Hair improving agent containing Mekabu extract, method for producing the same, and hair improving composition

Abstract

To provide a hair improver and a hair improvement cosmetic in which only a seaweed-derived component is used as a main component, and which can impart very favorable hair moisture content, combability, and hair luster.SOLUTION: A hair improver is for improving moisture retention as well as luster and / or combability of hair, and contains mekabu seaweed extract as an active ingredient.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hair improvement agent containing a wort extract, a method for producing the same, and a hair improvement composition. [Background technology]

[0002] Since ancient times, black hair that flows beautifully when combed has been considered one of the expressions of beauty. In recent years, with the rise in fashion consciousness, methods for changing the appearance of hair, such as hair coloring, perms, hair irons, and hot curlers, have become popular. While these methods make hair look attractive, the pH changes caused by the acids and alkalis involved in hair coloring and perms, as well as the high temperatures involved in using hair irons and hot curlers, can denature the proteins in the hair and cause damage. Because hair does not have the ability to repair itself, the accumulation of daily damage can lead to problems such as dryness, split ends, loss of luster, and difficulty combing.

[0003] In the past, silicones and other ingredients were added to compensate for this damage, but the effect was insufficient unless a large amount was added. In addition, some silicones are considered to be environmentally hazardous, and cyclic silicone compounds are subject to restrictions in the EU under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation due to concerns about their impact on the water-based ecosystem.

[0004] It has been reported that in order to improve the amount of silicone, a conditioning ingredient in a hair wash composition, that is adsorbed onto hair, the hair wash composition contains at least one water-soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of carrageenan, alginic acid, alginate salts, and fucoidan (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, when these seaweed ingredients, such as fucoidan, are used on hair as is, their effect of beautifying hair is extremely limited.

[0005] In order to effectively utilize Mekabu, a type of seaweed, it has been reported that a hair care agent can be obtained by adding alcohol to the water-soluble extract components of Mekabu to make a 50-60% alcohol solution, or by immersing dried Mekabu powder in a 50-60% alcohol solution and removing the resulting precipitate (see, for example, Patent Document 2). According to Patent Document 2, this hair growth effect is only observed in low-molecular-weight substances derived from Mekabu, and glycoproteins with large molecular weights such as fucoidan and alginic acid do not have a hair growth effect, and the viscous components of Mekabu extract make hair feel rough when applied to hair and have a strong seaweed odor, making it unsuitable for use as is. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-298916 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-81777 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the problems in the prior art as described above, and aims to provide a hair improvement agent and hair improvement cosmetic that can give hair very good moisture content, combability, and shine by using mainly only seaweed-derived ingredients. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] As a result of extensive research into solving the above problems, the present inventors have found that the above problems can be solved by extracting Mekabu with hot water containing monovalent cations.

[0009] That is, the present invention includes the following embodiments. (1) A hair improvement agent containing wakame seaweed extract as an active ingredient. (2) The hair improvement agent according to (1), wherein the wakame extract contains a sulfated polysaccharide salt salified with a monovalent cation. (3) The hair improvement agent according to (1), wherein the wakame extract is dissolved in a mixed solution of water and an organic solvent. (4) A hair improvement composition comprising the hair improvement agent according to any one of (1) to (3) in an amount of 0.000015% by mass to 0.15% by mass, calculated as the solid content of the Mekabu extract. (5) A method for producing a hair improvement agent, comprising the steps of extracting Mekabu with hot water containing monovalent cations to obtain an extract, and adding an organic solvent to the extract to obtain a precipitate. (6) The method for producing a hair improvement agent according to (5), further comprising the step of drying the precipitate and dissolving it in a mixed solution of water and an organic solvent. (7) A method for producing a hair improvement composition, comprising the step of mixing the hair improvement agent produced by the method described in (5) or (6) with a pharmacologically or cosmetically acceptable carrier. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The hair improving agent of the present invention can impart excellent moisture content, combability, and shine to hair even when used in an extremely small amount. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an outline of the method for analyzing hair gloss evaluated in Example 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows the results of measuring the moisture content per hair before and after application of the test product evaluated in Example 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows the results of measuring the hair friction force (N) before and after application of the test product evaluated in Example 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the measurement results of the half-width (au) of the hair brightness peak evaluated in Example 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The hair improvement agent in one embodiment of the present invention contains a Mekabu extract as an active ingredient. This hair improvement agent, its production method, and a hair improvement composition containing the same will be described in detail below, but not all of the elements and combinations thereof described in each embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0013] (Hair improvement agent) The hair improvement agent of this embodiment contains an active ingredient comprised of an extract of the wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) brown algae of the family Alariaceae in the order Laminariales, or the wakame portion of its related algae (the folded, folded leaf-like portion at the base of the leaf). This wakame is a spore-producing organ that appears on both sides of the wakame stem at maturity, and is the part responsible for the reproduction of wakame, so it is packed with nutrients, but because it is mucilaginous and has a thick, folded shape, it has few uses as a food or other food, and there is a demand for its effective use.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the active ingredient comprises a sulfated polysaccharide salt salified with a monovalent cation. The mekabu extract contains sulfated polysaccharides such as fucoidan. Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide composed primarily of L-fucose linked via α1-2 and α1-6 bonds. While fucoidan is a polysaccharide found in large amounts in brown algae, the mekabu extract of the present invention may also contain other polysaccharides such as alginic acid. This active ingredient is preferably soluble in a mixed solution of water and an organic solvent. Polysaccharides extracted from algae are generally known to have extremely high viscosity and are poorly soluble in organic solvents with low polarity. However, since the active ingredient of this embodiment contains a sulfated polysaccharide salt salified with a monovalent cation, it is believed that the viscosity is reduced and the active ingredient is soluble in a mixed solution of water and an organic solvent, despite being a polymer. The mixed solution will be described in detail below, but examples thereof include a mixed solution of water and an alcohol, particularly a mixed solution containing water and a polyhydric alcohol, and a representative example is an aqueous solution containing approximately 30% 1,3-butylene glycol. The hair improvement agent according to this embodiment contains the mekabu extract described above, and its content can be adjusted to a desired concentration of 0.01% to 99% by mass, calculated as the solid content of the mekabu extract. As described in detail below, even when incorporated at a very low concentration or in a very small amount, it can exhibit very good hair improvement effects. The hair improvement agent may be used as a hair cosmetic product as is, but is preferably used as an additive for producing a hair improvement composition that improves hair moisture, combability, and shine.

