Use of a composition of clover flower extract and glabridin and a whitening cosmetic

Abstract

This invention discloses a combination of butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin, and its application in whitening cosmetics. The combination comprises butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin as core active ingredients, and nanoparticles constructed from glycyrrhizic acid and ceramides as carriers. By compounding butterfly pea flower extract with glycyrrhizin, this invention leverages the penetration-enhancing and synergistic whitening effects of glycyrrhizin to address the issues of weak whitening effect and poor skin absorption of butterfly pea flower extract, achieving a synergistic effect and significantly enhancing the whitening efficacy. The nanoparticle carrier constructed from glycyrrhizic acid and ceramides encapsulates both butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin, effectively improving the low water solubility and chemical instability of glycyrrhizin, significantly enhancing its solubility, stability, and bioavailability. The addition of ceramides repairs the skin's stratum corneum barrier, optimizes skin permeability pathways, and further promotes the transdermal absorption of the core active ingredients.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of cosmetic technology, specifically relating to a combination of butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin and its application in whitening cosmetics. Background Technology

[0002] Butterfly pea flower, also known as blue butterfly flower or butterfly blue flower, has extracts mainly composed of cyanidin-3-glucoside (an anthocyanin), flavonoids, and iridoids. While butterfly pea flower extract has been reported to have skin-whitening effects, its whitening efficacy is inferior to that of arbutin, vitamin C, and niacinamide. Furthermore, its skin absorption capacity is weak, and the active ingredients (such as quercetin, kaempferol, and vitamin C) cannot effectively penetrate and accumulate in the epidermis.

[0003] Glycyrrhizin is an isoflavone derived from the root of *Glycyrrhiza glabra*, possessing antioxidant, antibacterial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoporosis, and free radical scavenging effects. Additionally, it has reliable efficacy in skin whitening, earning it the nickname "whitening gold." Studies have shown that glycyrrhizin can help drugs bind to skin lipids, forming appropriate hydrogen bond interactions that disrupt the lipid arrangement in the stratum corneum, thus promoting drug penetration. However, glycyrrhizin has low water solubility, is chemically unstable and easily inactivated, and exhibits extremely poor solubility in water and common oils, thereby affecting its absorption by the skin.

[0004] Therefore, we propose a combination of butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin, and its application in whitening cosmetics, to solve the problems mentioned in the background art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a combination of butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin and its application in whitening cosmetics, in order to solve the problems of whitening and fading spots, and treating various pigmentation diseases such as spots and melanosis.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a composition of butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin, comprising: butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin as the core active ingredients, and nanoparticles constructed from glycyrrhizic acid and ceramide as the carrier; The butterfly pea flower extract mainly contains cyanidin-3-glucoside, flavonoids, and iridoids, among which the flavonoids include quercetin and kaempferol. The quercetin, kaempferol, and vitamin C in the butterfly pea flower extract need to be enhanced by the penetration-enhancing effect of glycyrrhizin and the delivery effect of nanocarriers to effectively accumulate in the epidermal layer of the skin and exert a whitening effect. The glycyrrhizin is an isoflavone substance extracted from the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra. It has antioxidant, antibacterial and whitening effects. At the same time, it promotes the binding of the active ingredients in butterfly pea flower extract with skin lipids. Through the interaction of hydrogen bonds with skin lipids, it disrupts the lipid arrangement in the stratum corneum, thereby promoting the transdermal absorption of butterfly pea flower extract and forming a synergistic whitening effect with butterfly pea flower extract. In addition, glycyrrhizin can be encapsulated by nanoparticles constructed from glycyrrhizic acid and ceramide to improve its defects of poor water solubility and weak stability. The glycyrrhizic acid is an amphiphilic triterpenoid saponin compound that forms 1-100 nm nanoparticles with hydrophobic glycyrrhizin. These nanoparticles are used to encapsulate butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin, achieving targeted delivery and sustained-release protection of the active ingredients, while improving the water solubility and stability of glycyrrhizin.

[0007] Preferably, the mass ratio of glycyrrhizin to butterfly pea flower extract in the composition is 1:5 to 1:20, and the mass ratio of glycyrrhizic acid to ceramide is 3:1 to 10:1.

[0008] Preferably, the ceramide includes at least one of ceramide EOP, ceramide NP1, and ceramide NS, which is used to supplement and repair the lipid bilayer structure of the stratum corneum, optimize the skin permeability pathway, and promote the transdermal absorption of the core active ingredients.

