Extract for treating skin conditions

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a therapeutic extract for selectively treating skin disorders, such as acne and rosacea. The therapeutic extract may include glycerin; water, such as reverse osmosis water; blackcurrant; pine; gluconolactone; citric acid; and sodium benzoate. In embodiments, the blackcurrant may be organic ribes nigrum and may be derived from fruit of a blackcurrant plant. Moreover, the pine may be pinus spp and may be derived from a needle of a pine plant.

Claims

1. A therapeutic extract for selectively treating bacterial skin disorders, the therapeutic extract comprising: about 15 to about 40 wt % glycerin; about 20 to about 30 wt % water; about 10 to about 30 wt % blackcurrant; about 10 to about 30 wt % pine; about 0.10 to about 1.00 wt % gluconolactone; about 0.10 to about 0.50 wt % citric acid; and about 0.10 to about 0.20 wt % sodium benzoate.

2. The therapeutic extract of claim 1, wherein the blackcurrant comprises organic ribes nigrum and is derived from fruit of a blackcurrant plant.

3. The therapeutic extract of claim 1, wherein the pine comprises pinus spp and is derived from a needle of a pine plant.

4. The therapeutic extract of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic extract comprises: about 30 wt % glycerin; about 29.2 wt % water; about 20 wt % blackcurrant; about 20 wt % pine; about 0.45 wt % gluconolactone; about 0.2 wt % citric acid; and about 0.15 wt % sodium benzoate.

5. The therapeutic extract of claim 1, wherein the extract comprises an equal amount of blackcurrant and pine.

6. A method of producing a therapeutic extract for selectively treating skin disorders, the method comprising: preparing dry botanicals; preparing an extraction solvent; extracting blackcurrant and pine; creating the therapeutic extract; pasteurizing the therapeutic extract; preserving the therapeutic extract; and optionally, packaging the therapeutic extract, wherein, the therapeutic extract comprises: about 15 to about 40 wt % glycerin; about 20 to about 30 wt % water; about 10 to about 30 wt % blackcurrant; about 10 to about 30 wt % pine; about 0.10 to about 1.00 wt % gluconolactone; about 0.10 to about 0.50 wt % citric acid; and about 0.10 to about 0.20 wt % sodium benzoate.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein preparing the dry botanicals comprises: obtaining dry herbs in whole form, wherein the dry herbs comprise the blackcurrant and the pint; dividing the dry herbs into a first half and a second half; putting the first half through a high-speed electric grinder mill at a speed of about 32000 r/min, to produce a dry rough mix; placing the dry rough mix and the second half into a mixing vessel; and blending the dry rough mix and the second half for about 15 minutes.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein preparing the extraction solvent comprises: mixing reverse osmosis water with aloe vera juice in a second mixing vessel for about 10 minutes; adding glycerin to the second mixing vessel and mixing for an additional 10 minutes, creating the extraction solvent.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein extracting the blackcurrant and the pine comprises: introducing the extraction solvent into the mixing vessel, completely covering the dry mix; closing the mixing vessel and leaving the mixing vessel closed for about 48 hours, creating an extract; squeezing the extract through a heavy mechanical press, removing substantially all liquid matter; and filtering the liquid matter down to about 0.2 microns, helping to remove pathogens and particle matter, leaving a substantially clear, light pink liquid extract.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein pasteurizing the therapeutic extract comprises heating the substantially clear, light pink liquid extract to about 80 degrees for about 10 minutes to remove any remaining pathogens, creating a pasteurized extract.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein preserving the therapeutic extract comprises: adding gluconolactone and sodium benzoate to the pasteurized extract; and adjusting a pH level of the pasteurized extract to be within a range of from about 4.6 to about 5, creating the therapeutic extract.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

(1) In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous details, examples, and embodiments of the invention are described. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that the invention can be adapted for any of several applications.

(2) The extract composition of the present disclosure may be used to prevent or treat skin disorders, such as acne, rosacea, staph infections, and the like and comprise the following elements. This list of possible constituent elements is intended to be exemplary only, and it is not intended that this list be used to limit the device of the present application to just these elements. Persons having ordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure may understand there to be equivalent elements that may be substituted within the present disclosure without changing the essential function or operation of the device. 1. Glycerin 2. Water 3. Blackcurrant 4. Pine 5. Gluconolactone 6. Citric Acid 7. Sodium Benzoate

(3) The various elements of the composition of the present disclosure may be related in the following exemplary fashion. It is not intended to limit the scope or nature of the relationships between the various elements and the following examples are presented as illustrative examples only.

