Supplement for mitigating woman's disorders caused by ageing

Abstract

Combination of dry extract of Rhodiola, dry extract of Tribulus terrestris, dry extract of Undaria pinnatifida, Moringa oleifera, folic acid and vitamin B12 in the form of food supplement for mitigating woman's disorders caused by ageing.

Claims

1. A food supplement, in form of daily single-dose sachets comprising a combination of: Rhodiola in amounts ranging from 175 to 225 mg; Tribulus terrestris in amounts ranging from 150 to 200 mg; Moringa oleifera in amounts ranging from 50 to 100 mg; Undaria pinnatifida in amounts ranging from 20 to 30 mg; Folic acid in amounts ranging from 75 to 125 μg; Vitamin B12 in amounts ranging from 1 to 1.6 μg; Magnesium in amounts ranging from 50 to 100 mg; Zinc in amounts ranging from 4 to 6 mg; Vitamins B2 and B6, each in amounts ranging from 0.6 to 0.8 mg; Vitamin B1 in amounts ranging from 0.45 mg to 0.60 mg, and suitable excipients and/or diluents.

2. The food supplement according to claim 1 wherein Rhodiola is in an amount of 200 mg; Tribulus terrestris is in an amount of 175 mg; Moringa oleifera is in an amount of 75 mg; Undaria pinnatifida is in an amount of 25 mg; Folic acid 100 is in an amount of 100 μg; Vitamin B12 is in an amount of 1.5 μg; Magnesium is in an amount of 75 mg; Zinc is in an amount of 5 mg; Vitamins B2 and B6, each are in amount of 0.7 mg; and Vitamin B1 is in an amount of 0.55 mg.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows the questionnaire used to set the score for the self-rating depression scale (Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS)).

(2) FIG. 2 shows the questionnaire used to set the score for the sexual disorders scale (Female Sexual Function Index FSFI).

(3) FIG. 3 shows the questionnaire used to set the score for the physical appreciation scale.

(4) FIG. 4 shows in a graph the average total Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) of the treated patients and of the control group.

(5) FIGS. 5 and 5A show in a graph the average values of the single aspects of PGWBI, respectively of the treated patients and of the control group. The upper panel of FIG. 6 shows in a graph the average values of the FSFI scores obtained with the treated patients, while the lower panel shows in a graph the same type of scores obtained with the control group.

(6) FIG. 7 shows in a graph the physical appreciation score of both treated patients and control group.

(7) FIG. 8 shows the questionnaire with inclusion and exclusion criteria used for patient enrollment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) For the purposes of the present invention, the expression “comprising/containing one or more components” does not exclude the presence of further components besides the one or more explicitly listed. For the purposes of the present invention, the expression indicating that an object “is made up or formed or composed of one or more components” means that the presence in the object of additional components besides the one or more listed components is excluded.

(9) The combination comprising the components a)-f) is particularly suitable for alleviating sexual disorders, skin and skin appendages ageing and mood disorders. The effectiveness of the combination object of the invention in mitigating sexual disorders is mainly attributable to Tribulus terrestris. Although recognized by the

(10) Ministry of Health as a tonic and metabolic support, in literature it is considered probably effective in counteracting female sexual dysfunction thanks to its activity, evaluated in preclinical studies on animals, which raises serum testosterone levels.sup.4-7.

(11) The Italian Ministry of Health associates with Undaria pinnatifida properties favouring nails and hair well-being, skin trophism and functionality, body weight balance and organism purifying functions. The literature associates these properties recognized by the tradition of use with antioxidant actions, body weight control by lowering fat mass regardless of diet and facilitation of energy metabolism. These actions are mainly attributed to the active ingredient fucoxanthin..sup.8-12

(12) Moringa oleifera is a plant of Indian origin with high nutritional values used for therapeutic purposes thanks to its phytochemical profile rich in biologically active molecules. Specifically, Moringa oleifera turned out to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperlipidaemic properties. It is also known for its blood circulation promoting action and as a body weight balancer..sup.13-19 In fact, the oestrogen deficiency due to menopause inevitably involves an increase of body weight caused by the blood increase of (“bad”) LDL cholesterol, by the slowing of sugar metabolism as well as by the reduction of thyroid function.

(13) Folic acid turned out to be effective in reducing the risk of mood alterations and brain damage in senile age.sup.20, but also in reducing hot flashes in menopausal women.sup.21.

