HAIRS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the use of a composition comprising an extract of Allium species, an extract of Citrus species, an extract of Paullinia species and an extract of Theobroma species for improving and/or increasing and/or stimulating and/or promoting and/or inducing the pigmentation of hair and/or hairs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The color of hair is largely determined by melanocytes, which produce melanin as the main contributor to pigmentation. Melanocytes are proliferated and differentiated from melanocyte stem cells (McSCs).

Hair graying is a visible sign of senescence and aging. Hair turns from its original pigmentation to white as melanin production reduces. The biological process of hair graying is attributed to the depletion of the hair pigment producing melanocytes. Production of melanocytes and production of keratinocytes happen both during the growth phase of the hair cycle, known as the anagen phase.

In many populations, people want to maintain a constant coloration of the hair.

However, for many people, hair and/or hairs become gray or white after a certain age which can vary from one person to another. This phenomenon is called canitie and occurs during the life of a person. Nevertheless, people generally want to have a younger appearance and in a cosmetic objective, people usually try to avoid this phenomenon, in particular when said phenomenon occurs at an early age.

Such a progressive hair graying process will lead to fully white hair. Both women and men commonly apply chemical dyes and colorant on graying hair in order to hide this sign of aging.

Nevertheless, chemicals dyes and colorants present some drawbacks. Since the artificial pigments vanish and/or since the hair grows, the hair shows its original gray pattern only after few weeks after application, forcing users to repeat the dying process indefinitely. In addition to hair quality regression, the safety issue of long term use of dyes remains a concern. Chemical dies and colorants cover the hair with a color which does not always look natural and is not necessarily well suited to the person's skin tone.

Document WO 2008/113912 describes compositions comprising an extract of Allium species, an extract of Citrus species, an extract of Paullinia species and an extract of Theobroma species having effects on excessive hair loss and insufficient hair growth. Nevertheless, said document is silent about the hair pigmentation properties of these compositions.

Currently, there does not exist any satisfying solution to the problem of preventing the hair from turning gray or recovering the hair's natural and original colour after it has turned gray.

The author of the present invention surprisingly found that a composition comprising an extract of Allium species, an extract of Citrus species, an extract of PauUinia species and an extract of Theobroma species can improve and/or increase and/or stimulate and/or promote and/or induce the pigmentation of hair and hairs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the use of a composition comprising an extract of Allium species, an extract of Citrus species, an extract of PauUinia species and an extract of Theobroma species for improving and/or increasing and/or stimulating and/or promoting and/or inducing the pigmentation of hair and/or hairs.

According to an embodiment, the composition comprises an aqueous alcoholic extract of Allium species, an aqueous alcoholic extract of Citrus species, an aqueous alcoholic extract of PauUinia species and an aqueous alcoholic extract of Theobroma species.

According to an embodiment, the composition comprises an extract of Allium cepa, an extract of Citrus lemon, an extract of PauUinia cupana and an extract of Theobroma cacao.

Preferably, the composition comprises:

- from 0.1 to 5% by dry weight of an extract of Allium species,

from 0.1 to 5% by dry weight of an extract of Citrus species,

from 0.05 to 2.5% by dry weight of an extract of PauUinia species, and from 0.05 to 2.5% by dry weight of an extract of Theobroma species, based on the total weight of the composition.

According to an embodiment, the concentration of the composition is from 1 to

30% dry weight of active principles as compared to the volume of the composition.

According to an embodiment, the composition is used for pigmenting hair and/or hairs.

According to an embodiment, the composition is used for preventing and/or reducing the depigmentation of hair and/or hairs.

According to an embodiment, the composition is used for allowing white or grey hair to grow with its natural colour. The present invention also concerns a cosmetic method for improving and/or increasing and/or stimulating and/or promoting and/or inducing the pigmentation of hair and/or hairs, comprising the administration of a composition comprising an extract of Allium species, an extract of Citrus species, an extract of Paullinia species and an extract of Theobroma species.

Preferably, the composition is as defined in the present invention.

According to an embodiment, the administration is by topical route.

Preferably, the concentration of the composition is from 1 to 30% dry weight of active principles as compared to the volume of the composition, and the topical administration comprises the application of 10 μΐ _^ to 10 mL of the composition onto the scalp or the skin.

The present invention further concerns a composition comprising as active principles an extract of Allium species, an extract of Citrus species, an extract of Paullinia species and an extract of Theobroma species for the treatment of canitie.

The composition according to the present invention has the ability to prevent pigmented hair to turn into grey or white hair.

The composition according to the present invention has the ability to allow white/grey hair to grow again in its original color.

The advantages are: the composition is not toxic and can be used safely in a repeated/chronic manner for as long as it is desired, it provides a natural appearance, recoloring of whitened or greyed hair is progressive, the color is identical or close to the original color of the individual's hair.

