Composition for treating fatty liver

Abstract

A composition for treating fatty liver which comprises extracts of ginseng, Atractylodes rhizome, Crataegus cuneate, Alisma tuber and Cassia obtusifolia L.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a therapeutic composition for treating fatty liver prescribed based on Clinical Traditional Chinese Medicine.

BACKGROUND ART

In many cases, liver dysfunction that, it is said, one out of four Japanese suffer from, is fatty liver. Fatty liver is one of lifestyle-related diseases, and patients notice it first, in many cases, only when the fatty liver is found in a health examination or comprehensive medical examination because most cases are asymptomatic. Fatty liver may progress to cirrhosis and hepatitis when it is left untreated.

Treatment of fatty liver includes a dietary therapy, exercise therapy, pharmacological treatment and the like. Though dietary therapy and exercise therapy are important for patients with fatty liver, these therapies require the patients to change their lifestyle and therefore it is quite difficult for the patients to pursue these therapies.

Ursodeoxycholic acid (referred to as “Urso”), polyenephosphatidylcholine, diisopropylamine dichloroacetate and the like are known as therapeutic drugs for treating fatty liver in Western medicine. Urso is a hepatoprotector for chronic hepatitis and does not actually treat fatty liver. In addition, polyenephosphatidylcholine and diisopropylamine dichloroacetate are used for indirectly improving the condition of fatty liver and not for treating fatty liver itself.

In Kampo (Japan's assimilated version of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)), there are known prescriptions that treat fatty liver. Frequently used prescriptions include “bofutsushosan (, fáng fēng tōng shèng s{hacek over (a)}n; Divaricate Saposhnikovia Miraculous Powder)”, “daisaikoto (, dà chái hú tāng; Major Bupleurum Decoction)”, and “tokakujokito (, táo hé chég qì tāng; Peach Kernel Purgative Decoction)”. However, these prescriptions do not have direct therapeutic effects on the fatty liver; it is said that their primary effects are general health-promotion benefits.

Furthermore, in certain cases, neither pharmacological treatment in conventional Western medicine nor Kampo medicine has significantly improved the condition of fatty liver.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a therapeutic composition (Kampo prescription) which can significantly improve the condition of fatty liver even in cases where there is no improvement by conventional dietary therapy, exercise therapy and/or pharmacological treatment.

Furthermore, an object of the invention is, by classifying fatty liver into plural types, to provide a therapeutic composition (Kampo prescription) that is more effective for treating each type of fatty liver.

According to the invention, the following therapeutic compositions for fatty liver are provided.

1. A therapeutic composition for treating fatty liver comprising the extracts of Ginseng, Atractylodes Rhizome, Crataegus Fruit, Alisma Tuber and Cassia Seed.

2. The therapeutic composition for treating fatty liver according to 1, further comprising the extracts of Poria Sclerotium, Rhubarb, Citrus Unshiu Peel, Bupleurum Root and Astragalus Root.

3. The therapeutic composition for treating fatty liver according to 2, wherein the composition is used for treating fatty liver unaccompanied by a disease other than fatty liver.

4. The therapeutic composition for treating fatty liver according to 1, further comprising the extracts of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root, Pueraria Root, Polygonum Root, Vaccaria Segetalis and Cnidium Rhizome.

5. The therapeutic composition for treating fatty liver according to 4, wherein the composition is used for treating fatty liver accompanied by cardiovascular disorder.

6. The therapeutic composition for treating fatty liver according to 1, further comprising the extract of Eucommia Bark, Lycium Fruit, Cistanche Herb, Dioscorea Rhizome and Cornus Fruit.

7. The therapeutic composition for treating fatty liver according to 6, wherein the composition is used for treating fatty liver accompanied by diabetes mellitus.

According to the invention, a therapeutic composition (Kampo prescription) for treating fatty liver that can significantly improve the condition of the fatty liver can be provided.

According to the invention, fatty liver can be classified into plural types, and an effective therapeutic composition (Kampo prescription) can be provided for each type of fatty liver.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A therapeutic composition for treating fatty liver according to the invention (hereinafter, referred to as a composition of the invention) is characterized by comprising the extracts of Ginseng, Atractylodes Rhizome, Crataegus Fruit, Alisma Tuber and Cassia Seed.

In this description, the term “extract” means an extracted material.

In Western medicine, fatty livers are regarded as in one category, and often treated alike using a single uniform pharmacological treatment. However, in Kampo medicine, fatty liver is classified into five types, and medical treatment using an optimized prescription is performed for each type.

To treat fatty liver using the composition of the invention, an optimized prescription is prepared depending on the type of fatty liver, and contains at least five kinds of ingredients mentioned above.

Among patient groups with fatty liver classified into the five types, the invention mainly provides suitable prescriptions particularly for the following three types of fatty liver.

A. Standard type: A group of patients without any disease or history of any disease other than fatty liver

B. Cardiovascular disorder type: A group of patients with cardiovascular disease or the history of cardiovascular disease other than fatty liver

C. Diabetes mellitus type: A group of patients with diabetes mellitus other than fatty liver

A therapeutic composition for treating fatty liver according to the invention to treat a standard type of fatty liver (hereinafter, referred to as a composition for a standard type of fatty liver) comprises the extracts of Poria Sclerotium, Rhubarb, Citrus Unshiu Peel, Bupleurum Root, and Astragalus Root, in addition to the five kinds of ingredients mentioned above.

A therapeutic composition for treating fatty liver according to the invention to treat a cardiovascular disorder type of fatty liver (hereinafter, referred to as a composition for a cardiovascular disorder type of fatty liver) comprises the extracts of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root, Pueraria Root, Polygonurn Root, Vaccaria Segetalis and Cnidium Rhizome in addition to the five kinds of ingredients mentioned above.

A therapeutic composition for treating fatty liver according to the invention to treat a diabetes mellitus type of fatty liver (hereinafter, referred to as a composition for the diabetes mellitus type of fatty liver) comprises the extracts of Eucommia Bark, Lycium Fruit, Cistanche Herb, Dioscorea Rhizome and Cornus Fruit in addition to the five kinds of ingredients mentioned above.

According to the composition of the invention, the improvement in liver functions was significantly recognized for patients with fatty liver for which improvement was not seen by conventional treatment.

Specifically, the increase in adiponectin level in the blood, a protein secreted by adipocytes, and the reduction of transaminase level in the blood, which is abundant in the hepatocytes, were confirmed. The details will be explained in Test examples later.

The compositions of the invention contain various kinds of Kampo crude drugs, and a therapeutic effect for treating fatty liver can be obtained by the synergetic effect of these multiple ingredients. The inventors of the invention formulated the compositions of the invention, namely the combination of Kampo crude drugs, based on their knowledge and experience on Kampo medicine.

Liu Da Qi, one of the inventors of the invention, devised a Kampo prescription of the invention. Currently, Liu is a leading Chinese scholar in the world's only established operation of a custom-made medicine system by Rokushin/Juchi therapy (composed of six diagnoses and ten treatments) and the classic nutrition study, that is, dietary therapy (prophylaxis and treatment of diseases by a dietary regimen) based on Clinical Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Also, Masanori Nasu, another inventor of the invention, is an expert in procuring, processing, obtaining extracts, and performing the quality control of Kampo crude drugs. Nasu achieved to produce the compositions of the invention by using Kampo prescriptions formulated by Liu and optimizing them as extracts to be administered to patients.

The name of each Kampo crude drug used in the scope of patent claims of the application is based on the gloss index of “Kampo Igaku Daijiten 1 Yakubutsu-hen (Kampo Medicine Dictionary 1 pharmacological drug section)” (Edited by People's Medical Publishing House Co. Ltd., published by Yukonsha Co. Ltd.). As can be seen from the following description, the same Kampo crude drug may have plural another names. Therefore, even if a Kampo crude drug used in the invention is written in another name, the Kampo crude drug is the same as the Kampo crude drug used in the invention. The Table shown below summarizes the names of Kampo crude drugs used in the scope of patent claims and another name of them.