[0009] Preferably, the nanoparticles have a particle size of 46.3–258.9 nm and a PDI value of 0.15–0.42.

[0010] Preferably, the ratio of ceramide EOP, ceramide NP1 and ceramide NS in the ceramide is 1:1:1 to 2:2:1.

[0011] Preferably, the effective active ingredient of the butterfly pea flower extract in the composition also includes vitamin C, and the retention of vitamin C in the epidermal layer of the skin is increased.

[0012] Preferably, the nanoparticles enable the sustained release of butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin, prolonging the duration of the whitening effect while protecting glycyrrhizin from degradation and inactivation.

[0013] The specific steps for preparing the composition are as follows: (1) Prepare butterfly pea flower extract and extract the extract containing mainly active ingredients such as cyanidin-3-glucoside, quercetin, and kaempferol for later use; (2) Take the complex of glycyrrhizic acid and ceramide, add it to 100 mL of 40% ethanol solution, which is prepared by 4 mL of anhydrous ethanol and 6 mL of purified water, and sonicate it at 60°C to completely dissolve the glycyrrhizic acid and ceramide. (3) Place the solution obtained in step (2) in a rotary evaporator and remove all water and anhydrous ethanol from the solution under the conditions of 0.1 MPa and 65℃ to obtain glycyrrhizic acid-ceramide complex; (4) Add 20 mg of glycyrrhizin to the glycyrrhizic acid-ceramide complex obtained in step (3), stir and dissolve it completely at 60°C, and then add an aqueous solution containing 100 mg of butterfly pea flower extract. The amount of the aqueous solution added is 2.5-10 mL, and the optimal amount is 5.0 mL. Then incubate at 50-70°C for 2 hours, with the optimal incubation temperature being 60°C. After incubation, nanoparticles of glycyrrhizic acid-ceramide encapsulating butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin are obtained, which is the composition described in this invention.

[0014] The present invention also discloses the application of the butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin composition as described above in whitening cosmetics.

[0015] Preferably, the whitening cosmetic is a lotion, cream, serum, toner, or mask. The composition uses a nanoparticle carrier to achieve sustained release of the active ingredients, prolonging the duration of the whitening effect, while protecting glycyrrhizin from degradation and inactivation.