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description of embodiments of the invention, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings listed hereunder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows the appearance of two different parts of a scalp, the composition according to the invention was applied onto only one part of the scalp.

Fig. 2 shows the pigmented growing of white hair after application of the composition according to the invention

Fig. 3 shows the appearance of a scalp before and after application of the composition according to the invention. Fig. 4 shows the appearance of a scalp before and after application of the composition according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the use, in particular cosmetic use and/or non- therapeutic use, of a composition comprising an extract of Allium species, an extract of Citrus species, an extract of PauUinia species and an extract of Theobroma species for improving and/or increasing and/or stimulating and/or promoting and/or inducing the pigmentation of hair and/or hairs.

The composition may also be used to prevent and/or reduce the depigmentation of hair and/or hairs.

The expression "hairs" includes beard hair, whiskers, eyelashes, eyebrows, and other body hairs.

The term extract of Allium species or aqueous-alcoholic extract of Allium species refers particularly to aqueous-alcoholic extracts and native extracts obtained from all species of the genus Allium (family Liliaceae) and especially Allium cepa.

Extract of Citrus species or aqueous-alcoholic extract of Citrus species refers particularly to aqueous-alcoholic extracts and native extracts obtained from all species of the genus Citrus (family Rutaceae) and especially Citrus lemon.

Extract (atomised or not) of PauUinia species or aqueous-alcoholic extract

(atomised or not) of PauUinia species refers particularly to aqueous-alcoholic extracts and native extracts obtained from all species of the genus PauUinia (family Sapindaceae) and especially PauUinia cupana.

Extract (atomised or not) of Theobroma species or aqueous-alcoholic extract (atomised or not) of Theobroma species refers particularly to aqueous-alcoholic extracts and native extracts obtained from all species of the genus Theobroma (family Malvaceae) and especially Theobroma cacao.

Preferably, the composition comprises an aqueous alcoholic extract of Allium species, an aqueous alcoholic extract of Citrus species, an aqueous alcoholic extract of PauUinia species and an aqueous alcoholic extract of Theobroma species.

Preferably, the composition comprises an extract of Allium cepa, an extract of Citrus lemon, an extract of PauUinia cupana and an extract of Theobroma cacao.

The composition according to the present invention may be prepared starting from a concentrate of active principles comprising an extract of Allium species, an extract of Citrus species, an extract of PauUinia species and an extract of Theobroma species. Preferably, the concentrate comprises:

from 65 to 93% by dry weight of an extract of Allium species,

from 5 to 33% by dry weight of an extract of Citrus species,

from 0.25 to 2.5% by dry weight of an extract of Paullinia species, and - from 0.25 to 2.5% by dry weight of an extract of Theobroma cacao, based on the total weight of the concentrate.

Preferably, the concentrate consists essentially of:

from 65 to 93% by dry weight of an extract of Allium species,

- from 5 to 33% by dry weight of an extract of Citrus species,

from 0.25 to 2.5% by dry weight of an extract of Paullinia species, and from 0.25 to 2.5% by dry weight of an extract of Theobroma cacao, based on the total weight of the concentrate. According to an embodiment, the composition comprises:

from 0.1 to 5% by dry weight, preferably from 0.3 to 4% by dry weight, more preferably from 0.5 to 3% by dry weight of an extract of Allium species, from 0.1 to 5% by dry weight, preferably from 0.2 to 4% by dry weight, more preferably from 0.3 to 3 % by dry weight of an extract of Citrus species, - from 0.05 to 2.5 % by dry weight, preferably from 0.07 to 1.5% by dry weight, more preferably from 0.09 to 1% by dry weight of an extract of Paullinia species, and

from 0.05 to 2.5% by dry weight, preferably from 0.07 to 2% by dry weight, more preferably from 0.09 to 1.5% by dry weight of an extract of Theobroma species,

based on the total weight of the composition.

According to an embodiment, the active principles of the composition of the invention comprise an extract of Allium species, an extract of Citrus species, an extract of Paullinia species and an extract of Theobroma species.

Preferably, the active principles of the composition of the invention consist essentially in an extract of Allium species, an extract of Citrus species, an extract of Paullinia species and an extract of Theobroma species. Preferably, the concentrate represents from 1 to 30% by weight, preferably from

1.5 to 15%) by weight, more preferably from 2 to 10% by weight in dry weight as compared to the volume of the composition. The composition may be prepared by dilution of the concentrate of active principles. The dilution may be performed in one or more solvents and/or in one or more excipients and/or in one or more other additives.

