Compositions normalizing circadian rhythm

• US 7,001,611 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2001
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Suntory Holdings Limited (Kotobuki Realty Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Suntory Ltd (Kotobuki Realty Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Nagai, Katsuya, Ono, Yoshiko, Kiso, Yoshinobu
• Primary Examiner(s): Wang, Shengjun
• Application Number:
  US10/030,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20030091614A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,743 Days
• Field of Search: 424/439, 514/691, 514/415
• US Class Current: 424/439
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/122 having the oxygen directly attached to a ring, e.g. quinones, vitamin K1, anthralin
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/00 Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/20 Hypnotics; Sedatives

Abstract

The present invention provides a circadian rhythm normalizing composition containing astaxanthin and/or its ester as an active ingredient, and a composition having the action of enhancing the circadian rhythm normalizing action of melatonin by protecting melatonin. The composition can be in the form of a drug, a functional food, a food or a beverage.

This composition has a circadian rhythm normalizing action, and has the action of preventing or alleviating sleep disorder and various diseases due to disturbance of the circadian rhythm.

Claims

1. A method of normalizing circadian rhythm by administering to a patient suffering from disturbance of circadian rhythm, an effective amount of astaxanthin and/or an ester thereof, and an effective amount of melatonin.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said effective amount of astaxanthin and/or an ester thereof ranges from 0.5–

500 mg/day.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said effective amount of astaxanthin and/or an ester thereof ranges from 5–

50 mg/day.