Patent Application
20050163872
The present invention relates to compositions suitable for reducing cholesterol levels in humans and animals. The present invention also relates to methods for reducing cholesterol levels in humans and animals.
Guggul is a well known extract from the resin of the mukul myrrh tree (Commiphora mukul). Guggul has been used in the treatment of obesity and lipid disorders. Guggulipid, an ethyl acetate extract of the resin, has been used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, and contains two compounds, E-guggulsterone and Z-guggulsterone, that decrease hepatic cholesterol levels.
Plant sterols are known to inhibit the absorption and/or reabsorption of cholesterol (external and recycled).
It would be desirable to have products that effectively reduce cholesterol levels in humans and animals, and methods for effectively reducing cholesterol levels in humans and animals.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide compositions that are suitable for reducing cholesterol levels in humans and animals.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide food and beverage compositions that are suitable for reducing cholesterol levels in humans and animals.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide methods for reducing cholesterol levels in humans and animals.
The present invention relates to compositions comprising guggul and at least one or more of a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture, and 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan.
The present invention also relates to food and beverage compositions comprising a food or beverage and a composition comprising guggul and at least one or more of a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture, and 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan.
The present invention also relates to methods for reducing cholesterol levels in humans and animals comprising administering to humans and animals an effective amount of any of a composition comprising guggul and at least one or more of a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture, and 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan, or a food or beverage composition comprising a food or beverage and a composition comprising guggul and at least one or more of a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture, and 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan.
The compositions of the present invention, and foods and beverages comprising the compositions of the present invention, are expected to effectively reduce the cholesterol levels in humans and animals.
The present invention relates to compositions comprising guggul and at least one or more of a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture, and 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan.
The present invention also relates to food and beverage compositions comprising a food or beverage and a composition comprising guggul and at least one or more of a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture, and 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan.
The present invention also relates to methods for reducing cholesterol levels in humans and animals comprising administering to humans and animals an effective amount of any of a composition comprising guggul and at least one or more of a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture, and 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan, or a food or beverage composition comprising food or beverage and a composition comprising guggul and at least one or more of a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture, and 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan.
The compositions of the present invention, and foods and beverages comprising the compositions of the present invention, are expected to effectively reduce the cholesterol levels in humans and animals.
In producing the compositions of the present invention, as mentioned herein, guggul is a well-known, available extract from the resin of the mukul myrrh tree (Commiphora mukul).
The 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan used herein is known and available.
Any beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture is suitable for use herein. Exemplary beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixtures include, but are not limited to the following:
In producing the compositions comprising guggul and either a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture or 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan, the guggul is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 99% by weight, based on the composition, and the beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture or the 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 99% by weight, based on the composition.
Preferably, the guggul is present in an amount ranging from about 5 to about 15% by weight of the composition, and most preferably in an amount of about 10% by weight. The beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture or 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan is preferably present in an amount ranging from about 85 to about 95% by weight, and most preferably, in an amount of about 90% by weight.
In producing the compositions comprising guggul and both a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture and 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan, the guggul is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 99% by weight based on the composition, the beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 99% by weight, based on the composition, and the 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 99% by weight based on the composition.
Preferably, the guggul is present in an amount ranging from about 7 to about 21% by weight, based on the composition, and most preferably, in an amount of about 14% by weight. The beta-sitosterol-containing-sterol mixture is preferably present in an amount ranging from about 40 to about 47% by weight based on the composition, and most preferably, in an amount of about 43% by weight. The 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan is preferably present in an amount ranging from about 40 to about 47% by weight based on the composition, and most preferably, in an amount of about 43% by weight.
The compositions comprising guggul and at least one or more of a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture, and 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan, may be produced by any conventional technique, such as, for example, by mixing the components of the compositions.
The food and beverage compositions of the present invention comprise a food or a beverage and a composition as described herein comprising guggul and at least one or more of a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture, and 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan. In preparing the compositions, any food may be used, or any beverage may be used. Examples of suitable foods include, but are not limited to, margarine, shortening, ice cream, yogurt.
In a more extensive non-limiting description of suitable foods and beverages where the guggul-containing compositions herein may be incorporated, the following may be mentioned:
The food and beverage compositions herein comprise the food or beverage and an amount of greater than 0 to about 6 grams, preferably about 2 to about 6 grams, and most preferably about 4 grams, of a composition as defined herein comprising guggul and either a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture, or 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan. In such compositions, the guggul is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 99% by weight based on the composition, more preferably about 5 to about 15% by weight, and most preferably about 10% by weight. The beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture or the 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 99% by weight based on the composition, more preferably about 85 to about 95% by weight, and most preferably, in an amount of about 90% by weight, based on the composition.
