BR102014025813A2 - compositions comprising paulownia tomentosa wood extracts and uses thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

compositions comprising paulownia tomentosa wood extracts and uses thereof. The present invention relates to compositions comprising paulownin for use on the skin. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising plant extracts of the genus paulownia for use on the skin. More specifically, the present invention relates to compositions comprising wood extracts of paulo wnia tomentosa for a variety of skin uses.

Description

Patent Descriptive Report for "COMPOSITIONS UNDERSTANDING WOODEN EXTRACTS OF TOMENTOUS PAU-LOWNIA AND USES OF THE SAME", CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [001] This application is a part-time continuation of US application No. 13 / 211,626, filed August 17, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of US application No. 12 / 859,323, filed August 19, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to compositions comprising paulownin for use on the skin. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising plant extracts of the genus Paulownia for use on the skin. More specifically, it relates to compositions comprising Paulownia to-mentosa wood extracts for a variety of skin uses.

RELATED ART DESCRIPTION Paulownia is a genus of native Asian plants that has gradually spread in Europe and the United States. Species of the genus Paulownia are generally considered, due to their wood, ornamental trees with wide craft and ecological applications. For example, the wood of these trees is known for its use in the manufacture of string instrument tops in Japan, China and Korea. It is also known to wood traders for its use in furniture making. Paulownia trees have ecological uses and are considered phytoremediators, that is, they can process industrial contaminants through their vascular system to help clear and recover the land. [004] In Japan, Paulownia is called "kiri", which specifically refers to a species, Paulownia tomentosa, also called "princess tree". Other names that are commonly used include "Empress Tree", "Foxglove Tree", "Royal Paulownia", "Pao Tong" (in China) and "Odong-Namoo" (in Korea). The scientific name is "Paulownia tomentosa", with numerous synonyms recorded in various literatures, ie "Paulownia imperialis", "Paulownia recurva" and "Bignonia tomentosa". "Paulownia tomentosa" belongs to the "Paulowniaceae" family or is sometimes called "Scrophulariaceae". The United States Department of Agriculture's Plant Database (plants.USDA.gov) identifies the princess tree by a unique symbol "PAT02" with Paulownia tomentosa and Paulownia imperialis as synonyms. [005] Paulownia tomentosa flower oil is well studied and has been found to be richer in aroma compared to other species. Numerous bioactivities are associated with extracts from various parts of Paulownia, for example, flower extract anticancer components, unspecified extract anthelmintic activity, fruit and flower extract antibacterial activities, flower extract antioxidant activity and antiviral properties. of the trunk bark. Paulownia leaf extracts are described for hair growth and hair promoting properties. [006] Paulownina, also known as isopaulownina or neopaulownina, is a lignan isolated from the aerial parts of various plants. The chemical structure may be given as follows: The present invention relates to the applicant's discovery that Paulownia tomentosa wood extracts are beneficial for use in skin compositions. For example, applicants have found that such compositions tend to have significant and surprising skin properties including skin lightening, improved signs of aging, and reduced inflammation. The present invention also relates to the applicant's discovery that the paulownine compound has significant and surprising benefits of anti aging, skin lightening and other properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the present invention relates to compositions comprising paulownina and a carrier. In another aspect, the present invention relates to methods of improving an aging signal on the skin comprising the step of applying to the skin in need of improvement of the aging signals, a composition comprising paulownin and a vehicle. In another aspect, the present invention relates to compositions comprising a Paulownia tomentosa wood extract and a carrier. In another aspect, the present invention relates to skin whitening methods comprising the step of applying to the skin in need of skin whitening treatment a wood extract from Paulownia tomentosa. In another aspect, the present invention relates to methods of ameliorating a skin aging signal comprising the step of applying to the skin in need of amelioration signs a wood extract from Paulownia tomentosa. In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to skin inflammation reduction methods comprising the step of applying to a skin in need of skin inflammation reduction a wood extract of Paulownia tomentosa.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As noted above, Applicants have surprisingly found that paulownina and / or extracts from Paulownia tomentosa wood can be used in compositions, preferably in skin care compositions, and in methods of use which include, but Not limited to, improvement of signs of aging, skin lightening and reduction of inflammation. As used herein, the term "skin whitening" generally refers to the whitening, brightening, whitening, and / or equalization of skin tone, skin color, and / or skin hue. , and / or reducing yellowing, and / or lightening and / or fading of hyperpigmented markings and / or lesions including, but not limited to, pigmented spots, melanin spots, age signs, sun spots, senile lentigo , freckles, lentigo simplex, solar pigmented keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, melasma, acne marks, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, lentigines, ephelides, combinations of two or more thereof and the like. In certain embodiments, "skin lightening" also refers to increased radiance, radiance, translucency and / or luminescence of the skin and / or obtaining a more radiant, bright, translucent or luminous skin tone appearance or a skin tone. less yellow or pale. In certain preferred embodiments, "skin whitening" refers to the whitening and equalization of skin tone, increased skin radiance and / or the lightening of age signals. As used herein, the term "skin in need of skin whitening treatment" generally refers to skin that has one or more properties selected from the group consisting of: skin having an angle value of Individual Typology Angle (ITA) measured below 41 as determined by the COLIPA Standard of Procedure: "GUIDELINE FOR THE COLORIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF SKIN COLOR AND PREDICTION OF THE MINIMAL ERYTHEMAL DOSE (MED) WITHOUT UV EXPOSURE" published in 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference, and further described below, is darkened and / or yellowish skin, including UV-darkened skin, uneven skin tone, or skin with one or more hyperpigmented markings. and / or lesions, including but not limited to pigmented spots, melanin spots, age signs, sun spots, senile lentigo, freckles, lentigo simplex, solar pigmented keratosis, seborrheic wax, melasma, d and acne, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, lentigines, ephelides, combinations of two or more thereof and the like. In COLIPA rules of procedure, skin color is a definite function of the ITA value as: very light skin> 55; fair skin 41 to 55, intermediate skin 28 to 41 and tanned skin <28. In certain embodiments, the phrase "skin in need of bleaching" refers to individuals with a skin that has an ITA value of less than 41, such as about 40 or less, about 35 or less, about 30 or less. smaller, or more preferably about 28 or smaller. In certain other preferred embodiments, the present invention is directed to compositions and methods for use on the skin requiring selected skin whitening treatment from yellowish and / or darkened skin. In certain other embodiments, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for use on the skin that require skin lightening treatment selected from the group consisting of age signs, freckles, marks left after acne, and combinations of two or more. of the same. As used herein, "skin that needs improvement in the signs of aging" means skin that is, but is not limited to, flaccid, loose, loose, rough, rough, thin, irregular. Improving the signs of aging means improving skin firmness, improving skin texture, improving the appearance of skin wrinkles, improving skin tone, or treating external skin aggression. As used herein, "improving skin firmness" means increasing the firmness or elasticity of the skin, preventing the loss of firmness or elasticity of the skin or preventing or treating sagging, loose and loose skin. The firmness or elasticity of the skin can be measured by using a cuprometer. See "Handbook of Noninvasive Methods and the Skin", editors J. Serup, G. Jemec & G. Grove, Chapter 66.1 (2006). The loss of skin elasticity or firmness can be a result of several factors including, but not limited to, aging, environmental damage or the result of applying a cosmetic to the skin. As used herein, "improving skin texture" means smoothing the surface of the skin to remove lumps or cracks on the surface of the skin. As used herein, "improving the appearance of wrinkles on the skin" means preventing, retarding, interrupting or reversing the process of forming wrinkles or fine lines ("crow's feet") on the skin. As used herein, the term "treatment of external skin aggression" means the reduction or prevention of damage caused by external skin aggression. Examples of external aggressions include, but are not limited to, skin damage due to the use of cleansing cosmetics (eg, topical cleansers containing surfactants), makeup, shaving or waxing, as well as environmental damage such as those caused by UV light. (eg, sunlight damage or damage from unnatural sources such as UV lamps and solar simulators), ozone, combustion engine exhaust, pollution, chlorine and chlorine-containing compounds, and cigarette smoke. The effects of external aggressions on the skin include, but are not limited to, oxidative and / or nitrosative damage to, and modifications of, lipids, carbohydrates, peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, and vitamins. The effects of external aggressions on the skin also include, but are not limited to, loss of cell viability, loss or alteration of cellular functions, and changes in gene and / or protein expression. As used herein, "improving skin tone" means lightening the appearance of the skin (for example, whitening marks or pigmented lesions, reducing yellowing of the skin and / or equalizing skin color). As used herein, "skin requiring reduction of skin inflammation" means skin that exhibits redness or erythema, edema or that is reactive or sensitive to external elements. External elements include, but are not limited to, sunlight (UV, Visible, IR), microorganisms, atmospheric pollutants such as ozone, combustion engine exhaust pollutants, chlorine and chlorine generating compounds, cigarette smoke, Low temperature, heat. Inflammatory disorders and related conditions that may be treated or prevented by the use of the compositions of this invention include, but are not limited to: arthritis, bronchitis, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, allergic dermatitis, lumenic pilomorphic eruptions , inflammatory dermatoses, folliculitis, alopecia, poison ivy irritation, insect bites, acne inflammation, irritation induced by extrinsic factors including, but not limited to, chemicals, trauma, pollutants (such as cigarette smoke) and sun exposure, Secondary conditions resulting from inflammation including, but not limited to, xerosis, hyperkeratosis, pruritus, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, scarring, and the like. Preferably, the inflammatory disorders and related problems that can be treated or prevented by the use of the methods of the present invention are arthritis, inflammatory dermatitis, contact dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, pyloromorphic eruptions, irritation, including erythema. induced by extrinsic factors, inflammation of acne, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, poison ivy (poison sumac) irritation, insect bites, folliculitis, alopecia, secondary problems and the like. As used herein, unless otherwise specified, all percentages of ingredients in the compositions are percentages by weight of active ingredients / solids based on the total weight of the composition. As used herein, a composition that is "essentially free" of an ingredient means a composition that is about 2% or less of that ingredient by weight based on the total weight of the composition. Preferably, a composition which is essentially free of an ingredient is about 1% or less, more preferably about 0.5% or less, more preferably about 0.1% or less, more preferably about 0%. 0.05 or less, more preferably about 0.01% or less by weight based on the total weight of the ingredient composition. In certain more preferred embodiments, a composition that is essentially free of an ingredient is free of the ingredient, that is, it lacks that ingredient in the composition. As used herein, "cosmetically / dermatologically acceptable" means that the ingredients, which are described by the term, are suitable for use in contact with tissues (eg, skin or hair) without toxicity, incompatibility, instability, irritation. , undue allergic response, and the like. Extracts comprising paulownina may be, or may be obtained from, one or more fractions of materials derived from Paulownia tomentosa wood via any of the extraction methods as described herein. In certain embodiments, the extracts comprise a fraction, or a combination of two or more fractions, derived from Paulownia tomentosa wood. Any suitable extracts of Paulownia tomentosa wood may be used in accordance with the present invention. In general, Paulownia tomentosa tree wood includes wood obtained from the stem, branches, or a combination of both. Suitable Paulownia tomentosa wood extracts may be derived from wood chips, wood powders, and / or small chips, and the like. Suitable Paulownia tomentosa wood extracts can be obtained using conventional methods including, but not limited to, direct extraction of wood material by grinding, macerating, pressing, squeezing, kneading and grinding, centrifuging. and / or processes such as cold percolation, stirring / distillation, microwave assisted extraction, sonication, supercritical / subcritical C02 compressed gas extraction with or without polar modulators, pressurized solvent extraction, accelerated solvent extraction, extraction normal or pressurized hot water, surfactant-assisted pressurized hot water extraction, oil extraction, membrane extraction, Soxhlet extraction, gold finger extraction and / or revealed processes by for example, US Pat. Nos. 7,442,391, 74734 35, and 7537791 issued to Integrated Botanical Technologies, LLC, incorporated herein by reference. ia, and the like, or by other methods such as solvent extraction, and the like. Any of a variety of solvents including polar solvents, non-polar solvents or combinations of two or more thereof may be used in methods comprising solvent extraction. Suitable polar solvents include polar inorganic solvents such as water and the like, polar organic solvents such as alcohols and corresponding organic acids, for example, C1 -C8 alcohols including methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, and the like and organic acids including acetic acid , formic acid, propanoic acid, and the like, polyols and glycols, including C1 -C8 polyols / glycols and the like, and combinations of two or more thereof. Suitable nonpolar solvents include nonpolar organic solvents such as alkanes, including C1 -C8 alkanes, cycloalkanes, including alkanes CVCs alkyl ethers, including C1 -C8 alkyl ethers, petroleum ethers, ketones, including C1-6 ketones C8, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, xylene, toluene, chloroform, vegetable oil, mineral oil and the like. In another embodiment, extraction may be obtained by non-polar solvents described above or extraction with supercritical fluid with or without a polar modifier such as C1 -C8 alcohols, water, C1 -C8 polyols / glycols, or C1 -C8 organic acids. . In certain preferred embodiments, the extract of the invention is a polar extract prepared by spraying the wood and extracting using a polar solvent having a dielectric constant value between 1 and 100 to 2013, preferably a dielectric constant of a value between 4 and 60 to 2013, more preferably a dielectric constant of a value between 4 and 50 to 20Ό, and more preferably a dielectric constant of a value between 4 and 40 to 20 ° C. Examples of preferred polar solvents include C1 -C8 alcohols, C1 -C8 polyols / glycols, C1 -C8 organic acids, water and combinations of two or more thereof having a dielectric constant value between 1 and 100, preferably 4 and 60, and more preferably from 5 to 40 to 2013, including, but not limited to, those solvents and solvent combinations having the desired dielectric constant value as set forth in "Dielectric Constants of Some Organic Solvent-Water Mixtures at" Various Temperatures ", Akerlof, Likes; JACS, Vol. 54, No. 11 (November 1932), pages 4125 to 4139, incorporated herein by reference. In certain preferred embodiments, the polar extract is extracted using one or more C 1 -C 8 alcohols, C 1 -C 8 polyols, C 1 -C 8 glycols and combinations of two or more thereof. In certain more preferred embodiments, the extract is extracted using one or more C 1 -C 4 alcohols, C 1 -C 4 polyols and / or C 1 -C 4 glycols. In certain more preferred embodiments, the extract is prepared using a solvent comprising methanol, ethanol or a combination thereof with or without the presence of water. In a more preferred embodiment, the extract is prepared using anhydrous alcohol or reagent grade denatured alcohol and stirring dry Kiri wood powder at room temperature for 3 days. In certain preferred embodiments, the extract may be further refined by treatment with charcoal (also called active carbon). In certain embodiments, Paulownia tomentosa extract may be prepared to be essentially free of certain materials. In one embodiment, the extract is essentially free of ursolic acid, beta-sitosterol or both. In certain embodiments, the composition may additionally include extracts from other parts of Paulownia tomentosa, for example, one or more of the bark, leaves, roots, fruits, grains or flowers. In other embodiments, the composition is essentially free of extracts from other non-wood parts of Paulownia tomentosa. The present invention further comprises skin treatment compositions comprising paulownin and skin treatment methods, for example methods of treating one or more signs of skin aging, skin lightening methods, inflammation treatment and / or the like. , by applying to the skin needing improvement in the signs of aging, a composition comprising paulownina, that is, a compound of the following formula: paulownina The paulownina for use herein may be derived via any of a variety of natural sources. as extraction of botanical specimens, or may be synthesized using known synthesis methods (see, for example, "Stereoseiective Synthesis of 3-Alkyl-2-aryltetrahydrofuran-4-ols: Total Synthesis of (±) -Paulownin" Angle, Steven R. Choi, Inchang Tham, Fook S. Department of Chemistry, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA, Journal of Organic Chemistry (2008), 73 (16), 6268 -6278; and "Total Synthesis of (+) - Paulownin", Okazaki, Momotoshi; Ishibashi, Fumito; Shuto, Yoshihiro; Taniguchi, Eiji. Faculty Agric., Ehime Univ., Matsuyama, Japan, Biosci-ence, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (1997), 61 (4), 743-745). In certain preferred embodiments, paulownina is extracted from botanical specimens. Examples of suitable botanical specimens include plants of the genus Paulownia, such as Paulownia tomentosa, Paulownia fortunei, Paulownia elongata, Paulownia kawakamii, as well as plants such as Amanoa oblongifolia, Dolichandrone crispa, Fir-miana platanifolia, Gmelina asiatica, Gmelina vitien-sis. , Isodon parvifolius, Kigelia pinnata, Markhamia platycalyx, Markha-mia stipulate, Millingtonia hortensis, Olea botanical specimens, Phyllarthron comorense, Tabebuia incana, Vitex trifolia, Prasium majus, combinations of two or more of the same, and the like. In certain preferred embodiments, paulownina is extracted from Paulownia tomentosa wood. In certain embodiments, paulownin can be obtained by extracting cell cultures from various plants, including cell cultures from plants of the genus Paulownia, such as Paulownia tomentosa.

