Cosmetic composition containing glycoproteins for the skin care

A cosmetic composition is disclosed containing natural glycoproteins useful with advantageous effect for the skin care.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition containing 
glycoproteins, particularly suitable for skin treatment. 
The glycoproteins are known as a class of compounds having highly different 
and heterogenous function in organisms. 
They are widely distributed in the cells of the vertebrates, of the 
invertebrates, of the plants and of the microorganisms. 
In the case of the vertebrates, and particularly in human beings, one of 
the most important roles fulfilled by glycoproteins which essentially form 
the mucus, is protecting the internal tissues (in the digesting and 
respiratory tracts) against mechanical, chemical and microbial damages. 
In turn the skin, which under several aspect is like the mucose, is on the 
contrary efficaciously protected by an inert corneal layer against 
irritants. 
However such a natural protection of the skin is often insufficient mainly 
when these negative actions are intense and often repeated. In that case 
the skin appears dry, asphyxiated, starved and senescent, besides being 
tendentially wrinkled. The present studies on the activities of the 
natural glycoproteins were and are mainly aimed at the behaviour of the 
mucosa protected by the mucus in the presence of irritating agents (such 
as for instance cigarette smoke in the respiratory tract or irritating 
substances in the digesting tract), and particularly at the reaction of 
the epithelium to the irritating stimuli. 
STATEMENT OF PRIOR DISCLOSURES 
FR-A-2300572 discloses a method for the extraction of soluble glycoproteins 
and/or of mucopolysaccharides and of accompanying substances from the 
natural sources (animal organs, vegetal tissues and microorganisms) in 
which they are present. The resulting raw mixtures, either alone or in 
admixture, can be used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic or food industry. 
More particularly a mixture is disclosed comprising both the subject 
extracted substances and a mixture of complex lipids, having trophic and 
protective effects for the skin. 
FR-A-2036453 relates to a cosmetic product in which acidic 
mucopolysaccharides (also indicated as glycosaminoglucuronanes) are 
present in a percentage of 0.01 to 2% by weight, the cosmetic product 
being used as soap, shampoo, beauty cream and tooth paste. 
GB-A-1166939 relates to the extraction of glycopeptides for which the use 
as a drug for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and particularly of 
ulcers is indicated. 
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It has been now surprisingly found and is the basic principle of the 
present invention, that glycoproteins of natural origin, as obtained from 
the mucosa and from the internal epithelial tissues of mammalian beings, 
in combination with a hygroscopic agent, show with respect to the skin 
protecting, revitalizing and antiwrinkle activities. 
More specifically it has been found that the glycoproteins of natural 
origin, as obtained by extraction from gastric and intestinal mucosa of 
mammalians, and the mucines obtained from the mucus as produced by the 
aforesaid mucosa, show a surprising hydrating, elasticizing and wrinkle 
activity in the treatment of the senescen forms of the skin, particularly 
of the skin of the face and of the hands, which more frequently are 
subjected to physical and chemical attacks. More particularly in the case 
of the face wrinkles the application of the above indicated glycoproteins 
shows a favourable influence. 
The skin already after the first treatment, is more hydrated, more turgid, 
more elastic, and more vital and the wrinkles are attenuated and extended. 
The beneficial results of the treatment are even more evident in the case 
of dry, asphyxiated, starved and senescent skin, which is more readily 
subjected to wrinkles. 
It is to be pointed out that, in order for the glycoproteins to show their 
effect on the skin, it is necessary that the excipients be such that the 
glycoproteins remain on the skin in solution as much long as possible. 
A simple water solution of the glycoproteins has no anti-wrinkle evident 
action as in the case in which they are carried by means of hygrostatic 
excipients, by which they are maintained on the skin for a longer time in 
solution. 
