Skin treatments

Abstract

Compositions comprising an LXR activator and retinoic acid and/or a metabolic precursor thereto are useful in reducing the effects of chronoageing and/or photoageing of the skin.

1 . A composition comprising (i) an LXR activator other than 25-hydroxycholesterol and (ii) retinoic acid and/or a metabolic precursor thereto.  
   
   
       2 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the activator comprises a compound of formula (A) and/or (B):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein; 
 R represents a hydrogen, a hydroxyl, a keto, an acetyl, a C 1  to C 10 , substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group;  
 R 1  represents a lower alkyl group, a hydrogen or COR 6 ;  
 R 2  represents a hydrogen, a halogen or hydroxyl group;  
 R 3  represents a hydrogen, a hydroxyl, a halogen, a keto or lower alkyl group;  
 R 4  represents a hydrogen, a hydroxyl, or a keto group;  
 R 5  represents a hydrogen, a hydroxyl, a halogen or lower alkyl group;  
 R 6  represents a lower alkyl group.  
 X represents a hydrogen, a methyl or a halogen;  
 Y represents a hydrogen, a hydroxyl, a acetyl or a keto group;  
 in the manufacture of a topical or systemic composition for reducing chronoageing and/or photoageing of the skin.  
 
   
   
       3 . A composition according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one LXR activator other than a sterol.  
   
   
       4 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the LXR activator is provided in the form of an extract of one or more of Commiphora mokul, Boswelta serrata, Dragon's blood resin, Damar gum, Nettle (Lamium albim), red seaweed, Breuzihno resin, mastic gum, mountain ash berry and plantain.  
   
   
       5 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the retinol metabolic precursor is selected from the group consisting of retinyl esters, retinol, retinal and retinoic acid, preferably retinol or retinyl ester and mixtures thereof. The term “retinol” includes the following isomers of retinol: all-trans-retinol, 13-cis-retinol, 11-cis-retinol, 9-cis-retinol, 3,4-didehydro-retinol, 3,4-didehydro-13-cis-retinol; 3,4-didehydro-11-cis-retinol; 3,4-didehydro-9-cis-retinol and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       6 . A topical composition according to  claim 1  comprising from 0.01% to 10% by weight of an LXR activator and from 0.001 to 10% by weight of retinoic acid and/or a metabolic precursor thereof, the balance comprising at least one dermatologically acceptable carrier.  
   
   
       7 . A systemic composition according to  claim 1  comprising from 0.01% to 10% by weight of an LXR activator and from 0.001 to 10% by weight of retinoic acid and/or a metabolic precursor thereof, the balance comprising at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
   
   
       8 . A food product comprising a composition according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       9 . A cosmetic method for reducing chronoageing and/or photoageing of the skin, the method comprising administering to an individual (i) an LXR activator and (ii) retinoic acid and/or a precursor thereto.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the LXR activator and the retinoic acid and/or a precursor thereto are applied to the skin of the individual.  
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the LXR activator and the retinoic acid and/or a precursor thereto are administered systemically.  
   
   
       12 . A method of enhancing the effect of retinoic acid on skin cells which method comprises administering to the skin cells (i) an LXR activator and (ii) retinoic acid and/or a precursor thereto.