JP7778487B2 - Female hormone-like activity enhancer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an agent that enhances female hormone-like activity.

Women's health is greatly influenced by two female hormones: estrogen (the follicle hormone) and progesterone (the luteal hormone), which are secreted by the ovaries. A deficiency of female hormones can cause symptoms such as menopausal disorders and osteoporosis. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is widely used as a treatment to alleviate these symptoms. However, because HRT artificially supplements large amounts of female hormones, while highly effective, it also places a heavy burden on the body and makes it very difficult to adjust the dosage.

In recent years, plant-derived isoflavones have attracted attention as compounds with female hormone-like effects. This female hormone-like effect is thought to be due to the similarity of the chemical structure of isoflavones to that of estrogen. In particular, equol, derived from isoflavones found in soybeans, is known to have estrogenic activity (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Sathyamoorthy, N. and Wang, T. T. , Eur. J. Cancer, 33, 2384-2389 (1997) Schmitt, E. et al. , Toxicol. In Vitro, 15, 433-439 (2001)

Equol is known to have female hormone-like effects, but agents that can enhance these effects have not been fully investigated. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an agent that can enhance the female hormone-like effects of equol.

After extensive research, the inventors discovered that combining equol with imidazole dipeptide, collagen peptide, placenta extract, elastin peptide, and/or chondroitin sulfate and/or its salts, which are not known to be related to female hormone-like effects, enhances the female hormone-like effects. Based on this finding, the present invention was completed through further research.

That is, the present invention provides the following aspects.
Item 1. A female hormone-like activity enhancer comprising (A) equol and (B) imidazole dipeptide, collagen peptide, placenta extract, elastin peptide, and/or chondroitin sulfate and/or a salt thereof.
Item 2. The female hormone-like activity enhancer according to Item 1, which comprises a chicken meat extract, and the imidazole dipeptide is contained in the chicken meat extract.
Item 3. The female hormone-like activity enhancer according to Item 1, wherein the collagen peptide is a collagen peptide derived from pigskin gelatin and/or a collagen peptide derived from fish scales.
Item 4. The female hormone-like activity enhancer according to Item 1, wherein the placenta extract has a nitrogen content of 11% by weight or more.
Item 5. The female hormone-like activity enhancer according to Item 1, wherein the elastin peptide is derived from porcine blood vessels.
Item 6. The female hormone-like activity enhancer according to Item 1, which comprises a pig cartilage extract, and the chondroitin sulfate is contained in the pig cartilage extract.
Item 7. The female hormone-like activity enhancer according to Item 1, wherein the content of the component (B) is 0.1 to 100 parts by weight per part by weight of the component (A).
Item 8. The female hormone-like agent according to any one of Items 1 to 7, which is used to enhance estrogen activity.

The present invention provides an agent that can enhance the female hormone-like action of equol.

The female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention is characterized by containing (A) equol (hereinafter also referred to as "ingredient (A)") and (B) imidazole dipeptide, collagen peptide, placenta extract, elastin peptide, and/or chondroitin sulfate and/or a salt thereof (hereinafter collectively referred to as "ingredient (B)" or "co-ingredient"). The female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention is described in detail below.

(A) Equol The female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention contains equol as component (A). Equol is a substance produced when daidzein, a type of isoflavone, is metabolized by intestinal bacteria, digestive enzymes in the body, and more specifically refers to 7-hydroxy-3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-chroman. Equol is known as a component having female hormone-like activity.

Equol may be synthetic equol obtained by chemical reduction of daidzeins (daidzein glycoside, daidzein, and/or dihydrodaidzein), or it may be a metabolite of equol-producing bacteria from raw materials containing daidzeins (daidzein glycoside, daidzein, and/or dihydrodaidzein).