(14) Recent studies have shown that vitamin B12 deficiency may be an important modifiable risk factor for osteoporosis.sup.22.

(15) The combination object of the present invention is in particular effective for mitigating mood disorders mainly thanks to the presence of Rhodiola, which is a medical herb with adaptogenic action. Recent studies have shown that it stabilizes the mood of depressed subjects and is used to improve both physical and psychological performances associated with stressful conditions..sup.23-28 Preferably, the combination and consequently the food supplement can include one or more of the following active ingredients: magnesium, preferably in the form of oxide, and zinc, preferably in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts, thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin B6.

(16) Even more preferably, it consists of the components a)-f), magnesium, zinc, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin B6.

(17) With regard to magnesium, the regulation (EC) 432/2012 integrating the regulation (EC) 1924/2006 states that it contributes to: maintaining normal bones; reducing tiredness and fatigue; normal muscle functioning; normal psychological functioning; maintaining normal bones and teeth.

(18) With regard to zinc, the aforementioned regulation states that it contributes to: normal cognitive functioning; maintaining normal bones; maintaining normal hair and nails.

(19) With regard to thiamine, the aforementioned regulation states that it contributes to: normal energy metabolism; normal functioning of the nervous system; normal psychological function; normal cardiac function.

(20) Finally, with regard to riboflavin, the aforementioned regulation states that it contributes to: normal energy metabolism; normal functioning of the nervous system; maintaining normal membranes and mucous membranes; maintaining normal red blood cells; maintaining normal visual capacity; normal iron metabolism; protecting cells from oxidative stress; reducing tiredness and fatigue.

(21) For the purposes of the present invention, food or dietary supplements refer to the definition given in Article 2 of Legislative Decree No. 169 of 21 May 2004, i.e. they are foodstuffs intended to supplement the common diet and which constitute a concentrated source of nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, or other substances having a nutritional or physiological effect, particularly, but not exclusively, amino acids, essential fatty acids, fibres and extracts of plant origin, both single- and multi-composites, in pre-dosed forms.

(22) The food supplement further object of the present invention may be in the form of tablets, hard or soft capsules, powders or granules in the form of single-dose water dispersible sachets.

(23) Preferably, it is in the form of sachets that can be administered only once a day.

(24) Rhodiola included in the combination according to the present invention is preferably in the form of a dry root extract containing between 2 and 5% rosavine, namely a glycoside of cinnamic alcohol characterized by the following formula

(25) ##STR00001##

(26) The food supplement further object of the present invention in the most preferred form of a daily single-dose sachet contains Rhodiola in amounts preferably ranging from 175 to 225 mg, more preferably 200 mg.

(27) In the combination according to the present invention, Tribulus terrestris is in the form of a dry extract preferably containing between 20 and 50% of saponins, which are terpenic glycosides.

(28) In the food supplement in the preferred form of a daily single-dose sachet, Tribulus is contained in amounts preferably ranging from 150 to 200 mg, more preferably 175 mg.

(29) In the combination object of the present invention the relative dry seed extract is used as the source of Moringa.

(30) In the food supplement in the form of a daily single-dose sachet, this active agent is present in concentrations preferably ranging from 50 to 100 mg, more preferably 75 mg.

(31) The combination object of the present invention uses a dry extract of Undaria pinnatifida, better known as Wakame algae, preferably containing between 8 and 12% of fucoxanthin, namely a xanthophyll of formula:

(32) ##STR00002##

(33) Undaria pinnatifida is present in the supplement in the form of a single-dose sachet daily in concentrations preferably ranging from 20 to 30 mg, more preferably 25 mg. Folic acid is instead present in the supplement in the form of single-dose sachets in amounts preferably ranging from 75 to 125 more preferably 100 μg. Vitamin B12 is preferably contained in the same type of supplement in amounts ranging from 1 to 1.6 more preferably 1.5 μg.

(34) When present in the food supplement according to the invention, magnesium is contained in an amount preferably ranging from 50 to 100 mg, more preferably 75 mg.

(35) When present in the food supplement further object of the invention, zinc is preferably included in an amount ranging from 4 to 6 mg, more preferably 5 mg.

(36) When present in the food supplement in the form of a daily single-dose sachet, vitamins B2 and B6 are preferably contained in amounts ranging from 0.6 to 0.8 mg, more preferably 0.7 mg.

