Cosmetic composition for improving skin condition

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a cosmetic composition comprising a golden gardenia flower extract for improving skin condition. The cosmetic composition for improving skin of the present disclosure demonstrates significantly superior effects in improving the skin barrier, enhancing skin hydration, increasing skin elasticity, and alleviating skin inflammation.

Description

Cosmetic composition for skin improvement

[0001] This application claims priority to Republic of Korea Application No. 10-2023-0115548, filed August 31, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a cosmetic composition for improving skin comprising a gold gardenia flower extract.

[0003] The skin is a vital organ that protects the body from the external environment, functions as a barrier to prevent the loss of internal moisture and beneficial substances, and performs various physiological functions, including temperature regulation and excretion. Human skin is composed of the dermis and the epidermis. The dermis is primarily composed of fibroblasts, which synthesize collagen and other proteins and produce small amounts of lipids. The epidermis contains keratinocytes, which primarily produce lipids but virtually no collagen. The epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, functions as a defense against various external physical, chemical, and mechanical stimuli and prevents excessive loss of body water through the skin. This protective function is possible through the normal formation and maintenance of the stratum corneum, composed of keratinocytes.

[0004] These keratinocytes are cells that are formed through gradual morphological and functional changes as basal cells that have continuously proliferated in the lowest layer of the epidermis migrate to the stratum corneum. After a certain period of time, old keratinocytes are shed from the skin, and new keratinocytes that rise from the lowest layer of the epidermis take over their function, repeating the process of epidermal differentiation or keratinization. During this keratinization process, keratinocytes produce natural moisturizing factors, intercellular lipids such as ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids, which enable the stratum corneum to act as a barrier to the outside world, thereby maintaining its function as a skin barrier.

[0005] Collagen and elastin, found in the dermal layer of the skin, play a significant role in the composition of the skin, performing functions such as maintaining the skin's mechanical strength, connective tissue resistance, maintaining tissue cohesion, and supporting cell adhesion. Collagen is reduced by stress, aging, and photoaging caused by UV irradiation. Meanwhile, elastin's three-dimensional structure is known to be distorted by the increased activity of the degrading enzyme elastase after exposure to UV rays, causing skin tissue to loosen and lose elasticity. As epidermal cell function declines, metabolism becomes impeded, preventing sloughing of dead skin cells. Consequently, when exposed to UV rays, excessive dead skin cells accumulate, reducing elasticity and causing wrinkles. Alternatively, if a sebum film fails to form on the epidermis, moisture and sebum secretion decrease, drying out the skin, and forming wrinkles.

[0006] Hyaluronic acid is a type of glycosaminoglycan, a chain-like polymeric polysaccharide composed of repeatedly linked glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine residues. Hyaluronic acid binds to large amounts of water to form a gel, and possesses high viscosity and elasticity. As a key component of the extracellular matrix, hyaluronic acid is involved in water retention, maintaining intercellular spaces, and the storage and diffusion of cell growth factors and nutrients. The decrease in hyaluronic acid in the skin is believed to be one of the direct causes of decreased skin elasticity and moisture content due to aging.

[0007] To improve skin condition, ongoing research has been conducted to develop substances that enhance the skin barrier, increase skin hydration and elasticity, or alleviate skin inflammation. These substances can be obtained from plant extracts and have been used as raw materials in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and foods. However, these naturally derived substances, such as plant extracts, are weakly effective and require large amounts to achieve significant results. This, in turn, has led to problems such as toxicity and increased prices.

[0008] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a composition including a plant extract that is remarkably excellent in improving the skin barrier, moisturizing the skin, increasing skin elasticity, and improving skin inflammation.

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, the inventors of the present disclosure have made extensive research efforts and discovered that the gold gardenia flower extract has remarkably excellent effects in improving the skin barrier, moisturizing the skin, increasing skin elasticity, and improving skin inflammation.

[0010] The present disclosure provides a cosmetic composition for improving skin comprising a gold gardenia flower extract.

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the scientific name of gardenia is Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis, and it is also known by the synonym Gardenia florida L. Gardenia is called gardenia tree, and in English it is called gardenia or cape jasmine. Gardenia flowers are known to be white, but can be observed to turn yellow 2 to 5 days after flowering. In this disclosure, such yellow gardenia flowers are referred to as gold gardenia.

