Agent for Activating Astrocyte Glucose Metabolism

Abstract

Provided is a material effective for improving the activity of nerves in the brain or for preventing or ameliorating brain dysfunction. An agent for activating astrocyte glucose metabolism, brain nerve cells activating agent, a brain hypofunction suppressing agent, a brain function improving agent, or an agent for preventing or ameliorating brain dysfunction comprising, as an active ingredient, one or more selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic solvent extracts of tien-cha, rooibos, grape and black tea.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method for activating astrocyte glucose metabolism in a subject, the method comprising administering an effective dose of a hydrophobic solvent extract of at least one selected from the group consisting of tien-cha, rooibos, and black tea to the subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         24 . A method for activating brain nerve cells in a subject, the method comprising administering an effective dose of a hydrophobic solvent extract of at least one selected from the group consisting of tien-cha, rooibos, and black tea to the subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         25 . A method for suppressing brain hypofunction in a subject, the method comprising administering an effective dose of a hydrophobic solvent extract of at least one selected from the group consisting of tien-cha, rooibos, and black tea to the subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         26 . A method for improving brain function in a subject, the method comprising administering an effective dose of a hydrophobic solvent extract of at least one selected from the group consisting of of tien-cha, rooibos, and black tea to the subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the astrocyte glucose metabolism activation is improved expression of one or more genes selected from the group consisting of a GLUT1 gene, a MCT1 gene, and a MCT4 gene in an astrocyte. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the hydrophobic solvent extract of tien-cha, rooibos, or black tea is an extract extracted using a solvent selected from the group consisting of pentane, hexane, supercritical carbon dioxide, an edible oil, a fat, and an oil. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the hydrophobic solvent extract of tien-cha, rooibos or black tea is an extract extracted using a solvent selected from the group consisting of pentane, hexane, supercritical carbon dioxide, an edible oil, a fat, and an oil. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the hydrophobic solvent extract of tien-cha, rooibos or black tea is an extract extracted using a solvent selected from the group consisting of pentane, hexane, supercritical carbon dioxide, an edible oil, a fat, and an oil. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the hydrophobic solvent extract of tien-cha, rooibos or black tea is an extract extracted using a solvent selected from the group consisting of pentane, hexane, supercritical carbon dioxide, an edible oil, a fat, and an oil. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the hydrophobic solvent extract of tien-cha, rooibos or black tea is an extract extracted using a solvent selected from the group consisting of pentane, hexane, supercritical carbon dioxide, an edible oil, a fat, and an oil.