(4) By way of example, some embodiments of the present disclosure include a therapeutic extract for treating skin disorders, such as acne and rosacea, the therapeutic extract comprising glycerin, water, blackcurrant, pine, gluconolactone (D-Glcono-1,5-lactone), citric acid, and sodium benzoate. In embodiments, the blackcurrant may comprise organic ribes nigrum and may be derived from the fruit of the plant, while the pine may comprise organic pinus spp and may be derived from the needle of the plant. In some embodiments, the therapeutic extract may comprise from about 15 to about 40 wt %, such as about 30 wt %, glycerin; from about 20 to about 30 wt %, such as about 29.2 wt %, water; from about 10 to about 30 wt %, such as about 20 wt %, blackcurrant; from about 10 to about 30 wt %, such as about 20 wt %, pine; from about 0.10 to about 1.00 wt %, such as about 0.45 wt %, gluconolactone; from about 0.10 to about 0.50 wt %, such as about 0.2 wt % citric acid; and from about 0.10 to about 0.20 wt %, such as about 0.15 wt %, sodium benzoate, based on a total weight of the extract. In particular embodiments, the amount of blackcurrant may be equal to the amount of pine.

(5) The therapeutic extract of the present disclosure may be made using a multiple step method. The method may include preparing the dry botanicals; preparing the extraction solvent; extracting the blackcurrant and the pine, creating the therapeutic extract; pasteurizing the therapeutic extract; preserving the therapeutic extract; and packaging the therapeutic extract.

(6) Preparing the dry botanicals may be referred to herein as Stage A. Stage A may comprise receiving the dry herbs in whole form. The dry herbs may be divided into a first half and a second half, wherein the first half is put through a high-speed electric grinder mill at a speed of, for example, about 32000 r/min, to produce a rough crush level. The second half may be left whole. The dry rough mix and the second half may be placed into a mixing vessel, such as a large stainless steel mixing vessel, and blended for about 15 minutes prior to being steeped into an extraction solvent.

(7) Preparing the extraction solvent may be referred to herein as Stage B. Stage B may comprise mixing water, such as 90% reverse osmosis water, with aloe vera juice, such as 10% organic whole leave aloe vera juice, in a mixing vessel, such as a stainless steel mixing vessel separate from that used in Stage A. The water and aloe vera juice may be mixed for about 10 minutes without any heat. Glycerin, such as pure organic vegetable glycerin, may be added to the vessel and mixed for an additional about 10 minutes, creating the extraction solvent. Up to about 30% glycerin may be added during this step.

(8) The extraction process may include multiple steps, referred to herein as Stage C, Stage D, and Stage E. Stage C may comprise slowly introducing the extraction solvent into the mixing vessel from Stage A, completely covering the dry mix. The vessel may then be closed and left for about 48 hours. During the first 24 hours of extraction, the plant material (i.e., the dry mix) may absorb liquid. Thus, the vessel may be checked to ensure that the dry mix is completely covered in solvent. Additional solvent may be added, if necessary, and the mixture may be agitated for up to about 15 minutes.

(9) After 48 hours, Stage D may occur. Stage D may include squeezing the extract through a heavy mechanical press, removing all or almost all of the liquid matter. The press is so heavy that the spent material may be left completely dry. The dry material may be, for example, used as compost.

(10) After the separation of the liquid matter and dry material, Stage E may occur. During Stage E, the extract (the liquid matter) may go through a micro-filtration process down to about 0.2 microns, helping to remove pathogens and particle matter, leaving a crystal clear, light pink liquid extract. The micro-filtration (MF) process may help remove plant sedimentation and many micro-organisms from the water, such as micro-organisms that are invisible to the naked eye but greater than 0.2 microns in diameter. Rejected particles, including plant pathogen spores, may be removed periodically to waste by an automated compressed air backwash, which may allow for sterilization of the water without the use of additional chemicals. Although many micro-organisms are removed, viruses may sometimes remain in the water and, thus, after extraction, pasteurization may occur.

(11) After extraction, pasteurization may occur. Pasteurization may be referred to herein as Stage F. Stage F may include heating the extract to about 80 F. for about 10 minutes to remove any remaining pathogens. The extract may then be left to completely cool.

(12) After the extract has been pasteurized, it may be preserved, which may be referred to herein as Stage G. Stage G may include adding preservatives, such as gluconolactone and sodium benzoate, to the extract. The pH of the extract may be adjusted to be within a range of from about 4.6 to about 5. The pH may be adjusted by adding citric acid, as needed.