TABLE 1
Name of Kampo crude drug
(Chinese character)      Another name
Ginseng                  rén xián     shén căo     bàng chuí
Atractylodes Rhizome     báishù    yú shù    dōng shù     shān jì    shān jing
Cragaegus Fruit          táng qiú zi     hóng guŏzi
Alisma Tuber             zé xiè    shuĭ xiè     jí xiè     máng yù     tiān tū
Cassia Seed              căo jué míng     mătí jué míng     Jiă l{grave over (ü)}dòu
Portia Sclerotium        fú tú     bái fúlíng     yún líng
Rhubarb                  jiāngjūn     chuānjūn     {tilde over (j)}ĩn wén dàhuáng
Citrus Unshiu Peel       chénpí     hóng pí     huáng jú pí
Bupleurum Root           bĕi chái hú     jin chái hú     zhí chái hú
Astragalus Root          huáng qí     mián huáng qí     jiàn qí
Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root hónggēn     zĭ dānshēn     xuè cān gēn     dàhóng páo
Pueraria Root            gān gé     fĕn gé
Polygonum Root           shŏu wū     dijing     hóng nèi xiāo     chi shŏu wū
                         xiăo dú gēn
Vaccaria Segetalis       liú hàng zi     quán bù liú     mài lánzi     dàmài niú
                         năi mĭ     wáng mŭ niú
Cnidium Rhizome          qiōng qióng     fŭ qiōng
Eucommia Bark            mùmián     sī zhòng     mì mián pí     chĕ mì pí     sī lián pí
Lycium Fruit             qĭ zi     gŏuqĭ guŏ
Cistanche Herb           dijing     dà yún     jin sŭn     cùn yún
Dioscorea Rhizome        shān shŭ     huáishān yào
Cornus Fruit             shān yú ròu     ròu zăo     yào zăo

Hereinafter, Kampo crude drugs used for the composition of the invention will be explained individually on their original plant source, main ingredient, place of harvest, taste and nature, efficacy, effect, clinical application and the like. Efficacy effect and clinical application are described for each crude drug alone. The efficacy and the like are not for combination of crude drugs.

1. Commonly Used Ingredients

Ginseng:

Original plant source: The root of Panax ginseng in the family Araliaceae

Ingredients: More than 13 types of panaxosides (it is also called as ginsenoside), Main ingredient is saponin.

Place of harvest: Jilin, Liaoning and the like

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Sweet, slightly bitter, warm. Qì enters the spleen/lung meridians.

Efficacy: To fortify the deficit of qì and stabilize a prostration state, fortify the lung functions and replenish the spleen. Seishin (, shēng jīn; to promote the excretion of saliva or body fluid), Anshin (, ān shén; to relieve uneasiness of mind and body tranquilization), Yakuchi (, yì zhì; to activate the cerebral functions)

Effect: It is able to enhance nonspecific resistance (immune response) of the human body, and modify the predisposition to the onset of diseases, and can restore aberrant conditions to a normal state of health.

Ginseng used for the composition of the invention is preferably Chinese ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Mey.) (referred to as Korean ginseng or Goryeo ginseng) and Kojin (red ginseng) that are thought to have high efficacy.

Atractylodes Rhizome:

Original plant source: Root of Atractylodes ovata DC. in the family Compositae

Ingredients: Main ingredients are atractylol, atractylon and the like

Place of harvest: Zhejiang, Anhui and the like

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Sweet, bitter, warm. Qì enters the spleen/stomach meridians.

Efficacy: Kenpi (, jàn pí; to fortify the spleen), Ekki (, yì qì; to replenish qì), Soshitu (, zào shī; to relieve dampness from the body), Shotan (, xiāo tán; to disperse phlegm), Risui (, lì shu{hacek over (i)}; to regulate water metabolism in the body), Shikan (, zh{hacek over (i)} hàn; to suppress sweating)

Clinical applications: Treatment for Hii Kyojaku (, pí wèi xū ruò; weak spleen and stomach), Shokusho Kentai (, shí xi{hacek over (a)}o juàn dài; small appetite and fatigue), dyspepsia, Kyocho (, xū zhāng; distension), Sessha (, xiè xiě; diarrhea), Tan'in (, tán y{hacek over (i)}n; general term of phlegm and fluid. abnormal fluids stagnated in the body), Gen un (, xuàn yūn; dizziness), Suishu (, shu{hacek over (i)} zh{hacek over (o)}ng; edema), Odan (, , huáng d{hacek over (a)}n; jaundice), Shitsuhi (, shī bì; arthritis with fixed pain caused by dampness), Shoben Furi (, xi{hacek over (a)}o biàn bù lì; to decrease in urinary volume, oliguria), Jikan (, zì hàn; excessive perspiration) and Taido Fuan (, tāi dòng bù ān; threatened miscarriage).

Crataegus Fruit:

Original plant source: Fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. or Crataegus cuneate Sieb. et Zucc. in the family Rosaceae

Ingredients: The fruits of Crataegus pinnatifida contain crategolic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, malic acid, flavonoid, lactone, glucoside, vitamin C, tannin, bioquercetin, and the like. The fruits of Crataegus cuneate contain crategolic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tannin, saponin, vitamin C, and the like.

Place of harvest: Shandong, Hebei, Henan, Jiangsu and the like

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Sour/sweet, lukewarm. Qì enters the spleen/stomach/liver meridians.

Efficacy: Shoshoku Kaseki (, xiāo shí huà jī; to relieve gastrointestinal undigested substances and promote digestion), San o (, s{hacek over (a)}n yū; to improve the blood stasis). It helps digestion by increasing digestive enzymes in the gastric juice, and slightly decreases the fat levels in the blood.

Clinical applications: Treatment for Nikuseki Shokutai (, ròu jī shí zhì; symptoms that food and drink stagnate due to overeating meats, such as heavy stomach, loss of appetite, odorous eructation, nausea), Fukutu Sessha (, fù tòng xiè xiè; diarrhea with abdominal pain), bacillary dysentery, Tan'in Himan Donsan (, tán y{hacek over (i)}n p{hacek over (i)} m{hacek over (a)}n tūn suān; food and drink don't go down to the stomach smoothly, discomfort and distension, acid regurgitation), Odan, and Senki Hentsui Chotsu (, shàn qì piān zhuì zhàng tòng; hernia/testis swelling and pain); and Treatment of hyperlipemia.

Alisma Tuber:

Original plant source: Groundnut of Alisma orientalis (Sam.) Juzep. in the family Alismataceae

Ingredients: Triterpenoids such as alisol and acetate ester thereof and the like, essential oil, alkaloids, resin, asparagine, and the like

Place of harvest: Fujian, Sichuan, Jiangxi

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Sweet, cold. Qì enters the kidney/bladder meridians.

Efficacy: Risui, Sanshitsu (, shèn shī; removal of the body fluid), Setsunetsu (, xiè rè; purge heat), diuresis, anti-fatty liver

Clinical applications: Treatment for Shoben Furi, Suishu Choman (, shu{hacek over (i)} zh{hacek over (o)}ng zhàng m{hacek over (a)}n; edema and bloating with excess of body fluid), beriberi, diarrhea, Tan'in, Gen un, gonorrhea, hematuria, and leukorrhea.

Cassia Seed:

Original plant source: Seeds of Cassia obtusifolia L. or Cassia tora L. in the family Leguminosae

Ingredients: Anthraquinones such as chrysophanol, emodin-6-methyl ether, obtusifolin, obtusin, aurantio-obtusin, chrysoobtusin, chrysophanic acid-9-anthrone and the like, and carotene

Place of harvest: Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangxi, Guangdong, Sichuan, and the like

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Bitter, cool. Qì enters the liver/kidney meridians.

