PROBIOTIC AND POLYPHENOL AGAINST NEURODEGENERATION

Abstract

A composition containing the probiotic strain Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM 1-1225 in combination with a polyphenol for use in the treatment or prevention of a cognitive and/or neurodegenerative disorder, in particular Alzheimer's disease. The polyphenol can be one or more of rosmarinic acid, chicoric acid, or caftaric acid, and can be provided in the form of a plant extract.

Claims

1. A method for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, the method comprising the step of administering a composition comprising Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM I-1225 in combination with a polyphenol to an individual in need of same.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polyphenol is selected from the group consisting of rosmarinic acid, chicoric acid, caftaric acid, and combinations thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polyphenol is provided in the form of a plant extract.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the rosmarinic acid is provided in the form of a rosemary extract.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polyphenol is provided in the form of a pharmaceutically accepted salt.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM I-1225 is in the form of viable bacteria or non-replicating bacteria.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises the Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM I-1225 in an amount of between 10.sup.2 and 10.sup.11 cfu/g dry mass of the composition.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM I-1225 is encapsulated.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the individual in need of same is a human or pet.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of food products, animal food products, pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional formulations, nutraceuticals, beverages, food supplements, and food additives.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition has a water activity of less than 0.2.

12. A method for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, the method comprising administering a composition comprising Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM I-1225 in combination with a polyphenol to an individual in need of same, wherein the polyphenol is in the form of a plant extract, and the Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM I-1225 comprises 10.sup.2 to 10.sup.11 cfu/g dry mass of the composition.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the assays performed.

[0015] FIGS. 2A-2D show the results of the ThT Fluorescence measurements in Assay 1 (LMW) and in Assay 2 (PF). Tested were commercially available rosemary extract (NP1) and commercially available rosemary extract in combination with Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM 1-1225 (Lal) (NP2). Clearly, Lal is able to potentiate the effect of rosemary extract.

[0016] FIGS. 3A-3D show the results of the ThT Fluorescence measurements in Assay 1 (LMW) and in Assay 2 (PF). Tested were chicoric acid (NP5) and chicoric acid in combination with Lal (NP6). Clearly, Lal is able to potentiate the effect of chicoric acid.

[0017] FIGS. 4A-4D shows the results of the ThT Fluorescence measurements in Assay 1 (LMW) and in Assay 2 (PF). Tested were caftaric acid (NP7) and caftaric acid in combination with Lal (MP8). Clearly, Lal able to potentiate the effect of caftaric acid.

[0018] FIGS. 5A-5F show the results of the ThT Fluorescence measurements in Assay 1 (LMW) and in Assay 2 (PF). Tested was Lal in different concentrations. By itself, Lal does not show an effect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The present invention provides a composition comprising Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM 1-1225 in combination with a polyphenol for use in the treatment or prevention of a cognitive and/or neurodegenerative disorder, and particularly where the disorder is linked to protein aggregation in the brain.

[0020] The inventors have found that probiotics, e.g., Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM 1-1225 (Lal), may be used to treat or prevent all disorders that are linked to protein aggregation, such as amyloid plaque formation, for example. A list of disorders that are linked to protein aggregation was published by Selkoe D J., Nature. 2003 Dec. 18; 426(6968):900-4. Review. Erratum in: Nature. 2004 Mar. 25; 428(6981):445.

[0021] Disorders linked to protein aggregation include the following: Systemic extracellular amyloidoses, such as primary systemic amyloidosis, secondary systemic amyloidosis, familial Mediterranean fever, familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy 1, senile systemic amyloidosis, familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy 2, haemodialysis-related amyloidosis, Finnish hereditary amyloidosis, lysozyme amyloidosis, insulin-related amyloid, and/or fibrinogen a-chain amyloidosis;

[0022] Organ-limited extracellular amyloidoses, such as Alzheimer's disease, spongiform encephalopathies, hereditary cerebral haemorrhage with amyloidosis, type II diabetes, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, and/or atrial amyloidoses;

[0023] Human brain diseases characterized by progressive misfolding and aggregation of proteins, such as Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia with Lewy bodies, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, polyglutamine expansion diseases (e.g., Huntington's disease spinocerebellar ataxias), and/or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

[0024] For example, the cognitive disorder that may be treated or prevented by the use of the present invention may be selected from the group consisting of neurodegenerative disorders, cognitive decline and combinations thereof. Typical neurodegenerative disorders are in this respect Alzheimer's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease.

