JP6875688B2 - An agent for improving or preventing eye strain or physical fatigue - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an agent for improving or preventing eye strain or physical fatigue.

Carotenoids and anthocyanins are known as functional components having an effect of improving eye strain and an effect of improving physical fatigue.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a tea extract containing anthocyanins and catechins, and describes that this improves dry eyes, head weight, and the like.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-302577

However, the tea extract described in Patent Document 1 is still sufficient as an agent for improving eyestrain and physical fatigue, for example, the effect of improving eye fatigue and the effect of improving stiff shoulders and low back pain are not sufficient. It wasn't.

On the other hand, there is a need for improvement of the focus adjusting action of the eye due to eye strain, but it has not even been examined in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an agent for improving or preventing eye strain or physical fatigue, which can improve eye fatigue, stiff shoulders, low back pain, and eye focusing action. And.

The present inventors have found that a tea extract containing a large amount of delphinidin-based anthocyanins can improve eye strain, stiff shoulders, low back pain, and eye focusing action, and have completed the present invention. More specifically, the present invention provides the following.

(1) An agent for improving or preventing eye strain or physical fatigue containing tea leaf extract.
An improving or prophylactic agent in which the content of delphinidin-based anthocyanin contained in the tea leaf extract is 55% by mass or more with respect to the total content of anthocyanin contained in the tea leaf extract.

(2) The improving or prophylactic agent according to (1), wherein the delphinidin-based anthocyanin contains a delphinidin-based anthocyanin which is a galactoside.

(3) An agent for improving or preventing eye strain or physical fatigue, which contains Saint Rouge (variety registration number 21262) or a subsequent tea leaf extract.

(4) The improving or prophylactic agent according to any one of (1) to (3), which is ingested by a subject under 45 years old.

(5) The improving or prophylactic agent according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the total daily intake of anthocyanins is 0.1 to 100 mg.

(6) The improvement or preventive agent according to any one of (1) to (5), which is a form of food and drink.

According to the present invention, eyestrain, stiff shoulders, low back pain, and eye focusing action can be improved.

It is a graph which shows the amount of change of the accommodation power after a break of the subject under 45 years old who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 1 (barley tea). It is a graph which shows the amount of change of the accommodation accommodation power after a break of the subject who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 2 (Yabukita tea). It is a graph which shows the amount of change of the accommodation power after a break of the subject under 45 years old who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 2 (Yabukita tea). A graph showing the difference between the amount of change in focus adjustment after a break and the amount of change in focus after loading in a subject under 45 years old who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 2 (Yabukita tea). Is. It is a graph which shows the change amount of the pain in the back of the eye of the subject who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 1 (wheat tea). It is a graph which shows the amount of change of eyestrain of the subject who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 1 (barley tea). It is a graph which shows the change amount of the red eye of the subject who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 1 (barley tea). The amount of change in low back pain of the subjects who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 1 (barley tea) is shown. It is a graph which shows the change amount of the shoulder stiffness of the subject who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 1 (barley tea). It is a graph which shows the amount of change of the head weight feeling of the subject who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 1 (barley tea).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be carried out with appropriate modifications within the scope of the object of the present invention.

In the agent for improving or preventing eye strain or physical fatigue according to the present invention, the content of delphinidin-based anthocyanin contained in the tea leaf extract is 55% by mass or more with respect to the total content of anthocyanin contained in the tea leaf extract. Is. Alternatively, the ameliorating or preventing agent for asthenopia or physical fatigue according to the present invention contains a tea leaf extract of Saint Rouge or its progeny.

In the present invention, "eye strain" refers to symptoms such as decreased focus adjustment, eye fatigue, pain in the back of the eye (different from pain on the surface of the eye such as dry eye), and red eye. Refers to the fatigue seen in. "Physical fatigue" refers to fatigue seen in symptoms such as low back pain, stiff shoulders, and heavy headache. Further, the "physical fatigue" may be fatigue caused by eye strain or fatigue caused by factors other than eye strain. The fatigue improving agent of the present invention is particularly used for improving or preventing at least one of decreased accommodation, eye fatigue, pain in the back of the eyes, red eye, low back pain, stiff shoulders and heavy head. Suitable.

