Hair loss abstract
Cosmetic/pharmaceutical compositions for promoting hair growth
and/or retarding hair loss, and/or for increasing the mean diameter
of strands of hair and/or decreasing the heterogeneity thereof,
and/or for increasing hair density, and/or for improving the quality
and/or the appearance of a head of hair, and/or for inducing repigmentation
of the hair, contain thus effective amounts of intimate admixture
of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc and selenium values.
Hair loss claims
18. A vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition useful
to promote regrowth of the hair and/or to retard hair loss, and/or
to increase the mean diameter of strands of hair, and/or to decrease
the heterogeneity thereof, and/or to increase hair density, and/or
to improve the quality and/or the appearance of a head of hair,
and/or to induce repigmentation of the hair, consisting essentially
of a thus effective amount of admixture of the antioxidants vitamin
A, vitamin C, vitamin E and also zinc and selenium values, formulated
into a cosmetically/pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, diluent
or carrier therefor.
19. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 18, said admixture also comprising vitamin B.
20. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 18, said admixture also comprising iron values.
21. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 18, said admixture also comprising magnesium
values.
22. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 18, said admixture also comprising copper values.
23. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 18, said admixture also comprising manganese
values.
24. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 18, said admixture comprising retinol or ester
thereof, or beta-carotene, alpha- or gamma-tocopherol, and ascorbic
acid or salt thereof.
25. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 18, said admixture comprising zinc gluconate,
zinc oxide, zinc sulfate or zinc chloride.
26. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 20, said admixture comprising ferrous fumarate,
ferrous sulfate or ferrous chloride.
27. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 21, said admixture comprising magnesium oxide.
28. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 22, said admixture comprising copper oxide or
copper gluconate.
29. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 23, said admixture comprising manganese chloride
or manganese sulfate.
30. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 25, said admixture comprising sodium selenite,
selenocysteine or selenoyeast.
31. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 18, said admixture also comprising at least
one other antioxidant active agent selected from the group consisting
of a superoxide dismutase, a catalase, a peroxidase and an antioxidant
exhibiting enzymatic activity mimicking said enzymes.
32. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 31, said at least one other antioxidant comprising
glutathione peroxidase.
33. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 31, said at least one other antioxidant comprising
copper diisopropylsalicylate or Mn(III)tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)
porphyrin chloride.
34. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 18, said admixture also comprising at least
one sulfur-containing amino acid or precursor thereof.
35. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 34, said at least one sulfur-containing amino
acid comprising cysteine, cystine, N-acetylcysteine, glutathione
and/or ester thereof, or oxathiazolidine.
36. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 18, comprising from 0.1 mg to 0.5 mg of vitamin
A, and from 10 mg to 25 mg of vitamin E.
37. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 18, comprising from 0.1 mg to 3 mg of vitamin
A, from 50 mg to 240 mg of vitamin C, from 10 mg to 60 mg of vitamin
E, from 10 mg to 40 mg of zinc values and from 40 .mu.g to 150 .mu.g
of selenium values.
38. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 18, comprising from 0.5 mg to 1.5 mg of vitamin
A, from 100 mg to 140 mg of vitamin C, from 40 mg to 50 mg of vitamin
E, from 15 mg to 25 mg of zinc values and from 70 .mu.g to 120 .mu.g
of selenium values.
39. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 24, comprising from 0.6 mg to 18 mg of beta-carotene.
40. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 24, comprising from 3 mg to 4.5 mg of beta-carotene.
41. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 18, comprising 1 mg of vitamin A or 6 mg of
beta-carotene, 120 mg of vitamin C, 30 mg of vitamin E, 20 mg of
zinc values and 100 .mu.g of selenium values.
42. A vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition useful
to promote regrowth of the hair and/or to retard hair loss, and/or
to increase the mean diameter of strands of hair, and/or to decrease
the heterogeneity thereof, and/or to increase hair density, and/or
to improve the quality and/or the appearance of a head of hair,
and/or to induce repigmentation of the hair, consisting of a thus
effective amount of admixture of the antioxidants vitamin A, vitamin
C, vitamin E and also zinc and selenium values, formulated into
a cosmetically/pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, diluent or carrier
therefor.
43. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 18, formulated into a drinkable solution, a
syrup, tablets or capsules.