[0012] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the gold gardenia flower may refer to a flower collected after the entire color of the petals has completely changed to yellow, preferably gold. Preferably, the gold gardenia flower may be collected and used after two days from blooming when the flower has turned yellow or gold, for example, the flower may be collected and used after two, three, four, five, six, one, two, three, or four weeks from blooming.

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the gold gardenia flower may refer to a flower collected after 3 to 5 days from full bloom, when the entire color of the leaves has turned gold. Preferably, the gardenia flower may be collected and used after 3, 4, 5, 6, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, or 4 weeks from full bloom. The term "full bloom" may refer to a time when 1 to 3 representative trees show a flowering phenomenon of 80% or more, as defined by the Korea Meteorological Administration.

[0014] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the gold gardenia flower may refer to a yellow or gold petal having an L value (brightness) of 70 or less and a b value (saturation) of 33 or more when measured using a colorimeter (Konica monolta, Spectrophotometer SM-700d). In one aspect of the present disclosure, the gold gardenia flower may be capable of determining the degree of yellowing of leaves using a colorimeter (Konica monolta, Spectrophotometer SM-700d). The L value represents the brightness of a color (the degree of white or black), and the b value represents the saturation of a color (the degree of yellow or blue). The higher the L value, the brighter the color, and the higher the b value, the yellower the color. Preferably, the gold gardenia flower may refer to a yellow petal having an L value of 70 or less and a b value of 33 or more, 3 to 5 days after full bloom.

[0015] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the term "extract" may include an extract obtained by an extraction process, a diluted or concentrated extract, a dried product obtained by drying the extract, a conditioned or purified product of the extract, or a mixture thereof, and any extract in the form of an extract itself and any formulation that can be formed using the extract. In addition to the flower parts of Gold Gardenia, the extract may also include its leaves, stems, bark, roots, or flower buds, fruits, seeds, sap, and the entire plant.

[0016] In one aspect of the present disclosure, to prepare a gold gardenia flower extract, a person skilled in the art can utilize any suitable method known in the art. For example, a solvent extraction method can be used, wherein the gold gardenia flower parts are ground (e.g., in a blender) and then treated with an extraction solvent to obtain a solvent extract. Alternatively, the powder extract can be dried prior to grinding, and the solvent extract can be prepared into a powder form by additional processes such as vacuum distillation and freeze-drying, or spray drying.

[0017] The type of the extraction solvent used is not particularly limited, and any solvent known in the art can be used. Non-limiting examples of the extraction solvent include water; lower alcohols having C1 to C4 such as methanol, ethanol, propyl alcohol, and butyl alcohol; polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin, butylene glycol, and propylene glycol; and hydrocarbon solvents such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, acetone, benzene, hexane, diethyl ether, and dichloromethane; or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the gold gardenia flower extract of the present disclosure can be extracted by washing gardenia flowers that have turned yellow in purified water, and then using an aqueous butylene glycol solution, preferably a 50% aqueous butylene glycol solution. The amount of the above extraction solvent may vary depending on the type of extraction solvent used, but for example, the amount of the above extraction solvent may be used in an amount of 1 to 100 times, preferably 10 to 80 times, and more preferably 20 to 60 times, the weight of the gardenia flower.

[0018] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a cosmetic composition for improving skin comprising the gold gardenia flower extract may be a cosmetic composition for improving skin barrier, moisturizing skin, increasing skin elasticity, or improving skin inflammation.

[0019] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the skin barrier function may refer to all functions of the stratum corneum of the epidermis, such as preventing moisture from leaking out and controlling the ingress of external substances, thereby acting as a barrier to the outside world. Such improvement of the skin barrier may imply an improvement in preventing deterioration of the skin barrier function or in restoring a damaged skin barrier.

[0020] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the skin moisturizing may mean any action that supplies moisture to the skin or blocks the evaporation of moisture to maintain the skin's flexibility and induces uniform exfoliation of dead skin cells to maintain a smooth surface.