[0016] Adding this composition to cosmetics at an effective whitening concentration will give the cosmetics a significant whitening effect. The nanoparticle carrier in the composition enables the sustained release of the core active ingredients, prolonging the duration of the whitening effect, while protecting glycyrrhizin from degradation and inactivation, thus improving the stability of the cosmetics. In addition, this composition can significantly inhibit melanin production in B16 melanoma cells, with an increased inhibition rate. The whitening effect is superior to using butterfly pea flower extract, glycyrrhizin, or arbutin alone, and it is highly safe with no obvious irritation.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: (1) By combining butterfly pea flower extract with glycyrrhizin, the permeation-promoting and synergistic whitening effects of glycyrrhizin are utilized to solve the problems of weak whitening effect and poor skin absorption of butterfly pea flower extract, and the synergistic effect of the two is achieved. Compared with the use of butterfly pea flower extract alone, the whitening effect is significantly improved. (2) By constructing nanoparticle carriers with glycyrrhizic acid and ceramide, butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin were loaded, which effectively improved the defects of glycyrrhizin in low water solubility, unstable chemical properties and easy inactivation, and significantly improved the solubility, stability and bioavailability of glycyrrhizin. (3) The addition of ceramides can repair the skin's stratum corneum barrier, optimize the skin's permeability pathway, and further promote the transdermal absorption of the core active ingredients. At the same time, the nanoparticles formed by glycyrrhizic acid can achieve targeted delivery and sustained release of the effective ingredients, thus prolonging the duration of the whitening effect. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 The figure shows that the glycyrrhizin of this invention can promote the skin absorption of flavonoids and vitamin C in butterfly pea flower extract (n=3, *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001) compared with the control group. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of the combined use of glycyrrhizin and butterfly pea flower extract on melanin production according to the present invention. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of the combined use of glycyrrhizin and butterfly pea flower extract on tyrosinase activity according to the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of glycyrrhizin and butterfly pea flower extract on melanin production according to the present invention. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and butterfly pea flower extract on melanin production according to the present invention. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of nicotinamide and butterfly pea flower extract on melanin production according to the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of α-arbutin and butterfly pea flower extract on melanin production in this invention. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the comparative effects of the human patch experiment of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a cosmetic human safety testing report from the Cosmetic Testing Center of the Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, as presented in this invention. Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the experimental effects of preparing a cream using a self-assembled nanoparticle group (A-2) composed of glycyrrhizin and butterfly pea flower extract in a melanosis patient 1 according to the present invention. Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram showing the experimental effects of preparing a cream using a self-assembled nanoparticle group (A-2) composed of glycyrrhizin and butterfly pea flower extract in a melanosis patient 2 according to the present invention. Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram showing the experimental effects of preparing a cream using a self-assembled nanoparticle group (A-2) composed of glycyrrhizin and butterfly pea flower extract in a melanosis patient 3 according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] Example 1: Please refer to Figure 1-12 The present invention provides a technical solution: a butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin composition, comprising: butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin as the core active ingredients, and nanoparticles constructed from glycyrrhizic acid and ceramide as the carrier; The butterfly pea flower extract mainly contains cyanidin-3-glucoside, flavonoids, and iridoids, among which the flavonoids include quercetin and kaempferol. The quercetin, kaempferol, and vitamin C in the butterfly pea flower extract need to be enhanced by the penetration-enhancing effect of glycyrrhizin and the delivery effect of nanocarriers to effectively accumulate in the epidermal layer of the skin and exert a whitening effect. The glycyrrhizin is an isoflavone substance extracted from the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra. It has antioxidant, antibacterial and whitening effects. At the same time, it promotes the binding of the active ingredients in butterfly pea flower extract with skin lipids. Through the interaction of hydrogen bonds with skin lipids, it disrupts the lipid arrangement in the stratum corneum, thereby promoting the transdermal absorption of butterfly pea flower extract and forming a synergistic whitening effect with butterfly pea flower extract. In addition, glycyrrhizin can be encapsulated by nanoparticles constructed from glycyrrhizic acid and ceramide to improve its defects of poor water solubility and weak stability. The glycyrrhizic acid is an amphiphilic triterpenoid saponin compound that forms 1-100 nm nanoparticles with hydrophobic glycyrrhizin. These nanoparticles are used to encapsulate butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin, achieving targeted delivery and sustained-release protection of the active ingredients, while improving the water solubility and stability of glycyrrhizin.

[0021] (1) In vitro transdermal permeation experiment of glycyrrhizin promoting butterfly pea flower extract The in vitro retention characteristics of butterfly pea flower extract in porcine skin tissue were evaluated using a Franz diffusion cell. The effective diffusion area of ​​the Franz cell was 1.54 cm², and the volume of the receiving chamber was 15 mL. Butterfly pea flower and glycyrrhizin were dissolved in an aqueous solution and, after being fully dissolved, fresh porcine skin tissue was fixed between the supply and receiving chambers with the stratum corneum facing the supply side. The receiving solution was a mixture of PBS and PEG400 (volume ratio 80:20). During the experiment, the system temperature was maintained at 32 °C, and the mixture was continuously stirred at 350 rpm. Three parallel samples were set up for each experiment. After 24 hours of infiltration, the skin surface was gently wiped and then the stratum corneum (0–20 μm), epidermis (20–150 μm) and dermis were separated by cryosectioning. After being chopped and weighed, the samples were extracted by ultrasonic extraction with 50% methanol as solvent for 1 hour. Finally, the retention of each monomer component in different skin layers was quantitatively analyzed by HPLC.

[0022] (2) Investigation on the preparation process of novel nanoparticles containing glycyrrhizic acid ceramide encapsulated with butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin A complex of glycyrrhizic acid and ceramide (mass ratios of 3:1, 5:1, and 10:1) was dissolved in 100 mL of 40% ethanol solution (4 mL of anhydrous ethanol and 6 mL of purified water). The solution was ultrasonically heated at 60 °C to completely dissolve the glycyrrhizic acid and ceramide. The ceramide included ceramide EOP, ceramide NP1, and ceramide NS. The solution was then subjected to rotary evaporation at 0.1 MPa and 65 °C to remove all water and anhydrous ethanol. 20 mg of glycyrrhizin was added to the solution and dissolved completely at 60 °C. Then, 100 mg of an aqueous solution of butterfly pea flower extract (2.5 mL, 5 mL, and 10 mL) and purified water were added. The solution was incubated at 50 °C, 60 °C, and 70 °C for 2 hours to obtain novel nanoparticles of glycyrrhizic acid-ceramide encapsulated with butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin.

