WO2006061915A1

WO2006061915A1 - Skin remedy composition

Info

Publication number: WO2006061915A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/018777
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kinya Takagaki; Takeshi Mitsui
Original assignee: Toyo Shinyaku Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-12-09
Filing date: 2004-12-09
Publication date: 2006-06-15

Abstract

A skin remedy composition comprising proanthocyanidin and an amino acid capable of exerting a collagen production spurring effect. The skin remedy composition exerts an excellent collagen production enhancing effect to thereby improve the skin quality.

Description

Description Skin Improvement Composition Technical Field

The present invention relates to a skin improvement composition. Background art

Collagen is the main component of skin or blood vessels, and is a flexible fibrous protein that occupies 25-30% of the human body. If the production of collagen is normal, it can maintain tension and smooth skin. Furthermore, in blood vessels, elastic blood vessels are formed, and arteriosclerosis is unlikely to occur. 'However, collagen production ability (synthesis ability) decreases due to aging, uneven nutrition due to unbalanced diets, etc., and this decrease in collagen production causes skin itchiness and sagging.

Under such circumstances, food opi cosmetics having an action of enhancing collagen production have been proposed, and attempts have been made to improve the skin quality (for example, JP 60-500955, JP 7-2699, JP-A-7-285846, JP-A-11-315007, and JP2000-191498). However, because modern people often eat meals with a biased nutritional balance, even if these foods and cosmetics are taken orally or transdermally (application), the effect is not sufficient. Absent. Disclosure of the invention

The objective of this invention is providing the skin improvement composition which has the outstanding skin quality improvement effect. As a result of intensive investigations on a composition that improves skin condition, particularly the amount of collagen in the skin, the present inventors surprisingly have a pine bark extract and a collagen production promoting effect. It was found that the combination with an amino acid exerted an excellent collagen production enhancing effect both in the oral administration and the transdermal administration, and as a result, the skin quality was improved, and the present invention was completed. It was.

The skin improvement and synthesis product of the present invention contains proanthocyanidins and amino acids having an effect of promoting collagen production.

In a preferred embodiment, ascorbic acid or a derivative thereof is further contained.

In a preferred embodiment, the proanthocyanin is derived from pine bark. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the skin improvement composition of the present invention will be described. The configurations described below do not limit the present invention, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

The skin improvement composition of the present invention contains proanthocyanidins (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “A component”) and amino acids having an effect of promoting collagen production (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “amino acid component” and “B component”). Preferably, it may further contain ascorbic acid or a derivative thereof (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “C component”). This skin improvement composition may contain other components as required. Hereinafter, each component will be described.

(1) Proanthocyanidins (component A)

In this specification, proanthocyanidins are those having a degree of polymerization of flavan 1-3-ol and Z or flavan 1 3,4-diol as a structural unit of 2 or more. The compound group which consists of a polycondensation polymer of said.

As this proanthocyanidin, a condensation polymer having a low polymerization degree, particularly a condensation polymer having a polymerization degree of 2 to 4 (2 to 4 mer) is preferably used. In this specification, a polycondensation polymer having a degree of polymerization of 2 to 4 is referred to as oligomeric proanthocyanidin (hereinafter OPC). Allo / intanidin is a kind of polyphenols, a powerful anti-acid substance produced by plants, concentrated in plant leaves, bark, fruit peel or seed parts. Proanthocyanin, especially OPC, specifically, the bark of plants such as pine, persimmon, and yam; grapes, blueberries, strawberries, apogado, green tea, berries or seeds of barley; wheat; soybeans; black soybeans Cocoa; beans; tochi nut shells; peanut skins; Also in West African cola nuts, Peruvian Latania roots, Japanese green tea,

It is known that OPC is included. OPC is a substance that cannot be produced in the human body.

In particular, the use of proanthocyanidins with a high OPC content or proanthocyanidins with a high OPC content compared to the case of using proanthocyanidins with a high degree of polymerization (low OPC content). As a result, not only an excellent antioxidant effect but also a high antistress effect can be obtained. It is known that when stress accumulates, rough skin occurs, and suppressing stress is beneficial in preventing rough skin. OPC can contribute not only to a direct skin quality improvement effect but also to an indirect skin quality improvement effect.