44. The vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition
as defined by claim 43, formulated into gelatin capsules.
45. A vitamin/metal salt cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition useful
to promote regrowth of the hair and/or to retard hair loss, and/or
to increase the mean diameter of strands of hair, and/or to decrease
the heterogeneity thereof, and/or to increase hair density, and/or
to improve the quality and/or the appearance of a head of hair,
and/or to induce repigmentation of the hair, consisting of a thus
effective amount of admixture of the antioxidants vitamin A, vitamin
C, vitamin E and also zinc sulfate and sodium selenite, formulated
into a cosmetically/pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, diluent
or carrier therefor.
Hair loss description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C., .sctn.
119 of FR-00/09063, filed Jul. 11, 2000, hereby expressly incorporated
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to novel compositions based
on vitamins and on inorganic/organic metal salts for promoting regrowth
of the hair and/or decreasing hair loss and/or improving the quality
of the hair and/or promoting repigmentation thereof.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] In humans, the growth of the hair and renewal thereof are
determined principally by the activity of the hair follicles. This
activity is cyclical and essentially entails three phases, namely,
the anagenic phase, the catagenic phase and the telogenic phase.
[0006] The active anagenic phase, or growth phase, which is several
years in duration and during which the strands of hair grow longer,
is followed by a very short and transient catagenic phase which
is several weeks in duration, and then by a resting or quiescent
phase, termed telogenic phase, which lasts a few months.
[0007] At the end of the resting period, the hair falls out and
another cycle begins. The head of hair is therefore constantly renewed
and, of the approximately 150,000 hairs which a head of hair contains,
at each instant, approximately 10% of the strands of hair are at
rest and will therefore be replaced in a few months.
[0008] However, various factors or causes may result in temporary
or permanent hair loss.
[0009] This may be loss and modification of the hair as pregnancy
comes to an end (post partum) or during conditions of undernourishment
or of dietary imbalance, or during conditions of aesthenia or of
hormonal dysfunction, as can be the case during menopause or conclusion
thereof. It may also be loss or modifications of the hair in connection
with seasonal phenomena.
[0010] This may also be alopecia which is essentially due to a
disturbance or disruption in hair renewal which results, initially,
in the acceleration of the frequency of the cycles at the expense
of the quality of the hair and then of its amount. A progressing
thinning of the head of hair occurs, caused by an effect on the
follicles. Regions are preferentially affected, in particular the
temporal or frontal lobes in men and, in women, a diffuse alopecia
of the vertex is observed.
[0011] By the term "alopecia" is thus intended the entire
family of afflictions of the hair follicle, the final consequence
of which is permanent, partial or general hair loss.
[0012] This, more particularly, may be androgenic alopecia. In
a considerable number of cases, early hair loss occurs in genetically
predisposed individuals. This, then, is androchronogenetic alopecia,
which form of alopecia is especially prevalent in men.
[0013] It is known, moreover, that certain factors, such as a hormone
imbalance, physiological stress, or malnutrition, can accentuate
this phenomenon.
[0014] In certain dermatoses of the scalp which are inflammatory
in nature, such as, for example, psoriasis or seborrhoeic dermatitis,
hair loss may be greatly accentuated or promote greatly disturbed
follicle cycles.
[0015] For many years, considerable research has been conducted
in the cosmetics or pharmaceutical industry, to develop compositions
for suppressing or reducing alopecia, and, in particular, for reducing
hair loss or inducing or stimulating its growth.
[0016] In this perspective, a large number of compositions comprising
very diverse active agents have already been developed, such as,
for example, 2,4-diamino-6-piperidinopyrimidine 3-oxide, or "Minoxidil",
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,139,619 and 4,596,812, or the many
derivatives thereof, such as those described, for example, in EP
0,353,123, EP 0,356,271, EP 0,408,442, EP 0,522,964, EP 0,420,707,
EP 0,459,890, EP 0,519,819.
[0017] Nonetheless, considerable need still exists to develop advantageous
and useful active compounds other than those already known to this
art.
[0018] In humans, it was commonly accepted for decades that administration
of antioxidants played a beneficial role by decreasing the incidence
of certain chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases and
cancers.
[0019] In particular, epidemiological studies and studies carried
out in animals had bolstered the hypothesis that beta-carotene served
a beneficial function in preventing the onset of certain diseases,
such as those of lung cancer.
