JP2014114251A - Ceramide production promoter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ceramide production promoter and a humectant.SOLUTION: The ceramide production promoter and humectant include an extract of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to Picea, excluding Picea obovata, as an active ingredient.

Description

  The present invention relates to a ceramide production promoter and a humectant.

Ceramide, one of the sphingolipids, is a trace amount in the whole organism, but in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, occupies more than half of the lipid component and is important for the skin moisturizing and barrier mechanisms Plays an important role. Ceramide builds a lamellar structure between cells in the stratum corneum after being produced and secreted in epidermal cells. In skin diseases such as dry skin, rough skin, atopic dermatitis, senile psoriasis and psoriasis, the healthy metabolism of ceramide is impeded, and the amount of ceramide in the stratum corneum is reduced, so that the skin's moisturizing ability and barrier ability It has been reported a lot that causes the decrease of
If ceramide production in epidermal cells is enhanced and the amount of ceramide in the stratum corneum can be increased, the skin's moisturizing ability and barrier ability can be increased, and skin diseases associated with a decrease in the amount of ceramide in the stratum corneum, such as dryness It is considered useful for the prevention and improvement of skin, rough skin, atopic dermatitis, senile psoriasis, psoriasis and the like. For example, eucalyptus extract is known to enhance skin moisturizing ability and barrier ability by increasing ceramide production in epidermal cells and increasing the amount of ceramide in the stratum corneum (Non-patent Document 1). Up to now, attempts have been made to replenish the reduced ceramide from the outside, but the effect is not necessarily sufficient at present.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012, 34, 17-22.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a ceramide production promoter having a high ceramide production promotion effect. Moreover, this invention makes it a subject to provide the moisturizer excellent in the effect | action which accelerates | stimulates ceramide production.

In view of the above problems, the present inventors have conducted intensive studies. As a result, it was found that plant extracts of the genus Spruce ( Picea ) have a high ceramide production promoting action, and obtained the knowledge that they are useful as novel moisturizing ingredients. The present invention has been completed based on this finding.

That is, the present invention is, spruce plants belonging to (Picea) (where Siberian spruce (Picea obovata) excluding) at least one extract ceramide production-accelerating comprising as an active ingredient of a plant selected from the group consisting of It relates to the agent.
The present invention also relates to a humectant containing, as an active ingredient, an extract of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the genus Picea (however, excluding Siberian spruce ( Picea obovata )). .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the ceramide production promoter which has a high ceramide production promotion effect can be provided. Moreover, according to this invention, the moisturizing agent excellent in the ceramide production promotion effect can be provided.

The ceramide production promoter and moisturizer of the present invention contain an extract of at least one plant selected from plants belonging to the genus Picea other than Siberian spruce. As demonstrated in the examples described later, these plant extracts have a high ceramide production promoting effect.

In the present invention, a plant belonging to the genus Spruce (hereinafter also referred to as a spruce plant) refers to a plant belonging to the genus Picea of the Pinaceae family, but does not include Picea obovata .
Spruce plants are further classified into three nodes based on cones and leaves. The cone is large and the surface is scaly, and the leaf cross section is slightly flat, and the cone is small and the surface is scaly, and the leaf cross section is flat and the cone is large and the surface is smooth, and the leaves are Pointed, the cross section is a square fir node.

Specific examples of the spruce plants of the genus, Brewer spruce (Picea breweriana) of Omorikatouhi clause, Sergeant spruce (Picea brachytyla), Birumatouhi (Picea farreri), Rikiantouhi (Picea likiangensis), purple spruce (Picea purpurea), Sikkim spruce (Picea spinulosa ), Picea Alcoquiana (Picea alcocquiana syn. Picea bicolor) , Picea (Picea glehnii), black spruce (Picea mariana), Omorikatouhi (Picea omorika), Akatouhi (Picea rubens), Bal fur spruce (Picea balfouriana), of spruce clause Shitokatouhi (Picea sitchensis), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), Canada spruce (white spruce) (Picea glauca), spruce (Picea jezoensis), Colorado spruce (Picea pungens), Chiwawatouhi of Baramomi clause (Picea chihuahuana), new high spruce (Picea morrison icola), the Caucasus spruce (Picea orientalis), the scan Choi Reference spruce (Picea schrenkiana), Morinda spruce (Picea smithiana), Martinez spruce (Picea martinezii), P. maximowiczii (Picea maximowiczii), Beitchitouhi (Picea neoveitchii), Baramomi (Picea torano syn . Picea polita), Wilson spruce (Picea wilsonii), Picea Abies (Picea abies), Alps spruce (Picea alpestris), dragon spruce (Picea asperata), Korea Hari fir (Picea koraiensis), P. koyamae (Picea koyamae), Meyer Spruce ( Picea meyeri ) etc. are mentioned.