[0025] Additionally, disorders that are commonly seen with AD, demential and/or cognitive impairment may be treated with the use of the present invention. Such disorders include, for example sleep disorders, mood disorders and/or depression

[0026] The polyphenol may be selected from the group consisting of 4-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxo-3-enebutanyl 3-(3-methoxy-4hydroxyphenyl)propenoate (calebin-A), 1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,4,6-heptatrien-3-one, 1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (curcumin), 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (demethoxycurcumin), 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (bisdemethoxycurcumin), 1-hydroxy-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-6-heptene-3,5-dione, 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-heptene-3,5-dione, 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4,6-heptatrien-3-one, 1,5-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,4-pentadien-3-one, 2-shogaol, 4-shogaol, 6-shogaol, 8-shogaol, 2-gingerol, 4-gingerol, 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, ginkgolic acids, rosmanol, isorosmanol, rosmadial, carnosol, carnosic acid, epirosmanol, rosmarinic acid, caftaric acid, chicoric acid, reservatrol, and/or catechins.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, however, the polyphenol is selected from the group consisting of rosmarinic acid, caftaric acid and chicoric acid, or combinations thereof.

[0028] Since these polyphenols are all naturally occurring compounds in plants, they may be provided for example as plants or in the form of plant extracts. Typical plants that may be used to provide the polyphenols may be for example Curcuma sp., Zingiber sp., Ginkgo biloba, Salvia sp., Romarinus sp., or combinations thereof.

[0029] In one preferred embodiment, the rosmarinic acid is provided in the form of a rosemary extract.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment, the polyphenol is provided in the form of a pharmaceutically accepted salt.

[0031] The Lactobacillus johnsonii strain Lal was deposited by Nestec S. A. according to the Budapest Treaty with the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes (CNCM), Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, F-75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, on Jun. 30, 1992, where it was attributed the deposit number CNCM 1-1225. The strain is described in EP 0577904 and has in the meantime been reclassified as Lactobacillus johnsonii due to changes in the bacterial taxonomy.

[0032] The present invention pertains to the composition, wherein the Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM 1-1225 is in the form of viable bacteria, non-replicating bacteria and/or as medium or fraction of the medium the bacteria was cultivated in. Hence, in one embodiment of the present invention, the probiotics are used as living micro-organisms. In another embodiment of the present invention, the probiotics are used as non-replicating micro-organisms. For example, at least 95% of the probiotics present in a composition may be non-replicating. In a still further embodiment of the present invention, the probiotics are provided as an extract of a medium that contains at least a part of the metabolites produced by the Lactobacillus johnsonii that were cultivated in that medium. The Lactobacillus johnsonii themselves may then be removed before the composition is administered. Hence, if the Lactobacillus johnsonii are to be used together with polyphenols, the polyphenols may be combined with the lactobacilli in a medium that allows the lactobacilli to be metabolically active. The Lactobacillus johnsonii may then be removed from the medium when the composition described in the present invention is prepared.

[0033] In therapeutic applications, compositions are administered in an amount sufficient to at least partially cure or arrest the symptoms of the disorder and/or its complications. An amount adequate to accomplish this is defined as a therapeutically effective dose. Amounts effective for this purpose will depend on a number of factors known to those of skill in the art such as the severity of the disorder and the weight and general state of the patient. In prophylactic applications, compositions according to the invention are administered to a patient susceptible to or otherwise at risk of a particular disorder in an amount that is sufficient to at least partially reduce the risk of developing a disorder. Such an amount is defined to be a prophylactic effective dose. Again, the precise amounts depend on a number of patient specific factors such as the patient's state of health and weight.

