USE OF 2,4-MONOFURFURYLIDENE-SORBITOL AND ITS TETRAALKYL DERIVATIVES IN COSMETICS AND DERMATOLOGY

Abstract: The use of 2,4-monofurfurylidene-sorbitol and 2,4-monofurfurylidene-­ 1,3,5,6-0-tetraalkylsorbitol wherein the alkyls are linear or branched C₁-C₄, in the preparation of cosmetics and dermatology compositions for preventing premature ageing of the skin caused by free radicals which form in the skin either physiologically or by the effect of environmental pollutant substances or radiation. Said compositions are in the form of creams, gels, lotions, sprays, etc., and contain between 0.5 and 2% by weight or 2,4-monofurfurylidene-­ sorbitol or 2,4-monofurfurylidene-1,3,5,6-0-tetraalkylsorbitol.

Description: This invention relates to the use of 2,4-monofurfurylidene-sorbitol and its tetraalkyl derivatives in the preparation of cosmetics and dermatology compositions. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of 2,4-monofurfurylidene-sorbitol and 2,4-monofurfurylidene-1,3,5,6-0-tetra-alkyl-sorbitol wherein the alkyls are linear or branched C₁-C₄ in the preparation of cosmetics and dermatology compositions for preventing premature ageing of the skin. Skin ageing, resulting in the loss of elasticity, the formation of dark spots and the appearance of lines, is caused mainly by the free radicals which form either physiologically by metabolic processes in the skyn cells, or by the action of solar ionizing or atomic radiation or of pollutant substances in the atmosphere or environment. Atmospheric pollutants include in particular the fumes from industrial chimneys and the exhaust gas of internal combustion engines; environmental pollutants include in particular tobacco smoke; and ultraviolet rays constitute the main harmful factor of solar radiation. Said pollutant substances and said radiation increase the formation of free radicals to thus accelerate the skin ageing process, and in addition can cause serious harm such as skin tumours. It is well known that free radicals are very reactive unstable chemical structures which give rise to chain reactions (L.B. Myers, Fed. Proc: 32, 1882 (1973)). If the random agents are polycyolic hydrocarbons contained in the industrial fumes or engine exhaust gas, or X-rays, gamma-rays, UV-rays or higher-frequency visible radiation, the reaction chaincommences during exposure by the effect of the supplied energy which is transferred to an electron by the Compton or photoelectric effect. The electron travels within the medium with the formation of ionized molecules which produce highly reactive radicals. These radicals exert a basic influence on the skin ageing processes by reaction with the proteins, lipids and nucleic acids of the cutaneous cells. 2,4-monofurfurylidene-sorbitol is known to be a substance suitable for pharmaceutical use, such as in the treatment of hepatic and intestinal disturbances (U.S.A. patent 3,383,279). We have now found that the application of 2,4-monofurfurylidene-sorbitol and its tetraalkyl derivatives of the present invention prevent the formation of free radicals either of endogenous or exogenous origin, and also arrest their action if they existed before the application. The existence of free radicals is shown by ESR signals, and these are easily detected in the skin after exposure to the aforesaid agents. Thus the compounds of the present invention can be advantageously used in cosmetics and dermatology for preventing or eliminating the effects of free radicals. The action mechanism of said compounds is different from that of vitamins E, A, K and C in that these possess only antioxidant action, and not antiradical action. The compounds of the invention are prepared for topical application in various compositions such as creams, gels, lotions, sprays, etc. Topical application of these compositions prevents cutaneous damage caused by radiation and by the atmospheric agents which produce the free radicals in the skin which cause premature ageing. Said compositions have a content of the invention compounds of between 0,5 and 2% by weight and preferably between 0,7 and 1,5% by weight and comprise the usual components known to the cosmetics art such as vaseline oil, glycols, triethanolamine, perfume etc. The composition is prepared under hot conditions while stirring. The preparation temperature is between 60 and 85°C and preferably between 70 and 75°C, the composition then being left to cool to ambient temperature while stirring. The following examples of cosmetics and dermatology compositions comprising compounds of the present invention for the prevention of skin ageing are given hereinafter by way of illustration. EXAMPLE 1 A) The mixture of beewax, vaseline oil and propylene glycol is melted. B) The water is heated to 70°C, the 2,4-monofurfurylidene-sorbitol and the other components