Patent Picks—Flavonoids, Genkwanin and Sakuranetin, Heat Shock Proteins and More

Chosen biweekly by Rachel Grabenhofer, editor of Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine, for their relevance to personal care, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition features patents related to anti-aging skin care technologies.

Methods of making and using compositions comprising flavonoids
WIPO Patent Application
WO/2011/049629
Publication date: April 28, 2011
Assignee(s): API Genesis LLC and PJ Birbara

According to this patent, flavonoids have been shown to act as free radical scavengers, antioxidants, superoxide anions, UV absorbers and lipid peroxy radicals. They are also known to be effective in strengthening collagen structures and have been shown to exhibit anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. This invention relates to novel micoparticulate and soluble forms of flavonoids, their synthesis, and novel formulations including flavonoids.

One embodiment of the invention involves preparing a topical formulation of a hydrated flavonoid comprising: solubilizing a flavonoid in an alcohol; adding the alcohol solubilized flavonoid to a dermatologically acceptable carrier; and adjusting the pH of the formulation to a dermatologically acceptable pH (e.g. 4–8), wherein the adjusting the pH step is done under conditions producing flavonoid nanofibers having an average size of 50–1000 nm. The topical formulation preparation involves: adding a flavonoid to an emulsion carrier to form a mixture; heating (e.g. to about 120°F to 170°F) the mixture until it has the approximate viscosity of water; and forming a dispersion of microparticles in the mixture. Typically, the emulsion is an o/w or w/o emulsion and includes a stabilizer, a dispersant or a surfactant, or another stabilizing agent to inhibit microparticle agglomeration. In one embodiment, the forming a dispersion step is accomplished using sonication or high pressure homogenization.

Glyceryl and glycol acid compounds
US Patent 7932417
Publication date: April 26, 2011
Assignee: Mary Kay Inc.

This invention describes a composition comprising a glyceryl salicylate compound and/or a glycol salicylate compound that can be used to reduce the amount of moisture evaporated from skin, protect the skin from UV light, and treat aged or damaged skin. The composition can be used in applications such as cosmetic skin care and can include an acid molecule attached to a glycerol or glycol molecule via an ester linkage.

Topical composition comprising n-acetyl glucosamine
European Patent Application EP2311452
Publication date: April 20, 2011
Assignee: RJ Yu and EJ Van Scott

This patent discloses compositions comprising N-acetyl-aidosamines, N-acetylamino acids and related N-acetyl compounds that are useful to alleviate or improve various cosmetic conditions and dermatological disorders, including changes or damage to skin, nail and hair associated with intrinsic aging and/or extrinsic aging, as well as changes or damage caused by extrinsic factors. N-acetyl-aldosamines, N-acetylamino acids, and related N-acetyl composition may further comprise a cosmetic, pharmaceutical or other topical agent to enhance or create synergetic effects.

Surfactant-free, water-free foamable compositions, breakable foams and gels and their uses
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/039637
Publication date: April 7, 2011
Inventors: D Tamarkin, E Gazal, I Papiashvili, Y Hazot, D Schuz and R Keynan

This invention involves a substantially surface active agent-free composition that includes a hydrophobic solvent and/or a petrolatum, a paraffin wax and/or a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid and/or a wax and/or shea butter, with and without a propellant. A substantially surface active agent free composition further comprises a tetracycline antibiotic or a vitamin D derivative or one or more other active agents. A method of treatment using the composition also is disclosed.

Specifically, the invention describes oleaginous foamable formulations and foams comprising hydrophobic solvents and their uses. In addition, it relates to formulations with an active agent. In one or more embodiments the hydrophobic solvents are provided as part of a drug carrier. For example, certain drugs require hydrophobic solvents in order to solubilize them. In one or more other embodiments, the hydrophobic solvents are provided to facilitate or enhance the transdermal penetration or delivery of a drug. In one or more additional cases, the hydrophobic solvents are provided to have an occlusive effect at the target site, for example where the site of treatment is a damaged skin and the occlusive effect of hydrophobic solvents is desirable. The application further describes semi solid gel compositions that liquefy on application of mild shear force such as gentle rubbing.