(37) When present in the food supplement in the form of a daily single-dose sachet according to the invention, vitamin B2 is preferably contained in amounts ranging from 0.45 mg to 0.60 mg, more preferably 0.55 mg.

(38) The following table shows purely for illustrative but not limitative purposes in Example 1 below the following formulation in the form of a single-dose sachet.

EXAMPLE 1

(39) TABLE-US-00001 FOOD SUPPLEMENT FORMULA (1 sachet/die from 4.5 gr) ACTIVE COMPONENTS DOSES FOR 1 sachet VNR % Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea L., roots) 200 mg rosavins titrated dry extract tot. Rosavins amount 6 mg Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris L., 175 mg fruit) saponins titrated dry extract per min., Saponins amount 70 mg Moringa (Moringa Oleifera Lam., 75 mg seeds) dry extract Magnesium 75 mg 20% Wakame algae (Undaria pinnatifida 25 mg (Harvey) Suringar, thallus) fucoxanthin titrated dry extract Fucoxanthin amount 2.5 mg Zinc 5 mg 50% Vitamin B6 0.7 mg 50% Riboflavin 0.7 mg 50% Thiamine 0.55 mg 50% Folic acid 100 μg 50% Vitamin B12 1.25 μg 50% NON-ACTIVE COMPONENTS DOSES FOR 1 sachet Maltodextrins 3,014 gr Citric acid - E330 250 mg Silicon dioxide - E551 150 mg Aromas 110 mg Polyoxyethylene sorbitan 50 mg monooleate - E433 Sucralose - E955 15 mg

(40) Clinical Study

(41) Rational

(42) The way everyone ages is partly due to genetic factors. Ageing also combines environmental factors and lifestyle and leads to the slowing down of key processes and natural biological functions. In women, the ageing process is associated with the alteration of the hormonal structure with an impact on both general health and quality of life. Women aged 40 years and older often show:

(43) Sexual Disorders.sup.1,2,3 Sexual desire is the physical and mental need that motivates sexual activity to achieve gratification. In the various stages of women's life, contextual factors are of considerable importance in modulating sexual health. The family of origin and the current family, as well as changes and loss events, influence sexual experience at various levels. In women aged 40 years and older (peri-menopause) vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, reduction of sexual pleasure are key factors that have a major influence on women's libido. Testosterone is a hormone allied to women's health and not just with regard to sexual functioning. It activates the biological component of desire, mental and genital excitation, orgasm and physical satisfaction. Its maximum concentration in women is at the age of twenty and reduces dramatically with advancing age. Menopause deprives women of high percentages of total testosterone, thus causing a loss of the essential biological component of desire.

(44) Emotional Disorders.sup.1,2 Physiological changes are often accompanied by mental disorders such as sudden changes in mood, anxiety and depressive forms.

(45) Deterioration of Connective Tissue and of Skin Appendages .sup.1,2 Skin alterations, such as thinning and reduction of the elastic component, which over time are manifested by dry skin and wrinkle appearance. Hair loss and weakness. Nail weakness.

(46) Scope

(47) From a clinical point of view, the general quality of life of women aged 40 years and older could be improved by slowing and mitigating the ageing disorders mainly by intervening on:

(48) 1. Sexual factors.fwdarw.couple well-being

(49) 2. Psychological factors.fwdarw.mood

(50) 3. Aesthetic factors.fwdarw.skin, mucous membranes, skin appendages (nails and hair)

(51) Purpose

(52) 1. Promoting an improvement of libido

(53) 2. Restoring a general good mood

(54) 3. Improving the overall patient QOL

(55) 4. Aesthetic factors.fwdarw.better stress physical perception

(56) Aim

(57) The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether the food supplement object of the present invention administered on patients with altered mood and reduced sexual function index can improve the quality of life of the women under observation.

(58) Primary End Point

(59) QOL improvement of migraine subjects through the analysis of the PGWBI questionnaire, given at baseline (T0) and 8 weeks after baseline (T2). The questionnaire will be given by the investigating doctor during the 2 protocolled visits corresponding to the two aforesaid trial times.