The agent for improving or preventing eye strain or physical fatigue according to the present invention has a delphinidin-based anthocyanin content of 55% by mass or more based on the total content of anthocyanins contained in the tea leaf extract, or sun. Since it contains rouge or a subsequent tea leaf extract, it is possible to improve or prevent the above-mentioned eye strain or physical fatigue.

It is well known that delphinidin-based anthocyanins, which are also abundant in blackcurrants and bluberries, have high antioxidant capacity, normalize the permeability of capillaries, and are effective in improving visual function and dark adaptation function at night. However, the relationship with improvement of eye strain and improvement of physical fatigue has not been demonstrated. Under these circumstances, the present inventors have demonstrated that delphinidin-based anthocyanins have an eye strain improving effect and a physical fatigue improving effect, and have found that they can improve eye fatigue, stiff shoulders, and low back pain in particular. .. The reason is not clear, but it is considered that the structure peculiar to delphinidin-based anthocyanins (position, number, etc. of hydroxy groups) greatly contributes to the effect of reducing eye strain. In addition, the present inventors have surprisingly found that delphinidin-based anthocyanins also have an effect of improving blood flow. For example, asthenopia is said to occur when the muscles of the eyes continue to be tense, causing poor blood circulation and stiffening the muscles. Therefore, it is considered that the intake of delphinidin-based anthocyanins improves blood flow and loosens muscle stiffness, thereby improving the accommodation-adjusting action and reducing eye strain. In addition, delphinidin-based anthocyanins are thought to be able to realize a reduction in physical fatigue by not only physical fatigue due to eye strain but also by improving blood flow to loosen the stiffness of the muscles of the body.

In addition, the agent for improving or preventing eye strain or physical fatigue according to the present invention is preferably ingested by a subject aged less than 45 years. Since there are almost no symptoms of presbyopia at an age of less than 45 years, it is considered that the above-mentioned effect of reducing eye strain is great.

Anthocyanins are present in plants in the form of glycosides in which the flavonoid anthocyanidins are linked to sugars and sugar chains as aglycons. Depending on the structure, delphinidins, cyanidins, pelargonidins, and aurantinidins are present. , Luteorinidin type, Peonidin type, Malvidin type, Petunidin type, Europinidin type, Rosinidin type and the like.

In the present invention, the term "delphinidin-based anthocyanins", in the following formula (1), the substituents R ¹ is OH group, refers to a glycoside of delphinidin. The glycoside of delphinidin refers to one in which at least one of the hydroxyl groups in delphinidin is substituted with a substituent having a sugar structure (galactose, glucose, etc.).

As a specific example of the delphinidin-based anthocyanin, for example, in the one represented by the following formula (1), R ² is a hydrogen atom, a group represented by the following formula (I), or a table represented by the following formula (II). It is preferably at least one of the groups to be used. In formulas (I) and (II), R ³ is preferably at least one of a hydrogen atom, a p-coumaroyl group (cis or trans), and a malonyl group.

Specifically, examples of delphinidin-based anthocyanins include delphinidin-3-O-β-galactopyranoside (D3Ga) and delphinidin-3-O-β- (6-trans-p-coumaroyl) galactopyranoside ( DCGa), delphinidin-3-O-β- (6-cis-p-coumaroyl) galactopyranoside (DCZGa), delphinidin-3-O-β-glucopyranoside (D3G), delphinidin-3-O-β- ( 6-Trans-p-coumaroyl) glucopyranoside (DCG), etc. may be mentioned. In particular, delphinidin-based anthocyanins are galaxids, delphinindi-based anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-O-β-galactopyranoside, delphinidin-3-3), because they are extremely effective in improving eye strain or physical fatigue. O-β- (6-trans-p-coumaroyl) galactopyranoside, delphinidin-3-O-β- (6-cis-p-coumaroyl) galactopyranoside) and the like are preferable.

