Patent Application
20130274228
The present invention relates to a concomitant drug for improving cognitive function, more specifically, a combined use of two kinds of phosphatidylcholine for the improvement of cognitive function.
In recent years, dementia has become a major medical problem worldwide. Dementia is a disease accompanied by various kinds of symptoms centering around learning and memory disorders and impaired judgment, and the symptoms and progress thereof vary depending on the diseases causing them. However, all cases are common in that the quality of life of patients is markedly impaired. Given the fact that caregivers including the patients' families are forced to offer a large amount of labor, dementia can be said a very serious problem at the social level. Since the increasing population of elderly citizens resulting from the increasing life span is related to the increase of dementia patients, the number of dementia patients is predicted to further increase in years ahead in Japan. In addition, there are many people suffering from any cognitive impairment which is not classified as dementia.
While many diseases have so far been indicated to cause dementia, cerebrovascular dementia and Alzheimer-type dementia are most popular, and the both and a composite type thereof occupy the majority of the causative diseases. Particularly, Alzheimer-type dementia has been increasing in Japan in recent years.
The detailed mechanism of the onset of dementia has not been clarified. However, various biochemical lesions have been reported in dementia patients. Reported in Alzheimer-type dementia, Lewy body dementia and the like is a decrease in the intracerebral acetylcholine concentration. Use of an acetylcholine degrading enzyme inhibitor based on this fact is the most successful method to the present for the treatment of dementia, particularly Alzheimer-type dementia. In Japan, various kinds of acetylcholine degrading enzyme inhibitors have heretofore been developed, including already commercially available donepezil hydrochloride (trade name Aricept). However, such medicaments do not fundamentally treat dementia but show an effect of delaying the progression of symptoms. As for donepezil hydrochloride, moreover, the problem of side effects such as the risk of developing acute renal failure, rhabdomyolysis and the like has been reported. For these reasons, the development of a drug for improving dementia, which is safer and shows high effect, has been desired, and such drug highly likely acts by a mechanism different from inhibition of acetylcholine degrading enzyme.
The present inventor has heretofore reported that, phosphatidylcholine as a medicament different from donepezil hydrochloride has a cognitive function improving effect (patent document 1). However, a medicament for improving the cognitive function is still desired as the situation stands.
patent document 1: JP-A-2009-7329
The present invention aims to provide a medicament for improving cognitive function and a method for improving cognitive function.
The present inventor has found from previous studies that phosphatidylcholine has a cognitive function improving effect. Based on such finding, therefore, the present inventor has conducted further intensive studies to obtain a medicament capable of improving the cognitive function more effectively. As a result, the present inventor has found that a combined use of particular two kinds of phosphatidylcholine is more effective for the improvement of the cognitive function, and further confirmed that it exhibits a sufficient effect in clinical practice, which resulted in the completion of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is as described below.
The concomitant drug of the present invention has a cognitive function improving effect and can be useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of, for example, various diseases or conditions including dementia, non-dementia cognitive impairment, learning or memory disorders and the like, or improvement of learning ability and/or memory ability.
The present invention is explained in detail in the following.
The present invention is characterized by the use of two kinds of particular phosphatidylcholines in combination.
One of the phosphatidylcholines is dilinoleoyl phosphatidylcholine represented by the following formula
wherein —C(O)R1 and —C(O)R2 are each a linoleic acid residue, (1,2-dilinoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; hereinafter DLPC).
The other phosphatidylcholine is palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidylcholine represented by the following formula
wherein —C(O)R3 is a palmitic acid residue, and —C(O)R4 is an oleic acid residue, (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; hereinafter POPC).
The DLPC and POPC may be derivatized in view of the activity and safety thereof. For example, derivatizations such as hydrogenation, hydroxylation, alkylation, halogenation and the like can be mentioned, but are not limited thereto.
The DLPC and POPC to be used in the present invention are not particularly limited and include those isolated and purified from animals (egg-yolk and the like), plants (soybean and the like), fungi (yeast, mold) and the like, those synthesized chemically and the like. In addition, the DLPC and POPC to be used in the present invention can be used without any particular limitation as long as they have been purified to the level permitting use as a medicament. Furthermore, a commercially available product can also be used.
The “concomitant drug” in the present invention means that the above-mentioned DLPC and POPC are used in combination for administration.
The administration form of the concomitant drug of the present invention is not particularly limited and DLPC and POPC only need to be combined at the time of administration. Examples of such administration form include
From the aspect of convenience, administration as a single preparation and simultaneous administration of two kinds of preparations by the same route are preferable.
In the following, the “preparation” in the present invention includes both a single preparation obtained by simultaneously formulating DLPC and POPC, and two kinds of preparations obtained by separately formulating DLPC and POPC.