[0015] Examples of monovalent cations include Na + , K. + , NH4 + and the like, and preferably Na + and K. + , particularly preferably Na + That is, the polysaccharides having sulfate groups as described above cannot exhibit their intended functions unless they are in the form of a salt due to autohydrolysis, and the counter ions for forming the salt are, for example, Ca. 2+It has been revealed that even sulfated polysaccharide salts containing divalent cations such as calcium do not exhibit hair-improving functions such as improving hair moisture, combability, and hair shine, and that only monovalent cation salts exhibit such hair-improving functions. Therefore, it is preferable that the sulfated polysaccharide salt of the present invention is substantially free of divalent cations such as calcium. Here, "substantially free" means, for example, that the amount present is 5% or less, 1% or less, 0.1% or less, 0.01% or less, or 0.001% or less, on a molar basis, and more preferably, an amount as close to zero or less.

[0016] (Hair improving composition) The hair improvement composition according to this embodiment contains the hair improvement agent described above, but when it is made into a composition such as a shampoo, rinse, conditioner, hair mist or hair spray that contains the hair improvement agent as an active ingredient, it may contain other ingredients that are normally used in the preparation of cosmetics, quasi-drugs, topical medicines and the like, to the extent that the effects of the present invention are not impaired. These other pharmacologically or cosmetically acceptable ingredients may include water, oils, surfactants, metallic soaps, gelling agents, alcohols, water-soluble polymers, resins, UV absorbers, UV protection agents, antibacterial agents, fragrances, colorants, deodorants, salts, pH adjusters, cooling agents, animal or microbial extracts, plant extracts, blood circulation promoters, astringents, cell activators, moisturizers, enzymes, hormones, vitamins, and other ingredients listed in the Encyclopedia of Conditioning Rinse Ingredients (MICELLE PRESS, 1987), the Encyclopedia of Shampoo Ingredients (MICELLE PRESS, 1985), Latest Cosmetic Science (Yakuji Nipposha, 1988), etc. The relevant parts of these documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0017] The content of the hair improvement agent in the hair improvement composition according to this embodiment is not particularly limited, but for example, in a composition in the form of an aqueous solution, even a very small amount of mekabu extract, calculated as solid content, of 0.000015% by mass or more, preferably 0.00015% by mass or more, relative to the total composition, can provide a very good hair improvement effect. The upper limit of the amount is also not particularly limited, but from an economical standpoint, it is desirable to use, for example, 0.15% by mass or less, preferably 0.015% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.0015% by mass or less. A particularly preferred range is 0.00015% by mass to 0.015% by mass.

[0018] In particular, the hair improvement composition according to the present invention is preferably prepared as an aqueous composition for application to hair. Furthermore, when preparing the aqueous composition, it is desirable to stably maintain the sulfated polysaccharide salt of the specific structure as described above as a molecular unit and to incorporate a polyhydric alcohol for preservative purposes.

[0019] The water is not particularly limited, but purified water, deionized water, hot spring water, deep sea water, etc. may be used.

[0020] The polyhydric alcohol is not particularly limited as long as it is typically used in topical preparations (e.g., cosmetics, quasi-drugs, or topical pharmaceuticals). Among polyhydric alcohols, dihydric or trihydric alcohols are preferred. Specific examples include glycol and glycerin. More specific examples include 1,3-butylene glycol, propylene glycol, pentylene glycol (1,2-pentanediol), glycerin, dipropylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, and isoprene glycol (isopentyldiol). Among these, 1,3-butylene glycol, propylene glycol, pentylene glycol, or isoprene glycol are preferred, with 1,3-butylene glycol being particularly preferred. More preferred is naturally-derived 1,3-butylene glycol prepared from plant materials such as sugarcane. The polyhydric alcohols can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0021] The lower limit of the polyhydric alcohol content is not particularly limited, and may be 1 mass%, 10 mass%, or 30 mass%, relative to the total mass of the hair improvement composition. The upper limit of the polyhydric alcohol content is not particularly limited, and may be 99 mass%, 95 mass%, 90 mass%, or 85 mass%, relative to the total mass of the hair improvement composition. As described above, in order to stably maintain the sulfated polysaccharide salt of a specific structure as a molecular unit and for preservative purposes, the content is preferably 8 mass% or more, and is desirably within the range of 10 to 50 mass%, particularly 20 to 40 mass%, or 25 to 35 mass%.

