Bioactive compositions comprising ficus serum fracton and methods to reduce the appearance of skin hyperpigmentation

#The present invention relates to the field of skin lightening by topical application of cosmetic compositions to the skin. The invention further relates to topical skin lightening compositions comprising ficus serum fraction. The invention also relates to methods for reducing the appearance of skin hyperpigmentation by topically applying the cosmetic composition to hyperpigmented areas in order to disrupt one or more steps in melanin synthesis.

#Human skin comprises three principal layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous fat layer. The epidermis comprises four layers (from top to bottom): the stratum corneum, the granular layer, the spiny layer, and the basal layer. A separate fifth layer, the stratum lucidum, may be present between the stratum corneum and granular layer. The basal layer produces cells which gradually migrate upward to form the other epidermal layers. As these cells migrate upward, they lose their central nucleus and start to produce skin proteins (keratins) and fats (lipids). These cells are identified as keratinocytes when present in the upper layers of the epidermis. Melanocytes are another class of cells located in the basal layer of the epidermis. Melanocytes are responsible for the production of melanin, which is primary factor in skin pigmentation.

#Melanin is produced by a complex set of reactions within the melanocyte involving, at a basic level, the enzyme tyrosinase and L-tyrosine as a substrate. Tyrosinase catalyzes the conversion of L-tyrosine to DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) and of DOPA to dopaquinone. Dopaquinone undergoes further conversion to form melanin. Melanin aggregates in organelles known as the melanosomes which are transferred to keratinocytes along slender filaments of the melanocyte known as dendrites. There are approximately 1500 gene products expressed in melanosomes with 600 of them being expressed at any, given time, and 100 of them believed to be unique to the melanosome. In addition, there are many regulatory elements involved in signaling, in the transport of melanosomes within the melanocyte, and in the transfer of melanosomes to the keratinocytes.

#It is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The referenced drawings are not to be construed as limiting the scope of present invention.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of the process for preparing the bioactive serum fraction from fresh ficus leaves.

#FIG. 2 is the LC/UV chromatogram of the traditional ficus extract superimposed upon that of the ficus serum fraction, showing that traditional extract contains higher levels of late-eluting (more hydrophobic) compounds that are not detected in the ficus serum fraction.

#All percentages and ratios used herein are by weight of the total composition and all measurements made are at 25° C., unless otherwise designated.

#The compositions of the present invention can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of, the essential components as well as optional ingredients described herein. As used herein, “consisting essentially of” means that the composition or component may include additional ingredients, but only if the additional ingredients do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed compositions or methods.

#The term “apply” or “application” as used in reference to a composition, means to apply or spread the compositions of the present invention onto a human skin surface such as the epidermis.