[0023] In addition, based on the optimal process, the effect of the ratio of the three ceramides on melanin production was investigated, as shown in Table 3. Secondly, individual butterfly pea flower nanoparticles were also prepared using a similar method, and the particle size and potential of different nanoparticles were measured using a Malvern nanoparticle size analyzer.

[0024] Table 1 is the single-factor evaluation table, as shown below: Table 1 Single-factor evaluation table

[0025] Table 2 shows the experimental conditions for each experimental group, as follows: Table 2 Experimental conditions for each experimental group

[0026] Table 3 shows the proportions of different ceramides.

[0027] The effects of different ingredients and formulations on melanin production: Take B16 cells in the logarithmic growth phase, digest them with trypsin for 40 seconds, and seed them into 6-well plates at 10⁵ cells / well. After overnight adhesion, the cells are divided into different groups for different treatments, with 3 replicates per group: Normal control group: cultured in complete culture medium without the addition of α-MSH or drug intervention; α-MSH treatment group: cultured in complete medium containing 1 uM α-MSH, without drug intervention; Positive drug (arbutin) group: cultured in complete medium containing 1 uM α-MSH, and then treated with 100 ug / ml arbutin; Experimental group: cultured in complete medium containing 1 uM α-MSH, with different concentrations of drug intervention; The medium was changed daily. After 48 hours of intervention, samples were collected and processed on ice. The culture medium was discarded, and the samples were washed twice with PBS. 100 μL of RIPA lysis buffer containing protease inhibitors was added to each well. The samples were transferred to -80°C for lysis for 30 min. After thawing on ice, the cell lysis buffer was collected into a 1.5 ml centrifuge tube, and the plate was washed once with 100 μL of RIPA lysis buffer containing protease inhibitors. The wash buffer was combined into a 1.5 ml centrifuge tube and centrifuged at 12,000 rpm at 4°C for 20 min. 160 μL of the supernatant was transferred to a new 1.5 ml centrifuge tube for later use. The remaining supernatant was discarded, and the black precipitate was retained for later use. After photographing the black precipitate following cell lysis, the lysis was measured using the sodium hydroxide lysis method. 150 μL of NaOH lysis buffer (4% NaOH, 10% DMSO) was added to the precipitate, the tube was sealed with sealing film, and heated at 80°C for 1 h to dissolve the melanin. The lysate was collected by instantaneous centrifugation, and after several pipetting cycles, 100 μL was aspirated and the absorbance at 405 nm was measured using a microplate reader. The relative melanin synthesis rate was calculated using the following formula: Relative melanin content = OD value / protein concentration; Melanin synthesis rate (%) = Relative melanin content of experimental group / Relative melanin content of α-MSH treatment group x 100%.

[0028] Glycyrrhizin can promote the absorption of flavonoids and vitamin C in butterfly pea flower extract in the epidermis. Compared with butterfly pea flower extract alone, when the mass ratio of glycyrrhizin to butterfly pea flower extract was 1:5, 1:10, and 1:20, the contents of quercetin, kaempferol, and vitamin C in the epidermis of butterfly pea flower extract were significantly increased. Among these, the 1:5 ratio resulted in the highest absorption of butterfly pea flower extract in the skin, with the contents of quercetin, kaempferol, and vitamin C in the epidermis increasing by 3.5, 3.3, and 2.4 times, respectively. This indicates that glycyrrhizin can promote the skin absorption of the active ingredients in butterfly pea flower extract, especially vitamin C compounds, and has a significant whitening effect. Furthermore, within a certain concentration range, the higher the concentration of glycyrrhizin, the more pronounced the absorption effect of the active ingredients in butterfly pea flower extract.

[0029] When glycyrrhizin and butterfly pea flower are combined, they can synergistically enhance the whitening effect of butterfly pea flower. Butterfly pea flower extract can reduce melanin production and tyrosinase activity in melanoma cells B16. When B16 cells were treated with a combination of glycyrrhizin and butterfly pea flower extract, melanin production was significantly reduced, and tyrosinase activity was further decreased (see...). Figure 2-3 Furthermore, observations via melanin centrifugation also revealed that the combined use of butterfly pea flower and glabridin significantly inhibited melanin production (see...). Figure 4 Therefore, at the cellular level, it was confirmed that glycyrrhizin can synergistically enhance the whitening effect of butterfly pea flowers.