As the proanthocyanidins used in the skin improving thread and adult product of the present invention, food ingredients such as the above-mentioned bark, fruit or seed meal, or extracts thereof can be used. In particular, it is preferable to use an extract derived from pine bark. Among the plants containing proanthocyanidins, pine bark is rich in OPC, and is therefore preferably used as a raw material for proanthocyanidins. Hereinafter, an example of using pine bark rich in OPC as a raw material plant will be described as a method for preparing an extract containing puffer anthocyanin as a main component.

Pine pine bark extracts include Pinus Martima, larch, black pine, waka pine, himekomatsu, pine pine, Korean pine, pine, Ryuyuki pine, luck pine, pine pine, white pine, and Quebec in Canada. An extract of a bark of a plant belonging to the order of pine is preferably used. Above all, the bark extract of French coastal pine (Pinus Martima) is preferred.

French pine is a marine pine that grows on the Atlantic coast of southern France. This French coastal pine bark contains proanthocyanidin, organic acids, and other physiologically active ingredients, and removes the active oxygen from the main ingredients, the proanthocyanidins of the flavonoids. It is known to have a strong antioxidant effect.

The pine bark extract is obtained by extracting the pine bark with water or an organic solvent. When water is used, it is preferable to use warm water or hot water. In order to improve the extraction efficiency, it is preferable to add a salt such as sodium chloride to these waters. As the organic solvent used for extraction, an organic solvent that is acceptable for the production of foods or drugs is used. For example, methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, acetone, Hexane, cyclohexane, propylene glycol, water-containing ethanol, water-containing propylene glycol, methyl ethyl ketone, glycerin, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, jetyl ether, dichloromethane, edible oil and fat, and 1, 1, 1, 2-tetrafur Oroetan. These aqueous organic solvents may be used alone or in combination. In particular, hot water, hydrous ethanol, and hydrous propylene glycol are preferably used.

The method for extracting proanthocyanidins from pine bark is not particularly limited, For example, a warm extraction method or a supercritical fluid extraction method is used.

Supercritical fluid extraction is a method that uses a supercritical fluid, which is a fluid that exceeds the critical point (critical temperature, critical pressure) of a substance's gas-liquid. As the supercritical fluid, carbon dioxide, ethylene, propane, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and the like are used, and carbon dioxide is preferably used.

The supercritical fluid extraction method performs an extraction process of extracting a target component with a supercritical fluid and a separation process of separating the target component and the supercritical fluid. In the separation step, any of extraction separation by pressure change, extraction separation by temperature change, or extraction separation using an adsorbent / absorbent may be performed.

Alternatively, supercritical fluid extraction may be performed by an entrainer addition method. In this method, for example, ethanol, propanol, n-hexane, acetone, toluene, other aliphatic lower alcohols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, or ketones are added to a supercritical fluid. By adding about 20 WZV% and performing supercritical fluid extraction with the extracted fluid, the solubility of the target extract such as OPC and catechins (described later) in the extraction solvent is dramatically increased. Alternatively, it is a method for enhancing the selectivity of separation, and a method for efficiently obtaining a pine bark extract.

The supercritical fluid extraction method can be operated at a relatively low temperature, so it can be applied to substances that are altered and decomposed at high temperatures; the advantage is that the extraction fluid does not remain; and the recycling of the solvent is possible. There is an advantage that the solvent process can be omitted and the process becomes simple.

Extraction from pine bark may be performed by a liquid carbon dioxide batch method, a liquid carbon dioxide reflux method, a supercritical carbon dioxide reflux method, or the like in addition to the above method. For extraction from pine bark, a plurality of extraction methods may be combined. It is edible to obtain pine bark extracts with various compositions by combining multiple extraction methods. The pine bark extract obtained by the above extraction may be purified for the purpose of increasing the proanthocyanidin content. For purification, a solvent such as ethyl acetate is usually used. However, from the viewpoint of safety, a method that does not use a solvent is required to facilitate the application to skin cosmetics and quasi drugs as external preparations. For example, it is preferable to purify by ultrafiltration or a column method or a batch method using an adsorbent biocarrier such as Diaion HP — 20, Cefadex-LH 20 or chitin.

