Abstract:
A plant grown from seeds derived from a new interhybrid of three plants of the  Momordica  genus has been cultivated. The new plant hybrid has a faster growth rate than the parent species. Parts of the new interhybrid plant which, when ingested by an individual, have blood glucose and/or insulin regulating properties. Foods and/or beverages containing parts or extracts of the new interhybrid plant and which to promote weight control or loss and/or blood glucose regulation are also disclosed.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of earlier filed U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/972,165 filed on 13 Sep. 2007. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a new plant hybrid of the genus  Momordica , and, more particularly, to a new  Momordica  interhybrid, parts of which can be extracted to produce a material having improved blood sugar and/or insulin regulatory properties in humans. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Blood glucose levels play an important role in a person&#39;s energy levels and, in general, all bodily functions. A continuous excess of glucose in a person&#39;s blood stream is often an indicator of weight and/or blood glucose regulation issues. Generally, an individual&#39;s blood glucose levels should fall between about 70 to about 110 mg/ml. 
     Elevated blood glucose levels (i.e., greater than about 110 mg/dl) typically triggered by alimentary habits, can have a severe impact on an individual&#39;s health and can lead to a wide range of problems. For example, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and blindness are some of the complications that can be derived from prolonged high blood glucose levels. Diabetes, in particular, has been shown to be a precursor of kidney and nervous system disorders and can also cause dental disease and complications of pregnancy. 
     Blood sugar imbalances attributable to diabetes are typically treated or controlled using insulin or insulin mimetics. For patients who are pre-diabetic and/or are non-insulin dependant, other forms of treatment or intervention may be employed to control blood glucose levels. For example, lifestyle changes that include weight management, nutritional control and/or counseling, and/or exercise regimens may be prescribed or recommended. 
     However, there is a need and a desire for a product, such as a natural product, that is effective for lowering blood glucose levels. Further, there is a need and a desire for an over-the-counter (OTC) product that can be utilized alone or in combination with other rehabilitative therapies to control blood glucose levels. There is an additional need and a desire for a natural product that can be used to supplement diet and exercise and/or promotes weight loss or control. 
     In another aspect, a product that is useful for controlling blood glucose and/or insulin levels can be advantageously included in foods and/or beverages used before, during and/or after exercise to maintain steady energy levels and/or hydration. For example, there is a need and a desire for a product or ingredient which promotes the maintenance of steady blood glucose levels that can be used in a sports drink, gel or energy-type food product. 
     Sports drink formulations generally fall into one of three categories. Isotonic sports drinks are generally designed to help athletes rehydrate as well as to maintain and/or replenish electrolytes such as, for example, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, and other nutrients which can be depleted during strenuous activities. Some isotonic sports drinks may also include carbohydrates such as glucose for energy replenishment. 
     Another group of sports drinks includes carbohydrate-rich energy drinks. These drinks are specifically designed for use by physically active individuals and are primarily used shortly before or after exercise to boost muscle glycogen stores and help optimize sporting performance. Carbohydrates used in such energy sports drinks are typically derived from sucrose, fructose, glucose polymers, maltodextrin and/or polylactate. Energy sports drinks are less about replacing lost fluid and more about keeping the working muscles supplied with energy during very long and sustained workouts. The disadvantage of energy sports drinks is that their high carbohydrate concentrations tend to slow down the rate of water absorption, particularly during hard exercise. 
     Recovery sports drinks fall into the third category. Recovery sports drinks are generally taken after exercise and typically include water, carbohydrate and amino acids. Recovery sports drinks may include additional nutrients as electrolytes, minerals, vitamins needed to aid metabolism of the ingested carbohydrate, and protein to promote muscle recovery. 
     Generally, each of the above sports drinks is designed to provide a particular effect or benefit depending upon the activity an individual is engaged in or the point at which the beverage is ingested, i.e., rehydration during and after strenuous activities where electrolyte loss via perspiration is a concern; energy replenishment during prolonged physical activity; and post-activity muscle recovery. Currently, a sports drink formulation which addresses all three desired benefits, that is rehydration, energy replenishment and muscle recovery support, is not believed to be commercially available. Further, current commercially available sports drinks have not been designed to manage or maintain blood glucose and/or insulin levels, thereby providing an athlete with a steady level of energy throughout a workout or competition 