[0034] Consequently, the Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM 1-1225 is administered in a therapeutically effective dose and/or in a prophylactic effective dose. Typically, the Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM 1-1225 may be present in the composition in an amount equivalent to between 10.sup.2 and 10.sup.11 cfu/g dry mass of the composition. This expression includes the possibilities that the bacteria are live, inactivated or dead or even present as fragments such as DNA or cell wall materials. In other words, the quantity of bacteria which the composition contains is expressed in terms of the colony forming ability of that quantity of bacteria as if all the bacteria were live irrespective of whether they are, in fact, live, inactivated or dead, fragmented or a mixture of any or all of these states. Preferably the Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM 1-1225 is present in an amount equivalent to between 10.sup.3 and 10.sup.9 cfu/g dry mass of the composition, even more preferably in an amount equivalent to between 10.sup.4 and 10.sup.8 cfu/g of dry composition.

[0035] Likewise, the polyphenol is administered in a therapeutically effective dose and/or in a prophylactic effective dose. Typically, a polyphenol is present in the composition in an amount in the range of 1-100 mg/g dry mass of the composition.

[0036] In a further embodiment, the Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM I-1225 is encapsulated. In a still further embodiment the Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM 1-1225 in combination with the polyphenol is encapsulated. Encapsulation technology is well known in the art and could be applied here to either the Lactobacillus johnsonii itself or to the composition of the invention as a whole. Condition is that the encapsulation releases its enclosed substances once ingested by a patient or subject in need thereof.

[0037] The composition described in the present invention may be administered to pets and to farm animals such as e.g. cows to protect them against the development of amyloid plaque related disorders, such as the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

[0038] In another embodiment, the composition is to be administered to humans. Humans at risk for developing the symptoms of amyloid plaque related disorders are typically older than 60 years. Hence in one embodiment of the present invention, the composition is to be administered to humans that are older than 60. However, considering the fact that the composition described in the present invention may also be used to prevent cognitive disorders and considering further that it is meanwhile known that the amyloid plaque formation may begin a long time before the first symptoms of an amyloid plaque related disease become apparent, it is a more preferred embodiment of the present invention that the composition is to be administered to humans that are older than 50, even more preferred older than 40.

[0039] The composition described in the present invention may be in the form of a food product, an animal food product, a pharmaceutical composition, a nutritional formulation, a nutraceutical, a beverage, a food supplement or a food additive. Hence, it may for example further comprise a source of protein, a source of lipids, and/or a source of carbohydrate. For example, if the composition is a nutritional formula, it may comprise all three macro-nutrients. Preferably the composition is in a form suitable for oral or enteral administration.

[0040] If the composition is provided in a dry form, for example as a powder, it may be desired to provide the composition in a form that allows longer storage times. It was found that shelf stability can be obtained, for example by providing the composition with a water activity smaller than 0.2, for example in the range of 0.19-0.05, preferably smaller than 0.15. Such a low water activity will for example allow that living lactobacillus micro-organism will remain viable for longer time periods. Water activity or aw is a measurement of the energy status of the water in a system. It is defined as the vapor pressure of water divided by that of pure water at the same temperature; therefore, pure distilled water has a water activity of exactly one.

[0041] The composition of the invention may also further comprise at least one prebiotic, for example in an amount of from 0.3 to 10 wt %. Prebiotic means food substances that promote the growth of probiotics in the intestines. They are not broken down in the stomach and/or upper intestine or absorbed in the GI tract of the person ingesting them, but they are fermented by the gastrointestinal microflora and/or by probiotics. Prebiotics are for example defined by Glenn R. Gibson and Marcel B. Roberfroid, Dietary Modulation of the Human Colonic Microbiota: Introducing the Concept of Prebiotics, J. Nutr. 1995 125: 1401-1412. Examples of prebiotics include certain oligosaccharides, such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS). A combination of prebiotics may be used such as 90% GOS with 10% short chain fructo-oligosaccharides such as the product sold under the trade mark Raftilose or 10% inulin such as the product sold under the trade mark Raftiline.