In the present invention, the pine bark extract containing proanthocyanidin as a main component is specifically prepared by the following method, but this is an example and is not limited to this method.

1 kg of French coastal pine bark is placed in 3 L of saturated sodium chloride solution and extracted at 100 ° C for 30 minutes to obtain an extract (extraction process). Thereafter, the extract is filtered, and the resulting insoluble material is washed with 500 ml of a saturated solution of sodium chloride to obtain a washing solution (washing step). The extract and washing solution are combined to obtain a crude extract of pine bark.

Then, 25 O ml of ethyl acetate is added to the crude extract to separate the solution, and the step of recovering the ethyl acetate layer is performed 5 times. Combine the recovered ethyl acetate solution and add directly to 200 g of anhydrous sodium sulfate for dehydration. Then, the ethyl acetate solution is filtered, and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure until the original volume is reduced to one-fifth. The concentrated ethyl acetate solution is poured into 2 L of chloroform and the precipitate obtained by stirring is collected by filtration. Thereafter, the precipitate is dissolved in 100 ml of ethyl acetate, and then added to 1 L of black mouth form again for precipitation, and then a washing step is repeated twice. By this method, for example, about 5 g of pine bark extract containing 20% by weight or more of OPC and 5% by weight or more of strong techins is obtained. The extract derived from the raw material plant such as pine bark preferably contains 40% by weight or more of proanthocyanidins. In addition, this source plant derived The extract preferably contains 20% by weight or more of OPC, more preferably 30% by weight or more. As described above, a pine bark extract is preferably used as a raw material containing proanthocyanidins in a high proportion. It is preferable that plant extracts such as the above-mentioned pine bark extract further contain catechins together with proanthocyanidins, particularly ○ PC. Strength Tekins is a general term for polyhydroxyflavan 1-3-ol. For example, (+)-catechin (referred to as catechin in the narrow sense), (1) one-catecatechin, (+)-gallocatechin, (_)-epigalocatechin, epigalocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate Affzerekin is known. From the above-mentioned extracts derived from raw materials such as pine bark, in addition to the above (+) — power techin, gallocatechin, afuzerekin, (+) — 3 galloyl derivative of power techin, and 3— Galloyl derivatives have been isolated. Force Tekins alone have poor water solubility and low physiological activity, but they have the property of being activated at the same time as water solubility increases in the presence of OPC, and they act effectively when taken together with OPC.

The catechins are preferably contained in the raw material plant extract in an amount of 5% by weight or more. More preferably, the extract contains 20% by weight or more of OPC and 5% by weight or more of catechins. For example, if the extract contains less than 5% by weight of strength techins, the strength may be adjusted so that the final content is 5% by weight or more. It is most preferable to use a pine bark extract containing 20% by weight or more of OPC and 5% by weight or more of catechins. The content of proanthocyanidins contained in the skin improvement and composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. It is preferably contained in the skin improvement composition so that the daily intake of proanthocyanidins is preferably 5 mg to 100 mg, more preferably 10 mg to 50 O mg. . When the skin improvement composition is used as an external preparation, it is locally administered. The din is preferably contained in an amount of 0.001 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 5% by weight. If the amount is less than 0. 5% by weight, the skin quality improving action is not sufficiently exerted, and if it exceeds 10% by weight, formulation may be difficult.

Proanthocyanidins used in the present invention, in particular OPC, have an effect of enhancing collagen production, and therefore can improve skin quality. In particular, it is preferable to use an extract derived from pine bark as proanthocyanidin because it has a higher collagen activity than other plant extracts! /.

