Ergosterol-Based Vitamin D2 Production in Vegan Cosmetics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for enhancing vitamin D and nitric oxide production in the skin face challenges such as the ban on vitamin D in cosmetics, animal-derived sources for 7-dehydrocholesterol, and the risk of excessive sunlight exposure.
Innovation Solution
The use of ergosterol in compositions, potentially combined with UV-protecting components and promoter agents like phospholipids, thiols, and NO-precursor compounds, to facilitate the generation of vitamin D2 and nitric oxide upon exposure to UV radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If 7-dehydrocholesterol is used as the provitamin D precursor, then vitamin D3 can be generated in the skin upon UV exposure, but the source is animal-derived and may not be suitable for vegan formulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ergosterol as a structural analogue and functional copy of 7-dehydrocholesterol. Ergosterol is a plant/fungal-derived sterol that undergoes photoisomerization to produce vitamin D2, serving as a vegan alternative that replicates the key function of 7-dehydrocholesterol in vitamin D synthesis without requiring animal sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameter from animal-derived 7-dehydrocholesterol to plant-derived ergosterol. This parameter change maintains the essential photoisomerization functionality while altering the source material to be compatible with vegan requirements.
2Productivity
If UV radiation is used to generate vitamin D in the skin, then vitamin D production is enhanced, but excessive exposure poses health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces UV-filtering agents as intermediary substances that selectively block harmful UV rays while allowing the skin to produce vitamin D. These agents act as mediators between UV radiation and the skin, enabling vitamin D synthesis without the damaging effects of direct UV exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful UV radiation into a beneficial process by using UV-filtering agents that allow controlled UV exposure for vitamin D production while blocking the harmful components. The harmful UV radiation is transformed into a controlled stimulus for vitamin D synthesis.
3Reliability
If vitamin D is added to cosmetic compositions, then vitamin D deficiency can be addressed, but vitamin D is banned from use in cosmetics in many territories
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates provitamin D precursors (ergosterol or 7-dehydrocholesterol) into cosmetic compositions before application. These precursors remain inactive in the formulation but are activated in the skin upon UV exposure, converting to vitamin D2 or vitamin D3 respectively. This preliminary action allows the composition to be regulatory-compliant while still delivering vitamin D benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses UV-filtering agents as intermediaries that enable the conversion of provitamin D precursors to active vitamin D in the skin. These agents facilitate the transformation process without requiring the addition of pre-active vitamin D to the cosmetic formulation, thus maintaining regulatory compliance.
4Productivity
If the isomerization rate of pre-vitamin D to vitamin D is increased by membrane interaction, then vitamin D3 formation is accelerated, but the mechanism is complex and difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ergosterol as a simplified model system that replicates the essential photoisomerization mechanism of 7-dehydrocholesterol without the complexity of mammalian membrane interactions. Ergosterol's photoisomerization to vitamin D2 occurs directly in the formulation without requiring complex biological membrane environments, providing a controllable and simplified system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the augmentation of vitamin D2 levels in the skin, addressing deficiencies and associated diseases, while also enhancing nitric oxide production, thus providing therapeutic benefits without the risks associated with excessive sunlight exposure.
Implementation Method 1
Ergosterol (a provitamin form of vitamin D2) is a sterol found in fungi and protozoa and is also known to be converted to vitamin D2 when exposed to UV light
Implementation Method 2
UV light induces the formation of pre-vitamin D3 in the skin from 7-dehydro cholesterol (7-DHC), a compound which is naturally present in the skin
Implementation Method 3
This then undergoes thermal re-arrangement to form vitamin D3
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides compositions which may be useful in the generation of vitamin D and/or nitric oxide, in particular when exposed to radiation (e.g. light and/or UV radiation). The disclosure further provides methods of generating vitamin D2 and/or nitric oxide, and methods of treating and/or preventing conditions and/or diseases associated with and/or caused by a vitamin D and/or nitric oxide deficiency.