From the ACTUAL patent for this product:
http://www.wikipatents.com/6447762.html
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The active ingredients are:
hop extract . . . 55-65% weight/weight rosemary extract . . . 25-35% weight/weight Swertia japonica extract . . . 7-10% weight/weight Silanodiol salicylate . . . 1-2% weight/weight. The rest of the ingredients of the formulation are formed by a cosmetically acceptable medium, in general an alcohol or hydroalcohol medium which can contain other auxiliary ingredients, such as vitamins, colorants, fragrances, etc.
Total Active Ingredient (three extracts+Si compound) . . . 2 to 6% w/w Rest of ingredients . . . 98 to 94% w/w.
The present invention relates to a hair lotion with properties that prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth. The peculiarity of the hair lotion object of the invention lies in the synergic effect arising from the interaction of its four active ingredients, consisting of three plant extracts and a synthetic organosilicic compound.
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ROSEMARY
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a shrub-like plant of the Lamiaceae family, which reaches up to a metre in height with narrow leaves with a whitish underside. Its flowers are liliaceous or white-coloured. The extract used in the lotion of the invention, which contains a wide variety of molecular species, is an hydroalcohol (50% alcohol) extract of the leaves of the plant with a 7-10% w/w concentration of dry material 7-10% w/w. There are numerous studies which have shown that rosemary extract acts in two basic biochemical ways in the complex phenomenon that underlie alopecia:
It protects the cell membranes that help to neutralise the action of free radicals generated by numerous uncontrolled oxidation reactions that take place in the tissues.
It inhibits the formation of the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) directly implicated in alopecia, as explained above.
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HOPS
The hops (Humulus lupulus) is a plant of the cannabinacea family. The main industrial use of this plant is in the manufacture of beer. The hops oil mainly contains terpenes and humulene [(E,E,E)-2,6,6,9-tetramethyl-1,4,8-cycloundecatriene]. An hydroalcohol lotion is used in the lotion of the present invention which act as:
an inhibitor of the activity of the 5-alpha-reductase (type I) enzyme responsible for the formation of DHT, which is the main hormone responsible for hair loss in androgenic alopecia,
an activator of keratinocyte proliferation,
an anti-oxidant inhibitor of free radicals, slightly less effective than the rosemary extract.
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SWERTIA JAPONICA
Of the wide variety of families of the Swertia plant, in the hair lotion of the present invention Swertia japonica is used, concretely a glycol extract with a swertiamarin content not lower than 3% (w/w). This plant is widely accepted in Japan, both for internal and external use, for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. In studies carried out by S. Utsunomiya, T. Nishiura and Y. Hagihara in the Department of Dermatology of the Tokushima University (Japan) it has been shown that thanks to the direct stimulation of the hair follicles and activation of blood circulation to the hair roots, the extract favours the oxygen and nutrients supply to the base of the follicle, revitalising the hair cells, which translates into a stimulation of hair growth.
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SILANODIOL SALICYLATE
Silanodiol salicylate is a biologically active silicon compound which is described in the International Patent Publication WO 96/10574 as follows: 2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobenzo-1,3-dioxa-2-silane Stabilizer: salicyclic acid ##STR1##
The silicon along with carbon is the most abundant chemical element in nature. In trace quantities it plays an important role in biological systems and is present in the epidermis and the cuticle of hair where it acts to increase the chemical resistance of keratin by participating in the reticulation of the collagen fibres and accordingly in restructuring the hair contributing mainly to an increase in the resistance of the hair shaft. In addition to the action of the silicon in biological systems in general, several documents have been published which show its importance in the regulation of the physiological cycle of the hair and as a dermal papilla cytostimulant.
The three main properties of silicon, of great usefulness in the hair treatments are:
Restructuring/hydrating effects, because it binds to proteins and other hydrating substances allowing the scalp to retain the necessary degree of humidity and to avoid dehydration.
Cytostimulant of the dermal and hair follicle cells.
Anti free-radical element which reorganises the cell membranes, making them more resistant to attack by these free radicals and therefore to ageing.
The problem of supplying silicon to biological systems consists in finding a way that can be assimilated by the organism in opposition to elemental silicon or silicones. A silicon compound that satisfies this requirement is silanodiol salicylate which, together with the three vegetal extracts mentioned hereinabove, has been seen to be particularly suitable as a hair-protection and growth-promotion agent.
The applicant firm understands that the interaction of silanodiol salicylate (which, of the four active ingredients, is the one used in least amount) with different molecular species contained in the extracts of the three plants mentioned hereinabove that form the rest of the active ingredients, provokes a tonic and protective effect against the causes of androgenic alopecia when applied to the scalp. This leads to a reduction in hair loss, and in the case that the hair follicles have not become completely atrophied, a re-growth of new hair may occur. These effects are demonstrated in the trial carried out with 40 volunteers. This trial is described in more detail later in the Examples.
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For the lotion object of the invention to produce results, an intensive programmed of daily application of an ampoule containing a single-dose of 6 ml for at least 6 weeks, is necessary.
It is very desirable that the intensive treatment is followed by a maintenance programme of 3 6-ml ampoules every other day for 2 months.
In cases of severe alopecia, the intensive treatment should be extended for a further 2 months, and then the maintenance programme followed in identical way.
