Patent Picks—Exopolysaccharide, Placental Alkaline Phosphatase, Berry and More for Aging Skin

Chosen biweekly for their relevance to personal care, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition, chosen by Katie Anderson (Schaefer), associate editor of Cosmetics & Toiletries, features patents related to aging skin treatments.

Cosmetic skin care complex with anti-aging effect
US Patent 7968129
Publication date: June 28, 2011
Assignee: Coty Prestige Lancaster Group GmbH

This invention relates to a cosmetic preparation formulated with a skin care complex that has an anti-aging effect. The complex consists of liposomes comprising a mixture of cosmetic oil, extract of Plukenetia volubilis seeds, extract of Cynara scolymus leaves and hydrogenated retinol. The liposomes are homogeneously dispersed in a gel network consisting of water and a gel-forming agent.

Aromatase activator for estrogen biosynethsis
US Patent Application 20110151036
Publication date: June 23, 2011
Assignee: Kao Corp.

The current patent discloses a method of increasing expression of the aromatase gene by treating a cell population with an effective amount of an aromatase activator containing an extract of Iris florentina, where the effective amount ranges from 0.0001% to 1% w/w based on the total weight of the aromatase activator on a dry basis.

This invention relates to an aromatase activator for increasing the activity of aromatase, which is an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of estrogen from androgen. Estrogen is produced in humans mainly by the ovaries and known types include 17β-estradiol, estrone and estriol. Estrogen is involved in various physiological functions including propagation of endometrium, regulation of sexual functions, regulation of bone metabolism, and regulation of lipid metabolism; therefore, estrogen depletion caused by aging or weakening of ovarian function results in symptoms such as climacteric disturbance, hypogonadism, autonomic imbalance, lipidosis, vasomotor disturbance and osteoporosis.

This invention provides an aromatase activator containing at least one member of the following multitude of plants or extracts thereof: Labiatae spp., which includes isodon, scutellaria (huangcen), schizonepeta (jingjie), sage, lavender, Lamium album and thyme; Umbelliferae spp., which includes fennel (huixiang), cnidium (chuangong), glehnia, angelica (danggui), bupleurum (chaihu), saposhnikovia (fang feng) and angelica (baizhi); Rutaceae spp., which includes bitter orange (zhishi), evodia (wuzhuyu), zanthoxylum, tangerine (chenpi), bitter orange (toupi), lemon, and grapefruit; Compositae spp., which includes lettuce, Roman chamomile, arnica, atractylodes (bai zhu), safflower and yarrow; and Leguminosae spp., which includes liquorice (gancao), sophora (kushen), restharrow, tragacanth and cassia (juemingzi).

In addition, other plants or extracts may include: Rosaceae spp., such as hawthorn (shanzhazi), apple, burnet and whitethorn; Zingiberaceae spp., which includes turmeric (yujin), zedoary (woshu), cardamom and ginger (shengjiang); Moraceae spp., which includes mulberry (sangbaipi) and hop; Liliaceae spp., which includes butcher's broom and lily; Gentianaceae spp., which includes gentian (longdan) and gentian; Gramineae spp., which includes sasa and imperata; Iridaceae sp., which includes iris (iris root); Lauraceae sp., which includes cinnamon; Juglandaceae sp., which includes engelhardtia; Asclepiadaceae sp., which includes condurango; Aristolochiaceae sp., which includes asiasarum (xixin); Dioscoreaceae sp., which includes dioscorea (shanyao); Acoraceae sp., which includes sweet flag; and Betulaceae sp. which includes birch.

Finally, plants or extracts may also include: Caprifoliaceae sp., which includes honeysuckle (rendong); Myrtaceae sp., which includes cloves; Hamamelidaceae sp., which includes hamamelis; Menispermaceae sp., which includes sinomenium (fangyi); Ephedraceae sp., which includes ephedra herb (mahuang); Ganodermataceae sp., which includes ling zhi; Hydrangeaceae sp., which includes sweet hydrangeae; Papaveraceae sp., which includes corydalis (yanhusuo); Bignoniaceae sp., which includes catalpa; Magnoliaceae sp., which includes magnolia (houpu); Malvaceae sp., which includes mallow; Solanaceae sp., which includes tomato; Cucurbitaceae sp., which includes luffa; Pinaceae sp., which includes rosin; and Typhaceae sp., which is reed mace.

The invention also provides uses of the plant or extract thereof; and yeast extract, silk protein extract, milk protein, trehalose, natto extract, royal jelly, oryza oil, hydrolyzed wheat extract, shea butter or rice fermentation extract for producing an aromatase activator. A method for activating aromatase by administering the formulation as described above to a human individual is also described. This invention relates to provision of a drug or a cosmetic that is highly safe and is effective in preventing, improving or treating various conditions as described above, as caused by estrogen depletion through promotion of estrogen production in the body.

Compositions and methods for increasing cellular fat and bleaching skin
US Patent Application 20110150798
Publication date: June 23, 2011
Inventor: Sarah Bacus

Compositions and methods are disclosed in this patent for the treatment of cells such as keratinocytes and adipocytes to increase their lipid content, in addition to compositions and methods for treatment of skin cells to diminish the appearance of blemishes.