The amount of each of DLPC and POPC in the concomitant drug of the present invention varies depending on the administration form of the concomitant drug (as mentioned above), severity of the disease, the animal species to be the subject of administration, drug acceptability, body weight and age of the subject of administration, and the like. Generally, 50-500 mg, preferably 100-300 mg, of DLPC and 50-500 mg, preferably 100-300 mg, of POPC are administered per day to an adult subject. The ingestion ratio of DLPC and POPC is preferably about 1:1. The dose of DLPC and POPC can be decreased when they are used in combination than when they are used singly.
The concomitant drug of the present invention can contain, besides DLPC and POPC as the active ingredients, any additive, for example, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Examples of the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier include, but are not limited to, excipients such as sucrose, starch, mannit, sorbit, lactose, glucose, cellulose, talc, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate and the like, binders such as cellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, polypropylpyrrolidone, gelatin, gum arabic, polyethylene glycol, sucrose, starch and the like, disintegrants such as starch, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylstarch, sodium-glycol-starch, sodium hydrogen carbonate, calcium phosphate, calcium citrate and the like, lubricants such as magnesium stearate, aerosil, talc, sodium lauryl sulfate and the like, aromatics such as citric acid, menthol, glycyllysin•ammonium salt, glycine, orange powder and the like, preservatives such as sodium benzoate, sodium bisulfite, methylparaben, propylparaben and the like, stabilizers such as citric acid, sodium citrate, acetic acid and the like, suspensions such as methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, aluminum stearate and the like, dispersing agents such as surfactant and the like, diluents such as water, saline, orange juice and the like, base waxes such as cacao butter, polyethylene glycol, paraffin and the like, and the like.
In one embodiment, the concomitant drug of the present invention can be formulated as a preparation preferable for oral administration. The pharmaceutical preparation preferable for oral administration includes a liquid wherein an effective amount of a substance is dissolved in a diluent such as water and saline, a capsule, granule, powder or tablet, containing an effective amount of a substance as a solid or granule, a suspension wherein an effective amount of a substance is suspended in a suitable dispersing medium, an emulsion wherein a solution containing an effective amount of a substance dissolved therein is dispersed and emulsified in a suitable dispersing medium, and the like.
In another embodiment, the concomitant drug of the present invention can be formulated as a pharmaceutical preparation preferable for parenteral administration. The preparation preferable for parenteral administration (e.g., intravenous injection, subcutaneous injection, intramuscular injection, topical injection and the like) includes aqueous and non-aqueous isotonic sterile injection liquids, which may contain antioxidant, buffer, bacteriostatic agent, isotonicity agent and the like. Aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions can also be mentioned, which may contain suspending agent, solubilizer, thickener, stabilizer, preservative and the like. Such preparation can be sealed in a container such as ampoule and vial by a unit dose or plural doses. In addition, it is also possible to freeze-dry the active ingredient and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, and preserve them in a suitable sterile vehicle in a state only requiring dissolving or suspending immediately before use.
The concomitant drug of the present invention containing DLPC and POPC as the active ingredients has an action to improve cognitive function in mammals (e.g., mouse, rat, hamster, rabbit, cat, dog, bovine, sheep, monkey, human and the like). Therefore, the concomitant drug of the present invention containing DLPC and POPC is useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases or conditions associated with cognitive impairment, and is provided as a pharmaceutical product. Specific examples of the diseases or conditions associated with cognitive impairment include various diseases and conditions including dementia (e.g., dementia caused by various diseases such as senile dementia, Alzheimer-type dementia, cerebrovascular dementia, posttraumatic dementia, dementia caused by brain tumor, dementia caused by chronic subdural hematoma, dementia caused by normal pressure hydrocephalus, dementia after meningitis, Parkinson-type dementia and the like), non-dementia cognitive impairment (e.g., mild cognitive impairment (MCI)), learning or memory disorders (e.g., learning and memory disorders associated with impaired brain development) and the like. Furthermore, the concomitant drug of the present invention can be used for the improvement of learning and memory (e.g., short term memory, long-term memory).
When used in the present specification, the “prophylaxis” means prevention of manifestation of cognitive impairment, learning or memory disorders and the like in a target (test is subject) showing no such symptoms, and the “treatment” means reducing or preventing worsening of or delaying cognitive impairment, learning or memory disorders and the like in a test subject showing no such symptoms. The “improvement” means improvement of cognition ability and learning and memory ability in a target not showing cognitive impairment, learning or memory disorders and the like, and mitigation, preferably mitigation of the symptoms, of cognitive impairment, learning or memory disorders and the like to the level permitting normal daily life in a test subject showing such symptoms.