(13) After the extract has been preserved, packaging may occur. This may be referred to as Stage H. Stage H may include filling containers, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) jerry cans in a high care area where the extract may be micro-tested for a final time to ensure that the extract is completely devoid of pathogens. As used herein, a high care area may refer to an area designed to a high standard where practices relating to personnel, ingredients, equipment, packaging, and environment aim to minimize product contamination by pathogenic micro-organisms.

(14) As mentioned above, the therapeutic extract of the present disclosure may be used to treat skin conditions, such as acne. Specifically, the therapeutic extract may selectively suppress p. acnes and staph aureus, which are acne-causing bacteria, without suppressing any of the skin's good bacteria. For example, in embodiments, the therapeutic extract may be mixed with other ingredients to form a cream for treating acne. Examples of such creams are explained below.

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

Example 1

Composition vs. Propionibacterium Acnes

(15) Propionibacterium acnes (P. Acnes) was prepared by inoculating the surface of TSA slants. Each microorganism was then incubated at 30 C. to 35 C. for 18 to 24 hours. Following the incubation period, the slants were washed with sterile Serological Saline Solution to harvest the microorganisms. Using Culti-Loops, microorganisms were grown and adjusted to 10.sup.6 colony forming units (cfu) per mL and used as a stock suspension. An additional 1:10 dilution of the stock suspension was made using Serological Saline Solution to achieve a concentration of approximately 10.sup.7 cfu per mL.

(16) For the microorganism to be tested, 20 mL of the test product (the composition comprising 79.65 wt % water, 10 wt % organic blackcurrant, 10 wt % organic pine, 15 wt % gluconolactone and sodium benzoate, and 0.2% citric acid) and 20 mL of Serological Saline Solution was added into separate sterile tubes. Each 20 mL sample of test product and Serological Saline Solution was inoculated with 0.2 mL of the 10.sup.7 cfu/mL suspensions. These inoculums resulted in approximately 10.sup.6 cfu/mL into the test product and Serological Saline Solution control.

(17) At the time intervals of 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes, 1.0 mL from the inoculated test product was taken and placed into 9.0 mL of Modified Letheen Broth (1:10 dilution). Additional 1:10 serial dilutions were prepared using neutralizing broth to achieve 1:100 and 1:1000 dilutions.

(18) 1 mL from each dilution was plated in sterile Petri dishes, and melted TSA agar was added as the growth medium for bacterial organisms.

(19) The bacterial plates were incubated at 30 C. to 35 C. for 48 hours. The same procedure was repeated for the Serological Saline Solution control. After the incubation period. All plates were counted to determine the number of microorganisms remaining at the various time points.

(20) Results:

(21) TABLE-US-00001 Concentration of Organism Exposure (CFU/mL) % Reduction Log Reduction Time Control Product Control Product Control Product INITIAL 5.60 10.sup.6 30 sec 5.60 10.sup.6 1.30 10.sup.6 cfu/gm/ml N/A 76.78% 0.00 0.63 1 min 5.60 10.sup.6 1.20 10.sup.6 cfu/gm/ml N/A 78.57% 0.00 0.67 5 min 5.60 10.sup.6 1.10 10.sup.6 cfu/gm/ml N/A 80.35% 0.00 0.70 30 min 5.60 10.sup.6 4.50 10.sup.3 cfu/gm/ml N/A 99.91% 0.00 3.09 60 min 1.40 10.sup.6 <10 cfu/gm/ml 75.00% 99.99% 0.60 N/A

(22) Data Calculation: The concentration of each microorganism for the control and product is listed for each interval. These numbers are expressed in terms of scientific notation. The next two headings represent the % Reduction and Log Reduction information for each time point. Both calculations are used to express the change (reduction or increase) of the microorganism population relative to starting inoculums.

(23) $\%\mathrm{Reduction}=\frac{\mathrm{Initial}\mathrm{Count}-\mathrm{Count}\mathrm{at}\mathrm{time}\mathrm{interval}}{\mathrm{Initial}\mathrm{Count}}100$
For example, % Reduction for Control:

(24) $\%\mathrm{Reduction}=\frac{5.6{10}^6-1.40{10}^6}{5.6{10}^6}100$
The Log Reduction is calculated as follows:
Log Reduction=log.sub.10(initial count)log.sub.10(times interval)
For example, Log Reduction for Control:
Log Reduction=log.sub.10(5.610.sup.6)log.sub.10(1.4010.sup.6)=6.746.14=0.60 log reduction

(25) Discussion: The minimum bactericidal concentration is defined as 99.9% decrease (3 log) in the initial inoculums. The test product had no counts for growth when exposed to P. acnes after 30 minutes.

