Cucumis melo extract coated and/or microencapsulated in a fat-soluble agent based on a fatty substance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition comprising an active plant extract containing superoxide dismutase, said extract being coated and/or microencapsulated in a fat-soluble agent based on a fatty substance. It also relates to its method of manufacture, to the pharmaceutical, cosmetic or food compositions containing it and as a medicament, in particular, in protecting the epidermis against UV radiation and allergies.

1 . Composition comprising an active plant extract containing superoxide dismutase, said extract being coated and/or microencapsulated in a fat-soluble agent based on a fatty substance.  
     
     
         2 . Composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the plant extract is a protein extract of cucumis melo, in particular in powdered form.  
     
     
         3 . Composition according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the cucumis melo is a progeny of the cell line 95LS444 or of one of the hybrid lines derived from 95LS444.  
     
     
         4 . Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fat-soluble agent has a melting point of between about 40 and about 80° C., advantageously of between about 55 and about 60° C.  
     
     
         5 . Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fat-soluble agent is chosen from the group consisting of hydrogenated oils; palm oil or oil from the heart of palm fruit; hydrogenated seeds; stearates, in particular chosen from stearins, stearic acid and its derivatives; waxes; fatty acid monodiglycerides; saturated C 14 -C 20  fatty acid triglycerides and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         6 . Composition according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the fat-soluble agent is hydrogenated oil based on plant oil, in particular chosen from the group consisting of hydrogenated coconut oil, hydrogenated palm oil, hydrogenated soybean oil or hydrogenated rapeseed oil.  
     
     
         7 . Composition according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the fat-soluble agent is hydrogenated palm oil.  
     
     
         8 . Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plant extract is present at a concentration of between 1 and 90% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, advantageously between 20 and 50% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         9 . Method for manufacturing a composition according to  claims 1  to  8 , characterized in that it comprises the following steps: 
 a) melting the fat-soluble agent,  
 b) depositing the liquid obtained in step a) on the active plant extract containing superoxide dismutase.  
 
     
     
         10 . Method according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the plant extract is present in the form of a powder and that step b) is carried out in a fluidized bed, advantageously at low temperature and a low moisture content.  
     
     
         11 . Method according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the temperature of step b) is less than the melting point of the fat-soluble agent and is advantageously about 40° C.  
     
     
         12 . Pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition for topical use comprising a composition according to  claims 1  to  8  and an excipient appropriate for topical use for human or animal administration.  
     
     
         13 . Pharmaceutical, food or cosmetic composition for oral use comprising a composition according to  claims 1  to  8  and an excipient appropriate for oral use for human or animal administration.  
     
     
         14 . Composition according to  claim 13 , characterized in that it comprises, in addition, yogurt and/or fibers, advantageously so as to form a homogenous mixture with the composition according to  claims 1  to  8 .  
     
     
         15 . Composition according to  claims 1  to  8 ,  12  to  14  as a medicament.  
     
     
         16 . Composition according to  claims 1  to  8 ,  12  to  14  as a medicament intended for treating or for preventing allergies or for protecting the epidermis from UV radiation.  
     
     
         17 . Use of a composition according to  claims 1  to  8  and  12  for the manufacture of a medicament for topical use intended for treating allergies, eczema, vitiligo, psoriasis, lupus, skin fibrosis, for eliminating melanomas, for improving cicatrizations of transplants, for preventing allergies or for protecting the epidermis from UV radiation.  
     
     
         18 . Use of a composition according to  claims 1  to  8 ,  12  to  14  for the manufacture of a medicament intended for protecting the epidermis from UV radiation, for treating or preventing allergies, for treating asthma, anemia, male sterility, inflammatory diseases such as anthropathy or degenerative diseases due to cellular and/or organic degeneration, in particular chosen from the group consisting of Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, colorectal cancers, fibroses of varied origins, degenerations due to an infectious agent such as AIDS or hepatitis C or degenerations linked to the use of a medicament.  
     
     
         19 . Use of a food composition according to  claims 1  to  8 ,  13  and  14  as an energy source, as a tonic source or as an aid for recuperation and for regaining fitness.  
     
     
         20 . Composition according to  claims 1  to  8 ,  12  to  14  as a medicament, in particular for topical use, intended for treating or for preventing allergies, advantageously for protecting the epidermis against allergies.  
     
     
         21 . Use of a composition according to  claims 1  to  8 ,  12  to  14  for the manufacture of a medicament, in particular for topical use, intended for treating or for preventing allergies, advantageously for protecting the epidermis against allergies.