Patent Picks—Acacia, Hyaluronan, Porous Keratin and More in Skin Care

By: Rachel L. Grabenhofer

Posted: February 29, 2012

Chosen biweekly for their relevance to personal care, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition features technologies related to skin soothing, moisturizing and repair benefits.

Composition for prevention and/or treatment of pruritus containing Acacia bark derivative
US Patent 8124138
Publication date: Feb. 28, 2012
Assignee: Mimozax Co., Ltd.

The present invention containing an Acacia bark derivative is intended for preventing and/or treating pruritus (itch). Various treatment methods are known for the treatment of pruritus, including topical moisturizers such as Vaseline, urea or heparin; antihistamines such as diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine maleate; steroids such as dexamethazone or hydrocortisone; antipruritic agents such as crotamiton; and local anesthetics such as dibucaine or lidocaine. With respect to Acacia, acacia honey and tannins extracted from bark thereof can be used as tanning agents. In addition, acacia extracts have been found to have selective inhibitory effects on COX-2, active oxygen eliminating effects, and skin whitening effects due to tyrosinase activity inhibition. However, recently, acacia bark and polyphenols derived from bark thereof have been found to have antipruritic effects. These compositions can be used as a medicine, quasi-drugs or cosmetics, among others.

Plants having an increased content of amino sugars
US Patent 8124842
Publication date: Feb. 28, 2012
Assignee: Bayer Cropscience AG (Monheim Am Rhein, DE)

This patent relates to plant cells and plants having an increased content of N-acetylated glucosamine derivatives, plant cells and plants that synthesize glucosaminoglycans, and their processing. For example, N-acetyl-D-glucos-2-amine (N-acetylglucosamine, GlcNAc) is a glucosamine derivative acetylated at the nitrogen atom. It is a molecular building block of hyaluronan (beta-1,4-[glucuronic acid beta-1,3-GlcNAc]n), which is used frequently in cosmetic products, in particular in skin creams and lotions as a moisturizer, by virtue of its high water-binding capacity.