Novel skin peel composition in masque form
US Patent Application 20110086000
Publication date: April 14, 2011
Inventors: S Feng and G Rousseau

The present invention is directed to a method of reducing the appearance of skin changes associated with intrinsic and/or extrinsic aging, involving the steps of: a) providing a first composition containing: 1) from about 20% to 50% w/w of at least one hydroxy acid; 2) optionally, from about 1% to 15% w/w of at least one weak organic acid; and 3) qs to 100% water; b) providing a second composition containing: 1) from about 20% to 50% w/w of L-ascorbic acid powder; 2) optionally, from about 1% to 10% by weight of an extract of emblica; 3) from about 10% to 60% w/w of a water-soluble film-forming polymer; and 4) qs to 100% of a water-absorbing thickening agent; c) mixing (a) and (b) to form a finished composition; d) applying the finished composition onto the skin just after mixing in order to form a masque on the skin; and e) removing the masque from the skin after a predetermined period of time.

Method of manufacturing 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid amide, its application in the manufacture of anti-aging compositions, and an anti-aging composition
US Patent 7923578
Publication date: April 12, 2011
Assignee: Instytut Chemii Bioorganicznej Pan

This patent describes a method of manufacturing 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid amide, its application in the manufacture of anti-aging compositions, and an anti-aging composition. According to the invention, since phloretamide possesses a series of biological properties, it can be used in skin care for its anti-aging effects to prevent the sagging of skin and loss of luster.

Derivatives of genkwanin and sakuranetin, cosmetic and therapeutic use thereof, and preparation method of same
US Patent 7935672
Publication date: May 3, 2011
Inventors: M Prost, J Ragot, and P Tubery

The invention relates to the use of osyl derivatives of genkwanin and sakuranetin in cosmetic or dermatologic formulations. According to a first aspect of the invention, a novel use of saccharide derivatives of genkwanin and sakuranetin is recommended for free radical-scavenging, improving the texture of the skin, and/or treating or preventing disorders caused by free radicals.

Peptides used in the treatment and/or care of the skin, mucous membranes and/or hair and its use in cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/047868
Publication date: April 28, 2011
Assignee: Lipotec, S.A., C Carreno Serraima, W Van Den Nest, A Sempere Bonete, A Ferrer Montiel, N Alminana Domenech and J Cebrian Puche

This patent decribes heat shock protein-stimulating peptides and their use as stereoisomers, mixtures thereof and/or their cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable salts. In addition, a preparation process is disclosed as are cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions that contain them. The peptides are capable of inducing the expression of heat shock proteins in the skin, mucous membranes and/or hair preferably for the treatment and/or care of conditions, disorders and/or diseases that are improved or prevented by the stimulation of heat shock protein synthesis.

Use of Vernonia extract
US Patent Application 20110097429
Publication date: April 28, 2011
Inventors: C Segond, A Loiseau, V Petit and E Theron

The present invention relates to the use of an extract of a Vernonia plant from Madagascar in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food supplements for improving the skin status, more specifically by strengthening the dermal-epidermal junction and/or by activating fibroblast synthesis of dermis and extracellular matrix compounds.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant cosmetic composition containing green tea polysaccharide and Tricholoma matsutake extract
US Patent Application 20110097356
Publication date: April 28, 2011
Inventors: CK Kang, SA Cho, JH Kim, HK Chang, NH Park and JC Cho

This patent describes a cosmetic composition that can inhibit skin aging caused by external harmful environmental factors such as UV light and environmental pollution. More specifically, disclosed is a composition that contains green tea polysaccharide and Tricholoma matsutake extract, which have reportedly shown excellent anti-aging effects by inhibiting skin inflammatory and oxidative processes.

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