[0030] Other whitening active ingredients cannot synergistically enhance the whitening effect of butterfly pea flower: Using other skin-brightening active ingredients such as vitamin C, niacinamide, and arbutin, along with butterfly pea flower, to intervene in B16 cells, there was no significant reduction in melanin production capacity, and tyrosinase activity was further reduced (see...). Figure 5 Furthermore, observations via melanin centrifugation also revealed that the combined use of butterfly pea flower and glabridin significantly inhibited melanin production (see...). Figure 6 Therefore, at the cellular level, it was confirmed that glycyrrhizin can synergistically enhance the whitening effect of butterfly pea flowers.

[0031] The effects of different processes on the particle size and PDI value of novel nanoparticles encapsulating glycyrrhizic acid ceramide with butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin: When the ratio of glycyrrhizic acid to ceramide was 5:1, the particle size of butterfly pea flower and glycyrrhizin nanoparticles was 46.3 nm, and the PDI value was 0.16. When the nanoparticle size was smaller, the drug could penetrate the skin more easily, and the PDI value was smaller, indicating that the formed nanomicelles were more uniform and stable. When the ratio of glycyrrhizic acid to ceramide was 3:1 and 10:1, the obtained nanomicelles had larger particle sizes and increased PDI values. At the same time, when the content of purified water was 5.0 mL and the incubation temperature was 60 °C, the obtained particle size and PDI value were the smallest. This indicates that when the ratio of glycyrrhizic acid to ceramide was 5:1, the content of purified water was 5.0 mL, and the incubation temperature was 50 °C, the obtained butterfly pea flower and glycyrrhizin self-assembled nanoparticles had the best particle size and PDI value (Table 4).

[0032] Table 4 shows the particle size and PDI value of butterfly pea flower and glycyrrhizin nanoparticles under different processes.

[0033] The effect of novel nanoparticles containing glycyrrhizic acid ceramide encapsulated with butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin on melanin production: Treatment with butterfly pea flower extract alone showed a decreasing trend in melanin production capacity, but the effect was lower than that of the arbutin group. Co-administration of butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin showed a better effect than the arbutin group, indicating that glycyrrhizin can promote the absorption of butterfly pea flower extract and has a synergistic whitening effect with butterfly pea flower. Under optimal processing conditions, the ability of glycyrrhizin and butterfly pea flower extract to inhibit melanin production significantly increased after being encapsulated in nanoparticles, with higher inhibition rates than the unencapsulated group and the encapsulated group containing butterfly pea flower extract alone. Furthermore, when the ratio of glycyrrhizic acid to ceramide (A-1), the content of purified water (B-3), and the incubation temperature (C-3) were not optimal, the ability of butterfly pea flower and glycyrrhizin self-assembled nanoparticles to inhibit melanin production decreased, as shown in Table 5.

[0034] Table 5. Effects of nanoparticles prepared by different processes on melanin production.

[0035] The effect of different ceramide ratios on melanin production in novel nanoparticles containing glycyrrhizic acid ceramide encapsulated with butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin: When the ratio of ceramide EOP, ceramide NP1, and ceramide NS was 2:2:1, the butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin nanoparticles exhibited the highest ability to inhibit melanin production, reaching approximately 70%. When the ratios were 2:1:2, 1:2:2, and 1:1:1, the ability to inhibit melanin production decreased. Furthermore, when the nanoparticles did not contain any of the three ceramides, the inhibition rate of melanin production was 55% (Table 6). Table 6 shows the effect of different ceramide ratios on melanin production from nanoparticles.

[0036] Ceramides themselves are not traditional "penetration enhancers," but they can replenish and repair the lipid bilayer structure of the stratum corneum. When the barrier is healthy and lipids are arranged in an orderly manner, not only can water loss be reduced, but more regular permeability pathways can also be created, indirectly promoting the penetration and absorption of lipophilic or moderately polar active ingredients. Glycyrrhizic acid is an amphiphilic triterpenoid saponin compound that can form 1-100 nm nanoparticles with hydrophobic drugs. Nanoparticles can effectively penetrate the tiny gaps in the outermost layer of the skin (stratum corneum), delivering encapsulated active ingredients (such as vitamins, whitening agents, and antioxidants) to deeper target sites. In addition, they can encapsulate unstable active ingredients, protecting them from degradation and inactivation, and achieving more precise sustained release; they can also transform water- or oil-insoluble active ingredients into nano-dispersion systems, significantly improving their solubility and bioavailability.

