Compositions, kits, and methods for enhancing gastrointestinal health

• US 20060165824A1
• Filed: 01/26/2005
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IAMS Company (Mars Incorporated), The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Khambe, Deepa Ashok
• Application Number:
  US11/043,798
• Publication Number:
  US 20060165824A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/769
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/185 Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/68 Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family)

Abstract

Disclosed herein are compositions, kits, and methods useful for enhancement of gastrointestinal health. For example, compositions comprising matter derived from a plant of the genus Terminalia; and a soluble fiber are disclosed. Also disclosed are kits wherein the extract of the plant matter and the soluble fiber need not be present within a common composition. Methods of enhancing gastrointestinal health are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A composition comprising:

(a) matter derived from a plant of the genus Terminalia; and

(b) soluble fiber.

2. The composition according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the soluble fiber is selected from the group consisting of glucomannan, oat fiber, pectin, psyllium, psyllium hemicellulose, guar gum, xanthan gum, alginate, gum arabic, fructooligosaccharide, agar, methylcellulose, carrageenan, and mixtures thereof.

3. The composition according to claim 2 wherein the extract comprises a material derived from at least a portion of the fruit of the plant matter.

4. The composition according to claim 2 wherein the ratio of the extract to the soluble fiber is at least about 1:

50, by weight.

5. The composition according to claim 4 wherein the ratio of the extract to the soluble fiber is at least about 1:

25, by weight.

6. The composition according to claim 4 comprising at least about 50 milligrams of the extract and at least about 1 gram of the soluble fiber.

7. The composition according to claim 6 comprising at least about 100 mg of the extract and at least about 2 grams of the soluble fiber.

8. The composition according to claim 4 comprising matter derived from a plant of Terminalia chebula.

9. The composition according to claim 8 wherein at least a portion of the soluble fiber is selected from the group consisting of psyllium, psyllium hemicellulose, methylcellulose, and mixtures thereof.

10. The composition according to claim 9 wherein the extract comprises a material derived from at least a portion of the fruit of the plant matter.

11. The composition according to claim 4 comprising matter derived from a plant of Terminalia belerica.

21. A method of enhancing gastrointestinal health of a mammal comprising administration of a safe and effective amount of the composition according to claim 1 to the mammal.

22. The method according to claim 21 wherein the enhancement of gastrointestinal health comprises treatment of a condition selected from the group consisting of compromised gastrointestinal motility, constipation, heartburn, non-ulcer dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophagitis, and combinations thereof.

23. The method according to claim 22 wherein the administration is oral.

24. The method according to claim 23 wherein the administration is at least once weekly.

25. The method according to claim 24 wherein the administration is at least once daily.

26. The method according to claim 24 wherein the mammal is a human.

12. A kit comprising:

(a) a first composition comprising matter derived from a plant of the genus Terminalia; and

(b) a second composition comprising soluble fiber.

13. The kit according to claim 12 wherein at least a portion of the soluble fiber is selected from the group consisting of glucomannan, oat fiber, pectin, psyllium, psyllium hemicellulose, guar gum, xanthan gum, alginate, gum arabic, fructooligosaccharide, agar, methylcellulose, carrageenan, and mixtures thereof.

14. The kit according to claim 13 wherein the extract comprises a material derived from at least a portion of the fruit of the plant matter.

15. The kit according to claim 13 wherein the ratio of the extract to the soluble fiber is at least about 1:

50, by weight.

16. The kit according to claim 15 wherein the ratio of the extract to the soluble fiber is at least about 1:

25, by weight.

17. The kit according to claim 15 comprising at least about 50 milligrams of the extract and at least about 1 gram of the soluble fiber.

18. The kit according to claim 15 comprising at least about 100 mg of the extract and at least about 2 grams of the soluble fiber.

19. The kit according to claim 15 comprising matter derived from a plant of Terminalia chebula.

20. The kit according to claim 19 wherein at least a portion of the soluble fiber is selected from the group consisting of psyllium, psyllium hemicellulose, methylcellulose, and mixtures thereof.

27. A method of enhancing gastrointestinal health of a mammal comprising administration of a safe and effective amount of the compositions according to the kit of claim 12 to the mammal.

28. The method according to claim 27 wherein the enhancement of gastrointestinal health comprises treatment of a condition selected from the group consisting of compromised gastrointestinal motility, constipation, heartburn, non-ulcer dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophagitis, and combinations thereof.

29. The method according to claim 28 wherein the administration is oral.

30. The method according to claim 29 the first composition and the second composition are each administered at least once weekly.

31. The method according to claim 30 wherein the first composition and the second composition are each administered at least once daily.

32. The method according to claim 30 wherein the mammal is a human.