The anthocyanin contained in the tea leaf extract of the present invention may or may not contain anthocyanins other than delphinidin-based anthocyanins.

The anthocyanin other than the delphinidin-based anthocyanin is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a cyanidin-based anthocyanin. "Cyanidin-based anthocyanins", in the above-mentioned formula (1), the substituent R ¹ is a hydrogen atom, a glycoside of cyanidin. The glycoside of cyanidin refers to one in which at least one of the hydroxyl groups in cyanidin is substituted with a substituent having a sugar structure (galactose, glucose, etc.). Specifically, cyanidin-3-O-β-galactopyranoside (C3Ga), cyanidin-3-O-β- (6-trans-p-coumaroyl) -β-galactopyranoside (CCGa), cyanidin. -3-O-β- (6-cis-p-coumaroyl) galactopyranoside (CCZGa), cyanidin-3-O-β-glucopyranoside (C3G), cyanidin-3-O-β- (6-trans-) p-coumaroyl) -β-glucopyranoside (CCG) and the like can be mentioned.

Examples of anthocyanins other than delphinidin-based anthocyanins include petunidin-based anthocyanins. "Petunidin system anthocyanin" as in the following formula (1), the substituent R ¹ is OCH ₃ groups include glycosides petunidin. The glycoside of petunidin refers to one in which at least one of the hydroxyl groups in petunidin is substituted with a substituent having a sugar structure (galactose, glucose, etc.). Specific examples thereof include petunidin-3-O-β- (6-trans-p-coumaroyl) -β-galactopyranoside (PCGa).

When the content of delphinidin-based anthocyanin is 55% by mass or more with respect to the total content of anthocyanin contained in the tea leaf extract, the content ratio of delphinidin-based anthocyanin is preferably 60% by mass or more, preferably 65. It is more preferably 70% by mass or more, and further preferably 70% by mass or more. When the content of delphinidin-based anthocyanin is 55% by mass or more, a sufficient effect of reducing eye strain or physical fatigue can be obtained. The upper limit of the content ratio of delphinidin-based anthocyanin is not particularly limited, but for example, 95% by mass or less, 90% by mass or less, and 85% by mass with respect to the total content of anthocyanin contained in the tea leaf extract. Hereinafter, it may be 80% by mass or less. The content of anthocyanins in the tea leaf extract (including the content of delphinidin-based anthocyanins) is measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

In the present invention, the "tea leaf" is not particularly limited as long as it is a leaf of a tea plant (Camellia sinensis). Further, the Saint Rouge tea (variety registration number 21262, application number 23800) in the present invention is a tea leaf belonging to Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (Japanese name: tea type). Saint-Rouge tea is a tea leaf having a higher content of delphinidin-based anthocyanin than tea intermediate mother Honno No. 6 (former strain name: F95181), which is said to have a relatively large amount of anthocyanin, and tea leaves such as safflower. By obtaining a tea leaf extract from Saint Rouge or its subsequent generation tea leaves, it is easy to obtain a tea leaf extract having a delphinidin-based anthocyanin content of 55% by mass or more.

In addition, the tea leaf extract preferably contains catechins in terms of improving eye strain or physical fatigue. Catechins include carcinogenesis suppression, arteriosclerosis prevention, fat metabolism abnormality suppression, blood pressure increase suppression, platelet aggregation suppression effect, antiallergic, antiviral, antibacterial, tooth decay prevention, bad breath prevention, intestinal flora normalization effect, It is known to have an effect of scavenging active oxygen and free radicals, an antioxidant effect, and an antidiabetic effect. Although catechins alone do not have an effect of improving eye strain or physical fatigue, the reason is not clear, but the inclusion of catechins and delphinidin-based anthocyanins also improves eye strain or physical fatigue. , Especially, it is considered to be extremely effective.