In the present invention, among even the Picea plants, preferably plants belonging to Omorikatouhi node and Baramomi clause of Omorikatouhi clause Akatouhi (Picea rubens), Picea (Picea glehnii), and Picea Abies of Baramomi clause (Picea abies) is More preferred. Red spruce is used for the treatment of scurvy, red spruce is used for building materials and surface plates of stringed instruments, and Spruce is used for building materials, surface plates of stringed instruments, antioxidants and antibacterial agents.

The extract used in the present invention is a whole tree of the above spruce plant, or any part (root, rhizome, trunk, branch, stem, leaf, bark, sap, resin, flower, fruit, seed, peel, bud, bud , Flower ears, heartwood, etc.). Moreover, you may use combining each site | part in multiple numbers. Especially, it is preferable to use the leaf extract extracted using the leaf.
The above plants may be used as they are in the raw state, and it is also preferable to use those subjected to treatments such as drying, shredding, and pulverization in order to increase extraction efficiency.

  There is no particular limitation on the method for obtaining the extract of the spruce plant, and the extract can be obtained by extracting the plant by a usual method. Specifically, dried products obtained by drying the above plants, squeezed juice obtained by squeezing and extracting the pulverized products, steam distillates, crude extracts using various extraction solvents, distribution of crude extracts, column chromatography, etc. Extract fractions obtained by purification by various chromatographic methods can be used as the extract in the present invention. Moreover, you may use what combined these extract, steam distillate, pressing material, etc. individually or in combination of 2 or more types as an extract.

In the present invention, it is more preferable to use an extract obtained by using an extraction solvent from a dried product obtained by drying a spruce plant or a pulverized product thereof.
As the extraction solvent, either a polar solvent or a nonpolar solvent can be used, and these can also be mixed and used. Examples of the extraction solvent include water; alcohol (for example, monohydric alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol, polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and butylene glycol); ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone; methyl acetate Esters such as ethyl acetate; Chain and cyclic ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and diethyl ether; Polyethers such as polyethylene glycol; Halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride; Hydrocarbons such as hexane, cyclohexane and petroleum ether Aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene; pyridine; supercritical carbon dioxide; fats and oils, waxes, and other oils. A mixture in which two or more of the above solvents are combined can also be used as the extraction solvent. Among them, it is preferable to use at least one selected from water, an alcohol, and an aqueous solution of the alcohol, more preferably at least one selected from water, an aqueous ethanol solution, propylene glycol, and butylene glycol. Or it is more preferable to use ethanol aqueous solution, and it is still more preferable to use ethanol aqueous solution.

The concentration of the aqueous alcohol solution used as the extraction solvent is preferably 5% by volume or more, more preferably 30% by volume or more, and still more preferably 40% by volume or more. The upper limit of the concentration is not particularly limited, but 99% by volume or less is practical. The concentration of the alcohol aqueous solution is preferably 5% by volume to 99% by volume, more preferably 30% by volume to 99% by volume, and still more preferably 40% by volume to 99% by volume.
In particular, the concentration of the aqueous ethanol solution used as the extraction solvent is preferably 30% by volume or more, more preferably 40% by volume or more, and even more preferably 50% by volume or more. The upper limit of the concentration is not particularly limited, but is preferably 99% by volume or less, and more preferably 95% by volume or less. The concentration of the aqueous alcohol solution is preferably 30% to 99% by volume, more preferably 40% to 99% by volume, more preferably 40% to 95% by volume, and more preferably 50% to 95% by volume. Even more preferred.

  The extraction conditions vary depending on the solvent used and are not particularly limited. For example, when extraction is performed using water, alcohols or an aqueous alcohol solution, it is preferably immersed or heated to reflux under the following conditions. The solvent is preferably used in an amount of 1 part by mass or more, preferably 50 parts by mass or less, based on 1 part by mass of the plant. The extraction temperature is preferably 3 ° C. or higher, more preferably 20 ° C. or higher, preferably 100 ° C. or lower, and more preferably 80 ° C. or lower. The extraction time is preferably 1 hour or longer, more preferably 1 day or longer, several weeks or shorter, more preferably 30 days or shorter. Moreover, in order to raise extraction efficiency, you may stir together or you may perform a homogenization process in a solvent.

