IMPROVED TOPICAL APPLICATION EMULSIONS

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to products for topical application to the skin, and more particularly to improved stable emulsions for containing water-soluble active ingredients, such as Vitamin C, glycolic acid, etc., which may nonetheless be packaged with gelatin capsules, and which have demonstrated improved stability. In particular, the invention relates to a novel polyethylene glycol-in-oil emulsion that is compatible with gelatin capsules.

Description: IMPROVED TOPICAL APPLICATION EMULSIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to products for topical application to the skin, and more particularly to improved, stable emulsions for carrying active ingredients, such as for example, Vitamin C, glycolic acid, etc. , the combination of which may be packaged in gelatin capsules, preferably soft gelatin capsules, as well as other packaging structures. In particular, the invention in its broad embodiments relates to a novel polyethylene glycol (PEG) in oil emulsion. These emulsions are in the preferred mode of packaging compatible with gelatin capsules. Vitamin C, i.e., ascorbic acid, is known as being suitable for preventing or treating a variety of skin pathologies or diseases. Vitamin C is described as being protective of damage caused by UV-A and UV-B radiation. Among the diseases that can be treated or prevented with Vitamin C therapy, i.e., antioxidant therapy, are UV-B radiation-induced erythema, photoaging of the skin, skin cancer, etc. It is known in the art that unmodified gelatin capsules are incompatible with water. Accordingly, typical emulsions (Oil-in- Water or ater-In-Oil) will degrade a capsule shell made of gelatin. The present novel methods and combination of ingredients permit the formation of cosmetically acceptable emulsions that will be tolerated by gelatin capsules. One additional advantage of these PEG-in-oil emulsions, in combination with gelatin capsules, is the capacity for use of an increased percentage of water soluble actives that can be encapsulated versus typical anhydrous bases which cannot tolerate water soluble actives. For example, ingredients such as vitamin C, which would have a low solubility in an anhydrous base, can be incorporated at higher levels using the emulsion systems of the present invention. However, the use of PEG as the primary solubilizer for water soluble actives in gelatin capsules is not without additional problems in need of solving. In fact, from a cosmetic aesthetic perspective, the resultant emulsion carrier would in many applications be unacceptable, as PEG has a poor feel on the skin. Thus, one difficulty overcome in developing such an emulsion system has been the modification of a predominately PEG-based product to create a better skin feel, so that it would (a) be aesthetically acceptable to the consumer, and (b) be encapsulatable in commonly used gelatin capsules. Accordingly, one substantial advantage of the present invention is that water soluble actives can be dissolved into PEG, emulsified into an oil base with the resultant end product having a cosmetically acceptable feel, and still be compatible in ordinary gelatin capsules. Some of the contemplated commercial uses for the present invention would be in the area of skin treatment cosmetics. Such inventive emulsions could, for example, be used for face or body products requiring certain designated water soluble actives which would be incompatible in an anhydrous base. Other uses, advantages and objects of the improved emulsion systems of the present invention will become known to those skilled in the art upon review of the more detailed description of the present invention set forth hereinbelow. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The improved emulsions for topical application of the present invention are especially adapted for carrying a desired water soluble active ingredient which is insoluble or substantially insoluble in an anhydrous base. In its broad parameters, the emulsions of the present invention for topical application include first and second emulsion phases, along with a dispersing agent(s) to create an emulsion therebetween. The first emulsion phase includes polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a solvent, into which is dissolved a water soluble or substantially water soluble active ingredient, i.e., vitamin C or ascorbic acid, which is insoluble or substantially insoluble in an anhydrous base. The second emulsion phase includes an oil, preferably selected from at least one silicone oil fluid, paraffin oils, vegetable oils, and mixtures thereof. The invention also provides emulsions for topical administration comprising first and second emulsion phases and a dispersing agent(s). In this aspect, the first emulsion comprises PEG and a water soluble active ingredient which is insoluble or substantially insoluble in an anhydrous base. The second emulsion in this aspect comprises at least one silicone oil fluid. Testing has shown that the improved topical application emulsions of the invention are suitable for forming stable vitamin C and other topical application products, which may be formulated with or without up to approximately 10% water, and which prove to have an acceptable stability. The improved topical application emulsions of the present invention may be preferably applied to the skin of an individual in a gelatin capsule, which surrounds and encloses the emulsion, and which may be packaged therein according to known encapsulation methods. Particularly preferred gelatin capsules for use in the invention are "twist-off" gelatin capsules. The invention further encompasses compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing skin damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet-A (UV-A) and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation, including solar radiation. The inventive compositions include vitamin C dissolved or suspended in the topical emulsions of the invention. Further, such compositions are preferably administered to an individual or patient by way of a soft gelatin "twist-off" capsule. A gelatin capsule is a particularly preferred means for administering the vitamin C topical emulsion since the gelatin capsule prevents or decreases the oxidation of vitamin C by oxygen in the environment. Thus, the invention provides methods for antioxidant skin therapy, and specifically methods for treating or preventing UV-B radiation-induced erythema, photoaging of the skin, skin cancer, etc. Further details and the substantial advantages of the improved topical application emulsions of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description of preferred embodiment, brief description of the drawing, the examples thereof and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Fig. 1 is a graph showing stability of vitamin C in vitamin C containing emulsions after 3 months at various temperatures, and comparing formulations made with no water versus 5% water. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The improved emulsions for topical application of the present invention are especially adapted for carrying at least one desired water soluble active ingredient that is insoluble or substantially insoluble in an anhydrous base. Preferred embodiments of the emulsions of the present invention for topical application include first and second emulsion phases, along with a dispersing agent(s) to create an emulsion therebetween, utilizing procedures which are described in greater detail in the Examples set forth below. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first emulsion phase hereof includes polyethylene glycol as a solvent, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) which is insoluble or substantially insoluble in an anhydrous base, and which may be preferably dissolved into the polyethylene glycol solvent. The second emulsion phase comprises an oil or mixtures of oils. Suitable oils include silicone-derivative silicone oil fluids, paraffin oils, vegetable oils and mixtures thereof. A preferred second emulsion phase comprises at least one silicone- derivative silicone oil fluid, and an oil selected from the group consisting of paraffin oils, vegetable oils and mixtures thereof, some selected examples of which are set forth hereinafter. In another preferred embodiment, the first emulsion phase includes polyethylene glycol, a water soluble active ingredient which is insoluble or substantially insoluble in an anhydrous base, and which may be preferably dissolved into the polyethylene glycol. In this embodiment, the second