FORMULATION FOR THE TOPICAL TREATMENT OF THE SKIN AND RELATED USE

Abstract

A formulation for the topical treatment of the skin comprises an extract of Centella asiatica, a source of phytosterols with anti-oxidant and anty-inflammatory activity comprising Urtica dioica and hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof.

Claims

1. A formulation for the topical treatment of the skin, comprising: an extract of Centella asiatica; at least one a source of phytosterols with anti-oxidant and anty-inflammatory activity; hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof; characterized in that said at least one a source of phytosterols is an extract of Urtica dioica.

2. Formulation as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said extract of Urtica dioica is present in a percentage not higher than 1% of the total weight.

3. Formulation as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said extract of Urtica dioica is present in a percentage between 0.005% and 0.05% of the total weight.

4. Formulation as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said extracts are dried extracts.

5. Formulation as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said extracts of Centella asiatica is present in a percentage not higher than 4% of the total weight.

6. Formulation as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said extract of Centella asiatica is present in a percentage ranging from 0.05% to 2% of the total weight.

7. Formulation as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said hyaluronic acid salt is low molecular weight sodium hyaluronate.

8. Formulation as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said sodium hyaluronate is present in a percentage not higher than 1% of the total weight and preferably between 0.05% and 0.25%.

9. Formulation as claimed in claim 7, characterized by comprising powdered allantoin in a percentage not higher than 1% of the total weight.

10. A support for the topical treatment of skin impregnated with a formulation comprising an extract of Centella asiatica, at least one source of phytosterols with anti-oxidant and anty-inflammatory properties and hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof, characterized in that said at least one a source of phytosterols is an extract of Urtica dioica.

11. Use of a formulation comprising an extract of Centella asiatica, at least one source of phytosterols with anti-oxidant and anty-inflammatory properties and hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof for the topical treatment of the skin, wherein the formulation is applied in a localized manner on the skin either directly or by means of a support, such as a gauze or plaster, impregnated with said formulation, characterized in that said at least one a source of phytosterols is an extract of Urtica dioica.

Description

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0027] In its more general composition, a formulation for topical skin treatment essentially comprises an extract of Centella asiatica, a source of phytosterols and hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof.

[0028] Preferably, the Centella asiatica will be present in the form of a dry extract and in a percentage not exceeding 4% of the total weight of the formulation.

[0029] Even more preferably, the Centella asiatica extract is present in a percentage between 0.05% and 2% of the total weight of the formulation.

[0030] The use of Urtica dioica extract with antioxidant and anty-inflammatory activity is preferred, preferably dry extract, present in a percentage not exceeding 1% of the total weight, is preferred as source of plant phytosterols.

[0031] Even more preferably, the weight percentage of Urtica dioica will be between 0.005% and 0.05%.

[0032] Hyaluronic acid may be used in the form of salt and in particular of low molecular weight sodium hyaluronate (LMW—Low Molecular Weight).

[0033] Its weight percentage within the formulation will not exceed 1% of the total weight and will preferably be between 0.05% and 0.25%.

[0034] The formulation may be added with further dermatologically compatible active ingredients and excipients, such as antioxidants, preservatives, emulsifiers and humidifiers, as well as additional sources of phytosterols, such as carduus and nigella sativa.

[0035] In particular, in a preferred manner the use of powdered allantoin in a percentage not exceeding 1% of the total weight will be provided, so as to exploit the synergistic effect between allantoin and Centella asiatica extract which favours the re-epithelialization process, as already highlighted in EP1909840.

[0036] For the preparation of the formulation, the use of a mixture of polyethylene glycols (PEG) having a molecular weight between 200-4000 Da will also be preferred.

[0037] The following is a preferred but non-limiting example of the formulation according to the invention, wherein the various components are indicated according to weight percentages.

TABLE-US-00001 % STEP A PEG 400 35.100 PEG 1500 16.000 PEG 4000 15.500 Sorbitol 7.300 Vegetal glycerol 4.500 Water 14.000 STEP B Malaleuca Essntial Oil 0.005 Dry extract Centella asiatica 0.100 Edry extract Urtica Dioica 0.015 Menthol 0.020 Powdered Allantoin 0.800 LMW sodium hyaluronate 0.200 Water 0.750 STEP C Vaseline 2.200 Cetyl alcohol 1.000 stearyl alcohol 1.000 Phenoxyethanol 1.000 FASE D Tocopheryl acetate 0.510

[0038] The formulation may be in the form of an ointment, cream, powder, lotion, solution or similar consistency.

[0039] The formulation may be applied directly to the skin at the lesion to be treated.

[0040] Alternatively, the formulation may be used to impregnate a gauze, in particular of a hydrophilic type, a plaster or other support suitable to be brought into contact with the skin for topical and localized treatment.

[0041] The use of Urtica dioica in the form of an extract, in particular dry extract, in association with hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof, for example sodium hyaluranate, has proved particularly effective, especially in its antioxidant action.

[0042] For the purposes of estimating the antioxidant potential of Urtica dioica (UE), the following table shows the comparison of the results of the FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) and TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) assays of the UE with standard antioxidants, in particular hydroxytoluene butylate (BHT) and vitamin C. Both tests showed that the UE has a higher antioxidant capacity than the BHT.

TABLE-US-00002 Superoxide radical Metal chelating FRAP TEAC scavenging activity, ability, Mmol Fe2+/g mmol TE/g EC50, mg/ml EC50, mg/ml UE 0.993 ± 0.018 1.5 ± 0.1 1.15 ± 0.02 241.6 ± 0.0 Vitamin C 6.57 ± 1.00 7.23 ± 0.28 0.06 ± 0.00 N.D. BHT 0.416 ± 0.020 0.467 ± 0.005 N.D. N.D.

[0043] The formulation and the support comprising the formulation according to the invention are susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the inventive concept expressed in the appended claims. All the details must be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials must be different according to requirements, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.