The extract obtained by extraction with the above solvent may be used as it is, but it is also possible to fractionate and use a fraction having high activity by an appropriate separation means such as gel filtration, chromatography, precision distillation, etc. it can. The plant extract used in the present invention includes the various extracts thus obtained, a diluted solution thereof, a concentrated solution thereof, a purified product thereof or a dry powder thereof.
For the ceramide production promoter or moisturizer of the present invention, an extract of a spruce plant may be used alone, or a mixture of two or more species may be used.

As shown in the below-mentioned Examples, an extract of a spruce plant has an excellent ceramide production promoting action. As described above, ceramide plays an important role in the skin moisturizing mechanism and barrier mechanism, and promotion of ceramide production normalizes the ceramide production mechanism of the living body, increases ceramide in the reduced stratum corneum, It leads to regaining skin having high barrier function and moisturizing function. That is, the extract of a spruce plant can be used to promote ceramide production, and thus maintain, improve, and normalize the skin moisturizing function and barrier function.
The use may be a therapeutic use (ie medical practice) or a non-therapeutic use (non-medical practice). Moreover, the subject of the use can be a human, a non-human animal, or a specimen derived therefrom. The “non-therapeutic” is a concept that does not include a medical action, that is, a treatment action on the human body by treatment.

A ceramide production promoter or moisturizer containing an extract of a spruce plant as an active ingredient is one of the specific embodiments of the above use, and is used for therapeutic use (medical use) and non-therapeutic use (non-medical use). It can be applied to both. The usage forms include all forms that can be applied to human, animal skin, nails, mucous membranes, hair and the like.
Specific examples include use as pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, etc., in the case of cosmetics, quasi-drugs, and pharmaceuticals, in the form of external skin preparations, and in the case of pharmaceuticals, in the dosage form can do. Moreover, these agents can also be mix | blended as an active ingredient in various food-drinks, pet food, etc.

The ceramide production promoter or moisturizer of the present invention may contain only an extract of a spruce plant that is an active ingredient, or contains other ingredients within a range that does not affect the effect. There may be.
Components other than the active ingredient can be appropriately selected according to the form and use of the agent. For example, an appropriate liquid or solid excipient or extender such as titanium oxide, calcium carbonate, distilled water, lactose, starch or the like may be added so as to facilitate forming as an agent. In addition, other medicinal components (other whitening agents, moisturizers, etc.), antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, surfactants, thickeners, colorant types, and the like may be added.
Examples of other medicinal ingredients include humectants such as known ceramide production promoters, pseudoceramides, natural ceramides, and sugar ceramides. Examples of medicinal ingredients other than the humectant include skin aging inhibitors and whitening agents.
Known ceramide production promoters include, for example, acetylhydroxyproline, potassium glycyrrhizinate, L-carnitine, ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucoside, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, dl-α-tocopheryl-dl-ascorbyl phosphate, dl-α- Tocopheryl phosphate, nicotinamide, tocopherol nicotinate, L-lactic acid, vitamin C, asparagus extract, butcher bloom, genquanine, rosemary, lavender, sage, jujube, black (red) ganoderma, toki, kujin, Yokuinin, Beniceanne extract, rice power extract and the like.
Examples of the pseudo ceramide include commercially available ceramide R (manufactured by Unilever), ceramide PC-104 (manufactured by Taiheiyo Kagaku), ceramide HO3 (manufactured by sederma), and Erdew PS-203 (manufactured by Ajinomoto).
Examples of sugar ceramides include glucosyl ceramide, galactosyl ceramide, etc., and commercially available products include nippon ceramide (manufactured by Nippon Flour), oryzah ceramide (manufactured by Oriza Yoka), Nissan ceramide, neo-liquid ceramide N (Japanese fat and oil). Manufactured), ceramide (manufactured by Unitika) and the like.

  When other ingredients are added to the agent, the content of the spruce plant extract as an active ingredient is not particularly limited, but the extract is 0.00001% by mass in terms of solid content (in terms of solid content) in the agent. It is preferable to be contained in an amount of 0.0001% by mass or more. Moreover, it is preferable that 20 mass% or less of the said extract is contained by solid content concentration in an agent, and it is more preferable that 10 mass% or less is contained. Furthermore, it is preferable that the said extract is 0.00001 mass% or more and 20 mass% or less by solid content concentration in an agent, and it is more preferable that 0.0001 mass% or more and 10 mass% or less are contained.