[0022] Other materials that can be blended into the hair improvement composition according to this embodiment are not particularly limited, but examples include oils that are used in ordinary cosmetics, regardless of their nature, such as natural oils, synthetic oils, or solid, semi-solid, or liquid, and include hydrocarbons, waxes, fatty acids, higher alcohols, ester oils, silicone oils, and fluorine-based oils. For example, hydrocarbons such as squalane, squalene, ceresin, paraffin, paraffin wax, liquid paraffin, pristane, polyisobutylene, microcrystalline wax, and petrolatum; waxes such as beeswax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, and whale wax; animal oils such as beef tallow, beef leg fat, beef bone fat, hardened beef tallow, hardened oil, turtle oil, lard, horse fat, mink oil, liver oil, and egg yolk oil; lanolin, liquid lanolin, reduced lanolin, lanolin alcohol, hard lanolin, and acetate lanolin. Lanolin derivatives such as lanolin, lanolin fatty acid isopropyl, POE lanolin alcohol ether, POE lanolin alcohol acetate, lanolin fatty acid polyethylene glycol, and POE hydrogenated lanolin alcohol ether; and fatty acids such as lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, undecylenic acid, oleic acid, arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), isostearic acid, and 12-hydroxystearic acid.Also, higher alcohols such as lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, palmityl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, hexadecyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, hexyldodecanol, octyldodecanol, cetostearyl alcohol, 2-decyltetradecynol, cholesterol, phytosterol, sitosterol, lanosterol, POE cholesterol ether, and monostearyl glycerin ether (batyl alcohol); diisobutyl adipate, 2-hexyldecyl adipate, di-2-heptylundecyl adipate, N-alkyl glycol monoisostearate, isocetyl isostearate, trimethylolpropane triisostearate, ethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate, cetyl 2-ethylhexanoate, trimethylolpropane tri-2-ethylhexanoate, pentaerythritol tetra-2-ethylhexanoate, cetyl octanoate, octanoic acid, octyl hydroxybenzoate ... Childodecyl Gum Esters, Oleyl Oleate, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Decyl Oleate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Triethyl Citrate, 2-Ethylhexyl Succinate, Amyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Isocetyl Stearate, Butyl Stearate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Di-2-Ethylhexyl Sebacate, Cetyl Lactate, Myristyl Lactate, Isopropyl Palmitate, 2-Ethylhexyl Palmitate, 2-Hexyl Palmitate Examples of ester oils include undecyl palmitate, 2-heptylundecyl palmitate, cholesteryl 12-hydroxystearate, dipentaerythritol fatty acid esters, isopropyl myristate, octyldodecyl myristate, 2-hexyldecyl myristate, myristyl myristate, hexyldecyl dimethyloctanoate, ethyl laurate, hexyl laurate, 2-octyldodecyl N-lauroyl-L-glutamate, and diisostearyl malate.Further examples include glyceride oils such as acetoglyceride, triisooctanoic acid glyceride, triisostearic acid glyceride, triisopalmitic acid glyceride, tri-2-ethylhexanoic acid glyceride, monostearic acid glyceride, di-2-heptylundecanoic acid glyceride, and trimyristate glyceride; higher alkoxy-modified silicones such as dimethylpolysiloxane, methylphenylpolysiloxane, methylhydrogenpolysiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, tetramethyltetrahydrogencyclotetrasiloxane, and stearoxysilicone; silicone-based oils such as higher fatty acid-modified silicones, silicone resins, silicone rubber, and silicone oil; and fluorine-based oils such as perfluoropolyether, perfluorodecalin, and perfluorooctane.

[0023] However, in order to obtain a sufficient hair improvement effect by the sulfated polysaccharide salt having a specific structure as described above, which is the hair improvement agent according to this embodiment, it is desirable to use a non-silicone composition that does not contain any silicone-based oily agents.

[0024] As the surfactant, anionic, cationic, nonionic and amphoteric surfactants can be used. Examples of anionic surfactants include fatty acid soaps such as sodium stearate and triethanolamine palmitate, carboxylates such as alkyl ether carboxylic acids and their salts, condensates of amino acids and fatty acids, alkyl sulfonic acids, alkene sulfonates, sulfonates of fatty acid esters, sulfonates of fatty acid amides, sulfonates of alkyl sulfonates and their formalin condensates, alkyl sulfates, secondary higher alcohol sulfates, alkyl and allyl ether sulfates, sulfates of fatty acid esters, sulfates of fatty acid alkylolamides, sulfates of turmeric oil, alkyl phosphates, ether phosphates, alkyl allyl ether phosphates, amide phosphates, and N-acyl amino acid surfactants.

