Vascular endothelial cell adhesion enhancer

Abstract

To provide an agent comprising a component that enhances adhesion of vascular endothelial cells, and to provide an agent comprising a component that strengthens a vascular network to improve visible lip coloration and alleviate dullness.SOLUTION: A vascular endothelial cell adhesion enhancer is provided, the enhancer comprising an extract of a plant belonging to Pinaceae as an active ingredient.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an agent for improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells. The agent of the present invention can be added to a cosmetic composition or an external skin preparation, or can be used as a cosmetic composition or an external skin preparation. [Background technology]

[0002] Blood vessels throughout the body transport oxygen, nutrients, and water necessary for life. However, it is known that capillary blood vessels decrease with age (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2). It is also known that a decrease in the formation of tight junctions during blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) leads to a decrease in angiogenesis (Non-Patent Document 3). Therefore, strengthening tight junctions, which are responsible for the vascular barrier function, is thought to promote angiogenesis, increase blood vessels, and suppress inflammation and deterioration of vascular endothelial cells. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an agent for enhancing the expression of intercellular adhesion factors, containing an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Rosa in the family Rosaceae as an active ingredient, as a material for enhancing the expression of genes related to tight junctions. Patent Document 2 also describes an agent for enhancing the expression of intercellular adhesion factors, containing an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Akebia in the family Lardizabalaceae as an active ingredient. Patent Document 3 describes a claudin-1 gene expression promoter characterized by containing one or more extracts obtained from Akamoku, Mekabu, starfish, and Hyuugatouki as active ingredients.

[0003] Lips contribute significantly to the appearance of one's face, making one appear brighter and healthier. For this reason, lip cosmetics such as lipstick are applied to make the lips appear redder, and it is considered important to improve the color of the lips and make bare lips appear healthier and more attractive. However, one of the concerns about lips is dullness due to a loss of color and redness. Unlike the skin on the face, lips have a thin stratum corneum, allowing the color of blood vessels to be seen through the skin, which affects the color of the lips. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-68472 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-77456 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-187253 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] Kelly RI, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1995; 33: 749-56. [Non-patent document 2] Jin Ho Chung et al. Arch Dermatol,138,(11)1437-(2002) [Non-patent document 3] Olga Tornavaca et al. J Cell Biol (2015) 208 (6): 821 838 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The decrease in capillaries that accompanies aging is thought to be one of the causes of dull lips. Therefore, improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells and strengthening the vascular network is thought to improve the apparent color of the lips and also lead to the improvement of dullness. Furthermore, improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells in the lip area is thought to distribute nutrients to lip tissues through blood vessels, promote the production of collagen, a function of fibroblasts, in the dermis, and lead to the improvement of wrinkles and elasticity.

[0007] It would be desirable to have a component that can improve the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells in order to improve lip dullness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present inventors have discovered that extracts from plants belonging to the Pinaceae family have the function of improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells, and have completed the present invention.

[0009] The present invention provides the following: [1] An agent for improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells, containing an extract of a plant belonging to the Pinaceae family as an active ingredient. [2] The agent described in 1, wherein the blood vessels are blood vessels in the lips. [3] The agent described in 1 or 2 for strengthening the barrier of vascular endothelial cells in the lips. [4] The agent described in any one of 1 to 3 for improving inflammation, aging, and deterioration of vascular endothelial cells in the lips. [5] The agent described in any one of 1 to 4 for one or more of the following purposes: improving dullness, wrinkles, texture, and viscoelasticity of the lips. [6] The agent described in any one of 1 to 5, wherein the extract is extracted with an aqueous solvent containing 1,3-butylene glycol. [7] The agent described in any one of 1 to 6, which is an oily cosmetic. [8] The agent according to any one of items 1 to 7, which is a lip cosmetic. [9] The agent according to any one of items 1 to 8, containing 0.05 to 1% by mass of the extract.

[10] A method for improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells using an extract of a plant belonging to the Pinaceae family.

[11] The agent described in any one of 1 to 9, further comprising an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Aspalathus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present invention provides a component that is expected to improve dullness of the lips, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] Improved adhesion of blood vessels *P≦0.05, **0.001≦P<0.01 [Figure 2] Lip wrinkle improvement effect ***P<0.001 [Figure 3] Lip texture improvement effect ***P<0.001 [Figure 4] Improvement in viscoelasticity of the central lip **0.001≦P<0.01, ***P<0.001 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] [Active ingredient] The composition of the present embodiment contains an extract of a plant belonging to the Pinaceae family as an active ingredient. The extract is also sometimes called an extract.

