Cosmetic compositions having extracts of Amomum melegueta and methods of treating skin

Abstract

There is disclosed a topical composition and method for preventing and/or ameliorating the effects of aging on skin to improve the aesthetic appearance of skin and/or scalp. The invention utilizes the topical application of Amomum melegueta extract.

1 . A topical composition, comprising: 
   Amomum melegueta  extract in an amount effective to improve the aesthetic appearance of skin and/or scalp, and    optionally a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.    
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is present from about 0.0001 wt % to about 90 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is present from about 0.001 wt % to about 50 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is present from about 0.01 wt % to about 15 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is obtained from a part selected from the group consisting of leaf, stem, seeds, bark, fruit and flower of the  Amomum melegueta  plant.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is obtained from seed of the  Amomum melegueta  plant.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in a product form selected from the group consisting of cream, emulsion, gel, mousse, lotion, paste, serum, mask, and body wrap.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of anesthetics, anti-allergenic, antimicrobials, antifungals, anti-inflammatories, antiseptics, chelating agents, colorants, depigmenting agents, emollients, exfollients, fragrances, emulsifiers, humectants, insect repellents, lubricants, moisturizers, pharmaceutical agents, preservatives, skin penetration enhancers, skin protectants, stabilizers, sunscreens, surfactants, thickeners, viscosity modifiers, and vitamins.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more sunscreens.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more vitamins.  
     
     
         11 . A method of improving the aesthetic appearance of skin, comprising topically applying to the skin: 
 a composition having an effective amount of Amomum melegueta extract; and    optionally a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the extract is applied in an amount from about 0.0001 wt % to about 90 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the extract is applied in an amount from about 0.001 wt % to about 50 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the extract is applied in an amount from about 0.01 wt % to about 15 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the extract is obtained from a part selected from the group consisting of leaf, stem, seeds, bark, fruit and flower of the  Amomum melegueta  plant.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the extract is obtained from seed of the  Amomum melegueta  plant.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the extract is applied for a period of time sufficient to improve the aesthetic appearance of skin.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the extract is applied at least once daily for at least one week.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the improvement is selected from the group consisting of the following: 
 a) decreasing skin fragility;    b) preventing and reversing deterioration of collagen and/or elastin;    c) preventing skin atrophy;    d) promoting/accelerating cell turnover;    e) improving skin firmness/plumpness;    f) improving skin texture;    g) decreasing fine lines and wrinkles;    h) improving skin tone;    i) enhancing skin thickness;    j) restoring skin luster;    k) minimizing signs of fatigue;    l) reducing skin dryness;    m) reducing skin irritation;    n) reducing skin sensitivity;    o) reducing skin hyperpigmentation;    p) reducing dark eye circles; and    q) reducing puffy skin around eyes.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the improvement is selected from the group consisting of the following: 
 a) improving skin firmness/plumpness;    b) decreasing fine lines and wrinkles;    c) improving skin tone;    d) reducing skin irritation;    e) reducing skin sensitivity; and    f) reducing dark eye circles.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the improvement is selected from the group consisting of the following: 
 a) improving skin firmness/plumpness;    b) decreasing fine lines and wrinkles;    c) reducing skin irritation; and    d) reducing skin sensitivity.    
     
     
         22 . A method of preventing and/or ameliorating the effects of extrinsic and/or intrinsic aging on skin comprising topically applying to the skin a composition having an effective amount of  Amomum melegueta  extract and optionally a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the effects of skin aging are selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) fragile skin;    b) sagging skin;    c) fine lines and/or wrinkles;    d) thinning skin;    e) lack-luster skin;    f) fatigued skin;    g) dry skin;    h) skin irritation;    i) skin sensitivity;    j) dark eye circles;    k) puffy skin around eyes;    l) irregular skin pigmentation; and    m) melasma.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the effects of skin aging are selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) sagging skin;    b) fine lines and/or wrinkles;    c) lack-luster skin;    d) skin irritation;    e) skin sensitivity; and    f) dark eye circles.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the effects of skin aging are selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) sagging skin;    b) fine lines and/or wrinkles;    c) skin irritation; and    d) skin sensitivity.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the composition is applied to the skin for a period of time sufficient to prevent and/or ameliorate the effects of skin aging.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the extract is applied at least once daily for at least one week.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the intrinsic aging comprises chronological aging.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the extrinsic aging is selected from the group consisting of photoaging, the effects of pollution, the effects of other environmental stressors, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the extract is applied in an amount from about 0.0001 to about 90 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the extract is applied in an amount from about 0.001 to about 50 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the extract is applied in an amount from about 0.01 to about 15 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the extract is obtained from a part selected from the group consisting of leaf, stem, seeds, bark, fruit and flower of the  Amomum melegueta  plant.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the extract is obtained from seed of the  Amomum melegueta  plant.  
     
     
         35 . A method of imparting a warming sensation to skin and/or scalp comprising applying to skin and/or scalp an effective amount of  Amomum melegueta  extract.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the extract is applied to the skin and/or scalp in a topical composition having a vehicle and from about 0.001 wt % to about 50 wt % of the extract.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the extract is applied to the skin and/or scalp in a topical composition having a vehicle and from about 0.01 wt % to about 15 wt % of the extract.  
     
     
         38 . A method of inhibiting COX-2 enzyme and/or TNF-alpha enzyme comprising topically applying to skin and/or scalp an effective amount of  Amomum melegueta  extract.