COMPOSITION FOR THE PROPHYLAXIS OR TREATMENT OF MALE REPRODUCTIVITY DEPRESSION, OR FOR THE STIMULATION OF
HAEMATOGENESIS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or treating decline of the male reproductive function, or for stimulating hematogenesis. In particular, the present invention relates to a composition, which contains an alcohol-extract of a mixture of Schizandrae Fructus, Rehmanniae Radix Preparat, Ginseng Radix, Lycii Fructus, Corni Fructus and Poria as active ingredients, for stimulating hematogenesis or for preventing or treating decline of the male reproductive function, especially damage of testicle tissues or decrease of the sperm number or of the sperm activities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As a matter of scientific term, the environmental hormone refers to endocrine blockers or endocrine disruptors. Generally speaking, the environmental hormone is defined as a toxic chemical substance which is released into the surroundings, and enters into the living organism to interrupt or disrupt hormone function. The above substance is called as the environmental hormone, since it reacts like a real hormone, but it's not a hormone, such as generating abnormal physiological reactions.
The environmental hormone is known as a chemical substance which may affect lethally to the delicate endocrine system of a living organism enough to induce the
disorder of reproductive function or sex-change, though used at an infinitesimal quantity. In short, the environmental hormone is a chemical substance that interrupts normal functions of the endocrine system. The environmental hormone comes from various chemical substances and agricultural chemicals which are released into the environment, enter into the body system of men or animals through food cycle of the nature, and affect the endocrine system to induce the disorder of reproductive function, etc. For example, particularly to the male, the environmental hormone causes reduction of the number of sperm, reduction of sperm activities, increased production of abnormal sperms, abnormality of the genital organs, testicular cancer, diseases of the prostate gland, abnormality of tissues related to reproductive function, etc. If it goes far enough, the environmental hormone may threaten the future of the man and cause extinction of mankind.
The World Wildlife Fund has registered in its environmental hormone list about sixty-seven (67) classes' chemical substances, such as the kind of dioxin included in residual organic chloride substance, agricultural chemicals, and phenol compounds. Among the registered environmental hormones, especially Cadmium which has been widely used in metal plating, alloy, condensor, paints, insecticide and the like, is a heavy metal causing osteomalacia, decline of nervous function, disorder of nervous systems, anemia as well as damage of the testicle. Thus, since it can easily be absorbed into the human body through contaminated atmosphere, water and soil, Cadmium is regarded as one of the most important causes of infertility.
In the herb medicine, it is believed that decrease of positive or negative energy in the human body are the causes of decline of the male reproductive function or
infertility from exposures to various environmental hormones like Cadmium, as discussed above. Thus, to prevent or treat the diseases, the herb medicine has prescribed YUKMIGIWHANGWON composed of Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Corni Fructus, Moutan Radicis Cortex, Alismatis Rhiaoma, Rehmanniae Radix, and Poria, or PALMIGIWHANGWON composed of Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Corni Fructus, Moutan Radicis Cortex, Alismatis Rhiaoma, Rehmanniae Radix, Poria, Ginseng Radix, and Aconiti Tuber. However, the exact medical effects of these prescriptions have not been proved yet. Neither has any conclusive medical effect been proved against the environmental hormone, discussed above. Therefore, it has been a task to develop a novel galenic composition that can prevent or treat decline of the male reproductive function.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The inventors of the present invention have conducted a number of experiments to develop a galenic composition that can effectively treat decline of the male reproductive function, such as damage of the testicle tissues, decrease of the sperm number, decrease of the sperm activities, etc. After a number of trials, the inventors have found a surprising fact that a galenic composition, which contains an alcohol- extract of a mixture of Schizandrae Fructus, Rehmanniae Radix Preparat, Ginseng Radix, Lycii Fructus, Corni Fructus and Poria, can not only effectively treat decline of the male reproductive function, but also has the effect of stimulating haematogenesis. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a composition and a
producing method thereof, which prevents or treats decline of the male reproductive function, especially damage of testicle tissues, or decrease of the sperm number or of the sperm activities caused by the environmental hormone, as well as stimulates haematogenesis. In the first aspect, the present invention is a composition to prevent or treat decline of the male reproductive function, comprising an alcohol- extract of a mixture of Schizandrae Fructus, Rehmanniae Radix Preparat, Ginseng Radix, Lycii Fructus, Corni Fructus and Poria as active ingredients. According to the present invention, decline of the male reproductive function may be damage of the testicle tissues or decrease of the sperm number or of the sperm activities induced by the environmental hormone. Moreover, according to the present invention, it is desirable that the mixture is additionally mixed with one or more substances selected from the group consisting of Cistanches Herba, Cusutae Semen, Eucommiae Cortex, Morindae officianlis Radix, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Angelicae gigantis Radix, Astragali Radix, Polygalae Radix, Artactylodis macrocophalae Rhizoma, Biotae Semen, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, Alismatis Rhiaoma, Cinnamomi Cortex and Cnidii Fructus.