[0025] Examples of cationic surfactants include alkylamine salts, amine salts of polyamines and amino alcohol fatty acid derivatives, alkyl quaternary ammonium salts, aromatic quaternary ammonium salts, pyridium salts, and imidazolium salts. Nonionic surfactants include sorbitan fatty acid esters, glycerin fatty acid esters, polyglycerin fatty acid esters, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene glycerin fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene propylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene phytostanol ethers, polyoxyethylene phytosterol ethers, polyoxyethylene cholestanol ethers, polyoxyethylene cholesteryl ethers, polyoxyalkylene-modified organopolysiloxanes, polyoxyalkylene-alkyl co-modified organopolysiloxanes, alkanolamides, sugar ethers, and sugar amides. Amphoteric surfactants include betaines, aminocarboxylates, and imidazoline derivatives.

[0026] Examples of metal soaps include 12-hydroxyaluminum stearate, zinc stearate, aluminum stearate, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, zinc myristate, magnesium myristate, zinc cetyl phosphate, calcium cetyl phosphate, sodium zinc cetyl phosphate, zinc laurate, and zinc undecylenate.

[0027] Examples of gelling agents include amino acid derivatives such as N-lauroyl-L-glutamic acid and α,γ-di-n-butylamine; dextrin fatty acid esters such as dextrin palmitate, dextrin stearate, and dextrin 2-ethylhexanoic acid palmitate; sucrose fatty acid esters such as sucrose palmitate and sucrose stearate; benzylidene derivatives of sorbitol such as monobenzylidene sorbitol and dibenzylidene sorbitol; and organically modified clay minerals such as dimethylbenzyldodecylammonium montmorillonite clay and dimethyldioctadecylammonium montmorillonite clay.

[0028] Examples of ultraviolet absorbers include cinnamic acid-based ultraviolet absorbers such as 2-ethylhexyl paramethoxycinnamate, isopropyl paramethoxycinnamate, diethanolamine paramethoxyhydrocinnamate, glyceryl di-paramethoxycinnamate-mono-2-ethylhexanoate, octyl methoxycinnamate, and methyl diisopropylcinnamate; 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfuric acid, sodium 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfate, and 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone-5-sulfate. Examples of the ultraviolet absorber include benzophenone-based ultraviolet absorbers such as benzophenone, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxybenzophenone, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone, and 2-hydroxy-4-n-octoxybenzophenone; and benzoic acid-based ultraviolet absorbers such as para-aminobenzoic acid, ethyl para-aminobenzoate, butyl para-aminobenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl para-dimethylaminobenzoate, glyceryl para-aminobenzoate, and amyl para-aminobenzoate.

[0029] Examples of ultraviolet protection agents include salicylic acid-based ultraviolet absorbers such as 2-ethylhexyl salicylate, triethanolamine salicylate, homomenthyl salicylate, dipropylene glycol salicylate, methyl salicylate, ethylene glycol salicylate, phenyl salicylate, amyl salicylate, benzyl salicylate, isopropylbenzyl salicylate, and potassium salicylate; and dibenzoylmethane-based ultraviolet absorbers such as 4-t-butyl-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane, 4-isopropyldibenzoylmethane, 4-methoxydibenzoylmethane, and 4-t-butyl-4'-hydroxydibenzoylmethane. Ultraviolet absorbers include anthranilic acid-based ultraviolet absorbers such as menthyl-O-aminobenzoate, 2-phenyl-benzimidazole-5-sulfuric acid, 2-phenyl-5-methylbenzoxazole, 3-(4-methylbenzylidene)camphor, 2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate, 2-ethyl-2-cyano-3,3'-diphenylacrylate, 2-(2'-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, and menthyl anthranilate; urocanic acid-based ultraviolet absorbers such as ethyl urocanate; titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, and cerium oxide.

[0030] Examples of alcohols include the polyhydric alcohols mentioned above, as well as lower alcohols such as ethanol and isopropanol.

[0031] Examples of water-soluble polymers include plant-based polymers such as gum arabic, tragacanth, galactan, carob gum, guar gum, karaya gum, carrageenan other than lambda, pectin, agar, algae colloid, fucoidan, tolant gum, locust bean gum, and galactomannan; microbial-based polymers such as xanthan gum, curdlan, gellan gum, fucogel, dextran, succinoglucan, and pullulan; animal-based polymers such as chitosan, casein, albumin, and gelatin; starch-based polymers such as starch, carboxymethyl starch, and methylhydroxypropyl starch; methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, methylhydroxypropylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, and hydroxymethylcellulose. Examples of suitable polymers include cellulose-based polymers such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, sodium cellulose sulfate, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, crystalline cellulose, and cellulose powder; alginic acid-based polymers such as sodium alginate and propylene glycol alginate; vinyl-based polymers such as polyvinyl methyl ether, carboxyvinyl polymer, and alkyl-modified carboxyvinyl polymer; polyoxyethylene-based polymers; polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer-based polymers; acrylic polymers such as sodium polyacrylate, polyethyl acrylate, and polyacrylamide; and inorganic water-soluble polymers such as polyethyleneimine, cationic polymers, bentonite, laponite, and hectorite. These also include film-forming agents such as polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone.

[0032] Examples of antibacterial agents include benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, carbolic acid, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, parahydroxybenzoic acid esters, parachlormetacresol, hexachlorophene, benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine chloride, trichlorocarbanilide, photosensitizers, zinc bis(2-pyridylthio-1-oxide), phenoxyethanol, thianthol, isopropylmethylphenol, etc. Examples of pH adjusters include potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, etc. Examples of cooling agents include L-menthol, camphor, etc.

