, buffers, salts, and the like. Particularly
preferred binding agents and/or thickeners are gelatin, cellulose
ethers, starch, starch esters, starch ethers, and modified
starches.
[0100] The pet food composition can be formulated as dry kibbles,
wet canned foods, gravies, or treats. It may be fed to the
companion animal on a daily basis, either at regular meal times
(such as, for example, from once a time up to six times a day) or
continuously throughout the day as needed (for example, through an
automatic feeder or by simply providing an excessive amount). The
composition may be fed ad libitum.
[0101] In certain embodiments, the pet food composition is a treat.
Treats as used herein refer to pet food compositions that are given
to the companion animal to entice the animal to eat during a
non-meal time. Treats may also have nutritional value and have a
food-like composition including one or more nutrients as described
hereinabove, but are not in themselves a nutritionally complete
diet.
[0102] The dietary composition of the present invention can also be
provided as a pet food supplement, which is used with another feed,
either concurrently or separately, to improve the nutritive balance
or performance of the companion animal. Pet food supplements
include, but are not limited to, any composition that is fed
undiluted in addition to other feeds, thereby offering free choice
with other parts of an animal's ration that are separately
available, or is diluted and mixed with an animal's regular feed to
produce a complete feed. The Association of American Feed Control
Officials (AAFCO) provides guidelines, for example, that contain a
discussion relating to supplements, which can be in various forms
including powders, liquids, syrups, pills, encapsulated
compositions, and the like. Further, the pet food supplement can be
provided as a part of a toy for the companion animal, with
partially or fully consumable components.
[0103] The dietary compositions as described above can be readily
formed by mixing one or more above-listed plant materials or
extracts capable of inhibiting the 5-HT.sub.3a and/or NK-1 receptor
with one or more above-disclosed dietary nutrients suitable for a
companion animal.
[0104] To determine an efficacious dosage, multiple complete
cross-over studies can be performed with the plant materials or
extracts in the companion animal to be treated at various doses.
The optimal dose is selected based on the maximal ability to reduce
or eliminate idiopathic vomiting in companion animals exhibiting
perceivable symptoms of idiopathic vomiting. When administered to
the companion animal in form of a pet food composition, the plant
materials or extracts as described hereinabove are preferably
administered in dosages ranging from 0.1 ppm to 75,000 ppm,
preferably from 1 ppm to 1000 ppm. When administered in form of a
supplement, the plant materials or extracts as described
hereinabove are preferably administered in dosages ranging from
0.1% to 99%, preferably from 0.5% to 15%, by weight of the
supplement. The composition is preferably a dietary composition,
but can be any other composition, which includes, but is not
limited to: topical compositions, injectable compositions, nasal
compositions, rectal compositions, and the like.
[0105] Frequency and duration of the administration can be varied
depending on the animal's condition, the species of animal being
treated, its individual response to the treatment, and the type of
pharmaceutical formulation chosen. Frequency can range from once a
month to six times a day, preferably from once a week to four times
a day, and more preferably from once a day to three times a day.
Duration can range from five days to the entire life span of the
animal, e.g., twenty five years. Preferably, the duration ranges
from one week to fifteen years, more preferably from two weeks to
one year, and most preferably from one month to six months.
[0106] Other kinds of vomiting or regurgitation may occur
concurrently with idiopathic vomiting. Compositions of the present
invention may include features to reduce other causes of vomiting.
For example, a food composition may include large food particles
relative to the size of the subject animal's mouth, to discourage
rapid eating that may cause regurgitation; or may include
ingredients to reduce the occurrence of hairballs, such as
proteases, polyol fatty acid polyesters, laxatives, and the like;
or may include ingredients to promote gastrointestinal health, such
as prebiotics or probiotics. Compositions of the present invention
may include medicinal drugs with anti-emetic activity.
