Hair tonic composition comprising adenosine

Abstract: A hair tonic composition containing adenosine, adenosine 5'-phosphate, and/or an adenosine 5'-phosphate salt as an active ingredient.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is an invention belonging to the field of hair tonics. More particularly, it relates to a hair tonic composition having hair care actions such as a superior hair loss preventing action, hair growth promoting action. The hair tonic composition of the present invention is specifically utilized in the pharmaceutical, quasi-pharmaceutical, or cosmetic fields. 2. Description of the Related Art In contemporary society, where the percentage of senior citizens in the population is growing and stress is high, there are increasing chances of people being exposed to the danger of hair loss. In general, hair loss is believed to be caused by the activation of male hormones in the hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and other parts of the body, the decrease in the flow of blood to the hair papilla and hair follicles, hypersteatosis, abnormalities on the scalp due to production of peroxides etc., poor nutrition, etc. Therefore, conventional hair tonic compositions have generally been formulated with ingredients having actions in eliminating or alleviating these causes. For example, in order to improve the circulation of blood at the scalp, vasodilators such as swertia herb extract, vitamin E and its derivatives, acetylcholine derivatives, and skin function promoters such as cepharanthine are formulated. To suppress inflammation of the scalp arising due to hypersteatosis etc., antipyrotics such as shikon extract are formulated. To suppress male hormones, female hormones such as estradiol are formulated. Further, to enrich the hair follicles etc., amino acids such as serine and methione, vitamins such as vitamin B 6 , etc. are formulated. These are used for the purpose of the prevention of hair loss, the promotion of hair growth, etc. DE-A-19 545 107 discloses the use of adenosine in cosmetic or dermatological preparations for enhancing cell proliferation in human skin. US-A-4 839 164 relates to a cosmetic composition to enhance the penetration of topically applied ingredients into the cells of the skin, comprising: (a)at least one ingredient selected form the group consisting of retynil palmitate, pantethine, a cosmetically acceptable pantethine ester, superoxide dismutase, and epidermal growth factor; (b)an amount of trehalose effective to enhance the penetration of said at least one ingredient into the skin; and (c)a cosmetically acceptable vehicle. JP-A-604 89 25 discloses a grey hair preventive composition containing: (a)melanocyte tyrosinase activity promoting matter and, (b)at least one compound selected from adenosine-5'-triphosphate, adenosine-5'-diphosphate, adenosine-5'-monophosphate and salts thereof and derivatives therefrom, mammal placenta extracts, and vertebrate pituitary gland extracts. US-A-4 088 756 discloses a pharmaceutical composition for treating proliferative skin diseases comprising a pharmaceutically carrier and at least one active compound selected from α, β 1 and β 2 adrenergic agents, and oral hypoglycemic agents. JP-A-231 14 11 discloses a hair-culturing agent containing adenosine 5'-diphosphoric acid and/or a salt thereof as an essential component. GB-A-1 408 036 relates to hair preparation for maintaining and promoting hair growth, which may additionally comprise adenosine mono-, di- or triphosphate as a further energy supplying substance. While various attempts have been made as explained above, conventional hair tonics have not necessarily had sufficient hair care actions such as prevention of hair loss and promotion of hair growth. This is probably due to the fact that there are various causes for hair loss or the mechanism of hair growth is extremely complicated. Considering the diversity of reasons for hair loss and the complexity of the mechanism of hair growth, it is desirable to provide a novel hair tonic composition having superior hair care actions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the objects of the present invention are to obviate the problems in the prior art and to provide a novel hair tonic composition having superior hair care actions. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a hair tonic composition comprising, as active ingredient adenosine; and a carrier therefor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be better understood from the description set forth below with reference to the accompanying drawing of Figure 1, which is a graph showing the results of blood flow acceleration effect of the adenosine. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present inventors engaged in broad studies on various substances to solve the problem and, as a result, found that adenosine has superior hair care actions such as hair loss preventing action and hair growth promoting action, whereby the present invention has been completed. That is, the present invention provides a hair tonic composition containing adenosine as an active ingredient. The invention therefore relates to the use of adenosine for the manufacture of a cosmetic composition for preventing hair loss or for promoting hair growth. The invention also relates to the use of adenosine for the manufacture of a medicament for preventing hair loss or for promoting hair growth. Note that in the present invention, the "hair care" is used in the sense including a hair loss preventing action and a hair growth promoting action. Further, the hair tonic composition of the present invention may be used as an external skin application composition such as a medicinal cosmetic composition for hair care. The present invention will now be explained in detail. The hair tonic composition of the present invention, as explained above, contains, as an active ingredient, adenosine. The adenosines capable of formulating, as an active ingredient, in the hair tonic composition of the present invention is one type of ribonucleoside and contains a purine derivative, adenine, at the base portion thereof. The content of the adenosine in the hair tonic composition of the present invention can be varied depending upon the form, method of application, etc. of the hair tonic composition of the present invention, but in general is 0.01 to 20.0 % by weight, preferably 0.1 to 10.0 % by weight. If the content is less than 0.01 % by weight of the total weight of the hair tonic composition, the desired effect of the present invention does not tend to be sufficiently obtained, and therefore, this is not preferable, while if the amount is more than 20.0 % by weight, there is a remarkable tendency of causing problems in the preparation, and therefore is again not preferred. The type of preparation which the hair tonic composition of the present invention may take is not particularly limited so long as it is a type of preparation which can be applied to the skin, in particular, the scalp. For example, a liquid, emulsion, ointment, etc. may be selected. Further, the hair tonic composition of the present invention may be of any form such as a tonic, hair cream, mousse, shampoo, rinse, etc. The hair tonic composition of the present invention may further contain, in addition to the above essential ingredients, if necessary, and to an extent not detracting from the desired effect of the present invention, various ingredients generally used in cosmetics, quasi-pharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals, etc. such as oils, humectants, thickeners, antibacterial agents, medicines, antioxidants, UV blockers, fragrances, coloring agents, surfactants, water, and ethanol. As the oil, for example, solid paraffin, liquid paraffin, silicone oil, squalane, glyceryl monooleate, olive oil, a higher alcohol, a higher aliphatic acid, isopropyl myristate, etc. may be mentioned. As the humectants, for example, a polyhydric alcohol, for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, maltitol, atelocollagen, sodium lactate, etc. may be mentioned. As the thickener, for example, a quince mucilage, carboxyvinyl polymer, xanthane gum, etc. may be mentioned. As the antibacterial agent, hinokitiol, hexachlorophene, benzalkonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, undecylenic acid, trichlorocarbanilide, bithionol, etc. may be mentioned. As the medicine, vasodilators such as nicotinamide, benzyl nicotinate, vitamin E or its derivatives, for example, vitamin E acetate, swertia herb extract, calpronium chloride, and acetylcholine; skin function promoters such as cepharanthine; glycyrrhetinic acid or its derivatives; antipyrotics such as shikon extract; female hormones such as estradiol and estrogen; amino acids such as serine, methionine, and arginine; vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B 1 , vitamin B 6 , biotin, pantothenic acid or its derivatives; and nucleic acids such as adenine, cytosine, thymine, and guanine may be mentioned. Further, if necessary, medicines such as salicylic