Extracts of halimione portulacoides and their application

Abstract

Suggested is a non-pharmaceutical method comprising topically administering an effective amount of an extract of Halimione sp. to skin of a subject suffering from one or more specific dysfunctions of skin.

What claimed is: 
     
         1 . A non-pharmaceutical method comprising topically administering an effective amount of an extract of  Halimione  sp. to skin of a subject suffering from dysfunction of skin, for modulating, improving and/or stimulating
 (i) glycosaminoglycans synthesis; and/or   (ii) the horny layer in the human epidermis; and/or   (iii) adipocyte metabolism.   
     
     
         2 . A non-pharmaceutical method comprising topically administering an effective amount of an extract of  Halimione  sp. to skin of a subject suffering from dysfunction of skin, for reducing
 (iv) melanogenesis (skin pigmentation)   (v) sebum production.   
     
     
         3 . A non-pharmaceutical method comprising topically administering an effective amount of an extract of  Halimione  sp. to skin of a subject suffering from dysfunction of skin, for fighting inflammation conditions. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the additional step of obtaining the extract of  Halimione  sp. by treating the plant with a solvent selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4  aliphatic alcohols, ethyl acetate, water and mixtures thereof, removing the dissolved extracts from the residues and recovering the pure extracts from the solvent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the following steps:
 (a) bringing the plant material, optionally minced or crushed or micronized, in contact with a solvent selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4  aliphatic alcohols, ethyl acetate, water and mixtures thereof in an amount suitable for the active ingredients to move into the solvent phase, optionally at elevated temperatures,   (b) removing the dissolved extract from the residue, and   (c) recovering the pure extract from the solvent.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising topically administering the extract of  Halimione  sp. together with a cosmetically acceptable carrier selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4  aliphatic alcohols, polyols having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, oil components, water and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is administered in an amount of from about 0.001 to about 35% b.w.-calculated on the final composition. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising the additional step of obtaining the extract of  Halimione  sp. by treating the plant with a solvent selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4  aliphatic alcohols, ethyl acetate, water and mixtures thereof, removing the dissolved extracts from the residues and recovering the pure extracts from the solvent. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising the following steps:
 (a) bringing the plant material, optionally minced or crushed or micronized, in contact with a solvent selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4  aliphatic alcohols, ethyl acetate, water and mixtures thereof in an amount suitable for the active ingredients to move into the solvent phase, optionally at elevated temperatures,   (b) removing the dissolved extract from the residue, and   (c) recovering the pure extract from the solvent.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising topically administering the extract of  Halimione  sp. together with a cosmetically acceptable carrier selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4  aliphatic alcohols, polyols having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, oil components, water and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the extract is administered in an amount of from about 0.001 to about 35% b.w.—calculated on the final composition. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 3 , comprising the additional step of obtaining the extract of  Halimione  sp. by treating the plant with a solvent selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4  aliphatic alcohols, ethyl acetate, water and mixtures thereof, removing the dissolved extracts from the residues and recovering the pure extracts from the solvent. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 3 , comprising the following steps:
 (a) bringing the plant material, optionally minced or crushed or micronized, in contact with a solvent selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4  aliphatic alcohols, ethyl acetate, water and mixtures thereof in an amount suitable for the active ingredients to move into the solvent phase, optionally at elevated temperatures,   (b) removing the dissolved extract from the residue, and   (c) recovering the pure extract from the solvent.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 3 , comprising topically administering the extract of  Halimione  sp. together with a cosmetically acceptable carrier selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4  aliphatic alcohols, polyols having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, oil components, water and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is administered in an amount of from about 0.001 to about 35% b.w.—calculated on the final composition.