The present invention relates to a novel anti-wrinkle composition. More specifically, the invention relates to an anti-wrinkle composition whose active ingredient is a compound that acts as an peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonist. The invention further relates to a composition for smoothing the appearance of wrinkles in the skin, a composition for promoting lipid formation and a composition for improving skin tenacity, wherein the composition comprises the aforementioned compound, and to a method for reducing wrinkles or related skin signs of aging and a method for improving skin tenacity with the use of the composition.

The present invention also relates to a novel bleaching composition. More specifically, the invention relates to a bleaching composition with melatonin as an active ingredient. In addition, the invention can contain vitamin C or vitamin E as an active ingredient. The invention further relates to a composition for diminishing the appearance of blemishes in the skin, wherein the composition comprises the aforementioned compound, and to a method for diminishing blemishes or related skin signs of aging through use of the composition.

Cosmetic compositions comprising exopolysaccharides derived from microbial mats
US Patent Application 20110150795
Publication date: June 23, 2011
Assignee: Innovactiv Inc.

Disclosed herein is a skin care composition comprising at least one exopolysaccharide (EPS) originating from a microbial mat at a concentration of about 0.001-1.5% w/w. Preferably, the EPS is derived from microorganism isolated from microbial mats found in French Polynesia. The composition is useful in reducing and preventing signs of skin aging and environmental damage by altering skin cell metabolism and improving hydration.

Berry preparations and extracts
US Patent 7964223
Publication date: June 21, 2011
Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation

Disclosed in this patent is a method for deriving compositions with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity from berries, such as blackberry. The method results in a berry extract compositions with stable anthocyanin content. In one aspect, the method comprises exposing a berry to a solvent composition with a pH of approx. 1-4.5, and recovering a berry extract with a stabilized anthocyanin content. A cryoprotectant may be added to further stabilize the anthocyanin content. Compositions comprising the berry extract of the present invention, formulated for oral and/or topical administration, are also provided, including nutritional supplements, capsules, enteric-coated capsules, film-coated capsules, tablets, enteric-coated tablets, film-coated tablets, chewing gums, lotions, creams, mucoadhesive gels, vanishing lotions, vanishing creams, etc. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides methods and compositions for treating inflammation, oxidative damage or cancer in a mammal.

Use of placental alkaline phosphatase to promote skin cell proliferation
US Patent 7964188
Publication date: June 21, 2011
Inventor: Zoltan Kiss

Methods are disclosed in this invention for promoting survival and stimulating proliferation of cells in the epidermis and dermis of undamaged mammalian skin. The methods comprise the step of administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of human placental alkaline phosphatase or an active derivative to the skin. The composition can be administered topically or by injection. Embodiments of the invention also provide regimens for restoring or maintaining the strength and thickness of aging skin, comprising periodically administering a composition by topical application. Other embodiments of the invention further provide methods for promoting survival and stimulating proliferation of cells in the epidermis and dermis of transplanted skin. A composition for topical application is also provided by some embodiments of the invention.

Cosmetic or dermatological composition with everlasting flower essential oil- and myrtle essential oil
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/070278
Publication date: June 16, 2011
Assignee: L'Occitane, Y Millou, JL Pierrisnard, C Tourel and K Fontes 

The present invention relates to a cosmetic or dermatological composition and to the use thereof for controlling skin aging effects while improving skin nutrition and regeneration, increasing cell life and moreover improving skin brightness as well as evenness of skin tone and appearance of pigment spots. The present invention also relates to a cosmetic treatment method including a step of applying an effective amount of the composition onto the skin of a person.

Screening active agents that stimulate the expression of ARNT2 to improve the skin's barrier function
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/069914
Publication date: June 16, 2011
Assignee: Chanel Parfums Beaute and E Fedorova

The present invention relates to a method for screening an active agent intended for preventing or combating the cutaneous signs resulting from a non-pathological impairment of the barrier function, comprising the selection of active agents that stimulate the expression of ARNT2 in cultured human keratinocytes.

Use of 5-(7-methoxy-3,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1-benzoxepin-5-yl)-3-methyl-penta-2,4-dienoic acid as a cosmetic
US Patent Application 20110144130
Publication date: June 16, 2011
Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung

The invention relates to 5-(7-methoxy-3,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1-benzoxepin-5-yl)-3-methyl-penta-2,4-dienoic acid and its use in compositions, especially topical, cosmetic and/or personal care compositions, and compositions containing said compound.

Composition and periodical delivery system for cellular rejuvenation
US Patent Application 20110142773
Publication date: June 16, 2011
Inventor: Sebastian Farr

A composition and delivery system is provided in this patent for cellular rejuvenation. The composition for skin treatment includes a plurality of autologous human adult adipose stem cells, coenzyme Q10, GHK-Cu complex peptide, ascorbate, human telomerase reverse transcriptase, lipoic acid, Rosa mosqueta oil and a delivery system for the composition including a housing unit, a plurality of chambers, an insulated partition defining the chambers, a plurality of internal singular vial apertures within the insulated partition connecting the chambers, an internal motor unit, a central processing unit and at least one storage container containing at least one vial.

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