Patent Picks—Copper-bound Botanicals, Skin Pigment Regulation, Antioxidants and More

Chosen biweekly by Rachel Grabenhofer, Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine editor, for their relevance to personal care, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition features recently issued patents relevant to skin care and health.

Reduction of the Formation of Biofilm by Means of Multifunctional Copolymers
US Patent Application 20100249249
Publication date: Sept. 30, 2010
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Henkel Corp

The present invention describes multifunctional copolymers, washing and cleaning agents comprising said copolymers and use of those copolymers for reduction of the attachment of microorganisms and/or for reduction of the formation of biofilm on surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, this invention would be used in sterilization agents, disinfectants, impregnation agents or preservatives, washing or cleaning agents, or in coolants or cooling lubricants (technical application solutions) as well as in the field of water purification/water treatment, and the pharmaceutical, food, medical, colorant and cosmetic industries, among others.

Antimicrobial Compositions
US Patent Application 20100249247
Publication date: Sept. 30, 2010
Inventors: JF Andrews (Stillwater, MN, US) and WG Cook (Hudson, WI, US)

Diclosed in this patent is an antimicrobial composition for use as a disinfectant or a preservative. The disinfectant may be used in disinfecting and cleaning surfaces. The preservative would be particularly useful in personal care and cosmetic products and pharmaceuticals. The composition includes a base component and an alkyl mono propylene glycol ether, an alkyl mono glycerol ether, or a combination of these ethers. The base component may be water, alcohol, lotion, cream, shampoo, soap, a cosmetic color agent, hair conditioner, lip balm and/or face, eye or lip makeup or ointments.

Methods and Compositions for Treating Dermatological Diseases and Conditions
US Patent Application 20100249244
Publication date: Sept. 30, 2010
Inventors: BB Fuller (Edmond, OK, US)

The disclosed inventive concept(s) describe compounds, in particular dihydroeugenol (DHE) and/or isoeugenol (IE) and/or ethyl vanillin (EV) or salts, esters, ethers, or derivatives thereof, and methods for topically or systemically delivering them for treatment against inflammation-related and other dermatological conditions such as described herein. These compounds also are delivered to a measurable extent transepidermally or transdermally.

In particular, the presently claimed and disclosed inventive concept(s) is directed to a method of using a composition comprising one or more of DHE and/or IE and/or EV or salts, esters, ethers, or derivatives for treating dermatologic diseases, disorders or conditions, aging effects related to decreasing production of collagen, elastin or hyaluronic acid, or to hyperpigmentation. The formulations may further contain cinnamaldehyde.

Methods of Treating Skin with Aromatic Skin-active Ingredients
US Patent Application 20100249222
Publication date: Sept. 30, 2010
Assignee: Mary Kay Inc. (Dallas, TX, US)

The present patent describes a method for treating skin, reducing oxidative damage to a skin cell, reducing lipoxygenase (LO) activity in a skin cell, reducing cyclooxygenase (COX) activity in a skin cell, reducing tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in a skin cell, or reduction matrix metalloproteinase enzyme activity in a skin cell, comprising contacting skin or a skin cell with an aromatic skin-active ingredient.

Compounds and Formulations Suitable for Radical Scavenging
US Patent Application 20100249168
Publication date: Sept. 30, 2010
Assignee: Solenne BV (Groningen, NL)

This invention relates to compositions and methods of using free radical scavengers with reduced O2 generation. In certain embodiments of the invention, these compositions and methods of use relate to fullerene-derived ketolactams and fullerene-derived keto lactam derivatives, fullerene derivatives, and/or fullerenes. In yet other embodiments, the invention relates to cosmetic or dermatological compositions comprising said free radical scavengers with reduced O2 generation.