[0033] Examples of cell activators include nucleic acid-related substances such as deoxyribonucleic acid and its salts, adenylic acid derivatives such as adenosine triphosphate and adenosine monophosphate and their salts, ribonucleic acid and its salts, cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, flavin adenine nucleotide, guanine, adenine, cytosine, thymine, xanthine and their derivatives such as caffeine, theoferline and their salts, young calf blood extract, deproteinized serum extract, spleen extract, chicken egg components, cockscomb extract, shell extract, shellfish meat extract, royal jelly, silk protein and its degradation products or derivatives thereof, hemoglobin or its degradation products, lactoferrin or its degradation products, mollusk extracts such as squid ink, fish meat extract, etc., extracts derived from animals such as mammals, birds, shellfish, insects, fish, mollusks, and crustaceans, and extracts derived from microorganisms selected from fermentation metabolites such as yeast extract, lactic acid bacteria extract, and bifidobacterium extract. Furthermore, vitamin A such as retinol and its derivatives (retinol palmitate, retinol acetate, etc.), retinal and its derivatives, dehydroretinal, carotenoids such as carotene, thiamines (thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine sulfate), riboflavins (riboflavin, riboflavin acetate, etc.), pyridoxines (pyridoxine hydrochloride, pyridoxine dioctanoate, etc.), flavin adenine nucleotide, cyanocobalamin, folic acids, nicotinic acids (nicotinamide, benzyl nicotinate, etc.), vitamin B such as choline, apricot extract, ginkgo extract, Panax ginseng extract, and ginger extract. Examples of such cell activators include barley extract, orange extract, cucumber extract, kiwi extract, shiitake mushroom extract, horsetail extract, Swertia japonica extract, Chinese cabbage extract, chili pepper extract, garlic extract, carrot extract, Poria cocos extract, peach extract, lettuce extract, lemon extract, Ganoderma lucidum extract, rosemary extract, hinokitiol, and cepharanthine, as well as plant-derived extracts such as α- and γ-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and derivatives thereof, estradiol and derivatives thereof and salts thereof, and organic acids such as glycolic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid and derivatives thereof and salts thereof. One or more of the above-listed cell activators can be appropriately selected and blended.

[0034] Moisturizing agents include alkaline simple hot spring water, deep sea water, mucopolysaccharides such as hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, heparin, and keratan sulfate, or salts thereof, proteins such as collagen, elastin, and keratin, or derivatives thereof and salts thereof, phospholipids derived from soybeans and eggs, glycolipids, ceramide, mucin, honey, erythritol, maltose, maltitol, xylitol, xylose, pentaerythritol, fructose, dextrin and derivatives thereof, mannitol, sorbitol, boar Examples of suitable amino acids include sugars such as thal, trehalose, and glucose, urea, asparagine, aspartic acid, alanine, arginine, isoleucine, ornithine, glutamine, glycine, glutamic acid, and derivatives thereof and salts thereof, cysteine, cystine, citrulline, threonine, serine, tyrosine, tryptophan, theanine, valine, histidine, hydroxylysine, hydroxyproline, pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid, and salts thereof, and amino acids such as proline, phenylalanine, methionine, and lysine, and derivatives thereof or salts thereof.Also contains D-panthenol, avocado extract, almond oil, carob extract, rice extract, strawberry extract, fennel extract, marshal extract, coptis extract, olive oil, white nettle extract, cocoa butter, oat extract, ivy extract, kumazasa extract, gardenia extract, grapefruit extract, geranium extract, gentian extract, burdock extract, saffron vine extract, sesame extract, cactus extract, soapwort extract, ginger extract, rehmannia root extract, shea butter, meadowsweet extract, cnidium extract, mallow extract, thyme extract, camellia extract, corn extract, tallow extract, tocopheryl acetate extract, thyme ... Examples of such moisturizing agents include menchira extract, Houttuynia cordata extract, Bakumondo extract, Lupin extract, Hamamelis extract, Mint extract, Green Mentha extract, Peppermint extract, Parsley extract, Rose extract, Sunflower extract, Japanese cypress extract, Loofah extract, Prune extract, Butcher's broom extract, Borage oil, Peony extract, Jojoba oil, Tilia extract, Hop extract, Pine extract, Horse chestnut extract, Macadamia nut oil, Quince extract, Purple extract, Meadowhof oil, Melissa extract, Cornflower extract, Lily extract, Yuzu extract, Lime extract, Lavender extract, Gentian extract, Burnt extract, and Apple extract. One or more of the moisturizing agents listed above can be appropriately selected and blended.

[0035] Examples of vitamins include vitamin K (e.g., phytonadione, menaquinone, menadione, menadiol), vitamin P (e.g., eriocitrin, hesperidin), biotin, carcinine, ferulic acid, etc. Examples of blood circulation promoters include nonylic acid valenylamide, capsaicin, zingerone, cantharides tincture, ichthammol, α-borneol, inositol hexanicotinate, cyclandelate, cinnarizine, tolazoline, acetylcholine, verapamil, γ-oryzanol, etc. Examples of skin astringents include tannic acid, etc. Examples of antiseborrheic agents include thianthrol, etc. Examples of enzymes include lipase and papain. One or more of these ingredients can be added as appropriate. The amount of these ingredients added is not particularly limited, but is typically within the range of 0.0001 to 80% by mass (based on the total amount).