(2) Amino acid (B component) that has an effect of promoting collagen production

The amino acid having an effect of promoting collagen production contained in the skin improvement composition of the present invention is an important amino acid that is a constituent component of collagen, and preferably from proline, glycine, arginine, and alanine. And at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of: The above amino acids, together with proanthocyanidins, exhibit an excellent skin quality improving effect. These amino acids, for example, are the components of collagen that contain an average of 2% proline, an average of 21% glycine, an average of 8.1% of alanine, and an average of 6.9% of arginine. Contained. These are amino acids that are normally synthesized in vivo but are difficult to ingest sufficient amounts from a normal diet. Therefore, when metabolism decreases due to aging, the ability to synthesize these amino acids in vivo is also reduced. Therefore, in order to improve skin quality, it is necessary to ingest it particularly actively. In addition, the above amino acids have better absorption efficiency in both transdermal administration and oral administration than collagen, so they are more effectively absorbed and easily converted into collagen in the body than in the case of administering collagen itself. Is done. Therefore, the above-mentioned amino acid can have a higher skin quality improving effect when combined with proanthocyanidins than collagen. Proline is particularly important for improving skin because the collagen that makes up the skin is an essential amino acid for the helix structure. That is, collagen is formed by three polypeptide chains having a helix structure. When fibroblasts synthesize collagen peptides, proline in the collagen is reduced using vitamin C as a coenzyme. This is because it becomes hydroxyproline, and the three polypeptide chains form a hydrogen bond with the hydroxyl group of the hydroxyproline to form a helix.

The amino acid is preferably contained in the skin improvement composition of the present invention so that the daily intake is 50 mg to 20 g, preferably 100 mg to 10 g. When the skin improvement composition is used as an external preparation, the amount of amino acid may be appropriately adjusted so that it can be administered topically. Preferably, 0.001 to 5% by weight in the skin improvement composition is more preferable. Is contained in a proportion of 0.005 to 3% by weight.

(3) Ascorbic acid and their derivatives (component C)

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and its derivatives are important for collagen synthesis. By containing ascorbic acid and its derivatives in the composition of the present invention, the collagen production enhancing effect can be further enhanced. This effect is particularly effective when the composition of the present invention is orally administered. If you transdermal administration, in order to facilitate the percutaneous absorption of Asukorubin acid, it is not preferable to use a Asukorubin acid lipophile 'I ¹ production is enhanced in palmitic Sana Sukorubiru. Furthermore, in the case of transdermal administration, it can be contained in the composition from the viewpoint of preventing the oxidation of collagen in the skin and promoting synthesis. Ascorbic acid and its derivatives may be contained in the skin-improving composition preferably in an amount of 0.0001 to 30% by weight, more preferably 0.001 to 10% by weight.

(4) Other ingredients The skin improvement composition of the present invention may contain various components in addition to the above components depending on the application. For example, ingredients that can be added as normal foods and pharmaceuticals (antioxidants, excipients, fillers, binders, thickeners, emulsifiers, lubricants, wetting agents, suspending agents, coloring agents, flavoring agents, Nutritional ingredients, food additives, etc.); and ingredients normally used as skin preparations for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc. (whitening agents, moisturizers, antioxidants, oily ingredients, surfactants, thickeners, alcohols) Powder components, colorants, aqueous components, various skin nutrients, etc.).

Among the above components, the antioxidant may be contained for the purpose of preventing rough skin due to oxidation and aging. Examples of such antioxidants include SOD, mannitol, carotenoids (eg, wastaxanthin), hydroquinone, ubiquinone, bilbiline, cholesterol, tryptophan, histidine, vitamin P-like substances (rutin, quercetin, hesperidin, etc.) Gallic acid, vitamins B, vitamin D or its derivatives, vitamin E, dartathione, BTH, B HA, plant extracts (eg, argon and rosemary). Such an antioxidant is preferably from 0.01 to 40% by weight in the skin-improving composition. It can be contained in a ratio of / ₀ . When ingesting the skin improvement composition as a food, medicine, etc., preferably at a rate of 0.01% to 20% by weight, more preferably 0.01% to 10% by weight. In the case of external use as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc., it may be contained preferably in a proportion of 0.01 to 40% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 20% by weight.

Nutritional ingredients include, for example, royal jelly, vitamins, protein, strong rumum-containing materials (eg eggshell calcium), lecithin, chlorella powder, ashtaba powder, and moroheiya powder. Examples of food additives include stevia powder, matcha powder, lemon powder, honey, reduced maltose, lactose, sugar solution, and seasonings. (5) Skin improvement composition

The skin improvement composition of the present invention contains proanthocyanidins and amino acids having an effect of promoting collagen production, and the ratio thereof is arbitrary. Preferably, the amino acid is preferably contained in an amount of 50 to 500 parts by weight, more preferably 10 to 500 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of proanthocyanidins. Can do.