It is highly advisable that before applying the hair lotion object of the invention, the hair is washed 2 or 3 times a week with a suitable shampoo of a pH of approximately 5.5. Then, after drying the hair with a towel the content of the ampoule is applied by gentle massage to favour absorption and to facilitate irrigation of the scalp.
http://www.wikipatents.com/6447762.html
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The active ingredients are:
hop extract . . . 55-65% weight/weight rosemary extract . . . 25-35% weight/weight Swertia japonica extract . . . 7-10% weight/weight Silanodiol salicylate . . . 1-2% weight/weight. The rest of the ingredients of the formulation are formed by a cosmetically acceptable medium, in general an alcohol or hydroalcohol medium which can contain other auxiliary ingredients, such as vitamins, colorants, fragrances, etc.
Total Active Ingredient (three extracts+Si compound) . . . 2 to 6% w/w Rest of ingredients . . . 98 to 94% w/w.
The present invention relates to a hair lotion with properties that prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth. The peculiarity of the hair lotion object of the invention lies in the synergic effect arising from the interaction of its four active ingredients, consisting of three plant extracts and a synthetic organosilicic compound.
-------------------------
ROSEMARY
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a shrub-like plant of the Lamiaceae family, which reaches up to a metre in height with narrow leaves with a whitish underside. Its flowers are liliaceous or white-coloured. The extract used in the lotion of the invention, which contains a wide variety of molecular species, is an hydroalcohol (50% alcohol) extract of the leaves of the plant with a 7-10% w/w concentration of dry material 7-10% w/w. There are numerous studies which have shown that rosemary extract acts in two basic biochemical ways in the complex phenomenon that underlie alopecia:
It protects the cell membranes that help to neutralise the action of free radicals generated by numerous uncontrolled oxidation reactions that take place in the tissues.
It inhibits the formation of the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) directly implicated in alopecia, as explained above.
-------------------------
HOPS
The hops (Humulus lupulus) is a plant of the cannabinacea family. The main industrial use of this plant is in the manufacture of beer. The hops oil mainly contains terpenes and humulene [(E,E,E)-2,6,6,9-tetramethyl-1,4,8-cycloundecatriene]. An hydroalcohol lotion is used in the lotion of the present invention which act as:
an inhibitor of the activity of the 5-alpha-reductase (type I) enzyme responsible for the formation of DHT, which is the main hormone responsible for hair loss in androgenic alopecia,
an activator of keratinocyte proliferation,
an anti-oxidant inhibitor of free radicals, slightly less effective than the rosemary extract.
-------------------------
SWERTIA JAPONICA
Of the wide variety of families of the Swertia plant, in the hair lotion of the present invention Swertia japonica is used, concretely a glycol extract with a swertiamarin content not lower than 3% (w/w). This plant is widely accepted in Japan, both for internal and external use, for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. In studies carried out by S. Utsunomiya, T. Nishiura and Y. Hagihara in the Department of Dermatology of the Tokushima University (Japan) it has been shown that thanks to the direct stimulation of the hair follicles and activation of blood circulation to the hair roots, the extract favours the oxygen and nutrients supply to the base of the follicle, revitalising the hair cells, which translates into a stimulation of hair growth.
-------------------------
SILANODIOL SALICYLATE
Silanodiol salicylate is a biologically active silicon compound which is described in the International Patent Publication WO 96/10574 as follows: 2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobenzo-1,3-dioxa-2-silane Stabilizer: salicyclic acid ##STR1##
The silicon along with carbon is the most abundant chemical element in nature. In trace quantities it plays an important role in biological systems and is present in the epidermis and the cuticle of hair where it acts to increase the chemical resistance of keratin by participating in the reticulation of the collagen fibres and accordingly in restructuring the hair contributing mainly to an increase in the resistance of the hair shaft. In addition to the action of the silicon in biological systems in general, several documents have been published which show its importance in the regulation of the physiological cycle of the hair and as a dermal papilla cytostimulant.
The three main properties of silicon, of great usefulness in the hair treatments are:
Restructuring/hydrating effects, because it binds to proteins and other hydrating substances allowing the scalp to retain the necessary degree of humidity and to avoid dehydration.
Cytostimulant of the dermal and hair follicle cells.
Anti free-radical element which reorganises the cell membranes, making them more resistant to attack by these free radicals and therefore to ageing.
The problem of supplying silicon to biological systems consists in finding a way that can be assimilated by the organism in opposition to elemental silicon or silicones. A silicon compound that satisfies this requirement is silanodiol salicylate which, together with the three vegetal extracts mentioned hereinabove, has been seen to be particularly suitable as a hair-protection and growth-promotion agent.
The applicant firm understands that the interaction of silanodiol salicylate (which, of the four active ingredients, is the one used in least amount) with different molecular species contained in the extracts of the three plants mentioned hereinabove that form the rest of the active ingredients, provokes a tonic and protective effect against the causes of androgenic alopecia when applied to the scalp. This leads to a reduction in hair loss, and in the case that the hair follicles have not become completely atrophied, a re-growth of new hair may occur. These effects are demonstrated in the trial carried out with 40 volunteers. This trial is described in more detail later in the Examples.
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For the lotion object of the invention to produce results, an intensive programmed of daily application of an ampoule containing a single-dose of 6 ml for at least 6 weeks, is necessary.
It is very desirable that the intensive treatment is followed by a maintenance programme of 3 6-ml ampoules every other day for 2 months.
In cases of severe alopecia, the intensive treatment should be extended for a further 2 months, and then the maintenance programme followed in identical way.
It is highly advisable that before applying the hair lotion object of the invention, the hair is washed 2 or 3 times a week with a suitable shampoo of a pH of approximately 5.5. Then, after drying the hair with a towel the content of the ampoule is applied by gentle massage to favour absorption and to facilitate irrigation of the scalp.