[0021] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the skin elasticity is exhibited by elastic fibers composed of elastin and collagen fibers present in the dermal layer, and the improvement of skin elasticity may mean suppressing or inhibiting a decrease in elasticity, or maintaining or improving elasticity.

[0022] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the improvement of skin inflammation may refer to suppressing, preventing, or treating inflammation. Inflammation is a defense response of biological tissue to a certain stimulus, and refers to a complex lesion that involves three factors: tissue degeneration, circulatory disturbance, exudation, and tissue proliferation. More specifically, inflammation is a part of innate immunity, and like other animals, human innate immunity recognizes cell surface patterns specific to pathogens. Phagocytes recognize cells with such surfaces as non-self and attack the pathogens. If a pathogen breaches the body's physical barrier, an inflammatory response occurs. The inflammatory response is a non-specific defense mechanism that creates a hostile environment for microorganisms that have invaded the wound site. In the inflammatory response, when a wound is formed or an external infectious agent enters the body, white blood cells responsible for the initial immune response swarm and express cytokines. Therefore, the level of cytokine expression within cells serves as an indicator of inflammatory response activation. Examples of skin diseases associated with inflammation include atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, erythematous diseases caused by radiation, chemicals, or burns; Itching due to sunburn, bullous dermatoses, lichen planus-like diseases, or allergies; inflammatory hair loss such as seborrheic dermatitis, acne rosacea, pemphigus vulgaris, erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum, balanitis, vulvitis, or alopecia areata; and cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, among others.

[0023] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the skin-improving cosmetic composition may include a gold gardenia flower extract as an active ingredient. The gold gardenia flower extract may be included in an amount of 0.0001 to 20 wt%, preferably 0.001 to 15 wt%, and more preferably 0.01 to 10 wt%, based on the total weight of the skin-improving cosmetic composition. When the content of the gold gardenia flower extract is less than 0.0001 wt% based on the total weight of the composition, the skin-improving effect may be minimal, and when it exceeds 20 wt%, the formulation stability may be reduced.

[0024] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the cosmetic composition for improving skin may be prepared in the form of, for example, general emulsified formulations and solubilized formulations. For example, the cosmetic composition may have the formulation of, but is not limited to, a toner such as an emollient toner or a nourishing toner, an emulsion such as a facial lotion or a body lotion, a cream such as a nourishing cream, a moisturizing cream, an eye cream, a massage cream, etc., an essence, a serum, a cosmetic ointment, a spray, an oil gel, a gel, a pack, a sunscreen, a makeup base, a foundation in the form of a liquid type, a solid type, or a spray type, a makeup remover such as a powder, a cleansing cream, a cleansing lotion, a cleansing oil, a cleanser such as a cleansing foam, a soap, a body wash, etc.

[0025] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the cosmetic composition may optionally additionally include, in addition to the extract according to the present invention, conventional ingredients known in the art as ingredients of cosmetic compositions, as long as they do not harm the purpose of the present invention. For example, fragrances (synthetic and natural), dyes and colorants, absorbents, emulsifiers, stabilizers, lubricants, solvents, moisturizers, emollients, humectants (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, sorbitol, urea, and mannitol), film-forming agents, occlusive agents, agents that affect the skin's natural moisturizing mechanisms, water repellents, UV absorbers, essential oils, vitamins (e.g., A, B, C, D, E, and K), trace metals (e.g., zinc, calcium, and selenium), anti-irritants (e.g., steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), anti-microbial agents, antioxidants (e.g., BHT and tocopherol), chelating agents (e.g., disodium EDTA and tetrasodium EDTA), preservatives (e.g., methylparaben and propylparaben), pH adjusters (e.g., sodium hydroxide and citric acid), absorbents (e.g., aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, kaolin, corn starch, oat starch, cyclodextrin, talc, and zeolites), skin bleaching and whitening agents (e.g., hydroquinone and niacinamide lactate), exfoliants (e.g., alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids), skin conditioning agents (e.g., aloe extract, allantoin, bisabolol, ceramides, dimethicone, hyaluronic acid, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate), and thickeners (e.g., carboxylic acid polymers, crosslinked polyacrylate polymers, polyacrylamide polymers, polysaccharides, or gums) and silicone-containing compounds (e.g., silicone oils, polyorganosiloxanes).