The skin improvement composition of the present invention may further contain ascorbic acid or a derivative thereof and other components in addition to the above essential components. This skin improvement composition can be prepared in various forms as, for example, foods, pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, etc. for the purpose of obtaining a skin quality improvement effect.

Among the above-mentioned uses, when the skin improvement composition of the present invention is orally ingested as food, pharmaceuticals, quasi drugs, etc., there is no particular limitation on the form. For example, capsules such as hard capsules and soft capsules, tablets, pills, powder (powder), granules, tea bags, bowl-like viscous liquids, liquids, etc. are used in a form commonly used by those skilled in the art . Depending on the shape or preference, these may be taken as they are, or may be taken by dissolving in water, hot water, milk, etc., or may be taken after leaching the ingredients.

Even when the skin improvement composition of the present invention is applied to the skin as a quasi-drug, cosmetics, etc., these forms are not particularly limited, and are for ointments, creams, emulsions, mouth lotions, packs, poultices, baths. Any form may be used as long as it is a form used in conventional skin external preparations such as a preparation. In addition, mouthwash such as mouthwash, toothpaste, eye drops, etc. J3 may be in a form suitable for application to the mucous membrane in the air or eyes, and these can obtain mucosal strengthening and protective action by the same action . The skin improvement composition of the present invention contains a proanthocyanin and an amino acid having an effect of promoting collagen production, and takes in foods, pharmaceuticals, etc. comprising the composition, or applies cosmetics or the like to the skin. Increases the amount and exhibits an excellent skin quality improvement effect. This effect can be obtained even when the ability to produce collagen is reduced. As described above, the composition of the present invention can be used as a food, a pharmaceutical product, a quasi-drug, a cosmetic product, etc. excellent in improving skin firmness and preventing wrinkles. Furthermore, the composition of the present invention is useful as a topical skin preparation or health food that has an effect of improving skin quality (beauty effect) indirectly because proanthocyanidins, especially OPC, have an excellent anti-stress effect. It is.

Example

The present invention will be described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

(Production example: Preparation of proanthocyanidins)

Purified water (7.2 L) was added to 900 g of pine bark, and the mixture was broken with a blender (Waring Blender) and heated at 100 ° C. for 10 minutes. Then, it was immediately filtered to obtain a filtrate. The residue after filtration was washed with 1.8 L of purified water, and the filtrate and the washing solution were combined to obtain 9 L of a crude pine bark extract.

The crude extract was allowed to cool to 25 ° C., sodium chloride was added to 100% saturated concentration and stirred well, and then allowed to stand at 4 ° C. for 24 hours. After standing, this solution was filtered to obtain a filtrate. 1 L of the above filtrate was further purified by the steps shown below. First, the filtrate was passed through a 30 x 300 mm force ram filled with 100 ml of an aromatic synthetic resin swollen with water (Diaion HP—20: manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation). And further washed with 1 L of purified water. Subsequently, the column was eluted with 15% (V / V) ethanol mixed solvent in ethanol to obtain 200 mL of purified pine bark extract. The purified pine bark extract obtained was freeze-dried and powdered. Repeat this procedure to dry the purified pine bark extract from 9 L pine bark hot water extract. A dry powder of 7.21 g was obtained. Dry powder of the purified pine bark extract, a Puroanto Shianijin 40 wt% (20 wt ^_0/0 as OPC) contained.

(Reference example: confirmation of skin quality improvement effect of proanthocyanidins)

In order to confirm the basic skin quality-improving effect of proanthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins were administered dermally (application) or orally (orally ingested) to test guinea pigs whose skin collagen content had been reduced in advance. After the administration, hydroxyproline (hyp amount) specifically present in collagen constituting the skin was measured.