Cell cultures that are extracted to obtain extracts / paulownin for use in the present invention may be in any way including suspended cell cultures and the like. Any suitable amounts of paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract may be used in the compositions of the present invention. Preferably, the compositions comprise a safe and effective amount of paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract. As used herein, a "safe and effective amount" means an amount of the extract or composition sufficient to induce the desired effect, but low enough to prevent serious side effects, including cytotoxicity and the like. For embodiments comprising uses of the skin lightening composition, an "effective skin lightening amount" means an amount of extract that is effective in obtaining an AL value that is greater than zero in the Skin Epidermal Equivalent Model. as the skin whitening test (AL) as described below. In certain preferred embodiments, the effective skin whitening amount is an effective amount to obtain an AL value of about 1 or more. For embodiments of the present invention related to the use of the compositions to improve an aging signal on the skin, an "effective amount to improve an aging signal" means an amount that provides a percent inhibition of MMP-1 or MMP production. -9, measured according to the UV Induced MMP Induction Inhibition procedure of Example 11 below, which is greater than zero. In certain preferred embodiments, the amount effective to improve an aging signal is an amount that provides a percent inhibition of MMP-1 or MMP-9 production, measured according to the UV-induced MMP induction inhibition procedure of the Example. 11 below, which is about 10% or more. In certain preferred embodiments, the amount effective to improve an aging signal is an amount that provides a percent inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS), measured according to methods of inhibiting the formation of reactive oxygen species. oxygen in reconstituted epidermis and human epithelial cells set forth below in Examples 8 and 9 respectively, which is about 10% or more, and preferably 20% or more. For embodiments of the present invention related to the uses of the inflammation reducing compositions, an "inflammation reducing effective amount" means an amount that provides a percentage of skin inflammation inhibition (IL-8) measured according to the invention. with the anti-inflammatory effects procedure on the release of UV-induced proinflammatory mediators in IL-8 reconstituted epidermis of Example 7 below, which is greater than zero. In certain preferred embodiments, the amount effective to improve an aging signal is an amount that provides a percentage of inhibition of skin inflammation (IL-8), measured according to the procedure of anti-inflammatory effects on the release of pro-mediators. UV-inflammatories in IL-8 reconstituted epidermis of Example 7 below, which is about 10% or more. In certain preferred embodiments, the compositions comprise more than zero to about 20% of paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract. In certain other preferred embodiments, the compositions comprise from about 0.0001 to about 20%, from about 0.001 to about 10%, from about 0.01 to about 5%, from about 0.1 to about 10%. about 5%, or about 0.2 to about 2% of paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract. In certain other preferred embodiments, the compositions comprise from more than zero to about 1%, from about 0.0001 to about 1%, from about 0.001 to about 1%, or from about 0.01 to about 1%. about 1% of paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract. In certain other preferred embodiments, the compositions comprise from about 1 to about 5%, preferably from about 2 to about 5% of paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract. Any acceptable carrier may be used in the compositions of the present invention. Preferably, in a skin care composition, the carrier is a cosmetically acceptable carrier. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, cosmetically acceptable vehicles comprise vehicles which are suitable for use in contact with the body, in particular the skin, for skin whitening applications without toxicity, incompatibility, instability, irritation, allergic response and the like. . A safe and effective amount of the vehicle is from about 50% to about 99.999%, preferably about 80% to about 99.9%, more preferably from about 99.9% to about 95%, and most preferably from about 99.8% to about 98% of the composition. The vehicle can be in a wide variety of forms. For example, emulsion carriers including, but not limited to, oil in water, water in oil, water in oil in water, and oil in water silicone emulsions are useful in the present invention. These emulsions may encompass a wide range of viscosities, for example from about 100 cps to about 200,000 cps. Examples of suitable cosmetically acceptable carriers include cosmetically acceptable solvents and cosmetic solution materials, cosmetic suspensions, lotions, creams, serums, essences, gels, tonic lotions, sticks, sprays, ointments, wash lotions, soap bars, shampoos, conditioners. hair, pastes, foams, mousses, talcum, shaving creams, handkerchiefs, patches, strips, dust patches, microneedle patches, bandages, hydrogels, film-forming products, face and skin masks, makeup, liquid drops and the like. These types of products may contain various types of cosmetically acceptable carriers including, but not limited to, solutions, suspensions, emulsions such as microemulsions and nanoemulsions, gels, solids, liposomes, other encapsulation technologies, and the like. The following are non-limiting examples of such vehicles. Other vehicles may be formulated by those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the vehicle contains water. In a further embodiment, the carrier may also contain one or more aqueous or organic solvents. Examples of organic solvents include, but are not limited to: dimethyl isosorbide; isopropyl myristate; cationic, anionic and nonionic surfactants; vegetable oils; mineral oils; waxes; Gums; synthetic and natural gelling agents; alkanols; glycols; and polyols. Examples of glycols include, but are not limited to, glycerine, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, poly (ethylene glycol), poly (propylene glycol), diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, caprylic glycol, glycerol, butanediol and hexane triol, and copolymers or mixtures thereof. Examples of alkanols include, but are not limited to, those having from about 2 carbon atoms to about 12 carbon atoms (e.g. from about 2 carbon atoms to about 4 carbon atoms), such as -propanol and ethanol. Examples of polyols include, but are not limited to, those having about 2 carbon atoms to about 15 carbon atoms (for example, from about 2 carbon atoms to about 10 carbon atoms) such as propylene glycol. Organic solvents may be present in the vehicle in an amount, based on the total weight of the vehicle, from about 1 percent to about 99.99 percent (for example, from about 20 percent to about 50 percent). Water may be present in the vehicle (prior to use) in an amount of, based on the total weight of the vehicle, from about 5 percent to about 95 percent (e.g., about 50 percent to about 90 percent). The solutions may contain any suitable amounts of solvent, including from about 40 to about 99.99%. Certain preferred solutions contain from about 50 to about 99.9%, from about 60 to about 99%, from about 70 to about 99%, from about 80 to about 99%, or about 90%. at 99%. A lotion may be produced from such a solution. Lotions typically contain at least one emollient in addition to a solvent. Lotions may comprise from about 1% to about 20% (for example, from about 5% to about 10%) of an emollient (s) and from about 50% to about 90% (e.g. about 60% to about 80%) of water. Another type of product that can be formulated from a solution is a cream. A cream typically contains from about 5% to about 50% (for example, from about 10% to about 20%) of an emollient (s) and from about 45% to about 85% (e.g. about 50% to about 75%) of water. Another type of product that can be formulated from a solution is an ointment. An ointment may contain a simple base of semi-solid animal, vegetable, or synthetic oils or hydrocarbons. An ointment may contain from about 2% to about 10% of an emollient over about 0.1% to about 2% thickening agent (s). The compositions useful in the present invention may also be formulated as emulsions. If the carrier is an emulsion, from about 1% to about 10% (e.g., from about 2% to about 5%) the carrier contains an emulsifier (s). Emulsifiers may be nonionic, anionic or cationic. Lotions and creams may be formulated as emulsions. Typically, such lotions contain from 0.5% to about 5% of an emulsifier (s), while such creams could typically contain from about 1% to about 20% (e.g., about 5% to about 10%) of an emollient (s); from about 20% to about 80% (e.g. from 30% to about 70%) of water; and from about 1% to about 10% (e.g., from about 2% to about 5%) of emulsifier (s). Simple emulsion skin care preparations such as oil-in-water and water-in-oil type lotions and creams are well known in the art and useful in the present invention. Multiphase emulsion compositions, such as water in oil in water or oil in water in oil type, are also useful in the present invention. In general, such single or multiphase emulsions contain water, emollients and emulsifiers as essential ingredients.

