Ficus Serum Fraction for Skin Hyperpigmentation Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current skin lightening products often use harsh chemical solvents for extraction, leading to incomplete bioactivity spectrum, skin irritation, and environmental harm, while demanding natural and sustainable solutions for hyperpigmentation.

Innovation Solution

The development of Ficus serum fraction derived from fresh Ficus leaf cell juice, processed without solvents to maintain bioactivity and sustainability, which is applied topically to disrupt melanin synthesis and reduce hyperpigmentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If harsh chemical solvents are used for extraction, then extraction efficiency is improved, but skin irritation and environmental harm increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the extraction parameter from harsh chemical solvents to water-based extraction methods. This parameter change maintains extraction efficiency while eliminating skin irritation and environmental harm associated with chemical solvents. The water-based extraction process extracts bioactive compounds effectively without introducing harmful substances into the final cosmetic composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional extraction methods are used, then extraction simplicity is improved, but bioactivity spectrum completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction simplicityVSAvoidbioactivity spectrum
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite extraction approach using multiple water-based solvents with different polarities (e.g., water, ethanol, isopropanol) to extract a comprehensive spectrum of bioactive compounds. This composite method maintains extraction simplicity while significantly improving the completeness of the bioactivity spectrum compared to single-solvent traditional methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Speed

If solvent-based extraction is used, then extraction speed is improved, but environmental sustainability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction speedVSAvoidenvironmental harm
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary bioactive compounds from Ficus leaves using water-based solvents, eliminating the need for harsh chemical solvents. This extraction method maintains fast extraction speed while being environmentally sustainable, as water-based solvents are non-toxic, biodegradable, and do not persist in the environment like traditional organic solvents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Quantity of substance

If plant materials are highly concentrated, then potency is improved, but skin irritation risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepotencyVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selectively concentrating specific bioactive compounds (such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins) while leaving behind potentially irritating plant components. The water-based extraction process enables selective concentration of beneficial compounds at high potency levels without proportionally concentrating harmful substances, thus maintaining both efficacy and skin compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The Ficus serum fraction effectively inhibits melanin production, providing superior skin lightening effects with enhanced bioactivity and safety, while being environmentally sustainable and free from skin irritants.

Implementation Method 1

Tyrosinase catalyzes the conversion of L-tyrosine to DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) and of DOPA to dopaquinone. The Ficus serum fraction disrupts one or more steps in melanin synthesis by inhibiting tyrosinase activity.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme inhibition: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

Reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide and nitric oxide, generated in damaged skin or released as by-products from inflammatory cells may be stimulators of melanocytes. The Ficus serum fraction provides antioxidant protection by scavenging these reactive oxygen species.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation-reduction reaction: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentEP2613764B1Bioactive compositions comprising ficus serum fraction and methods to reduce the appearance of skin hyperpigmentation
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 ISP INVESTMENTS INC
  • EP2613764B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2613764B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2613764B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides bioactive compositions comprising Ficus serum fraction derived from Ficus cell juice of fresh Ficus leaves and a process of preparing the Ficus serum fraction. The compositions have biological activity capable of reducing skin hyperpigmentation.