According to an embodiment, the composition further comprises excipients, said excipients being dermatologically acceptable. Preferably, excipients are chosen from talc, gum arabic, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, cocoa butter, fatty substances of animal or vegetable origin, paraffin derivatives, glycols, various wetting agents, dispersants or emulsifiers and preservatives.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the composition further comprises other additives such as, for example, diluents, disintegrators, binders, lubricants, wetting agents, stabilizers, emulsifiers, preservatives, sweeteners, colorants, flavours or fragrances, thickeners and buffering agents, and also solvents or solubilizers, retarders, osmotic pressure-modifying salts, coating materials or antioxidants.

Preferably, the composition further comprises at least one agent for promoting penetration and diffusion in the cutaneous structures in question, such as agents commonly used in the field of cosmetology, for example glycerol, propylene glycol, oleic acid or essential oils, in particular menthol and eucalyptol.

The composition according to the present invention may be prepared according to the method described in document WO 2008/113912. The composition may be administered by topical route and/or by oral route.

Preferably, the compositions according to the present invention are intended for topical applications, wherein the compositions are applied on the scalp and/or on the skin. The composition according to the present invention may be in a liquid or a solid form. These compositions can be in the form of a lotion, a spray, a foam, a solution, a powder, a pomade, a milk, an emulsion, a cream or a hydrogel.

The expression "topical applications" includes both conventional topical route and non-conventional topical route.

Among non-conventional topical route, mention may be made of cell suspension solution, cell-carrier (also called cell-spray) or adjuvant potentiator in cell therapy.

The topical composition can be prepared by diluting the active principles into a cosmetically acceptable carrier. Preferably, the topical composition is in the form of a solution or a lotion comprising from 1 to 30% by weight of dry matter, preferably from 1.5 to 15% by weight of dry matter, more preferably from 2 to 10% by weight of dry matter of the four active principles as defined above, as compared to the volume of the composition. Advantageously, the composition is under the form of an aqueous alcoholic solution or a lotion comprising from 1 to 30% by weight of dry matter, preferably from 1.5 to 15% by weight of dry matter, more preferably from 2 to 10% by weight of dry matter of the four active principles as defined above, as compared to the volume of the composition.

The compositions may also be orally administered, for example in the form of tablets, coated tablets, film-coated forms, granules, capsules, soft capsules, microcapsules, solutions, syrups, emulsions, suspensions or aerosol mixtures. According to an embodiment, the compositions are administered as food supplements in the form of granules, flexible capsules or drinks, depending on the final form required. Instead of using the four active principles in the form of an aqueous alcoholic solution, the four active principles may also be used in a dry form obtained from the solution, for example by atomization, freeze-drying, concentration or secondary extraction of the aqueous-alcoholic solution with super-critical C0 ₂ .

Suitable carriers for soft gelatine capsules comprise for example, fats, waxes, semi-solid or liquid polyols, natural or modified oils, etc. Suitable vehicles for the preparation of solutions, for example, injectable solutions, emulsions or syrups, comprise, for example, water, alcohols, glycerol, polyols, sucrose, invert sugars, glucose, vegetable oils, etc. Suitable carriers for microcapsules comprise, for example, copolymers of glyoxylic acid and lactic acid.

The composition may be administered daily for several months. The administration mode may be varied according to the concentration of active principles in the composition.

According to a specific embodiment, the composition is administered one to three times per day during at least one week, preferably at least one month, more preferably at least three months, even more preferably at least six months.

The composition is preferably for administration to humans.

The composition according to the present invention may be used to pigment hair or hairs, in particular to pigment depigmented hair or hairs. It can be used to pigment partially depigmented hair(s) or totally depigmented hair(s). Applying the composition according to the present invention on the scalp turns progressively a white appearing scalp into a natural color appearing scalp, for example into a dark appearing scalp. One significant advantage of the invention is that the hair color which appears as a consequence of the treatment is the individual's original pigmentation color. For this reason the treatment according to the invention is more satisfying than the artificial appearance generally provided by colorants or dies.

The composition according to the present invention may be used in the correction of hair pigmentation disorders originating from a functional alteration of melanocytes.

The present invention also relates to a cosmetic method for improving and/or increasing and/or stimulating and/or promoting and/or inducing the pigmentation of hair and/or hairs, comprising the administration of a composition comprising an extract of Allium species, an extract of Citrus species, an extract of Paullinia species and an extract of Theobroma species.

The composition may be administered by topical route and/or by oral route, preferably the composition is topically administered.

Preferably, the composition is topically applied on the scalp of the human.

Preferably, when the composition is in a liquid form, the topical administration comprises the application of 10 to 10 mL of the composition according to the invention onto the scalp of the humans. This application can be operated from 1 to 5 times per day, preferably, from 1 to 3 times per day.

For oral administration, the daily dose generally varies between 0.05 and lO mg of active principle (dry matter)/kg of individual, preferably from 0.1 to 8 mg/kg, particularly from 0.1 to 6 mg/kg. For example, a daily dose varying from 5 to 500 mg would be appropriate for an adult.

