[0001] This invention relates to a dietary supplement composition for the human or animal body, and in particular to a dietary supplement composition comprising Moringa oleifera, Curcumin, and Piperine.

[0002] Moringa oleifera is instrumental in the fight against global malnutrition. It is a complete multivitamin vegetable. It is rich in Vitamin A, C, Calcium, Protein, Potassium, Iron, Essential Amino Acids and Phytonutrients which aid the immune system. It provides nourishment to the eyes and brain, strengthens the cell structure of the body, and delivers powerful nutrition.

[0003] Moringa oleifera is an edible tree found worldwide in the dry tropics, and is increasingly being used for nutritional supplementation. Its nutrient-dense leaves are high in protein quality, leading to its widespread use by doctors, healers, nutritionists and community leaders, to treat under-nutrition and a variety of illnesses. The adoption of M. oleifera continues to increase.

[0004]A study was conducted to investigate the immunomodulatory action of methanol ic extract of Moringa oleifera (MEMO) in an experimental model of immunity (Sudha et al Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. 2010 Apr- Jun;54(2):133-40). The cellular immunity was evaluated using neutrophil adhesion test, cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia and carbon clearance assay, whereas, humoral immunity was tested by mice lethality test, serum immunoglobulin estimation and indirect haemagglutination assay in animals. Administration of MEMO (250 and 750 mg/kg, po) and Ocimum sanctum (100 mg/kg, po) significantly increased the levels of serum immunoglobulins and also prevented the mortality induced by bovine Pasteurella multocida in mice. They also increased significantly the circulating antibody titre in indirect haemagglunation test. Moreover, MEMO produced significant increase in adhesion of neutrophils, attenuation of cyclophosphamide-induced neutropenia and an increase in phagocytic index in carbon clearance assay. From the above results, it can be concluded that MEMO stimulate both cellular and humoral immune response. However, low dose of MEMO was found to be more effective than the high dose. [0005] The leaves of Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) are also used by the Indians in their herbal medicine as a hypocholesterolennic agent in obese patients. The scientific basis for their use in hypercholesterolemia was therefore examined. It was found (Ghasi et al Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2000 Jan;69(1):21-5) that administration of the crude leaf extract of Moringa oleifera along with high-fat diet decreased the high-fat diet-induced increases in serum, liver, and kidney cholesterol levels by 14.35% (1 15-103.2 mg/100 ml of serum), 6.40% (9.4-8.8 mg/g wet weight) and 1 1 .09% (1 .09-0.97 mg/g wet weight) respectively. The effect on the serum cholesterol was statistically significant. No significant effect on serum total protein was observed. However, the crude extract increased serum albumin by 15.22% (46-53 g/l). This value was also found to be statistically significant. It was concluded that the leaves of Moringa oleifera have definite hypocholesterolennic activity and that there is valid pharmacological basis for employing them for this purpose. [0006]Curcumin (extract of Curcuma longa) is backed by over 3,000 clinical studies conducted worldwide (for example the review article Aggarwal et al in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 2007;595:1 -75). Curcumin is beneficial in over 100 medical conditions. [0007] Piperine (extract of Piper longum) is a bio-availability enhancer. 1 Milligram of Piperine increases the body's ability to absorb curcumin and some other nutrients by over 100% (Shoba et al Planta Medica. 1998 May; 64(4):353-6 or Atal et al J Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 1985 Jan;232(1 ):258-62).

[0008] Therefore, according to the present invention there is provided a dietary supplement composition comprising Moringa oleifera, Curcumin and Piperine. [0009]The proportion of the ingredients that make up the dietary supplement composition of the present invention may be as follows:

- between about 48% to about 58% by weight of Moringa oleifera;

- between about 37% to about 47% by weight of Curcumin; and

- between about 2% to about 4% by weight of Piperine.

[0010]The proportion of the ingredients that make up the dietary supplement composition of the present invention may also be as follows:

- about 48% by weight of Moringa oleifera;

- about 46% by weight of Curcumin; and

- about 2% by weight of Piperine.

[0011]The dietary supplement composition may further comprise a stabiliser. The preservative may comprise about 2% by weight of Methyl Paraben and/or about 2% by weight of Proply Paraben.

[0012] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a dietary supplement composition comprising:

- between about 250mg to about 375mg Moringa oleifera;

- between about 200mg to about 250mg of Curcumin; and

- between about 10mg and about 20mg of Piperine.

[0013]The dietary supplement composition may further comprise a stabiliser. This may comprise at least Methyl Paraben, which may be about 10mg in weight and/or Propyl Paraben, which may be about 10mg in weight.

[0014]The dietary supplement composition may comprise 250mg Moringa oleifera, 240mg Curcumin, 10mg Piperine, 10mg Methyl Paraben and 10mg Propyl Paraben.

[0015] A tablet or capsule containing the dietary supplement composition according to this aspect of the present invention may have a weight that does not exceed about 700mg. [0016] The fornnulation may be adjusted to increase the potency and effect of certain ingredients, depending on the desired effect. [0017] In combination, the Piperine, Curcumin and Moringa oleifera help fight malnutrition, keep the body in its optimum form, while retaining all the medical benefits of a combination of PiCur, which is a food supplement with an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value of 159,000 and is available from The GlobaLeader Inc, Philippines.

[0018] At least one example of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only.

[0019] Example 1

Composition - Weight

Moringa oleifera

Curcumin (extract of Curcuma longa)

Piperine (extract of Piper longum)

Methyl Paraben

Propyl Paraben

Method

Curcumin and Piperine dry extracts are processed separately using known pulverization, extraction, evaporation, and crystallization techniques.

Blumea balsamifera and Lagerstoemia speciosa dry extracts are processed separately using known pulverization and extraction techniques.

The resulting powder extracts are then blended in the designated proportion and encapsulated using known techniques.