Efficacy: Seikan Meimoku (, gīng gān míng mù; to clear the liver-heat and restore the function of the eyes), Juncho Tsuben (, rùn cháng tōng biàn; to moisten intestine and stimulate bowel movements to excrete waste products)

Clinical applications: Treatment for Mokuseki Shutsu (, mù chì zh{hacek over (a)}ng tòng; congestion of the eyes with swelling and pain), Shumei Tarui (, xiū míng duō lèi; tears responding to the bright light (epiphora)), Seimo Naisho (, qīng máng nèi zhàng; glaucoma and cataract), Kakumaku Kaiyo (, ji{hacek over (a)}o mó kuì yáng; corneal ulcer), cephalalgia attributed to hypertension, Gen un, hepatitis, and habitual constipation.

2. Additional Ingredients Corresponding to the Type of Fatty Liver

A. Additional Kampo Crude Drugs for the Standard Type

Poria Sclerotium:

Original plant source: Dried sclerotium of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf in the family Polyporaceae

Place of harvest: Anhui, Hubei, Henan, Yunnan

Ingredients: Triterpene ingredients such as tumulosic acid, pachymic acid, and eburicoic acid, dehydroeburicoic acid, pnicoline acid and the like, β-pachyman, ergosterol, lecithin and the like

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Sweet/light, flat (neutral). Qì enters the heart/spleen/kidney meridians.

Efficacy: Risui Sanshitsu (, lì shu{hacek over (i)} shèn shī; to relieve excessive water from the body), Kenpi Wai (, jiàn pí hé wèi; to solve the stomach problem using the drug for spleen), Neishin Anshin (, níng xīn ān shén; to ease anxious thought and stabilize psychological conditions).

Clinical applications: Treatment for Shoben Furi, Suishu Choman, Tan'in Gaiso (, tán y{hacek over (i)}n ké sòu; cough due to abnormal fluids stagnated in the body), Shokusho Kanmon (, shí gu{hacek over (a)}n mèn; lost appetite and abdominal discomfort), diarrhea, dizziness, pulsation, and insomnia.

Rhubarb:

Original plant source: Roots or rhizome of Rheum palmatum L., Rheum officinale Baill., or Rheum tangticum Maxim. et Regel in the family Polygonaceae

Ingredients: Anthraquinone derivatives such as Sennosides A-F, aloe-emodin, rhein, chrysophanol and the like. Others; phenolic torachrysone, catechol such as catechol tannin, and the like

Place of harvest: Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Bitter, cold. Qì enters the stomach/large intestine/liver meridians.

Efficacy: Shanetsudoku (, xiè rè dú; to regulate excessive heat and fever), Tosekitai (, dàng jī zhì; to eliminate waste materials accumulated in the body), Gyo Oketsu (, xíng yū xuè; to relieve congestion and hematogenous disorder)

Clinical applications: Treatment for Jitsunetsu Benpi (, shí rè biàn mí; moisture (body fluid) in the body will be consumed by heat, the inside of the intestines will dry and moisture will cease, so the feces will solidify), Sengo Hakkyo (, zhān y{hacek over (u)} fā kuáng; making delirious sounds, derangement), Shokushaku Teitai (, shí jī tíng zhì; indigestion and stagnation), Fukutsu Shari (, fù tòng xiè lì; abdominal pain and diarrhea), Shitunetsu Odan (, shī rè huáng d{hacek over (a)}n; jaundice due to dampness and fever), Rindaku (, lín zhuó; dysuria and turbid urine), Soseki (, sōu chì; hematuria), Yoshu Soyo (, yōng zh{hacek over (o)}ng chuāng yáng; blotch and swelling), Bogan Sekitsu (, baò y{hacek over (a)}n chì tòng; congested swollen eye with pain); and Treatment for hematemesis, epistaxis, Ketsuo Heikei (, xuè yū bì jīng; menopause due to blood stasis), Choka (, zhēng ji{hacek over (a)}; abdominal mass).

Citrus Unshiu Peel:

Original plant source: Ripe peel of Citrus reticulata Blanco in the family Rutaceae or its variants

Ingredients: Limonene, hesperidin, neo-hesperidin, tangeretin, citromitin, 5-norcitromitin

Place of harvest: Sichuan, Zhejiang, Fujian, and the like

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Acrid/bitter, warm. Qì enters the spleen/lung meridians.

Efficacy: Riki (, l{hacek over (i)} qì; to tonify qì and restore the functions of qì), Kenpi, Soshitsu, Ketan (, huà tán; to relieve phlegm).

Clinical applications: Treatment for Hii Kitai (, pí wèi qì zhì; qì stagnation in the spleen and stomach), Kanpuku Choman (, gu{hacek over (a)}n fù zhàng m{hacek over (a)}n; abdominal fullness and distention), dyspepsia, vomiting, and hiccup; and Treatment for shisutan Yotai (, shī tán yōng zhì; stagnation or clogging of phlegm), Kyokaku Manmon (, xiōng gé m{hacek over (a)}n mèn; discomfort and distention in the chest area and diaphragm), Gaiso Tatan (, ké sòu duō tán; cough with copious phlegm).

Bupleurum Root:

Original plant source: Roots of Bupleurum chinense DC. (Manshumishimasaiko/Hirohamishimasaiko) or Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. and the like in the family Umbelliferae

Ingredients: The roots of Bupleurum chinense contain saikosaponins A/C/D, rutin, adonitol, α-spinasterol, essential oil and the like. The roots of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. contain saponin, adonitol, α-spinasterol, essential oil and the like.

Place of harvest: Liaoning, Gansu, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Sichuan and the like

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Bitter, slight cold. Qì enters the liver/gallbladder meridians.

Efficacy: Wakai Hyori (, hé jiě bi{hacek over (a)}o lī; harmonize the exterior and interior), Sokan (, shū gān; soothing the liver), Shoyo (, shēng yáng; invigorating the vital function of spleen).

Clinical applications: Treatment for upper respiratory infections, malaria, fevers and chills, Kyoman Kyotsu (, xiōng m{hacek over (a)}n xié tòng; chest stuffiness and hypochondriac pain), hepatitis, biliary tract infections, cholecystitis, irregular menstruation, uterine prolapse, and anal prolapse.

Astragalus Root:

Original plant source: Roots of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. or Astragalus mongholicus Bge. in the family Leguminosae.

Ingredients: Choline, glycinebetaine, coumarin, flavonoid compounds, saponin, amino acid, trace amount of folic acid, and the like

Place of harvest: Gansu, Inner Mongolia and regions of Northeast China

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Sweet, lukewarm. Qì enters the spleen/lung meridians.

Efficacy: Hochu Ekki (, b{hacek over (u)} zhōng yì qì; to tonify the functions of the spleen and stomach using the drug for spleen), Kohyo (, gù bi{hacek over (a)}o; to consolidate the superficial resistance), Risui, Takunodoku (, tuō nóng dú; to promote discharge of pus and toxin), Seiki (, shēng jī; to promote regeneration of tissue)

Clinical applications: Treatment for Hii Kyojaku, inappetency, weariness, Kikyo Ketsudatsu (, xū xuè tuō; deficiency of qì (vital energy) and vibrancy, and losing blood), Horo (, bēng lòu; uterine bleeding; metrorrhagia and metrostaxis), leukorrhea, chronic diarrhea, anal prolapse, uterine prolapse, gastroptosis, and nephroptosis; Apply for Hyokyo Jikan (, bi{hacek over (a)}o xū zì hàn; spontaneous sweating due to exterior deficiency), Tokan (, daò hàn; night sweat); Treatment for Kikyo Suishu (, qì xū shu{hacek over (i)} zh{hacek over (o)}ng; edema due to deficiency of qì (vital energy)), and chronic nephritis; Treatment for Yoso (, yōng jū; malignant skin boil), that does not erupt for a long time, or not heal for a long time after crushed; and Treatment for peptic ulcer.