The compositions of this invention may also be formulated as a gel (for example, an aqueous gel, alcohol gel, alcohol / water gel, or oil gel using suitable gelling agent (s)). ).  Suitable gelling agents for aqueous and / or alcoholic gels include, but are not limited to, natural gums, acrylic acid and acrylate polymers and copolymers, and cellulose derivatives (e.g., hydroxymethylcellulose and hydroxypropylcellulose).  Suitable gelling agents for oils (such as mineral oil) include, but are not limited to, butylene / ethylene / hydrogenated styrene copolymer and ethylene / propylene / hydrogenated styrene copolymer.  These gels typically contain about 0.1% and 5% by weight of such gelling agents.  The compositions of the present invention may also be formulated in a solid formulation (e.g., a wax-based stick, a bar soap, powder or handkerchief composition).  The composition of the present invention may also be combined with a solid, semi-solid, or dissolvable substrate (e.g., a handkerchief, a mask, a pillow, a glove or a strip).  The compositions of the present invention may also be formulated into oral cavity formulation such as toothpaste, gel, mouthwash, solution, plaster, and the like.  The compositions may also be formulated for use in the eye, as in solutions, emulsions, suspensions used as eye wash drops or eye drops and the like, or formulated for use in the vaginal mucosa as gels, lotions, lubricants and the like.  The compositions of the present invention may additionally comprise any of a variety of additional cosmetically active agents.  Examples of suitable additional active agents include: additional skin whitening agents, dimming agents, additional anti-aging agents, tro-poelastine promoters, collagen promoters, anti-acne agents, gloss-controlling agents, antimicrobial agents such as anti-yeast agents, antifungals and antibacterials, anti-inflammatory agents, antiparasitic agents, external analgesics, sunscreens, photoprotectors, antioxidants, keratolytic agents, detergents / surfactants, hydrating creams, nutrients, vitamins, energy enhancers, antiperspirants, astringents , deodorants, hair removers, hair growth stimulating agents, hair growth retarding agents, firming agents, moisturizing enhancers, efficacy enhancers, anti-aging agents, skin conditioning agents, anti-cellulite agents, fluorides, bleaching agents d and teeth, antiplaque agents, plaque dissolving agents, odor controlling agents such as odor masking agents or pH modifying agents and the like.  Examples of various suitable additional cosmetically acceptable active agents include hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, D-panthenol, UV filters such as, but not limited to, avobenzone (Parsol 1789), disodium bisdisulizole [phenylbenzimidazolte trasulfonate]. disodium] (Neo Heliopan AP), hexyl diethylaminohydroxybenzoylbenzoate (Uvinul A Plus), ecamsule (Mexoryl SX), methyl anthranilate, 4-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), cinoxate, ethylhexyltriazone (Uvinul T 150), homosalate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (Parsol 5000), octyl methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate), octyl salicylate (Octisalate), O (Escalol 507), phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid (Ensulizol), polysilicone-15 (Parsol SLX), polysilicone-15 , Bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S), benzophenones 1-12, dioxibenzo-na, drometrizol-trisiloxane (Mexoryl XL), iscotrizinol (Uvasorb HEB), octocrylene, oxybenzone (Eusolex 4360), sulisobenzone, bisoctrizol (Tinosorb M), titanium dioxide ox zinc oxide, carotenoids, free radical dryers, diamagnetic compounds or spin pickups, retinoids and retinoid precursors such as retinol, retinoic acid and retinyl palmitate, ceramides, acids Poly-ii-unsaturated fatty acids, essential fatty acids, enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, minerals, hormones such as estrogens, steroids such as hydrocortisone, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, copper salts such as copper chloride, Cu-containing peptides such as Cu: Gly-His-Lys, coenzyme Q10, amino acids such as proline, vitamins, lacto-bionic acid, acetyl coenzyme A, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, ribose, electron transporters such as NADH and FADH2, and other botanical extracts such as oats, aloe vera, feverfew, soy extracts of Shiitake mushroom, and derivatives and mixtures thereof.  In certain preferred embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are skin care compositions comprising paulownin and / or a wood extract of Pau-lownia tomentosa and at least one additional active skin whitening agent.  Examples of suitable additional skin lightening active agents include, but are not limited to, tyrosinase inhibitors, melanin degrading agents, melanosome transfer inhibiting agents including PAR-2 antagonists, exfoliating agents, sunscreens, retinoids, antioxidants, tranexamic acid , tranexamic acid cetyl ester hydrochloride, skin whitening agents, linoleic acid, adenosine monophosphate disodium salt, chamomile extract, allantoin, opacifiers, talc and silica, zinc salts, and the like, and other agents as described in Solano et al.  Pig-ment Cell Res.  19 (550-571) and Ando et al.  Int.  J.  Mol.  Know.  11 (2566-2575).  Examples of suitable tyrosinase inhibitors include, but are not limited to, vitamin C and its derivatives, vitamin E and its derivatives, kojic acid, arbutin, resorcinols, hydroquinone, flavones such as licorice flavonoids, licorice root, blackberry root extract, Dioscorea root extract compound, saxifraga extract and the like, ellagic acid, salicylates and derivatives, glycosamine and derivatives, fullerene, hinokitiol, dioic acid, acetylglycosine, 5,5'- dipropyl-biphenyl-2,2'-diol (Magnolignan), 4- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -2-butanol (4-HPB), combinations of two or more thereof, and the like.  Examples of vitamin C derivatives include, but are not limited to, ascorbic acid and salts, ascorbic acid 2 glycoside, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, and vitamin C enriched natural extract.  Examples of vitamin E derivatives include, but are not limited to, alpha-tocopherol, beta-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol, alpha-tocotrienol, beta-tocotrienol, gamma-tocotrienol, del-ta-tocotrienol and mixtures thereof. tocopherol acetate, tocopherol phosphate and natural extracts enriched with vitamin E derivatives.  Examples of resorcinol derivatives include, but are not limited to, resorcinol, 4-substituted resorcinols such as 4-alkylresorcinols such as 4-butylresorcinol (rucinol), 4-hexylresorcinol (Synovea HR, Sythe-on), phenylethylresorcinol (Symwhite, Symrise) 1- (2,4-dihydroxyphenyl) -3- (2,4-dimethoxy-3-methylphenyl) propane (nivitol, Unigen) and the like and natural extracts enriched with resorcinols.  Examples of salicylates include, but are not limited to, potassium 4-methoxysalicylate, salicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, 4-methoxysalicylic acid and salts thereof.  In certain preferred embodiments, tyrosinase inhibitors include a 4-substituted resorcinol, a vitamin C derivative, or a vitamin E derivative.  In more preferred embodiments, the tyrosinase inhibitor comprises phenylethylresorcinol, 4-hexylresorcinol, or ascorbyl-2-glycoside.  Examples of suitable melanin degrading agents include, but are not limited to, peroxides and enzymes such as peroxydases and ligninases.  In certain preferred embodiments, melanin inhibiting agents include a peroxide or a ligninase.  Examples of melanoma transfer inhibitors including PAR-2 antagonists such as soybean trypsin inhibitor or Bowman-Birk inhibitor, Vitamin B3 and derivatives such as niacinamide, essential soy, whole soybean, soy extract.  In certain preferred embodiments, melanosome transfer inhibiting agents include a soy extract or niacinamide.  Examples of exfoliators include, but are not limited to, alpha hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid, glycolic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, or any combination of any of the above, beta hydroxy acids as lac-tobionic acid and glyconic acid, and mechanical exfoliation as microdermabrasion.  In certain preferred embodiments, the scrub includes glycolic acid or salicylic acid.  Examples of sunscreens include, but are not limited to, avobenzone (Parsol 1789), disodium bisdisulizole (Neo Heliopan AP), diethylaminohydroxybenzoylbenzoate (Uvinul A Plus), ecamsule (Mexoryl SX), anthranilate de methyl, 4-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), cinoxate, ethylhexyltriazone (Uvinul T 150), homosalate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (Parsol 5000), octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate (Octisalate), padimatoate (Escalol 507), phenylbenzimidazolsulfonic acid (Ensulizole), polysilicone-15 (Parsol SLX), trolamine salicylate, Bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S), benzophenones 1-12, dioxibenzone, drometrizol-trisiloxane (Mexoryl XL), isorbrizinol, octocrylene, oxybenzone (Eusolex 4360), sulisobenzo-na, bisoctrizole (Tinosorb M), titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and the like.  Examples of retinoids include, but are not limited to, retinol (vitamin A alcohol), retinal (vitamin A aldehyde), retinyl acetate, retinyl propionate, retinyl linoleate, retinoic acid, palmitate retinyl, isotretinoin, tazarotene, bexarotene, adapalene, combinations of two or more thereof and the like.  In certain preferred embodiments, the retinoid is selected from the group consisting of retinol, retinal, retinyl acetate, retinyl propionate, retinyl linoleate and combinations of two or more thereof.  In certain more preferred embodiments, the retinoid is retinol.  Examples of antioxidants include, but are not limited to, water-soluble antioxidants such as sulfhydryl compounds and derivatives thereof (e.g. sodium metabisulfite and N-acetyl cysteine, glutathione), lipoic acid and dihydrolipoic acid, stilbenoids such as resveratrol and derivatives, lactoferrin, iron and copper chelators and ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid derivatives (eg ascorbyl-2-glycoside, ascorbyl palmitate and ascorbyl polypeptide).  Oil-soluble antioxidants suitable for use in the compositions of this invention include, but are not limited to, butylated hydroxytolene, retinoids (e.g. retino and retinyl palmitate), to-coferols (e.g. tocopherol acetate) , tocotrienols and ubiquinones.  Natural antioxidant-containing extracts suitable for use in the compositions of this invention include, but are not limited to, flavonoid and isoflavonoid-containing extracts and derivatives (e.g. genistein and diadzein), resve-ratrol-containing extracts and the like.  Examples of such natural extracts include grape seed extracts, green tea, black tea, white tea, pine bark, feverfew, parthenolide free feverfew, oat extracts, blackberry extract, Cotinus extract, soy extract, extract pomelo, wheat germ extract, hesperedin, grape extract, portulaca extract, licocalcona, calcona, 2,2'-dihydroxycicalcona, evening primrose extract, propolis, and the like.  The additional cosmetically active agent may be present in a composition in any suitable amount, for example, in an amount from about 0.0001% to about 20% by weight of the composition, for example, about 0.001 to about from 10% to about 0.01% to about 5%.  In certain preferred embodiments, in an amount of from 0.1% to 5% and in other preferred embodiments, from 1% to 2%.  In certain preferred embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are skin care compositions comprising paulownin and / or a wood extract of Pau-lownia tomentosa and at least one additional anti-inflammatory agent.  Suitable additional anti-inflammatory active agents include, but are not limited to, compounds that have an IC50 (concentration at which a compound achieves 50% inhibition of inflammation) less than or equal to 100 pg / ml for interleukin-2 in ANTI-TEST. INFLAMMATORY presented below.  In a preferred embodiment, the IC 50 for the second anti-inflammatory compounds is less than about 70 pg / ml, more preferably less than about 50 pg / ml, more preferably less than about 40 pg / ml, more preferably less than about 30 pg / ml.  The Anti-Inflammatory Assay evaluates the ability of an agent to reduce cytokine production by human lymphocytes stimulated with the phytoemagglutinin T cell receptor activating agent (TCR), and is conducted in the following manner.  Human leukocytes are collected from a healthy adult male via leukophoresis, and adjusted to a density of 1χ106 cells / mL in serum free lymphocyte growth medium (ExVivo-15, Biowhittaker, Wal-kersville, MD, USA).  Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) are stimulated with 10 pg / ml PHA (phytoemagglutinin) in the presence or absence of test samples, following published methods (Ha-mamoto Y. , et al.  Exp.  Dermatol.  2: 231 to 235, 1993).  Following a 48 hour incubation at 3710 with 5% CO 2, the supernatant is removed and evaluated for cytokine content using a commercially available cytokine multiplex detection kit.  Examples of suitable anti-inflammatory agents include substituted resorcinols, (E) -3- (4-methylphenisulfonyl) -2-propenonitrile (such as "Bay 11-7082" commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich de St.  Louis, Missouri, USA), tetrahydrocurcuminoids (as Tetrahydrocurcuminoid CG, available from Sabinsa Corporation of Pis-cataway, NJ, USA), extracts and materials derived from the following: Pheilodendron amurense cortex extract (PCE) Undenatured Glycine max) Matricaria (Tanacetum parthenium) Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Gingko (Gingko Biloba) Madecassoside (Centella asiatica extract ingredient) Cotinus [Cotinus coggygria] Petasites Extract (Petasites hybridus) Gobarum (Lycium) ) Marian thistle (Silybum marianum) extract Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) Peruvian balm (Myroxylon pereirae) Sage (Salvia officinalis) Blackberry extract (Vaccinium oxycoccos) Amaranth oil (Amaranthus cruentus) Pomegranate (Punica granatum) yerba mate (llex paraguariensis) White lily (Lilium Candidum) flower extract Olive leaf (Olea europaea) extract Floretina (apple extract) Oatmeal (Aveena Sativa) Ex Lifenol tract (Hops: Humulus lupulus) Bugrane P (Ononis spinosa, or cat's claw) Licocalcona (licorice: Glycyrrhiza inflata extract ingredient) Symrelief (bisabolol and ginger extract) combinations of two or more of the same and similar .  Resorcinol is a dihydroxyphenol (i.e. 1,3-dihydroxybenzene) compound having the following structure: As used herein, "substituted resorcinol" means resorcinol which comprises at least one substituent on the position 2, 4, 5 or 6.  Thus, the substituted resorcinol may have as little as one substituent or as many as four substituents.  Positions 1 and 3 of the substituted resorcinol comprise OH groups as shown above.  In embodiments in which substituted resorcinol is used as an anti-inflammatory, it is highly preferred that all substituted resorcinol substituents be free of phenyl (aromatic -C6H5) moieties.  In certain embodiments, all of the substituents are free of aromatic moieties (with or without heteroatoms).  In some of such embodiments, it is preferred that all substituted resorcinol substituents be free of ketone functionalities (carbonyls attached to two other carbon atoms).  In some other such embodiments, all substituted resorcinol substituents are free from both phenyl and ketone functionalities.  In some other such embodiments, the substituted resorcinol comprises at least one substituent comprising from 5 to 11 carbon atoms, preferably from 5 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably from 5 to 9 carbon atoms, and most preferably. from 5 to 8 carbon atoms.  In some other such embodiments, at least one substituent comprises an alkyl group, such as one having the number of carbon atoms described above.  The alkyl group is preferably unsaturated.  In certain embodiments, position 4 of resorcinol is replaced, and in certain embodiments, only position 4 is replaced.  In another embodiment, position 4 is substituted with an alkyl group.  In certain preferred embodiments, the substituted resorcinol comprises a single 4-position substituent comprising an alkyl group.  In certain other preferred embodiments, the substituted resorcinol comprises a single 4-position substituent consisting of an alkyl group bonded directly to the benzene ring.  Substituted resorcinols particularly suitable for anti-inflammatory agents include 4-hexylresorcinol and 4-octyresorcinol, particularly 4-hexylresorcinol.  The structures of 4-hexylresorcinol and 4-octyresorcinol are shown below: 4-Hexylresorcinol 4-Octyresorcinol 4-Hexylresorcinol is commercially available as "SYNOVEA HR" from Sytheon of Lincoln Park, NJ, USA.  4-Octyresorcinol is commercially available from City Chemical LLC of West Haven, Connecticut, USA.  In certain embodiments, the substituted resorcinol comprises at least two substituents at positions 2, 4, 5 or 6.  Such substituents may optionally be linked to form a ring such as a cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon which optionally comprises heteroatoms such as sulfur or oxygen.  Such a bonded substituent may comprise from 5 to 10 carbon atoms, for example from 8 to 10 carbon atoms, and optionally includes from 1 to 3 heteroatoms.  Examples of suitable substituted resorcinols comprising cyclic aliphatic substituents that join at positions 2 and 3 include Zearalanone and β-Zearalanol: Zearalanone and β-Zearalanol are commercially available from Sigma Chemicals of St.  Louis, Missouri, USA.  In certain other embodiments, the substituted resorcinol comprises halide-containing substituents and / or nitrous group-containing substituents.  Suitable examples contain -Cl or -N = O attached directly to the benzene ring.  Such substituents may exist, for example, at positions 2 and 4, 2 and 6 or 4 and 6.  An example of dihalide substituted resorcinol is 2,6-dichlororesorcinol.  An example of a dinitrous substituted resorcinol is 2,4-dinitrosoresorcinol: 2,4-dinitrosoresorcinol 2,6-dichlororesorcinol and 2,4-dinitrosoresorcinol are available from City Chemical LLC of West Haven, Connecticut, USA.  Substituted resorcinols are prepared by means known in the art, for example, using techniques described in U. S.  No. 4. 337. 370, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  The substituted resorcinols may have any suitable molecular weight.  In certain embodiments, the molecular weight of the substituted resorcinol is in the range of about 175 to about 300.  "Extracts of feverfew," are extracts from the plant "Tanacetum parthenium," as may be produced in accordance with the details set forth in US Patent Application No. 2007/0196523, entitled "PARTHENOLIDE FREE BIOACTIVE INGREDIENTS FROM FEVERFEW (TANACETUM PARTHENIUM) AND PROCESSES FOR THEIR PRODUCTION "(TIOACETUM PARTHENIUM) BIOACTIVE INGREDIENTS AND PROCESSES FOR THEIR PRODUCTION.  A particularly suitable matrix extract is commercially available as about 20% active matrix from Integrated Botanical Technologies of Ossining, NY, USA.  The compositions of the present invention may include a cosmetically effective amount of one or more additional anti-inflammatory compounds.  The compositions preferably include, based on the active agent content, from about 0.1% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.5% to about 5%, of the second anti-inflammatory compound. additional.  In the composition of the invention, the ratio between paulownin and / or wood extract concentrations of Paulownia tormentosa and the additional anti-inflammatory compound can be varied.  For example, the extract and anti-inflammatory compound may be present in a weight concentration ratio (which is determined by dividing the dry extract's weight concentration by the additional anti-inflammatory compound's weight concentration) of about 0.001 to about 100, preferably from about 0.01 to about 10, more preferably from about 0.25 to about 2.  In certain preferred embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are skin care compositions comprising paulownina and / or a Paulownia tormentosa wood extract and at least one further aging signal enhancing agent.  Examples of suitable additional aging signal enhancing agents include, but are not limited to, tropoelastine promoters, collagen promoters, retinoids, hyaluronic acid, dimethylaminoethanol, N, N, N ', N'-tetracis (2-hydroxypropyl) ethylenediamine, alpha hydroxy acids, polyhydroxy acids and combinations of two or more thereof.  "Tropoelastine promoter" for use in the present invention refers to a class of compounds which has the biological activity of increasing tropoelastine production.  Tropoelastine promoters according to the present invention include all natural or synthetic compounds which are capable of increasing tro-poelastine production in the human body.  Suitable tropoelastine promoters may be determined, for example, using the Tropoelastine Promoter Assay.  The tropoelastine promoter assay is performed as follows.  H9C2 rat cardiac myoblasts are used (which may be purchased from, for example, the ATCC from Manassas, VA, USA).  Cultures are maintained in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM, Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, California) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 2 mM glutamine, 100 units / ml penicillin, and 50 pg / ml streptomycin (Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA).  Cell cultures are transfected with the elastin-luciferase reporter construct (Elp2. 2, a 2.2 kb elastin promoter fragment from nt-2267 to nt +2, which activates the firefly luciferase gene, which can be obtained from Promega, Madison WI, USA).  DNA is prepared by Qiagen Maxi columns (Qiagen Valencia, CA, USA).  In all transfections, a thymidine kinase promoter construct and the Renilla luciferase reporter gene (pRL-TK, Promega, Madison, Wis. , USA) is included as an internal control.  Typically, cells are grown in 48-well plates and transfected with 0.45 pg of total DNA per well using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA).  One day after transfection, cells are treated with agents at indicated concentrations for approximately 24 hours before being lysed by luciferase assays using the Promega "Dual-Luciferase Reporter System" (Madison, Wl, USA), following the manufacturer's protocol.  Firefly luciferase activity is measured first (representing elastin promoter activity), followed by Renilla luciferase (internal control) using the LMAX luminometer from Molecular Devices (Sunnyvale, CA, USA).  The ratio of these two luciferase activities (RLU) is used to evaluate Tropoelastine Promoter Activity.  The tro-poelastine promoter preferably has a Tropoelastine Promoter Activity of at least 1.1, preferably at least 1.25, more preferably at least 1.3, and most preferably at least 1.3. 1.5, at least a concentration in the range of 0.5 microgram per milliliter to 2.5 milligrams per milliliter (on an active basis), and preferably in at least a concentration in the range of 1.0 microgram per milliliter to 2.5 milligrams per milliliter (on an active basis).  Examples of suitable tropoelastine promoters include, but are not limited to, blackberry extracts, Cotinus extracts, matricaria extracts, Phyllanthus niruri extracts, and bimetallic complexes having the copper and / or zinc constituents.  The bimetallic complex having the copper and / or zinc constituents may be, for example, copper-zinc citrate, copper-zinc oxalate, copper-zinc tartrate, copper-zinc malate, copper-zinc succinate, copper zinc lonate, copper zinc maleate, copper zinc aspartate, copper zinc glutamate, copper zinc glutarate, copper zinc fumarate, copper zinc glucarate, poly (acrylic acid) - copper- zinc, copper zinc adipate, copper zinc pimelate, copper zinc suberate, copper zinc azealate, copper zinc sebacate, copper zinc dodecanoate, or combinations thereof.  In a preferred embodiment, the tropoelastine promoter is selected from blackberry extracts, Cotinus extracts, matricaria extracts, and combinations thereof.  In a particularly preferred embodiment, the tropoelastine promoter is selected from blackberry extracts, matricaria extracts, and combinations thereof.  The term "Cotinus extract" indicates an extract of the leaves of "Cotinus coggygria" as an aqueous extract thereof available from Bilkokoop of Sofia, Bulgaria.  The term "blackberry extract" denotes a mixture of compounds isolated from the plant of the genus Rubus and preferably Rubus fruticosus.  In one embodiment, the compounds are isolated from the plant flowers.  In an additional embodiment, the compounds are isolated from the dried flowers of the plant.  Such compounds may be isolated from one or more parts of the plant (for example, the whole plant, flower, seed, root, rhizome, stem, fruit and / or leaf of the plant).  In a preferred embodiment, the blackberry extract is a blackberry leaf extract.  The extraction process may include physically removing a part of such a plant, and for example crushing it.  Further extraction of suitable compounds may also be isolated from the plant by the use of extraction procedures well known in the art (for example, the use of organic solvents such as C1-C8 lower alcohols, C1-C8 alkyl polyols, C1-6 alkyl ketones C8, C1-C8 alkyl ethers, C1-C8 alkyl esters of acetic acid, and chloroform, and / or inorganic solvents such as water, inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, and inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide).  For example, a blackberry leaf extract may be prepared by extraction with water, alcohols such as ethanol or a combination thereof as the solvent.  However, an extract produced with a solvent including both ethanol and water is preferred.  The blackberry leaves are preferably dried before extraction.  It is also preferable to use only the leaves of the blackberry plant for extraction and not also other parts of the plant such as the blackberry fruit (berries) or its branches and roots.  In one embodiment, the extraction process for producing a blackberry leaf extract comprises the following steps: a) adding to the blackberry leaves a solvent containing an alcohol selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol , isopropanol, b) extracting the blackberry leaves with the solvent for up to 72 hours.  Detailed procedures for preparing a suitable blackberry leaf extract are disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0095719, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.  A particularly suitable blackberry extract is produced by extracting the leaves of Rubus fruti-cosus with a mixture of water and ethanol composed for about 5% to about 10% activity, with a commercially available maltodextrin matrix. at Symrise Inc.  Teterboro, NJ, USA, and is sold under the name "SymMatrix".  "Phyllanthus niruri" extracts can be harvested and used as well as the entire plant or optionally one or more parts of the plant (eg, flower, seed, root, rhizome, stem, fruit and / or leaf of the plant). can be used.  The Phyllanthus niruri plant or parts thereof can be finely divided, as by grinding or grinding, into a powder.  A suitable ground form of Phyllanthus niruri is commercially available from Raintree Nutrition, Inc. , from Carson City, Nevada, USA.  Preferably, a low molecular weight fraction of Phyllanthus niruri is used, for example, a substantially molecular-free Phyllanthus niruri fraction having a molecular weight greater than about 100. 000 daltons.  Preferably, such a low molecular weight fraction is water extractable from the Phyllanthus niruri plant.  The compositions of the present invention may include a cosmetically effective amount of one or more tro-poelastine promoters, such as those described above.  The compositions preferably include, based on the active agents, from about 0.1% to about 10% of tropoelastine promoters, more preferably from about 0.5% to about 5% of tropoelastine promoters. and most preferably from about 0.5% to about 2% tropoelastine promoters.  "Collagen promoter" as used herein refers to compounds that have the biological activity of increasing collagen production.  "Non-retinoid collagen promoters" according to the present invention include all natural or synthetic compounds that are non-retinoid or retinoid derivatives and which have the ability to increase collagen production in the human body.  Suitable collagen promoters may be determined, for example, with the use of the collagen promoter assay.  The collagen promoter assay is performed as follows.  H9C2 rat cardiac myoblasts are available from the ATCC (Manassas, VA, USA).  Cultures are maintained in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM, Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 2 mM glutamine, 100 units / mL penicillin, and 50 pg / mL strep. -mycin (Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA).  Cell cultures are transiently transfected with the luciferase reporter construct - collagen 1A promoter, which activates the firefly lucifera gene, which can be obtained, for example, from PREMAS Biotech Pvt.  Ltd (Haryana, India).  In all transfections, a construct with the thymidine kinase promoter and the Renilla luciferase reporter gene (pRL-TK, Promega, Madison, Wisconsin, USA) is included as an internal control.  Cells grown in 48-well plates are transfected with 0.45 pg of total DNA per well using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA).  One day after transfection, cells are treated with agents at the indicated concentrations for approximately 24 hours before they are lysed for luciferase assays as use of Promega's "Dual-Luciferase Reporter System" (Madison, Wl, USA), following the manufacturer's protocol.  