The catechins are not particularly limited as long as they are catechins or derivatives thereof. For example, catechins include catechin (+ C), gallocatechin (GC), catechin gallate (CG), gallocatechin gallate (GCG), epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epi. Galocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin-3- (3 "-O-methyl) gallate (EGCG3" Me), gallocatechin-3- (3 "-O-methyl) gallate (GCG3" Me), epicatechin- Examples thereof include 3- (3 "-O-methyl) gallate (ECG3" Me) and catechin-3- (3 "-O-methyl) gallate (CG3" Me).

The tea leaf extract of the present invention can be obtained by extracting tea leaves with a solvent, and a conventionally known method can be adopted. From the viewpoint of extracting active ingredients such as anthocyanins and catechins, tea leaves are preferably extracted by pulverization. Since the crushed product of tea leaves is preferably of a uniform size, the crushed product may be sieved.

The extraction solvent may be any non-toxic solvent, and examples of the solvent used in the solvent extraction method include water, a hydrophilic solvent, and a mixture thereof. In the solvent extraction method, the water used as the extraction solvent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include tap water, distilled water, pure water, and ion-exchanged water. In the solvent extraction method, examples of the hydrophilic solvent used as the extraction solvent include lower alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, lower aliphatic ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, 1,3-butylene glycol and propylene glycol. , Polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin can be mentioned. Considering the recovery rate of catechins in the extract, it is preferable to use a solvent containing ethanol. The extraction temperature is preferably 20 ° C. to 100 ° C., and more preferably 50 ° C. to 100 ° C. The extraction pH is preferably 1.0 to 7.0, and more preferably 1.5 to 6.5. The extraction may be carried out a plurality of times by collecting the residue after the extraction once. Further, for extraction, a method generally used as a chemical separation and purification method may be used. For example, liquid-liquid partitioning, thin layer chromatography, adsorption column chromatography, partitioning column chromatography, gel filtration column chromatography, ion exchange column chromatography, electrophoresis, high performance liquid chromatography and the like can be used. Further, these separation and purification means may be combined as needed.

The total daily intake of anthocyanins is not particularly limited, but specifically, it is preferably 0.1 mg or more, and 2 mg, because the above-mentioned effect of improving eye strain or physical fatigue can be obtained. It is more preferably 10 mg or more, and further preferably 10 mg or more. On the other hand, a sufficient fatigue improving effect can be obtained without ingesting a large amount. From this viewpoint, the upper limit of the total daily intake of anthocyanins is preferably 100 mg or less, more preferably 50 mg or less, and even more preferably 40 mg or less. When the total intake of anthocyanins is 100 mg or less, the influence on the taste and flavor can be reduced when added to foods and drinks as a fatigue improving / preventing agent.

Bilberry-derived anthocyanins, which are marketed as functionally labeled products having an eye strain improving effect, have a low content of delphinidin-based anthocyanins, so that the total daily intake is 40 mg or more. On the other hand, for example, in the anthocyanin derived from the tea leaf extract of Saint Rouge, since the content ratio of delphinidin-based anthocyanin is large, a sufficient fatigue improving effect can be obtained even with a small amount such as 40 mg or less. Since a sufficient fatigue improving effect can be obtained even with a small amount as described above, the content of the delphenidin-based anthocyanin is set to 0 with respect to the total dry weight of the tea leaf extract or the total mass of the improving agent / preventive agent of the present invention. Even if it is less than .13% by mass (0.11% by mass or less, 0.10% by mass or less, etc.), a sufficient effect of improving eye strain or physical fatigue can be obtained.

The total daily intake of catechins is not particularly limited, but is preferably 300 mg or more, more preferably 400 mg or more, and even more preferably 500 mg or more per day. By containing 300 mg or more, a sufficient blood glucose lowering effect can be obtained. On the other hand, as the upper limit, the daily dose is preferably 1200 mg or less, more preferably 1000 mg or less, further preferably 800 mg or less, and even more preferably 500 mg or less. .. In particular, when the total daily intake of catechins is 800 mg or less, the taste and flavor of the food or drink are less affected when added to the food or drink as a fatigue improving / preventing agent.