When the ceramide production promoter or moisturizer of the present invention is used in the form of a skin external preparation, the “skin external preparation” is applied to the skin as a skin cosmetic, an external medicine, an external quasi-drug, etc. The dosage form can take a wide variety of forms such as aqueous solution, solubilization system, emulsification system, powder system, gel system, ointment system, cream, water-oil two-layer system, water-oil-powder three-layer system. obtain. More specifically, facial cleanser, lotion, lotion, milky lotion, cream, gel, essence (beauty serum), pack, mask, massage agent, foundation, lipstick, bath preparation, shampoo, hair conditioner, hair tonic, ointment, Examples include pastes, sheet-like products (absorbent articles such as sanitary products, wiping wipes, wet tissues, etc.).
In addition, in making these dosage forms, various oil agents, surfactants, gelling agents, preservatives, antioxidants, solvents, alcohol, water, chelating agents, thickeners, ultraviolet absorbers, emulsion stabilizers, pH A regulator, a pigment, a fragrance, and the like can be appropriately blended.

When the ceramide production promoter or moisturizer of the present invention is used as a pharmaceutical in the form of administration to humans or animals, for example, oral solid preparations such as tablets, coated tablets, granules, powders, capsules, oral liquids, syrups It can be in the form of oral liquid preparations such as pills, parenteral preparations such as injections, external preparations, suppositories, and transdermal absorption agents.
In preparing these preparations, excipients, binders, extenders, disintegrants, surfactants, lubricants, dispersants, buffers, preservatives, flavoring agents, fragrances, coating agents, carriers, Diluents and the like can be appropriately blended.

When the ceramide production promoter or moisturizing agent of the present invention is blended as an active ingredient in foods and drinks, pet foods, etc., in addition to general foods and drinks, it is based on the concept of improving and maintaining skin moisturizing ability or barrier function, if necessary It can be added to and blended with functional foods and beverages such as health foods and beverages, beauty foods and beverages, health foods and beverages for specified health use, foods and beverages for the sick, and the like.
There is no particular limitation on the type of food and drink, for example, beverages such as fruit juice beverages, milk beverages, tea-based beverages, confectionery such as candy, drop, jelly, cookies, chocolate, cakes, yogurt, gum, seasonings, Examples include cooking oil, dairy products, breads, noodles, and processed rice. Moreover, it is good also as beauty foods, health foods, etc., such as a tablet (tablet), a capsule, a granule, and a syrup.

  The daily use amount of the ceramide production promoter or moisturizing agent of the present invention per adult varies depending on the content of the active ingredient in the agent, the condition of the application subject, body weight, sex, age, etc. The spruce plant extract is preferably used in an amount of 0.001 mg or more, more preferably 0.01 mg or more in terms of dry solid content. The plant extract is preferably used in an amount of 1000 mg or less, more preferably 100 mg or less in terms of dry solid content. Further, the plant extract is preferably used in an amount of 0.001 mg to 1000 mg, more preferably 0.01 mg to 100 mg in terms of dry solid content.

  The ceramide production promoter and moisturizer of the present invention can enhance ceramide production in epidermal cells and increase the amount of ceramide in the stratum corneum, thereby enhancing the skin moisturizing function and barrier function. Due to this action, the ceramide production promoter and moisturizer of the present invention can prevent skin diseases caused by a decrease in the amount of ceramide in the stratum corneum, such as dry skin, rough skin, atopic dermatitis, senile psoriasis and psoriasis. Can prevent, mitigate, improve. From this point of view, the ceramide production promoter and moisturizer of the present invention are skin barrier function improver, dry skin preventive agent or improver, rough skin preventive agent or improver, atopic dermatitis preventive agent or improver, senile It can be used as an agent for preventing or improving psoriasis, an agent for preventing or improving psoriasis, and the like.

The present invention further discloses the following agents, methods, uses and extracts with respect to the above-described embodiments.
<1> A ceramide production promoter comprising, as an active ingredient, an extract of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the genus Picea (except for Picea obovata ), Moisturizer, skin barrier ability improver, dry skin preventive / improving agent, rough skin preventive / improving agent, atopic dermatitis preventive / improving agent, senile xerosis prevention / improving agent, or psoriasis preventive / improving agent.