Firefly luciferase activity is measured first (representing collagen promoter activity), followed by Renilia luciferase (internal control) using the LMAX luminometer from Molecular Devices (Sunnyvale, CA, USA).  The ratio of these two luciferase activities (RLU) is used to evaluate the activity of each promoter.  The suitable collagen promoter preferably has a collagen promoter activity of at least 1.2, preferably at least 1.25, more preferably at least 1.3; at least a concentration in the range of 0.5 microgram per milliliter to 2.5 milligrams per milliliter (on an active basis), preferably in at least a concentration in the range of 1.0 microgram per milliliter to 2.5 milligrams per milliliter (on an active basis).  Examples of suitable non-retinoid promoters include, but are not limited to the following: matricaria extracts (Tanacetum parthenium), Centella asiatica extracts, Siegesbeckia orientalis extracts; soy extracts; collagen promoting peptides; ursolic acid; and Asiatic-sid.  [0088] Centella asiatica, also called Violette brown on Reunion Island, "Gotu Kola" or "Indian pennywort" in India, Centella repanda in North America, and Talapetraka in Madagascar, is a polymorph herb and belongs to the Umbelliferae family. (Apiaceae), particularly the Hydrocotyle subfamily.  It grows wild in the tropics and prefers humid and shady regions at altitudes of about 600 to 1. 200 meters above sea level.  Centella asiatica has three varieties: Typica, Abyssinica and Floridana.  The herb is known and used because of its healing, sedative, analgesic, antidepressant, antiviral and antimicrobial properties.  The biological activity of the herb appears to be due to the presence of triterpene molecules in the herb.  A suitable extract of Centella asiatica is available as TECA from Bayer Consumer Healthcare of Basel, Switzerland.  "Siegesbeckia orientalis Extract" means any of the various extracts of the Siegesbeckia orientalis plant, including Daruto-sidium available from Sederma (Croda International Group of Edison, NJ, USA).  Suitable collagen-promoting peptides include the following: (1) Matiquin peptides, (ie, a peptide derived from degradation of extracellular matrix proteins - collagen, elastin, or proteoglycans) including palmitoyl pentapeptides, in particular Pal-Lys Thr-Thr-Lys-Ser-OH, available as MATRIXYL from Sederma (Croda International Group of Edison, NJ, USA); (2) GHK - Copper Peptide available as PROCYTE from Photomedex of Mon-tgomeryville, PA, USA; (3) Palmitoyl-GHK peptide available as Biopoeptide CL from Sederma (Croda International Group of Edison, NJ, USA); (4) VFTRN, TRNDKL peptides disclosed in EP1775306 B1, and described below in the following formulas I, II and III: R1-A1-A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9-R3 (I) / R2 wherein formula I contains at least six amino acid residues; e: A1 is Val, Ala, Leu, Met or is absent; A2 is Arg, Lys or is absent; A3 is Phe, Tyr or is absent; A4 is Thr, Ser, Ala, or Lys; A5 is Arg or Lys; A6 is Asn, Asp, Gly, or Gin; A7 is Asp, Asn, Glu, or is absent; A8 is Lys, Arg or is missing; and A9 is Leu, Met, Val, Ile, Phe or is absent; with the proviso that A3 may only be absent if A2 is absent, A2 may only be absent if A1 is absent, A7 may be absent only if A8 is absent, and A8 may only be absent if A9 is absent; each R1 and R2 independently is H, C1-12 alkyl, C7-10 phenylalkyl, or C (= 0) E1, where E1 is C1-12 alkyl, C3-14 alkenyl, C3-14 alkenyl, phenyl, 3 4-dihydroxyphenylalkyl, naphthyl, or phenyl C7-10 alkyl; provided that when R1 or R2 is C (= 0) E1, the other must be H; and R3 is OH, NH2, C1-12 alkoxy, C7-10 phenylalkoxy, C11-14 naphthylalkoxy, C1-12 alkylamino, phenylC7-10 alkylamino or naphthyl C1-14alkylamino; or a cosmetically acceptable salt thereof.  R1-ΑΊ - A'2-A'3-A'4-A'5-A'6-A'7-A'8-Α'9-Α '10-ΑΊ1-R3 (II) / R2 where Formula II contains at least six amino acid residues; e: Vai is Val, Ala, Leu or Met; A'2 is Arg or Lys; A'3 is Phe or Tyr; A 4 is Leu, Met, Val, Ile or Phe; A'5 is His, Tyr or Phe; A'6 is Ser, Thr, Ala or Lys; A'7 is Tyr or Phe; A'8 is Asp, Asn or Glu; A'9 is Leu, Met, Val, Ile or Phe; ΑΊ0 is Lys or Arg; ΑΊ1 is Asn, Asp, Gly or Gin; and R1, R2 and R3 are the same as those defined in formula I.  R1-A "1-A" 2-A "3-A" 4-A "5-A" 6-A "7-A" 8-A "9-A" 10-R3 (III) / R2 where formula 111 contains at least six amino acid residues; e: A "1 is Cys or Ser; A" 2 is His, Tyr or Phe; A "3 is Lys or Arg; A" 4 is Leu, Met, Val, Ile or Phe; A "5 is Leu, Met, Val, Ile or Phe; A" 6 is His, Tyr or Phe; A "7 is Asn, Asp, Gly, or Gin; A" 8 is Val, Ala, Leu, or Met; A "9 is Asn, Asp, Gly or Gin; A" 10 is Lys or Arg; and R1, R2 and R3 are the same as those defined in formula I.  (5) Biomimetic tetrapeptides, such as those available as Chronoline Tri Peptide from Unipex of Québec, Canada; and [692] (6) Palmitoyl tripeptide, available as Syn-Coll from DSM Basel, Switzerland.  Ursolic acid is also known as pentacyclic triterpenic acid, Prunol, Malol, Urson, beta-ursolic acid and 3-beta-hydroxy-Urs-12-En-28-oic acid, is commercially available from, for example, Sigma-Aldrich. from St.  Louis, MO, USA.  Asiaticoside, also chemically known as: 10,11-dihydroxy-9- (hydroxymethyl) -1,2,6a, 6b, 9,12a-hexamethyl-2,3,4,5,6,6a, [6 - [[3,4-Dihydroxy-6- (hydroxymethyl) -5-] 7,8,8a, 10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydro-1 H -piceno-4a-carboxylate (3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl) oxioxan-2-yl] oxymethyl] -3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl] is available for sale from e.g. Bayer Santé Familie Division Division Serdex, 69, Boulevard Victor Hugo 93400 SAINT-OUEN France.  The compositions of the present invention may include a cosmetically effective amount of one or more collagen promoters.  The compositions preferably include on an active basis from about 0.1% to about 10% collagen promoters, more preferably from about 0.5% to about 5% collagen promoters and most preferably from about 0.5% to about 2% collagen promoters.  A variety of other materials may also be present in the compositions of the present invention.  In certain preferred embodiments, the composition is a skin care composition comprising one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: surfactants, chelating agents, emollients, humectants, conditioners, preservatives, opacifiers, fragrances and the like.  An emollient is meant to be a compound that helps maintain the soft, smooth and supple appearance of the skin (for example, by staying on the surface of the skin or in the horny layer to act as a lubricant).  Examples of suitable emollients include those found in Chapter 35 on pages 399 to 415 ("Skin Feel Agents" by G.  Zocchi) in the "Handbook of Cosmetic Science and Technology" (edited by A.  Barel, M.  Paye and H.  Maibach, published in 2001 by Marcei Dekker, Inc.  New York, NY, USA) and include, but are not limited to, petrolatum, hexyldecyl stearate and vegetable, nut, plant oils such as macadamia nut oil, rice bran oil, grape seed oil, palm oil, evening primrose oil, hydrogenated peanut oil and avocado oil.  A humectant is intended to be a compound intended to increase the water content of the top layers of the skin (e.g. hygroscopic compounds).  Examples of suitable humectants include those found in Chapter 35 on pages 399-415 ("Skin Feel Agents" by G.  Zocchi) in the "Handbook of Cosmetic Science and Technology" (edited by A.  Barel, M.  Paye and H.  Maibach, published in 2001 by Marcei Dekker, Inc. New York, NY, USA) and includes, but is not limited to, glycerin, sorbitol or trehalose (eg, α, α-trehalose, β, β-trehalose, α, β trehalose) or a salt or ester thereof (e.g. trehalose-6-phosphate).  A surfactant is a surface active agent intended for cleaning or emulsifying.  Examples of suitable surfactants include those found in Chapter 37 on pages 431-450 ("Classification of surfactants" by L.  Guenhechin's Oldenhove) in the "Handbook of Cosmetic Science and Technology" (edited by A.  Barel, M.  Paye and H.  Maibach, published in 2001 by Marcei Dekker, Inc.  New York, NY, USA) and include, but are not limited to, anionic surfactants such as sulfates, cationic surfactants such as betanes, amphoteric surfactants such as sodium cocoglycinate, nonionic surfactants such as alkyl polyglycosides.  Examples of suitable chelating agents include those capable of protecting and preserving the compositions of this invention.  Preferably, the chelating agent is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ("EDTA") and more preferably is tetrasodium EDTA, commercially available from the Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Michigan, USA under the trade name "Versene 100XL" .  Suitable preservatives include, for example, parabens, quaternary ammonium species, phenoxyethanol, benzoates, DMDM-hydantoin [N, N-Dimethylol-5,5-Dimethyl Hydantoin], organic acids and are present in the composition in an amount based on the total weight of the composition from about 0 to about 1% or from about 0.05% to about 0.05%.  Any of a variety of conditioners that impart additional attributes, such as shine to hair, is suitable for use in this invention.  Examples include, but are not limited to, volatile silicone based conditioning agent which has a boiling point under atmospheric pressure of less than about 22013.  Examples of suitable volatile silicones include not only polydimethylsiloxane fluids, polydimethylcyclosiloxane, hexamethyldisiloxane, cyclomethicone as commercially available polydimethylcyclosiloxane from Dow Corning Corporation of Midland, Michigan, USA under the trade name, "DC-345" and mixtures thereof, and preferably include cyclomethicone fluids.  Other suitable conditioners include cationic polymers, including polyquatterns, cationic guar gum and the like.  Any of a variety of commercially available pearling or opacifying agents is suitable for use in this invention.  Examples of suitable pearling or opacifying agents include, but are not limited to, mono- or diesters of (a) fatty acids having from about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms, and (b) either ethylene glycol or propylene glycol; mono- or diesters of (a) fatty acids having from about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms and (b) a poly (alkylene glycol) of the following formula: HO- (JO) aH, where J is a group alkylene having from about 2 to about 3 carbon atoms; and "a" is 2 or 3, fatty alcohols containing from about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms, fatty esters of the following formula: wherein K and L independently contain from about 15 to about 21. carbon atoms; insoluble inorganic solids in the shampoo composition, and mixtures thereof.  Any fragrance compositions suitable for use on the skin and desirable for a skin treatment composition may be used in accordance with the present invention.  In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention is in the form of a substrate comprising a composition of the present invention.  Any suitable substrate may be used in the present invention.  Examples of suitable substrates and substrate materials are disclosed, for example, in U. Published Applications. S.  Nos 2005/0226834 and 2009/0241242, which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.  [00105] In certain preferred embodiments, the substrate is a handkerchief, glove or face mask.  Preferably, such embodiments comprise a water insoluble substrate as defined in the references cited above.  For certain embodiments, the water-insoluble substrate may be of a size and shape such that it covers a human user's face to facilitate application of the water-insoluble substrate to the user's face, such as a mask substrate. .  For example, the water-insoluble mask substrate may have apertures for a user's mouth, nose, and / or eyes.  Alternatively, the water-insoluble substrate may not have such openings.  This aperture-free configuration may be useful for embodiments of the invention where the water-insoluble substrate is intended to cover a non-facial skin extension or if the water-insoluble substrate is intended to be used as a tissue.  The water-insoluble substrate may have various shapes, such as an angular (e.g. rectangular) shape or arcuate shape such as circular or oval.  For certain embodiments, the substrate is a glove as described in US Patent Application No. 2006/0141014 which is incorporated herein in its entirety.  In one embodiment of the invention, the product includes a plurality of water-insoluble substrates of different shapes.  In one embodiment of the invention, the product includes a first water-insoluble substrate and a second water-insoluble substrate.  The first water-insoluble substrate is formed for forehead application and the second water-insoluble substrate is formed for application adjacent the mouth, such as areas above and / or below the lips, chin, and / or cheeks.  In one embodiment of the invention, the first water-insoluble substrate is applied to the nose region.  The first water-insoluble substrate has a surface area of from about 100 cm2 to about 200 cm2, as from about 120 cm2 to about 160 cm2 and the second water-insoluble substrate has a surface area of about 100 cm2. at about 300 cm 2, as from about 150 cm 2 to about 250 cm 2.  In one embodiment of the invention, the water-insoluble substrate has a low hardness such that it can, for example, readily cover or conform to the face or other parts of the wearer's body.  In certain embodiments, the method of the present invention comprises applying to skin in need of treatment (e.g., in need of improvement of one or more signs of aging, etc.). ), a composition comprising at least about 20% by weight of paulownine or a botanical extract, wherein the extract comprises at least about 20% by weight of paulownine.  In certain more preferred embodiments, the method comprises applying a composition comprising at least about 40% by weight of paulownine or a botanical extract comprising at least about 40% by weight of paulownine, for example at least about 50%. , by weight, at least about 60% by weight, at least 70% by weight, or at least 80% by weight of paulownina.  In certain embodiments, the methods of the present invention comprise applying to the skin in need of treatment a composition comprising paulownin which is isolated and / or purified by at least 90%.  In certain preferred embodiments, the composition has incorporated or added thereto a paulownin material which is paulownin of greater than 90% purity.  In certain embodiments, paulownin alone and / or the composition comprising paulownin may be prepared to be essentially free of certain materials.  In one embodiment, the paulownin material, the composition comprising the paulownin material or both are essentially free of ursolic acid, beta-sitosterol or both.  Preferably, the methods of the present invention comprise applying an effective amount of paulownin to the skin, preferably a safe and effective amount.  In certain preferred embodiments, the methods comprise applying greater than zero to about 20% paulownin to the skin in need of this treatment.  In certain other preferred embodiments, the methods comprise applying from about 0.0001 to about 20%, from about 0.001 to about 10%, from about 0.01 to about 5%, from about 0.1 to about 10%. about 5% or about 0.2 to about 2% paulownin in the skin in need of treatment.  In certain other preferred embodiments, the methods comprise applying from greater than zero to about 1%, from about 0.0001 to about 1%, from about 0.001 to about 1%, or from about 0.01 to about 1%. 1% paulownina to the skin.  In certain other preferred embodiments, the methods comprise applying from about 1 to about 5%, preferably from about 2 to about 5% paulownin, to the skin.  The present invention further comprises skin bleaching methods for application to the skin requiring treatment of skin whitening, paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract, such as extracts and modalities thereof which are described above.  In certain embodiments, the method comprises applying a composition of the present invention comprising paulownin or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract, such as the compositions which are described above in various embodiments, to skin in need of skin whitening treatment.  The present invention may comprise the application to any body skin in need of treatment.  For example, the application may be to any one or more of the skin on the face, lips, neck, cheek, back, arms, armpit, hands, feet and / or legs.  Preferably, the methods of the present invention comprise applying a whitening effective amount of paulownina skin or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract to the skin, preferably a safe and effective amount.  In certain preferred embodiments, the methods comprise applying more than zero to about 20% of paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract to the skin in need.  In certain other preferred embodiments, the methods comprise applying from about 0.0001 to about 20%, from about 0.001 to about 10%, from about 0.01 to about 5%, from about 0.1 about 5%, or about 0.2 to about 2% of paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract to the skin in need.  In certain other preferred embodiments, the methods comprise applying more than zero to about 1%, from about 0.0001 to about 1%, from about 0.001 to about 1%, or from about 0.01 to about 1%. 1% paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract to the skin.  In certain other preferred embodiments, the methods comprise applying from about 1 to about 5%, preferably from about 2 to about 5% of paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract to the skin.  Any suitable method of applying the extract to the skin in need of treatment may be used in accordance with the present invention.  For example, the extract may be applied directly from a package to the skin in need of treatment, by hands to the skin in need of treatment, or may be transferred from a substrate such as a handkerchief or mask, or a combination of two or more of the same.  In other embodiments, the extract may be applied via a dropper, tube, ball applicator, spray, patch, or added to a bath or otherwise to the water to be applied to the skin, and the like.  In certain embodiments, the methods of the present invention further comprise the step of leaving paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract in contact with the skin for a period of time.  For example, in certain embodiments, after application, the extract is left in contact with the skin for a period of about 15 minutes or more.  In certain preferred embodiments, the extract is left in contact with the skin for a period of about 20 minutes or more, preferably about 1 hour or more.  In certain embodiments, the method of the present invention comprises a regime comprising applying paulownin or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract to the skin multiple times over a selected period of time.  For example, in certain embodiments, the present invention provides a skin bleaching method comprising applying to the skin in need of skin bleaching a composition comprising a paulownina or a Paulownia tomentosa wood extract one or more times a day for at least 12 days. weeks, preferably at least 8 weeks and more preferably for at least 2 weeks.  In certain preferred embodiments, the methods of the present invention comprise applying at least two different compositions or two different products comprising paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract to the skin.  For example, the methods may comprise applying a first composition comprising paulownina or paulownia tomentosa wood extract to skin that needs skin lightening followed by applying a second composition comprising paulownina or paulownia tomentosa wood extract but is otherwise different from the first composition to the skin that needs skin lightening.  In certain preferred embodiments, the first and second compositions may be selected independently from the group consisting of lotions, cleansing cosmetics, masks, wipes, creams, serums, gels and the like.  In certain preferred embodiments, at least one of the first and second compositions is a cleansing cosmetic, lotion, cream, essence, or serum, and the other is a handkerchief or face mask.  In certain other preferred embodiments, at least one of the first and second compositions is a cleansing cosmetic and the other is a lotion or cream.  In certain other preferred embodiments, the method comprises applying at least three products comprising paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract to skin in need of skin whitening.  Preferably, these three products are selected from the group consisting of cleansing cosmetics, lotions, creams, essences and face masks.  The present invention further comprises methods of improving a skin aging signal comprising the step of applying to the skin needing improvement of paulownina aging signs or a Paulownia tomentosa wood extract such as extracts and compositions thereof which are described (described) above, and also skin inflammation reduction methods comprising the step of applying to skin that requires paulownina skin inflammation reduction or a Paulownia tomentosa wood extract such as extracts and compositions thereof are described above.  The present invention may comprise the application to any body skin in need of treatment.  For example, the application may be to any one or more of the skin on the face, lips, neck, cheek, back, arms, armpit, hands, feet and / or legs.  Preferably, the methods of the present invention comprise applying a safe and effective amount of paulownin or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract to the skin.  In certain preferred embodiments, the methods comprise applying more than zero to about 20% of paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract to the skin in need.  In certain other preferred embodiments, the methods comprise applying from about 0.0001 to about 20%, from about 0.001 to about 10%, from about 0.01 to about 5%, from about 0.1 about 5%, or about 0.2 to about 2% of paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract to the skin in need.  In certain other preferred embodiments, the methods comprise applying more than zero to about 1%, from about 0.0001 to about 1%, from about 0.001 to about 1%, or from about 0.01 to about 1%. 1% paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract to the skin.  In certain other preferred embodiments, the methods comprise applying from about 1 to about 5, preferably from about 2 to about 5% paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract to the skin.  Any suitable method of applying the extract to the skin in need may be used in accordance with the present invention.  For example, the extract may be applied directly from a package to the skin in need of treatment, by hands to the skin in need of treatment, or may be transferred from a substrate such as a handkerchief or mask, or a combination of two or more of the same.  In other embodiments, the extract may be applied via a dropper, tube, ball applicator, patch or added to the bath or otherwise applied to the skin, and the like.  In certain embodiments, the methods of the present invention further comprise the step of leaving paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract in contact with the skin for a period of time.  For example, in certain embodiments, after application, the extract is left in contact with the skin for a period of about 15 minutes or more.  In certain preferred embodiments, the extract is left in contact with the skin for a period of about 20 minutes or more, preferably about 1 hour or more.  In certain embodiments, the method of the present invention comprises a regime comprising applying paulownin or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract to the skin multiple times over a selected period of time.  For example, in certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method comprising applying to the skin in need a composition comprising paulownina or a Paulownia tomentosa wood extract once or twice daily for at least 12 weeks, preferably at least 8 weeks and more. preferably for at least 2 weeks.  In certain preferred embodiments, the methods of the present invention comprise applying at least two different compositions or two different products comprising paulownina or Paulownia tomentosa wood extract to the skin.  For example, the methods may comprise applying a first composition comprising paulownina or paulownia tomentosa wood extract to the skin in need followed by applying to such skin a second composition comprising paulownina or paulownia tomentosa wood extract but which is otherwise , different from the first composition, to the skin in need.  In certain preferred embodiments, the first and second compositions may be selected independently from the group consisting of lotions, cleansing cosmetics, masks, wipes, creams, serums, gels, and the like.  In certain preferred embodiments, at least one of the first and second compositions is a cleansing cosmetic, lotion, cream, essence, or serum and the other is a handkerchief or face mask, in certain other preferred embodiments, at least At least one of the first and second compositions is a cleansing cosmetic and the other is a lotion or cream.  In certain other preferred embodiments, the method comprises applying at least three products comprising paulownin to skin in need of improved signs of aging, or other treatment.  Preferably, these three products are selected from the group consisting of cleansing cosmetics, lotions, creams, essences and face masks.  The compositions of the present invention may be suitable for a variety of other uses.  For example, the compositions of the present invention may be useful for cleansing and / or moisturizing dry skin, treating signs of aging and / or treating inflammation, including postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, pore size reduction, acne treatment. to reduce sebum production, to mitigate scars and reduce the appearance of stretch marks, to reduce the appearance of cellulite or the appearance of roughness similar to orange peel.  In certain other embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may be applied simultaneously with or without a few hours of a physical or mechanical exfoliator as a microdermabrasion treatment, or with a chemical scrub or keratolytic agent such as salicylic acid.  In certain other embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are applied to the mucosa or other tissue such as vaginal, oral or ocular tissue.  In certain other embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are applied to moderate wounds or post-surgical sites to facilitate healing, insect bites, poison ivy-irritated skin or similar skin conditions, or generally to mitigate itching. .  In certain other embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are applied to mitigate skin irritations.  Irritation may be of external origin, caused by ingredients in cosmetic and skin care products such as retinoids and their derivatives, benzoyl peroxide, alpha-hydroxy acids and derivatives thereof, salicylic acid, surfactants, natural plant extracts, sunscreen actives, urea and preservatives, etc.  Irritation may be caused by other external factors such as sun, wind or shaving or waxing.  Irritation can also be caused by inherent health problems such as acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis and other unhealthy conditions.  In other embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may be useful for reducing gum redness.  The extracts may also be suitable for use in reducing the appearance of telangiectasia or spider veins, reducing the appearance of rosacea, skin blemish and skin imperfections.  In certain embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are applied to the hair, scalp or both to improve hair health, quality and strength, to promote hair growth or to retard hair loss, to prevent or treat dandruff, to prevent or treat blotting, seborrhea of the head and to improve the moisture and health of the scalp.  In other embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are applied to the gums in the mouth to prevent or treat redness or irritation of the gums, to reduce periodontitis, to treat or prevent gingivitis, to reduce the symptoms or sensation of dry mouth.  In still other embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are applied to the eyes to treat, prevent or reduce the onset of red or irritated eye, to prevent or treat conjunctivitis, to improve eye moisture, to reduce eye sensation. dry.  In other embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are applied to the vaginal mucosa to prevent or treat signs of irritation or dryness, loss of firmness.  The compositions of the present invention may comprise any suitable optional cosmetic ingredients as described above and may be in any suitable cosmetic form as described above (e.g., solution, suspension, bars, cleansing cosmetics, lotions, creams, essences, masks facials, etc. In addition, the compositions of the present invention may comprise one or more additional skin whitening agents, anti-inflammatory agents, collagen promoters, and / or tropolella-promoters as described above.  In certain preferred embodiments, the compositions comprise one or more additional skin whitening agents.  In certain preferred embodiments, the compositions comprise one or more additional anti-inflammatory agents.  In certain preferred embodiments, the compositions comprise one or more additional collagen promoters.  In certain preferred embodiments, the compositions comprise one or more additional tropoelastine promoters.