[0042] Those skilled in the art will understand that they can freely combine all features of the present invention disclosed herein. Further advantages and features of the present invention are apparent from the figures and examples.

Example 1

[0043] The goal of this study was to identify biologically active components that could inhibit, retard and/or reverse AD associated neuropathology, memory loss and cognitive decline. Towards achieving this goal, bioactive compounds were identified that can perturb the individual steps on the amyloid cascade implicated, e.g., in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

[0044] More specifically, compounds were identified that can be used for the prevention and/or inhibition of A oligomerization and/or fibrillogenesis. Two different assays were performed.

[0045] Assay 1: Targeting Monomeric A Assay (Timeframe 24-48 Hrs) (See FIG. 1):

[0046] In this assay, it was started with size exclusion purified monomeric A42 (LMW). This was incubated with a compound of interest (C) at 37 C. The extent of aggregation was then assessed at 24 and 48 hrs by Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence. ThT is a hydrophobic dye that exhibits enhanced fluorescence upon binding to amyloid fibrils. ThT binds specifically to amyloid fibrils, but not monomeric forms of A. In this assay a decrease or absence of ThT fluorescence indicates that the molecule being tested reduces and/or blocks the formation of amyloid fibrils. However, it is difficult to infer from this assay alone at which point along the amyloid formation pathway the compound acts, i.e., does interfere with monomer to protofibrils transition or block protofibrils to fibril transition.

[0047] Assay 2: Targeting Protofibrillar A Assay (Timeframe 24-48 Hrs) (See FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D):

[0048] In this assay it was started with a size exclusion purified protofibrillar mixture of A42 (PF). This was incubated with the compound of interest (C) at 37 C. The extent of aggregation was then assessed at 24 and 48 hrs by Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence. A decrease or absence of an increase in ThT fluorescence signal of protofibrils indicates that the molecule being tested reduces and/or blocks the formation of amyloid fibrils. This could occur via at least two mechanisms; i) blocking protofibrils to fibril transition or ii) inducing the dissociation/disaggregation of protofibrils. A decrease in the ThT signal of protofibrils would suggest that dissociation of protofibrils is taking place, whereas an unchanged ThT signal would suggest inhibition of fibril formation by stabilization of protofibrils.

[0049] A42 LMW and PF were used at a final concentration of 10 pM and incubated alone or with the compounds at a ratio of 1:0.5 or 1:2.

[0050] The following compounds were tested:

[0051] NP1: Rosemary extract

[0052] NP2: Rosemary extract+Lal

[0053] NP5: Chicoric acid

[0054] NP6: Chicoric acid+Lal

[0055] NP7: Caftaric acid

[0056] NP8: Caftaric acid+Lal

[0057] NP27: Lal 10 mg/ml

[0058] NP28: Lal 90 mg/ml

[0059] NP29: Lal 60 mg/ml

[0060] They were prepared as follows:

[0061] NP1: 10 mg of Rosemary extract (Robertet P31) from Robertet (France) was dissolved in 1 ml phosphate buffer (10 mM, pH 7.0) and the mixture was incubated 6 h at 37 C. (thermomixer)

[0062] NP2: 10 mg of Rosemary extract (Robertet P31) from Robertet (France) was dissolved in 1 ml phosphate buffer (10 mM, pH 7.0). To this solution, 10 mg of a spray-dried preparation of Lal was added and the mixture was incubated 6 h at 37 C. (thermomixer). The cells were removed by centrifugation (3000 g, 5 min) and the supernatant tested.