acid, zinc or its derivatives, and lactic acid or its alkyl esters; refrigerants such as menthol; and organic acids such as citric acid may be mixed in to an extent not detracting from the desired effect of the present invention. The hair tonic composition of the present invention may be administered transdermally through direct coating or spraying on the skin. Further, the dosage of the hair tonic composition of the present invention differs depending on age, personal differences, states of the disease, form of the hair tonic composition, etc. and cannot be clearly specified, but when administered to humans, the dosage is one by which adenosine is given in an amount of generally 0.01 to 100.0 mg, preferably 0.1 to 10.0 mg, per kilogram body weight per day. This amount is preferably administered once a day or divided into two to four applications a day. The hair tonic composition of the present invention has both a superior hair loss preventing action and hair growth promoting action and hair care action in humans and other mammals and is useful as a pharmaceutical, quasi-pharmaceutical, or cosmetic composition for hair care. EXAMPLES The present invention will now be explained in further detail with reference to the following Examples. In the following Examples, etc., the "%" means % by weight, unless otherwise indicated. First, formulations of the hair tonic composition of the present invention will be given as Examples. Example 1: Preparation of Liquid Hair Tonic Composition Ingredient Content (wt%) Adenosine 3.0 70% Ethanol 90.0 Hydrogenated castor oil ethylene oxide (40 mol) adduct 1.0 Ion exchanged water Balance Method of Production Adenosine was mixed and stirred with 70% ethanol, hydrogenated castor oil ethylene oxide (40 mol) adduct and a part of the ion exchanged water to obtain a solution. The remainder of the ion exchanged water was added to the solution obtained which was again stirred whereby a liquid hair tonic composition 1 was obtained. Example 2: Preparation of Liquid Hair Tonic Composition (comparative example) Ingredient Content (wt%) Adenosine 5'-phosphate 0.5 70% Ethanol 90.0 Sodium oleate 0.01 Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid 0.4 Hydrogenated castor oil ethylene oxide (40 mol) adduct 0.5 Ion exchanged water Balance Method of Production Adenosine 5'-phosphate was mixed and stirred with 70% ethanol, sodium oleate, dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, hydrogenated castor oil ethylene oxide (40 mol) adduct, and a part of the ion exchanged water to obtain a solution. The remainder of the ion exchanged water was added to the solution obtained which was again stirred whereby a liquid hair tonic composition 2 was obtained. Examples 3 and 4: Preparation of Liquid Hair Tonic Composition (comparative example) Ingredient Content (wt%) 2-Sodium adenosine 5'-phosphate or 2-Potassium adenosine 5'-phosphate 1.0 70% Ethanol 90.0 Sorbitan sesquioleate 0.4 Hydrogenated castor oil ethylene oxide (40 mol) adduct 0.6 Ion exchanged water Balance Method of Production 2-sodium adenosine 5'-phosphate or 2-potassium adenosine 5'-phosphate was mixed and stirred with 70% ethanol, sorbitan sesquioleate, hydrogenated castor oil ethylene oxide (40 mol) adduct, and part of the ion exchanged water to make it dissolve. The remainder of the ion exchanged water was added to the obtained solution which was again stirred to mix it and thereby obtain liquid hair tonics 3 and 4. Example 5: Preparation of Liquid Hair Tonic Composition (comparative example) Ingredient Content (wt%) Sodium adenosine 5'-phosphate dihydrate 0.3 70% Ethanol 90.0 Lauroyl taurine 0.1 Cetylpyridinium chloride 0.01 Hydrogenated castor oil ethylene oxide (40 mol) adduct 0.89 Ion exchanged water Balance Method of Production Sodium adenosine 5'-phosphate dihydrate was mixed and stirred with the 70% ethanol, lauroyl taurine, cetylpyridinium chloride, hydrogenated castor oil ethylene oxide (40 mol) adduct, and a part of the ion exchanged water to obtain a solution. The remainder of the ion exchanged water was added to the solution obtained which was again stirred, whereby a liquid hair tonic composition 5 was obtained. Next, the hair growth promoting actions of the hair tonic compositions 1 to 5 obtained in the Examples 1 to 5 were evaluated. Further, the hair care actions of the hair tonic compositions 1 and 3 were evaluated. Hair Growth Promoting Action Test As experimental animals, C3H/HeNCrJ mice in the resting stage of the hair cycle were used. The test was conducted by