Examples The following test methods were used in the Examples: Melanin Synthesis Inhibition Test [00130] B16 (F10) murine melanoma cell control samples were prepared and cultured as indicated below, but without the addition of any test sample and without exposure to UVB (untreated control). Other control samples were prepared and cultured as indicated below without the addition of test sample and were exposed to UVB as described below (treated control). One or more B16 (F10) cell samples were prepared and each was pretreated with a test sample (e.g., E1) followed by exposure to UVB as described below. During treatment, UVB-stimulated melanogenesis in cells and test compounds were evaluated based on their ability to inhibit or slow down the rate of melanogenesis. Cells were lysed for protein measurement at 595 nm and melanin content at 470 nm. The potency of the test compounds was determined by comparing the percentage inhibition achieved by the test compounds against the treated control.

Test procedure: On the first day, B16 (F10) murine melanoma cells were seeded in 60 mm dishes with a density of approximately 1 million cells per plate and incubated for 48 hours at 37 ° C, and 5% of CO2. On day 2, cells with a confluence rate of 90 to 100% were treated with the test compound at a predetermined concentration (e.g. 25 pg / ml) for two hours (for test compound samples only) in a row. exposure to UVB 200 mJ / cm2 (for test samples and treated control). Cells were harvested on day 3 (24 hours after UVB irradiation for test and treated control samples) and lysed in protein lysis buffer (50 mM Tris, pH 8, 2 mM EDTA, 150 mM NaCI and 1% Triton X 100 - a nonionic surfactant purchased from BioRad, Catalog No. 161-0407), and centrifuged. The resulting supernatant was well mixed with a protein assay dye (BioRad protein assay reagent) and a spectrophotometer (Molecular Devices VERSAmax) was used to determine the optical density (protein assay OD) of the 595 sample. nm. The remaining cell pellet after removal of the supernatant was dissolved in alkaline buffer containing DMSO, and the resulting solution was used for the 470 nm melanin absorbance assay to determine the melanin assay OD. [00132] Three samples from each of the untreated control, the treated control, and each test sample were prepared and the melanin and protein OD were measured for each. Normalized melanin for each untreated control (3 samples), treated control (3 samples) and test sample (3 samples for each test compound) was calculated via the following equation: Normalized Melanin = melanin assay OD / OD protein assay. The normalized mean melanin of untreated controls was calculated (sum of the three calculated values divided by 3), and the normalized mean melanin of treated controls was calculated similarly. [00134] The Control Induction value was calculated via the equation: Control Induction Value = Normalized Average Melanin from Treated Control - Normalized Average Melanin from Untreated Control. [00135] The induction value with each test sample is then calculated via the equation: Test Sample Induction Value = Test Sample Normalized Melanin - Untreated Control Normalized Mean Melanin. The% inhibition for each test sample is then calculated via the equation: 100 x [(Control Induction value - Test Sample Induction value) / Control Induction value]. The mean% inhibition is calculated as the sum of the three resulting% Inhibition values for each test sample divided by three. The calculation sequence for inhibition% is explained by a theoretical example; see the following table.