[0013] Plants belonging to the Pinaceae family include plants belonging to the genus Pinus, Larch, Picea, Tsuga, Yusan, Abies, Cedrus, or Larix. The plant used in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is a plant belonging to the Pinaceae family. In one aspect, an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Pinus of the Pinaceae family is used.

[0014] The plant belonging to the genus pine may belong to the subgenus Pinus. Examples of this include those in the section Pinus, such as Scots pine (P. sylvestris) (sometimes called Pinus sylvestris), Japanese red pine (P. tabuliformis), Japanese red pine (P. taiwanensis), Japanese black pine (P. thunbergii), Japanese red pine (P. densiflora), Japanese oak pine (P. kesiya), Japanese red pine (P. luchuensis), Japanese pine (P. massoniana), Japanese black pine (P. mugo), Japanese black pine (P. nigra), Japanese red pine (P. resinosa), P. fragilissima, P. heldreichii, P. henryi, P. hwangshanensis, P. densata, P. tropicalis, and P. yunnanensis; and those in the section Pinus, such as P. brutia and P. canariensis, Aleppo pine (P. halepensis), P. latteri, Merkusii pine (P. merkusii), French maritime pine (P. pinaster), Italian rock pine (P. pinea), Himalayan pine (P. roxburghii); members of the section Trifoliae, e.g., Echinata pine (P. echinata), Slash pine (P. elliottii), Japanese fir pine (P. glabra), Longleaf pine (P. palustris), P. rigida, P. serotina, Loblolly pine (P. taeda), Bank pine (P. banksiana), Sand pine (P. clausa), Loblolly pine (P. contorta), Virginia pine (P. virginiana), Radiata pine (P. radiata), Jeffrey pine (P. jeffreyi), ponderosa pine (P. ponderosa), P. pungens, P. occidentalis, P. leiophylla, P. lumholtzii, P. caribaea, P. cubensis, P. attenuata, P. greggii, P. herrerae, P. jaliscana, P.lawsonii, P. muricata, P. oocarpa, P. patula, P. praetermissa, P. pringlei, P. tecunumanii, P. teocote, P. apulcensis, P. arizonica, P. cooperi, P. coulteri, P. devoniana, P. durangensis, P. engelmannii, P. hartwegii, P. maximinoi, P. montezumae, P. pseudostrobus, P. sabiniana, and P. torreyana. .

[0015] The plant belonging to the genus Pinus may belong to the subgenus Strobus. Examples include P. amamiana, P. armandii, P. lambertiana, P. morrisonicola, P. monticola, P. parviflora, P. peuce, P. pumila, P. strobiformis, P. wallichiana, P. wangii, P. albicaulis, P. cembra, P. koraiensis, P. sibirica, P. ayacahuite, P. bhutanica, P. chiapensis, P. dabeshanensis, P. dalatensis, P. fenzeliana, P. flexilis, and P. reflexa.

[0016] Plants belonging to the genus Pinus may be those belonging to the subgenus Ducampopinus, examples of which include white pine (P. bungeana), P. nelsonii, P. krempfii, P. gerardiana, P. squamata, P. maximartinezii, P. pinceana, P. rzedowskii, P. cembroides, P. culminicola, P. discolor, P. edulis, P. johannis, P. monophylla, P. orizabensis, P. quadrifolia, P. remota, P. aristata, P. balfouriana, and P. longaeva.

[0017] The composition of the present embodiment may further contain an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Aspalathus as an active ingredient.

[0018] The plant used in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is a plant belonging to the genus Aspalathus. In one aspect, an extract from at least one selected from rooibos (scientific name: Aspalathus linearis), Aspalathus cordata, Aspalathus capitata, Aspalathus pinguis, Aspalathus aspalathoides, and Aspalathus securifolia is used.

[0019] The part from which the extract used in this embodiment is obtained may be the whole plant (whole plant) or any part thereof, including the stem (including the bark and xylem), leaves (including the leaf blade, petiole, and stipules), roots, flowers (including the petals and sepals), stamens, fruits, seeds, cones, and cones (sporangia formed by coniferous gymnosperms).

[0020] In one embodiment, the plant belonging to the family Pinaceae is a cone, bark, wood, leaf, or a mixture thereof, preferably a cone.