<2> The plants belonging to the genus Picea are Brewer spruce, Sergeant spruce, Burma spruce, Licht spruce, Murasaki spruce, Sikkim spruce, Matsuhada, red spruce, black spruce, red spruce, red spruce, barf spruce, shrimp Canadian spruce, white spruce, Colorado spruce, Chihuahua spruce, Niita spruce, Caucasus spruce, Schelenst spruce, Morinda spruce, Multinest spruce, Giant rose fir, Baech spruce, Bara fir, Wilson spruce, Dragon spruce, Alp spruce, Alp spruce The ceramide production promoter, moisturizer, skin barrier ability improver, dry skin prevention, dry skin prevention / according to <1>, which is a spruce, a spruce or a Mayer spruce Good agents, rough skin preventing or ameliorating agent, atopic dermatitis preventive and improving agent, senile xeroderma preventing or ameliorating agent, or psoriasis prophylaxis or improvement agent.
<3> The ceramide production promoter, moisturizing agent, and skin barrier ability according to <1>, wherein the plant belonging to the genus Picea is a plant belonging to the spruce or spruce section of the genus Picea. An improver, a dry skin prevention / improvement agent, a rough skin prevention / improvement agent, an atopic dermatitis prevention / improvement agent, a senile xerosis prevention / amelioration agent, or a psoriasis prevention / improvement agent.
<4> The plant belonging to the genus Picea is Picea rubens , Picea glehnii , or Picea abies. Any one of <1> to <3> The described ceramide production promoter, moisturizer, skin barrier ability improver, dry skin prevention / improving agent, rough skin prevention / improving agent, atopic dermatitis prevention / improving agent, senile xerosis prevention / improving agent, or Psoriasis preventive / ameliorating agent.
<5> The ceramide production promoter, moisturizer, skin barrier ability improver, and dry skin prevention according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the extract is a leaf extract of the plant. -An improving agent, a rough skin prevention / improvement agent, an atopic dermatitis prevention / improvement agent, a senile xerosis prevention / amelioration agent, or a psoriasis prevention / improvement agent.

<6> The content of the extract is 0.00001% by mass or more (preferably 0.0001% by mass or more) 20% by mass or less (preferably 10% by mass or less) in terms of solid content, <1> to <5> ceramide production promoter, moisturizer, skin barrier ability improver, dry skin preventive / improving agent, rough skin preventive / improving agent, atopic dermatitis preventive / improving agent, senile dryness An agent for preventing / ameliorating dermatosis, or an agent for preventing / ameliorating psoriasis.
<7> Any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the extract is an extract obtained by extracting the plant with at least one solvent selected from water, alcohol, and an aqueous solution of the alcohol. 1. Ceramide production promoter, moisturizer, skin barrier ability improver, dry skin prevention / improving agent, rough skin prevention / improving agent, atopic dermatitis prevention / improving agent, senile xeroderma prevention / improvement Agent or psoriasis preventive / ameliorating agent.
<8> The ceramide production promoter, humectant, skin barrier ability improver, and drying according to <7>, wherein the solvent is at least one selected from water, an aqueous ethanol solution, propylene glycol, and butylene glycol. Skin prevention / amelioration agent, rough skin prevention / improvement agent, atopic dermatitis prevention / amelioration agent, senile xerosis prevention / amelioration agent, or psoriasis prevention / amelioration agent.
<9> The ceramide production promoter, moisturizer, skin barrier ability improver, dry skin preventive / improving agent, rough skin preventive / improving agent according to <7> or <8>, wherein the solvent is an aqueous ethanol solution. Atopic dermatitis prevention / amelioration agent, senile xerosis prevention / amelioration agent, or psoriasis prevention / amelioration agent.
<10> In any one of <7> to <9>, the concentration of the aqueous alcohol solution is 5% by volume or more (preferably 30% by volume or more, more preferably 40% by volume or more) and 99% by volume or less. The described ceramide production promoter, moisturizer, skin barrier ability improver, dry skin prevention / improving agent, rough skin prevention / improving agent, atopic dermatitis prevention / improving agent, senile xerosis prevention / improving agent, or Psoriasis preventive / ameliorating agent.
<11> The concentration of the aqueous ethanol solution is 30% by volume or more, preferably 40% by volume or more, more preferably 50% by volume or more, 99% by volume or less, and preferably 95% by volume or less. <9> Ceramide production promoter, moisturizer, skin barrier ability improver, dry skin prevention / improving agent, rough skin prevention / improving agent, atopic dermatitis prevention / improving agent, senile xeroderma prevention / improving agent Or a psoriasis preventive / ameliorating agent.
<12> The extract uses the solvent in an amount of 1 part by mass to 50 parts by mass with respect to 1 part by mass of the plant, 3 ° C. or higher (preferably 20 ° C. or higher), 100 ° C. or lower (preferably 80 ° C. or lower). Any one of <7> to <11>, which is an extract obtained by immersion or extraction under heating for 1 hour or more (preferably 1 day or more) and several weeks or less (preferably 30 days or less). Ceramide production promoter, moisturizer, skin barrier ability improver, dry skin prevention / improving agent, rough skin prevention / improving agent, atopic dermatitis prevention / improving agent, senile xeroderma prevention / improving agent Or a psoriasis preventive / ameliorating agent.
<13> The ceramide production promoter, moisturizer, skin barrier ability improver, dry skin preventive / improving agent, rough skin preventive / An improving agent, an atopic dermatitis preventing / ameliorating agent, a senile xerosis prevention / ameliorating agent, or a psoriasis preventing / ameliorating agent.