[0037] The self-assembled nanoparticle group of glycyrrhiza glabra extract (A-2) was prepared into a cream, its safety was evaluated, and it was used to treat patients with melanosis. Human safety and efficacy evaluation: Human patch test; After use, no adverse skin reactions were observed with 0.5% plant extract A (e.g., ...). Figure 8-9 (as shown) Cosmetic human safety testing report from the Cosmetic Testing Center of the Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University (e.g.) Figure 9 (as shown) Melanosis - Patient 1: As shown in Table 7; Table 7 shows ITA and melanin values.

[0038] Increased skin brightness and decreased melanin content (e.g.) Figure 10 (As shown).

[0039] Melanosis - Patient 2: As shown in Table 8; Table 8 shows the ITA and melanin values:

[0040] Three months later, skin brightness increased, melanin content decreased, and the effect was significant (e.g. Figure 11 (As shown).

[0041] Melanosis - Patient 3: As shown in Table 9; Table 9 shows the ITA and melanin values:

[0042] After 1.5 months, skin brightness increased, melanin content decreased, and the effect was significant (e.g. Figure 12 (As shown).

[0043] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A composition of butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin, characterized in that, include: The core active ingredients are butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin, and the carrier is nanoparticles constructed from glycyrrhizic acid and ceramide. The butterfly pea flower extract mainly contains cyanidin-3-glucoside, flavonoids, and iridoids, among which the flavonoids include quercetin and kaempferol. The quercetin, kaempferol, and vitamin C in the butterfly pea flower extract need to be effectively accumulated in the epidermal layer of the skin to exert a whitening effect with the help of the penetration-enhancing effect of glycyrrhizin and the delivery effect of nanocarriers. The glycyrrhizin is an isoflavone substance extracted from the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, which has antioxidant, antibacterial and whitening effects. At the same time, it promotes the binding of the active ingredients in butterfly pea flower extract with skin lipids. Through the interaction of hydrogen bonds with skin lipids, it disrupts the lipid arrangement in the stratum corneum, thereby promoting the transdermal absorption of butterfly pea flower extract and forming a synergistic whitening effect with butterfly pea flower extract. In addition, glycyrrhizin is encapsulated in nanoparticles constructed from glycyrrhizic acid and ceramide to improve its defects of poor water solubility and weak stability. The glycyrrhizic acid is an amphiphilic triterpenoid saponin compound that forms 1-100 nm nanoparticles with hydrophobic glycyrrhizin. These nanoparticles are used to encapsulate butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin, achieving targeted delivery and sustained-release protection of the active ingredients, while improving the water solubility and stability of glycyrrhizin.

2. The butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin composition according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the composition, the mass ratio of glycyrrhizin to butterfly pea flower extract is 1:5 to 1:20, and the mass ratio of glycyrrhizic acid to ceramide is 3:1 to 10:

1.

3. The butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin composition according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ceramides include at least one of ceramide EOP, ceramide NP1, and ceramide NS, which are used to supplement and repair the lipid bilayer structure of the stratum corneum, optimize the skin permeability pathway, and promote the transdermal absorption of the core active ingredients.

4. The butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin composition according to claim 1, characterized in that: The nanoparticles have a particle size of 46.3–258.9 nm and a PDI value of 0.15–0.

42.

5. The butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin composition according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ratio of ceramide EOP, ceramide NP1 and ceramide NS in ceramide is 1:1:1 to 2:2:

1.

6. The butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin composition according to claim 1, characterized in that: The effective active ingredient of the butterfly pea flower extract in the composition also includes vitamin C, and the retention of vitamin C in the epidermal layer of the skin is increased.

7. The butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin composition according to claim 1, characterized in that: The nanoparticles enable the sustained release of butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin, prolonging the duration of the whitening effect while protecting glycyrrhizin from degradation and inactivation.

8. The application of the butterfly pea flower extract and glycyrrhizin composition according to any one of claims 1-7 in whitening cosmetics.

9. The application of the whitening cosmetic according to claim 8, characterized in that, The whitening cosmetic is a lotion, cream, serum, toner, or mask. The composition uses a nanoparticle carrier to achieve sustained release of the active ingredients, prolonging the duration of the whitening effect, while protecting glycyrrhizin from degradation and inactivation.

Images