     In view of the above, there is a need and a demand for a sports drink formulation capable of providing rehydration, energy replenishment, and muscle recovery support in a single formulation. There is further need and a demand for a sports drink formulation having blood sugar and/or insulin regulatory properties. 
     SUMMARY 
     A general object of the invention is to provide a naturally-derived product which exhibits blood sugar and/or insulin regulation properties. 
     The general object of the invention can be obtained, at least in part, through a new plant hybrid of the genus  Momordica  and an extract derived there from. The new  Momordica  interhybrid extract is believed to control or regulate blood sugar and/or insulin levels within the body. 
     The invention further comprehends a food or beverage product containing the extract derived from the new plant hybrid that assists in the regulation of blood glucose and/or levels and can be utilized to promote weight loss or weight control. One such food or beverage product includes a sports drink which provides a three-fold benefit of rehydration, energy replenishment, and muscle recovery support in a single formulation. A further objective of the invention is to provide a sports drink having blood sugar and/or regulatory properties. 
     The sports drink formulation can include or consist of: 
     a carbohydrate source; 
     an amino acid blend; 
     a pyruvate blend; 
     a mineral blend; 
     a  Momordica  sp. extract; 
     one or more vitamins; and 
     one or more electrolytes. 
     Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the examples. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention provides a sports drink formulation which includes an extract of a newly derived plant hybrid of the genus  Momordica . The  Momordica  sp. extract and the sports drink formulation including the  Momordica  sp. extract possess blood sugar and/or insulin regulation properties. 
     Extracts obtained from certain species of the  Momordica  genus have been shown to have a regulatory impact upon blood glucose and/or insulin levels in human subjects. In some cases it is believed that such extracts can successfully restore Beta cells&#39; ability to secrete insulin. In the present invention, a new interhybrid of the genus  Momordica  has been cultivated to have an improved growth rate thereby providing an economical and readily accessible supply of plant material. 
     The newly derived plant hybrid of the genus  Momordica  (hereinafter the “McB interhybrid”) has been stabilized and asexually reproduced. The McB interhybrid is an interhybrid derived from a cross of  Momordica charantia , commonly known as bitter melon,  Momordica balsamina , and a previously unnamed Momordica species native to Ecuador. In particular, the McB interhybrid is a tetra-cross pollinated hybrid plant of the aforementioned  Momordica  species. 
     The McB interhybrid typically produces a seed having a zebra-like striped appearance versus the creamy white, dark brown or spotted seeds of the parent  Momordica  sp. The McB interhybrid further produces a rounded fruit as opposed to the typically elongated fruit of the parents, and has a larger leaf size. Additionally, the McB interhybrid has a faster growth rate than the parent  Momordica  sp. 
     In one aspect, the McB interhybrid can be derived from a tetra-cross pollination of the three parent  Momordica  species. For example, Species 1 is bred with Species 2 to create Hybrid 1 (H 1 ). Species 1 is also bred with Species 3 to create Hybrid 2 (H 2 ). H 1  is crossed with H 2  to create Hybrid 3 (H 3 ). Thereafter, H 1  is crossed with H 3  to derive the new plant hybrid. 
     An extract of the McB interhybrid may be obtained via extraction of the plant material in a ratio of about 1 gram plant material to about 10 grams of extraction liquid. Typically, such extraction liquid may consist of or include, water, ethanol or a combination thereof. One suitable technique for obtaining a McB extract includes an aqueous soxhlet extraction method. 
     The sports drink formulation consists of or includes a carbohydrate source, an amino acid blend, a pyruvate blend, a mineral blend, the McB extract, vitamins and/or electrolytes. 
     The carbohydrate source can be derived from any carbohydrates typically employed in beverages. Such carbohydrate source suitably includes and/or consists of a sugar selected from the group consisting of sucrose, fructose, glucose polymers, maltodextrin, polylactate and combinations thereof. Suitably, the carbohydrate source includes or consists of about 80% to about 95% by weight sugar. 
     The amino acid blend suitably includes or consists of a branched chain formulation of essential amino acids selected from the group consisting of histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, theonine, tryptophan, valine, and combinations thereof. 
     One suitable amino acid blend includes or consists of: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Histidine 
                  3.9% 
               