Epidermal Skin Equivalent Model as a Skin Whitening Test (AL) Epidermal skin equivalent tissues are commercially available from the MatTek's MelanoDerm ™ System and were used for the following tests. MatTek's MelanoDerm ™ System consists of normal human-derived epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) and normal human melanocytes (NHM), which have been cultured to form a highly differentiated multilayer model of human epidermis. Specifically, MEL-300-B fabrics, each 9 mm in diameter, were used in the following tests. Test materials prepared in an appropriate vehicle and the concentrations tested were applied topically to the skin model daily and the experiment lasted 8 days. Measurement was performed on day 9. [00140] The macroscopic and microscopic visual tissue darkening endpoints were measured by photographs with a digital camera. The Luminosity Degree of each tissue (L value) was measured using a spectrophotometer (Konica Minolta CM-2600d). OAL (degree of brightness when compared to control) for each test sample is calculated according to the following formula: AL = treated sample L value - control sample L value. Cell Viability Test The tissue cell viability during the experiment was evaluated using the MTT assay described as follows. The MTT Tissue Viability Assay is a colorimetric assay system that measures the reduction of a yellow methylthiazolyldiphenyl tetrazolium (MTT) bromide to a viable cell myocardial insoluble purple product. Skin epidermal tissues previously used to determine the degree of lightness for each test material and untreated tissues were used to determine the percentage of viable cells remaining at the end of the experiment. Skin epidermal tissues after the brightness test were incubated with MTT reagent for 3 hours. After incubation, an extraction buffer is added to lyse the cells and allowed to continue acting overnight. Samples were read using a plate reader at a wavelength of 570 nm and compared against untreated control and expressed as% cell viability relative to control. A cell viability reduction of> 30% over the control is considered as a significant indication of cellular cytotoxicity caused by the test materials. The amount of purple color produced is directly proportional to the number of viable cells. [00143] The following examples illustrate the preparation and effectiveness of Paulownia tomentosa wood extracts.