Cosmetic Formulation to Treat Rosacea Telangiectasia
US Patent Application 20100247693
Publication date: Sept. 30, 2010
Inventors: JL Marini (San Jose, CA, US)

The present invention features novel cosmetic skin care compositions for improving the appearance of rosacea-affected skin. Specifically, the skin care compositions presented herein contain a synergistic combination of: azaleic acid; a retinoid, e.g. retinol; one or more vitamin K compounds; and peptides, for use in improving the appearance of rosacea-affected regions of the skin. The formulation is provided in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle(s), which may further comprise skin soothing/conditioning agents, and permeation enhancers, e.g. transcutol. Accordingly, the synergistic combinations of the active ingredients of the invention are formulated as skin care cosmetic compositions that can be applied directly to the skin so as to improve the appearance of skin texture and color. The compositions may additionally provide cosmetic benefit for acne, discoloration, oily skin, aging skin, spider veins and sun damage.

Cholesterol Sulfate and Amino Sugar Compositions for Enhancement of Stratum Corneum Function
US Patent Application 20100247692
Publication date: Sept. 30, 2010
Inventors: DH Maes (Huntington, NY, US) and J  Zecchino (Closter, NJ, US)

The present invention provides compositions containing a mixture of cholesterol sulfate and an exfoliant. The exfoliant can be N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, or a combination thereof. The combination of cholesterol sulfate with the exfoliant surprisingly enhances the skin barrier even though the activity of each of the components is opposite the other. In addition, because of the ability to enhance or repair the skin barrier function, methods of maintaining or improving a healthy skin barrier are included in the present invention by apply to the skin an effective amount of the mixture of cholesterol sulfate with the exfoliant. The mixture can also be useful in treating or preventing damage to the skin, where the damage is caused by a comprised skin barrier function. As a result of improved skin barrier function, the appearance of lines and wrinkles is generally reduced; rough and dry skin conditions are also improved.

Composition, for Prevention and/or Treatment of Pruritus, Containing Acacai Bark Derivative
US Patent Application 20100247690
Publication date: Sept. 30, 2010
Inventors: Y Nakamoto (Hiroshima, JP) and K Ono (Hiroshima, JP)

This patent disloses a composition containing an acacia bark derivative that is useful in preventing and/or treating pruritus. The composition prevents the onset of pruritus and cures or alleviates it by demonstrating antipruritic and/or itching relief effects. In addition, the composition is very safe and has less potential for adverse side effects and the like even if taken for a long period of time.

Skin Treatment Compositions Containing Copper-Pigment Complexes Bound to Botanicals 
US Patent Application 20100247628
Publication date: Sept. 30, 2010
Inventors: PL Dorogi (Easton, PA, US), DB Vasily (Bethlehem, PA, US) and JP Mccook (Frisco, TX, US)

This invention discloses compositions and method for treating various types of skin disorders based on topical cutaneous delivery of copper chemically bound with botanical pigments. Sodium-copper-chlorophyllin is used as an example, showing benefits in the treatment of rosacea, acne, oily skin, enlarged pores and in relieving skin inflammation. Benefits are also disclosed in treatment of environmentally caused premature skin aging via reductions in fine facial lines and wrinkles, increased tensile strength of the skin, and increased protection against sunlight via increased production of melanin. Therapeutic outcomes are improved when the copper-pigment complex is enclosed within submicron liposomes.

Foxn1 and Pigmentation
US Patent Application 20100247627
Publication date: Sept. 30, 2010
Assignee: The General Hospital Corp., a Massachusetts corporation

The present invention provides methods and compositions for modulating skin pigmentation. The invention is based on the inventors' discovery that the Foxn1 signal transduction pathway is important for the maintenance and/or appearance of skin. In particular, the inventors have found that the Foxn1 signal transduction pathway modulates skin color, e.g., pigmentation. Therefore, the inventors have identified the Foxn1 signal transduction pathway as a target for screening, diagnostic and treatment methods for the modulation of skin color/pigmentation.

Accordingly, in one respect, the invention features a method for identifying an agent that modulates pigmentation. The method includes identifying an agent that increases or decreases, permanently or temporarily, the expression, activity or levels of a component of the Foxn1 signal transduction pathway and correlating the ability of an agent to modulate Foxn1 expression, levels or activity with the ability to modulate skin color.