The concomitant drug of the present invention can be provided as a food. The concomitant drug of the present invention containing DLPC and POPC as active ingredients has an action to improve cognitive function in mammals (e.g., mouse, rat, hamster, rabbit, cat, dog, bovine, sheep, monkey, human and the like). Therefore, the concomitant drug of the present invention containing DLPC and POPC as active ingredients is effective for the prophylaxis or control of the diseases or conditions associated with cognitive impairment. Particularly, the concomitant drug can be provided as a functional food effective for the prophylaxis or control of the diseases or conditions associated with cognitive impairment, and as a functional food effective for the improvement of learning and memory.
The “food” in the present invention means any food and drink other than pharmaceutical products and quasi-drugs. For example, it includes, but is not limited to, foods for specified health uses, foods with nutrient function claims, and so-called supplements.
When the concomitant drug of the present invention is used as a food, the food includes, for example, general foods (e.g., bread, milk product (e.g., milk, yoghurt), confectionery, candy, drop, chocolate, cake, pudding, jelly, soft drink, noodles), health foods, dietary supplements, and foods for specified health uses and foods with nutrient function claims, which are defined in the food with health claims system by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The foods can be in any form such as liquid (water-soluble, insoluble), solid such as powder, granule, tablet, capsule and the like, semi-sold such as jelly etc. and the like. The concomitant drug of the present invention can be used by dissolving in water or a predetermined aqueous solution. In this case, the concomitant drug of the present invention may contain a dissolution support (e.g., linoleic acid) and a stabilizer.
When the concomitant drug of the present invention is used as a food, the amount thereof to be ingested varies depending on the form of use (e.g., liquid, solid, semi-solid), concentration of DLPC and POPC contained, presence or absence, the kind and amount of a component to be contained besides DLPC and POPC, and the like, and cannot be generalized. Normally, DLPC and POPC are preferably contained in a food in a total amount of not less than 30%, more preferably not less than 90%. Examples of the components other than DLPC and POPC in the food include the above-mentioned optional additives.
The concomitant drug of the present invention may be in a form wherein a unit ingestion amount or a portion thereof is individually packed or filled, or the unit ingestion amount or a portion thereof in a large number are comprehensively packed or filled.
When the concomitant drug of the present invention is provided as a single preparation, the unit ingestion amount or a portion thereof is the unit ingestion amount or a portion thereof of the total amount of DLPC and POPC, that is, the total phosphatidylcholine. When the concomitant drug of the present invention is provided for a combined use of two kinds of preparations, the unit ingestion amount or a portion thereof of the concomitant drug is a combination of the unit ingestion amount or a portion thereof of DLPC, and the unit ingestion amount or a portion thereof of POPC.
Examples of the pharmaceutical product or a food wherein a unit ingestion amount or a portion thereof is individually packed or filled, those wherein a unit ingestion amount or a portion thereof is individually packed or filled in a general package (e.g., PTP (press through packing) sheet, paper container, film (e.g., plastic film) container, glass container, plastic container). Such pharmaceutical product or food individually packed or filled as above may be further combined and simultaneously packed or filled in one container (e.g., paper container, film (e.g., plastic film) container, glass container, plastic container). Examples of the pharmaceutical product or food wherein the unit ingestion amount or a portion thereof in a large number are comprehensively packed or filled include those wherein many tablets and capsules are packed or filled without sorting in one container (e.g., paper container, film (e.g., plastic film) container, glass container, plastic container). The pharmaceutical product or food of the present invention can also contain the unit ingestion amount or a portion thereof in a number sufficient for a long-term ingestion. In the case of a food, for example, in a number sufficient for 3 days or longer, preferably 7 days, 10 days, 14 days, 21 days or longer, or 1 month, 2 months, 3 months or longer.
The concomitant drug of the present invention may contain, in addition to DLPC and POPC as essential active ingredients, other one or more kinds of compounds capable of preventing or treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Examples of other compound for the prophylaxis or is treatment of neurodegenerative diseases include polyphenol, coenzyme Q10, β-sitosterol, isoflavone, mevinic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, flavonoids, terpenes, folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, sesquiterpene lactone, urokinase, nattokinase, dilinoleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine, propyl sulfide, apple pectin, acetic acid, EPA and DHA.
In the present invention, a combined administration of DLPC and POPC can improve cognitive function in mammals (e.g., mouse, rat, hamster, rabbit, cat, dog, bovine, sheep, monkey, human and the like). Therefore, administration of DLPC and POPC in combination can prevent or treat the diseases or conditions associated with cognitive impairment. Specific examples of the disease or condition associated with cognitive impairment include various diseases and conditions including dementia (e.g., dementia caused by various diseases such as senile dementia, Alzheimer-type dementia, cerebrovascular dementia, posttraumatic dementia, dementia caused by brain tumor, dementia caused by chronic subdural hematoma, dementia caused by normal pressure hydrocephalus, dementia after meningitis, and Parkinson-type dementia and the like), non-dementia cognitive impairment (e.g., mild cognitive impairment (MCI)), learning or memory disorders (e.g., learning and memory disorders associated with impaired brain development) and the like. Furthermore, administration of DLPC and POPC of the present invention in combination is expected to improve learning and memory (e.g., short term memory, long term memory). The dose and administration form of DLPC and POPC in the method of the present invention are the same as those mentioned for the above-mentioned concomitant drug of the present invention.