In the second aspect, the present invention is a method to produce the above composition, characterized by alcohol-extracting of a mixture of Schizandrae Fructus, Rehmanniae Radix Preparat, Ginseng Radix, Lycii Fructus, Corni Fructus and Poria, at a weight ratio of 11.0-28.0 : 5.0-18.0 : 3.5-15.0 : 3.5-15.0 : 3.5-15.0 : 2.5-9.0, respectively. According to the method of the present invention, it is desirable that the composition is mixed and alcohol-extracted with Cistanches Herba, Cusutae Semen, Eucommiae Cortex, Morindae officianlis Radix, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Angelicae
gigantis Radix, Astragali Radix, Polygalae Radix, Artactylodis macrocophalae
Rhizoma, Biotae Semen, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, Alismatis Rhiaoma,
Cinnamomi Cortex and Cnidii Fructus, at a weight ratio of 5.0-7.5 : 5.0-7.5 : 5.0-7.5 :
5.0-7.5 : 3.5-5.0 : 3.5-5.0 : 3.0-4.0 : 3.0-4.0 : 3.0-4.0 : 1.5-3.0 : 1.5-3.0 : 1.5-3.0 : 1.5-3.0 : 1.5-3.0, respectively.
In the third aspect, the present invention is a composition to stimulate haematogenesis, comprising an alcohol-extract of a mixture of Schizandrae Fructus, Rehmanniae Radix Preparat, Ginseng Radix, Lycii Fructus, Corni Fructus and Poria as active ingredients. It is desirable that the mixture contains one or more substances selected from the group consisting of Cistanches Herba, Cusutae Semen, Eucommiae Cortex, Morindae officianlis Radix, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Angelicae gigantis Radix, Astragali Radix, Polygalae Radix, Artactylodis macrocophalae Rhizoma, Biotae Semen, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, Alismatis Rhiaoma, Cinnamomi Cortex and Cnidii Fructus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a graph showing the increased effect of mean weight of both testicles at the administration of the solution in Example 2 according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a graph showing the increased effect of the number of sperm at the administration of the solution in Example 2 according to the present invention,
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the increased effect of the activity of sperm at the administration of the solution in Example 2 according to the present invention,
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described in greater detail in the following.
The first essential element of the composition used in the present invention is Schizandrae Fructus. It is a fruit of Schizandra chinensis, a woody vine, belonging to
Magnoliaceae. Since it is effective in increasing stamina and speed, and curing cough, phlegm and cold sweating, it has been used to cure such diseases as asthma, cough and other respiratory ailments, thirst, cold sweating, impotence, and acute hepatitis.
The second essential element of the composition used in the present invention is Rehmanniae Radix Preparat (RRP), which is a radix of Rehmannia glutinosa, belonging to Scrophulariaceae, used as a traditional medicine after being steamed and heat-dried. While RRP tastes sweet and bitter, it is so warm in nature that it is characterized to replenish vitality of the human body. It is effective in treating chilled and painful symptoms of waist and knees, menstrual disorders, dizziness, etc., and in blackening a hair. It is also a main ingredient of S AMULTANG and has been used to treat symptoms of inner-body heat, dryness of throat, thirsty, etc., which result from weakness of the body among the chronic diseases. SAMULTANG has also been effective in curing hyper-bleeding by postpartum or menstration, weakness, dizziness, etc. RRP has been drunken in brewed tea, and traditionally known for effectively treating false phlegm. RRP, when brewed with Poria and Pinelliae Tuber, etc., is effective in curing cough and asthma. Moreover, it is effective in treating the habitual constipation, when drunken in a soup boiled with pork. However, since RRP is highly nutritious and oily, it may have the side effects of digestive trouble and diarrhea,
if taken for a long time.
The third essential element of the composition used in the present invention is
Ginseng Radix. Ginseng Radix is a radix oϊPanax ginseng, a perennial herb, belonging to Araliaceae. It increases stamina, strengthens the mind and body, improves physical performance, helps to recover quickly from fatigue, and enhance immunity against physical and chemical factors affecting the body negatively.