An agent that increases Foxn1 signaling to thereby increase pigmentation can be, for example: a) a polypeptide component of the Foxn1 signal transduction pathway, or a functional fragment or variant thereof; b) a peptide or protein agonist or antagonist of a component of the Foxn1 signal transduction pathway; c) a small molecule that modulates expression of a component of the Foxn1 signal transduction pathway; d) a chemical, organic, naturally occurring or synthetic organic compound that modulates expression of a component of the Foxn1 signal transduction pathway; e) a nucleotide sequence encoding a Foxn1 signal transduction pathway polypeptide, or a fragment or analog thereof; or f) an antibody that binds to and stabilizes or assists the binding of a Foxn1 pathway component to a binding partner.

Peptide-Based Systems for Delivery of Cosmetic Agents
US Patent Application 20100247590
Publication date: Sept. 30, 2010
Assignee: Johnson & Johnson (New Brunswick, NJ, US); E. I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company (Wilmington, DE, US)

This invention relates to compositions and systems comprising peptide-based reagents for delivery of cosmetic benefit agents to human hair, skin or nails. The invention is directed to cosmetic systems comprising a peptidic component comprising at least one binding domain that binds to human hair, skin or nails with a Kd or MB50 value of 10−5 molar or less, and which further comprises the first part of an affinity pair; and a stable dispersion of particulate benefit agent having average particle size of between about 0.01 micron and about 75 microns and the second part of the affinity pair. The at-least one binding domain has a greater binding affinity for the human hair, skin or nails than it has for the particles of the dispersion. Methods of using the cosmetic delivery systems of the invention are also described, including the application of a benefit agent and the removal of the benefit agent from human hair, skin or nails.

Pigmentation-Regulating Compounds
US Patent Application 20100247587
Publication date: Sept. 30, 2010
Assignee: Lipotec S.A. (Gavá-Barcelona, ES)

The applicant of the present invention has found that 6-substituted 7-methoxy-2,2-dimethylchromanes are capable of reducing the amount of melanin produced by the melanocytes by means of the inhibition of the enzyme tyrosinase and, in turn, to protect against damage caused by UV radiation. The invention provides a simple, effective and risk-free solution for treating, caring for and/or cleaning skin, hair and/or nails, comprising a mammal a 6-substituted 7-methoxy-2,2-dimethylchromane.

The cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of the present invention or their cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be used in different types of formulations for topical or transdermal application, and they can also be incorporated by means of techniques known by persons skilled in the art in different types of solid accessories such as, for example and in a non-limiting sense towelettes, hydrogels, adhesive (or non-adhesive) patches or face masks. They may also be incorporated in different makeup products such as, for example and in a non-limiting sense makeup bases, makeup removal lotions, makeup removal milks or under eye concealers, among others.

Topical Skin Care Formulations
US Patent Application 20100247563
Publication date: Sept. 30, 2010
Assignee: Mary Kay Inc. (Dallas, TX, US)

DIsclosed in the present patent is a topical skin care composition comprising: a) a combination of the following extracts: Malpighia punicifolia (acerola) extract; Argania spinosa (argan) extract; Myrciaria dubia (camu camu) extract; Punica granatum (pomegrannate) extract; Pinus sylvestris extract; Terminalia ferdinandiana (kakadu plum) extract; Linum usitatissimum (linseed) extract; Ribes nigrum (black currant) extract; Secale cereale (rye) extract; algae extract; and yeast extract; and (b) a dermatologically acceptable vehicle.

Copolymer Containing Water-Soluble Lipids for Thickening Benefits
US Patent Application 20100247476
Publication date: Sept. 30, 2010
Assignee: Societe d'Exploitation de Products Pour Les Industries Chimiques SEPPIC (Paris, FR)

This invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art to develop a new, sensorially more attractive and easy-to-produce viscous cosmetic product. The diclosed cosmetic preparation contains: a) a hydroxyethylacrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, and b) one or two water-soluble lipids.

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