Example 1 Four extracts, each of at least 20 mg, from Paulownia tomentosa were obtained from Plant Extract Bank at the Korea Research Institute of Biosciences & Biotechnologies representing the combination of plant parts or individual plant parts. These are derived from: stem / stem bark / branch combination (E1), leaves (C1), stem bark (C2) and stem (E2). All extracts were prepared using methanol under sonication at 500 ° C.

Example 2 The following example illustrates the preparation of Paulownia tomentosa (E3) wood extract according to certain embodiments of the present invention. Paulownia tomentosa wood powder was obtained from Kurosawa Kiri Wood Supply Shop, Kitakata City, Japan. Ten grams (10 g) of dry wood powder was suspended in 250 ml of reagent grade ethanol and stirred at room temperature. room temperature for 72 h. The resulting suspension was filtered and the filtrate was dried under low pressure using a rotary evaporator at 300 ° C. The crude dry extract was obtained in 3.5% yield (350 mg). The crude extract was dissolved in methanol at a concentration of 1% and was treated with active carbon (700 mg) for 5 min at room temperature. The suspension was filtered through a 0.45 micrometer paper filter. The filtrate was dried to obtain a noticeably lighter colored material, E3, 210 mg (yields 60% crude extract).

Example 3 The following example illustrates the preparation of Paulownia tomentosa (E4) wood extract which is essentially free of β-sitosterol and ursolic acid. Deionized grade water (2.4 ml) was added to the Paulownia tomentosa stem / bark / branch extract (E1, 24 mg) from example 1 above and sonicated for 5 min at room temperature. The resulting suspension was filtered through 0.45 µm filter cartridge and the filtrate was freeze dried to obtain water soluble components (E4; 10.3 mg) in 43% yield. HPLC analysis shows that the composition is essentially free of β-sitosterol and ursolic acid. No detectable amounts of any of the compounds are present in E4. The limit of detection (lod value, limit of detection) for β-sitosterol was 9 ppm (w / v) and for ursolic acid was 0.5 ppm (w / v).

Example 4 The following example illustrates the skin whitening properties of Paulownia tomentosa E1-E5 extracts and comparative examples C1-C2. All seven extracts were tested at different concentrations of up to 2% (as shown in Table 1) using the Skin Epidermal Equivalent Model as a Skin Whitening Test (AL) as described above. The cytotoxicity potential was determined by the MTT assay for all extracts and calculated as the% cell viability reduction compared to the control, with cell viability reduction> 30% constituting significant cytotoxicity problems. Results are shown in table 1 below. A simple one-step extraction of wood dust with only solvent water at room temperature was also conducted (E5) and did not result in activity in the skin whitening test. It is believed that stricter extraction (additional heating, agitation, etc.) may give activity.

Table 1 Skin whitening of extracts from parts of Paulownia tomentosa in 3D skin model * Represents significant cytotoxicity problems Example 5 The following example illustrates Melanin Synthesis Inhibition properties associated with Paulownia tomentosa wood extracts. Stem / trunk bark / branch extract (E1) and wood dust extract (E3) were tested for Melanogenesis Inhibition according to the Melanin Synthesis Inhibition Test described above and also for tyrosinase inhibition . The resulting measurements showed that the skin whitening effect of E1 & E3 was associated, at least in part, with inhibition of melanogenesis rather than tyrosinase inhibition. IC50 values of E1 and E3 extracts are 30 and 40 pg / ml for melanogenesis inhibition without enzyme tyrosinase inhibition of either extract.

Example 6 The NF-κB Inhibition Assay The NF-κΒ promoter assay is conducted as follows: H9C2 rat cardiac myoblast cells were purchased from ATCC (Manassas, VA, USA). Cultures were maintained in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM, Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA., USA) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 100 units / ml penicillin, and 50 µg / ml streptomycin. (Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA., USA). Typically, 1x10 4 cells grown in 96-well plates were transiently transfected with 0.45 æg of total DNA per well using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif., USA). In all transfections, a construct with the thymidine kinase promoter and the Renilla luciferase reporter gene (pRL-TK, Promega, Madison, Wisconsin, USA) was included as an internal control in addition to the luciferase promoter. One day after transfection, cells were treated with extracts at the indicated concentrations and stimulated with 100 ng / ml Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα, Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA) for approximately 24 hours before they were lysed for luciferase assays using Promega's "Dual-Luciferase Reporter System" (Madison, Wis., USA) following the manufacturer's protocol. In summary, firefly luciferase activity was measured first (representing NF-κΒ promoter activity), followed by Renilla luciferase (internal control) using the LMAX luminometer from Molecular Devices (Sunny-vale , California, USA). The ratio between these two luciferase activities (RLU) was used to evaluate the activity of each promoter.

NF-κΒ inhibition = [1— (RLUample / RLUcontroie)] * 100 Where RLUample and RLUC0ntr0ie are the ratios of normalized luciferase activity of the sample and control, respectively. The NF-κΒ inhibition assay described above was performed for extracts E3 and E5 in various amounts. In Tables 2a and 2b, normalized NF-κΒ reporter gene activity and percentage of NF-κΒ inhibition are reported.

Table 2a Example 7 Antiinflammatory effects on the release of UV-induced proinflammatory mediators in the reconstituted epidermis [00157] The effect of Paulownia tomentosa extract (E3) was evaluated for topical antiinflammatory activity in epi equivalents. - human dermis. Epidermal equivalents (EPI 200 HCF), a multilayered and differentiated epidermal consisting of normal human epidermal keratinocytes, were purchased from MatTek (Ashland, MA, USA). From receipt, epidermal equivalents were incubated for 24 hours at 370 ° C in maintenance medium without hydrocortisone. Equivalents were topically treated (2 mg / cm2) with Paulownia tomentosa extracts in 70% ethanol / 30% propylene glycol vehicle 2 hours prior to exposure to solar ultraviolet light (1000W-Oriel solar simulator equipped with a Schott WG filter 320 mm 1, UV dose applied: 70 kJ / m2 as measured at 360 nm). Equivalents were incubated for 24 hours at 37 ° C with maintenance medium and then supernatants were assayed for IL-8 and IL-1a cytokine release using commercially available kits (Millipore Corp., Billerica, MA). , USA). Based on the above example, the topical use of Paulownia tomentosa extract was able to significantly reduce the UV-stimulated release of inflammatory mediators. Therefore, Paulownia tomentosa extracts would be supposed to provide an effective anti-inflammatory benefit when applied to the skin.

Example 8 Inhibition of Reactive Oxygen Species Formation in Reconstituted Epidermis [00159] UV-induced hydrogen peroxide formation was determined using a modification of the method of Martin et al., Arch. Dermatol. Res. (2008) 300: 69-80, in reconstituted epidermis and in human epithelial cell line, KB. Epidermal equivalents (EPI 200 HCF), multilayered and differentiated epidermis consisting of normal human epidermal keratinocytes, were purchased from MatTek (Ashland, MA, USA). From receipt, epidermal equivalents were incubated for 24 hours at 370 ° C in maintenance medium without hydrocortisone. After 24 hours, the tissues were incubated for 30 minutes with 5 μΜ of the hydrogen peroxide sensitive fluorescent probe, 5- (e-6) -chloromethyl-2 ', 7'-dichlorodihydro-fluorescein diacetate, acetyl ester ( CM-H2DCFDA) (Invitrogen Corp., Carlsbad, CA, USA). After incubation, the plate was rinsed to remove excess probe and equivalents were topically treated (2 mg / cm2) with Paulownia tomentosa extract (E3) in 70% ethanol / 30% propylene glycol vehicle. The plate was immediately read on a fluorescent plate reader set at 485 nm excitation / 530 nm emission wavelengths to detect basal peroxide formation. The plate was then exposed to UV (1000W-Oriel solar simulator equipped with a 1 mm Schott WG 320 filter; applied UV dose 4.2 kJ / m2 as measured at 360 nm). The plate was read 60 minutes after UV exposure.

Based on the example, topical application of Paulownia tomentosa extracts was able to significantly reduce UV-stimulated ROS production in reconstituted epidermis. Therefore, when applied to the skin, Paulownia tomentosa extracts would be supposed to provide protection against ROS induction by solar irradiation.

Example 9 Inhibition of Reactive Oxygen Species Formation in Human Epithelial Cells The KB cells obtained from the ATCC (ATCC No. CCL-17, Manassas, VA, USA) were plated in 96 well plates treated for culture. at a density of 5,000 cells / well in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (Invitrogen Corp., San Die-go, CA, USA). After 48 hours, the cells were incubated for 30 minutes with 5 μΜ of the hydrogen peroxide sensitive fluorescent probe, 5- (e-6) -chloromethyl-2 ', 7'-dichlorodihydro-fluorescein diacetate ester acetyl (CM-H2DCFDA) (Invitrogen Corp., Carlsbad, CA, USA). After incubation, the plate was rinsed to remove excess probe and Paulownia tomentosa extract (E3) was added at the indicated concentrations. The plate was immediately read on a fluorescent plate reader set at 485 nm excitation / 530 nm emission wavelengths to detect basal peroxide formation. The plate was then exposed to UV (1000W-Oriel solar simulator equipped with a 1 mm Schott WG 320 filter; applied UV dose 4.2 kJ / m2 as measured at 360 nm). The plate was read 60 minutes after UV exposure.

Based on the examples, treatment with Paulownia tomentosa extract was able to significantly reduce UV stimulated ROS production in human epithelial cells. Therefore, when applied to the skin, Paulownia tomentosa extracts would be supposed to provide protection against ROS induction by solar irradiation.

Example 10 Protection against elastase degradation Human leukocyte elastase (HLE) was purchased from Sigma (St. Louis, Mo.), and reconstituted at 1 unit / mL in phosphate buffered saline (PBS, Invitrogen Life). Technologies, Carls-bad, California, USA). Soluble BODIPY FL-stained bovine neck ligament elastin was purchased from Molecular Pro-bes, Inc. (Eugene, Or., USA) such that fluorescence was inactivated in the conjugate and could be activated by digestion with elastase. Human leukocyte elastase (0.0625 U / mL), elastin substrate (25 pg / mL) and increasing concentrations of test material were incubated for two hours at 37G. Fluorescence was measured in excitation at 490 nm and emission at 520 nm using a Gemini fluorescent plate reader from Molecular Devices (Sunnyvale, CA, USA). The background fluorescence of the substrate alone was subtracted from each measurement. Paulownia tomentosa extract (E3) was prepared in DMSO at a stock concentration of 10 mg / ml and serially diluted. Paulownia tomentosa extract inhibited HLE activity in a dose-dependent manner as shown in Table 7. Table 7 [0164] This example demonstrates that Paulownia tomentosa extracts can protect elastin fibers from damage and degradation.

