Medicaments and cosmetics comprising zizyphus-spina-christi extracts

Abstract: Methods utilising extracts of the leaves of Zizyphus spina-christi are disclosed. These comprise cosmetic treatment "Ry reversing freying of hair" and use in the manufacture of a medicament for treating psoriasis.

Description: This invention relates to medicaments and cosmetics comprising extracts of Zizyphus spina-christi. Psoriasis causes much distress. Those afflicted suffer from discomfort and pain occasioned by the disease. The degree of discomfort is perhaps not fully appreciated by those not having the misfortune to suffer. Psoriasis is characterised by unsightly circumscribed red skin patches covered with white scale. Those affected suffer not only from as it were the medical effects of the complaint but also the physical effects. Sufferers can be very upset by their physical appearance in that damage is done to the self-image and also the sufferer feels he or she is being stared at by others. The stress occasioned by loss of self-image and real or imagined looks from passers-by leads to further spreading and so on. The invention seeks to alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis in at least some cases. It must however be appreciated that psoriasis may not properly be considered to be a single disease. A more accurate analysis is that the complaint is a constellation of similar symptoms invoked by a variety of causes. Accordingly alleviation can not be expected in all cases. Nevertheless the invention has more than a placebo effect. According to the present invention there is provided the use of an extract of dried leaves of Zizyphus spina-christi for use in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of psoriasis. The compositions derived from Zizyphus spina-christi are also effective in reducing skin inflammation, non specific erythema and itching. It may be desirable to apply them for example to sun-burn as cooling compositions. These compositions are also usable as skin cleansers for sensitive skin and are effective as excortication agents. Zizyphus spina-christi is primarily found in the Middle East, including Iran and Iraq. The leaves are dried at low temperature and crushed to give a fine, pale green powder. Because zizyphus spp are not deciduous and leaves are always in a range of states of development the time of harvesting is not of crucial importance. A decoction of the powder prepared with hot water is pale coloured. When applied on the skin it has been found to reduce inflammation especially when caused by psoriasis. Application may be required daily or thrice weekly for some time before a significant improvement is noted. The following composition is an example: Ingredient Amount/ml Powdered dried leaves of Zizyphus spina-christi 5 Deionised water 200 Warm water at 45°C is poured over the powder and stirred. The liquor rapidly acquires some colour but is allowed to cool by standing. The liquor is decanted from the powder. Afflicted skin areas are bathed with liquor. After allowing contact for about five minutes the skin is patted dry. The Zizyphus extract may be incorporated into a conventional shampoo or cream base for application. Ethanolic or other organic extraction of the leaves results, after removal of the solvent, in an oil which is efficacious. The oil or powder or decoction may be incorporated in any base for topical treatment. Examples include the shampoo base described with preservative or citrate. Application to the hair can reduce or reverse age-related greying of the hair. Suitable strengths of decoction can be found by routine experiment. It is unlikely that any significant extra benefit can be obtained by using more than 20% Zizyphus (based on dry powder to final composition by volume). Similarly less than 0.5% is unlikely to have significantly greater than placebo effect. Preferred amounts are in the range of 1 to 15%, more preferably 2 to 10%, especially 3 to 6%. The Zizyphus spina-christi leaves may be presented in other forms.

Claims: The use of an extract of dried leaves of Zizyphus spina-christi in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of psoriasis.

Inventors: SAFAI-GHOMI MINA, SAFAI-GHOMI, MINA
Applicants: SAFAI-GHOMI MINA, SAFAI-GHOMI, MINA
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A61K7
IPC codes: A61Q5, A61K36, A61K8