[0020] However, these results have been disputed following two
randomized chemo-prevention studies, conducted in double blind versus
placebo, the objective of which was to evaluate the effectiveness
of supplementation with beta-carotene (alone or combined with vitamins
A and E) on the incidence of lung cancers in smokers and individuals
working with asbestos, and/or of cardiovascular diseases.
[0021] The first study, ATBC (Alpha-tocopherol, Beta-carotene Cancer
Prevention), carried out in Finland, indicated an 18% increase in
lung cancers with an additional 8 % of deaths among men who received
beta-carotene, out of a population of 29,139 men who were smokers.
[0022] No decrease in the incidence of lung cancers, after 5 years
of administration, was found. (The effect of vitamin E and beta-carotene
on the incidence of lung cancer and other cancers in male smokers.
The alpha-Tocopherol, beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group,
N. Engl. J. Med., 330, 1029-35 (1994)).
[0023] The second study, CARET (Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy
Trial), conducted in the United States (Seattle), indicated a 28
% increase in lung cancers with an additional 17% of deaths, and
a 26% increase in deaths due to cardiovascular diseases, in the
18,314 participants (smokers and workers exposed to asbestos), with
respect to the placebo group. (G. S. Omenn, G. E. Goodman, M. D.
Thorquist et al., "Effects of a combination of beta-carotene
and vitamin A on lung cancer and cardiovascular disease," N.
Engl. J. Med., 334 1150-5 (1996)).
[0024] These results confirmed and extended the unexpected results
of the preventive study carried out in Finland. Specifically, far
from being protective, as was implied by the epidemiological studies
and those carried out in animals, administration/supplementation
with beta-carotene may prove to be harmful.
[0025] In conclusion to these two trials, it has been suggested
that the paradoxical effect of the increase in morbidity and in
mortality observed is likely due to the properties of the beta-carotene
and its capacity to generate oxidative stress. Thus, antioxidant
agents can prove to be pro-oxidant and elicit deleterious effects.
[0026] Accordingly, no reason would appear to exist for including
antioxidant compounds in compositions, particularly cosmetic compositions,
for improving the aesthetic appearance of the head of hair, or for
combating hair loss and/or promoting its regrowth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Surprisingly, it has now unexpectedly been determined that
compositions comprising vitamins and certain metal values, e.g.,
inorganic/organic salts, particularly vitamins eliciting an antioxidant
effect, increase the mean diameter of the strands of hair, decrease
the heterogeneity of the diameters of the hairs (a symptom associated
with alopecia) and increase hair density, thus reflecting regrowth.
[0028] It has also, unexpectedly, now been determined that compositions
based on vitamins and on certain metal salts, particularly vitamins
eliciting an antioxidant effect, induce repigmentation of the hair
and thus combat whitening of the hair.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF BEST MODE AND SPECIFIC/PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
OF THE INVENTION
[0029] More particularly according to the present invention, by
the expression "heterogeneity of the diameters of the hairs"
is intended a great variation in the diameters of the hairs over
the same region of the scalp, some hairs having a physiological
diameter and others having, in the immediate vicinity of these hairs,
a decreased diameter (fine hairs). Thus, the term "decrease
the heterogeneity of the diameters" is intended to connote
an increase in the diameter of the fine hairs.
[0030] By the expression "increase hair density" is intended
to increase the number of hairs per cm.sup.2 of scalp.
[0031] And by the expression "improve the quality of the hair"
is intended to improve the general appearance and/or the sheen and/or
the ability to style the head of hair.
[0032] Thus, the present invention features compositions comprising
at least a mixture of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, and zinc
and selenium values, to promote regrowth of the hair and/or retard
hair loss.
[0033] The present invention also features compositions comprising
admixture of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc and selenium,
for increasing the mean diameter of the strands of hair.
[0034] This invention also features compositions comprising admixture
of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc and selenium, for decreasing
the heterogeneity of the diameters of the strands of hair.
[0035] Too, this invention features compositions comprising admixture
of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc and selenium, for increasing
hair density.
[0036] The present invention also features compositions comprising
admixture of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc and selenium,
for improving the quality and/or the appearance of the head of hair.