Raw materials containing daidzeins are not particularly limited and include, for example, plants (specifically, soybeans, kudzu, kudzu root, red globe, alfalfa, etc.), processed products thereof (specifically, soybean flour, boiled soybeans, tofu, fried tofu, soy milk, soybean hypocotyls, soybean hypocotyl extracts, etc.), and fermented preparations thereof (specifically, natto, soy sauce, miso, tempeh, fermented soy beverages, etc.). Furthermore, equol-producing bacteria may be any microorganism that can assimilate daidzeins to produce equol, including, for example, microorganisms belonging to the genus Lactococcus, Streptococcus, and Bacteroides.

In the present invention, the equol to be added may be a product obtained by fermenting and culturing raw materials containing daidzeins with equol-producing bacteria, or the metabolite equol may be isolated and purified from the fermentation culture.

The content of equol in the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention may be set depending on the content of other ingredients added, the form of the female hormone-like activity enhancer, the amount taken per serving, etc., but may be, for example, 0.01 to 70% by weight, preferably 0.05 to 60% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 55% by weight, and even more preferably 0.1 to 50% by weight. In the present invention, when a fermentation culture is used to add equol, the fermentation culture is used so that the equol content in the fermentation culture satisfies the above equol content.

(B) Concomitant Component The female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention contains, as component (B), imidazole dipeptide (hereinafter also referred to as "component (B1)"), collagen peptide (hereinafter also referred to as "component (B2)"), placenta extract (hereinafter also referred to as "component (B3)"), elastin peptide (hereinafter also referred to as "component (B4)"), and/or chondroitin sulfate and/or a salt thereof (hereinafter also referred to as "component (B5)").

In the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention, the ratio of the content of component (A) to the content (total amount) of component (B) is not particularly limited, but the total amount of component (B) per 1 part by weight of component (A) can be 0.1 to 100 parts by weight.

(B1) Imidazole Dipeptide Imidazole dipeptide is a dipeptide consisting of an amino acid containing an imidazole group and another amino acid, and is a known component known for its anti-fatigue effects.

Amino acids containing an imidazole group are not particularly limited, but examples include histidine, 1-methylhistidine, and 3-methylhistidine. Other amino acids are also not particularly limited, but examples include β-alanine.

More specific examples of imidazole dipeptides used in the present invention include carnosine (a dipeptide consisting of β-alanine and histidine), anserine (a dipeptide consisting of β-alanine and 1-methylhistidine), and balenine (a dipeptide consisting of β-alanine and 3-methylhistidine).

Imidazole dipeptides may be chemically synthesized, fermented, or naturally derived. Furthermore, when imidazole dipeptides are fermentation products or naturally derived, the imidazole dipeptide in the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention may be incorporated in a form contained in a fermentation mixture obtained by fermentation to produce imidazole dipeptides or in an extract of a natural product containing imidazole dipeptides, or may be incorporated in a form contained in a crude product of the fermentation mixture or extract, or may be incorporated in a purified product obtained by isolating and purifying the imidazole dipeptide from the fermentation mixture or extract.

Natural products containing imidazole dipeptides include those found in animals such as mammals (cows, horses, pigs, whales, etc.), poultry (chickens, etc.), and fish (e.g., bonito, tuna, eels, etc.), and more specifically, the muscle tissues of these animals.

The above imidazole dipeptides may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Among the above imidazole dipeptides, carnosine and anserine are preferred from the viewpoint of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity, it is preferable that the imidazole dipeptide be contained in a chicken extract rich in carnosine and anserine. In other words, it is particularly preferable that the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention contains a chicken extract containing imidazole dipeptide. The amount of imidazole dipeptide contained in the chicken extract is preferably 8% by weight or more, more preferably 12% by weight or more, and even more preferably 15% by weight or more. There is no particular upper limit to the amount of imidazole dipeptide contained in the chicken extract, but examples include 25% by weight or less, 20% by weight or less, or 17% by weight or less.

In the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention, the ratio of the content of component (A) to the content of component (B1) is not particularly limited, but the content of component (B1) per 1 part by weight of component (A) is preferably 0.1 to 100 parts by weight. From the perspective of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity, the content of component (B1) per 1 part by weight of component (A) is preferably 0.6 to 100 parts by weight, more preferably 3 to 100 parts by weight, and even more preferably 6 to 100 parts by weight, 6 to 50 parts by weight, 6 to 20 parts by weight, or 6 to 10 parts by weight.