[0021] In one embodiment, the plant belonging to the genus Aspalathus is used in its entirety, or in its leaves, stems, roots, or a mixture thereof, and preferably in its entirety.

[0022] The plant used as the extraction raw material may be fresh or dried. Before being subjected to the extraction process, pretreatment such as cutting or crushing may be performed to ensure efficient extraction. The plant may also be subjected to treatments such as defatting, bleaching, and fermentation.

[0023] The extract used in this embodiment may be obtained by pressing or by extraction using a solvent. Unless otherwise specified, the extract may be a liquid obtained by pressing a plant, or an extract obtained by removing solids from a liquid obtained by soaking a plant in an extraction solvent, or may be a liquid obtained by concentrating, drying, or the like. The extract may be in any form, such as a liquid, paste, gel, solid, or powder. To obtain a solid or powder, the liquid may be subjected to a drying process, or may be evaporated to dryness to obtain a solid, or may be dried by spray drying to obtain a powder, or may be freeze-dried to obtain a lyophilized product.

[0024] Extracts can be obtained under various extraction conditions. Examples of extraction solvents include water, alcohols (e.g., lower alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, or polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol (propane-1,2-diol), 1,3-butylene glycol, and glycerin), ketones such as acetone, esters such as diethyl ether, dioxane, acetonitrile, and ethyl acetate, organic solvents such as xylene, benzene, and chloroform, animal oils, vegetable oils, and supercritical carbon dioxide. These solvents can be used alone or in any combination of two or more.

[0025] Preferred examples of the extraction solvent are any selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, and mixed solvents thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment, water or a mixed solvent of water with ethanol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, or glycerin is used as the extraction solvent. This is because these solvents can sufficiently extract the components with the desired effects. When using a mixed solvent with water, the ratio can be adjusted appropriately. Examples of ratios include 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, and 10%. In the present invention, when the concentration of an aqueous solvent is expressed in % terms, this is a value based on volume unless otherwise specified. For example, a 90% ethanol solution refers to a solution in which 90 ml of ethanol is mixed with water to make a total volume of 100 ml.

[0026] The ratio of raw material to solvent during extraction can be adjusted as appropriate. Specifically, for example, the following method can be used: The plant raw material or dried product is crushed, and 1 to 100 times the amount of extraction solvent is added. The mixture is left to stand at room temperature under normal pressure for about 1 hour to 2 weeks, or extracted at a temperature below the boiling point of the extraction solvent for about 10 minutes to 10 days, and then filtered. The resulting filtrate is then concentrated, dried under reduced pressure, or freeze-dried, as necessary, to obtain a plant extract.

[0027] The extract obtained as described above can be used as is, but if necessary, it may be subjected to purification treatment such as deodorization and decolorization, provided that the intended effect is not impaired. Such purification treatment can be carried out by any conventional means selected, such as filtration or adsorption, decolorization, and purification using an ion exchange resin or activated carbon column. Furthermore, purified products can be obtained in the form of a solution, paste, gel, or powder by freeze-drying or concentration treatment.

[0028] [Application] The agent of this embodiment can be used to improve cell adhesion. Furthermore, in the present invention, the term "improvement of cell adhesion" encompasses cases in which cell adhesion is improved by various mechanisms and is not limited to cases in which it is improved by a specific mechanism. For example, improvement of cell adhesion can occur by promoting the expression of a gene encoding a protein involved in cell-to-cell adhesion. Promotion of gene expression includes promotion of transcription of the gene into mRNA and promotion of translation of the mRNA into protein.

[0029] In one embodiment, the agent is suitable for improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells. Improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells includes maintaining and inhibiting (preventing) the decline of the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells in the capillary network, which decreases with age. Improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells can strengthen the barrier of vascular endothelial cells.

[0030] Whether or not a certain component has the function of improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells or the function of strengthening the barrier of vascular endothelial cells can be confirmed, for example, as follows. Cell culture inserts are placed in well plates, appropriate medium is placed in each well, and vascular endothelial cells are seeded into the inserts. Simultaneously with seeding the vascular endothelial cells, the inserts are further cultured for several days, after which a test component, control component, or comparative component is added to the medium and cultured. After culturing, a fluorescent reagent is added to each insert, and the transmittance of the fluorescent reagent is measured and compared. If the transmittance decreases in the system to which the test component is added, the component can be said to have the function of improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells and the function of strengthening the barrier of vascular endothelial cells.