1. Preparation of test guinea pig

30 male guinea pigs with an average body weight of 279 g (Japan SLC Co., Ltd.) were given a basic diet (CG-7: Nippon Claire Co., Ltd., vitamin C content 0.17 wt%) for one week. Accustomed. The guinea pigs were allocated in groups of 5 by a randomized method. Of the 6 groups of guinea pigs (groups a to f), one group of guinea pigs (group f) continued to receive basic feed and served as a control group. Into 5 groups of Mo Rumo' bets (a to e group) low Vitamin C diet (CG-7: Japan CLEA Co., vitamin C content 0.0 1 wt ^_0/0) was 2 weeks ad libitum, low vitamin By changing to the C state, the amount of collagen (Hy p) in the skin was reduced. These were designated as test guinea pigs.

2. Confirmation of skin quality improvement effect by transdermal administration

Of the five groups of test guinea pigs, three groups of test guinea pigs (groups a to c) were used. First, the hair of the site of the three groups of guinea pigs to be administered transdermally was removed using a clipper. The aqueous solution to a dry powder of the obtained pine bark extract in Preparation containing 0.3 by weight%, a group of guinea pigs site hair was removed the (a group) 5 00 μ L / 5 00 cm 2 And then dried with cold air. This coating and drying operation was performed once a day for 2 weeks. During the application period, mol Mottos were given low vitamin C diet ad libitum.

After the application period, the amount of skin hypops was measured as follows. The skin was removed from the guinea pig and dried overnight at 60 ° C. This dried product was pulverized, and 5 Omg of the powder frame was added to 5 mL of hydrochloric acid (6M), maintained at 110 ° C using a heating block, and hydrolyzed for 24 hours. Hy pi in this hydrolyzate was measured by the chloramine T method. The results are shown in Table 1. The higher the amount of hypo, the greater the amount of collagen in the skin, indicating that the skin is improved. The test guinea pigs (groups b and c) from which the remaining two groups of hair had been removed contained an aqueous solution containing 0.3% by weight of grape seed extract (Kikkoman Corporation) containing 38% by weight of proanthocyanidin. Purified water was applied to each skin, and the amount of hypo in the skin was measured in the same manner as described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

3. Confirmation of skin quality improvement effect by oral administration

Of the remaining two groups of test guinea pigs (groups d and e), one group of test guinea pigs (group d) was mixed with 0.3% by weight of the dry powder of the pine bark extract obtained in the above production example. The low-vitamin C diet contained was freely given for 2 weeks. After the intake period, the amount of Hyp was measured as described above. The remaining one group of test guinea pigs (e group) contains a low vitamin C diet containing 0.3% by weight of pudo seed extract (Kikko Isman Co., Ltd.) containing 38% by weight of proanthocyanidins. Ingested in the same manner and measured the amount of Hyp. These results are shown in Table 1.

table 1

Mean value ± standard error

* 1… Proanthocyanidins

* 2… Proanthocyanidin 40% by weight

* 3 ... Contains 38% by weight of proanthocyanidins

* 4… Free intake of low vitamin C diet for 2 weeks before administration

* 5… Basic diet free for 2 weeks before administration

From the results shown in Table 1, the group that applied or orally ingested the pine bark extract or the opi grape seed extract (the group that received proanthocyanidins) was the group that applied only purified water.

Compared to the group not treated with proanthocyanidins, the Hyp amount increased, and the Hyp amount recovered to almost the same level as the healthy subject (control). I understand. In particular, it can be seen that the pine bark extract has an excellent skin improvement effect compared to other plant extracts.

(Example 1: Preparation of feed 1)

The dry powder (component A) and proline (component B) of the pine bark extract obtained in the above production example were mixed with the low vitamin C feed in the proportions shown in Table 2 to produce feed 1.

(Examples 2 to 4: Preparation of feed 2 to 4) In the same manner as in Example 1 except that alanine, glycine, and arginine were used as other B components instead of proline (B component), and mixed in the proportions shown in Table 2, respectively. 2-4 were produced.

(Example 5: Preparation of feed 5)

In addition to the composition of Example 1. A feed 5 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that ascorbic acid was mixed as a component at a ratio shown in Table 2.

(Comparative Examples 1 and 2: Preparation of feed 6 and 7)

Feeds were produced by mixing the ingredients listed in Table 2, and these were designated as feeds 6 and 7.