The contents disclosed in any publication cited in the present specification, including patents and patent applications, are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference, to the extent that they have been disclosed herein.
While the present invention is explained in more detail in the following by referring to Examples, the present invention is not limited by the following Examples and the like in any manner.
Male Wister rats (7-weeks-old) were used for a water maze test. A circular plastic water tank (diameter 180 cm, depth 45 cm) was used. The inside of the water tank was completely painted in black, and dark water with India ink was filled up to 25 cm from the bottom (22° C.). A platform (diameter 11 cm) painted in black was placed in water such that it was 1 cm below the water surface. The water tank was placed in a test room, and several marks seen by the rat from the water tank were put thereon. During the test, the position of the marks was not changed. A platform was placed a predetermined position from the equal distance from the center and the end of the water tank, namely, center of one quadrant. At one of the randomly selected 5 points, the rat was released facing the wall of the water tank, and the time necessary for evacuating on the platform (acquisition latency) was measured. When smoothly evacuated, the rat was left on the platform for 10 seconds. From 7 days before the water maze test and during the test, DLPC (5 mg/kg) alone, DLPC (10 mg/kg) alone, POPC (5 mg/kg) alone, POPC (10 mg/kg) alone, DLPC (5 mg/kg) and POPC (5 mg/kg), or PEG alone, each dissolved in polyethylene glycol (PEG), was orally administered every day. The water maze test m was performed twice a day, and the second test was started at 2 min after the first test. The test was continuously performed for 8 days, and the mean (±SEM) of acquisition latency of continuous 2 days until the rat reached the platform was calculated.
An MMSE test was performed with 310 patients (135 males, 175 females, age 59-95, average age 76±1.1) having cognitive impairment. POPC (90 mg/day) was orally administered to 214 20 patients, DLPC (100 mg/day) to 21 patients, and DLPC (50 mg/day) and POPC (45 mg/day) to 75 patients, once after breakfast. In the MMSE test, the full score was 30, and less than 20 was evaluated as mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
PEG, DLPC (5 mg/kg), DLPC (10 mg/kg), POPC (5 mg/kg), POPC (10 mg/kg) or DLPC (5 mg/kg) and POPC (5 mg/kg) was orally administered to rats every day during the water maze test from 7 days before the test.
When DLPC (5 mg/kg) and POPC (5 mg/kg) were used in combination, the acquisition latency of the rat was remarkably shortened. In contrast, single administration of DLPC (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg) and single administration of POPC (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg) did not show a remarkable effect (
This suggests that the combined use of DLPC and POPC can enhance learning and memory ability.
The effect of a combined administration of POPC and DLPC on cognitive impairment was examined by an MMSE test. 75 patients were orally ingested with POPC (50 mg/day) and DLPC (45 mg/day) once after breakfast, and the MMSE test was performed once per month. The results are shown in
In the same manner, 214 patients orally ingested with POPC alone (90 mg/day, once after breakfast, every day), and 21 is patients orally ingested with DLPC alone (100 mg/day, once after breakfast, every day) underwent the MMSE test once per month. The difference in the MMSE scores before and 5 months after the ingestion was calculated (Δ increase in MMSE score). The results are shown in
About 65% of the 310 patients examined in the present test had mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The 75 patients ingested with both POPC and DLPC showed an average MMSE score before ingestion of 14.7±0.7 (
The patients after 5 months from the combined ingestion of DLPC (50 mg/day) and POPC (45 mg/day) showed a more remarkably-increased MMSE score as compared to the patients ingested with POPC (90 mg/day) alone, and the patients ingested with DLPC (100 mg/day) alone (
These results show that a combined treatment of DLPC and POPC is more effective for the improvement of mild cognitive impairment and dementia, as compared to a treatment with each of POPC and DLPC alone.
The concomitant drug of the present invention has a cognitive function improving effect and can be useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of, for example, various diseases or conditions including dementia, non-dementia cognitive impairment, learning or memory disorders and the like, or improvement of learning ability and/or memory ability.
This application is based on a patent application No. 2010-294487 (filing date: Dec. 29, 2010) filed in Japan, the contents of which are incorporated in full herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-294487 | Dec 2010 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP11/78989 | 12/15/2011 | WO | 00 | 6/28/2013 |