(26) Conclusion: The results indicate that the test product has 99.9% log reduction for P. acnes at 30 minutes of contact time.

Example 2

Composition Plus Salicylic Acid vs. Staphylococcus aureus (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

(27) Staphylococcus aureus (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) was prepared by inoculating the surface of TSA slants. Each microorganism was then incubated at 30 C. to 35 C. for 18 to 24 hours. Following the incubation period, the slants were washed with sterile Serological Saline Solution to harvest the microorganisms. Using Culti-Loops, microorganisms were grown and adjusted to 10.sup.8 cfu/mL and used as a stock suspension. An additional 1:10 dilution of the stock suspension was made using Serological Saline Solution to achieve a concentration of approximately 10.sup.7 cfu/mL.

(28) For the microorganism to be tested, 20 mL of the test product and 20 mL of the Serological Saline Solution were added into separate sterile tubes. Each 20 mL sample of test product and Serological Saline Solution was inoculated with 0.2 mL of the 10.sup.7 cfu/mL suspensions. These inoculums resulted in approximately 10.sup.6 cfu/mL into the product and into the Serological Saline Solution control.

(29) At time intervals of 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes, 1.0 mL from the inoculated test product was taken and placed into 9.0 mL of modified letheen broth (1:10 dilution). Additional 1:10 serial dilutions were prepared using neutralizing broth to achieve 1:100 and 1:1000 dilutions.

(30) 1 mL from each dilution was plated in sterile Petri dishes, and melted TSA agar was added as the growth medium for bacterial organisms. The bacterial plates were incubated at 30 C. to 35 C. for 48 hours. The same procedure was repeated for the Serological Saline Solution control. After the incubation period, all plates were counted to determine the number of microorganisms remaining at the various time points.

(31) Results:

(32) TABLE-US-00002 Concentration of Organism Exposure (cfu/mL) % Reduction Log Reduction Time Control Product Control Product Control Product Initial 2.30 10.sup.6 30 sec 2.30 10.sup.6 <10 cfu/g/mL N/A 99.99% 0.00 N/A 1 min 2.30 10.sup.6 <10 cfu/g/mL N/A 99.99% 0.00 N/A 5 min 2.30 10.sup.6 <10 cfu/g/mL N/A 99.99% 0.00 N/A 30 min 2.30 10.sup.6 <10 cfu/g/mL N/A 99.99% 0.00 N/A 60 min 1.20 10.sup.6 <10 cfu/g/mL 47.82% 99.99% 0.29 N/A

(33) Data calculation was performed the same way as described above in Example 1.

(34) Discussion: The minimum bactericidal concentration is defined as 99.9% decrease (3 log) in the initial inoculums. The test product had no counts for growth when exposed to Staphylococcus aureus (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) after 30 seconds.

(35) Conclusion: The results indicate that the test product with 1% salicylic acid has 99.9% log reduction for Staphylococcus aureus (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) at 30 seconds of contact time.

Example 3

Composition (in Serum form) vs. Propionibacterium Acnes

(36) Propionibacterium acnes (P. Acnes) was prepared by inoculating the surface of TSA slants. Each microorganism was then incubated at 30 C. to 35 C. for 18 to 24 hours. Following the incubation period, the slants were washed with sterile Serological Saline Solution to harvest the microorganisms. Using Culti-Loops, microorganisms were grown and adjusted to 10.sup.6 colony forming units (cfu) per mL and used as a stock suspension. An additional 1:10 dilution of the stock suspension was made using Serological Saline Solution to achieve a concentration of approximately 10.sup.7 cfu per mL.

(37) For the microorganism to be tested, 20 mL of the test product in serum form (the composition comprising 79.65 wt % water, 10 wt % organic blackcurrant, 10 wt % organic pine, 15 wt % gluconolactone and sodium benzoate, and 0.2% citric acid) and 20 mL of Serological Saline Solution was added into separate sterile tubes. Each 20 mL sample of test product and Serological Saline Solution was inoculated with 0.2 mL of the 10.sup.7 cfu/mL suspensions. These inoculums resulted in approximately 10.sup.6 cfu/mL into the test product and Serological Saline Solution control.

(38) At the time intervals of 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes, 1.0 mL from the inoculated test product was taken and placed into 9.0 mL of Modified Letheen Broth (1:10 dilution). Additional 1:10 serial dilutions were prepared using neutralizing broth to achieve 1:100 and 1:1000 dilutions.