[0031] In one embodiment, the agent for improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells can be used to improve lip dullness. One of the lip concerns caused by aging is dullness of color. Unlike the skin of the face and other parts of the body, the lips have a thin stratum corneum, allowing the color of blood vessels to be seen through, which affects the color of the lips. On the other hand, it is known that the number of capillaries decreases with age (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2). The decrease in capillaries associated with aging is thought to be one of the causes of dullness of the lips associated with aging. Therefore, improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells and strengthening the vascular network is thought to improve the apparent color of the lips and lead to improvement of dullness of the lips, particularly dullness of the lips associated with aging.

[0032] In one aspect, it is believed that the agent for improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells can be used to strengthen the capillary network, promote angiogenesis, or prevent capillary deterioration. Strengthening the capillary network includes maintaining capillaries that decrease with age so that they do not decrease and inhibiting (preventing) this decrease, promoting angiogenesis includes maintaining angiogenesis that decreases with age and inhibiting (preventing) this decrease, and preventing capillary deterioration includes maintaining capillaries that decrease with age so that they do not deteriorate and inhibiting this deterioration.

[0033] In another aspect, the agent for improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells can be used to treat wrinkles in the skin, improve texture (particularly roughness), and improve elasticity (particularly viscoelasticity). By improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells in the lip area, nutrients are distributed to body tissues through blood vessels, and the production of collagen and other functions of fibroblasts in the dermis is promoted, which is thought to lead to improvements in wrinkles, texture, and elasticity of the skin.

[0034] In the present invention, the term "treatment" for a disease or condition includes non-medical procedures, and also includes preventing the onset of the target symptom (also referred to as reducing the risk of onset or prevention), and suppressing the target symptom (also referred to as anti-symptom or treatment). Suppressing the target symptom includes improving the target symptom and inhibiting its progression.

[0035] [Agents and compositions] The agent of this embodiment can be used as a cosmetic or external skin preparation.

[0036] The agent of the present embodiment may be in the form of various compositions such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, beverages, foods, etc. Pharmaceuticals are not particularly limited, but may be external skin preparations, oral medications, injections, etc.

[0037] When the agent of this embodiment is a cosmetic or topical skin preparation, the content of the pinaceae plant extract can be 0.001 to 2% by mass, calculated as a pinaceae plant extract with a pure extract content of 0.8% by mass, regardless of the presence or amount of other ingredients. Within this range, the extract can be stably formulated and exhibits high efficacy. To ensure the desired effect is exhibited more fully, the content is preferably 0.05 to 1% by mass, more preferably 0.06 to 0.9% by mass, even more preferably 0.07 to 0.7% by mass, even more preferably 0.08 to 0.5% by mass, and even more preferably 0.09 to 0.3% by mass. In the present invention, when the agent is a cosmetic, the content of the pinaceae plant extract contained therein is described as the content calculated as a pinaceae plant extract with a pure extract content of 0.8% by mass, unless otherwise specified. For example, if a product contains 1% by mass of a pinaceae plant extract with a pure extract content of 0.1% by mass, this corresponds to 0.125% by mass of a pinaceae plant extract with a pure extract content of 0.8% by mass, which is within the range of 0.09 to 0.3% by mass when converted into pinaceae plant extract with a pure extract content of 0.8% by mass.

[0038] When the agent of this embodiment is a cosmetic or topical skin preparation, the content of the Aspalathus plant extract can be 0.001 to 2% by mass, calculated as an extract with a pure extract content of 0.5% by mass, regardless of the presence or amount of other ingredients. Within this range, the extract can be stably formulated and exhibit high efficacy. From the perspective of more fully exhibiting the intended effect, a content of 0.05 to 1% by mass is preferred, 0.06 to 0.9% by mass is more preferred, and 0.07 to 0.7% by mass is even more preferred. In relation to the present invention, when the agent is a cosmetic, the content of the Aspalathus plant extract contained therein is stated as the content calculated as an Aspalathus plant extract with a pure extract content of 0.5% by mass, unless otherwise specified.

[0039] In one embodiment, the cosmetic or topical skin preparation contains both a Pinaceae plant extract and an Aspalathus plant extract, and the total content of the Pinaceae plant extract and the Aspalathus plant extract is preferably 0.05 to 2 mass%, more preferably 0.06 to 0.9 mass%, and even more preferably 0.07 to 0.7 mass%, regardless of the presence or amount of components other than the Pinaceae plant extract and the Aspalathus plant extract.