B. Additional Kampo Crude Drugs for the Cardiovascular Disorder Type

Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root:

Original plant source: Roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. in the family Labiatae

Ingredients: Tanshinone I/IA/B, cryptotanshinone, hydroxytanshinone IIA, dihydrotanshinone, metacutanshinonate, miltirone, danshexinkum AB/C, β-sitosterol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, catechin, rutin, vitamin E and the like

Place of harvest: Hebei, Anhui, Jiangsu, Sichuan and the like

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Bitter, cool. Qì enters the heart/liver meridians.

Efficacy: Kakketsu Kyoo (, huó xuè qū yū; to tonify the blood circulation and relieve congestion), Anshin Neishin (, ān shén nìng xīn; to stabilize unstable psychological state)

Clinical applications: Treatment for irregular menstruation, menopause, Sango Otai fukutsu (, ch{hacek over (a)}n hòu yū zhì fù tòng; postpartum poor blood circulation and abdominal pain), coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, Choka Shakuju (, zhēng ji{hacek over (a)} jī; mass in abdominal area (tumor)), Fusitsu Hitsu (, fēngshī pí tòng; diseases affected on muscles or joints such as rheumatoid arthritis etc. and splenalgia), palpitation, and insomnia.

Root:

Original plant source: Roots of Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi in the family Leguminosae

Ingredients: It contains flavones such as puerarin, puerarin xyloside, daidzein, daidzin and the like, as well as β-sitosterol, arachidonic acid and the like.

Place of harvest: Henan, Hunan, Zhejiang, Sichuan

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Sweet/acrid, flat (neutral). Qì enters the spleen/stomach meridians.

Efficacy: Geki Tainetsu (, jiě jī tuìrè; to relieve muscles to expel heat), Toshin (, tōu zhěn; to promote eruption), Seishin, Shisha (, zh{hacek over (i)} xiè; to stop diarrhea)

Clinical applications: Treatment for Kanbo Hatsunetsu (, g{hacek over (a)}n maò fā rè; cold and onset of fever), Totsu Kokyo (, tóu tòng xiàng qiáng; headache, muscle stiffness in the back neck with symptoms of difficulty of moving the neck), Machin Tohatsu Fucho (, má zhěn tòu fā bù chàng; treatment used for malfunction due to measles in the early phase), Netsubyo Hankatsu (, rè bìng fán kě; febrile illness with thirst), Sessha (, xiè xiè; diarrhea), dysentery; and Treatment for Keiko Kyotsu (, j{hacek over (i)}ng xiàng qiáng tòng; neck pain) and angina pectoris that are attributed to hypertension.

Polygonum Root:

Original plant source: Groundnut root of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. in the family Polygonaceae

Ingredients: Chrysophanol, emodin, rhein, physcion, chrysophanic acid anthrone, lecithin and the like

Place of harvest: Henan, Hubei, Guizhou, Sichuan, Jiangsu, Guangxi and the like

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Bitter/sweet, astringent, lukewarm. Qì enters the liver/kidney meridians.

Efficacy: Hokan Ekijin (, b{hacek over (u)} gān yì shèn; to tonify liver and kidney), Yoketsu Jusei (, y{hacek over (a)}ng xuè sè jīng; to nourish the blood and arrest seminal emission); Treatment for Kekkyo (, xuèxū; blood deficiency), dizziness, tinnitus, agrypnia, Shuhatsu Sohaku (, xū fà za{hacek over (o)} bái; gray hair in young age), Yoshitsu Nanjaku (, yaō xī ru{hacek over (a)}n ruò; weak waist and knee), Shitai Mahi (, zhī t{hacek over (i)} má bì; paralysis of four extremities), Kansetsu Santsu (, guān jié suān tòng; pain of joints), Musei (, mèng jīng; wet dream), Kassei (, huá jīng; spermatorrhoea), Horo, leukorrhea, Kyuri (, ji{hacek over (u)} lì; lingering dysentery), hypertension, chronic hepatitis, Hifu Soyo (, pí fū saō y{hacek over (a)}ng; pruritus in skin), Juncho Tsuben, detoxification, Daigyaku (, dài nuè; ague, malaria), Choso benpi (, cháng zaò biàn mì; constipation due to intestinal dryness), Ruireki (, lu{hacek over (o)} lì; scrofula, struma), Kyugyaku (, ji{hacek over (u)} nuè; chronic malaria).

Vaccaria Segetalis

Original plant source: Seeds of Vaccaria segetalis (Neck.) Garcke in the family Catyophyllaceae

Ingredients: vacsegoside, vaccarin and the like

Place of harvest: Hebei, Shandong, Liaoning

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Bitter, flat (neutral). Qì enters the liver/stomach meridians.

Efficacy: Gyoketsu Tsukei (, xíng xuè tōng jīng; to improve the blood circulation and induce or increase menstruation), Kanyu Shoshu (, xiàr{hacek over (u)} xiāo zh{hacek over (o)}ng; to detumescence by lactogenesis)

Clinical applications: Treatment for menopause, Nyuju Futsu (, r{hacek over (u)} zhī bù tōng; galactostasis), mastitis, orchitis, Yoshu Choso (, yōng zh{hacek over (o)}ng dīng chuāng; furunculosis; deep-rooted boil, malignant boil).

Cnidium Rhizome:

Original plant source: Rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort in the family Umbelliferae

Ingredients: Essential oil, alkaloids, butylphthalide, sedanonic acid lactone, ferulic acid, phenylacetic acid methacrylate and the like

Place of harvest: Sichuan

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Acrid, warm. Qì enters the liver/liver/pericardium meridians.

Efficacy: Kakketsu Gyoki (, huóxuè xíng qì; to improve the circulation of blood and qì (vital energy)), Sanfu shisu(, s{hacek over (a)}n fēng zh{hacek over (i)} tòng; to improve heat (hot/cold) and moisture (damp/dry), and release the pain)

Clinical applications: Treatment for irregular menstruation, Sango Otai Fukutsu, Tsukei (, tòng jīng; algomenorrhea), menopause, Kyokyo Chotsu (, xiōng xié zhāng tòng; distension and pain in the chest area), coronary heart disease, angina pectoris; and Treatment for Kanbo Fukan (, g{hacek over (a)}n maò fēng hán; cold with chill), Hensei Zutsu (, piān zhèng tóu tòng; migraine and general headache), Fukan Hitu (, fēng hán bì tòng; pain or numbness of joints and muscles by cold), Yoso Soyo (, yōng jū chuāng yáng; swelling and ulcer on the body surface), and bruise.

C. Additional Kampo Crude Drugs for the Diabetes Mellitus Type

Eucommia Bark

Original plant source: Bark of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. in the family Eucommiaceae

Ingredients: Gutta-percha, pinoresinol diglucoside, eucommiol, ajugoside, harpagide and the like

Place of harvest: Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hubei, Henan, Guizhou, Yunnan

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Sweet/slightly acrid, warm. Qì enters the liver/kidney meridans.

Efficacy: Hokanjin (, b{hacek over (u)} gān shèn; to tonify liver and kidney), Sokinkotsu (, zhuàng jīn g{hacek over (u)}; to fortify muscle and bone), Antai (, ān tāi; miscarriage prevention), lowering blood pressure

Clinical applications: Treatment for Yoshitsu Santsu (, yāo xī suān tòng; pain of waist and knee), Kinkotsu Ijaku (, jīn g{hacek over (u)} wěi ruò; limp wilting muscle and bone), In'i (, yīn wěi; impotence), Nyoi Hinsaku (, niào yì pín shù; frequent urination), Zencho Ryuzan (, qián zhaò liú ch{hacek over (a)}n; a warning sign of miscarriage), hypertension.

Lycium Fruit

Original plant source: Fruit of Lycium barbarum L. or Lycium chinense Mill. in the family Solanaceae

Ingredients: Betaine, physalien and the like

Place of harvest: Ningxia, Gansu, Hebei and the like

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Sweet, flat (neutral). Qì enters the liver/kidney meridians.

