Biological oil composition, formulations comprising the oil composition, and use thereof to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease

Abstract

This invention relates to a biological oil composition, preferably obtained from a copepod, most preferably the copepod Calanus finmarchicus and the use thereof to prevent or treat formation of atherosclerotic plaques and hence development of coronary heart disease. The composition comprises the same marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) generally regarded as being responsible for the anti-atherosclerotic effect of marine oils, namely EPA (C20:5n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (C22:6n-3 docosahexaenoic acid). However, quite unexpectedly, it has been found that the oil composition of the present invention has a remarkably higher ability to prevent formation of atherosclerotic plaques than what can be attributed to EPA and DHA alone, and moreover, unlike EPA and DHA alone it has a notable blood cholesterol lowering effect.

1 . A biological oil composition comprising 20-100% by weight of wax esters, preferably 70-100% by weight of wax esters for use as a medicament for the prevention or treatment of a cardiovascular disease. 
     
     
         2 . The biological oil composition according to  claim 1  for use as a medicament for the prevention or treatment of atherosclerosis. 
     
     
         3 . The biological composition according to  claim 1  for use as a medicament for the prevention or treatment of hypercholesterolaemia. 
     
     
         4 . The biological composition according to  claim 1  for the use as medicament for the prevention or treatment of elevated blood cholesterol levels. 
     
     
         5 . The biological oil composition according to  claims 1  to  4  wherein the composition comprises 5-20% by weight of stearidonic acid (SDA). 
     
     
         6 . The biological oil composition according to any one of  claims 1  to  5  wherein the composition comprises 3-15% by weight of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 2-10% by weight of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). 
     
     
         7 . The biological oil composition according to any one of  claims 1  to  6  wherein the composition comprises fatty alcohols and SDA, DHA and EPA as monoesters with fatty alcohols. 
     
     
         8 . The biological oil composition according to any one of  claims 1  to  7  wherein the composition contains 1000-4000 ppm of astaxanthin. 
     
     
         9 . The biological oil composition according to any one of  claims 1  to  8  wherein said composition is isolated from a copepod. 
     
     
         10 . The biological oil composition according to  claim 9  wherein said copepod is of the genus  Calanus.    
     
     
         11 . The biological oil composition according to  claim 10  wherein said copepod is of the species  Calanus finmarchicus.    
     
     
         12 . Dietary supplement formulation comprising a biological oil composition according to any one of  claims 1 - 11 . 
     
     
         13 . Functional food formulation comprising a biological oil composition according to any one of  claims 1 - 11 . 
     
     
         14 . A pharmaceutical formulation comprising a biological oil composition according to any one of  claims 1 - 11 . 
     
     
         15 . A formulation according to  claim 12  or  14  provided in capsules, tablets, emulsions or tonics. 
     
     
         16 . A formulation according to  claim 15  comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable additives selected from the group consisting of adjuvans, antioxidants, emulsifiers, surfactants and carriers.