the method of Ogawa et al. ( Normal and Abnormal Epidermal Differentiation, M. Seiji and I.A. Bernstein ed., pp. 159 to 170, 1982, Tokyo University Press). That is, six groups of 10 mice each were prepared. The hair was shaved off from the back of the mice by shears and shavers, then the test samples (hair tonic compositions 1 to 5) or a control sample (70% ethanol solution) were coated on the shaved portions of the mice in the groups once a day in amounts of 0.1 ml a time. The area of regrowth of hair was measured after 25 days. The results are shown in Table 1 where numerical values are mean values. Sample Area of hair regrowth (%) Sample Area of hair regrowth (%) Hair tonic 1 96 Hair tonic 2 65 Hair tonic 3 75 Hair tonic 4 55 Hair tonic 5 45 Control 2.0 As clear from Table 1, the hair tonic composition of the present invention exhibits a significant effect in the hair growth promoting action test on mice. It was found that the hair tonic composition of the present invention has a superior hair growth promoting action. Hair Care Action Test The hair care action, including the hair loss preventing action and the hair growth promoting action, of the hair tonic composition of the present invention was investigated by application of a trichogram test on human subjects by the following method. The test samples were the hair tonic compositions 1 and 3 used for the above hair growth test, while the control sample was 70% ethanol. That is, the hair tonic compositions 1 and 3 and 70% ethanol as the control were each coated on the scalps of 100 male test subjects twice a day in 2 ml amounts each time for six months straight. One hundred hairs were pulled from each test subject directly before coating and directly after ending the coating after six months. The hair roots of the pulled out hairs were observed under a microscope to count the number of hair roots in the resting stage from the state of the hair roots and find the ratio of the resting stage hair roots. The hair care actions of the test samples (i.e., hair tonic compositions 1 and 3) and the control sample (70% ethanol) were compared by the change in the ratio of resting stage hair roots. Resting stage hair roots are hair roots of hair which have stopped growing. Persons complaining of hair loss are observed to have a greater ratio of such resting stage hair roots than normal persons. The hair care action was evaluated based on the following criteria: Criteria Effective: At least 40% of test subjects experience at least 20% reduction in ratio of resting stage hair roots Somewhat effective: At least 20% of test subjects experience at least 20% reduction in ratio of resting stage hair roots Ineffective: Less than 20% of test subjects experience at least 20% reduction in ratio of resting stage hair roots The results are shown in Table 2. Sample Ratio of test subjects experiencing different changes of resting stage hair roots (%) Evaluation of hair care action Reduced at least 20% Reduced less than 20% or increased less than 20% Increased at least 20% Hair tonic 1 42 33 25 Effective Hair tonic 3 35 30 35 Somewhat effective Control 10 50 40 Ineffective From the results of Table 2, it became clear that hair tonic composition of the present invention containing adenosine exhibits significant hair care action in human trichogram tests. Further, since a hair growth promoting action was observed even in the hair tonic composition containing adenosine 5'-phosphate (hair tonic 2), it was clear that a similar hair care action is observed even in the hair tonic containing adenosine 5'-phosphate. In addition to Examples 1 to 5, formulations of hair tonic compositions of other embodiments of the present invention are shown as Examples. All of the hair tonic compositions obtained in the following Examples were observed to have hair growth promoting actions and hair care actions substantially the same as the above liquid hair tonic compositions 1 to 5. Example 6: Preparation of Liquid Hair Tonic Composition (comparative example) Ingredient Content (wt%) (Phase A) 2-Sodium adenosine 5'-phosphate 1.0 Hydrogenated castor oil ethylene oxide (60 mol) adduct 2.0 Glycerol 10.0 Dipropylene glycol 10.0 1,3-Butylene glycol 5.0 Polyethylene glycol 1500 5.0 (Phase B) Cetyl isooctanate 10.0 Squalane 5.0 Vaseline 2.0 Propyl paraben 2.0 (Phase C) 1% Aqueous solution of carboxyvinyl polymer 30.0 Sodium hexametaphosphate 0.03 Ion exchanged water 8.35 (Phase D) Ion exchanged water 4.5 (Phase E) Potassium hydroxide 0.12 Ion exchanged water 5.0 Method of