[0036] The hair improvement composition of the present invention can be produced according to a conventional method, and can be applied, for example, as a shampoo, hair rinse, hair conditioner, hair treatment, hair cream, styling lotion, styling mousse, conditioning mousse, hair spray, hair mist, hair foam, hair gel, hair blow dryer, etc.

[0037] The hair improving agent or hair improving composition of the present invention is effective not only for humans but also for mammals including livestock such as cows, horses, pigs and goats, as well as pets such as dogs and cats.

[0038] (Manufacturing method) The method for producing a hair improvement agent according to the present invention comprises the steps of: extracting Mekabu with hot water containing monovalent cations to obtain an extract; adding an organic solvent to the obtained extract to obtain a precipitate; and, more preferably, drying the precipitate and dissolving it in a mixed solution of water and an organic solvent. In the extraction step, Mekabu is powdered, and water is added to dissolve the powder in the solution. A salt that produces monovalent ions, such as sodium chloride, may be added to the solution, and the solution may then be heated. After heating, the solution is separated by precipitation with an organic solvent, allowing the sulfated polysaccharide salt that has been salified with monovalent cations to be extracted.

[0039] The raw material, "mekabu," is the mekabu portion of the brown algae Undaria pinnatifida, which belongs to the family Alariaceae in the order Laminariales, or its relatives.

[0040] Wakame grows from autumn to winter, and when it matures, it produces sporophytes with densely packed zoosporangia. The parts at the base of wakame leaves where these spores are produced are called fruiting leaves. These sporophytes and / or fruiting leaves are known as "mekabu." Incidentally, after meiosis in zoosporangia, zoospores are formed. Zoospores are asexual spores, but because they have the ability to swim, they can move to an environment suitable for growth and settle on the bottom. They then divide into several dozen cells to form gametophytes. The gametophytes begin to elongate again over the summer, and both male and female gametophytes begin to mature when the water temperature reaches around 20°C, forming antheridia and oophores, respectively. Sperm and eggs released from these sporophytes are fertilized and grow, resulting in the wakame we commonly see (sporophyte).

[0041] In the production method of the present invention, the "mekabu" used as a raw material is not limited to the sporophyll and / or fruiting leaves of wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) or its analogues in the strict sense, but may include, for example, parts of the sporophyte (wakame) that was included when the wakame portion was harvested, or other parts such as zoospores and gametophytes.

[0042] The salts that become monovalent ions contained in the hot water are not particularly limited, but examples thereof include sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, etc. The amount of these salts added to the hot water is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.0001 to 10 mol / L, further, for example, 0.001 to 5 mol / L, 0.01 to 2 mol / L, and preferably 0.1 to 1 mol / L.

[0043] The temperature of the hot water in the extraction step is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 40° C. or higher, and further may be, for example, 50° C. or higher, 60° C. or higher, 70° C. or higher, 80° C. or higher, 90° C. or higher, 100° C. or higher, or 120° C. or higher. Specific examples include extraction using water as a solvent at normal pressure (1013 hPa±50 hPa) and a temperature of 100° C. or lower, for example, 55 to 65° C.

[0044] The time required for this extraction may vary depending on the temperature selected, but may be from 1 hour to 2 months, e.g., 1 hour to 1 month, 1 hour to 15 days, 1 hour to 10 days, 1 hour to 5 days, 1 hour to 3 days, 1 hour to 2 days, 1 hour to 1 day, 5 hours to 1 month, 5 hours to 15 days, 5 hours to 10 days, 5 hours to 5 days, 5 hours to 3 days, 5 hours to 2 days, 5 hours to 1 day, 10 hours to 1 month, 10 hours to 15 days, 10 hours to 10 days, 10 hours to 5 days, 10 hours to 3 days, or 10 hours to 2 days.

[0045] The extraction step may include mixing the raw material, Mekabu, in water containing monovalent cations as a solvent and leaving the mixture for a certain period of time. The leaving may include appropriate stirring.

[0046] The extraction is repeated one or more times, for example, one to five times. For example, it can be performed one or more times at 40 to 50°C, 50 to 60°C, 60 to 70°C, 70 to 80°C, or 50 to 70°C. Furthermore, when the extraction is repeated multiple times, the temperature for each time may be different or the same, and for example, it is also possible to gradually increase the temperature with each time. Preferably, the temperature is 50 to 60°C or higher, and more preferably 55°C or higher.

[0047] The hot water extraction process may be performed in conjunction with other techniques, such as pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), subcritical extraction (SE), or a combination thereof, as needed. The subcritical extraction is subcritical water extraction (SWE). Subcritical water extraction is also known as superheated water extraction or pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE).

[0048] After the extraction process, the method may further include a step of separating the wakame raw material residue and the extract by a known method such as filtration.

[0049] In the step of adding an organic solvent to the obtained extract to obtain a precipitate, the organic solvent used (hereinafter also referred to as the "first organic solvent") is not particularly limited as long as it can reduce the solubility of the active extract component in the extract in the solvent and cause precipitation. For example, lower C2-C5 alcohols such as ethanol and isopropanol (ethanol, n-propanol, 2-propanol, isopropanol, t-butyl alcohol) can be used. The organic solvent is added to the water in the extract to a concentration sufficient to cause precipitation of the component. The amount added can be adjusted appropriately to the extent that precipitation occurs depending on the type of organic solvent used.