[0107] The present invention also covers an article of commerce,
preferably in form of a kit, containing the dietary composition as
described hereinabove together with instructions that provide
information on how to orally administer or feed the dietary
composition to the companion animal. Specifically, the instructions
may provide information on, for example: assessing the severity of
the idiopathic vomiting condition of the companion animal;
frequency of feeding; duration of feeding; mode of feeding; and
monitoring the idiopathic vomiting condition of the companion
animal to determine when to modify the frequency and/or the
duration of feeding.
[0108] Any standard packaging that is suitable for delivery and
sale of the dietary compositions as disclosed herein can be used in
forming the kit. The kit can also include specific written benefit
statements related to the prevention, reduction, and elimination of
idiopathic vomiting or emesis in companion animals. The benefit
statements can also relate to the health benefits resulted from
such prevention or treatment of idiopathic vomiting or emesis, such
as increased body weight and energy level, improved immune
functions, and prolonged life span.
[0109] The present invention is illustrated by the following
examples. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not
limited to the specific details of these examples.
EXAMPLES
Assays for Screening 5-HT.sub.3a Receptor Inhibitors
[0110] Various known high through-put screening assays can be used
to determine the inhibitory effects of a material on 5-HT.sub.3a
receptors.
[0111] For example, the 5-HT.sub.3a receptor is a ligand-gated,
non-selective cation channel located in the central and peripheral
nervous system. Activation of the 5-HT.sub.3a receptor followed by
rapid depolarization of the peripheral or central neuron causes a
rapid rise in cytosolic Ca.sup.2+ and Na.sup.+ concentration by
inducing calcium and sodium influx and mobilization of
intracellular calcium stores, as well as modulating the release of
various neurotransmitters and neuropeptides such as dopamine,
cholecystokinin, acetylcholine, GABA, substance P or serotonin
itself. Due to activation of 5-HT.sub.3a receptor following calcium
and sodium influx and the subsequent rapid intracellular calcium
and sodium increase, a calcium indicator (e.g., Fluo-4 AM) or a
sodium dye can therefore be readily used to detect influx Ca.sup.+2
or Na.sup.+ signal using the Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader
(FLIPR) assay to identify agonists or antagonists of 5-HT.sub.3a
receptors.
[0112] The 5-HT.sub.3a FLIPR assay can specifically be conducted by
the following steps. First, HEK-23 (human embryonic kidney) cells
stably expressed with h5HT3A receptor are grown in 16-18 ml growth
medium in a 75 cm.sup.2 flask for 2-3 days at 37.degree. C. in a
mammalian cell culture incubator with 5% CO.sub.2 and 90% humidity.
The growth medium may contain, for example, DMEM/F12 (1:1,
Invitrogen 11039) supplemented with 10% FBS (fetal bovine serum),
100 .mu.g/ml Antibiotic/Antimycotic, and 150 ug/ml G418. The cell
medium is then transferred to a 50 ml tube, and the cells are
washed with 10 ml PBS. Subsequently, 2 ml of 0.05% Trypsin-EDTA is
added to detach cells, and the above cell medium is added back to
flask to inactivate trypsin. Next, the cells are transferred back
to the above 50 ml tube, which is centrifuged at 850 rpm for 3
minutes to remove medium. The cells obtained from centrifugation
are then re-suspended with growth medium at 1-1.5 ml per flask
cells. One vial of Fluo-4 AM (calcium indicator, 50 ug) is
subsequently dissolved with 20 ul of Pluronic F-127, and 10 ul of
Fluo-4 AM solution per flask cells is added (1 vial of Fluo-4 AM
solution, 20 ul, is good for 2 flask of cells). The cells are then
stained with Fluo-4 AM for 30 min at room temperature with gently
shaking on a shaker, followed by addition of 45 ml of the assay
buffer [HBSS with CaCl.sub.2 and MgCl.sub.2 (Invitrogen 14025), 20
mM HEPES, pH 7.2] to wash cells once. Centrifugation is carried out
once more at 850 rpm for 3 minutes to remove assay buffer. The
resulting cell pellet is again re-suspended in Assay buffer (per
flask cells with 18-20 ml assay buffer). Ninety microliters of
cells (50K cells/well) is loaded in the 96-well plates that are
pre-loaded with the plant materials or extracts to be tested (10 ul
of 1 mM test materials, the final concentration of the test
materials will be 100 uM). The plates are placed at room
temperature for 15-30 min in dark and then transferred to FLIPR-384
instrument (Molecular Devices). The master plate containing
6.times. of agonist (60 uM serotonin) is placed, and all test
plates are read after adding agonist. The calcium signal of the
test plates is finally recorded by the FLIPR program. The average
and standard deviations are calculated using Excel, and the
background (buffer) is subtracted. The percentage (%) inhibition is
then calculated as
( 1 - Test Material Agonist Control ) .times. 100. ##EQU00001##
A test material will be considered as having an inhibitory effect
against the 5-HT.sub.3a receptor if the percentage inhibition
calculated is greater than 40%.