[0037] And the present invention also features compositions comprising
admixture of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc and selenium,
for inducing repigmentation of the hair.
[0038] The aforesaid results are more pronounced in women, and
also in men experiencing the onset of alopecia.
[0039] The increase in the diameter of the strands of hair is the
parameter which is most improved via the regime/regimen entailing
treatment with the compositions of the invention.
[0040] The vitamins of the composition of the invention are preferably
vitamins having an antioxidant effect, selected from among vitamin
A (retinol or esters thereof, or its equivalent as beta-carotene),
vitamin E (alpha- or gamma-tocopherol), vitamin C (ascorbic acid
or salts thereof) and the B vitamins.
[0041] The compositions of the invention preferably comprise immixture
of vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C.
[0042] The inorganic salts of the compositions of the invention
are preferably selected from among the salts of zinc, selenium,
iron, magnesium, copper and manganese.
[0043] Consistent herewith, the zinc is advantageously in the form
of zinc gluconate, zinc oxide, zinc sulfate or zinc chloride. Similarly,
the iron is advantageously in the form of ferrous fumarate, ferrous
sulfate or ferrous chloride, the magnesium in the form of magnesium
oxide, the copper in the form of copper oxide or copper gluconate,
and the manganese in the form of manganese chloride or manganese
sulfate. The selenium is advantageously in inorganic state, such
as sodium selenite, or in organic state, such as selenocysteine,
or in the form of selenoyeast.
[0044] The compositions of the invention preferably comprise admixture
of zinc and selenium values, for example intimate admixture of zinc
sulfate and sodium selenite.
[0045] The amount of each of the elements of the subject compositions
depends, of course, on the desired effect, and may vary over wide
limits.
[0046] According to the invention, the subject compositions advantageously
comprise vitamin A in an amount ranging from 0.1 mg to 3 mg, preferably
from 0.5 mg to 1.5 mg, vitamin C in an amount ranging from 50 mg
to 240 mg, preferably from 100 mg to 140 mg, vitamin E in an amount
ranging from 10 mg to 60 mg, preferably from 40 mg to 50 mg, zinc
in an amount ranging from 10 mg to 40 mg, preferably from 15 mg
to 25 mg, and selenium in an amount ranging from 40 .mu.g to 150
.mu.g, preferably from 70 .mu.g to 120 .mu.g.
[0047] When the vitamin A is in the form of beta-carotene equivalent,
the composition advantageously comprises from 0.6 mg to 18 mg of
beta-carotene, and preferably from 3 mg to 4.5 mg.
[0048] A very preferred composition of the invention comprises
1 mg of vitamin A (or 6 mg of beta-carotene), 120 mg of vitamin
C, 30 mg of vitamin E, 20 mg of zinc and 100 .mu.g of selenium.
[0049] The compositions of the invention may also comprise B vitamins
and/or iron and/or magnesium, copper and manganese. The subject
compositions may also comprise other antioxidant active agents,
such as superoxide dismutases (SODs), catalases, peroxidases (for
example glutathione peroxidase) and/or synthetic molecules or associations
exhibiting enzymatic activities which mimic these enzymes (for example
manganese or copper complexes with an SOD-like activity, such as
copper diisopropylsalicylate or Mn(M) tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphyrin
chloride).
[0050] The present invention thus features compositions based on
vitamins and on inorganic/organic salts, as described above, also
comprising B vitamins and/or iron and/or magnesium, copper and manganese
and/or at least one other antioxidant active agent, such as an SOD,
a catalase, a peroxidase (for example glutathione peroxidase) and/or
a synthetic molecule or association exhibiting enzymatic activities
which mimic these enzymes (for example manganese or copper complexes
with an SOD-like activity, such as copper diisopropylsalicylate
or Mn(III) tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphyrin chloride).
[0051] The subject compositions may also comprise sulfur-containing
amino acids or precursors of sulfur-containing amino acids, such
as, for example, cysteine, cystine, N-acetylcysteine, glutathione
and/or esters thereof, or oxathiazolidine. These compositions preferably
also comprise L-cystine.
[0052] The compositions of the invention may be formulated in any
pharmaceutical form whatsoever which is conventionally employed
for treating the scalp and which is suitable both for topical application
to the hair and for oral administration, characteristically including
a cosmetically/pharmaceutically acceptable medium (vehicle, diluent
or carrier therefor).