[0040] When the agent of the present embodiment is a cosmetic or topical skin preparation, it may contain components that are acceptable for cosmetic or topical skin preparations and have an effect on the skin, to the extent that the intended effect is not impaired. Examples of such components include whitening agents, UV protection agents, antibacterial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, cell activators, active oxygen scavengers, moisturizers, and components for maintaining skin homeostasis.

[0041] In addition to the agent of this embodiment, the cosmetic or topical skin preparation may contain various additives acceptable for use in cosmetic or topical skin preparations, provided that the effects of this embodiment are not impaired. Examples of such additives include water (purified water, hot spring water, deep sea water, etc.), surfactants (emulsifiers, suspending agents, stabilizers, etc.), antioxidants, preservatives, gelling agents, alcohols, film-forming agents, colorants, fragrances, deodorants, salts, pH adjusters, cooling agents, chelating agents, keratolytic agents, enzymes, vitamins, etc.

[0042] Cosmetics or topical skin preparations can also be prepared into compositions in various dosage forms such as solids, semi-solids, and liquids depending on the intended use. More specifically, the cosmetics of this embodiment can be skin care cosmetics such as cleansers, facial cleansers, lotions, emulsions, creams, massage products, pack products, serums / gels, and lip care products; base makeup cosmetics such as foundations, face powders, makeup bases, and concealers; point makeup cosmetics such as lipsticks, lip glosses / liners, blush products, eye shadows, eyeliners, mascaras, and eyebrow products; body care cosmetics such as soaps, liquid cleansers, sunscreen creams, and bath additives; and hair care cosmetics such as shampoos, rinses, hair treatments, hair styling products, hair tonics, hair growth agents, and scalp treatments. More specifically, the topical skin preparation of this embodiment can be a plaster, ointment, cataplasm, liniment, lotion, topical agent, patch, aerosol (spray medicine), microneedle array, or iontophoresis.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the agent of this embodiment is an oil-based cosmetic. Oil-based cosmetic refers to a cosmetic whose continuous phase is an oil, and examples thereof include solid, gel, liquid, and cream forms, which may also be in the form of a stick, a multi-layered composition combining two or more colors, or a sheet. In another preferred embodiment, the agent of this embodiment is a lip cosmetic. Examples of lip cosmetics include lipstick, lip gloss, lipstick base coat, lipstick overcoat, lip balm, and lip treatment, and are not particularly limited, but lip balm and lip treatment are preferred.

[0044] The cosmetic or topical skin preparation may also be a packaged product. In these embodiments, in addition to the cosmetic or topical skin preparation, a packaged product may include a box, container, label, instruction manual, tag, or other packaging that describes the method of use or the intended effects and efficacy described above. [Example]

[0045] [Extract production example] (Manufacturing of Scots pine extract) Scots pine extract was obtained by extracting cones of Pinus sylvestris Linne (Pinaceae) with a 50% by volume solution of 1,3-butylene glycol. The pure extract content was 0.8% by mass.

[0046] (Rooibos extract production) Rooibos extract was obtained by extracting the whole plant of Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R. Dahlgren (Leguminosae) with a 50% by volume solution of 1,3-butylene glycol. The pure extract content was 0.5% by mass.

[0047] (tea leaf extract) A tea extract was obtained by adding water to a tea extract made from the leaves of the tea plant Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze and extracting it. The pure extract content was 2% by mass.

[0048] (Geranium Herb Extract) The aerial parts of Geranium thunbergii Siebold et Zuccarini (Geraniaceae) were extracted with a 50% by volume solution of 1,3-butylene glycol to obtain a Geranium thunbergii extract. The pure extract content was 1.8% by mass.

[0049] (Grape leaf extract) Grape leaf extract was obtained by extracting the leaves of Vitis vinifera L. (Vitaceae) with a 50% by volume solution of 1,3-butylene glycol. The pure extract content was 1% by mass.

[0050] [Experimental Example] In this experimental example, the effect of Scots pine extract and rooibos extract on improving adhesion of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (obtained from TaKaRa; Human Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells, hereafter referred to as vascular endothelial cells) was examined. In this experimental example, the fluorescence intensity of a fluorescent reagent (FITC-dextran (Sigma-Aldrich)) that permeates through an insert seeded with vascular endothelial cells was measured and used as an index of adhesion.