Efficacy: Hojin Ekisei (, b{hacek over (u)} shèn yì jīng; to tonify kidney and replenish jīng (essence of life)), Yokan Meimoku (, y{hacek over (a)}ng gān míng mù; to nourish the liver to improve visual acuity)

Clinical applications: Treatment for Kanjin Inkyo (, gān shèn yīn xū; deficiency of blood and body fluid in the liver and kidney), Yoshitsu San'nan (, yāo xī suān ru{hacek over (a)}n; dullness and aching of waist and knee), dizziness, visual loss, Shokatsu Isei (, xiāo kě yí īng; frequent drinking and urination, and spermatorrhea)

Cistanche Herb:

Original plant source: Scale-like pulpy substance of Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma in the family Orobanchaceae

Ingredients: Alkaloids, crystalline neutral material and the like

Place of harvest: Inner Mongolia and the like

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Sweet/salty, warm. Qì enters the kidney/large intestine meridians.

Efficacy: Hojinyo (, b{hacek over (u)} shèn yáng; to tonify the function of the kidney), Ekisei ketsu (, yì jīng xuè; to boost essence blood), Juncho tsuben (, rùn cháng tōng biàn; to moisten intestine and stimulate bowel movements to excrete waste products)

Clinical applications: Treatment for In'i, Sosetsu (, z{hacek over (a)}o xiè; premature ejaculation), Isei (, yí jīng; spermatorrhea), Fuyo (, bú yùn; infertility), enuresis, Yoshitsu San'nan, Kinkotsu Ijaku, Kekko Benpi (, xuè kū biàn mì; constipation due to exhaustion of blood).

Dioscorea Rhizome

Original plant source: Rhizome of Dioscorea batatas Decne. in the family Dioscoteaceae

Ingredients: Dopamine, abscisin II, choline, tannin and a variety of amino acids and the like

Place of harvest: Henan, Shanxi, Hebei, Shaanxi and the like

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Sweet, flat (neutral). Qì enters the spleen/lung/kidney meridians.

Efficacy: Kenpi I (, jiàn pí wèi; to tonify spleen and stomach), Ekihaijin (, yì fèi shèn; to fortify lung and kidney), Hokyorui (, b{hacek over (u)} xū léi; to fortify weak constitution).

Clinical applications: Treatment for Hikyo Sessha (, pí xū xiè xiè; deficiency of the functions of spleen, and severe diarrhea), Haikyo Gaiso (, fèi xū ké sòu; coughing due to deficiency of body liquid in the lung,), Shokatsu (, xiāo kě; frequent drinking and urination), Shoben Hinsaku (, xi{hacek over (a)}o biàn pín shù; urinary frequency), Isei, Kyoro Ruiso (, xū laó léi shòu; emaciation due to deficiency of the functions of the five internal organs), Shokusho Kentai (, shí sha{hacek over (o)} juàn dài; small appetite and fatigue), chronic nephritis, child enuresis, leukorrhea.

Cornus Fruit:

Original plant source: Fruits of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. in the family Cornaceae

Ingredients: Morroniside, 7-methyl-morroniside, sweroside, loganin, cornin, ursolic acid, gallic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, tannin, saponin, and the like

Place of harvest: Zhejiang, Henan, Anhui, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Shandong, Sichuan, and the like

Nature (xìng or qì) and taste: Sour, lukewarm. Qì enters the liver/kidney meridians.

Efficacy: Hoeki Jinkan (, b{hacek over (u)} yì shèn gān; to tonify kidney and liver), Jusei Renkan (, sè jīng liàn hàn; to arrest seminal emission and sweating).

Clinical applications: To'un (, tóu yūn; dizzy), dizziness, tinnitus, Yoshitsu San'nan, Isei Kassetsu (, yí īng huá xiè; sperrnatorrhea and lingering diarrhea), enuresis, Rojin Nyohin Shikkin (, la{hacek over (o)} rén niào pín shī jìn; senile frequent urination and incontinence), Kyokan Fushi (, xū hàn bù zh{hacek over (i)}; persistent abnormal sweating due to general debility), hypermenorrhea, Roge Fushi (, lòu xià bù zh{hacek over (i)}; persistent metrostaxis).

Next, a method for producing the compositions of the invention will be explained.

Specifically, the compositions of the invention are mixtures of extracts from the Kampo crude drugs mentioned above.

Each crude drug is processed to a size suitable for extraction and mixed at a predetermined ratio. Subsequently, the mixture is extracted to obtain the desired extract.

The extract of the Kampo crude drug used in the invention is the one extracted with water.

In the process of the extraction of the crude drug extracts, it is preferable to use a bag to bundle up the mixed crude drugs in one for an efficient extraction process. It is necessary that the bag does not disturb the extraction process, and that it has robust strength so that it is not torn out even if it is squeezed with strong power.

A preferable bag material is, for example, one used as “Medical supply 04, Formed article, General medical device, Medical gauze, Type 1 (100% cotton, 30 cm in width×10 m in length)”.

A rectangular bag is made in an appropriate size (e.g., 18 cm in width×25 cm in height) by processing the bag materials mentioned above. In the process of squeezing a crude drug, strong pressure is applied to the bag used for the extraction. Therefore, it is desirable to make the above-mentioned bag material (gauze) in three layers so that the bag is not ripped.

In addition, similar bag material is desirable to prepare a three-layered string in a suitable size (e.g., 1.5 cm in width×60 cm in length), which ties up the mouth (upper part) of the bag.

For the extraction process of the extract, it is preferable to soak the crude drug for 12 hours in water from which a chlorine component was removed beforehand. Next, the mixture is heated and kept in a boiling state until a crude drug ingredient is sufficiently extracted. As for the duration of the boiling state, it is usually 5 to 10 hours, and may be adjusted as appropriate.

The blending ratio of each crude drug extract in the composition of the invention should be appropriately adjusted depending on the quality and the like of available crude drugs. As for essential crude drugs, for example, the weight ratio of each crude drug to be mixed is within the following ranges.

Name of crude drug   Range of weight ratio
Ginseng              1 to 10, preferably 3 to 8
Atractylodes Rhizome 5 to 20, preferably 8 to 15
Crataegus Fruit      10 to 40, preferably 15 to 40
Alisma Tuber         10 to 30, preferably 15 to 30
Cassia Seed          5 to 20, preferably 8 to 20

For a blending ratio of each crude drug extract to be added in the case of the standard-type fatty liver, for example, the weight ratio of each crude drug to be mixed is within the following ranges.

Name of crude drug Range of weight ratio
Poria Sclerotium   5 to 20, preferably 8 to 20
Rhubarb            1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5
Citrus Unshiu Peel 5 to 20, preferably 5 to 15
Bupleurum Root     1 to 10, preferably 3 to 8
Astragalus Root    10 to 30, preferably 15 to 30

For a blending ratio of each crude drug extract to be added in the case of the cardiovascular disorder type fatty liver, for example, the weight ratio of each crude drug to be mixed is within the following ranges.

Name of crude drug       Range of weight ratio
Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root 10 to 30, preferably 15 to 30
Pueraria Root            5 to 20, preferably 8 to 20
Polygonum Root           5 to 20, preferably 8 to 20
Vaccaria Segetalis       5 to 20, preferably 8 to 20
Cnidium Rhizome          5 to 20, preferably 8 to 20

For a blending ratio of each crude drug extract to be added in the case of the diabetic mellitus type of fatty liver, for example, the weight ratio of each crude drug to be mixed is within the following ranges.

Name of crude drug Range of weight ratio
Eucommia Bark      10 to 30, preferably 15 to 30
Lycium Fruit       5 to 20, preferably 8 to 20
Cistanche Herb     5 to 20, preferably 8 to 20
Dioscorea Rhizome  10 to 30, preferably 10 to 25
Cornus Fruit       10 to 30, preferably 10 to 25

Additives that are commonly used in pharmaceutical products including Kampo medicines may be added to the composition of the invention in a range (types and quantities) not affecting the treatment of fatty liver.