<14> Ceramide production, wherein cosmetics containing an extract of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the genus Picea (but excluding Picea obovata ) are applied to the skin Promotion method, moisturizing method, skin barrier ability improving method, dry skin prevention / improvement method, rough skin prevention / improvement method, atopic dermatitis prevention / improvement method, senile xeroderma prevention / improvement method, or How to prevent and improve psoriasis. (Excluding medical practice).
<15> Ceramide for oral intake of food or drink containing an extract of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the genus Picea (except for Picea obovata ) Production promotion method, moisturizing method, skin barrier ability improving method, dry skin prevention / improvement method, rough skin prevention / improvement method, atopic dermatitis prevention / improvement method, senile dry skin disease prevention / improvement method, Or the prevention and improvement method of psoriasis. (Excluding medical practice).

<16> An extract of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the genus Picea (excluding Picea obovata ), a ceramide production promoter, a moisturizer, a skin A method of using as a barrier ability improving agent, dry skin preventing / ameliorating agent, rough skin preventing / ameliorating agent, atopic dermatitis preventing / ameliorating agent, senile xerosis prevention / ameliorating agent, or psoriasis preventing / ameliorating agent.
<17> Ceramide production promoter, moisturizer, skin barrier ability improver, dry skin prevention / improving agent, rough skin prevention / improving agent, atopic dermatitis prevention / improving agent, senile xerosis prevention / improving agent, Alternatively, use of an extract of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the genus Picea (excluding Picea obovata ) as an agent for preventing / ameliorating psoriasis.
<18> Promotion of ceramide production, moisturization, improvement of skin barrier ability, prevention / improvement of dry skin, prevention / improvement of rough skin, prevention / improvement of atopic dermatitis, prevention / improvement of senile xerosis, or psoriasis Non-pharmaceutical (non-therapeutic) extract of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the genus Picea (except for Picea obovata ) for prevention and improvement ) Use.
<19> Ceramide production promoter, moisturizer, skin barrier ability improver, dry skin prevention / improving agent, rough skin prevention / improving agent, atopic dermatitis prevention / improving agent, senile xerosis prevention / improving agent, Alternatively, use of an extract of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the genus Picea (except for Picea obovata ) for the manufacture of an agent for preventing / ameliorating psoriasis.
<20> Promotion of ceramide production, moisturization, improvement of skin barrier ability, prevention and improvement of dry skin, prevention and improvement of rough skin, prevention and improvement of atopic dermatitis, prevention and improvement of senile xerosis, or psoriasis An extract of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the genus Picea (excluding Picea obovata ) used for prevention and improvement.
<21> including administration or application to the skin of an extract of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the genus Picea (except for Picea obovata ), Ceramide production promotion method, moisturizing method, skin barrier ability improvement method, dry skin prevention / improvement method, rough skin prevention / improvement method, atopic dermatitis prevention / improvement method, senile xeroderma prevention / improvement method Or a method for preventing or improving psoriasis.

<22> Plants belonging to the genus Picea are Brewer Spruce, Sergeant Spruce, Burma Spruce, Lycaanthus spruce, Purple Spruce, Sikkim Spruce, Matsuhada, Pinus pine, Black Spruce, Red Spruce, Red Spruce, Barfant Spruce, Stogel Canadian spruce, white spruce, Colorado spruce, Chihuahua spruce, Niita spruce, Caucasus spruce, Schelenst spruce, Morinda spruce, Multinest spruce, Giant rose fir, Baech spruce, Bara fir, Wilson spruce, Dragon spruce, Alp spruce, Alp spruce The extract, method or use according to any one of <14> to <21>, which is a spruce, a spruce spruce, or a Mayer spruce.
<23> The extract or method according to any one of <14> to <21>, wherein the plant belonging to the genus Spruce ( Picea ) is a plant belonging to the spruce section or Picea section of the spruce genus ( Picea ). Or use.
<24> In any one of <14> to <23>, the plant belonging to the genus Picea is Picea rubens , Picea glehnii , or Picea abies. The described extract, method or use.
<25> The extract, method or use according to any one of <14> to <24>, wherein the extract is a leaf extract of the plant.