The larger the total intake of catechins with respect to the total intake of anthocyanins, the easier it is to obtain the fatigue improving effect of the present invention. However, the larger the total intake of catechins, the stronger the bitterness and astringency. .. However, since the fatigue improving / preventing agent of the present invention can obtain a sufficient effect of improving eye strain or physical fatigue even if the total intake of anthocyanins is small, the total intake of catechins may be small.

The fatigue improving / preventing agent of the present invention may or may not contain other components other than the above-mentioned anthocyanins and catechins. As other components, the fatigue-improving / preventing agent of the present invention can contain, for example, condensed tannins such as theogallin and strictinin. For example, Saint-Rouge tea contains more of these condensed tannins than Yabukita tea. Further, the fatigue improving / preventing agent of the present invention can contain, for example, caffeine (for example, 50 to 300 mg) which is a polyphenol component other than anthocyanins and catechins. The fatigue improving / preventing agent of the present invention can obtain the above-mentioned effect of improving eye strain or physical fatigue even if caffeine is contained.

Further, the above-mentioned ingestion period of the fatigue improving / preventing agent is not particularly limited, but it is preferably continuously ingested for a long period of time, specifically, preferably 4 weeks or more, and 8 weeks or more. More preferably, it is more preferably 12 weeks or more. A sufficient fatigue improving effect can be obtained by ingesting for 4 weeks or more. In addition, it is preferable to take it every day during these periods, and it is particularly preferable that the total daily intake of anthocyanins is within the numerical range described above.

The improver or preventive agent of the present invention may be in any form, for example, in the form of food or drink. Further, the improving agent or the preventive agent of the present invention may be composed only of the above tea leaf extract, or may contain other components depending on the purpose. When the improving agent or preventive agent of the present invention is applied as a food or drink, the tea leaf extract may be ingested as it is as a tea beverage, or as various beverage materials or food materials such as confectionery, health foods, and supplements. May be ingested. The improver or preventive agent of the present invention exhibits a solid state or a liquid state, and when it is in a solid state, the tea leaf extract is processed into a dosage form such as a tablet, a capsule, a granule, a syrup, or a troche. You may. When the improving agent or preventive agent of the present invention is applied as a food or drink, gelling agents, sugars, flavors, sweeteners, fats and oils, base materials, excipients, food additives, auxiliary materials, bulking agents and the like are appropriately added. It may be blended.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[Example 1]
100 ml of water at 80 ° C. is poured into 2.5 g of tea leaves of Saint-Rouge and allowed to stand for 20 minutes to obtain a tea leaf extract. After adding excipients to this tea leaf extract, it is spray-dried and dried to Saint-Rouge. Powdered tea (hereinafter referred to as Saint Rouge tea) was prepared. The content of delphinidin-based anthocyanins in this Saint Rouge tea was 70% with respect to the total content of anthocyanins. The daily intake of each of the main components of anthocyanins and catechins of Saint-Rouge tea is as follows.
-Anthocyanin: 11.2 mg / day delphinidin-3-O-β- (6-trans-p-kumaroyl) -galactopyranoside: 4.1 mg / day delphinidin-3-O-β-galactopyranoside: 2 .4 mg / day Cyanidin-3-O- (6-trans-p-kumaroyl) -β-galactopyranoside: 1.8 mg / day Cyanidin-3-O-β-galactopyranoside: 0.9 mg / day Delphinidin-3-O-β-glucopyranoside): 0.8 mg / day Delphinidin-3-O-β- (6-cis-p-kumaroyl) -galactopyranoside: 0.6 mg / day Cyanidin-3-O- β-Glucopyranosiside): 0.3 mg / day Cyanidin-3-O- (6-trans-p-kumaroyl) -β-galactopyranoside): 0.3 mg / day ・ Catequins Epigalocatechingalate ( EGCG) + galocatecingalate (GCG): 322 mg / day ・ Caffeine: 185 mg / day

[Comparative Example 1 (Placebo)]
A barley tea extract was obtained by extracting roasted six-row barley with boiling water, and then an excipient was added to the barley tea extract and then spray-dried to prepare powdered barley tea (hereinafter referred to as barley tea). Barley tea does not contain any of anthocyanins, catechins or caffeine.