For example, the additives that may be optionally added include a sweetener to adjust the taste of the composition of the invention. Specifically, natural sweeteners such as honey, brown sugar, sugar beet and the like are included. However, in the case of the diabetes mellitus type of fatty liver, the addition of sugars mentioned above is not permitted.

The blending amount of any additives mentioned above may be acceptable in an amount not affecting the therapeutic effect of fatty liver. For example, it is preferable to be in 5 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight as the predetermined total amount of crude drug extract mentioned above.

The dosage form of the composition of the invention is not limited in particular as long as it is in a form for oral administration. The dosage form is basically a liquid formulation, and it may be transformed into powder or granules by means such as freeze-drying, or may be in the form of tablets or capsules.

The dosage when the composition of the invention is given orally as a liquid formulation is not limited in particular, and is usually about 200 mL a day. The daily frequency of dose is not limited in particular, and it is desirable to be administered, for example, twice a day, before breakfast and before bedtime, and in both cases administration should be conducted during the fasting state.

In addition, it is preferable to avoid a diet for about 30 minutes after the administration.

The administration period will be continued until the improvement of the fatty liver can be recognized. According to the following study, a significant improvement was seen after an administration for about three months.

EXAMPLES

The invention will be explained more specifically by showing test examples in which the composition of the invention was manufactured and the improvement of the status of the fatty liver was confirmed for the composition actually administered to patients.

For the extraction of crude drug extracts, an “extraction machine HRS-705” made by SHOWATSUSHO Co., Ltd., an Kampo drug extraction machine, which has an overwhelming domestic market share in Japan, was used.

Example A: Preparation of an Extract for Type A (Standard Type)

In the preparation of the extract, the following two extraction processes and one concentration process were conducted using the extraction machine mentioned above.

In the first “crude drug extract extraction process”, crude drugs of the composition for type A as shown in the following Table 2 were mixed at a predetermined ratio, and the total of 120 g of crude drug mixtures is placed in a bag (18 cm in width×25 cm in height made with three-layered gauze). After immersing two of the bag (120×2) into 5,000 mL of water for 12 hours, the mixture was charged into the crude drug extraction machine, and the extraction operation time on the thermoswitch was set for 180 minutes (three hours).

When the temperature inside the tank reaches 92° C., the crude drug extraction machine was set so that the thermoswitch indicating the extraction time was automatically turned on and started to operate. In addition, it takes about 80 seconds to raise the temperature inside the tank by 1° C. Since the temperature of the mixed water was 12° C., it took about 106 minutes until the temperature reached 92° C. and the thermoswitch started to operate. The temperature inside the tank rose up to a maximum temperature of 106° C. after the thermoswitch was operated.

Thus, for the extraction time of the first crude drug extract, it took 106 minutes to prepare the operation of the machine, then 180 minutes for extracting the crude drug extract, and a total of 286 minutes (four hours 46 minutes).

At the point when the switch of the crude drug extraction machine was turned OFF, 3,000 mL of the extract liquid was taken out of the tank. At that time, the bag of the mixed crude drugs and extract residual liquid was left in the tank of the extraction machine.

By the first extraction, the amount of vapor released to the outside of the tank was about 1,200 mL.

For the second “extraction of the crude drugs”, 3,000 mL of water was newly poured into the tank and the thermoswitch was set at 120 minutes.

Since the temperature in the tank was 55° C. when the second extraction was initiated, it took about 50 minutes to prepare the operation of the machine until the thermoswitch was turned ON, then 120 minutes for extracting the crude drug extract, and a total of 170 minutes (2 hours 50 minutes).

All the extract liquid was taken out of the tank when the thermoswitch mentioned above was turned OFF, then the bag of crude drugs was taken out and squeezed, and the extract liquid squeezed was added to the second extract liquid.

By the second extraction, the amount of vapor released out of the tank was about 800 mL, and the mixed crude drug residue including the moisture after squeezing was about 600 g. Therefore, the extraction amount obtained by the second extraction was about 2,400 mL.

In the concentration process, a total of 5,400 mL of the crude drug extract liquid obtained by the first and second extractions was re-charged into the extraction machine. Subsequently, the thermoswitch was set to 90 minutes, and the extract liquid was concentrated.

Since about 600 mL of vapor was released in the concentration process, about 4,800 mL of crude drug extract liquid was finally obtained.

This crude drug extract liquid was filled in an aluminum pack for each 100 mL. The aluminum pack filled with the crude drug extract was subjected to heat sterilization for 40 minute at 100° C. by steam convection process.

Example B: Preparation of an Extract for Type B (Hypertension Complication Type)

The preparation was conducted in a similar way to Example A except that the crude drugs shown in the following Table 2 were used at the weight indicated in Table 2, respectively, to obtain about 4,800 mL of the extract for Type B.

Example C: Preparation of an Extract for Type C (Diabetes Mellitus Complication Type)

The preparation was conducted in a similar way to Example A except that the crude drugs shown in the following Table 2 were used at the weight indicated in Table 2, respectively, to obtain about 4,700 mL of the extract for Type C.

TABLE 2
	Extract for	Extract for	Extract for
Name of crude drug	Type A	Type B	Type C
Ginseng	5	5	5
Atractylodes Rhizome	10	10	10
Cragaegus Fruit	30	20	30
Alisma Tuber	20	20	20
Cassia Seed	10	10	10
Poria Sclerotium	10	—	—
Rhubarb	3	—	—
Citrus Unshiu Peel	7	—	—
Bupleurum Root	5	—	—
Astragalus Root	20	—	—
Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root	—	20	—
Pueraria Root	—	10	—
Polygonum Root	—	10	—
Vaccaria Segetalis	—	10	—
Cnidium Rhizome	—	10	—
Eucommia Bark	—	—	20
Lycium Fruit	—	—	10
Cistanche Herb	—	—	10
Dioscorea Rhizome	—	—	15
Cornus Fruit	—	—	15
Total amount	120 g	125 g	145 g

Test Example

In the following study, the classification of the type of subjects, laboratory data and clinical findings were provided by Professor Takeshi Kurihara, M. D. at Tokyo Women's Medical University.

Subjects

Fifteen patients who had fatty liver based on diagnosis by abdominal ultrasonography, and the values of either AST (aspartate aminotransferase) or ALT (alanine aminotransferase) exceeding their reference values of 20 IU/L, were selected as subjects. None of them had shown therapeutic effects after dietary therapy and exercise therapy.

Fifteen patients were classified into the following three types in consideration of the five kinds of classification based on Clinical Chinese Traditional Medicine and from the viewpoint of Western medicine.

Type A: Patients who shows only fatty liver (3 cases)

Type B: Patients complicated by hypertension (7 cases) (patients who are administered an antihypertensive agent, and show 140 mmHg or more of systolic blood pressure or 90 mmHg or more of diastolic blood pressure (based on the guideline of the Japanese Society of Hypertension 2004 version))

Type C: Patients complicated by diabetes mellitus (7 cases) (patients who show 126 mg/dL or more of fasting blood glucose levels or 200 mg/dL or more of casual blood glucose levels (based on the guideline of the Japan Diabetes Society 2006 through 2007))

Administration Method

An extract for each type produced in Examples A to C mentioned above was orally administered twice daily (morning and evening) for three months. In addition, in case where the administration twice daily was impossible, the drink was administered once daily instead.

The administration period was set for three months from the beginning of dosage.

During the administration period, subjects were not given any special dietary instructions, alcohol drinking regulation nor exercise therapy, but left on a voluntary basis.

Follow-Up

Before starting the test and every month during the test, a hematological examination was carried out over time, and significant difference was tested with a statistical analysis. Results from the analysis was shown in the following Table 3 for Type A subjects of, the following Table 4-1 and 4-2 for Type B subjects, and the following Tables 5-1 and 5-2 for Type C subjects.