<26> The ceramide production promoter, moisturizer, skin barrier ability improver, dry skin prevention / improving agent, rough skin prevention / improving agent, atopic dermatitis prevention / improving agent, senile xeroderma prevention / improving agent Or, the content of the plant extract in the psoriasis prevention / amelioration agent is 0.00001% by mass or more (preferably 0.0001% by mass or more) 20% by mass or less (preferably 10% by mass or less) in terms of solid content. The method or use according to any one of the above items <16>, <17> and <19>.
<27> The extract according to any one of <14> to <26>, wherein the extract is an extract obtained by extracting the plant with at least one solvent selected from water, alcohol, and an aqueous solution of the alcohol. 2. Extract, method or use according to 1.
<28> The extract, method or use according to <27>, wherein the solvent is at least one selected from water, an aqueous ethanol solution, propylene glycol, and butylene glycol.
<29> The extract, method or use according to <27> or <28>, wherein the solvent is an aqueous ethanol solution.
<30> The concentration of the aqueous alcohol solution is 5% by volume or more (preferably 30% by volume or more, more preferably 40% by volume or more) and 99% by volume or less, according to any one of <27> to <29> The described extract, method or use.
<31> The concentration of the aqueous ethanol solution is 30% by volume or more, preferably 40% by volume or more, more preferably 50% by volume or more, 99% by volume or less, and preferably 95% by volume or less, <29> The extract, method or use according to paragraph.
<32> The extract uses the solvent in an amount of 1 part by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less based on 1 part by mass of the plant, 3 ° C or higher (preferably 20 ° C or higher), 100 ° C or lower (preferably 80 ° C or lower). Any one of <27> to <31>, which is an extract obtained by immersion or extraction under heating for 1 hour or more (preferably 1 day or more) and several weeks or less (preferably 30 days or less). The extract, method or use according to paragraph.
<33> The extract, method or use according to any one of <14> to <32>, which is provided for external use on the skin.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although this invention is demonstrated further in detail based on an Example, this invention is not limited to this.

(Production Example 1) Preparation of Spruce 50% ethanol extract 50 g of Spruce leaves (manufactured by Montagle) were chopped, added with 500 mL of 50% ethanol, and extracted at room temperature for 7 days. Then, it filtered and 420 mL of Spruce 50% ethanol extract was obtained. About the obtained extract, when the evaporation residue was computed by the following method, the evaporation residue was 5.74% (w / v). This was diluted with 50% aqueous ethanol solution to prepare 1.0% (w / v) (extract solid content) extract.
<Calculation of evaporation residue>
When 1 ml of Spruce extract was dried at 105 ° C. for 6 hours (using a dryer: DRY Thermo Unit DTU-1C (manufactured by TAITEC CORPORATION)), 57.4 mg of a dried product was obtained. The evaporation residue of this extract was calculated as 57.4 ÷ 1000 × 100 = 5.74% (w / v). In the following production examples, the evaporation residue of each extract was calculated in the same manner.

(Production Example 2) Preparation of Spruce 95% Ethanol Extract 50 g of Spruce leaves (manufactured by Montagle) were shredded, added with 500 mL of 95% ethanol, and extracted at room temperature for 14 days. Thereafter, filtration was performed to obtain 326 mL of Spruce 95% ethanol extract. When the evaporation residue was calculated by the above method for the obtained extract, the evaporation residue was 1.04% (w / v). This was diluted with 95% ethanol aqueous solution to prepare 1.0% (w / v) (extract solid content) extract.

(Production Example 3) Preparation of red spruce 50% ethanol extract 50 g of red spruce leaves (manufactured by Montagle) were shredded, 500 mL of 50% ethanol was added, and extraction was performed at room temperature for 7 days. Thereafter, filtration was performed to obtain 430 mL of red spruce 50% ethanol extract. About the obtained extract, when the evaporation residue was computed by the following method, the evaporation residue was 5.95% (w / v). This was diluted with 50% aqueous ethanol solution to prepare 1.0% (w / v) (extract solid content) extract.