[0051] [Experimental Method] Cell culture inserts were placed in a 24-well plate, medium (Endothelial Cell Growth Medium MV 2 Kit (TaKaRa)) was placed in each well, and 1 x 104 vascular endothelial cells were seeded onto the inserts. A few hours after seeding and 3 days after seeding, the extract was added to a final concentration of 0.1% and cultured. Five days after seeding, the medium was collected, and 500 μL of medium was added to each well, along with 200 μL of a fluorescent reagent adjusted to 1 mg / mL. After allowing to stand for 20 minutes, 100 μL of medium from each well was dispensed into a 96-well fluorescent plate, and fluorescence measurements were performed using a Tecan i-control, infinite 200Pro (TACAN) at 490 nm excitation and 520 nm emission wavelengths. The fluorescence intensity of the control well, to which 50% 1,3-butylene glycol solution was added instead of the extract, was taken as 100% transmittance, and the transmittance of the fluorescent reagent to the cells cultured with each extract was calculated.

[0052] [result] The transmittance is shown in the table below and in the graph in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, when comparing the control with the sample containing Scots pine extract and the sample containing rooibos extract, it was found that the addition of the extract reduced the rate at which the fluorescent reagent penetrated the cells. This decrease in the rate at which the fluorescent reagent penetrated the cells is thought to indicate improved cell adhesion. These results demonstrate that Scots pine extract and rooibos extract improve the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells.

[0053] [Table 1]

[0054] [Evaluation of lip cosmetics] (method) Lip cosmetics prepared using the following formula and manufacturing method were used at least twice a day (morning and night are essential), and then evaluations were conducted before use (BL), after 3 days (D3), after 2 weeks (2w), and after 4 weeks (4w). The test was conducted on 30 people in their 30s to 50s.

[0055] (Prescription) [Table 2]

[0056] (Manufacturing method) After the ingredients other than the Scots pine extract were uniformly dissolved at 100°C, the Scots pine extract was added and mixed at 90°C, and the mixture was cooled to room temperature.

[0057] (Evaluation method and results) <Wrinkles> Wrinkle analysis was performed on a portion (center) of the lower lip in lip images taken using ANTERA 3D™ (manufactured by Nippon Ash Co., Ltd., https: / / www.j-asch.co.jp / cnr_skin / antera3d.html) according to the manual that came with the device, and the volume of depressions (concaves) of 0.5 mm or less that existed within the measurement range was expressed as a value from 0 to 9. Compared to BL, continued use of the lip cosmetics confirmed an improvement in wrinkles at all measurement points (Figure 2).

[0058] <Texture> Texture analysis was performed on a portion (center) of the lower lip in lip images taken with the ANTERA 3DTM, and the average roughness Ra value of irregularities of 0.5 mm or less that existed within the measurement range was calculated. Compared to BL, continuous use of the lip cosmetics confirmed an improvement in texture at all measurements (Figure 3).

[0059] <Skin viscoelasticity> Measurements were taken at the center of the lower lip using a Cutometer MPA580D (Courage+Khazaka).Compared to BL, continuous use of the lip cosmetics confirmed an improvement in viscoelasticity (Ur / Ue, Ur: instantaneous return to normal after release of negative pressure, Ue: instantaneous deformation upon suction) at all measurements (Figure 4).

Claims

1. An agent for improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells, containing an extract of a plant belonging to the Pinaceae family as an active ingredient.

2. The agent according to claim 1, wherein the blood vessels are blood vessels in the lips.

3. The agent according to claim 1 or 2, for strengthening the barrier of vascular endothelial cells in the lips.

4. The agent according to claim 1 or 2, for strengthening the capillary network of the lips, promoting angiogenesis, or preventing deterioration of capillaries.

5. The agent according to claim 1 or 2, which is used for one or more of the following purposes: improving dullness, wrinkles, texture, and viscoelasticity of the lips.

6. The agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extract is extracted with an aqueous solvent containing 1,3-butylene glycol.

7. The agent according to claim 1 or 2, which is an oil-based cosmetic.

8. The agent according to claim 1 or 2, which is a lip cosmetic.

9. The agent according to claim 7 or 8, containing 0.05 to 1% by mass of the extract.

10. A method for improving the adhesion of vascular endothelial cells using an extract of a plant belonging to the Pinaceae family.

11. The agent according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Aspalathus.

Images