	TABLE 3
	Subjects
	S.M	I.W	M.H
	Gender
	M	F	M
	Age
	69	24	60
	Examination date
	Pre	After 1 m.	After 2 m.	After 3 m.	Pre	After 1 m.	After 2 m.	After 3 m.	Pre	After 1 m.	After 2 m.	After 3 m.
Body weight	63	62.2	60.3	59.9	90.3	87.5	87.1	87.3	62.4	61.8	61.3	60.5
Systolic blood	122	118	122	120	122	116	120	122	128	120	134	126
pressure
Diastolic blood	76	72	70	78	72	70	70	70	78	82	80	76
Total protein	7.8	7.8	7.7	7.8	7.7	8.2	8	7.9	7.6	7.9	7.7	7.9
Albumin	4.5	4.6	4.4	4.6	4.5	4.7	4.7	4.7	4.4	4.5	4.5	4.6
AST	39	38	34	29	50	43	40	39	52	29	38	30
ALT	67	64	48	40	117	91	88	82	46	28	34	27
γGTP	115	127	122	108	66	56	54	49	223	220	289	337
Blood glucose	100	99	101	93	87	77	86	73	106	105	102	101
HbAlc	5.6	5.5	5.5	5.7	4.9	5	4.5	4.5	5	5	4.9	5.1
T-Cho	157	160	156	153	172	152	144	157	193	212	207	189
HDL-C	32	34	33	32	62	51	53	63	54	56	52	50
LDL-C	111	117	115	109	108	100	94	103	66	87	78	70
TG	189	156	191	177	95	157	63	90	441	500	478	398
Adiponectin	9.1	—	—	11.6	3.7	—	—	6.5	3.7	—	—	5.8
CT visceral	107.7	—	—	—	95.6	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
subcutaneous	110.8	—	—	—	100.8	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Waist	82.4	—	—	—	79.4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Findings	Diarrhea symptoms started at week 2 after	The improvement of liver functions was	The body weight decreased, and liver
	initiaing the test, discontinued medication	remarkable compared to the body	functions tended to improve.
	temporary at week 3, later started the	weight loss.
	administration once a day at week 5. No
	symptoms of diarrhea was recognized. The
	improvement of liver functions and the body
	weight loss and reduction of visceral fat were
	also confirmed in CT.

	TABLE 4-1
	Subjects
	F.K	O.T	A.H
	Gender
	M	M	F
	Age
	39	55	62
	Examination date
	Pre	After 1 m.	After 2 m.	After 3 m.	Pre	After 1 m.	After 2 m.	After 3 m.	Pre	After 1 m.	After 2 m.	After 3 m.
Body weight	103.8	104.4	103.7	104.9	84.5	81.4	81.3	80.5	83.8	83.9	84.2	84.8
Systolic blood	152	150	136	142	135	118	114	124	168	146	142	142
Diastolic blood	100	100	100	96	100	82	80	84	100	94	90	90
Total protein	7.9	8.2	7.9	8	6.9	7.1	7.2	7.1	7.9	8	7.9	8.1
Albumin	4.9	5.1	4.8	5	4.4	4.6	4.7	4.6	4.9	5.1	5	5.1
AST	42	34	37	31	39	21	19	21	38	32	22	24
ALT	87	80	77	69	48	23	25	19	46	33	25	26
γGTP	68	61	68	63	107	64	67	67	53	47	43	45
Blood glucose	125	138	169	186	107	100	128	100	110	75	93	98
HbAlc	6.7	6.5	6.8	6.9	5.4	5.4	4.8	5.4	5.4	5.5	5.7	5.7
T-Cho	285	244	250	233	165	190	168	233	233	246	234	243
HDL-C	61	53	62	59	51	45	49	44	52	52	60	57
LDL-C	190	167	161	158	99	119	108	152	162	160	165	178
TG	267	234	212	154	241	166	69	267	261	294	179	202
Adiponectin	5.7	—	—	6.9	7.8	—	—	11.7	4.8	—	—	7.1
CT visceral	248.8	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
subcutaneous	298.5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Waist	111.7	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Findings	The liver functions showed a tendency to	The body weight decreased sharply. In the	The liver functions improved, although the
	improve although the body weight tended to	second half of medication, triglyceride and	body weight tended to increase and
	increase and the blood glucose level	cholesterol increased due to overeating	HbA1c also aggravated. The blood
	increased due to overeating, The blood	tendency, but ALT declined. The blood	pressure also tended to decrease.
	pressure also tended to decline.	pressure also declined.

	TABLE 4-2
	Subjects
	Y.M	A.N	S.T
	Gender
	M	M	M
	Age
	67	55	66
	Examination date
	Pre	After 1 m.	After 2 m.	After 3 m.	Pre	After 1 m.	After 2 m.	After 3 m.	Pre	After 1 m.	After 2 m.	After 3 m.
Body weight	74.8	74.1	73.9	74.7	97.4	97.7	98.2	97.6	74	74.6	74.1	73.7
Systolic blood	178	146	142	146	158	134	124	126	146	132	130	138
Diastolic blood	108	94	86	84	96	84	82	86	88	84	82	84
Total protein	8.2	8.3	8.3	8.3	7.7	8	7.6	7.7	6.9	6.9	7.1	6.6
Albumin	4.4	4.4	4.3	4.4	4.4	4.4	4.4	4.4	4.4	4.4	4.4	4.2
AST	70	65	60	56	46	28	23	26	48	39	43	43
ALT	46	35	32	32	55	51	37	44	47	32	41	37
γGTP	288	249	207	203	86	83	78	90	255	281	288	243
Blood glucose	103	103	105	99	102	112	106	102	125	115	112	97
HbAlc	5.9	5.6	6	5.9	5.6	5.5	5.5	5.5	4.8	4.7	4.7	4.7
T-Cho	271	261	303	256	204	206	213	208	156	158	168	149
HDL-C	115	103	124	98	43	43	45	42	40	45	38	42
LDL-C	140	143	153	134	133	120	120	117	67	66	66	59
TG	84	119	91	75	339	204	246	311	416	335	535	394
Adiponectin	10.4	—	—	12.3	2.2	—	—	3.2	5.9	—	—	6.6
CT visceral	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
subcutaneous	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Waist	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Findings	Although the body weight was unchanged,	Increase or decrease in the body weight was	Increase or decrease in the body weight
	and the lipid level fluctuated, the function	not observed, but the function of the liver	was not observed, and the laboratory
	of the liver tended to improve mildly. The	tended to improve. In the second half	data was slightly improved, but it
	blood pressure was improved.	of the medication, the amount of alcohol	was almost invariable.
		drinking increased, and γGTP,
		TG levels were elevated. However, the
		blood pressure decreased.

	TABLE 5-1
	Subjects
	S.M	N.F	W.T
	Gender
	M	F	M
	Age
	61	39	48
	Examination date
	Pre	After 1 m.	After 2 m.	After 3 m.	Pre	After 1 m.	After 2 m.	After 3 m.	Pre	After 1 m.	After 2 m.	After 3 m.
Body weight	65.1	64.5	64.1	63.2	78.9	80.6	81.3	81	123.1	122.9	121.7	119.8
Systolic blood	130	120	124	128	124	118	118	128	136	132	140	136
pressure
Diastolic blood	80	80	82	84	92	90	82	86	98	92	88	94
pressure
Total protein	7.2	7.6	7	7.3	7.8	8.1	7.8	7.9	7.4	7.3	7.4	7
Albumin	4.7	5.1	4.6	4.6	4.5	4.7	4.6	4.6	4.7	4.6	4.7	4.3
AST	21	19	13	15	112	78	68	72	86	49	48	42
ALT	19	11	8	11	147	129	112	119	82	53	50	47
γGTP	81	70	64	68	76	70	63	68	152	141	139	129
Blood glucose	195	107	182	222	181	141	149	158	139	130	132	140
HbAlc	8.9	8.6	8.9	9.3	6.4	6.2	6.3	6.1	7	6.9	6.8	6.6
T-Cho	165	178	135	163	250	313	248	239	221	204	219	200
HDL-C	95	57	64	62	65	59	65	62	72	60	71	70
LDL-C	93	98	69	97	163	200	174	181	150	127	142	118
TG	95	158	119	72	174	279	175	193	214	226	209	254
Adiponectin	2.6	—	—	3.9	3.9	—	—	5.3	2.9	—	—	5.1
Leptin	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
CT visceral	100.1	—	—	95.8	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
subcutaneous	91.3	—	—	93.5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Waist	81.3	—	—	80.1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Findings	The liver functions showed an improving	Despite the body weight gain, the liver	Both the liver functions and the blood
	tendency. CT showed a decrease of	functions and the blood glucose	glucose level improved along with
	visceral fat.	level were improved.	the body weight loss.