emulsion phase comprises a silicone-derivative silicone oil fluid. The first emulsion phases of the invention may be solutions, suspensions, or dispersions of the active ingredient in the polyethylene glycol. Thus, the active ingredient may be substantially insoluble in the polyethylene glycol phase, i.e., the first emulsion phase. As used herein, the term "gelatin compatibility" means no adverse interaction of the fill material with the gelatin capsule. Actual testing by the inventors of the present invention has shown that the applicants' improved topical application emulsions are suitable for forming stable vitamin C topical application products, which may be formulated with or without up to approximately 10% water, and which prove to have an acceptable stability. Other active ingredients have similarly been formulated into stable and useful emulsions according to the principles and teaching of the present invention. By "stable vitamin C topical emulsion application product" and "stable topical application emulsion" are meant topical application emulsions that do not exhibit creaming, sedimentation, or phase separation. It has been discovered that there is surprisingly little decomposition of vitamin C in the inventive topical application emulsions. In one preferred embodiment, for example, the quantity of vitamin C which may be formulated for use in the improved emulsions of the present invention may comprise from about 0.1 to 10, more preferably from about 1.5 to 5, and most preferably about 1.5, weight percent of the total emulsion. In some preferred embodiments, the first emulsion phase of the improved topical application emulsions invention may further include glycerin, and may also include water up to approximately 10 weight percent by total. However, water, and especially at elevated temperature levels, adversely effects the integrity of gelatin capsules since gelatin is water soluble. Accordingly, when the topical application emulsions are intended for encapsulation in gelatin capsules, the use of substantial amounts of water in the emulsions of the present invention must be closely monitored. The first emulsion phase may also include sodium chloride, and other ingredients, as described in the Examples hereof. The second emulsion phase may, in addition to including at least one silicone-derivative silicone oil fluid, also contain a paraffin oil such as, for example, mineral oil and/or a vegetable oil. The polyethylene glycol of the first phase of the improved topical application emulsions of the present invention may be included in amounts of approximately 20-80, and preferably 20-50, weight percent in preferred embodiments. Suitable polyethylene glycols for use in the topical application emulsions have molecular weights of from about 200 to 6000, and preferably from 400 to 1000. In addition to vitamin C, other representative water soluble active ingredients include, for example, glycolic acid, MFA fruit complex, other active ingredients, and mixtures thereof, in amounts of up to about 20 weight percent. One dispersing agent suitable for use in the improved topical application emulsions of the present invention is a polysorbate. Representative polysorbates include Tween 20, a product of ICI Corporation described as a Polysorbate 20, and Tween 80, described as a Polysorbate 80. The silicone-derivative silicone oil of the second phase of the present invention may comprise approximately 0-50, and preferably 0-40, weight percent of the final topical emulsion. As used herein the term "silicone derivative silicone oil" refers to one or more ingredients of the kind generally known to those skilled in the art as "silicon oil." Examples without limitation include: Silicone Fluids 244 , 245 , 344 , 345 Cyclomethicone Silicone Fluid Q2-5200 aurylmethicone Copolyol Silicone Fluid 3225C Cyclomethicone and Dimethicone Copolyol Abil WE09 Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate and Cetyl Dimethicone Copolyol and Hexyl aurate Dow Corning 200 (various viscosities ) Dimethicone Dow Corning 1401 Fluid Cyclomethicone and Dimethiconol Dow Corning 1403 Fluid Dimethicone and Dimethiconol The improved topical application emulsions of the present invention are set forth in the following Examples . Preparation of Emulsions The emulsions are made according to techniques known to those skilled in the art . Preservative and fragrance may optionally be added to the resulting emulsion formulations . Once the appropriate emulsion is formulated , it can be encapsulated into conventional soft gelatin capsules in accordance with the rotary die process . Alternatively , the emulsions can be appropriately encapsulated in hard shell gelatin capsules as well as soft gelatin capsules. Unless noted otherwise, the components listed for each of the formulations described in the following examples are indicated in parts by weight. EXAMPLES 1. 