[0050] After the step of obtaining the precipitate, the method may further include a step of separating the solvent from the precipitate by a known method such as filtration, and may further include a step of purifying the precipitate by a known method such as washing or reprecipitation.

[0051] As the drying step, any known method such as a heating method or drying under reduced pressure can be used without any particular limitation.

[0052] The organic solvent used in the step of dissolving the precipitate in a mixed solution of water and an organic solvent (hereinafter also referred to as the "second organic solvent") is not particularly limited as long as it can be incorporated into the hair improvement agent that is finally prepared, and may be the same as or different from the first organic solvent described above. Specific examples include the same organic solvents as those described in relation to the hair quality improvement agent or hair quality improving composition described above.

[0053] The hair improvement agent produced by the method of the present invention can be further mixed with a pharmacologically or cosmetically acceptable carrier to produce a hair improvement composition. The hair improvement composition and pharmacologically or cosmetically acceptable carrier are as described above. [Example]

[0054] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the following examples, the unit % used to indicate the amount of each component added means % by mass.

[0055] The effect of the hair improving agent of the present invention on hair was evaluated by the following methods using damaged hair prepared by the following method, with respect to the moisture content, combability, and shine of the hair.

[0056] [Example 1] (Sample preparation) 5 kg of raw wakame was added to 5 kg of distilled water and 150 g of purified salt (NaCl) and heated to 70–80°C. After stirring and extraction for 3 hours, the wakame residue in the extract was filtered through a mesh sieve or nylon sheet, followed by filtration through a 10 μm cartridge filter (Advantec), a 1 μm cartridge filter (Advantec), and a 1 μm pleated cartridge filter (As One). The filtrate was slowly added to 17.9 kg of ethanol (99.5%), and the precipitated fibrous gray solid was collected. After collection, the solid was washed with 1.8 kg of ethanol (99.5%) and collected, and then washed again with 1.8 kg of ethanol (99.5%). A gray-white solid was collected through 5B filter paper (Advantec). The solid was dried for over 12 hours in a hot air dryer set at 40°C, yielding 40.1 g of wakame powder. 39 g of this Mekabu powder was dissolved in a mixed liquid of 9.061 kg of purified water and 3.9 kg of 1,3-butanediol (30% by mass of 1,3-butanediol) to prepare a sample containing 0.3% by mass of Mekabu extract.

[0057] (Creating damaged hair) 500 mL of a 3% hydrogen peroxide and 3% ammonia solution (bleach) was placed in a 1 L beaker, and the same human hair (BS-B3N, Beaulux) was immersed in it. The beaker was placed in a water bath set to 40°C and left to stand for 20 minutes. The hair bundle was rinsed with running water at 30°C for 2 minutes, towel-dried, and then treated with a hair dryer for 7 minutes. The above procedure was repeated three times to create damaged hair.

[0058] (Hair moisture content) The damaged hair was left to stand in a constant temperature and humidity chamber maintained at a room temperature of 21±0.3°C and a humidity of 45.0±2.0% for 24 hours or more. The weight (mg) of the damaged hair was measured and used as the hair weight (mg) before the test.

[0059] The sample prepared above was diluted with purified water to a concentration of 0.5% to prepare a test product containing 0.0015% by mass of Mekabu extract. 500 μL of this test product was applied to damaged hair, massaged in for 1 minute, and then rinsed with 30°C tap water for 1 minute. The damaged hair was then immersed in 30°C tap water for 1 minute and left to stand in a constant temperature and humidity chamber maintained at a room temperature of 21±0.3°C and a humidity of 45.0±2.0% for 18 hours. The weight (mg) of the damaged hair was measured and used as the post-test hair weight (mg). After cutting and removing 2 cm of the damaged hair from the tip, the remaining hair bundle was cut into approximately 5 mm wide strips from the tip and weighed approximately 0.1 g. The hair bundle was treated at 105°C for 3 minutes using an infrared moisture meter (MOC-120H, Shimadzu Corporation), and the dry weight (mg) of the hair bundle was calculated from the dry residue (%) of the hair. The change in hair moisture content (mg) and hair moisture content per hair (μg / mg) before and after treatment with the test product were calculated according to the following formula.

[0060] Hair moisture content (mg) = [hair weight (mg) before (after) treatment with test product - dry weight of hair bundle (mg)] Moisture content per hair (μg / mg) = [Hair moisture content (mg) / Dry weight of hair bundle (mg)] x 1000

[0061] (Combing hair) The damaged hair prepared as described above was left to stand for at least 24 hours in a constant temperature and humidity chamber maintained at a room temperature of 21±0.3°C and a humidity of 45.0±2.0%. The damaged hair was then immersed in tap water at 30°C for 1 minute and then left to stand for 18 hours in a constant temperature and humidity chamber maintained at a room temperature of 21±0.3°C and a humidity of 45.0±2.0%. A comb was attached to a digital force gauge (ZP-20N, IMADA), and the load (N) applied to the comb when combing the hair bundle was measured as an index of the frictional force generated between the hair and the comb (before the test). Note that a low level of hair friction is considered to indicate ease of combing. 500 μL of the test product was applied to the damaged hair, massaged in for 1 minute, and then rinsed with tap water at 30°C for 1 minute. The damaged hair was then immersed in tap water at 30°C for 1 minute and left to stand in a constant temperature and humidity chamber maintained at a room temperature of 21±0.3°C and a humidity of 45.0±2.0% for 18 hours. The hair friction force (N) of the damaged hair was measured (after the test) using the same equipment as before the test.