Consequently it is the object of the present invention to provide a 
cosmetic composition for treaating the skin which contains, as the active 
ingredient, at least a glycoprotein of natural origin or their mixtures, 
obtained by extraction from gastric or intestinal mucosa of mammalians or 
from the mucus secreted therefrom, preferably as a water solution, in 
combination with an hygrostatic excipient. 
Among the glycoproteins useful for the cosmetic compositions according to 
the present invention of particular efficacy is that obtained by 
extraction from the gastric or duodenal mucosa of swine according to the 
process disclosed in United Kingdom Pat. No. 1,166,939. This material can 
be extracted as described in the United Kingdom Pat. No. 1,166,939 from 
the gastric mucosa or duodenum of mammals or the mucus secreted therefrom 
by: (a) hydrolyzing these in water at a temperature of about 50.degree. C. 
to 100.degree. C. for from 10 to 45 minutes at a pH of 1 to 10; (b) 
removing the acidic products of the hydrolysis; and (c) diluting the 
product of the previous step (b) with a non-solvent for the resulting 
glycopeptide to precipitate the glycoprotein or mixture thereof. Preferred 
non-solvents include acetone or a lower alkanol having one to four 
carbons. 
This glycoprotein, as obtained, is an amorphous, ivory coloured, 
hygroscopic, water soluble and insoluble in the organic solvents powder, 
and as regards the composition it may be defined as follows: 
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Limits: 
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Total aminoacids: 18-28% 
Hexosamines: 27-43% 
Total hexoses: 25-30% 
Sialic acids: 4-5% 
Viscosity at 20.degree. C. in 0.5 Na Cl 
1.8-2.3 cP 
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According to the above definition, the activity of the glycoproteins of the 
present invention is essentially shown only if in the composition is in a 
hygrostatic excipient which is capable of retaining for an extended time 
the active component, namely the glycoprotein, or better its water 
solution into contact with the skin. Among these hygrostatic sustances, 
there are to be particularly mentioned glycerine, propylene glycol, 
sorbitol, generally polyalcohols and the normal hydrating agents such as: 
NMF (Natural Moisturing Factor), urea, aminoacids, pyrrolidon carboxylic 
acid, etc. 
The normal dosages of use of the glycoproteins of the invention are of 
between 0.5% and 5% by weight of the composition and the glycoproteins may 
be combined with vitaminic nutrient factors and aminoacids, placenta 
extracts, vegetal derivatives etc. A remarkable feature of the present 
invention is that only the above defined glycoproteins show the aforesaid 
activity. 
In fact, other glycoproteins of natural origin, such as those of milk, do 
not show the above indicated effect. 
This fact has been confirmed by comparative tests, as hereinafter reported, 
which, also confirm the properties of the glycoproteins according to the 
present invention. 
The tests have been carried out on a total of 20 persons, divided in four 
groups each comprising five persons. 
Groups number one has been treated with placebo, consisting of a 2.5 water 
solution of glycerine, group No. 2 has been treated with glycoprotein 
obtained according to the aforesaid U.K. Patent and previously defined, 
group No. 3 with glycoprotein obtained from milk and group No. 4 with 
mucine, (the three glycoproteins having been dissolved in glycerine at the 
concentration of 1%). 
The daily treatments were carried out for 15 days consecutively and at the 
end the results were observed. 
The resuming results are reported in the following table: 
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Hydrating Elasticizing 
Anti-wrinkle 
Group activity activity activity 
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1 + - 
2 ++ + +++ 
3 + + + 
4 ++ +- ++ 
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As it is seen from the above table, in the case of group 2 treated with the 
preferred glycoprotein according to the invention, an optimum activity is 
observed for all 3 parameters. 
A good activity is also detected with the mucine whereas, the activity of 
the milk glycoprotein is practically absent. 
In the following example some cosmetic compositions according to the 
invention are reported only for illustrating purposes, wherein by 
"glycoprotein" the substance as above defined and obtained with the 
process with U.K. Pat. No. 1,166,939 is meant.