Furthermore, when the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention contains chicken extract, the ratio of the content of component (A) to the content of chicken extract is not particularly limited, but the content of chicken extract per 1 part by weight of component (A) is preferably 1 to 200 parts by weight. From the perspective of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity, the content of chicken extract per 1 part by weight of component (A) is preferably 4 to 200 parts by weight, more preferably 20 to 200 parts by weight, even more preferably 40 to 200 parts by weight, 40 to 100 parts by weight, or 40 to 60 parts by weight.

(B2) Collagen Peptide Collagen peptide is a low molecular weight collagen protein, and is a known component known to have preventive or ameliorative effects on skin conditions.

Collagen peptides may be peptides obtained by subjecting collagen protein or its denatured product, gelatin, to hydrolysis treatment using enzymes, acids, alkalis, etc., or may be chemically synthesized.

Collagen proteins include collagen proteins derived from livestock or poultry such as cows, pigs, and chickens, and collagen proteins derived from fish. More specifically, they include collagen proteins extracted from animal connective tissues such as the skin, bones, and tendons of livestock or poultry, and from fish tissues such as fish skin and fish scales.

The collagen peptide may be an extract obtained using the above-mentioned collagen protein as a raw material, or a crude or purified product obtained by crude or purified purification of the collagen peptide from the extract. The purity of the collagen peptide in these extracts, crude or purified products is, for example, 50% by weight or more, preferably 70% by weight or more, more preferably 85% by weight or more, and even more preferably 90% by weight or more.

The above collagen peptides may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

Of the above collagen peptides, from the viewpoint of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity, preferred are peptides obtained from collagen proteins derived from pigs (i.e., pig-derived collagen peptides) and peptides obtained from collagen proteins derived from fish (i.e., fish-derived collagen peptides). Of these, from the viewpoint of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity, the pig-derived collagen peptides are more preferably collagen peptides derived from pigskin, and even more preferably collagen peptides derived from pigskin gelatin, and the fish-derived collagen peptides are more preferably collagen peptides derived from fish scales, from the viewpoint of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity.

The molecular weight of the collagen peptide used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and collagen peptides of any molecular weight can be used.

In the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention, the ratio of the content of component (A) to the content of component (B2) is not particularly limited, but the content of component (B2) per 1 part by weight of component (A) is preferably 0.1 to 60 parts by weight. From the perspective of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity, the content of component (B2) per 1 part by weight of component (A) is preferably 0.5 to 45 parts by weight, more preferably 1 to 35 parts by weight, even more preferably 2 to 30 parts by weight, and even more preferably 3 to 25 parts by weight, 3.5 to 15 parts by weight, 3.5 to 10 parts by weight, or 3.5 to 5 parts by weight.

(B3) Placenta extract Placenta extract is a known component known to have cell proliferation effects, immune system enhancement, blood pressure improvement, antioxidant effects, anti-inflammatory effects, analgesic effects, and blood coagulation inhibitory effects.

The type of placenta is not particularly limited, but examples include animal (mammal) placenta obtained from the placentas of humans, cows, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, etc.; marine placenta obtained from the ovarian membranes of salmon, herring, sturgeon, etc.; and plant placenta obtained from the placenta of roses and melons.

The above placenta extracts may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Among the placenta extracts listed above, placenta extract obtained from pig placenta (i.e., pig placenta extract) is preferred, as it further enhances the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity.

Placenta extract is generally obtained by decomposing the placenta using methods such as protease treatment or hydrochloric acid decomposition, and then purifying it using an appropriate combination of methods such as centrifugation, ultrafiltration, diatomaceous earth filtration, treatment with ion exchange resins, reverse osmosis filtration, and activated carbon treatment.