The food and beverage compositions herein comprise the food or beverage and an amount of greater than 0 to about 10 grams, preferably about 5 to about 10 grams, and most preferably about 7 grams, of a composition as defined herein comprising guggul and both a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture and 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan. In such compositions, the guggul is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 99% by weight, based on the composition, more preferably about 7 to about 21% by weight, and most preferably, about 14% by weight. The beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture is preferably present in an amount ranging from about 40 to about 47% by weight based on the composition, and most preferably, in an amount of about 43% by weight. The 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan is preferably present in an amount ranging from about 40 to about 47% by weight based on the composition, and most preferably, in an amount of about 43% by weight.
The method herein for reducing the cholesterol level of a human or animal comprises administering to a human or animal an effective amount of a composition comprising guggul and at least one or more of a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture, and 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan, or a food or beverage composition comprising a composition comprising guggul and at least one or more of a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture, and 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan. More particularly, the method of the present invention comprises administering the guggul-containing compositions, and food and beverage compositions comprising the guggul-containing compositions such that there is administered to a human or an animal an amount of from greater than 0 to about 6 grams, preferably about 2 to about 6 grams, and most preferably about 4 grams, of a composition as defined herein comprising guggul and either a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture, or 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan. In such compositions, the guggul is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 99% by weight based on the composition, more prefereably about 5 to about 15% by weight, and most preferably about 10% by weight. The beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture or the 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 99% by weight based on the composition, more preferably about 85 to about 95% by weight, and most preferably, in an amount of about 90% by weight, based on the composition.
When the guggul composition being administered comprises guggul and both a beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture and 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan, there is administered, whether or not incorporated in a food or beverage composition, an amount of greater than 0 to about 10 grams, preferably about 5 to about 10 grams, and most preferably about 7 grams of the guggul-containing composition. In such compositions, the guggul is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 99% by weight, based on the composition, more preferably about 7 to about 21% by weight, and most preferably about 14% by weight. The beta-sitosterol-containing sterol mixture is preferably present in an amount ranging from about 40 to about 47% by weight based on the composition, and most preferably, in an amount of about 43% by weight. The 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan is preferably present in an amount ranging from about 40 to about 47% by weight based on the composition, and most preferably, in an amount of about 43% by weight.
The administering of the guggul-containing compositions as described herein may be carried out in any known manner, such as, for example, by orally administering the compositions, whether or not incorporated in a food or beverage, to an animal or human.
The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following examples. There are, of course, many other forms of this invention which will become obvious to one skilled in the art, once the invention has been fully disclosed, and it will accordingly be recognized that these examples are given for the purpose of illustration only, and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of this invention in any way.
In this example, 10 weight % guggul and 90 weight % 1, 3:1, 4-beta -glucan are mixed to provide a composition, that is administered to a human. It is expected that the cholesterol level will be effectively reduced.
In this example, 5 weight % guggul and 95 weight % canola oil are mixed to provide a composition, that is administered to a human. It is expected that the cholesterol level will be effectively reduced.
In this example, 14 weight % guggul, 43 weight % 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan and 43 weight % corn oil are mixed to provide a composition, that is administered to a human. It is expected that the cholesterol level will be effectively reduced.
In this example, a composition comprising 15 weight % guggul and 85 weight % 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan is prepared by mixing the components. The resulting guggul-containing composition is then mixed with ice cream to provide a food composition, that is administered to a human. It is expected that the cholesterol level will be effectively reduced.
In this example, a composition comprising 25 weight % guggul and 75 weight % soybean oil is prepared by mixing the components. The resulting guggul-containing composition is then mixed with milk to provide a beverage composition, that is administered to a human. It is expected that the cholesterol level will be effectively reduced.
In this example, 7 weight % guggul, 47 weight % 1, 3:1, 4-beta-glucan, and 47 weight % sunflower oil are mixed to provide a composition. The resulting guggul-containing composition is then mixed with caramels to provide a food composition that is administered to a human. It is expected that the cholesterol level will be effectively reduced.
The invention has been described with reference to various specific and illustrative embodiments and techniques. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.
