Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Cosmetic – antiperspirant – dentifrice
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-02
2002-10-22
Dees, Jose′ G. (Department: 1616)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
Cosmetic, antiperspirant, dentifrice
Reexamination Certificate
active
06468552
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to compositions comprising an oxygen-labile active agent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has become desirable to include various oxygen-labile active agents in topical skin care compositions in order to provide a cosmetic/therapeutic benefit, e.g., to the skin and hair. Examples of such active agents include, but are not limited to, vitamins such as Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and Vitamin A. Other active agents such as ubiquinone and hydroquinone can be used to reduce the appearance of aging, where due to the sun or time. Stabilizing such compositions containing oxygen-labile active agents, however, has been proven difficult as the active agents are often either combined with other compounds that may accelerate their decomposition or they are exposed to the environment (e.g., oxygen) over time.
The present invention relates to a method of stabilizing such oxygen labile active agents in order to provide compositions that contain oxygen-labile active agents (e.g., retinol) that are very stable over long periods of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention features a composition comprising (a) an oxygen labile active agent, (b) erythorbic acid or a cosmetically acceptable salt or ester thereof, (c) optionally, a tocopherol derivative, (d) optionally, a pantothenic acid derivative, and (e) optionally, an extract of green tea, provided that said composition comprises a compound selected from both (c) and (d), both (c) and (e), or both (d) and (e) (e.g., either (i) both a tocopherol derivative and a pantothenic acid derivative, (ii) both a tocopherol derivative and an extract of green tea, or (iii) both a pantothenic acid derivative and an extract of green tea).
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description of the invention and from the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is believed that one skilled in the art can, based upon the description herein, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The following specific embodiments are to be construed merely to be illustrative and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Also, all publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates to a composition comprising, (a) an oxygen labile active agent, (b) erythorbic acid or a cosmetically acceptable salt or ester thereof, and (c) either (i) both a tocopherol derivative and a pantothenic acid derivative, (ii) both a tocopherol derivative and an extract of green tea, or (iii) both a pantothenic acid derivative and an extract of green tea.
In one embodiment, the composition comprises from about 0.001% to about 1% (e.g., about 0.2%), by weight, of said tocopherol derivative. In one embodiment, the composition comprises from about 0.001 to about 0.5% (e.g., 0.1%), by weight, of said pantothenic acid derivative. In one embodiment, the composition comprises from about 0.001% to about 1% (e.g., about 0.1%), by weight, of said extract of green tea. In one embodiment, the composition comprises from about 0.005% to about 0.5% (e.g., about 0.05%), by weight, of erythorbic acid or a cosmetically acceptable salt or ester thereof. In one embodiment, the composition comprises a tocopherol derivative, a pantothenic acid derivative, an extract of green tea, and erythorbic acid or a cosmetically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
The present invention further features a cosmetic composition comprising, (a) an oxygen labile active agent, (b) erythorbic acid or a cosmetically acceptable salt or ester thereof, (c) either (i) both a tocopherol derivative and a pantothenic acid derivative, (ii) both a tocopherol derivative and an extract of green tea, or (iii) both a pantothenic acid derivative and an extract of green tea, and (d) a cosmetically acceptable carrier. In one aspect, the cosmetic composition comprises tocopherol, pantothenic acid, extract of green tea, and erythorbic acid or a cosmetically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
What is meant by an “oxygen-labile active agent” is an active agent that degrades due to oxidation or in the presence of oxygen. What is meant by active agent is a compound that offers a cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or therapeutic benefit when applied to the skin of a mammal (e.g., when topically administering to the skin or hair of a human). Examples of oxygen-labile active agents include retinol, retinal, ascorbic acid, tocotrienol, hydroquinone, ubiquinone, and dihydrolipoic acid. The amount of oxygen-labile active agent in the composition will depend upon the active agent used and the desired therapeutic/cosmetic effect, and typically will range from about 0.001% to about 20% (e.g., from about 0.1% to about 10%), by weight, of the composition. In one embodiment the composition comprises from about 0.001% to about 1% (e.g., from about 0.01% to about 0.5%), by weight, of retinol.
What is meant by a tocopherol derivative is tocopherol (e.g., (&agr;tocopherol, &bgr;tocopherol, &dgr;tocopherol, and other isomers thereof) and cosmetically acceptable salts and esters thereof (e.g., tocopherol acetate thereof). All isomers are included for compounds (e.g., tocopherol) where no specific isomer is indicated.
What is meant by a pantothenic acid derivative is pantothenic acid and cosmetically acceptable salts (e.g., sodium pantothenate or calcium pantothenate) or esters thereof.
What is meant by extract of green tea is the solid extract (e.g., polyphenols) from the tea plant. The extract may be solubilized or dispersed in a liquid carrier such as water or organic solvents such as alcohols (e.g., ethanol) or glycols (e.g., butylene glycols). Examples of extracts of green tea include extracts from the green tea plants camellia oleifera and camellia sinensis.
The topical compositions useful in the present invention involve formulations suitable for topical application to skin. The compositions may be made into a wide variety of product types that include but are not limited to lotions, creams, gels, sticks, sprays, ointments, shampoos, pastes, mousses, and cosmetics. These product types may comprise several types of cosmetically acceptable carrier systems including, but not limited to solutions, emulsions, gels, solids and liposomes. What is meant by “cosmetically acceptable carrier” is a carrier that is capable of having the (a) oxygen-labile active agent, (b) erythorbic acid or a cosmetically acceptable salt or ester thereof, and (c) tocopherol derivative, pantothenic acid derivative, and/or extract of green tea, dispersed or dissolved therein, and of possessing acceptable safety properties (e.g., irritation and sensitization characteristics).
The topical compositions useful in the present invention formulated as solutions typically include an aqueous (e.g., water) or organic solvent (e.g., from about 80% to about 99.99% or from about 90% to about 99% of an acceptable aqueous or organic solvent). Examples of suitable organic solvents include: propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol (200-600), polypropylene glycol (425-2025), glycerol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, sorbitol esters, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, ethanol, and mixtures thereof.
Topical compositions useful in the subject invention may be formulated as a solution comprising an emollient. Such compositions preferably contain from about 2% to about 50% of a an emollient(s). As used herein, “emollients” refer to materials used for the prevention or relief of dryness, as well as for the protection of the skin. A wide variety of suitable emollients are known and may be used herein. Sagarin, Cosmetics, Science and Technology, 2nd Edition, Vol. 1, pp. 32-43 (1972) and the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, eds. Wenninger and McEwen, pp. 1656-61 1626, and 1654-55 (The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Assoc.
Fernandez Aldo O.
Stahl Chris R.
Woodin Frederick W.
Dees Jose′ G.
George Konata M.
McGowan William E.
Neutrogena Corporation
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