(39) 1 mL from each dilution was plated in sterile Petri dishes, and melted TSA agar was added as the growth medium for bacterial organisms.

(40) The bacterial plates were incubated at 30 C. to 35 C. for 48 hours. The same procedure was repeated for the Serological Saline Solution control. After the incubation period. All plates were counted to determine the number of microorganisms remaining at the various time points.

(41) Results:

(42) TABLE-US-00003 Concentration of Organism Exposure (CFU/mL) % Reduction Log Reduction Time Control Product Control Product Control Product INITIAL 1.70 10.sup.7 30 sec 1.70 10.sup.7 1.80 10.sup.6 cfu/gm/ml N/A 89.41% 0.00 0.98 1 min 1.70 10.sup.7 2.00 10.sup.5 cfu/gm/ml N/A 98.82% 0.00 1.93 5 min 1.70 10.sup.7 4.10 10.sup.4 cfu/gm/ml N/A 99.75% 0.00 2.62 30 min 1.70 10.sup.7 1.00 10.sup.3 cfu/gm/ml N/A 99.99% 0.00 4.23 60 min 3.60 10.sup.6 <10 cfu/gm/ml 78.82% 99.99% 0.68 N/A

(43) Data Calculation was performed the same way as described above in Example 1.

(44) Discussion: The minimum bactericidal concentration is defined as 99.9% decrease (3 log) in the initial inoculums. The test product had no counts for growth when exposed to P. acnes after 30 minutes.

(45) Conclusion: The results indicate that the test product (in Serum form) has 99.9% log reduction for P. acnes at 30 minutes of contact time.

Example 4

Composition vs. Staphylococcus Aureus

(46) Staphylococcus aureus was prepared by inoculating the surface of TSA slants. Each microorganism was then incubated at 30 C. to 35 C. for 18 to 24 hours. Following the incubation period, the slants were washed with sterile Serological Saline Solution to harvest the microorganisms. Using Culti-Loops, microorganisms were grown and adjusted to 10.sup.6 colony forming units (cfu) per mL and used as a stock suspension. An additional 1:10 dilution of the stock suspension was made using Serological Saline Solution to achieve a concentration of approximately 10.sup.7 cfu per mL.

(47) For the microorganism to be tested, 20 mL of the test product (the composition comprising 79.65 wt % water, 10 wt % organic blackcurrant, 10 wt % organic pine, 15 wt % gluconolactone and sodium benzoate, and 0.2% citric acid) and 20 mL of Serological Saline Solution was added into separate sterile tubes. Each 20 mL sample of test product and Serological Saline Solution was inoculated with 0.2 mL of the 10.sup.7 cfu/mL suspensions. These inoculums resulted in approximately 10.sup.6 cfu/mL into the test product and Serological Saline Solution control.

(48) At the time intervals of 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes, 1.0 mL from the inoculated test product was taken and placed into 9.0 mL of Modified Letheen Broth (1:10 dilution). Additional 1:10 serial dilutions were prepared using neutralizing broth to achieve 1:100 and 1:1000 dilutions.

(49) 1 mL from each dilution was plated in sterile Petri dishes, and melted TSA agar was added as the growth medium for bacterial organisms.

(50) The bacterial plates were incubated at 30 C. to 35 C. for 48 hours. The same procedure was repeated for the Serological Saline Solution control. After the incubation period. All plates were counted to determine the number of microorganisms remaining at the various time points.

(51) Results:

(52) TABLE-US-00004 Concentration of Organism Exposure (CFU/mL) % Reduction Log Reduction Time Control Product Control Product Control Product INITIAL 1.80 10.sup.6 30 sec 1.80 10.sup.6 .sup.7.00 10.sup.4 cfu/gm/ml N/A 96.11% 0.00 1.41 1 min 1.80 10.sup.6 1.10 104 cfu/gm/ml N/A 99.38% 0.00 2.21 5 min 1.80 10.sup.6 <10 cfu/gm/ml N/A 99.99% 0.00 N/A 30 min 1.80 10.sup.6 <10 cfu/gm/ml N/A 99.99% 0.00 N/A 60 min 3.20 10.sup.5 <10 cfu/gm/ml 82.22% 99.99% 0.75 N/A

(53) Data Calculation was performed the same way as described above in Example 1.

(54) Discussion: The minimum bactericidal concentration is defined as 99.99% decrease (3 log) in the initial inoculums. The test product had no counts for growth when exposed to Staphylococcus aureus after 5 minutes.

(55) Conclusion: The results indicate that the test product has 99.9% log reduction for Staphylococcus aureus at 5 minutes of contact time.

(56) Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.