[0026] Additionally, the present disclosure provides a pharmaceutical composition for improving skin, comprising a gold gardenia flower extract. The contents of the cosmetic composition can be substantially identically applied to the pharmaceutical composition.

[0027] The pharmaceutical composition may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may contain various ingredients such as a buffer, sterile water for injection, normal saline or phosphate-buffered saline, sucrose, histidine, or polysorbate.

[0028] The above pharmaceutical composition can be administered orally or parenterally, and can be administered in the form of a general pharmaceutical preparation, for example, in various oral or parenteral dosage forms for clinical administration. When formulated, it can be prepared using diluents or excipients such as fillers, bulking agents, binders, wetting agents, disintegrants or surfactants that are commonly used.

[0029] Solid preparations for oral administration include tablets, pills, powders, granules or capsules, and these solid preparations can be prepared by mixing at least one excipient, such as starch, calcium carbonate, sucrose, lactose or gelatin, with the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention.

[0030] In addition to simple excipients, lubricants such as magnesium stearate and talc are also used. Liquid preparations for oral administration include suspensions, solutions, emulsions, and syrups. In addition to the commonly used simple diluents, such as water or liquid paraffin, various excipients may be included, such as wetting agents, sweeteners, flavoring agents, or preservatives.

[0031] Formulations for parenteral administration include sterile aqueous solutions, non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, emulsions, lyophilized preparations, or suppositories. Non-aqueous solutions or suspensions may include vegetable oils such as propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, or olive oil; and injectable esters such as ethyl oleate.

[0032] Additionally, the present disclosure provides a skin improvement method comprising topically applying a skin improvement cosmetic composition or pharmaceutical composition containing the gold gardenia flower extract to the skin. The same information regarding the skin improvement cosmetic composition may be applied to the skin improvement method. Topical application may refer to applying or spreading the composition onto the surface of keratinous tissue.

[0033] All ingredients described in the present disclosure preferably do not exceed the maximum usage levels stipulated in relevant laws and regulations of Korea, China, the United States, Europe, Japan, etc. (e.g., Regulations on Cosmetic Safety Standards (Korea), Cosmetic Safety Technical Standards (China)). That is, preferably, the cosmetic composition according to the present disclosure includes the ingredients according to the present disclosure within the content limits permitted by relevant laws and regulations of each country.

[0034] The cosmetic composition for skin improvement of the present disclosure is remarkably excellent in the effects of improving the skin barrier, moisturizing the skin, increasing skin elasticity, and improving skin inflammation.

[0035] Figure 1 is a photograph of white gardenia flowers and gold gardenia flowers.

[0036] Figure 2 shows the results of comparing the L value (brightness) and b value (saturation) of white and yellow flowers measured using a colorimeter (Konica monolta, Spectrophotometer SM-700d).

[0037] Figure 3 is a graph comparing the inhibitory effects of gardenia white flower extract and gold gardenia flower extract on secretion of inflammatory factors.

[0038] Figure 4 is a photograph comparing the skin barrier strengthening effects of gardenia white flower extract and gold gardenia flower extract.

[0039] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail, using examples and the like, to aid understanding. However, the examples according to the present invention may be modified in various different forms, and the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the following examples. The examples of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those of average skill in the art.

[0040]

[0041] Preparation of Examples and Comparative Examples

[0042] White flowers were collected from gardenia trees grown at the LG Household & Health Care Herb Garden, and flowers that turned yellow after flowering were collected (Fig. 1). The L value (brightness) and b value (saturation) of the white and yellow flowers were measured using a colorimeter (Konica monolta, Spectrophotometer SM-700d) (Fig. 2). The L value represents the lightness of a color (the degree of white or black), and the b value represents the saturation of a color (the degree of yellow or blue). The higher the L value, the brighter it appears, and the higher the b value, the yellower it appears. This can be used to measure the degree to which the petals have changed to yellow or gold. The maximum or minimum range of the L value is 0 (black) to 100 (white). The maximum or minimum range of the b value is -100 (blue) to +100 (yellow).