The fourth essential element of the composition used in the present invention is Lacii Fructus. Lacii Fructus is a fruit of Lycium chinense, a forest shrub belonging to Solanaceae. It increases stamina, alleviates fever and is used as a tonic medicine in soaked with alcohol. The leaves of Lacii Fructus have the same effect, when taken in greens or in juices after boiled. In the folk remedies, they take juices of boiled Lycii Cortex Radicis for the waist pain.
The fifth essential element of the composition used in the present invention is Corni Fructus. It is a fruit of Cornus officinalis, a fallen forest tree belonging to Cornaceae. In the traditional medicine, its flesh is called Corni Fructus. Since Corni Fructus is effective in increasing stamina and speed, stimulating the mind and body, and helping astriction, it has been used for curing dizziness, hyper-menstruation or metrorrhagia, etc.
The sixth essential element of the composition according to the present invention is Poria. Poria tastes sweet and mild, and is characterized to be harmonious in nature. It has been effective in treating amnesia from weakness of the heart, and in abating frequent startling, heart pounding, and sleeplessness.
In addition to these six essential elements of the present composition, there are a
number of optional elements that may be used in the composition. First, Cistanches Herba has been used as a tonic medicine for increasing stamina, has improved the movement of the bowels by stimulating the intestines, and has strengthened the waist and bones. Second, Cusutae Semen is effective in strengthening the kidney.
Third, Eucommiae Cortex has been used as a tonic medicine for increasing stamina. It has also been effective in strengthening the brain, and in treating the diseases of lung and knee, symptoms from dampness, neuralgia, and hypertension.
Fourth, Morindae officianlis Radix, which has been known for invigorating the kidney and strengthening bones and muscle, has been used for treating weakness of the kidney or premature ejaculation. Since it is effective in expelling internal wind and dampness in the body, it has been used for treating the symptoms of wind and dampness caused by lack of positive energy in the lower part of the body.
Fifth, Dioscoreae Rhizoma has been effective in treating lack of energy from the loss of appetite, and in treating leaking sperm, a cold sweat while sleeping, symptoms of weakness such as losing weight and lack of energy, and diabetes.
Sixth, Angelicae gigantis Radix, which has effects to alleviate pain, to discharge pus, to control hemorrhage, and to work as a tonic medicine, has been used to treat a woman's disease, stomachache, abscess, and bruise. Seventh, Astragali Radix, which is effective in working as a tonic, in stopping sweating, in promoting urination, and in resolving an abscess, etc., has been used for treating physical weakness, fatigue and weariness, collapse from lack of positive energy, prolapse of the anus, prolapse of the uterus, abdominal ptosis, cold sweating,
paralysis of peripheral nerves, hemiplegia, regressive arthropathy, urinary disorder, edema, chronic nephritis, and abscess ulcer, etc..
Eighth, Polygalae Radix is effective as an expectorant, tonic, and invigorant. Ninth, Artactylodis macrocophalae Rhizoma has a diuretic effect and perspiration against imperfection of water metabolism in the digestive organs and hypodermic tissues. It is also effective in treating a sharp pain, gastroenteritis, and edema, and has been used as a hypotensive.
Tenth, Biotae Semen strengthens the body and mind. Thus, it is used in case of susceptibility to fright, insomnia or a cold sweat, etc. Since it stimulates the intestines and improves movement of one's bowels, it has been used for constipation of the aged, the women in the postpartum, and the weakened.
Eleventh, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, which is effective in invigorating blood circulation and in removing conglomerated blood, has been used for irregular menstruation, difficult birth, stomachache after childbirth, uterine postpartum dysfunction, bruises, abscess, etc. It also has efficacy of diuresis, uterine contraction, phagocytosis and anti-allergy, etc.
Twelfth, Alismatis Rhiaoma is effective in treating diuresis, dropsy and gonorrhea.
Thirteenth, Cinnamomi Cortex is effective in making strong stomach, improving appetites, increasing sweat, decreasing cold sweat. Thus, it is particularly used for alimentary and circulatory diseases including cold, acute fever and geriatric diseases, etc.
Fourteenth, Cnidii Fructus is used as an astringent, anti-inflammatory or insecticide, etc (see DONGUIBOGAM, BONCHOGANGNOK, Clinical botany).