The nitrogen content of placenta extract is not particularly limited, but from the perspective of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity, it is preferably 6% by weight or more, more preferably 9% by weight or more, and even more preferably 11% by weight or more. The upper limit of the range of nitrogen content of placenta extract is not particularly limited, but examples include 15% by weight or less or 13% by weight or less. The nitrogen content can be determined by the Kjeldahl method.

In the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention, the ratio of the content of component (A) to the content of component (B3) (on a dry weight basis) is not particularly limited, but the content of component (B3) per 1 part by weight of component (A) is preferably 0.1 to 80 parts by weight. From the perspective of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity, the content of component (B3) per 1 part by weight of component (A) is preferably 1 to 60 parts by weight, more preferably 3 to 50 parts by weight, even more preferably 5 to 35 parts by weight, and even more preferably 10 to 30 parts by weight or 15 to 25 parts by weight.

(B4) Elastin Peptide Elastin peptide is a low molecular weight elastin protein, and is a known ingredient known to have the effect of improving the moisture content and elasticity of the skin.

Elastin peptides may be peptides obtained by subjecting elastin protein to hydrolysis treatment using enzymes, acids, alkalis, etc., or may be chemically synthesized products.

Examples of elastin proteins include elastin proteins derived from livestock or poultry such as cows, pigs, chickens, and sheep, and elastin proteins derived from fish. More specifically, examples include elastin proteins extracted from the skin, ligaments, and blood vessels of livestock or poultry, and the bulbus arteriosus of fish.

The elastin peptide may be an extract obtained using the elastin protein as a raw material, or a crudely purified or purified product obtained by crudely purifying or purifying the elastin peptide from the extract. The purity of the elastin peptide in these extracts, crudely purified or purified products is, for example, 50% by weight or more, preferably 70% by weight or more, more preferably 80% by weight or more, even more preferably 85% by weight or more, and even more preferably 90% by weight or more. Furthermore, the extract or crudely purified product may contain desmosine and/or isodesmosine in addition to elastin peptide. When the extract or crudely purified product contains desmosine and/or isodesmosine, the total content of desmosine and isodesmosine in the extract or crudely purified product is, for example, 0.5 to 3% by weight, preferably 1 to 1.5% by weight.

The above elastin peptides may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Among the above elastin peptides, peptides obtained from porcine-derived elastin proteins are preferred, from the viewpoint of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity, and more preferably peptides obtained from porcine blood vessel-derived elastin proteins (i.e., porcine blood vessel-derived elastin peptides).

The molecular weight of the elastin peptide used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and elastin peptides of any molecular weight can be used.

In the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention, the ratio of the content of component (A) to the content of component (B4) is not particularly limited, but the content of component (B4) per 1 part by weight of component (A) is preferably 5 to 100 parts by weight. From the perspective of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity, the content of component (B4) per 1 part by weight of component (A) is preferably 20 to 80 parts by weight, more preferably 30 to 60 parts by weight.

(B5) Chondroitin sulfate and/or its salts Chondroitin sulfate is an acidic mucopolysaccharide in which sulfate is bound to a sugar chain having a repeating structural unit of two sugars, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and D-glucuronic acid, and is a known component known to have effects such as improving joint pain and protecting the cornea.

Chondroitin sulfates include chondroitin sulfate A, chondroitin sulfate C, chondroitin sulfate D, chondroitin sulfate E, etc., which differ in the bonding pattern of the sulfate groups in the repeating structural unit.

Salts of chondroitin sulfate used in the present invention are not particularly limited, but examples include alkali metal salts such as sodium salt and potassium salt; alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium salt and magnesium salt; ammonium salt; salts of basic amino acids such as arginine, lysine, histidine, and ornithine; and amine salts such as monoethanolamine salt and diethanolamine salt.

Chondroitin sulfate and its salts may be either chemically synthesized or naturally derived. Furthermore, when chondroitin sulfate and/or its salts are naturally derived, the chondroitin sulfate and/or its salts in the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention may be formulated in a form contained in an extract of a natural product containing chondroitin sulfate and/or its salts, or may be formulated in a form contained in a crude product of the extract, or may be formulated in a form of a purified product obtained by isolating and purifying chondroitin sulfate and/or its salts from the extract.

Natural products containing chondroitin sulfate and/or its salts include those from animals such as mammals (cows, pigs, whales, etc.), poultry (chickens, etc.), and fish (e.g., salmon, rays, sharks, etc.), and more specifically, connective tissues such as cartilage from these animals.

The above chondroitin sulfate and/or its salts may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Among the above-mentioned chondroitin sulfates and/or salts thereof, it is preferable to contain at least chondroitin sulfate A and/or salts thereof, from the viewpoint of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity, it is preferable that the chondroitin sulfate and/or salts thereof are contained in a pig cartilage extract that is rich in chondroitin sulfate A and/or salts thereof. In other words, it is particularly preferable that the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention contains a pig cartilage extract containing chondroitin sulfate and/or salts thereof. The total amount of chondroitin sulfate and/or salts thereof contained in the pig cartilage extract is preferably 65 to 85% by weight, more preferably 70 to 80% by weight. The chondroitin sulfate content in the pig cartilage extract can be measured using the carbazole-sulfuric acid method.

In the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention, the ratio of the content of component (A) to the content (total amount) of component (B5) is not particularly limited, but the content (total amount) of component (B5) per 1 part by weight of component (A) is, for example, 4 to 80 parts by weight. From the perspective of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity, the content (total amount) of component (B5) per 1 part by weight of component (A) is preferably 15 to 60 parts by weight, and more preferably 30 to 50 parts by weight.

Furthermore, when the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention contains pig cartilage extract, the ratio of the content of component (A) to the content of pig cartilage extract is not particularly limited, but the content of pig cartilage extract per 1 part by weight of component (A) is, for example, 5 to 100 parts by weight. From the perspective of further enhancing the effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity, the content of pig cartilage extract per 1 part by weight of component (A) is preferably 20 to 80 parts by weight, more preferably 40 to 60 parts by weight.

Other Components: In addition to the above-mentioned components, the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention may contain other pharmacological components as needed. The types of such pharmacological components are not particularly limited, but examples include antacids, stomachics, digestives, intestinal regulators, antispasmodics, mucosal repair agents, anti-inflammatory agents, astringents, antiemetics, antitussives, expectorants, anti-inflammatory enzymes, sedatives, hypnotics, antihistamines, caffeine, cardiac diuretics, antibacterial agents, vasoconstrictors, vasodilators, local anesthetics, herbal powders, herbal extracts, vitamins, and menthols. These pharmacological components may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The content of these pharmacological components may be appropriately determined from known components depending on the type of pharmacological component used.

The female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention may contain pharmaceutically acceptable bases and additives, as necessary, to prepare the desired dosage form. Examples of such bases and additives include excipients, binders, disintegrants, lubricants, isotonicity agents, plasticizers, dispersants, emulsifiers, solubilizers, wetting agents, stabilizers, suspending agents, adhesives, coating agents, glossing agents, water, oils and fats, waxes, hydrocarbons, fatty acids, higher alcohols, esters, water-soluble polymers, surfactants, metal soaps, lower alcohols, polyhydric alcohols, pH adjusters, buffers, antioxidants, UV protection agents, preservatives, flavoring agents, fragrances, powders, thickeners, pigments, and chelating agents. These bases and additives may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The amount of these bases and additives may be appropriately selected from known bases and additives depending on the type of added ingredient used and the dosage form.

The dosage form of the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be any of tablets, granules, powders, pills, capsules, films, liquids (drinks), etc. Among these dosage forms, tablets, granules, and films are preferred from the viewpoint of ease of administration, etc. These dosage forms can be prepared using pharmaceutically acceptable bases and additives, and the types and amounts of the bases and additives are well known in the field of formulation technology.

Uses The female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention is used for the purpose of enhancing female hormone-like activity, more specifically, for the purpose of enhancing physiological and pathophysiological actions expressed via female hormone receptors.

The female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention enhances binding activity to estrogen receptors and is therefore preferably used for the purpose of enhancing physiological and pathophysiological effects expressed via estrogen receptors.

More specifically, the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention is used to prevent or improve symptoms caused by a decrease in female hormones, such as menopausal symptoms, menopausal disorders, osteoporosis, fluctuations in physical condition, menstrual pain, and a decrease in skin or hair quality (collagen and/or elastin retention ability).

The female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention is therefore applicable to women with reduced female hormones, particularly women who are aware of symptoms caused by reduced female hormones. Specific target subjects include women aged 40 or older, menopausal women, women with premature ovarian failure after oophorectomy or chemotherapy, women who have undergone hysterectomy, and elderly women.

The female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention is administered orally . The dosage of the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention is appropriately determined depending on the degree of female hormone reduction, age, etc., but examples of the daily equol intake include 0.1 to 100 mg, preferably 0.5 to 40 mg, more preferably 1.0 to 10 mg, even more preferably 1.5 to 5 mg, and particularly preferably 1.8 to 3 mg.

Furthermore, there are no particular restrictions on the timing of administration of the female hormone-like activity enhancer of the present invention; it may be administered before, after, or between meals, but is preferably administered before or between meals.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below using examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Test Example The materials shown in Table 1 were prepared as blending materials for components (A) and (B).

The test sample solution was prepared by dissolving the ingredients (A) and/or (B) in dimethyl sulfoxide.

The medium used was prepared by adding 3% by weight fetal bovine serum (FBS), 50 U/mL penicillin, and 50 mg/mL streptomycin to phenol red-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (liquid), and adding L-glutamine to a concentration of 0.5 mM.

MCF-7 cells (KAC Corporation), derived from human breast cancer, were prepared. MCF-7 cells are cancer cells whose proliferation ability increases in an estrogen-dependent manner, and the proliferation of MCF-7 cells is used as a detection system for estrogenic activity.

An MCF-7 cell suspension adjusted to 4 x ¹⁰ cells/ml with medium was seeded into each well of a 96-well plate at 50 μl/well. Next, dimethyl sulfoxide was added to each well at 0.1 μl/well, and the test sample solution was added so that component (A) and/or component (B) had the final concentrations shown in Table 2. The cells were then cultured at 37°C in the presence of _CO for 72 hours.

After culturing, absorbance at 450 nm (corresponding to cell number) was measured using a cell proliferation/cytotoxicity assay kit (product name "Cell Counting kit-8", Dojindo Research Institute, Inc.). The measured absorbance at 450 nm was used to calculate the cell proliferation promotion rate according to the following formula. The test was performed with n=4, and the average cell proliferation promotion rate obtained was rounded to the nearest whole number to obtain an evaluation value for female hormone-like activity. A cell proliferation promotion rate of greater than 100% is deemed to have female hormone-like activity. In addition, a female hormone activity enhancement score was calculated according to the following formula. A female hormone activity enhancement score of greater than 0 indicates that the additive effect of the female hormone-like activity of each ingredient when used alone is exceeded, i.e., the female hormone-like activity is deemed to have been significantly enhanced. Furthermore, a higher female hormone activity enhancement score indicates a greater effect in enhancing female hormone-like activity. The results are shown in Table 2.

As shown in Comparative Examples 1 to 13, when component (B) was used alone, some showed female hormone-like effects depending on the concentration, but it showed almost no female hormone-like effects. Furthermore, as shown in Comparative Example 14, the female hormone-like effects exerted by component (A), equol, alone were slight. In contrast, as shown in Examples 1 to 13, when component (A), equol, was combined with component (B), a significant effect of enhancing female hormone-like activity was observed.

Claims (3)

(A) equol and (B) imidazole dipeptide , and
A female hormone-like activity enhancer containing a chicken meat extract, wherein the (B) component is contained in the chicken meat extract . The female hormone-like activity enhancer according to claim 1, wherein the content of component (B) per 1 part by weight of component (A) is 0.1 to 100 parts by weight. 3. The female hormone-mimetic agent according to claim 1 or 2, which is used to enhance estrogen activity.