2. AND 3 Example l ExamDlβ 2 Example 3 (RD095-51-2) (RDO95-50-1A) Phase I PEG-400 68.25 63.24 64.75 Vitamin C- 1.50 1.50 1.50 Ascorbic Acid Glycerin-USP 5.00 5.00 5.00 Water - 5.00 5.00 Sodium Chloride - 0.25 0.25 Phase II Silicone Fluid 15.00 15.00 15.00 245 Silicone Fluid 9.00 9.00 9.00 3225C Tween-20 1.50 1.50 1.50 5-Freeze Thaw Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Cycles 40°C Oven Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Stability Room temperatur- -sAcceptable Acceptable Acceptable Stability Gelatin capsule Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable compatibility The emulsions of Examples 1, 2 and 3 were made according to blending methods and procedures known to those skilled in the art. The stability of vitamin C in the Example 1 and Example 2 formulations in terms of the percent by weight of active vitamin C remaining in the formulation after exposure to various temperatures for 90 days is shown in Figure 1. EXAMPLES 4 and 5 Example 4 Example 5 Phase I PEG-400 58.75 36.00 Vitamin C- Ascorbic Acid 1.50 1.50 Glycerin-USP 5.00 Ethoxylated-26 13.25 Glycerin Water 8.00 8.80 Sodium Chloride 0.25 0.25 Pfaffia extract 0.28 Pycnogenol 0.14 Ecchnesia Extract 0.28 Phase II Mineral oil 25.00 Dow Corning Fluid 244 15.00 2.00 ABIL WE 09 5.00 Tween-20 2.50 Dow Corning Fluid 3225C 9.00 Borage Oil 1.00 Vit-E inoleate 0.50 Vit-A Palmitate 0.50 Crodoram Rhatania "0" 0.33 Crodoram Nut "0" 0.16 Caroplex 0.01 5-Freeze Thaw Cycles Acceptable Acceptable 40°C Oven Stability Acceptable Acceptable Room temperature stability Acceptable Acceptable Gelatin capsule compatibility Acceptable Acceptable Stable • .^G/Silicone Cream Formulations ingredient Example 6 (RD091-118-2) Phase l: Transcutol 18.95 PEG-1000 15.10 PEG-400 15.20 Glycerin-USP 5.00 Water 2.00 Glycolic Acid 1.00 MFA Fruit Acid 3.00 Germal 115 0.30 Phase 2: Synchrowax HR-C 3.00 D/C Silicone 345 20.55 D/C Silicone 3225C 11.50 D/C Silicone 556 2.00 Tween-20 2.00 Liquipar Oil 0.10 Fragrance F94-238 0.30 5-Freeze Thaw Cycles Acceptable 40°C Oven Stability Acceptable Room temperature Acceptable stability Gelatin capsule Acceptable compatibility Mineral Oil/PEG Emulsions Ingredient Example 7 Example 8 (RD095-31 -i) (RD095-40) Phase I: PEG-400 53.55 36.00 Ethoxylated-7 Glycerin - 13.25 Glycerin-USP 5.00 5.00 Water 7.70 8.00 Sodium Chloride 0.25 0.25 Vitamin-C (Ascorbic Acid) 1.50 1.50 Pfaffia/Ecchenesia/ _ 1.25 Pycnogenol Phase II: Mineral Oil 25.00 25.00 D/C Fluid 244 2.00 2.00 Abil WE09 5.00 5.00 Borage Oil 1.00 Vit-E Linoleate 0.50 Vit-A Palmitate 0.50 Rhatania extract 0.50 Crodoram Nut "0" 0.25 5-Freeze Thaw Cycles Acceptable Acceptable 40°C Oven Stability Acceptable Acceptable Room temperature Acceptable Acceptable Stability Gelatin capsule Acceptable Acceptable compatibility Vegetable Oil/Silicone Emulsions Ingredient Example 9 Example 10 (RD095-39-1) (RD095-39-2) Phase I: PEG-400 53.55 36.00 Ethoxylated-7 Glycerin - 13.25 Vitamin-C (Ascorbic Acid) 1.50 1.50 Glycerin 5.00 5.00 Water 7.70 8.00 Sodium Chloride 0.25 0.25 Phase II: Olive Oil 25.00 25.00 Silicone Fluid 244 2.00 2.00 Abil WE09 5.00 5.00 Borage Oil - 2.00 5-Freeze Thaw Cycles Acceptable Acceptable 40°C Oven Stability Acceptable Acceptable Room temperature Acceptable Acceptable Stability Gelatin capsule Acceptable Acceptable compatibility The following table lists the source and generic name of various materials employed or suitable for use in the compositions of the invention. Ingredient Source Generic Name PEG-400, PEG-600, PEG-1000 Union Carbide Polyethylene Glycol Silicone Fluids 244, 245, 344, Dow-Corning Cyclomethicone 345 Silicone Fluid 3225C Dow-Corning Cyclomethicone and Dimethicone Copolyol Tween-20 ICI Americas Polysorbate-20 Protochem GL-7, GL-26 Protameen