Example 11 Inhibition of UV-induced MMP Induction The ability of Paulownia tomentosa (E3) extract to inhibit UV-induced matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -9 (MMP-1 and -9) was evaluated in epidermal equivalents. normal human epidermal keratinocyte derivatives. MMPs are a family of enzymes that play an important role in physiological remodeling and pathological destruction of extracellular matrix. It is a proven fact that suberitemal doses of UV light induce the secretion of MMPs in human skin, which in turn degrades the extracellular matrix and plays a significant role in the formation of photoaging wrinkles and the loss of firmness and elasticity. See G. J. Fisher, et al., J. Investig. Dermatol. Symposium Proceedings. 14 (1): 20-24 (2009). For the purpose of evaluating the ability of Paulownia tomentosa extracts to inhibit epidermal equivalent (EPI 200 HCF) UV-induced MMPs, differentiated and multilayer epidermis consisting of normal human epidermal keratinocytes, were purchased from MatTek (Ashland, MA, USA). From receipt, epidermal equivalents were incubated for 24 hours at 370 ° C in maintenance medium without hydrocortisone. Equivalents were topically treated (2 mg / cm2) with Paulownia tomentosa (E3) extract in 70% ethanol / 30% propylene glycol vehicle 2 hours prior to exposure to solar ultraviolet light (1000W-Oriel solar simulator equipped with a 1 mm Schott WG 320 filter, applied UV dose: 70 kJ / m2 as measured at 360 nm). Equivalents were incubated for 48 hours at 370 ° C with maintenance medium, then supernatants were analyzed for MMP-1 and -9 using commercially available kits (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA). The data in Table 8 represent the average of 2 independent experiments, with each experimental condition being conducted using duplicate tissues.

Table 8 Based on the example, topical use of Paulow-nia tomentosa extract was able to significantly reduce UV-stimulated MMP-1 and -9 release. Therefore, when applied to the skin, Paulownia tomentosa extracts would be supposed to provide protection against MMP-1 and -9 induction after solar irradiation. Example 12 Inhibition of TNF-α-Induced MMP Induction In order to evaluate the ability of Paulownia tomentosa extract (E3) to inhibit epidermal equivalent TNF-α-induced MMPs (EPI 200 HCF), multilayer epidermis and differentiated consisting of normal human epidermal keratinocytes were purchased from MatTek (Ashland, MA, USA). From receipt, epidermal equivalents were incubated for 24 hours at 370 ° C in maintenance medium without hydrocortisone. Equivalents were topically treated (2 mg / cm2) with Paulownia tomentosa extract (E3) in 70% ethanol / 30% propylene glycol vehicle 2 hours prior to treatment with TNF-a (100 ng / mL). Equivalents were incubated for 48 hours at 37 ° C with maintenance medium, then supernatants were analyzed for MMP-1 and -9 using commercially available kits (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA).

Table 10 Based on the example, the topical use of Paulow-nia tomentosa extract was able to significantly reduce TNF-α-stimulated MMP-1 and -9 release. Therefore, when applied to the skin, Paulownia tomentosa extracts would be supposed to provide protection against MMP-1 and -9 induction.

Example 13 TROPOELASTIN PROMOTOR TEST was performed using Tanacetum parthenium (parthenolide-free matrix extract obtained from Integrated Botanical Technologies of Ossining, NY, USA). Tanacetum parthenium was diluted in cell culture medium (Invitrogen DMEM Medium, San Diego, CA, USA) and Paulownia to mentosa was diluted in DMSO to the "active" concentration indicated in Table 12 below. Compounds were added to transfected H9C2 cells and cells were incubated for 24 hours. The test samples were compared to the respective controls. Results are shown in Table 12 below.

As can be seen from the data shown in Table 12, Paulownia tomentosae and Tanacetum parthenium demonstrated percent changes in tropoelastine promotion relative to respective controls of 32% and 2%, respectively. In contrast, the combination of Paulownia tomentosa and Tanacetum parthenium demonstrated a 55% improvement in tropoelastine promotion over vehicle control. This was much more than a mere additive effect on performance. A similar synergistic effect was observed when the concentration of Tanacetum parthenium was increased from 0.002% to 0.005%. Tanacetum parthenium at the highest concentration also demonstrated a percentage change in tropoelastine promotion over 2% control, while a combination of Paulownia tomentosa and Tanacetum parthenium achieved a percentage change in tropoelastine promotion over vehicle control of 62%. %. The data demonstrate that the combination of Paulownia tomentosa and a tropoelastine promoter (Tanacetum parthenium) produces a surprising and synergistic increase in tropoelastine promoting activity.

Example 14: Isolation and identification of paulownina The isolation of the paulownina tomentosa main component (paulownina) was performed with a combination of preparative HPLC fractionation steps. A 170 mg sample was obtained with retention times and UV spectra identical to those of the main extract signal. Spectroscopic studies confirmed his identity as paulownina. The purity of paulownin alone was determined to be 98%.

Example 15 The antioxidant activity of paulownin was proven via the Reactive Oxygen Species Inhibition assay described above. In this study, human epithelial cells (KB) were replaced by human primary keratinocytes. Keratinocytes were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates treated at a density of 5,000 cells / well in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (Invitrogen Corp., San Diego, CA, USA). After 48 hours, the cells were incubated for 30 minutes with 5 μΜ of the hydrogen peroxide sensitive fluorescent probe, 5- (e-6) -chloromethyl-2 ', 7'-dichlorodihydro-fluorescein diacetate, acetyl ester ( CM-H2DCFDA) (Invitrogen Corp., Carlsbad, CA, USA). After incubation, the plate was rinsed to remove excess probe and paulownin was added at the indicated concentrations. The plate was immediately read in a fluorescent plate reader set at 485 nm excitation / 530 nm emission wavelengths to detect basal peroxide formation. The plate was then exposed to UV (1000W-Oriel solar simulator equipped with a 1 mm Schott WG 320 filter; applied UV dose 4.2 kJ / m2 as measured at 360 nm). The plate was read 60 minutes after UV exposure and data are reported as mean fluorescent units (MFU). Results are shown in Table 13 below.

Table 13 ** Indicates significant difference of UV-treated samples using a Student's t-test with significance set at P <0.05. Based on the example, paulownin treatment was able to significantly reduce UV-induced ROS production in human epithelial cells. Therefore when applied to the skin, paulownin would be supposed to provide protection against ROS induction by solar irradiation and as such would provide substantial activity to reduce the signs of aging such as improved skin firmness, improved skin texture, improved skin texture. appearance of wrinkles on the skin, and treatment of external aggressions on the skin.

Example 16 The following skin treatment composition was prepared using the ingredients shown in Table 14 according to the present invention.

Table 14 The above composition was prepared as follows: Purified water was added to a main tank at a temperature of 20 to 40 ° C with gentle stirring. Versene NA (disodium EDTA) was then added to the main tank. Agitation in the tank was stopped and Ultrez 10 (Carbomer) was added by uniform coating of the top of the water mixture. After absorption of the mixture, stirring and heating were started. The mixture was heated and maintained at 55 to 60 ° C and further mixed for 15 minutes or until homogeneous. An oil phase was prepared by the addition of Finsolv TN (C12-15 alkyl benzoate) to a suitable, clean, stirred and heated phase vessel to 55 to 60 ° C. After reaching such a temperature, Brij 72 & 721 (Stearet-2, -21 resp.), Migiyol (caprylic / capric triglyceride), Emery 917 (glycerin), and "Penreco snow white" (Petrolate) were added and mixed at 55-60 Ό until added. The oily phase was added to the main tank with increased stirring and heating was discontinued.The resulting mixture was mixed at high speed for 10 to 20 minutes. Dow Corning) was added, the batch mixture was then cooled to 400 ° C and Fenonip XB (preservative mixture) was added. The mixture was further mixed for 10 min or until uniform. Sodium hydroxide was added rapidly ( target pH = 5.4) with additional mixing for 10 minutes or until a uniform pH is achieved. An active premix was prepared by adding Transcutol CG, butylene glycol, citric acid, and princess tree extract in a separate well-blended beaker until uniformity was achieved. The final formulation was prepared by adding the active premix to the main phase of the main tank, and mixing for an additional 10 to 20 minutes to completely dissolve or until uniformity was achieved. Final volumes were completed with water, the formulation was mixed for 10 minutes and the pH noted. The composition samples were left in an oven at 500 ° C for 2 weeks and showed good primary stability. Example 17 The following skin treatment composition was prepared using the ingredients shown in table 15 according to the present invention.

The above composition was prepared as follows: Purified water was added to a main tank followed by the addition of disodium EDTA and mixed until the EDTA was dissolved. The ammonium acryloyl dimethyltaurate / VP beaker was sprayed into the mixture and the resulting mixture was heated to 70 to 75 ° C. After the set temperature was reached, cetearyl olivate / sorbitan olivate and stearic acid were added while stirring the mixture for 5 minutes at the set temperature. An active premix was prepared by dissolving princess tree extract in 40 to 50 glic butylene glycol in a separate container. Polyacrylate 13 and Polyisobutene and polysorbate 20 were added to the princess tree mixture and then mixed until uniformity was achieved. The temperature was reduced to 35 to 400 ° C and the mixture was reserved until ready to be added to the main tank. A chlorophenesin premix was prepared by the addition of chlorophenesin to butylene glycol in a separate vessel and heated to 350 ° C, followed by the addition of methylisothiazolinone. The resulting mixture was heated to 50 to 550 ° C and the temperature was maintained until ready to be mixed with the main tank. An oil phase was prepared in a separate container by the addition of cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone crosslinked polymer in cyclopentasiloxane and cyclohexasiloxane under mixing and heating from 55 to 600 ° C until uniformity was achieved. Then, ethylhexylglycerine was added and mixed to uniformity, followed by the addition of stearic acid at a temperature maintained between 55 and 600 ° C. The oily phase was then slowly added to the main tank with vigorous stirring at a temperature of 50 ° C. 70 to 7513. Dimethyl conol and dimethicone were added to the main batch and the resulting mixture was stirred for 20 minutes or until uniformity, after which heating was discontinued. The main pH was adjusted to 5.0 to 5.5 with sodium hydroxide. The chlorophenesin phase was slowly added at 50 to 5513 ° C while maintaining agitation. The mixture was cooled to 35 to 4013 ° C and the fragrance, FD&C red and D&C yellow were added and mixed well under temperature maintenance. The final formulation was obtained by slowly adding the active premix to the main tank under gentle mixing. The mixture was mixed for an additional 10 to 20 minutes until uniform. Final volumes were completed with water, the formulation was mixed for 10 minutes and the pH noted. The composition samples were left in an oven at 500 ° C for 2 weeks and showed good primary stability.

Claims (20)

1. Method of improving an aging signal selected from the group consisting of improving skin firmness, improving skin texture, improving the appearance of skin wrinkles, treating external skin aggressions, and combining two or more of the characterized in that it comprises applying a therapeutically effective amount of pauiownin to human skin in an amount effective to improve skin firmness, improve skin texture, improve the appearance of skin wrinkles, treat external skin aggressions, or improve combinations of two or more of them. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said step of applying comprises applying more than zero to about 20% pauiownina to the skin in need of improvement of an aging signal. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said step of applying comprises applying at least about 20% by weight of pauiownina to the skin in need of improvement of an aging signal. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said step of applying comprises applying at least about 50% by weight of pauiownina to skin in need of improvement of an aging signal. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said step of applying comprises applying at least about 90% by weight of pauiownina to skin in need of improvement of an aging signal. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said step of applying comprises applying from about 0.01 to about 1% pauiownin to skin in need of improvement of an aging signal. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said step of applying comprises applying from about 0.1 to about 5% of paulownin to skin in need of improvement of an aging signal. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said step of applying comprises applying a composition comprising paulownin and a vehicle to the skin in need of improvement of an aging signal, wherein said composition is under application. form of a solution, suspension, lotion, cream, se-rum, gel, stick, spray, ointment, wash lotion, bar of soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, paste, foam, powder, mousse, cream shaving, hydrogel, or film-forming product. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that said composition further comprises a tropoelastine promoter. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that said tropoelastine promoter is selected from the group consisting of blackberry extracts, Cotinus extracts, matricaria extracts, Phyllanthus niruri extracts and combinations of two or more. of the same. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that said composition further comprises a collagen promoter. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the collagen promoter is a non-retinoid collagen promoter. A method according to claim 12, wherein the non-retinoid collagen promoter is selected from the group consisting of Tanacetum parthenium extracts, Centella asiatica extracts, Siegesbeckia orientalis extracts, soy extracts, and combinations of two or more thereof. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the collagen promoter is a retinoid. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the retinoid is selected from the group consisting of retinol, retinal, retinyl acetate, retinyl propionate, retinyl linoleate, retinyl palmitate, and combinations of two or more. of the same. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the improvement of an aging signal comprises improving the firmness of the skin and said step of applying comprises applying to the human skin in need of improved skin firmness an amount effective of paulownina. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that said human skin which requires skin tightening improvement comprises skin that is flabby, loose, loose, rough, rough, thin, irregular, or a combination of two or more of them. The method of claim 1, wherein improving an aging signal comprises improving the appearance of wrinkles on the skin and said applying step comprises applying to human skin in need of improved appearance of wrinkles. an effective amount of paulownina in the skin. A method according to claim 18, characterized in that said human skin requiring improvement in the appearance of wrinkles on the skin comprises skin having wrinkles, fine lines ("crow's feet"), or a combination the same. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that said composition further comprises a sunscreen.