Patent ID: 7572776

Claim:
A method of alleviating or improving a cosmetic condition or dermatological indication of the cutaneous system, the method comprising topically administering to a mammalian subject an effective amount of a composition comprising an N-(phosphonomethyl)-amino acid, a related compound or a derivative thereof, as a free acid, salt, partial salt, lactone, amide or ester, or in stereoisomeric or non-stereoisomeric form, wherein the N-(phosphonomethyl)-amino acid, a related compound or a derivative thereof, is N-(phosphonomethyl)-proline or has the following formula: R 1 CH(NR 2 R 3 )(CH 2 ) m COR 4 wherein R 1 is H, an alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group having up to 19 carbon atoms; R 1 also optionally carries OH, SH, SCH 3 , NH 2 , NR 2 R 3 , COR 4 , NHCONH 2 , NHC(=NR 2 )NH 2 , imidazole or pyrrolidine radical; m is an integer from 0 to 5; R 2 is a phosphonomethyl group having a formula (HO) 2 PO(CH 2 ); R 3 is H or a phosphonomethyl group having a formula (HO) 2 PO(CH 2 ); R 4 is NH 2 or OR 5 , R 5 is H, an alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group having up to 19 carbon atoms; and the H attached to any carbon atom can be substituted by I, F, Cl, Br, OH or an alkoxy group having up to 9 carbon atoms; wherein the cosmetic condition or dermatological indication is selected from the group consisting of deranged or disordered cutaneous or mucocutaneous tissue relevant to skin, nail and hair; oral, vaginal and anal mucosa; disturbed keratinization; inflammation; changes associated with intrinsic and extrinsic aging; acne; rosacea; age spots; blemished skin; blotches; cellulite; dermatoses; dermatitis; skin, nail and hair infections; dandruff dryness or looseness of skin, nail and hair; xerosis; eczema; elastosis; herpes; hyperkeratosis; hyperpigmented skin; ichthyosis; keratoses; lentigines; melasmas; mottled skin; pseudofolliculitis barbae; photoaging and photodamage; pruritus; psoriasis; skin lines; stretch marks; thinning of skin, nail plate and hair; warts; wrinkles; oral or gum disease; damaged or abnormal mucosa, skin, hair, nail, nostril, ear canal, anal or vaginal conditions; breakdown, defective synthesis or repair of dermal components; abnormal or diminished synthesis of collagen, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans and elastin, as well as diminished levels of such components in the dermis; uneven skin tone; uneven and rough surface of skin, nail and hair; loss or reduction of skin, nail and hair resiliency, elasticity and recoilability; laxity; lack of skin, nail and hair lubricants and luster; fragility and splitting of nail and hair; yellowing skin; reactive, irritating or telangiectatic skin; and dull and older-looking skin, nail and hair; cosmetic condition or dermatological indication general care of skin, nail and hair; to improve skin texture and pores and flakiness; to make skin soft, smooth, fresh, balanced, visibly clear, even-toned and brighter; to increase skin fullness and plumpness; and for skin bleach and lightening and wound healing.