(60) Secondary End Points Mood evaluation through the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) questionnaire, given at baseline (T0) and 8 weeks after baseline (T2). The questionnaire is then given by the investigating doctor during the 2 protocolled visits corresponding to the two aforesaid trial times. Evaluation of the FSFI sexual function index (self-built test), given at baseline (T0) and 8 weeks after baseline (T2). The questionnaire is then given by the investigating doctor during the 2 protocolled visits corresponding to the two aforesaid trial times. Evaluation of one's own physical appreciation through a self-built questionnaire given after 8 weeks of observation (T2)

(61) DOSAGE (1 sachet/day with active ingredients present in the same amounts shown in Table 1)

(62) Criteria of Patient Enrollment

(63) Twenty patients were enrolled according to the following inclusion and exclusion criteria.

(64) Inclusion Criteria

(65) They were consecutively enrolled: patients aged >40 years and with a reduced general quality of life due to mood disorders and sexual functioning alterations, who signed the INFORMED CONSENT FORM, only patients with a total response score appropriately recoded were included in the study, >60 to the PGWBI questionnaire shown in FIG. 8.

(66) Exclusion Criteria

(67) They were excluded from the trial: patients aged <40 years with obvious disorders on QOL, mood and even a mild sexual function impairment; patients with diagnosed neuropsychiatric diseases; patients in early menopause; patients on hormone therapy or patients who had finished hormone therapy; patients in surgical and/or pharmacologically induced menopause; pregnant and/or lactating patients; patients familiar with oestrogen-dependent oncological diseases.

(68) Study Design

(69) This is an open pilot study.

(70) 10 of the 20 patients took once a day for 2 months a single-dose water dispersible sachet whose active composition is shown in Table 1.

(71) The other 10 patients, namely the control group, did not take any medicament (neither phyto nor drug) and were all the same under observation for 2 months.

(72) The efficacy of the formulation for use according to the present invention was evaluated through the score obtained with the patients' answers to the following questionnaires: the aforesaid PGWBI Questionnaire. The overall QOL improves if the values at the end of the clinical study increase. the self-rating depression scale questionnaire (Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS)), which was designed by W. W. Zung to check the level of depression for patients who have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Zung SDS is a monitoring measured by the patient to verify his/her level of depression. The scale has 20 questions, which allow evaluating the level of the four common characteristics of depression: pervasive effect, physiological equivalents, other disorders and psychomotor activities. This questionnaire shown in FIG. 1 consists of 10 questions asked in the negative and of 10 questions asked in the affirmative. The answer to each question is counted on a score scale from 1 to 4, which indicate respectively: for a short time, for a certain period of time, frequently, for most of the time. The total scores may vary from 25 to 100, and are so classified: 25-49 score interval of a non-depressed patient; 50-59 score interval of a slightly depressed patient, 60-69 score interval of a moderately depressed patient, >70 score of a severely depressed patient. There is always an improvement of the Zung SDS scale when the scores decrease. the FSFI sexual function questionnaire shown in FIG. 2. This is a self-built test. These questions are related to the patient's sexual life in the last 4 weeks. Desire and/or sexual interest means the desire to have a sexual experience, the feeling of being willing to respond to the partner's sexual initiative and/or thinking/fantasizing about having sexual intercourse. Sexual function improves when the average of the test scores is reduced. the self-built questionnaire shown in FIG. 3 about one's physical appreciation.

(73) The trial timing is as follows: T0: the PGWBI questionnaire is given to verify whether the patient can be enrolled. If she is suitable, the SDS, FSFI and PHYSICAL APPRECIATION questionnaires are given and the product for the first 4 weeks of treatment is delivered. T2: second check-up, compilation of questionnaires, report drafting and filled database submission

(74) Results

(75) PGWBI

(76) The results are shown in the graph shown in FIG. 4. The formulation object of the invention improves the women's QOL by increasing the test score by +30%. In particular, as shown by the graphs of FIGS. 5 and 5A, the formulations according to the present invention favour the QOL by intervening mainly on the items:

(77) Apathy/depr (0-25)

(78) Sense of well-being (1-15)

(79) Self-monitoring (0-20)

(80) General health status (0-15)

(81) Sense of vitality (0-20)

(82) ZUNG SDS

(83) As shown by the graph in FIG. 6, the people from treated group improve their mood, while the control group tends to get worse.

(84) FSFI—Sexual Functioning

(85) As shown by the graph in FIG. 6, the treated group: Improves the frequency of sexual desire Improves the judgment on one's sexual desire Improves excitement.

(86) On the contrary, no significant variations are observed in the control group, as shown in FIG. 6A.

(87) Physical Appreciation

(88) Patients noticed a slightly more marked improvement than the control group, as shown in FIG. 7.

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