[0062] (Hair shine) The damaged hair prepared as described above was left to stand for at least 24 hours in a temperature- and humidity-controlled chamber maintained at a room temperature of 21±0.3°C and a humidity of 45.0±2.0%. The damaged hair was then immersed in tap water at 30°C for 1 minute and then left to stand for 18 hours in a temperature- and humidity-controlled chamber maintained at a room temperature of 21±0.3°C and a humidity of 45.0±2.0%. Images of the damaged hair were taken (before testing) using a digital single-lens reflex camera (Nikon D610) and a large-aperture zoom lens (SP24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD, TAMRON).

[0063] 500 μL of the test product was applied to damaged hair, massaged in for 1 minute, and then rinsed with 30°C tap water for 1 minute. The damaged hair was then immersed in 30°C tap water for 1 minute and left to stand in a constant temperature and humidity chamber maintained at a room temperature of 21±0.3°C and a humidity of 45.0±2.0% for 18 hours. After that, images of the damaged hair were taken (after the test) in the same manner as before the test.

[0064] The brightness (au) of the captured hair images was quantified (au) using image analysis software (Image J). An overview is shown in Figure 1. The half-width was calculated from the measurement distance (pixels) that indicates the (|maximum value - minimum value| / 2 + minimum value) of the quantified hair brightness (au), and this was used as an index of hair luster (see R. McMULLEN, J. JACHOWICZ, Optical properties of hair: Effect of treatments on luster as quantified by image analysis. J. Cosmet. Sci., 54, 335-351 (2003)). The narrower the half-width, the less diffuse reflection of light there is, indicating lustrous hair.

[0065] <Result> (Hair moisture content) The hair weight and hair moisture content before and after application of the test product are shown in Tables 1 and 2. The hair moisture content per hair before and after application of the test product is shown in Figure 1.

[0066] [Table 1]

[0067] [Table 2]

[0068] As shown in Table 1, hair weight after application of the test product was greater than before application of the test product, and the results in Table 2 suggest that this is due to an increase in hair moisture content. Figure 2 plots the hair moisture content per hair, and shows that application of the test product significantly increased the moisture content. From this, the hair improvement agent of the present invention can be expected to increase hair moisture content and enhance hair's moisturizing power.

[0069] (Hair Combing) The hair friction force (N) before and after application of the test product is shown in Table 3 and Figure 2.

[0070] [Table 3]

[0071] The results shown in Table 3 and Figure 3 show that application of the test product significantly reduces hair friction and improves combability. This indicates that the hair improvement agent of the present invention improves combability and is thought to have the effect of imparting smoothness to hair.

[0072] (Hair gloss) The half-width (au) of the hair brightness peak calculated by image analysis of the hair bundle before and after application of the test product is shown in Table 4 and Figure 4. The narrower the half-width (au) of the hair brightness, the shinier the hair.

[0073] [Table 4]

[0074] As shown in Table 4 and Figure 4, application of the test product significantly reduced the half-value width of the brightness of the hair image, indicating that diffuse reflection of light was reduced and hair gloss increased. From this, it is believed that the hair improving agent of the present invention has the effect of suppressing hair frizz and imparting visual gloss.

[0075] Below are examples of formulations for shampoos containing the hair improving agent of the present invention. (Prescription Example 1) Polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate sodium 7.0 Lauryl amidopropyl betaine solution 2.5 O-(2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio) chloride Propyl)hydroxyethyl cellulose 0.3 Phenoxyethanol 0.9 Sodium benzoate 0.45 0.3% by mass Mekabu extract 0.5 Fragrance 0.6 Remaining purified water Total 100 [Industrial Applicability]

[0076] It has been confirmed that the hair improvement agent of the present invention is effective for conditioning hair and improving hair moisture content, combability, and shine. Therefore, the hair improvement agent of the present invention can be added to compositions such as cosmetics to improve hair moisture, shine, and / or combability.

Claims

1. A hair improvement agent containing a wakame seaweed extract as an active ingredient, A hair improvement agent to be applied to hair, comprising a sulfated polysaccharide salt in which the Mekabu extract is salified with a monovalent cation.

2. 2. The hair improvement agent according to claim 1, wherein the wakame extract is dissolved in a mixed solution of water and an organic solvent.

3. A hair improvement composition comprising the hair improvement agent according to claim 1 or 2 in an amount of 0.000015% by mass to 0.15% by mass, calculated as the solid content of the Mekabu extract.

4. A step of extracting Mekabu with hot water containing monovalent cations to obtain an extract; and a step of adding an organic solvent to the extract to obtain a precipitate.

5. The method for producing a hair improvement agent according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of drying the precipitate and dissolving it in a mixed solution of water and an organic solvent.

6. A method for producing a hair improvement composition, comprising the step of mixing a hair improvement agent produced by the method according to claim 4 or 5 with a pharmacologically or cosmetically acceptable carrier.

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