Ethoxylated-7 Glycerin and Chemical Ethoxylated-26 Glycerin ABIL WE-09 Goldschemidt Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate and cetyl Dimethicone Copolyol and Hexyl Laurate Down-Corning Fluid 200 Dow-Corning Dimethicone Dow-Corning Fluid 1401 Dow-Corning Cyclomethicone and Dimethiconol Dow-Corning Fluid 1403 Dow-Corning Dimethicone and Dimethiconol Ceraphyl 31 ISP-Vandyk Lauryl Lactate Scheremol DIA Scher and Co. Diisopropyl Adipate MFA-Complex Barnett and Co. Alpha hydroxy Acid Complex Dry-Flow PC National Starch Aluminum Starch Octylsuccinate Syncrowax HR-C Croda Glyceryl Behenate Crodoram Rhatania "O" Croda Rhatania Root Extract Crodoram Nut "θ" Walnut Extract Caroplex Quest Caroteen Mixture Pfaffia NAT-TROP Pfaffia extract Echenesia extract East Earth herb Coneflower extract Pycnogenol TAAG and Co. Martime Pine extract Borage Oil Cannamino and Borage Oil Co. Vitamin E Linoleate Hoffman-LaRoche Tocopheryl linoleate Vitamin E Palmitate Hoffman-LaRoche Retinyl palmitate The basic and novel characteristics of the improved methods, compositions of matter, and combination of ingredients of the present invention will be readily understood from the foregoing disclosure by those skilled in the art. It will become readily apparent that various changes and modifications may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the improved formulations of the present invention, and in the steps of the inventive methods hereof, which various respective inventions are as set forth hereinabove without departing from the spirit and scope of such inventions. Accordingly, the preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention set forth hereinabove are not intended to limit such spirit and scope in any way.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. In an improved topical application emulsion for carrying ascorbic acid, the improvement comprising: an emulsion of first and second emulsion phases, and a dispersing agent; said first emulsion phase including, as a solvent, polyethylene glycol, and ascorbic acid; and said second emulsion phase comprising an oil. 2. The emulsion of claim 1 where the oil is selected from the group consisting of silicone-derivative silicone oil fluids, paraffin oils, vegetable oils and mixtures thereof. 3. The emulsion of claim 2 where the oil comprises at least one silicone-derivative silicone oil fluid, and an oil selected from the group consisting of paraffin oils, vegetable oils and mixtures thereof. 4. The improved emulsion of claim 1 further comprising a gelatin capsule surrounding and enclosing said emulsion. 5. The improved emulsion of claim 1 wherein said vitamin C initially comprises approximately 0.1 to 10 weight percent of the total emulsion. 6. The improved emulsion of claim 1 wherein said first emulsion phase further comprises glycerin. 7. The improved emulsion of claim 1 wherein said first emulsion phase further comprises water. 8. The improved emulsion of claim 5 wherein said water comprises less than approximately 10 weight % of the total emulsion. 9. The improved emulsion of claim 1 wherein said second emulsion phase further comprises mineral oil. 10. The improved emulsion of claim 1 wherein said polyethylene glycol comprises approximately 20-80 weight percent. 11. The improved emulsion of claim 1 wherein said dispersing agent comprises a polysorbate. 12. The improved emulsion of claim 2 wherein said silicone- derivative silicone oil comprises approximately 0-50 weight percent. 13. The improved emulsion of claim 2 wherein said silicone- derivative silicone oil is selected from the group consisting of: Cyclomethicone Laurylmethicone Copolyol Cyclomethicone and Dimethicone copolyol Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate and Cetyl Dimethicone Copolyol and Hexyl Laurate Dimethicone Cyclomethicone and Dimethiconol Dimethicone and Dimethiconol. 14. The improved emulsion of claim 1 wherein said oil has physical properties sufficient to provide a viscosity to said emulsion which is at least partially spreadable upon and into the skin when applied. 15. The emulsion of claim 14, where the oil is selected from the group consisting of silicone-derivative silicone oil fluid, paraffin oils, vegetable oils and mixtures thereof. 