[0113] Alternatively, a cell-based serotonin receptor assay can be
used to screen inhibitors of the 5-HT.sub.3a receptor. Using the
agonist serotonin and cells co-transfected to over express the
5-HT.sub.3a receptor and the luminescent aequorin calcium sensitive
reporter, this assay can be conducted to identify suitable new
actives targeting the 5-HT.sub.3a receptor with great sensitivity,
scalability and specificity.
[0114] Aequorin is a photo-protein originating from the Jellyfish
Aequorea Victoria. It is initially translated as an apo-enzyme
requiring the hydrophobic group coelenterazine to initiate the
conversion to aequorin. Upon binding of calcium, the coelenterazine
is oxidized by aequorin into coelenteramide (BFP) resulting in the
emission of blue light and CO.sub.2. Therefore, it is particularly
useful for visualizing or detecting influx Ca.sup.+2 signal.
[0115] The aequorin-assisted serotonin receptor assay can be
carried out with the following steps. Cyro-preserved Human Cells
(HEK293 parent line), co-expressing Serotonin 5HT.sub.3a receptor
and the Aequorin calcium sensor, .gamma.-Irradiated (Perkin Elmer,
Cat. No. ES-402-AF) are thawed and cultured 18-24 hours in DMEM/F12
with Hepes buffer, no phenol red+10% FBS without antibiotics
(Invitrogen, Cat. No. 11039-021). After 18-24 h of culture, the
cells are detached gently by flushing with their cell culture
medium. Washing with an additional 10 mLs of cell culture media
will ensure that optimum number of cells is captured. The cells are
then centrifuged at 150.times.g, counted and re-suspended at
1.times.10 6 cells/mL in BSA medium [DMEM/Ham's F12 (with 15 mM
HEPES, L-glutamine, without phenol red) culture medium (Invitrogen,
Cat. No. 11039-021)+10% protease-free BSA (Sigma Aldrich, Cat. No.
A9205) in H.sub.2O with a final BSA concentration of 0.1%] in a
Falcon tube. Coelenterazine is added at a final concentration of 5
.mu.M in assay medium. As coelenterazine stock solution is in
methanol, it is mixed well while adding the coelenterazine solution
to the cell suspension to avoid damaging the cells. The 10 mL
Falcon tube is then wrapped in aluminum foil and placed on a
rotating wheel (about 45.degree. angle and 7 rpm). The cells are
subsequently incubated from 4 hrs to 18 hrs at .about.20.degree. C.
(temperature should remain below 25.degree. C.). On the day of the
assay, cells are diluted in BSA medium to a final concentration of
2.0.times.10 5 cells/mL. The cells are incubated again for at least
1 h at room temperature. The screen plates are then prepared.
Antagonists are diluted in BSA medium referenced above at 2.times.
concentration, and 50 .mu.l are dispensed per well.
