Biological effects of compositions of rosmarinic acid

1. A composition formulated for oral administration and comprising a bioefficiency enhancing agent consisting of rosmarinic acid in combination with a hydrolysis effective amount of a hydrolytic enzyme selected from chlorogenate esterase or a microorganism containing or producing a hydrolytic enzyme of an esterase;

wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus johnsonii (CNCM 1-1225), Bifidobacterium longum (ATCC BAA-999), Bifidobacterium lactis (CNCM 1-3446) and mixtures thereof;

so that the rosmarinic acid is hydrolysed into caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxy phenyllactic acid in amounts sufficient to enhance the bioefficiency of the composition after consumption compared to non-hydrolysed rosmarinic acid containing compositions, wherein the microorganism is a probiotic and is present in an amount ranging from 1×10 3 to 1×10 8 cfu/g.

2. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrolytic enzyme is present in the composition in an amount ranging from 0.01 to 1000 U/g.

3. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the rosmarinic acid is hydrolysed into caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxy phenyllactic acid in vivo.

4. The composition according to claim 1 , specifically as a food composition of a complete nutritional food, drink, mineral water, soup, food supplement, or replacement food.

5. The composition according to claim 1 , in the form of a solution, spray, powder, tablet, capsule, nutritional bar, liquid suspension, confectionery, milk-based or fermented milk-based product, yogurt, milk-based powder, enteral nutrition product, a child or infant formulation, a cereal-based or fermented cereal-based product, a soy-based product, an ice cream, chocolate, coffee, a culinary product, or a pet food.

6. A method for inhibiting expression of matrix metalloproteinase in a subject which comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a matrix metalloproteinase expression inhibiting amount of the composition according to claim 1 .

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the matrix metalloproteinase is of type 1.

8. A method for improving bioefficiency of a food product that contains rosmarinic acid, which comprises formulating the composition according to claim 1 and incorporating the composition in the food product.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the food product is a complete nutritional food, drink, mineral water, soup, food supplement, or replacement food.

10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the food product is in the form of a solution, spray, powder, tablet, capsule, nutritional bar, liquid suspension, confectionery, milk-based or fermented milk-based product, yogurt, milk-based powder, enteral nutrition product, a child or infant formulation, a cerealbased or fermented cereal-based product, a soy-based product, an ice cream, chocolate, coffee, culinary product, or a pet food.

11. A method of preparing a composition according to claim 1 comprising the steps of:

providing a plant extract comprising rosmarinic acid;

providing the hydrolytic enzyme or microorganisms as recited in claim 1 ; and

mixing the rosmarinic acid and the hydrolytic enzyme or microorganisms with further ingredients to produce the composition, such that hydrolysis of rosmarinic acid occurs in the composition or in vivo; and

optionally including the composition in product;

wherein the bioefficiency of the composition after consumption is increased compared to non-hydrolysed rosmarinic acid containing compositions.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the rosmarinic acid is provided by extraction of rosemary, oregano, marjoram, thyme, perilla , peppermint, comfrey, parsley, balm, sage, hyssop, basil, lavender, or mixtures thereof.

13. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the composition or product further comprises ingredients selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, prebiotics, minerals, plant extracts, fibres, excipients, and flavourings.

14. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the bioefficiency enhancing agent consists of rosmarinic acid in combination with a hydrolytic enzyme of a chlorogenate esterase.