	TABLE 5-2
	Subjects
	S.M	N.F	W.T
	Gender
	M	F	M
	Age
	61	39	48
	Examination date
	Pre	After 1 m.	After 2 m.	After 3 m.	Pre	After 1 m.	After 2 m.	After 3 m.	Pre	After 1 m.	After 2 m.	After 3 m.
Body weight	65.1	64.5	64.1	63.2	78.9	80.6	81.3	81	123.1	122.9	121.7	119.8
Systolic blood	130	120	124	128	124	118	118	128	136	132	140	136
pressure
Diastolic blood	80	80	82	84	92	90	82	86	98	92	88	94
pressure
Total protein	7.2	7.6	7	7.3	7.8	8.1	7.8	7.9	7.4	7.3	7.4	7
Albumin	4.7	5.1	4.6	4.6	4.5	4.7	4.6	4.6	4.7	4.6	4.7	4.3
AST	21	19	13	15	112	78	68	72	86	49	48	42
ALT	19	11	8	11	147	129	112	119	82	53	50	47
γGTP	81	70	64	68	76	70	63	68	152	141	139	129
Blood glucose	195	107	182	222	181	141	149	158	139	130	132	140
HbAlc	8.9	8.6	8.9	9.3	6.4	6.2	6.3	6.1	7	6.9	6.8	6.6
T-Cho	165	178	135	163	250	313	248	239	221	204	219	200
HDL-C	95	57	64	62	65	59	65	62	72	60	71	70
LDL-C	93	98	69	97	163	200	174	181	150	127	142	118
TG	95	158	119	72	174	279	175	193	214	226	209	254
Adiponectin	2.6	—	—	3.9	3.9	—	—	5.3	2.9	—	—	5.1
Leptin	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
CT visceral	100.1	—	—	95.8	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
subcutaneous	91.3	—	—	93.5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Waist	81.3	—	—	80.1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Findings	The liver functions showed an improving	Despite the body weight gain, the liver	Both the liver functions and the blood
	tendency. CT showed a decrease of	functions and the blood glucose	glucose level improved along with the
	visceral fat.	level were improved.	body weight loss.

For the examination items in the Tables mentioned above were determined using the conventional laboratory procedure that has been clinically used. The units of each measurement value are described in the parentheses.

Total protein: total protein amount (g/dL) in the blood

Albumin: albumin amount (g/dL) in the blood

AST: aspartate aminotransferase (U/L)

ALT: alanine aminotransferase (U/L)

γGTP: γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (U/L)

HbA1c: glycohemoglobin A1c (%)

T-Cho: total cholesterol (mg/dL)

HDL-C: high-density cholesterol (mg/dL)

LDL-C: low-density cholesterol (mg/dL)

TG: triglyceride (mg/dL)

CT visceral: area of visceral fat (cm²) measured by using computed tomography (CT)

Subcutaneous: area of subcutaneous fat (cm²) measured by using computed tomography (CT)

Waist: waist circumference (cm)

Discussions

In all the subjects, the AST level (P=0.011) and the maximum blood pressure (P=0.025) were significantly decreased three months after the administration of the extract compared to the levels before the administration.

In addition, a tendency to decrease was found in the ALT level (P=0.066), and the adiponectin level (0.063) showed a tendency to increase.

Any particular changes in the measured values except the above results were not recognized, and no value became exacerbated.

In two subjects, the area of the visceral fat in the umbilical part was measured by CT. Subsequent observation of their outcome revealed that the area of the visceral fat decreased in both cases.

It was thought that the decrease of AST and ALT was a result of the decline of the extent of fatty deposition in the liver. In addition, the presentation of a rising trend in the adiponectin level, a marker of metabolic syndrome, indicates a decrease in visceral fat. In other words, it is expected that adiponectin, beneficial adipocytokine, produced in visceral fat cells increases, and the activation of glycometabolism and the suppression of obesity occur.

Obesity was examined by measuring the body weight, but no change in the body weight was observed. Even though no changes in the body weight were observed, the decline of fat deposits in the liver demonstrates most clearly that the extract used in the invention is useful for treating fatty liver.

When each case was individually examined (referred as Tables), in many subjects, the body weight, or HbA1c, TG (triglyceride) was elevated, however, the decrease of AST and ALT was recognized.

In addition, although the test was carried out under severe conditions in which all the restrictions such as diet, alcohol drinking, exercise therapy, and the like by the subjects were on a voluntary basis, the improvement effect on fatty liver or liver functions was recognized. Through such an objective fact, it can be said that the composition of the invention has an extremely advantageous effect compared to medicines currently prescribed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The composition of the invention (extract) is very useful for the treatment of fatty liver.

The composition of the invention (extract) is very useful for the treatment of fatty liver that is not improved by dietary therapy, exercise therapy, medical treatment by Western medicine.

The composition of the invention (extract) is expected to show a tremendous therapeutic effect if it is used in conjunction with diet therapy and/or exercise therapy.

Some embodiments and/or Examples of the invention were explained in details above. For those skilled in the art, it is easy to add many modifications to the embodiments and/or Examples, which are only for exemplification, substantially not apart from the new teach and effects of the invention. Therefore, these many modifications are included within the scope of the invention.

The entire content of the references cited in the description and the description of the Japanese Patent Application that serves as the basis for the right of priority provided for in the Paris Convention is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A therapeutic composition for treating fatty liver, comprising an extract of Ginseng, Atractylodes Rhizome, Crataegus Fruit, Alisma Tuber, Cassia Seed, Poria Sclerotium, Rhubarb, Citrus Unshiu Peel, Bupleurum Root and Astragalus Root, wherein the extract is prepared by: processing each crude Ginseng, Atractylodes Rhizome, Crataegus Fruit, Alisma Tuber, Cassia Seed, Poria Sclerotium, Rhubarb, Citrus Unshiu Peel, Bupleurum Root and Astragalus Root to a size suitable for extraction;mixing processed crude Ginseng, Atractylodes Rhizome, Crataegus Fruit, Alisma, Tuber, Cassia Seed, Poria Sclerotium, Rhubarb, Citrus Unshiu Peel, Bupleurum Root and Astragalus Root at a predetermined ratio, thereby obtaining a mixture;soaking the mixture in water; andheating the soaked mixture and keeping at a boiling temperature for 5 to 10 hours, thereby obtaining the extract.

2. The therapeutic composition for treating fatty liver according to claim 1, wherein the composition treats fatty liver unaccompanied by a disease other than fatty liver.

3. The therapeutic composition according to claim 1, wherein the therapeutic composition increases adiponectin level in blood.

4. The therapeutic composition according to claim 1, wherein the therapeutic composition reduces transaminase level in blood.

5. The therapeutic composition according to claim 1, wherein the mixture comprises from 1 to 10 wt. % of Ginseng, from 5 to 20 wt. % of Atractylodes Rhizome, from 10 to 40 wt. % of Crataegus Fruit, from 10-30 wt. % of Alisma Tuber, from 5 to 20 wt. % of Cassia Seed, from 5 to 20 wt. % of Poria Sclerotium, from 1 to 10 wt. % of Rhubarb, from 5 to 20 wt. % of Citrus Unshiu Peel, from 1 to 10 wt. % of Bupleurum Root, and from 10 to 30 wt. % of Astragalus Root.