[0053] Preferably, the compositions of the invention are formulated
for oral administration.
[0054] The compositions of the invention can be for cosmetic or
dermatological purposes. Preferably, the compositions of the invention
are for cosmetic purposes.
[0055] Very preferably, the compositions of the invention are cosmetic
compositions formulated for oral administration.
[0056] The compositions of the invention are considered cosmetic
since they improve or enhance the general appearance of the individual
user.
[0057] For oral administration, the compositions of the invention
may be in any suitable form, particularly in the form of a drinkable
solution, of a syrup, of a tablet, of a gelatin capsule, or of a
capsule.
[0058] Preferably, the compositions of the invention are formulated
into gelatin capsules.
[0059] Thus, the present invention features a regime/regimen conducted
for such period of time as required to elicit the desired effect,
for administering a mixture of vitamins and of inorganic/organic
salts, as described above, to promote regrowth of the hair and/or
decrease hair loss and/or increase the mean diameter of the hairs
and/or decrease the heterogeneity of the diameters of the hairs
and/or increase hair density and/or improve the general appearance
of the head of hair and/or promote repigmentation of the hair.
[0060] Lastly, this invention features a cosmetic hair treatment
process for improving the appearance of the head of hair and/or
for promoting regrowth of the hair and/or for decreasing hair loss
and/or for increasing the mean diameter of the hairs and/or for
decreasing the heterogeneity of the diameters of the hairs and/or
for increasing hair density and/or for promoting repigmentation
of the hair, comprising topically applying at least one of the compositions
described above onto the scalp and/or the hair, and then, optionally,
in rinsing it with water therefrom.
[0061] In order to further illustrate the present invention and
the advantages thereof, the following specific examples are given,
it being understood that same are intended only as illustrative
and in nowise limitative.
[0062] The Examples 1-5 to follow are of specific compositions
of the invention, formulated as indicated.
EXAMPLE 1
[0063] Soft capsules:
1 Soya bean oil 40 mg Wheatgerm oil 85 mg Soya bean lecithins 25
mg Vitamin A 1 mg Vitamin C 120 mg Vitamin E 30 mg Zinc 20 mg Selenium
100 .mu.g
EXAMPLE 2
[0064] Soft capsules:
2 Soya bean oil 40 mg Wheatgerm oil 85 mg Soya bean lecithins 25
mg Beta-carotene 6 mg Vitamin C 120 mg Vitamin E 30 mg Zinc 20 mg
Selenium 100 .mu.g
EXAMPLE 3
[0065] Soft capsules:
3 Soya bean oil 40 mg Wheatgerm oil 85 mg Soya bean lecithins 25
mg Vitamin A 1 mg Vitamin C 120 mg Vitamin E 30 mg Zinc 20 mg Selenium
100 .mu.g Manganese 5 mg
EXAMPLE 4
[0066] Anti-hair-loss lotion packaged in 10 ml vials:
4 Vitamin A 1 mg Vitamin C 120 mg Vitamin E 30 mg Zinc 20 mg Selenium
100 .mu.g
[0067] solubilized in 100 ml of a mixture of:
5 Fructose 0.22% Glucose 0.04% Urea 0.06% NaCl 0.50% Polyethylene
glycol 0.25% Lactic acid 0.05% Potassium hydroxide qs pH = 7.5 Water/ethyl
alcohol, 31% by weight qs for 100.00%
EXAMPLE 5
[0068] Anti-hair-loss lotion packaged in 10 ml vials:
6 Beta-carotene 6 mg Vitamin C 120 mg Vitamin E 30 mg Zinc 20 mg
Selenium 100 .mu.g
[0069] solubilized in 100 ml of a mixture of:
7 Fructose 0.22% Glucose 0.04% Urea 0.06% NaCl 0.50% Polyethylene
glycol 0.25% Lactic acid 0.05% Potassium hydroxide qs pH = 7.5 Water/ethyl
alcohol, 31% by weight qs for 100.00%
[0070] While the invention has been described in terms of various
specific and preferred embodiments, the skilled artisan will appreciate
that various modifications, substitutions, omissions, and changes
may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly,
it is intended that the scope of the present invention be limited
solely by the scope of the following claims, including equivalents
thereof.
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