(Example 6: Examination by oral administration of skin improvement composition)

Three male guinea pigs (Japan SLC) with an average body weight of 2 67 g were fed with a basic diet for one week to acclimatize. The guinea pigs were allotted 5 by group using the total randomization method. All groups of guinea pigs were allowed to take a low vitamin C diet ad libitum for 2 weeks in the same manner as in the above Reference Example, and used as test guinea pigs. Except for using the above feeds 1 to 7 instead of the low vitamin C feed containing 0.3% by weight of dry powder of pine bark extract, “Checking the effect of improving skin quality by oral administration” in the Reference Example In the same manner as above, the amount of Hyp was measured to evaluate the skin improvement effect. The results are shown in Table 2. Table 2

Ingredients are in weight percent. Ingredients are low vitamin c feed.

* 1… Results are average values ± standard error

* 2… Dry powder of pine bark extract (containing 40% by weight of proanthocyanin)

From the results in Table 2, the group that received the feed 15 containing the proanthocyanidins (A component) and the amino acid (B component) of the example (Example 15) was compared with the A component and B component of the comparative example. Compared with feeds 6 and 7 (Comparative Examples 1 and 2) containing either of these, the amount of Hyp was increased. This indicates that the intake of feed containing component A and component B improves skin quality and provides an excellent skin improvement effect. In particular, in the group that ingested feed 5 containing ascorbic acid (C component) in addition to the A component and B component of Example 5, the amount of Hyp further increased.

(Example 7-: L 1)

The components listed in Table 3 were dissolved in the base (an aqueous solution containing 5% by weight of ethanol and 3% by weight of glycerin) in the proportions described in Table 3 to prepare sample solutions 1-5, respectively. (Comparative Examples 3 and 4)

The components shown in Table 3 were dissolved in the base (an aqueous solution containing 5% by weight of ethanol and 3% by weight of glycerin) in the proportions shown in Table 3 to prepare sample solutions 6 and 7, respectively.

(Example 12: Examination by transdermal administration of skin improvement composition)

Three 5 male guinea pigs with an average body weight of 2 72 g (Japan SLC Co., Ltd.) were acclimated with a basic diet for one week. The guinea pigs were divided into 7 groups of 5 animals per group by the total randomization method. All the guinea pigs in each group were treated as in the above reference example, and the test guinea pigs were allowed to freely consume a low vitamin C diet for 2 weeks to reduce the amount of collagen in the skin. Similar to “Confirmation of skin quality improvement effect by transdermal administration” in Reference Example, except that the above sample solutions 1 to 7 were used instead of the aqueous solution containing 0.3% by weight of dry powder of pine bark extract. The amount of Hyp was measured and the skin improvement effect was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 3. Table 3

Minutes are heavy% The rest of the ingredients are base

* 1… Results indicate average soil standard error

* 2 · “Dry bark extract powder (containing 40% by weight proanthocyanin) From the results in Table 3, the groups to which the sample solutions 1 to 5 (Examples 7 to 11) containing the proanthocyanidins (A component) and the amino acids (B component) of Examples were applied were The amount of Hyp increased compared to the group to which sample solutions 6 and 7 (Comparative Examples 3 and 4) containing one of the component and component B were applied. This indicates that application of a sample solution containing component A and component B improves the skin quality and provides an excellent skin improvement effect. In particular, in the group to which sample solution 5 containing ascorbic acid (component C) in addition to the components A and B of Example 11 was applied, the amount of Hyp further increased.

(Example 13: Production of tablet 1)

Pine bark extract dry powder (A component), proline, allan, glycine, arginine (above, B component), ascorbic acid (C component), and excipients (crystalline cellulose, Table 4 shows a mixture of sucrose ester, reduced maltose, carbon dioxide, and eggshell calcium in a weight ratio of 1: 0.3: 0.1: 0.2: 4). Tablets (about 200 mg per tablet) were produced by mixing, and this was designated as Tablet 1.

(Comparative Example 5: Production of tablet 2)

Except that the dry powder of pine bark extract was not used, a tablet (about 200 mg per tablet) was produced by mixing at the ratio shown in Table 4 in the same manner as in Example 13. Tablet 2 was designated.

(Example 14: Production of lotion 1)

The dry powder (component A), proline, alanine, glycine, arginine (above component B), and alcorbic acid (component C) obtained in the production example in the proportions shown in Table 4 Base (glycerin 3 wt./., Propylene glycol Solution of 2% by weight of ethanol and 5% by weight of ethanol).