[0116] Fifty microliters of cell suspension (2.0.times.10 5/ml for
a final concentration of 1.0.times.10 4/well) is added into the
antagonist wells and then incubated for 15 minutes in the dark at
room temperature. Only one plate is prepared at time. Fifty
microliters of serotonin (3.times.EC80 (EC stands for Effective
Concentration) concentration (30 .mu.M) to get 1.times.EC80 (10
.mu.M) final concentration) is injected using the plate readers
injectors into the mix of cells and antagonist, and the light
emitted is recorded for 10 s. An 8 point dose curve was conducted
using the agonist serotonin to determine the EC50 for this system.
Doses ranged from 3.9E-7 to 5E-5 [M]. The resulting EC50 was
determined to be 1.925E-6.+-.3.715E-6 [M].
[0117] FIGS. 1 to 39 show the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curves of
plant materials and extracts described hereinabove with high
5-HT.sub.3a inhibitory effect. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows the
5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of lemon tea tree leaf extract.
FIG. 2 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of a
water-soluble fraction of tea tree oil. FIG. 3 shows the
5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of rhubarb. FIG. 4 shows the
5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of lavender tea tree extract.
FIG. 5 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of Australian
sandalwood extract. FIG. 6 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response
curve of sandalwood oil. FIG. 7 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage
response curve of evodia fruit. FIG. 8 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage
response curve of coptis rhizome. FIG. 9 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a
dosage response curve of oils from Wisteria sinensis. FIG. 10 shows
the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of myrtle extract. FIG. 11
shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of wild cherry bark.
FIG. 12 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of Chinese
Agarwood resinous heartwood extract. FIG. 13 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a
dosage response curve of ginger root. FIG. 14 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a
dosage response curve of marigold. FIG. 15 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a
dosage response curve of boswellia. FIG. 16 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a
dosage response curve of frankincense oil. FIG. 17 shows the
5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of prickly ash fruit. FIG. 18
shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of Pinus pinaster bark
extract. FIG. 19 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of
horehound. FIG. 20 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of
bitter orange fruit. FIG. 21 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response
curve of angelica. FIG. 22 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response
curve of coconut oil. FIG. 23 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response
curve of Chinese rose. FIG. 24 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage
response curve of cinnamon. FIG. 25 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage
response curve of bilberry. FIG. 26 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage
response curve of blueberry leaf. FIG. 27 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a
dosage response curve of carrot extract. FIG. 28 shows the
5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of chamomile. FIG. 29 shows the
5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of turmeric. FIG. 30 shows the
5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of cranberry. FIG. 31 shows the
5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of flax oil powder. FIG. 32 shows
the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of Japanese Raisin tree seed
extract. FIG. 33 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of
andrographis herb. FIG. 34 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response
curve of bee pollen. FIG. 35 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response
curve of Australian eucalyptus extract. FIG. 36 shows the
5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of Yerba santa. FIG. 37 shows the
5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of black pepper oil. FIG. 38
shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of ginkgo biloba. FIG.
39 shows the 5-HT.sub.3a dosage response curve of cayenne.
[0118] Further, FIGS. 40-44 are graphs showing the synergistic
5-HT.sub.3a inhibitory effect achieved by certain combinations of
plant materials or extracts as described hereinabove. Specifically,
FIG. 40 shows the combined 5-HT.sub.3a inhibitory effect achieved
by the combination of turmeric (T) and licorice (L), which is
larger than the sum of the 5-HT.sub.3a inhibitory effects achieved
separately by turmeric and licorice. FIG. 41 shows the combined
5-HT.sub.3a inhibitory effect achieved by the combination of
turmeric (T), licorice (L) and ginger (G), which is larger than the
sum of the 5-HT.sub.3a inhibitory effects achieved separately by
turmeric, licorice and ginger. FIG. 42 shows the combined
5-HT.sub.3a inhibitory effect achieved by the combination of
turmeric (T) and ginger (G), which is larger than the sum of the
5-HT.sub.3a inhibitory effects achieved separately by turmeric and
ginger. FIG. 43 shows the combined 5-HT.sub.3a inhibitory effect
achieved by the combination of turmeric (T) and rhubarb (R), which
is larger than the sum of the 5-HT.sub.3a inhibitory effects
achieved separately by turmeric and rhubarb. FIG. 44 shows the
combined 5-HT.sub.3a inhibitory effect achieved by the combination
of licorice (L), ginger (G) and rhubarb (R), which is larger than
the sum of the 5-HT.sub.3a inhibitory effects achieved separately
by licorice, ginger and rhubarb.