Production Phase A and Phase B were heated at 60°C to dissolve the ingredients, then mixed and processed by a homomixer to obtain a gel. Phase D was gradually added thereto and, dispersed therein by the homomixer. Next, the solution of Phase C was added thereto, then finally the solution of Phase E was added and the resultant emulsified by a homomixer to obtain an O/W emulsion type hair tonic composition. Example 7: Preparation of Cream Hair Tonic Composition Ingredient Content (wt%) (Phase A) Liquid paraffin 5.0 Cetostearyl alcohol 5.5 Glyceryl monostearate 3.0 EO (20 mol)-2-octyldodecyl ether 3.0 Propyl paraben 0.3 Fragrance 0.1 (Phase B) Adenosine 5.0 Glycerol 8.0 Dipropylene glycol 20.0 Polyethylene glycol 4000 5.0 Sodium dodecyl sulfate 0.1 Sodium hexametaphosphate 0.005 Ion exchanged water Balance Method of Production Phase A and Phase B were heated to dissolve the ingredients, then emulsified by a homomixer to obtain a cream state hair tonic composition. Example 8: Preparation of Liquid Hair Tonic Composition (comparative example) Ingredient Content (wt%) Potassium adenosine 5'-phosphate 0.5 Stearyl dimethyl amine oxide 0.5 Hydrogenated castor oil ethylene oxide (40 mol) adduct 1.0 95% Ethanol 54.0 Ion exchanged water Balance Method of Production The ion exchanged water was added to 95% ethanol, then the hydrogenated castor oil ethylene oxide (40 mol) adduct and stearyl dimethyl amine oxide were added, then the potassium adenosine 5'-phosphate was added and the mixture stirred to dissolve and obtain the liquid hair tonic composition. Example 9: Preparation of Liquid Hair Tonic Composition (comparative example) Ingredient Content (wt%) Sodium N-cocolauryl-β-aminopropionate 0.2 2-Sodium adenosine 5'-phosphate 1.0 Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 0.5 Hydrogenated castor oil ethylene oxide (40 mol) adduct 1.0 95% Ethanol 54.0 Ion exchanged water Balance Method of Production The ion exchanged water was added to 95% ethanol, then the hydrogenated castor oil ethylene oxide (40 mol) adduct, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and sodium N-cocolauryl-β-aminopropionate were added, then the 2-sodium adenosine 5'-phosphate was added and the mixture was stirred to dissolve and obtain the liquid hair tonic. Blood Flow Increase Test The blood flow increasing effect of adenosine was evaluated, compared with the control and nicotineamide, under the following conditions, the results are shown in Fig. 1. Determination portion: Human upper arm Sample: 0.75% Adenosine, 0.75% Nicotineamide, placebo preparation Test method: 1) Allow to stand for 30 minutes within constant temperature and humidity (25°C) room. 2) The measurement positions A, B and C from the wrist with the distance of 5 cm or more. 3) The positions were subjected to the previous determinations by an Omega-Flow Flo-N1 (i.e., Laser Doppler Meter) with three-sets of a probe and a blood flow meter. When the blood flow of the base was remarkably different. 4) 10 µl of each sample was applied with 8 mm to the determination points. 5) Monitoring the results. As explained above, according to the present invention, there is provided a hair tonic composition having superior hair care actions such as a hair loss preventing action and hair growth promoting action in humans and other mammals.

Claims: Use of adenosine for the manufacture of a cosmetic composition for preventing hair loss. Use of adenosine for the manufacture of a cosmetic composition for promoting hair growth. Use according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the composition is applied to the scalp. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the amount of adenosine is 0,01 to 20% by weight, based upon the total amount of the composition. Use of adenosine for the manufacture of a medicament for preventing hair loss. Use of adenosine for the manufacture of a medicament for promoting hair growth. Use according to claims 5 or 6, wherein the medicament is applied to the scalp. Use according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the amount of adenosine is 0,01 to 20% by weight, based upon the total amount of the medicament.

Inventors: OGOU MASASHI, SHIMATANI YOUICHI, TAJIMA MASAHIRO, OGOU, MASASHI, SHIMATANI, YOUICHI, TAJIMA, MASAHIRO, Ogou, Masashi, c/o Shiseido Co., Ltd., Shimatani, Youichi, c/o Shiseido Co., Ltd., Tajima, Masahiro, Shiseido Research Center (1)
Applicants: SHISEIDO CO LTD, SHISEIDO COMPANY, LTD.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A61K7
IPC codes: A61Q5, A61K8, A61Q7