[Comparative Example 2]
100 ml of boiling water at 100 ° C was poured into 2.5 g of Yabukita tea leaves and allowed to stand for 30 minutes to obtain a tea leaf extract. After adding excipients to this tea leaf extract, it was spray-dried and dried to make Yabukita. Powdered tea (hereinafter referred to as Yabukita tea) was prepared. The daily intake of each component of this yabukita tea is as follows.
・ Anthocyanin: 0 mg / day ・ Catkins Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) + gallocatechin gallate (GCG): 324 mg / day ・ Caffeine: 203 mg / day

[Evaluation]
Placebo-controlled double-blind for the purpose of clarifying the effect of improving eye strain by continuously ingesting Saint-Rouge tea of Example 1, barley tea of Comparative Example 1, and Yabukita tea of Comparative Example 2 for 12 weeks every day. A parallel test was conducted. On the day of the test, 4 weeks after ingestion, 8 weeks after ingestion, and 12 weeks after ingestion, the test was started after the subject was ingested one of the three test foods ingested on that day.

(subject)
The subjects were 120 Japanese men and women between the ages of 20 and 60. The number of subjects who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge Tea) who completed Test Method 1 and Test Method 2 was 39 (including 8 under 45 years old, who are performing VDT (Visual Display Thermal) work every day. The number of subjects who ingested Comparative Example 1 (wheat tea) was 37 (including 10 under 45 years old, 18 who performed VDT (Visual Display Thermal) work every day), and Comparative Example 2 (Yabuki). The number of subjects who ingested tea) was 38 (including 8 under 45 years old and 18 who perform VDT (Visual Display Thermal) work every day). It should be noted that the subjects do not include those whose management doctor has judged that they are not eligible to participate in the study, such as those who are currently receiving continuous treatment for some disease.

(Test method 1)
The accommodation function was measured as an index for improving eye function. Specifically, the subject intensively performed a near vision work (Tetris (registered trademark)) using a tablet for 20 minutes, and measured the amount of change in focus adjustment force under a load state that induced eye fatigue. Then, an eye mask was put on and the patient rested for 10 minutes, and the amount of change in the accommodation power was measured again. The amount of change in the accommodation force was measured using a binocular open-type constant refraction perigee meter D'ACOMO (manufactured by Wack). Specifically, the index is slowly brought closer to the eye to be inspected (left eye), the subject is instructed to continue to see clearly, and the apogee of the near limit and the apogee of the far limit where the focus can be adjusted are set. The measurement was performed and the difference between the far point and the near point was calculated.

(result)
FIG. 1 shows the amount of change in the accommodation power of the left eye of a subject under 45 years old who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 1 (barley tea) after a break. FIG. 2 shows the amount of change in the accommodation power of the left eye of a subject who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 2 (Yabukita tea) after a break. FIG. 3 shows the amount of change in the accommodation power of the left eye of a subject under 45 years old who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 2 (Yabukita tea) after a break. FIG. 4 shows the amount of change in the accommodation power of the left eye of a subject under 45 years old who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 2 (Yabukita tea) after a break, and the change in the accommodation power under load. Shows the difference from the amount. In FIGS. 1 to 4, the larger the amount of change, the greater the effect of improving eye strain. Further, in FIGS. 1 to 4, * indicates a significant difference (p <0.05), and ** indicates a significant difference (p <0.01).

