Patent ID: 6028118
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: A61K,A61Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for improving mammalian skin barrier function which translates into more resistance to transepidermal water loss, said method comprising the step of applying to the skin a therapeutically effective amount of a shark cartilage extract obtained by a process comprising the steps of:a) homogenizing shark cartilage in an aqueous solution in conditions which are substantially non-denaturing towards biologically active components extracted from cartilage, until the cartilage is reduced to solid particles whose size is lower than or equal to about 500 .mu.m;b) extracting said biologically active components into said aqueous solution, which results in a mixture of solid particles and of crude liquid extract having said biologically active components;c) separating said crude liquid extract from said solid particles; andd) further separating the crude liquid extract so as to obtain a final liquid extract containing cartilage molecules having a molecular weight lower than about 500 Kilodaltons (KDa).