Patent Picks are compiled by the editors from publicly available sources. This edition features inventions related to skin treatments, including queen bee venom for anti-aging, a method to modulate the microbiome, plant extraction techniques, astaxanthin for gene expression, double-stranded oligonucleotides for improved delivery, sirtuin modulators, sunscreen photostabilizers and more.
Queen bee venom for anti-aging
WIPO Patent Application WO/2015/025112
Publication date: Feb. 26, 2015
Assignee: D. Mitchell
Disclosed in this invention is a composition suitable for topical skin application comprising isolated queen bee venom. According to the inventor, queen bee venom is superior to normal bee venom for treating skin conditions such as elastosis, laxity, wrinkles, infection, burns and damage, pain, muscle tightness, or combinations thereof. Unlike normal bee venom, queen bee venom is not aggressive, as it is used to protect eggs and larvae in the hive. Instead, queen bee venom has a stronger paralysis effect than normal bee venom due to higher concentrations of melittin. It also has a high content of natural antibiotic and cortisol, an anti-inflammatory. As the name suggests, queen bee venom is produced in the abdomen of queen bees from a mixture of acidic and basic secretions.
Modulating microbes
WO/2015/027057
Publication date: Feb. 26, 2015
Assignee: Elwha LLC, M.H. Baym, E.C. Leuthardt and L.L. Wood, Jr.
This patent describes kits, devices, methods and systems for assessing the microbiota of a surface on the body and selecting agents to apply to the body to modulate one or more types of microbes. The kit includes multiple treatment agents, a microbe sampling unit including a microbe-capture region, and an analyzer including a user interface, at least one sensor component, and a computing component with a processor and circuitry. The treatment agents can include buffers that modulate the pH conditions of the skin, or moisturizers, astringents or drying agents that modulate its hydration conditions. In one aspect, the plurality of agents includes witch hazel, calamine, rubbing alcohol and/or zinc oxide.
Plant extraction technique to refine benefit components
WIPO Patent Application WO/2015/024908
Publication date: Feb. 26, 2015
Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc., and SWM Luxembourg S.A.R.L.
This work describes the need to better control the entities present in plant extracts, as well as the conditions and time they require to achieve their effects. Thus, this patent discloses how it is possible to first separate substances from one or more plants, and subsequently combine one or more of the remaining or separated substances. In the simplest case, one plant is separated into a plant extract and a fibrous plant product, then the fibrous plant product and plant extract are combined to obtain a reconstructed version of the original plant with improved properties. For example, certain substances of the original plant may be easily water-soluble and others, not. In this way one can accelerate or even control the release or extraction rate of certain substances to achieve a medicinal, cosmetic, coloring or dermatologic effect. There also can be higher concentrations of certain or all substances, as compared to the natural plant.
Astaxanthin and esters thereof for gene expression
U.S. Patent Application 20150057365
Publication date: Feb. 26, 2015
Inventors: Y. Naito, J. Takahashi and W. Aoi
Described here is a gene expression-regulating agent based on astaxanthin and/or its ester, and its application in food, beverages and cosmetics. In recent years, it has been found that astaxanthin, which is a carotenoid, has an antioxidant effect 100 to 1,000 times stronger than vitamin E (α-tocopherol) and ~40 times stronger than β-carotene. It imparts anti-inflammatory and antistress effects, and inhibits pigmentation, melanin production and photoaging. The amount of astaxanthin or its ester for use in gene expression regulation is preferably 1 mg to 20 mg per day for adults, orally or non-orally. The dosage may vary depending on the age, body weight or grade of symptoms of a patient.
Double-stranded oligonucleotides for improved delivery
U.S. Patent Application 20150057333
Publication date: Feb. 26, 2015
Inventors: T. Woolf and K. Wiederholt
According to this invention, oligonucleotide sequences are promising therapeutic agents and useful research tools to elucidate gene functions. However, oligonucleotide molecules are often subject to nuclease degradation when applied to biological systems, making efficient gene expression inhibition (including protein synthesis) difficult. In response, this invention pertains to antisense sequences, including duplex RNAi compositions, that possess improved properties over those in the prior art.
Benzimidazoles and analogs as sirtuin modulators
U.S. Patent Application 20150057272
Publication date: Feb. 26, 2015
Inventors: C.B. Vu, J.S. Disch, P.Y. Ng, C.A. Blum and R.B. Perni
Described here are benzimidazoles and analogs as sirtuin-modulating compounds for increasing the lifespan of a cell, and treating and/or preventing a variety of diseases and disorders including, for example, those related to aging or stress, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, blood clotting disorders, inflammation, cancer and/or flushing as well as diseases or disorders that would benefit from increased mitochondrial activity. Example skin afflictions or conditions that may be treated in accordance with the methods described include those associated with or caused by inflammation, sun damage or natural aging.
Differentiable cell extracts for wound healing
U.S. Patent Application 20150056295
Publication date: Feb. 26, 2015
Inventors: R. Gammelsaeter and J. Remmereit
This invention describes methods and agents for improving the cosmetic appearance of damaged skin and promoting, improving or restoring the health of cells and tissues. Said agents include compositions of cells, eggs, cell extracts, egg extracts and extract components such as purified nucleic acids, polypeptides, lipids, carbohydrates or other natural products. One study showed that the addition of 2% of such a composition to a cosmetic cream increased the expression of the collagen I gene and the relative amount of collagen to total protein. This invention is not limited to the use of extracts or components of any particular type of differentiable cell. The use of a variety of types of cells and differentiable cells from any organism is considered, including but not limited to mammalian embryonic stem cells, mammalian adult stem cells, cord blood cells, fish, shrimp or sea urchin eggs and embryos, and amphibian eggs and embryos.
Composition for photostabilizing butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane
U.S. Patent Application 20150056150
Publication date: Feb. 26, 2015
Inventors: V. Perier and H. Dromigny
Disclosed in this patent is a composition containing a photostabilized combination of butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDBM), bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (BEMT), and methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethyl butylphenol (MBBT). Specifically, the BEMT/BMDBM mass ratio is preferably > 1.5; the BMDBM content is 1-5% w/w of the composition; and the quantity of MBBT content is from 3-7% w/w of the total composition. Said combination contains no octocrylene, PABA or ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, and is a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable excipient.
