COMPOSITION FOR RELIEVING HANGOVER AND IMPROVING LIVER FUNCTION

Abstract

This application relates to a composition and method for removing a hangover or improving liver function. The composition can show an excellent hangover removal effect, and thus can be effectively used in a food composition or health functional food composition for removing or ameliorating a hangover and improving liver function. The method may include administering an effective amount of a composition comprising an omega-3 fatty acid as an active ingredient to a subject in need thereof.

Claims

1. A method of removing or ameliorating a hangover, the method comprising administering an effective amount of a composition comprising an omega-3 fatty acid as an active ingredient to a subject in need thereof.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the omega-3 fatty acid is selected from the group consisting of α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a vitamin B group.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the vitamin B group comprises vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B3 (nicotinamide).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the vitamin B2, the vitamin B3, and the omega-3 fatty acid are included in a concentration ratio of 1:0.5-9:5-14.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the vitamin B2, the vitamin B3, and the omega-3 fatty acid is included in a concentration ratio of 1:2.5:7.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is in the form of any one selected from powder, a granule, a tablet, a capsule, a liquid, or a beverage.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition consists of the omega-3 fatty acid, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, and a sitologically acceptable carrier.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a graph showing movement tendencies over time, after a normal Zebrafish control was treated with each of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), nicotinamide (vitamin B3), and a mixture thereof, according to an embodiment.

[0054] FIG. 2 is a graph showing movement tendencies over time after zebrafish model experimental groups showing an anesthetic effect by acute alcohol treatment were treated with each of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), nicotinamide (vitamin B3), and a mixture of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3), according to an embodiment.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a graph showing movement tendencies over time after zebrafish model experimental groups showing an anesthetic effect by acute alcohol treatment were treated with a mixture of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3), according to an embodiment, and each of currently available hangover removal drinks “X” and “Y” from other companies (X and Y: hangover removal drinks from other companies).

[0056] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results of measuring movement distances after zebrafish model experimental groups showing an anesthetic effect by acute alcohol treatment were treated with each of currently available hangover removal drinks, riboflavin (vitamin B2), nicotinamide (vitamin B3), omega-3 fatty acid, and a mixture of riboflavin (vitamin B2), nicotinamide (vitamin B3), and omega-3 fatty acid, according to an embodiment (Control: Normal zebrafish control, X and Y: hangover removal drinks from other companies, A: vitamin B2, B: vitamin B3, C: Omega-3 fatty acid, Z: mixture of vitamin B2, vitamin B3, and omega-3 fatty acid).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Meanwhile, alcohol intolerance due to deficiency or mutation of aldehyde dehydrogenase, which breaks down acetaldehyde into acetic acid, is found only in Far East Asians, including Korea, China and Japan. According to the research results, variants of aldehyde dehydrogenase are found in about 35% of the Korean population.

[0058] As described above, Korea has the most developed hangover cure market in the world due to high alcohol consumption and genetic characteristics, and it was investigated that the domestic hangover cure market, which was around 130 billion won in 2015, had grown by more than 10% every year, reaching 250 billion won in 2019. Therefore, research and experiments are being conducted in various fields to alleviate hangovers caused by excessive drinking, and various products are actually being sold on the market.

[0059] Currently, the main ingredients used in hangover removing agents are plant extracts or medicinal herb extracts, including an oriental raisin tree fruit extract, a fermented rice germ extract, or the like, which are known to be effective in decomposing alcohol, taurine, vitamins, and the like. However, the amounts of the ingredients are small, and verification of the actual hangover removal efficacy of these compositions is also insufficient. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an active ingredient that can be verified to have significant hangover removal efficacy.

[0060] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the present embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

[0061] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in further detail with reference to the following examples. However, these examples are for illustrative purposes of one or more embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Example 1. Validation of Movement Tendency of Zebrafish Model with Acute Alcohol Treatment

[0062] To compare the movement tendency of a normal zebrafish control with those of zebrafish model experimental groups showing an anesthetic effect by acute alcohol treatment for omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), nicotinamide (vitamin B3), and a mixture thereof, the movements of the normal control and the experimental groups were observed for 20 minutes after treatment with the substances.

[0063] First, each of omega-3 fatty acid (1.4 mg/L), riboflavin (vitamin B2) (0.2 mg/L), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3) (0.5 mg/L) was dissolved in E3 media to prepare a pre-treatment solution. A mixture of omega-3 fatty acid (1.4 mg/L), riboflavin (vitamin B2) (0.2 mg/L), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3) (0.5 mg/L) was dissolved in E3 media to prepare a pre-treatment solution. Each of omega-3 fatty acid (1.4 mg/L), riboflavin (vitamin B2) (0.2 mg/L), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3) (0.5 mg/L) was dissolved in ETOH 2% (in E3 media) to prepare a post-treatment solution. A mixture of omega-3 fatty acid (1.4 mg/L), riboflavin (vitamin B2) (0.2 mg/L), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3) (0.5 mg/L) was dissolved in ETOH 2% (in E3 media) to prepare a post-treatment solution. Zebrafish larvae at 7 days post-fertilization (dpf) were exposed in water to 200 μl/well of the pre-treatment solution for each group (n=20/group) in a 96-well plate for 1 hour. 1 zebrafish larva was in each well. After 1 hour of pre-treatment, the pre-treatment solution was replaced with 200 μl/well of the post-treatment solution for each group, followed by exposure in water. Subsequently, the behaviors of the zebrafish larvae were recorded for 20 minutes. After recording, the cumulative distances for each section (0-5 min, 5-10 min, 10-15 min, and 15-20 min) of the normal control and the experimental groups were analyzed, and the results thereof are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0064] FIG. 1 is a graph showing movement tendencies over time, after a normal Zebrafish control was treated with each of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), nicotinamide (vitamin B3), and a mixture thereof, according to an embodiment.

