N-METHYLSEROTONIN AND RELATED SUBSTANCES FOR USE IN TREATING / LESSENING THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT FLASHES RELATED TO MENOPAUSE

摘要

Zanthoxylum piperitum (commonly known as Japanese pepper) seeds, including its mature seeds, contain the NMS precursor/V-methylserotonin 5-O-B-glucoside (“NMS-glucoside”) present in sufficient concentration and are metabolized with sufficient efficiency so as to provide an effective amount of NMS for use in amelioration of menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes/flushes. The Japanese pepper seeds or Japanese pepper seed extracts can also be used to enrich other sources of NMS or NMS precursors in order to provide a nutraceutical or food supplement for controlling hot flashes.