Assays for Screening NK-1 Receptor Inhibitors
[0119] Various known high through-put screening assays can also be
used to determine the inhibitory effects of a material on the NK-1
receptors.
[0120] One exemplary assay is the Tango.TM. G-Protein Coupled
Receptors (GPCR) cell-based assays by Invitrogen. First, TACR1-bla
U2OS cells (from Invitrogen) are cultured in McCoy's medium. The
cultured cells are then plated in DMEM into 96-well plates (15,125
cells/well in 90 uL/well). After 16-24 hours, the cells are treated
with test materials or positive control antagonist (which is 100 nM
Aprepitant) and then incubated for 30-60 minutes at 37.degree. C.
in 5% CO2. Subsequently, the cells are treated with 1 nM SAR9
Substance P agonist and incubated again for 5 hours at 37.degree.
C. in 5% CO2. The plates are removed from the incubator and
equilibrated at room temperature for 15 minutes. During the
equilibration step, the LiveBlazer substrate detection solution
(from Invitrogen) is prepared. Six times of substrate mixture is
added to each well, followed by incubating the plates in the dark
at room temp for 2 hours. The plates are read by the Envision
microplate reader in 2 channels using the "Geneblazer 451"
protocol, which include a blue channel (Excitement at 405 and
Emission at 460) and a green channel (Excitement at 405 and
Emission at 535).
[0121] FIGS. 45 to 64 show the NK-1 dosage response curves of plant
materials and extracts described hereinabove with high NK-1
inhibitory effect. Specifically, FIG. 45 shows the NK-1 dosage
response curve of podophyllin. FIG. 46 shows the NK-1 dosage
response curve of rhodiola. FIG. 47 shows the NK-1 dosage response
curve of feverfew. FIG. 48 shows the NK-1 dosage response curve of
pink bark. FIG. 49 shows the NK-1 dosage response curve of
boswellia. FIG. 50 shows the NK-1 dosage response curve of dragon's
blood. FIG. 51 shows the NK-1 dosage response curve of linden. FIG.
52 shows the NK-1 dosage response curve of guarana. FIG. 53 shows
the NK-1 dosage response curve of cat's claw. FIG. 54 shows the
NK-1 dosage response curve of St. John's wort. FIG. 55 shows the
NK-1 dosage response curve of calendula. FIG. 56 shows the NK-1
dosage response curve of green tea. FIG. 57 shows the NK-1 dosage
response curve of grape extract. FIG. 58 shows the NK-1 dosage
response curve of cinnamon. FIG. 59 shows the NK-1 dosage response
curve of turmeric. FIG. 60 shows the NK-1 dosage response curve of
forsythia fruit. FIG. 61 shows the NK-1 dosage response curve of
licorice. FIG. 62 shows the NK-1 dosage response curve of Litsea
cubeba oil. FIG. 63 shows the NK-1 dosage response curve of tea
tree oil. FIG. 64 shows the NK-1 dosage response curve of amla.
[0122] Further, FIG. 65 shows the synergistic NK-1 inhibitory
effect achieved by certain combinations of plant materials or
extracts as described hereinabove. Specifically, FIG. 65 shows the
combined NK-1 inhibitory effect achieved by the combination of
turmeric (T) and licorice (L), which is larger than the sum of the
NK-1 inhibitory effects achieved separately by turmeric and
licorice.
[0123] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced
or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise
limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it
is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed
herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other
reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such
invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of
a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of
the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning
or definition assigned to that term in this document shall
govern.
[0124] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *