Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02927181 2016-04-15
SCUTELLARIA FOR IMPROVING COMPOSITIONS FOR ENERGY, FOCUS, AND
THERMOGENESIS
Field of the Invention
[1] The present invention relates generally to methods and compositions for
improving energy, focus, or thermogenesis. More specifically, the present
invention relates to supporting the effectiveness of dietary supplements for
improving energy, focus, or thermogenesis by administering Scutellaria.
Background of the Invention
[2] It is becoming increasingly common for individuals to consume dietary
supplements for a variety of reasons. Some of the most popular uses of dietary
supplements are for increasing energy, both physical and mental, increasing
mental focus, and for increasing thermogenesis. Supplements, as such, may be
used for a number of reasons including countering/preventing mental and/or
physical fatigue, improving physical activity such as physical labor or
exercise,
and assisting with weight loss or weight maintenance.
[3] Individual responses to such supplements vary due to a number of reasons
including differences in physiological sensitivity to specific ingredients,
tolerance
due to chronic use, and subjective expectations. There is a need for improved
compositions for supporting energy, focus, or thermogenesis.
Summary of the Invention
[4] The disclosed dietary supplements and methods of administering the same
can
advantageously be used by subjects who desire increased energy, improved
mental focus, and/or increased thermogenic effects.
[5] In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of
supporting at least one of energy, focus, or thermogenesis in a subject
desiring
of such. A determination is made for the need to increase at least one of
energy,
focus, or thermogenesis in a subject and a composition for increasing at least
one of energy, focus, or thermogenesis is taken by the subject at an
appropriate
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time. Scutellaria is taken by the subject proximal to the composition for
supporting the efficacy of the composition.
[6] In some aspects, the Scutellaria is incorporated within the composition
for
increasing energy, focus, or thermogenesis. In other aspects, the Scutellaria
is
taken as a separate composition proximal to the composition for increasing
energy, focus, or thermogenesis.
[7] In some aspects, the Scutellaria is taken before a meal. In other aspects,
the
Scutellaria is taken before exercise.
[8] In another embodiment, there is provided a composition for supporting any
of
energy, focus, or thermogenesis comprising in Scutellaria and ingredients for
increasing at least one of energy, focus, or thermogenesis.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments
[9] Scutellaria are mostly perennial herbs occurring in many regions with
species
indigenous to North America and Europe. Some species have been used for
anxiolytic, antispasmodic, sedative and diuretic properties. Bioactive
components include monoterpenes, diterpenes, and several flavonoids including
baicalein, baicalin, scutellarein,and scutellarin.
[10] The present invention relates to the surprising discovery that
Scutellaria
lateriflora added to compositions for increasing energy, focus, or
thermogenesis
supports the efficacy of the compositions without reducing the effectiveness
of
the compositions, in some instances enhancing effectiveness. Particularly
surprising was the efficacy of the compositions administered prior to exercise
and
in individuals accustomed to using supplements for energy, focus, or
thermogenesis.
[11] A used herein, the terms "supplements" includes dietary supplements,
diet
supplements, nutritional supplements, supplemental compositions and
supplemental dietary compositions or those similarly envisioned and termed
compositions not belonging to the conventional definition of pharmaceutical
interventions as is known in the art. Furthermore, "supplements" as disclosed
herein belong to category of compositions having at least one intended
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. .
physiological function when administered to a subject by conventional routes
of
administration.
[12] As used herein, "support" or "supporting" refers to overall
improvement in
the desired goal e.g. increased or improved energy, focus, or thermogenesis.
"Supporting" may be used to refer to beneficial synergistic effects resulting
in
increases or improvements in the desired goal. The increases or improvements
may be absolute increases in the desired goal such as increases in energy,
focus, or thermogenesis, or may be reductions in experienced or perceived
negative (side) effects resulting in overall improvements in the goal of
increased
energy, focus, or thermogenesis. Thus, with reference to energy, focus or
thermogenesis, "supporting" may be used to mean an increase beyond a normal
or native state; it may also be used to mean a reduction in a decreased or
deficit
state below a normal or native state.
[13] The methods of the present invention are intended for use with any
subject that may experience the benefits of the methods of the invention. It
will
be understood that the subject to which a compound of the invention is
administered need not suffer from a specific undesirable state or condition.
Indeed, the compounds of the invention may be administered prophylactically,
prior to any development of symptoms or to benefit generally healthy subjects
wishing to achieve greater desired effects. Such subjects may include athletes
(professional or recreational) or individuals merely wishing to improve health
or
physical or mental performance, either acutely or chronically.
[14] Preferred materials and methods are herein described. However, any
suitable materials and/or methods known to those of skill can be utilized in
carrying out the present invention. Materials and ingredients to which
reference
is made in the following description and examples are obtainable from
commercial sources, unless otherwise noted.
[15] In aspects of the invention, Scutellaria may be obtained from
unprocessed
plant material. Preferably, Scutellaria is in the form of an extract from
plant
material where it may be obtained from extracts of whole plant or from
particular
plant parts, preferably from the root. Suitable extraction procedures are well-
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known in the art. Preferably, the Scutellaria will contain baicalin. For
extracts,
suitable solvents will be known to those skilled in the art. The preferred
species
is Scutellaria lateriflora, however other species may be used, such as
Scutellaria
baicalensis.
[16] The compositions of the present invention may be manufactured
according to common methods known to those of skill in the art and may be used
in administration formats common in the art including pills, tablets, caplets,
capsules, liquids, or powders. The compositions may also be incorporated in
foods or beverages.
[17] The compositions of the present invention may be directed to a number
of
different uses for which it would be desirable to increase energy, focus, or
thermogenesis. Such uses include, but are not limited to, improving body
composition, improving exercise performance, improving mental performance,
and countering physical or mental fatigue. Uses may not be mutually exclusive.
For example, a subject may wish to lose weight by reducing body fat through
exercise, such exercise performance, and thus weight loss, improved by the
methods and compositions of the present invention.
[18] Supplements for increasing energy, as referred to herein, may contain
ingredients to directly provide energy (e.g. calories) or by effecting
metabolism,
either by increasing metabolism to provide more energy or by altering
metabolism to provide energy differently. Supplements typically associated
with
increasing energy include, but are not limited to, caffeine (and sources
thereof),
green tea, synephrine (and sources thereof, e.g. bitter orange), Panax
ginseng,
coenzyme Q10, B vitamins, creatine (and various salts or derivatives thereof),
amino acids (particularly branched chain amino acids leucine, valine, and
isoleucine), carnitine, glucose and other carbohydrates. Energy supplements
may be taken prior to the need for increased energy (e.g. prior to exercise,
or
pre-workout) to provide energy for activity. Alternatively, energy supplements
may be taken after energy expenditure (e.g. post-workout) to help replenish
energy stores.
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[19] Dietary supplements for enhancing focus, as referred to herein, are
typically used to increase some aspect(s) of mental function such as
concentration, attention, and cognition. Broadly, such ingredients are either
stimulants or non-stimulants. Non-stimulant focus-enhancing ingredients are
often termed `nootropics'. Ingredients purported to have efficacy at enhancing
focus include, but are not limited to, Bacopa monnieri, Salvia miltiorrhiza,
Panax
ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, and Myristica fragrans.
[20] Thermogenic dietary supplements, as referred to herein, contain
ingredients to increase thermogenesis, the process of producing heat in or by
the
body of the subject, and are typically used to help weight loss and/or to
provide
energy. Thermogenesis may be increased by a number of mechanisms
including, but not limited to diet-induced thermogenesis, exercise-induced
thermogenesis, and non-exercise-associated thermogenesis. Common
thermogenic ingredients or ingredients associated with thermogenic supplements
include, but are not limited to, caffeine (and various sources of caffeine),
(32-
adrenergic receptor agonists (e.g. synephrine and sources thereof, e.g. bitter
orange), green tea (and various components thereof e.g. EGCG), Zin giber
officinale (Ginger), green coffee bean, capsaicinoids/capsinoids (and sources
thereof, e.g. cayenne peppers), salicylates, pyruvate, carnitine, conjugated
linoleic acid (CLA), forskolin (e.g. from Coleus forskohlii), and yohimbine
(e.g.
from Yohimbe). As dietary supplements, thermogenic formulae are often
referred to as, and used as, fat burners.
[21] As can readily be appreciated, there may be overlap in supplements
intended to increase energy, focus, and thermogenesis, as to the ingredients
compositions may contain, and in the situations such compositions may be used.
[22] In some aspects the compositions may comprise pharmaceutically
acceptable additives. Such pharmaceutically acceptable additives are well-
known in the art and include excipients, coatings, absorption delaying agents,
binders, adhesives, lubricants, disintergrants, coloring agents, flavoring
agents,
absorbants, detergents, and emulsifying agents.
CA 02927181 2016-04-15
,
,
. .
[23] Scutellaria may be taken with compositions for increasing energy, for
increasing focus, or for increasing thermogenesis, or combinations thereof.
The
Scutellaria should be taken proximal to taking the composition for increasing
energy, focus, or thermogenesis. The Scutellaria may be incorporated within
the
composition or may be taken discretely. If taken discretely, the Scutellaria
will be
taken proximal to the time the composition for increasing energy, focus, or
thermogenesis is taken, preferably at approximately the same time (e.g. within
30
minutes), or co-administered (i.e. taken together, at the same time).
Preferably,
the Scutellaria is incorporated within the composition for increasing energy,
focus, or thermogenesis.
[24] The present invention provides compositions comprising components
intended to provide increases in any of energy, focus, and thermogenesis, the
compositions further comprising Scutellaria, wherein the Scutellaria supports
the
energy, focus or thermogenesis of the composition. The Scutellaria acts to
potentiate, increase, or otherwise improve the overall efficacy of the
composition.
The compositions may be used to increase any of energy, focus, and
thermogenesis in methods including, but not limited to, enhancing weight loss,
preventing weight gain, improving pre-exercise performance, ameliorating post-
exercise recovery, countering the effects of mental and/or physical fatigue,
and
improve concentration.
[25] A determination may be made by a subject as to the need to increase
energy, focus, or thermogenesis for a specific goal and as to the appropriate
time
to consume or administer a composition for increasing energy, focus, or
thermogenesis so as to achieve the desired result at a beneficial or optimal
time.
For example, a subject may determine the need to increase energy for improved
performance during an exercise session or a particular sporting event; a
subject
may wish to increase focus prior to taking a test or engaging in exercise; a
subject may wish to increase thermogenesis prior to, or after, a meal or an
exercise session. In specific cases where a goal in an increase in energy,
focus,
or thermogenesis for aiding in physical activity (e.g. exercise), the
composition
for increasing energy, focus, or thermogenesis may be taken from about between
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30 to 60 minutes prior to the activity. Where the goal is an increase in
thermogenesis to aid in weight management, the compositions for increasing
thermogenesis may be taken from about between 30 to 60 minutes before a
meal. The determination of other activities, goals, or situations requiring
increased energy, focus, or thermogenesis and the determination of an
appropriate time for consuming a composition for increasing such will be
apparent to those skilled in the art and by individuals desirous of such.
[26] Example 1
[27] The inventors sought to examine the efficacy of adding Scutellaria
lateriflora to supplemental compositions for increasing energy, focus, and
thermogenesis. Multiple supplement compositions containing common
ingredients for increasing energy, focus, or thermogenesis were tested with
the
addition of Scutellaria lateriflora. In particular, Test Supplement 1
containing the
following, per serving, was formulated:
caffeine anhydrous ¨ 300mg
green coffee bean extract ¨ 200mg
Coleus forskohlii extract powder with 10% forskolin ¨ 100mg
Yohimbe bark extract powder with 6% yohimbine ¨ 40mg
Scutellaria lateriflora root extract powder (containing not less than 20%
baicalin) ¨ 75mg.
Test Supplement 1 was used as a test composition as these ingredients (with
the
exception of Scutellaria lateriflora) represent a selection that could be used
to
increase energy, focus, and thermogenesis. Nine (9) healthy male subjects
between the age of 20 and 40 were selected based on familiarity with, and
regular use of, supplements to increase energy, focus, and thermogenesis,
similar to Test Supplement 1 (without Scutellaria lateriflora). Subjects knew
that
the Test Supplement contained ingredients to increase energy, focus, or
thermogenesis, but did not know the specific ingredients, thus they were
instructed not to take the sample with other supplements for the same purpose
or
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stimulants. Subjects reported their experience with taking Test Supplement 1
generally, and in comparison to other similarly purposed supplements.
[28] Feedback from Test Supplement 1: Eight out of nine subjects were
pleased, overall, with Test Supplement 1. Specific benefits, in terms of
energy,
focus, and thermogenesis differed among subjects, however all eight subjects
pleased with Test Supplement 1 noted some aspect of energy improved. Four of
the eight subjects also noted improved aspects of focus. Of the total
subjects,
three reported improved thermogenesis.
[29] Example 2
[30] Similar to Test Supplement 1, Test Supplement 2 was formulated, each
serving containing the following:
caffeine anhydrous ¨ 250mg
green coffee bean extract ¨ 200mg
Salvia miltiorrhiza ¨ 50mg
Ornithine HCI ¨ 500mg
Scutellaria laterfflora root extract powder (containing not less than 20%
baicalin) ¨ 50mg.
Twelve (12) healthy subjects between the age of 20 and 40 (11 male, 1 female)
were given Test Supplement 2 as for Test Supplement 1.
[31] Feedback from Test Supplement 2: Ten out of twelve subjects were
pleased, overall, with Test Supplement 2. Of the ten, six subjects reported
improved energy, six also reported improved focus (five reporting increases in
both energy and focus), and five subjects reported improved thermogenic
sensations.
[32] Example 3
[33] The composition of Test Supplement 1 is to be taken 30 to 60 minutes
before a meal, twice per day to assist with weight loss.
[34] Example 4
[35] The composition of Test Supplement 1 is to be taken 30 to 60 minutes
prior to exercise to improve exercise performance. The composition may also be
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, .
used to improve muscle building or to assist weight loss through improved
exercise performance.
[36] Example 5
[37] The composition of Test Supplement 2 is to be taken 30 to 60 minutes
before a meal, twice per day to assist with weight loss.
[38] The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples of the
present invention and alterations and modifications may be effected thereto,
by
those of skill in the art. The scope of the claims should not be limited by
the
preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the
broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
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