Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Plant material or plant extract of undetermined constitution...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-29
2002-12-17
Tate, Christopher R. (Department: 1651)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Plant material or plant extract of undetermined constitution...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06495171
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to interleukin-4 (hereinafter called “IL-4”) production inhibitors, antiallergic agents and atopic dermatitis preventives and improvers, which contain specific monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes or particular essential oils. This invention is also concerned with bath medicine compositions containing specific plant-derived ingredients.
BACKGROUND ART
IL-4 is a substance produced by T lymphocytes which are human or animal immune response cells, and are known to act on B lymphocytes and to enhance production of an antibody such as IgE [Rinsho Meneki (Clinical Immunology), 27, 45-57 (1995)]. For many years IgE is known to take a significant part in the onset of an atopic disease. Further, IL-4 is known to act as an accelerator of inflammatory cell infiltration at lesions in allergic diseases [Cell, 62, 457-467 (1990)]. From these, it is considered that IL-4 is largely implicated in the onset of an allergic disease. Inhibition of IL-4 production, if successfully achieved, is therefore believed to make it possible to treat and prevent allergic diseases more fundamentally from their cause than conventional treatment and preventive methods making use of histamine release inhibitors, IgE or histamine effect inhibitors or the like.
As substances for inhibiting the production of IL-4, a group of sulfonium derivatives including suplatast tosilate is well-known [Japan. J. Pharmacol., 62, 27-30 (1993)]. They are formulated into oral drugs and are used to treat allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, itching and pruritus, and the like, but their effects are not sufficient. In addition, their administration routes are limited because they have low percutaneous or transdermal absorption due to their structures. There is hence an outstanding need for IL-4 production inhibitors, antiallergic agents, and atopic dermatitis preventives and improvers, which are excellent in percutaneous or transdermal absorption, stability and safety.
In the case of one having overdrying skin or oversensitive skin and one suffering from atopic dermatitis, on the other hand, the skin is especially sensitive so that the skin tends to develop itching, pruritus, eczema or the like even by mild stimulation. Further, an allergic reaction to a house dust mite antigen, food or the like, psychological stress or the like acts as a deteriorating factor, thereby tending to result in a skin trouble. Use of medicinal bath preparations (JP 2-115117 A), which were added with conventional oil ingredients or humectants, were not able to sufficiently bring about fundamental preventing and improving effects although moistened skin feeling was available temporarily. There is accordingly an outstanding desire for bath medicine compositions, which have high effectiveness for improving skin roughness or dryness and for preventing and improving atopic dermatitis even for those having overdrying or oversensitive skin.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides use of at least one compound for the production of. an IL-4 production inhibitor, an antiallergic agent or an atopic dermatitis preventive and improver, in which the compound is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl-containing monoterpenes, hydroxyl-containing sesquiterpenes and acylated derivatives thereof,
This invention also provides use of at least one essential oil for the production of an IL-4 production inhibitor, an antiallergic agent or an atopic dermatitis preventive and improver, in which the essential oil is selected from the group selected from the group consisting of cedarwood oil, eucalyptus oil, patchouli oil, sandalwood oil, vetiver oil, guaiacwood oil, bay oil, clove oil, chamomile oil, ginger oil, cumin oil, pepper oil, rosemary oil, hinoki oil, hiba oil, pimentoberry resinoid and myrrh resinoid.
This invention further provides use of at least one compound for the production of an IL-4 production inhibitor, an antiallergic agent or an atopic dermatitis preventive and improver, in which the compound is selected from the group consisting of eugenol, hinokitiol, cineole and acetylcedrene.
This invention still further provides a method for the treatment of a disease caused by production of IL-4, an allergic disease or atopic dermatitis, which comprises administering at least one essential oil selected from the group consisting of cedarwood oil, eucalyptus oil, patchouli oil, sandalwood oil, vetiver oil, guaiacwood oil, bay oil, clove oil, chamomile oil, ginger oil, cumin oil, pepper oil, rosemary oil, hinoki oil, hiba oil, pimentoberry resinoid and myrrh resinoid.
This invention still further provides a method for the treatment of a disease caused by production of IL-4, an allergic disease or atopic dermatitis, which comprises administering at least one compound selected from the group consisting of eugenol, hinokitiol, cineole and acetylcedrene.
Moreover, the present inventors have found that addition of one or more specific fragrance ingredients out of the above-described ingredients makes it possible to provide a bath medicine composition having high effectiveness for improving symptoms such as skin roughness, dryness, eczema and the like and also skin characteristics prone to skin troubles even for those having overdrying skin or oversensitive skin or suffering from atopic dermatitis.
This invention therefore also provides a bath medicine composition comprising at least one ingredient selected from cedrol, cedrenol, farnesol, patchouli alcohol or vetiverol.
This invention further provides use of at least one ingredient for the production of a bath medicine composition, in which the ingredient is selected from cedrol, cedrenol, farnesol, patchouli alcohol or vetiverol.
Furthermore, the present invention provides a bathing method, which comprises bathing in bathwater added with a composition which comprises at least one ingredient selected from cedrol, cedrenol, farnesol, patchouli alcohol or vetiverol.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Essential oils such as cedarwood oil are found in branches, leaves, roots, stalks, barks, fruits, buds, resins and the like of plants, and owing to the inclusion of abundant volatile ingredients and the possession of characteristic fragrances, are used as ingredients for perfumes. On the other hand, hydroxyl-containing monoterpenes, hydroxyl-containing sesquiterpenes, eugenol, hinokitiol and cineole are found as isolated ingredients of essential oils in branches, leaves and the like of plants. Further, as reaction products of isolated ingredients of essential oils, derivatives such as acetylcedrene and cedryl acetate are used as fragrance ingredients. However, their possession of IL-4 production inhibitory action and the like were not known at all.
Preferred examples of hydroxyl-containing monoterpenes can include l-menthol and citronellole. Preferred examples of hydroxyl-containing sesquiterpenes can include globulol, epiglobulol, farnesol, guaiol, patchouli alcohol, cedrol, santalol, vetiverol, widrrol, thujopsenol and cedrenol. As acylated derivatives, acetylated derivatives are preferred with cedryl acetate being more preferred. Of these, globulol, epiglobulol, farnesol, guaiol, patchouli alcohol, cedryl acetate and cedrol are more preferred, with cedrol being particularly preferred.
Hydroxyl-containing monoterpenes, hydroxyl-containing sesquiterpenes, eugenol, hinokitiol and cineole can be isolated by methods known per se in the art from plants known to contain them. Acetylcedrene, on the other hand, can be obtained by acetylating cedrene which is isolated from cedarwood oil or the like. They may also be chemically synthesized ones.
As these ingredients, known plant extracts, distillate fractions or the like with such ingredients contained therein can be used as they are. Described specifically, essential oils in the form of extracts, resinoids, absolutes or the like—which can be obtained by providing trees, herbs, spices and the like as raw materials and subjecting their wood chips, barks, roots, stalks, leaves, fruits, flowers or the li
Fukuda Kazuyuki
Hori Kimihiko
Ichikawa Yoshiaki
Iwase Norikazu
Nonomura Mami
Flood Michele C.
Kao Corporation
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
Tate Christopher R.
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