According to the present invention, it is desirable that Schizandrae Fructus, Rehmanniae Radix Preparat, Ginseng Radix, Lycii Fructus, Corni Fructus and Poria are mixed at a weight ratio of 11.0-28.0 : 5.0-18.0 : 3.5-15.0 : 3.5-15.0 : 3.5-15.0 : 2.5-9.0, respectively. It is more desirable that Cistanches Herba, Cusutae Semen, Eucommiae Cortex, Morindae officianlis Radix, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Angelicae gigantis Radix, Astragali Radix, Polygalae Radix, Artactylodis macrocophalae Rhizoma, Biotae Semen, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, Alismatis Rhiaoma, Cinnamomi Cortex and Cnidii Fructus are mixed at a weight ratio of 5.0-7.5 : 5.0-7.5 : 5.0-7.5 : 5.0-7.5 : 3.5-5.0 : 3.5-5.0 : 3.0-4.0 : 3.0-4.0 : 3.0-4.0 : 1.5-3.0 : 1.5-3.0 : 1.5-3.0 : 1.5-3.0 : 1.5-3.0, respectively. Further, it is most desirable that Schizandrae Fructus, Rehmanniae Radix Preparat, Ginseng Radix, Lycii Fructus, Corni Fructus, Poria, Cistanches Herba, Cusutae Semen, Eucommiae Cortex, Morindae officianlis Radix, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Angelicae gigantis Radix, Astragali Radix, Polygalae Radix, Artactylodis macrocophalae Rhizoma, Biotae Semen, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, Alismatis Rhiaoma, Cinnamomi Cortex and Cnidii Fructus are mixed at a weight ratio of 6 : 3 : 3 : 3 : 3 : 3 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 1.5 : 1.5 : 1.5 : 1.5 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1, respectively.
In the present invention, it is desirable to extract the above composition with alcohol by three (3) or more times for 2-3 hours, heating at 80~90°C. Also, it is most desirable to extract the composition with 80% alcohol by 3 times for 3 hours, heating at 80 °C.
The galenic composition of the present invention obtained by the above method may be produced in various forms according to conventional methods known in the
pharmaceutical technical field. It is desirable that the composition in the present invention is used in tablets, solutions, or pills, particularly as a matter of effect.
It is desirable to administer orally the galenic composition of the present invention with the amount of 400~500mg/kg per day, three times a day for 2-12 weeks. However, these estimates may be increased or decreased according to a patient's weight, age, relative seriousness of a disease symptom, or digestive condition.
The present invention is more thoroughly explained through the following examples and tests. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples and tests in any manner.
PREPARATION EXAMPLES
Example 1: Preparation of Solution
The followings are mixed well: 168g of Schizandrae Fructus, 108g of Rehmanniae Radix Preparat, 90g of Ginseng Radix, 90g of Lycii Fructus, 90g of Corni
Fructus, and 54g of Poria. After 1000ml of 80% methanol is added to the above mixture, an alcohol-extract of 200g results from the above mixture extracted 3 times for about 3 hours, heating at 80 °C.
Example 2: Preparation of Solution
The followings are mixed well: 72g of Schizandrae Fructus, 36g of Rehmanniae Radix Preparat, 24g of Ginseng Radix, 24g of Lycii Fructus, 24g of Corni Fructus, 18g of Poria, 43.2g of Cistanches Herba, 43.2g of Cusutae Semen, 43.2g of Eucommiae
Cortex, 43.2g of Morindae officianlis Radix, 29.4g of Dioscoreae Rhizoma, 29.4g of Angelicae gigantis Radix, 29.4g of Astragali Radix, 24g of Polygalae Radix, 24g of Artactylodis macrocophalae Rhizoma, 24g of Biotae Semen, 12g of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, 12g of Alismatis Rhiaoma, 12g of Cinnamomi Cortex, and 12g of Cnidii Fructus. After 1000ml of 80% methanol is added to the above mixture, an alcohol extract of 200g results from the above mixture extracted 3 times for about 3 hours, heating at 80 °C.
TEST EXAMPLES
Test 1 : Determination of change of testicle weight, testicle number and activity of sperm
As experimental animals, 49 male mice (ICR kind of mouse, 7 weeks old, and 33 to 36g weights) were used, divided into 7 groups in total. Cadmium chloride was used to induce artificial sperm damage to the experimental animals. After the solution of the example 2 was orally administered to the 1
st group or the 2
nd group by the dosage of 500mg/kg of mice body weight once a day for 2 weeks, 1.5mg/kg of Cadmium chloride was injected within the abdominal cavity of the group [pretreatment group (1 week) and pretreatment group (2 weeks)]. After 1.5 mg/kg of Cadmium chloride was injected once within the abdominal cavity of the 3
rd or the 4
th group, the solution of the example 2 was orally administered in the dosage of 500mg/kg of mice body weight, once a day for 1 or 2 weeks [post-treatment group (1 week) and post-treatment group (2 weeks)]. On the other hand, after 1.5
mg/kg of Cadmium chloride was injected only once within the abdominal cavity of the 5
th or the 6
th group, the group was left alone for 1 or 2 weeks [control group (1 til week) and control group (2 weeks)]. The
group was composed of the normal mice [no galenic composition or Cadmium chloride administered (a normal group)]. After 1 or 2 weeks, the (right and left) testicles of each mouse group were removed to observe the change of testicle weights. After the sperm number and activity in the testicles were observed through a special microscope [Olympus-BX40 (fixed magnification of 200)], the number of sperm was counted by Makler Counting Chamber, indicating the number of living sperm among total number of sperm by percentage. The following table 1 shows the result of comparison among the normal group (group not treated with Cadmium chloride), the control group (group not treated with the solution), the pretreatment group, and the post-treatment group. The value of data is indicated by the mean value of each group.