[0043] The collected flowers were washed in purified water and then extracted in a 50% butylene glycol aqueous solution. The yellow flower extract was used as an example, and the white flower extract was used as a comparative example.

[0044]

[0045] Experimental Example 1: Inhibitory effect on secretion of inflammatory factors

[0046] In this Experimental Example 1, the degree to which the secretion of the inflammatory factor IL8 was suppressed when treated with the Examples or Comparative Examples was confirmed. IL8 is one of the skin inflammatory factors and is known to mainly mediate inflammation caused by diseases (psoriasis, atopy, etc.) or external factors (fine dust, ultraviolet rays, microbial infection, etc.). After treating keratinocytes (HaCaT) with 1 ppm or 10 ppm of the extracts of the Examples and Comparative Examples, the expression of inflammatory factors was confirmed after 24 hours. For the analysis of inflammatory factors, mRNA of keratinocytes was extracted and the expression level of IL8 mRNA was compared. As seen in the comparative results shown in Fig. 3, it was confirmed that the gold gardenia flower extract had a significantly superior effect in suppressing the secretion of inflammatory factors compared to the white flower extract.

[0047]

[0048] Experimental Example 2: Confirming the Expression of Tight Junction Proteins

[0049] The skin barrier is formed by the bonds between epidermal cells that make up the skin. Tight junctions are expressed on the outer surface of individual cells and form bonds between epidermal cells. The bonds between adjacent cells in tight junctions enhance the adhesion between epidermal cells. Tight junction proteins include Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Claudin (Cldn), which can serve as indicators of intercellular adhesion. In other words, increased expression of tight junction proteins in keratinocytes in the epidermis suggests that the bonds between adjacent cells are strengthened, thereby enhancing barrier function.

[0050] After treating keratinocytes (HaCaT) with 10 ppm of each of the extracts of the examples and comparative examples, the expression of tight junction proteins was confirmed after 24 hours. Using immunofluorescence staining, tight junction proteins surrounding the outer layer of keratinocytes were confirmed. ZO-1 surrounding the outer layer of keratinocytes was confirmed using a fluorescent detection antibody that specifically binds to ZO-1. The fluorescently expressed tight junction proteins were quantified using the Celleste program, and the expression levels of the examples and comparative examples were compared. As shown in the comparative results in Fig. 4, it was confirmed that the gold gardenia flower extract had significantly superior tight junction protein expression compared to the white flower extract, thereby strengthening the connection between skin barrier cells.

[0051]

[0052] Experimental Example 3: Comparison of Active Ingredient Contents

[0053] The analysis samples used were the extracts of the above examples and comparative examples, and the extraction solvent used was a 50% butylene glycol aqueous solution at a weight ratio of 1:40 with the sample. The extraction was performed at room temperature for 3 days.

[0054] GardenosideGeniposideComparative ExamplePreliminary Comparative ExampleExampleppm223.3274.526.145.6%0.022330.027450.002610.00456

[0055] As shown in the results shown in Table 1 above, it was confirmed that the gold gardenia flower extract contained gardenoside and geniposide in significantly higher amounts than the white flower extract. Through this, it can be seen that the cosmetic composition for skin improvement comprising the gold gardenia flower extract of the present invention contains a high amount of useful ingredients contained in the gardenia flower extract.

Claims

1. A cosmetic composition for improving skin comprising gold gardenia flower extract.

2. A cosmetic composition for improving skin, wherein the gold gardenia flower in paragraph 1 is collected two days after flowering.

3. A cosmetic composition for improving skin, wherein the gold gardenia flower, in the first paragraph, is yellow in color with an L value (brightness) of 70 or less and a b value (saturation) of 33 or more when measured using a colorimeter (Konica monolta, Spectrophotometer SM-700d).

4. A cosmetic composition for improving skin, wherein the gold gardenia flower extract in the first paragraph is extracted using an aqueous butylene glycol solution as an extraction solvent.

5. In the first paragraph, the skin improvement cosmetic composition is for improving the skin barrier, moisturizing the skin, increasing skin elasticity, or improving skin inflammation.

6. A cosmetic composition for skin improvement in the first paragraph, wherein the gold gardenia flower extract is 0.0001 to 20 wt% based on the total weight of the composition.

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