(Discussion)
From the results of FIG. 1, it can be seen that Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) has a greater effect of improving eye strain than Comparative Example 1 (barley tea) because the amount of change in the accommodation power is larger. From the results of FIGS. 2 to 4, it can be seen that Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) has a greater effect of improving eye strain than Comparative Example 2 (Yabukita tea) because the amount of change in the accommodation power is larger. .. From the comparison between FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that the effect of improving eye strain is significantly increased in young subjects (under 45 years old) who have no symptoms of presbyopia. In addition, although not shown in the figure, in the subjects under 45 years old, the eye strain of Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) was significantly higher than that of Comparative Example 2 (Yabukita tea) 4 weeks after ingestion. I understood it.

[Test method 2]
As an index of eyestrain and physical fatigue, "pain in the back of the eyes", "tired eyes", "red eyes", "backache", "stiff shoulders", and "heavy head" are used as visual evaluation methods (VAS: Visual Analog Scale). ). Specifically, a VAS sheet on which a line segment of 10 cm was described for each of the above items was distributed to the subjects, and the left end (0) of the line segment was "very much" and the right end (10) of the line segment was "totally". "No," he said, and asked him to write the status of the test day with a cross on the line segment, and evaluated the amount of change.

(result)
FIG. 5 shows the amount of change in pain in the back of the eyes of the subjects who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 1 (barley tea). FIG. 6 shows the amount of change in eye strain of the subjects who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 1 (barley tea). FIG. 7 shows the amount of change in eye redness of the subjects who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 1 (barley tea). FIG. 8 shows the amount of change in low back pain of the subjects who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 1 (barley tea). FIG. 9 shows the amount of change in the amount of stiff shoulders of the subjects who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 1 (barley tea). FIG. 10 shows the amount of change in the head weight of the subjects who ingested Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) and Comparative Example 1 (barley tea). In FIGS. 5 to 10, the larger the amount of change, the greater the effect of improving eye strain or physical fatigue. Further, in FIGS. 5 to 10, # indicates a significant difference (p <0.1), and * indicates a significant difference (p <0.05).

(Discussion)
From the results of FIGS. 5 to 10, Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) was compared with Comparative Example 1 (wheat tea) in "pain in the back of the eyes", "eye strain", "red eye", "backache", and "stiff shoulders". Since the amount of change in "heavy head" was large, it can be seen that the effect of improving eye strain and physical fatigue was large. In particular, it can be seen that the effects of improving eyestrain, low back pain, stiff shoulders, and heavy headache are significantly increased 4 weeks after ingestion.

It has been confirmed that Example 1 (Saint Rouge Tea) did not cause any notable safety problems. Further, it has been confirmed that Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) has a greater effect of improving eye strain and physical fatigue than safflower tea. In particular, the safflower tea extract in Patent Document 1 described above did not show a clear improving effect on eyestrain, stiff shoulders, and low back pain, but according to the extract of Example 1 (Saint Rouge Tea), these were found. As mentioned above, the improvement effect was observed. From these facts, it was found that Example 1 (Saint Rouge tea) is an agent for improving eye strain or physical fatigue, which is superior to the tea leaf extract of safflower tea.

Claims (5)

An agent containing a dry extract of Saint-Rouge tea leaves, which improves the focus-regulating action of the eyes reduced by physical fatigue and eye fatigue.
The content of delphinidin-based anthocyanins contained in the dry extract of the tea leaves, the total content of the anthocyanins contained in the dry extract of the tea leaves state, and are more than 70 wt%,
The physical fatigue includes stiff shoulders and / or low back pain.
Improving agent. The improving agent according to claim 1, wherein the delphinidin-based anthocyanin contains a delphinidin-based anthocyanin which is a galactoside. The improving agent according to claim 1 or 2, which is ingested by a subject aged less than 45 years. The improving agent according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the total daily intake of anthocyanins is 0.1 to 100 mg. The improving agent according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is in the form of food and drink.

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