[0063] NP5: Chicoric acid (10 mM, produced internally by organic synthesis) in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) was incubated 24 h at 37 C.

[0064] NP6: To chicoric acid (10 mM, produced internally by organic synthesis) in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), 60 mg of a spray-dried preparation of Lal was added. The mixture was then incubated 24 h at 37 C. (thermomixer). The cells were removed by centrifugation (3000 g, 5 min) and the supernatant tested.

[0065] NP7: Caftaric acid (10 mM, produced internally by organic synthesis) in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) was incubated 24 h at 37 C.

[0066] NP8: To caftaric acid (10 mM, produced internally by organic synthesis) in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), 90 mg of a spray-dried preparation of Lal was added. The mixture was then incubated 24 h at 37 C. (thermomixer). The cells were removed by centrifugation (3000 g, 5 min) and the supernatant tested. NP27, NP28 and NP29: A 10 mg, 90 mg or 60 mg of a spray-dried preparation of Lal was dissolved in 1 ml phosphate butter (10 mM, pH 7.0) and incubated 24 h at 37 C. (thermomixer). The cells were removed by centrifugation (3000 g, 5 min) and the supernatant tested.

[0067] The results are shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, 3A-3D, 4A-4D and 5A-5F, and in Table 1 and 2.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 NP1 (1:0.5) NP2 (1:0.5) NP1 (1:2) NP2 (1:2) LMW (effects of compounds compared to control without compounds) - signal intensity 24 h No effect Slight decrease Decrease Decrease (stronger effect (stronger effect than with NP1) than with NP1) 48 h Decrease Decrease Decrease Decrease (stronger effect (stronger effect than with NP1) than with NP1) PF (effects of compounds compared to control without compounds) - signal intensity 24 h Slight Decrease Decrease Decrease decrease (stronger effect (stronger effect than with NP1) than with NP1) 48 h Decrease Decrease Decrease Decrease (same effect (same effect as with NP1) as with NP1) NP1: Rosemary extract NP2: Rosemary extract + Lal NP5 (1:0.5) NP6 (1:0.5) NP5 (1:2) NP6 (1:2) LMW (effects of compounds compared to control without compounds) - signal intensity 24 h Decrease Decrease Decrease Decrease (same effect (same effect as with NP5) as with NP5) 48 h Decrease Decrease Decrease Decrease (same effect (stronger effect as with NP5) than with NP5) PF (effects of compounds compared to control without compounds) - signal intensity 24 h Decrease Decrease Decrease Decrease (same effect (same effect as with NP5) as with NP5) 48 h Decrease Decrease Decrease Decrease (same effect (same effect as with NP5) as with NP5) NP5: Chicoric acid NP6: Chicoric acid + Lal NP7 (1:0.5) NP8 (1:0.5) NP7 (1:2) NP8 (1:2) LMW (effects of compounds compared to control without compounds) - signal intensity 24 h Decrease Decrease Decrease Decrease (same effect (same effect as with NP7) as with NP7) 48 h Decrease Decrease Decrease Decrease (stronger effect (stronger effect than with NP7) than with NP7) PF (effects of compounds compared to control without compounds) - signal intensity 24 h Decrease Decrease Decrease Decrease (same effect (stronger effect as with NP7) than with NP7) 48 h Decrease Decrease Decrease Decrease (same effect (stronger effect as with NP7) than with NP7) NP7: Cafteric acid NP8: Cafteric acid + Lal

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Inhibition of A fibrillization NP 1 LMW 50% PF 62% NP 2 LMW 57% PF 58% NP 5 LMW 50% PF 41% NP 6 LMW 60% PF 41% NP 7 LMW 42% PF 35% NP 8 LMW 60% PF 58% NP 27 LMW 27% PF 0% no activity NP 28 LMW 0% PF 5% no activity NP 29 LMW 18% PF 0% no activity