The present invention further relates to a composition comprising an extract of Allium species, an extract of Citrus species, an extract of Paullinia species and an extract of Theobroma species for the treatment of canitie.

The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, many variations are possible within the scope of the invention. EXAMPLES

In the examples, the composition is prepared starting from a concentrate A comprising the four active principles:

87.04% by dry weight of an aqueous-alcoholic extract of Allium cepa,

- 11.96%) by dry weight of an aqueous-alcoholic extract of Citrus lemon,

0.50%) by dry weight of an atomised aqueous-alcoholic extract of Paullinia cupana,

0.50%) by dry weight of an atomised aqueous-alcoholic extract of Theobroma cacao,

based on the total weight of the concentrate,

was prepared according to the following process.

The aqueous-alcoholic extract of Allium cepa was prepared by picking, cleaning and milling the Allium, macerating in 96° alcohol for 48 hours in the cold, filtering through a 0.22-micron filter, collecting the alcoholic filtrate and adjusting to 30° alcohol.

The aqueous-alcoholic extract of Citrus lemon was prepared by picking, cleaning and milling the Citrus, macerating in 96° alcohol for 48 hours in the cold, filtering through a 0.22-micron filter, collecting the alcoholic filtrate and adjusting to 30° alcohol.

A master solution containing the aqueous-alcoholic extracts of Allium and Citrus was prepared by simple mixing, then the atomised aqueous-alcoholic extracts of Paullinia cupana and Theobroma cacao were added to this master solution to give the required concentrate A.

The concentrate A was then conditioned in the form of a lotion, by mixing about 20 mL of the concentrate comprising the four active principles and completing until 100 mL with the following excipients:

Glycerin 2 g

- Betafm 2 g

Sodium chloride 0,9 g

Fragrance 0,15 to 3 g depending on the fragrance

in order to obtain a composition according to the present invention.

The composition obtained, also named the lotion, comprises about 2.35% by dry weight of an extract of Allium cepa, about 0.32% by dry weight of an extract of Citrus lemon, about 0.10% by dry weight of an extract of Paullinia cupana and about 0.10% by dry weight of an extract of Theobroma cacao, based on the total weight of the lotion.

Example 1

In said example, the composition was applied on the top of the scalp (vertex) whereas the composition was not applied on the temples. The subject is a 42 years old man with black hair as original hair color.

An average of 1 mL of the topical lotion was applied twice daily for two years. As illustrated in Fig. 1, we observe that the temple turned to grey appearance (Fig. 1A), whereas the top of the scalp (vertex) remained of dark appearance (Fig IB).

Example 2

In said example, the composition was applied on the scalp of a 30 years old man for 9 months twice daily. The subject is a 30 years old man having white or grey hair, but originally having black hair as natural hair color.

An average of 1 mL of the topical lotion was applied twice daily for 9 months on the scalp. As the subject started applying the lotion twice daily, he noticed that the white hair base was becoming black as the hair was growing from the scalp. Since the hair grows by half a centimetre on average every month, the phenomenon was rapidly noticeable. After application of the composition according to the present invention on the scalp, grey hair of the subject grew pigmented, i.e. with natural color of the subject.

Fig. 2 illustrates the above-mentioned case of a hair, wherein the hair root 1 is black, corresponding to the natural hair color of the subject and the hair end 2 is white. Indeed, we observe in Fig. 2 that after application of the composition of the invention, the hair grows with its natural color (hair root 1 of Fig. 2). Example 3

In said example, the composition was applied on the scalp of a 63 years old man for 3 months. The subject is a 63 years old man having black hair as natural color and presenting grey hair since several years. Fig. 3A is a photography of the hair of the subject before application of the composition, where two-third of the scalp looks white. An average of 1 mL of the topical lotion was applied twice daily for 3 months on the scalp.

Fig. 3B is a photograph of the hair of the subject after 3 months of application of the composition according to the present invention, where two-third of the scalp looks now dark.

We observe in Fig. 3B that after 3 months of application, during which the hair growth is about 1.5 cm, and after several haircuts (to keep an about constant hair length), the scalp is darker than before application.

Example 4

In said example, the subject is a 42 years old man having black natural hair and presenting hair graying. As illustrated in Fig. 4A, before the treatment 75% of the surface of the temple of the subject looks more white than black.

An average of 1 mL of the topical lotion was applied twice daily for 3 weeks on the temples.

After 3 weeks of application, we observe in Fig. 4B than only 25% of temple surface still looks white, and the rest is darker than in Fig. 4A. Indeed, as illustrated in Fig. 4B, the temple of the subject after application of the composition according to the present invention looks more black than white.

As mentioned above, applying the composition enables the hair to grow with its original natural colour. Thus, the hair roots grow re-pigmented, which provides a visual effect of overall darkening, as illustrated in Fig. 3B and 4B.