阅读说明：本技术 用于缓解***反应症状的表儿茶素 (Epicatechin for alleviating symptoms of allergy ) 是由 A·梅赛尼尔 A·辛格 S·霍尔沃特 F·迪欧尼斯 L·阿克蒂戈雷塔 于 2012-08-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及用于缓解变态反应症状的表儿茶素。本发明涉及用于预防或减轻变态反应性障碍和/或变态反应的症状的表儿茶素。本发明进一步涉及用于所述用途的食物、食物产品、食物补充剂或药物产品形式的表儿茶素。(The present invention relates to epicatechin for use in alleviating symptoms of allergy. The present invention relates to epicatechin for use in preventing or alleviating symptoms of allergic disorders and/or allergies. The invention further relates to epicatechin for use in the form of a food, food product, food supplement or pharmaceutical product.)

1. Use of epicatechin for the preparation of a medicament for the secondary prevention of allergic disorders and/or reactions.

2. Use according to claim 1, wherein the allergic disorder is selected from skin allergy, allergic contact dermatitis, food allergy, allergic rhinitis or asthma.

3. The use of claim 1 or 2, wherein the secondary prevention is the reduction or prevention of symptoms of allergic disorders and/or allergies, wherein the symptoms are intestinal discomfort, diarrhea, vomiting, skin irritation, atopic eczema, respiratory irritation, eye irritation or combinations thereof.

4. Use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein epicatechin is administered to a human or a pet animal, in particular a cat or a dog.

5. The use according to claim 4, wherein the human is a young child of age 4 months to 6 years, an older child of age 6 to 18 years, or an adult.

6. Use according to claim 4 or 5, wherein epicatechin is administered to the human in an amount ranging from 25mg to 10g per day, preferably from 100mg to 5g per day, even more preferably from 300mg to 1g per day.

7. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein epicatechin is provided in the form of a plant extract or concentrate.

8. The use of claim 7, wherein the plant extract or concentrate is an extract or concentrate from apple, cocoa or tea.

9. Use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein epicatechin is provided in the form of a composition comprising at least 0.1 wt%, preferably at least 1 wt% epicatechin.

10. Use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein epicatechin is provided in the form of a composition comprising at least 10 wt%, 20 wt% or 40 wt% epicatechin.

11. Use according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the composition is a food product, a food supplement or a pharmaceutical product.

12. The use of claim 11, wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of an infant feeding composition, a follow-on formula, a growing-up milk, an infant cereal or an infant food product.

13. Use according to claim 11, wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of a beverage product, a yoghurt product, fermented milk, a fruit juice or a cereal bar.

14. Use according to claim 11, wherein the food product is a food for special medical purposes, such as an orally fed healthcare food product, an enterally fed nutritional product or a parenterally fed product.

15. The use of claim 11 wherein the food product is a pet food product.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to epicatechin for secondary prevention of allergic disorders and/or allergies.

Background

The incidence of allergic disorders is significantly increased in developed countries, and a variety of factors (e.g. environmental, genetics, hygiene, diet) are known to influence their occurrence. For susceptible individuals, allergies may start early in the infant, such as atopic eczema, limited to or followed by development of food allergies. Respiratory allergies such as allergic rhinitis and asthma occur later in life and complete the sequelae of the allergic phenomenon. Allergy corresponds to a deregulated immune response to a number of allergens normally present in the environment (e.g. dust mites or pollen) or in food (e.g. milk, eggs, nuts or wheat). Recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology of allergy have indicated a complex series of immune cell interactions that can be modulated to affect sensitization to the allergen (i.e. prevention) or to help alleviate the phenomena and symptoms of allergy.

Currently, most of the treatment options available for allergy, such as corticosteroids and antihistamines, are directed to treating different allergy symptoms. However, to prove very effective, factors such as the dosage, route and regimen of administration dictate the efficacy of such treatments, albeit with side effects sometimes associated with long-term use of such drugs.

Nutritional interventions to prevent the development of or control the symptoms of allergic disorders are a promising alternative and have been evaluated in a number of preclinical and clinical settings. In general, the protective action of probiotics (Kalliomaki et al, Lancet.2001,357:1076-9), prebiotics (Arslaoglu et al, 2008, J Nutr 138: 1091-. Dietary polyphenols and polyphenol-rich plants have also been extensively studied in many disease models, and published data suggest that their presence may play an important role in preventing tissue damage due to oxidative stress, and thus may have potential for anti-allergy.

For example, Z ü rcher et al, 2010, clinical Exp Allergy,40(6):942-50, disclose that polyphenol rich apple extract attenuates food Allergy in mice.A consumption of especially flavonol rich apple extract reduces symptoms at the onset of food allergy.Lee et al, 2010, Inflamm Res 59: 847-.