16. The emulsion of claim 15, where the oil comprises at least one silicone-derivative silicone oil fluid, and an oil selected from the group consisting of paraffin oils, vegetable oils and mixtures thereof. 17. An improved emulsion for carrying water soluble active ingredients which are insoluble in an anhydrous base comprising: an emulsion of first and second emulsion phases, and a dispersing agent; said first emulsion phase including, as a solvent, polyethylene glycol, and a water soluble active ingredient which is insoluble in an anhydrous base dissolved into said polyethylene glycol solvent; and said second emulsion phase comprising a silicone-derivative silicone oil fluid. 18. The improved emulsion of claim 17 further comprising a gelatin capsule surrounding and enclosing said emulsion. 19. The improved emulsion of claim 17 wherein said water soluble active ingredient comprises vitamin C. 20. The improved emulsion of claim 17 wherein said vitamin C initially comprises approximately 0.1 to 10 weight percent of the total emulsion. 21. The improved emulsion of claim 17 wherein said first emulsion phase further comprises glycerin. 22. The improved emulsion of claim 17 wherein said first emulsion phase further comprises water. 23. The improved emulsion of claim 20 wherein said water comprises less than approximately 10 weight % of the total emulsion. 24. The improved emulsion of claim 17 wherein said second emulsion phase further comprises mineral oil. 25. The improved emulsion of claim 17 wherein said second emulsion phase further comprises a vegetable oil. 26. In an improved topical application emulsion for carrying ascorbic acid, the emulsion being suitable for encapsulation in gelatin capsules, the improvement comprising: an emulsion of first and second emulsion phases, and a dispersing agent; said first emulsion phase including, as a solvent, polyethylene glycol, and ascorbic acid; and said second emulsion phase comprising an oil. 27. The improved emulsion of claim 26 wherein said first emulsion phase further comprises up to about 10% water based on the weight of the emulsion. 28. The improved emulsion of claim 26 wherein said second emulsion phase further comprises a second oil which is mineral oil. 29. A soft gelatin capsule comprising a shell and an emulsion for carrying water soluble active ingredients which are insoluble in an anhydrous base, the emulsion comprising: first and second emulsion phases, and a dispersing agent; said first emulsion phase including, as a solvent, polyethylene glycol, and a water soluble active ingredient which is insoluble in an anhydrous base dissolved into said polyethylene glycol solvent; and said second emulsion phase comprising a silicone-derivative silicone oil fluid. 30. The gelatin capsule of claim 29 wherein said water soluble active ingredient comprises vitamin C. 31. The gelatin capsule of claim 30 wherein said vitamin C initially comprises approximately 0.1 to 10 weight percent of the total emulsion. 32. The gelatin capsule of claim 29 wherein said first emulsion phase further comprises glycerin. 33. The gelatin capsule of claim 29 wherein said first emulsion phase further comprises up to about 10% water based on the weight of the emulsion. 34. The improved emulsion of claim 31 wherein said water comprises less than approximately 10 weight % of the total emulsion. 35. The gelatin capsule of claim 29 wherein said second emulsion phase further comprises mineral oil. 36. The gelatin capsule of claim 29 wherein said second emulsion phase further comprises a vegetable oil. 37. A soft gelatin capsule comprising: a gelatin shell; and a fill material provided within the shell, the fill material being an emulsion comprising from about 0.1 to 10% by weight of ascorbic acid based on the weight of the fill material, polyethylene glycol as a solvent, and an oil. 38. A gelatin capsule according to Claim 37, further comprising from about 0.5 to 10% of water in the fill material, based on the weight of the fill material.

Inventors: DUQUE PILAR, GOULD EVA, POTINI CHIM, PUNTO LOUIS, DUQUE, PILAR, GOULD, EVA, POTINI, CHIM, PUNTO, LOUIS
Applicants: DUQUE PILAR, GOULD EVA, POTINI CHIM, PUNTO LOUIS, SCHERER CORP R P, DUQUE, PILAR, GOULD, EVA, POTINI, CHIM, PUNTO, LOUIS, R.P. SCHERER CORPORATION
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A61K7
IPC codes: A61K8, A61K9, A61Q19, B01J13, C08L83