(Comparative Example 6: Production of lotion 2)

A lotion 2 was produced in the same manner as in Example 14 except that the dry powder of pine bark extract was not dissolved in the base at the ratio shown in Table 4.

(Example 15: Evaluation of human skin improvement composition)

3 0-4 5 year old female (subject) 20 were divided into 4 groups. One group of subjects ingested tablet 1 of Example 1 3 at a rate of 18 tablets per day for 1 month. The other group of subjects ingested Tablet 2 of Comparative Example 5 under the same conditions as described above. After the intake period, the subjects in each group were surveyed on the items listed in Table 5 regarding the skin condition compared to before the intake, and the skin improvement effect was evaluated. In the questionnaire survey, the number of people who answered “Yes” was calculated by “Yes” or “No”. The results are shown in Table 5.

Of the remaining 2 groups of subjects, in 1 group of subjects, the skin lotion 1 of Example 14 was applied to the face of the subject 3 times a day for 1 month. There was no restriction on the amount of application per application. Another group of subjects was given lotion 2 of Comparative Example 6 under the same conditions as above. After completion of the application period, the items listed in Table 5 were surveyed in the same manner as above for the subjects in each group, and the skin improvement effect was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 5. Table 4

Unit:% by weight The remainder of the tablet is an excipient The remainder of the skin lotion is the base

* 1… Dry powder of pine bark extract (containing 40% by weight of proanthocyanin)

Table 5

The number is the number of people who answered yes

From the results of Table 5, it can be seen that the group ingesting tablet 1 of Example 13 has an excellent skin improvement effect compared to the group ingesting tablet 2 of Comparative Example 5. It can be seen that the group to which the lotion 1 of Example 14 was applied had an excellent skin improvement effect as compared to the group to which the lotion 2 of Comparative Example 6 was applied. From the above, the skin improvement composition of the present invention has an excellent skin improvement effect in both oral administration and transdermal administration. It turns out that a fruit is obtained.

(Example 16)

A beverage was prepared by mixing the dry powder of the pine bark extract obtained in Production Example and the following ingredients:

Ingredients for beverages> Blending weight (per liter) Fructose pudou sugar liquid sugar

Lemon juice 1 0 g

Chenic acid 2 g

L-ascorbic acid 2 g

Pine bark extract 7 0 mg Fragrance 1 5 0 mg Glycine 1 0 O mg Proline 1 0 0 mg Alanine 8 O mg Arginine 4 0 mg Pure water

(Example 1 7)

The dry powder of the pine bark extract obtained in the production example and the following components were uniformly stirred and mixed to obtain a gel-like product, which was then applied to a polyester film (50 / im thickness) with a gel thickness l After forming the film to a thickness of mm, it was bonded to a polyester nonwoven fabric (elongation 50%) and heated at 50 ° C. for 24 hours to obtain a sheet-like water-containing pack agent. This pack is expected to be extremely effective because it can be transdermally administered in large amounts locally on proanthocyanidins and amino acids:

<Pack ingredients> (Unit:% by weight) Pine bark extract 0. 01 Polyacrylic acid (weight average molecular weight: 5 million) 6.0 Proline 0. 2 Alanine 0. 1 Glycine 0. 2 Anolegiyun 0. 1 Ascorbyl palmitate 0. 01 Glycerin 20. 0 Ethanol No. 0. 5 Paraxybenzoate 0.1. Perfume (Mint) 0.1. Dry Hydroxylanoreminum Gel 0.35 Water Remaining Industrial Applicability

As described above, an excellent skin improvement effect can be obtained by ingesting or applying a skin improvement thread and composition containing p-Panthocyanidin and an amino acid having a collagen production promoting effect. The skin improvement composition of the present invention can be effectively used for foods, pharmaceuticals, quasi drugs, cosmetics and the like.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A skin improvement composition comprising proanthocyanidins and an amino acid having a collagen production promoting effect.

2. The skin improvement composition according to claim 1, further comprising ascorbic acid or a derivative thereof.

3. The skin improvement composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the proanthocyanidins are derived from pine bark.