The effect of polyphenols on respiratory allergies was also investigated. Nauta et al, 2008, Eur J Pharmacol 585: 354-. Therefore, EGCG was identified as a potent inhibitor.

Typically, natural extracts of plant material, e.g. from apples or tea, contain only small amounts of those active ingredients which are currently identified. This may make it difficult to actually apply, for example, effective daily doses of those extracts to a patient in need thereof.

Moreover, the choice of natural compounds isolated from food-grade materials that have proven to have the potential to prevent or alleviate the symptoms of allergy is still very limited. It is advantageous to know more of these compounds in order to compare and evaluate their respective activities, in order to optimize and potentiate the action of compositions containing these active compounds, and in order to ultimately provide the patient in need thereof with a regimen that can be part of the natural daily diet.

There is still a need to find new and alternative compounds for the prevention and alleviation of allergic disorders or symptoms of allergy without some of the above mentioned inconveniences (incovenience) and/or options for supplementing already existing active ingredients. In particular, the new regimen should not have adverse health or side effects on long-term consumption, and the compounds should theoretically be available from natural sources, and in any case, it is practical and feasible to have a sufficiently high dose (onset) to be consumed by the individual as part of a daily diet.

Disclosure of Invention

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1: schematic representation of the food allergy model used.

FIG. 2: the concentrations of epicatechin in the different apple extracts studied.

FIG. 3: results of allergy symptom test of mice treated with apple extract with and without high concentration of epicatechin.

FIG. 4: results of allergy symptoms test in mice treated with epicatechin-rich cocoa extract.

FIG. 5: results of allergy symptoms test of mice treated with chemically pure epicatechin.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to epicatechin for use in preventing or reducing allergic disorders and/or symptoms of allergy, wherein the allergic disorder is selected from skin allergy, allergic contact dermatitis, food allergy, allergic rhinitis or asthma.

For susceptible individuals, the allergy may start early in the infant, i.e. for example a skin allergy such as atopic eczema, limited to or followed by a development of a food allergy, for example against certain cow's milk proteins, eggs and wheat proteins, nuts or shellfish. Respiratory allergies such as allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma occur later in life. Allergy means a dysregulated immune response to a variety of allergens normally present in the environment (e.g. dust mites or plant pollen) or in food (e.g. milk, eggs, nuts).

The term "skin allergy" herein denotes skin itching and rash. One form of skin allergy is usually atopic dermatitis (eczema), which commonly occurs in young children. It can also start in young adults and continue into adult life. Other included under skin allergy is urticaria, also commonly known as rubella, which is an prurigo that can occur at any age.

The term "allergic contact dermatitis" as used herein means contact dermatitis which results from contact of the skin with substances causing a rash-like reaction. Humans respond to a variety of chemicals, including cosmetics, hair dyes, metals, topical drugs, dental materials, and botanicals, such as plants of the toxicodendron family. Such contact allergies occur in humans or animals of all ages.

The term "food allergy" herein denotes an adverse immune response to food, in particular food proteins. The most common foods known to trigger allergies are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (nuts), fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. Some of these food allergens may become depleted with age (outlown), but some such as peanuts and shellfish may remain lifelong allergic reactions for an individual. The symptoms of food allergy can range from local immune reactions such as eosinophilic esophagitis or systemic manifestations as cyanosis, diarrhea, hypothermia and anaphylaxis.

The term "allergic rhinitis", also commonly referred to as hay fever or hay fever, refers herein to allergic inflammation of the nasal airways and is characterized by nasal obstruction and watery, sneezing and itching. Ocular symptoms such as redness and tear-containing eyes are also present. Allergic rhinitis occurs when an individual of the sensitized immune system inhales an allergen such as pollen or dust mites. In such individuals, the allergen triggers antibody immunoglobulin e (ige) production.

The term "asthma" herein denotes a common chronic inflammatory disease of the lower airway and is characterized by wheezing, mucus production and impairment of lung function.

Epicatechin is used for the use of the present invention, wherein the symptom may be intestinal discomfort, diarrhea, vomiting, skin irritation, atopic eczema, respiratory irritation, eye irritation, or a combination thereof.

The action of epicatechin is more particularly that of secondary prevention of allergy. In the mouse model of the examples described below, the symptoms of allergy were indeed significantly reduced, as indicated by the lower clinical score of allergy. In general, symptoms may include all commonly recognized allergy symptoms or a selection of commonly recognized allergy symptoms. These symptoms include cutaneous (redness, rash, itching, dermatitis, eczema), ocular (itching and watery eyes), gastrointestinal (congestion, abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea), respiratory (nasal itching, sneezing, nasal congestion, rhinitis, asthma) and in severe cases systemic (dizziness, confusion, immobility, allergic reactions).