TABLE 1 : Effect of recovery of damaged testicle, and of increase of sperm number and activity
The result of the Table 1 above shows that, in a case of the control group administered only Cadmium, the longer the administered period became, the more a testicle weight became decreased, and the more the sperm number and activity were significantly decreased. This result shows that sperm toxicity was induced by Cadmium in the control group.
When comparing the pretreatment group with the control group (2 weeks), the pretreatment group (2 weeks) was decreased less in the left testicle weight by 19.0%, in the right testicle weight by 30.1% (mean by 24.6%), and in the sperm number by about 64.1%, and increased more in the sperm activity by about 81.4% compared to the normal group, than the control group (2 weeks). These results indicate that the solution of Example 2 has effects to prevent damage of testicle tissues, or decrease of sperm number or sperm activity. Moreover, when comparing the post-treatment group with the control group, the post-treatment group (1 week) was more increased in the left testicle weight by 18.8%, in right testicle weight by 1.2% (mean by 9.93%), in the sperm number by 3.4%, and
more greatly increased in the sperm activity by about 56.6%, than the control group (1 week). Also, the post-treatment group (2 weeks) was more increased in the left testicle weight by 17.9%, in the right testicle weight by 37.3% (mean by 27.6%), and more greatly increased in the sperm number by about 239% and in the sperm activity 5 by 92.3%, than the control group (2 weeks). These results show that the solution of Example 2 has effects to treat damage of testicle tissues or decrease of the sperm number or activity.
In conclusion, the galenic composition of the present invention can be regarded to be effective in preventing or treating damage of testicle tissues or decrease of the l o sperm number or activity caused by Cadmium exposure.
Test 2 : Determination of stimulation of haematogenesis
The used experimental animals were 18 male mice (ICR kind of mouse, 7 weeks old, and 33 to 36g weights), which were divided into 3 groups.
15 To identify whether or not the composition of the present invention stimulates haematogenesis of the bone marrow, lOOmg/kg of alkyl oxane was once injected within the abdominal cavity to induce dysfunction of the bone marrow. From the day that alkyl oxane was administered to the experimental group, the solution of Example 2 was also administered to the group by 500mg/kg of mice body weight once a day. In 6
20 days since the solution was administered, the blood was collected from the experimental group to count the numbers of erythrocyte, leukocyte, thrombocyte and hemoglobin by Automatic Blood Corpuscle Counting Method (Coulter STKS method). By counting the numbers, it may be confirmed whether the haematogenesis function
decreased in the control group (the solution-non-treated group) is increased in the experimental group. The result to count the numbers of erythrocyte, leukocyte, thrombocyte and hemoglobin in the experimental group is shown in the following
Table 2. Each value of data indicates the mean value of each group.
TABLE 2
As shown in the Table 2 above, when comparing the experimental group with the control group, the number of leukocyte in the experimental group was increased by about 4.4 times to the control group, and the number of thrombocyte in the experimental group was increased by about 2.3 times to the control group. Although the numbers of erythrocyte and leukocyte in the experimental group were not increased compared to the control group, it may be regarded to be effective in haematogenesis, considering that they have shown the similar effect to the control group by not being decreased any more under the dysfunction of bone marrow.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the galenic composition of the present invention is effective in stimulating a haematogenesis function by increasing leukocyte and thrombocyte. Also, since leukocyte plays a significant role for antibiosis,
anticancer and anti-inflammatory, and thrombocyte is effective in hemostasis, the galenic composition of the present invention can be regarded to be effective in antibiosis, anticancer and anti-inflammatory, and in preventing and treating hemorrhage disease such as cerebral hemorrhage.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
As described above, the composition of the present invention is effective in preventing and treating decline of the male reproductive function, especially damage of testicle tissues or decrease of the sperm number or of the sperm activities caused by the environmental hormone, as well as in stimulating haematogenesis. Also, it can be regarded to be effective in antibiosis, anticancer and anti-inflammatory, and in preventing and treating hemorrhage disease such as cerebral hemorrhage.