               
                   
                 Isoleucine 
                 14.1% 
               
               
                   
                 Leucine 
                 20.2% 
               
               
                   
                 Lysine 
                 12.6% 
               
               
                   
                 Methionine 
                 12.4% 
               
               
                   
                 Phenylalanine 
                 12.0% 
               
               
                   
                 Threonine 
                  7.1% 
               
               
                   
                 Tryptophan 
                  3.9% 
               
               
                   
                 Valine 
                 13.8% 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The pyruvate blend suitably includes or consists of water soluble calcium pyruvate and sodium pyruvate. Suitably, such pyruvate blend can include or consist of calcium pyruvate blended with sodium pyruvate in a 50:50 ratio. 
     The mineral blend includes or consists of a combination of macro minerals, essential trace minerals and/or ultra trace minerals. Such macro minerals include or consist of Calcium, Carbon, Chloride, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Sulfur, and combinations thereof. 
     Such essential trace minerals include or consist of Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Selenium, Zinc, and combinations thereof. 
     Such ultra trace minerals include or consist of Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium, Cerium, Cesium, Cobalt, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium, Fluorine, Gadolinium, Gallium, Germanium, Gold, Hafnium, Holmium, Hydrogen, Indium, Lanthanum, Lead, Lithium, Lutetium, Neodymium, Nickel, Niobium, Nitrogen, Osmium, Oxygen, Palladium, Platinum, Praseodymium, Rhenium, Rhodium, Rubidium, Ruthenium, Samarium, Scandium, Silicon, Silver, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Terbium, Thallium, Thorium, Thulium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zirconium, and combinations thereof. 
     Vitamins which may be included in the sports drink include and/or consist of vitamin C, vitamin B 3 , vitamin B 6 , vitamin B 12 , and combinations thereof. 
     Electrolytes which may be included in the sports drink formulation include sodium, potassium and combinations thereof. Suitably the sports drink formulation includes or contains sodium in combination with potassium as potassium chloride. Other electrolytes may also be used in the sports drink formulation. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a sports drink formulation having blood sugar and/or insulin regulatory properties includes and/or consists of about 75% to about 90% by weight carbohydrates, about 5% to about 20% by weight amino acids, and about 1% to about 5% by weight of the pyruvate blend, mineral blend, McB extract, vitamins and electrolytes. 
     The invention may be further understood in connection with the following Example. 
     EXAMPLE 
     A sports drink having blood sugar and/or insulin regulatory properties was prepared according to the formulation in TABLE 1. The sports drink provided, in an 8 ounce serving, 85 calories derived from 21 grams of total carbohydrates. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 Weight 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Sugar 
                 20  
                 g 
               
               
                   
                 Amino Acid Blend 
                 2.5  
                 g 
               
               
                   
                 Pyruvate blend 
                 50  
                 mg 
               
               
                   
                 Mineral Blend 
                 2.5  
                 mg 
               
               
                   
                 McB Extract 
                 150  
                 mg 
               
               
                   
                 Vitamin B 3   
                 50  
                 mg 
               
               
                   
                 Vitamin B 6   
                 2.5  
                 mg 
               
               
                   
                 Vitamin B 12   
                 0.50  
                 mg 
               
               
                   
                 Vitamin C 
                 30  
                 mg 
               
               
                   
                 Calcium 
                 25  
                 mg 
               
               
                   
                 Zinc 
                 0.25 
                 mg 
               
               
                   
                 Sodium 
                 10  
                 mg 
               
               
                   
                 Potassium chloride 
                 15  
                 mg 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The amino acid blend is disclosed above in paragraph [0017]. The pyruvate blend is a water soluble blend of calcium and sodium pyruvate in a 50:50 ratio. The mineral blend includes all of the macro minerals, essential trace minerals and ultra trace minerals disclosed above in paragraphs [0019]-[0021]. The McB extract was obtained via aqueous soxhlet extraction of the McB sp. plant material in a ratio of 1 gram plant material per 10 grams water. 
     While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain embodiments thereof, and many details have been put forth for the purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention. 
     The McB interhybrid seeds of  Momordica , producing the newly derived plant hybrid and used in the methods disclosed herein were deposited in a quantity of 2500 seeds with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC®), Patent Depository, 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110, on Apr. 21, 2011, tested and found to be viable on Jun. 2, 2011, and were accepted on Jun. 3, 2011 and have been assigned Patent Deposit Designation (ATCC Deposit No.) PTA-11843.