The inventors have demonstrated that when sensitized young mammals are provided with an epicatechin-rich extract or isolated forms of epicatechin, the allergic reactions and symptoms can be alleviated. The animal model mimics food allergy in humans when humans, typically infants or young children, are naturally sensitized to food allergens. This defines the positive effect of epicatechin on secondary prevention of allergy.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the allergic disorder and/or the allergy may be food allergy.

Epicatechin is administered to a human or companion animal, particularly a cat or dog.

Epicatechin can be administered to people of all ages. Advantageously, however, epicatechin is administered to a patient as soon as possible at the onset of development of allergy and its symptoms, i.e. already in the early stages of life in many cases. Thus, the human is preferably a young child of age 4 months to 6 years or an older child or adult of up to 18 years of age.

In an alternative embodiment, epicatechin is intended to be consumed by an animal, preferably a cat or dog. Similar to humans, allergies and symptoms of such allergies can be observed in animals, especially domestic animals and animals kept as pets. Advantageously, the present invention provides a regimen that can be provided to a companion animal by its owner.

Epicatechin is administered to a human in an amount ranging from 25mg to 10g per day, 50mg to 10g per day, preferably 100mg to 5g per day, even more preferably 300mg to 1g per day. These preferred dosages provide on the one hand sufficient epicatechin per day for the relevant patient to provide the expected health benefit and on the other hand do not provide an excess of epicatechin to prevent any risk of potentially undesirable or toxic effects to the patient.

In one embodiment, the epicatechin is provided as a plant extract or concentrate. This provides epicatechin in its natural form and environment, but in a concentrated state. Thus, epicatechin is a natural source and may be provided in a food product that is recognized and welcomed by consumers and still be provided with the necessary amount of active epicatechin. Another advantage is that epicatechin does not need to be first prepared in a purified form (e.g., by chemical synthesis), thus also providing a more economical solution to providing epicatechin to consumers.

Advantageously, epicatechin is provided as a plant extract, which naturally already contains substantial levels of epicatechin, and which is highly appreciated by consumers. Thus, the plant extract or concentrate may preferably be an extract or concentrate of apple, cocoa or tea.

In a preferred embodiment, the epicatechin is provided in the form of a composition comprising at least 0.1 wt%, preferably at least 1 wt% epicatechin. Alternatively, epicatechin is provided in a composition comprising at least 10 wt%, such as at least 20 wt% or 40 wt%. Thus, the composition may be enriched for epicatechin by concentrating epicatechin in which it already naturally occurs or supplementing the composition with, for example, an epicatechin-rich plant extract or synthetically prepared epicatechin. Advantageously, the resulting composition comprises an amount of epicatechin that is effective when the composition is consumed normally, possibly daily (e.g., as part of a food product). Thus, for example, compositions comprising 0.1 to 1 wt% epicatechin may be well suited for compositions provided to young children as part of a regular diet. Alternatively, adults may prefer a more epicatechin-concentrated composition that can be consumed between meals rather than as part of a regular diet.

Epicatechin for use in the present invention is provided in the form of a composition which is a food product, a food supplement or a pharmaceutical product.

In a preferred embodiment, the food product is selected from the group consisting of an infant feeding composition, a follow-on formula, a growing-up milk, an infant cereal or an infant food product. These products are particularly well suited to address and solve the problem of preventing or alleviating the symptoms of allergy in infants and young children.

In a further embodiment, the food product is selected from the group consisting of a beverage product, a yoghurt product, a fermented milk, a fruit juice or a cereal bar. These food products are well suited for administering epicatechin to larger children and adults. The food product may be well enriched with epicatechin and has a credible appearance to provide a health oriented functional food product for the consumer.

One particular need for products that reduce the symptoms of allergies may be in a clinical setting, such as in hospitals, clinics and the elderly. Thus, in a further embodiment, the food product is a food for a particular medical purpose, such as an orally fed health food product, and/or an enterally fed nutritional product. The present invention is advantageous in that epicatechin, an active ingredient, can be provided in a medical food product of relatively high local concentration and low volume, and thus can be effectively administered to a patient in need thereof.

In a further embodiment, the food product is a pet food product.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they may freely combine all of the features of the invention disclosed herein. In particular, features described in relation to different embodiments of the invention may be combined. Further advantages and features of the invention become apparent from the figures and examples.

Detailed Description