Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Designated organic active ingredient containing – 9,10-seco- cyclopentanohydrophenanthrene ring system doai
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-04
2001-09-25
Reamer, James H. (Department: 1614)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Designated organic active ingredient containing
9,10-seco- cyclopentanohydrophenanthrene ring system doai
Reexamination Certificate
active
06294524
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to the use of compounds of formula I, in particular of natural ergosterol or ergosterol obtained by chemical, enzymatic or biotechnological synthesis, or of a plant extract, such as fungal extract, containing ergosterol, in particular an extract of
Lentinus edodes
, to stimulate the proliferation of epidermal cells and fibroblasts.
Ergosterol, or provitamin D2, is a compound with a steroid ring system containing &Dgr;5 and &Dgr;7 double bonds in its parent ring system and having the following formula:
Pure ergosterol is known as an ingredient in cosmetic preparations.
When converted into vitamin D under the action of light, it is used in particular as a precursor of this vitamin in so-called “day” compositions (FR 2 734 721).
On the other hand, the action of ergosterol on the proliferation of epidermal cells and fibroblasts was hitherto unknown.
Ergosterol is naturally present in the plant kingdom, in particular in fungi. Thus, it is present in yeasts and is also abundant in higher fungi such as, in particular,
Lentinus edodes
, also known as Shiitaké.
This is a medicinal and dietary fungus of Asiatic origin. The Japanese name Shiitaké derives from its association with the “shiia” tree, the oak.
This fungus is found in the natural state on trunks of dead trees, in particular on oak trees, ash trees and chestnut trees, and is currently widely cultivated.
The medicinal properties of fungi are mainly linked to one of its polysaccharides, lentinane, by virtue of an immunostimulatory activity, and to eritadenine which has hypocholesterolaemiant activity.
Shiitaké also contains proteins (26% relative to the solids), carbohydrates (65% of solids), minerals (calcium, potassium) and vitamins, in particular vitamins B2 and C.
Moreover, a lipid fraction of Shiitaké has been found to be rich in ergosterol (Ying et al., 1987, Science Press).
The authors of the present invention were interested in the biological properties of ergosterol derivatives, in particular steroid compounds containing a &Dgr;5 double bond and a &Dgr;7 double bond, corresponding to formula I below:
in which R represents a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated C
1
-C
12
hydrocarbon-based chain.
The expression “substituted chain” means a hydrocarbon-based chain substituted with one or more substituent groups, in particular such as a hydroxyl group or a C
1
-C
8
alkoxy group.
The expression “unsaturated chain” means a partially or totally unsaturated hydrocarbon-based chain.
They have discovered that these compounds, in particular ergosterol of synthetic origin or in the form of a plant extract, have stimulatory activity on epidermal cells and fibroblasts, thus making them particularly useful in cosmetic compositions intended for combating ageing of the skin and for improving the structural quality of the skin.
One subject of the present invention is thus the use of compounds of formula I as described above to stimulate the proliferation of epidermal cells and fibroblasts.
Among these compounds of formula I, ergosterol, of synthetic or natural origin, is preferentially used.
More particularly, the authors of the present invention have demonstrated that a plant extract, such as a lipid extract of
Lentinus edodes
, also even had an action on the proliferation of epidermal cells and fibroblasts which is higher than the action of pure ergosterol of synthetic origin.
A subject of the present invention is thus the use of ergosterol in the form of a lipid extract of
Lentinus edodes
, to stimulate the proliferation of epidermal cells and fibroblasts.
A subject of the present invention is also a cosmetic composition comprising, besides a vehicle for cosmetic use, a plant extract, such as a fungal extract, containing ergosterol, in particular a lipid extract of
Lentinus edodes.
Such a plant extract can be obtained by extraction with an apolar or relatively nonpolar solvent or an apolar or relatively nonpolar mixture of solvents chosen in particular from dichloromethane, hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and acetone. It can be obtained in particular by extraction in a dichloromethane/ethanol mixture, this mixture being relatively nonpolar overall, in proportions of about 60/about 40 by volume. This extract can also advantageously be obtained using supercritical carbon dioxide and, in this case, is richer in ergosterol.
Preferentially, the compositions according to the invention can comprise from 0.0001 to 0.01% of the said plant extract expressed by weight relative to the weight of the composition.
The cosmetic compositions according to the invention are preferably in the form of a simple oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsion, or in the form of a multiple emulsion, a microemulsion, an aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic gel, a cream, an oil, an aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic lotion or a stick.
A subject of the present invention is also a cosmetic treatment method which consists in applying to the skin a cosmetic composition as described above.
The action of the compositions according to the invention takes place on the epidermis by increasing the mitotic activity and the renewal of the epidermal cells, resulting in thickening of the epidermis. On the dermis, the compositions according to the invention act by stimulating the fibroblasts, thus accelerating the maturation and cell renewal, which is reflected by increased collagen synthesis, an increase in the water content, an increase in the thickness and an improvement in the elasticity of the skin.
Globally, it appears that an advantageous trophic action can be obtained by applying a cosmetic composition according to the invention, and more particularly maintenance or restoration of the collagen content of the skin.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4338293 (1982-07-01), Holick
patent: 5876709 (1999-03-01), Itoh et al.
patent: 6162801 (2000-12-01), Kita
patent: 1594884 (1970-06-01), None
patent: 2734721 (1996-12-01), None
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patent: 07 101835 (1995-04-01), None
Lubrano Christian
Poirier Frederique
Robin Jean-Renaud
Laboratoires de Biologies Vegetale Yves Rocher
Reamer James H.
Young & Thompson
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