are added and the mixture left to stand. A) and B) are heated separately to 75°C after which B) is poured into A) while stirring. C) The TEA solution is added, the mixture cooled to 35°C while stirring and the perfume added. EXAMPLE 2 A) The compound mixture is melted while stirring B) The water is heated to 70°C, the 2,4-monofurfurylidene-sorbitol is dissolved and the other components then added. The mixtures A) and B) are heated separately to 75°C and B) is then poured into A) while stirring. The mixture is cooled to 35°C while stirring and the perfume C) added. EXAMPLE 3 The 2,4-monofurfurylidene-sorbitol is dissolved in the water heated to 70°C, the carbomer is dispersed, the dispersion allowed to stand, and the following added in the stated order while stirring: sorbitol, glycerin, the TEA solution, the sodium dehydroacetate and the perfume. EXAMPLE 4 A) The components Abil, Mygliol, PCL and the perfume are mixed. B) Sodium chloride, 2,4-monofurfurylidene-1,3,5,6-O-tetramethylsorbitol are dissolved in the demineralized water. The mixture B) is poured into the mixture A) while strongly stirring. Stirring is continued for 15 minutes. EXAMPLE 5 A) The components Abil, vaseline oil, Mygliol and the perfume are mixed. B) Sodium chloride, 2,4-monofurfurylidene-1,3,5,6-0-tetrapropylsorbitol, glycerin and sorbitol are added to the demineralized water. The mixture B) is poured into the mixture A) while strongly stirring. Stirring is continued for 15 minutes. EXAMPLE 6 A) The mixture of glyceryl monostearate, vaseline, vaseline oil, beeswax, lanoline and preservatives is melted at 75°C. B) The 2,4-monofurfurylidene-1,3,5,6-0 is added to the demineralized water heated to 72°C. The mixture B) is poured into the mixture A) while stirring. When the temperature decreases to 35°C perfume is added. EXAMPLE 7 A) The mixture of beeswax, Arlacel, Tween, vegetable oil, vaselin oil, preservatives and antioxidants is melted. B) The 2,4-monofurfurylidene-1,3,5,6-0-tetra-n-butylsorbitol, citric acid, preservatives and antioxidants are dissolved in the dimineralized water heated to 70°C. The mixtures A) and B) are heated separately to 75°C and B) is then poured into A) while stirring. The mixture is cooled to 35°C whyle stirring and a perfume is added. EXAMPLE 8 A) The components A) are mixed. B) The 2,4-monofurfurylidene-1,3,5,6,-0-tetrapropylsorbitol is dissolved in the demineralized water. The solution B) is added to the mixture A) and the new mixture is submitted to filter press.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, BE, CH, DE, FR, GB, IT, LI, LU, NL, SE The use of 2,4-monofurfurylidene-sorbitol and 2,4monofurfurylidene-1,3,5,6-0-tetraalkylsorbitol wherein the alkyls are linear or branched C₁-C₄, in the preparation of cosmetics and dermatology compositions for preventing premature ageing of the skin caused by free radicals whether formed physiologically or by the action of radiation or of pollutant substances in the atmosphere or environment. Cosmetics and dermatology compositions for preventing skin ageing, comprising between 0.5 and 2% by weight and preferably between 0,7 and 1,5% by weight of 2,4-monofurfurylidene-sorbitol or 2,4 -monofurfurylidene-1,3,5,6-0-tetraalkylsorbitol wherein the alkyls are linear or branched C₁-C₄. Compositions as claimed in Claim 2, characterised by being in the form of creams, gels, lotions or sprays. Compositions as claimed in Claim 2, characterised by comprising in addition to the 2,4-monofurfurylidene-sorbitol and 2,4-monofurfurylidene-1,3,5,6-0-tetraalkylsorbitol wherein the alkyls are linear or branched C₁-C₄, other components generally used in cosmetics such as vaseline oil, glycols, triethanolamine and perfume. Compositions as claimed in claims 2 to 4, characterised by being formed by mixing the components together at a temperature of between 60 and 85°C and preferably between 70 and 75°C and allowing the mixture to cool to ambient temperature while stirring. Claims for the following Contracting States : ES, GR Process for preparing cosmetic and dermatologic compositions for cutaneous topic application, in form of creams, gels, lotions or sprays, which comprises mixing conventional vehicles and excipients with 2,4-monofurfurylidene-sorbitol and/or 2,4-monofurfurylidene-1,3,5,6-O-tetraalkylsorbitol, through stirring at temperature between 60° and 85°C and allowing the mixture to cool to room temperature while stirring. Process according to claim 1 wherein the amount of 2,4-monofurfurylidene-sorbitol and/or 2,4-monofurfurylidene-1,3,5,6-O-tetraalkylsorbitol added to the mixture is comprised between 0,5% and 2% by weight on the total.

Inventors: BERTELLI, VITTORIO
Applicants: LABORATORI FITOCOSMESI E FARMACEUTICI SRL
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A61K7
IPC codes: A61Q19, A61K8, A61K31