[0065] FIG. 2 is a graph showing movement tendencies over time after zebrafish model experimental groups showing an anesthetic effect by acute alcohol treatment were treated with each of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), nicotinamide (vitamin B3), and a mixture of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3), according to an embodiment.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it was confirmed that the movement tendency of the zebrafish experimental group treated with a mixture of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3) significantly increased when compared to the experimental group treated alone with each substance.

[0067] Next, to compare movement tendencies for a mixture of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3), and currently available hangover removal drinks “X” and “Y” from other companies, the movements of the zebrafish experimental groups were observed for 20 minutes after being treated with the substances. Particularly, each of X (a hangover removal drink from other company) and Y (a hangover removal drink from another company) was dissolved in E3 media to prepare a pre-treatment solution. A mixture of omega-3 fatty acid (1.4 mg/L), riboflavin (vitamin B2) (0.2 mg/L), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3) (0.5 mg/L) was dissolved in E3 media to prepare a pre-treatment solution. Each of X (a hangover removal drink from other company) and Y (a hangover removal drink from another company) was dissolved in ETOH 2% (in E3 media) to prepare a post-treatment solution. A mixture of omega-3 fatty acid (1.4 mg/L), riboflavin (vitamin B2) (0.2 mg/L), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3) (0.5 mg/L) was dissolved in ETOH 2% (in E3 media) to prepare a post-treatment solution. Zebrafish larvae at 7 days post-fertilization (dpf) were exposed in water to 200 μl/well of the pre-treatment solution for each group (n=20/group) in a 96-well plate for 1 hour. 1 zebrafish larva was in each well. After 1 hour of pre-treatment, the pre-treatment solution was replaced with 200 μl/well of the post-treatment solution for each group, followed by exposure in water. Subsequently, the behaviors of the zebrafish larvae were recorded for 20 minutes. After recording, the cumulative distances for each section (0-5 min, 5-10 min, 10-15 min, and 15-20 min) of the normal control and the experimental groups were analyzed, and the results thereof are shown in FIG. 3.

[0068] FIG. 3 is a graph showing movement tendencies over time after zebrafish model experimental groups showing an anesthetic effect by acute alcohol treatment were treated with a mixture of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3), according to an embodiment, and each of currently available hangover removal drinks “X” and “Y” from other companies (X and Y: hangover removal drinks from other companies).

[0069] As shown in FIG. 3, it was confirmed that the movement tendency of the zebrafish experimental group treated with a mixture of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3), according to an embodiment significantly increased when compared to the experimental group treated with each of the hangover removal drinks from other companies.

[0070] The above results suggest that the mixture of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3), according to an embodiment can be effectively used in removing or ameliorating a hangover.

Example 2. Measurement of Movement Distance of Zebrafish Model with Acute Alcohol Treatment

[0071] To compare the movement distances of zebrafish model experimental groups showing an anesthetic effect by acute alcohol treatment, for a mixture of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3), and hangover removal drinks from other companies, the movement distances of the experimental groups were observed through zebrafish video tracking for 20 minutes after treatment with the substances.

[0072] Particularly, the behaviors of zebrafish larvae were recorded for 20 minutes, and after recording, the total distance for an experiment time of 20 minutes of each of the normal control and the experimental groups was analyzed, and the results thereof are shown in FIG. 4.

[0073] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results of measuring movement distances after zebrafish model experimental groups showing an anesthetic effect by acute alcohol treatment were treated with each of currently available hangover removal drinks, riboflavin (vitamin B2), nicotinamide (vitamin B3), omega-3 fatty acid, and a mixture of riboflavin (vitamin B2), nicotinamide (vitamin B3), and omega-3 fatty acid, according to an embodiment (Control: Normal zebrafish control, X and Y: hangover removal drinks from other companies, A: vitamin B2, B: vitamin B3, C: omega-3 fatty acid, Z: mixture of vitamin B2, vitamin B3, and omega-3 fatty acid).

[0074] The average value of the total movement distance of the experimental group treated with each ingredient and the sum of movement distances were converted into numerical values on the basis of FIG. 4, and are shown in [Table 1] below (B2: vitamin B2, B3: vitamin B3).

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Average value of total Sum of total movement Ingredient movement distance (mm) distances (mm) ETOH + B2 223.97 K = 700.66 ETOH + B3 77.39 ETOH + Omega-3 399.3 fatty acid ETOH + B2 + B3 + 931.28 L = 931.28 Omega-3 fatty acid L/K(%) 132.9%

[0075] As shown in FIG. 4, it was confirmed that the movement distance of the zebrafish experimental group treated with a mixture of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3), according to an embodiment was similar to that of the normal zebrafish control, and significantly increased when compared to the experimental group treated alone with each substance and each of the hangover removal drinks from other companies.

[0076] In addition, as shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that the total distance of the experimental group treated with a mixture of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3), according to an embodiment significantly increased, i.e., about 1.32 times that of the experimental group treated alone with each substance.

[0077] The above results suggest that the mixture of omega-3 fatty acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and nicotinamide (vitamin B3), according to an embodiment can be effectively used in removing or ameliorating a hangover.

[0078] As is apparent from the foregoing description, a composition according to an embodiment can embody an excellent hangover removal effect, and thus, the composition can be effectively used in a food composition or health functional food composition for removing or ameliorating a hangover and improving liver function.

[0079] It should be understood that embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. While one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.