(Production Example 4) Preparation of red spruce 95% ethanol extract 50 g of red spruce leaves (manufactured by Montagle) were shredded, 500 mL of 95% ethanol was added, and extraction was performed at room temperature for 14 days. Thereafter, filtration was performed to obtain 335 mL of red spruce 95% ethanol extract. About the obtained extract, when the evaporation residue was computed by the following method, the evaporation residue was 2.19% (w / v). This was diluted with 95% ethanol aqueous solution to prepare 1.0% (w / v) (extract solid content) extract.

(Manufacture example 5) Preparation of 50% ethanol extract of red spruce pine 20 g of red spruce pine leaves (manufactured by Montagle) were cut into pieces, 200 mL of 50% ethanol was added, and extraction was performed at room temperature for 7 days. Thereafter, filtration was performed to obtain 160 mL of 50% ethanol extract of Japanese red pine. About the obtained extract, when the evaporation residue was computed by the following method, the evaporation residue was 1.61% (w / v). This was diluted with 50% aqueous ethanol solution to prepare 1.0% (w / v) (extract solid content) extract.

(Production Example 6) Preparation of 95% ethanol extract of Japanese red pine 95% of Japanese red pine leaf (manufactured by Montagle) was chopped, 200mL of 95% ethanol was added, and extraction was performed at room temperature for 7 days. Thereafter, filtration was performed to obtain 170 mL of red pine 95% ethanol extract. About the obtained extract, when the evaporation residue was computed with the following method, the evaporation residue was 0.27% (w / v). This was concentrated and then diluted with a 95% aqueous ethanol solution to prepare a 1.0% (w / v) (extract solids) extract.

(Test example) Verification of ceramide production promoting effect Normal human epidermal keratinocytes (trade name: NHEK (F), KURABO) in culture solution (trade name: EpiLife-KG2, manufactured by KURABO) using a culture plate Manufactured at 37 ° C. and 5% CO ₂ .
Thereafter, the culture solution was replaced with EpiLife-KG2 from which growth factors such as epidermal growth factor were removed, and an extract with a concentration of 1.0 w / v% (in terms of solid content) prepared in the above production example, or 50% ethanol as a control solution. Was added in an amount of 0.1% (final concentration of the extract: 0.001 (w / v)%).
After culturing for 3 days, each cell was collected together with 1 well.

The organic phase from which the lipid was extracted from the collected cells by the Bligh and Dyer method was transferred to a glass tube, solidified with nitrogen, and then redissolved with chloroform and methanol to obtain a lipid sample.
In addition, 0.1N NaOH, 1% SDS aqueous solution is added to the cells after lipid extraction, and the protein is solubilized by heating at 60 ° C. for 2 hours, cooled to room temperature, and then neutralized by adding 2N HCl. The amount of protein was quantified by the BCA method.

The prepared lipid sample was horizontally developed by thin film chromatography (TLC) twice with chloroform: methanol: acetic acid = 190: 9: 1. The copper sulfate solution was sprayed and sprayed with a hot plate to detect ceramide, and the amount was determined.
The results are shown in Table 1. The amount of ceramide in Table 1 shows a relative value (average value of n = 3 to 6) when the amount of ceramide in the system to which the control solution is added is 1.

(Reference example)
1. Preparation of Eucalyptus Extract 40 g of Eucalyptus globulus Labillardiere (purchased from Shinwa Bussan Co., Ltd.) was cut into small pieces, added with 400 mL of 50% ethanol, and extracted for 7 days at room temperature and standing conditions. Then, it filtered and 291 mL of eucalyptus extracts were obtained. When the evaporation residue was calculated by the above method for the obtained extract, the evaporation residue was 3.16% (w / v).

2. Verification of ceramide production promoting effect Using the obtained eucalyptus extract, the ceramide production promoting effect was verified by the same method as in the above test example. In addition, 0.001% of the extract adjusted so that a density | concentration might be 1% (w / v) in conversion of solid content added to the cell.
The results are shown in Table 1. The eucalyptus extract is known as a moisturizing component having a ceramide production promoting action as described above.

  As is apparent from Table 1, the amount of ceramide was increased in the system to which extracts of Spruce, red spruce and red spruce, which are spruce plants, were added compared to the control system. That is, it was found that these plant extracts have an excellent ceramide production promoting action and are useful as ceramide production promoters. Furthermore, since these plant extracts have a ceramide production effect equivalent to that of a eucalyptus extract, which is a known moisturizing component, it has been found useful as a moisturizing agent.

(Prescription example)
Using the extract obtained in the above production example as an active ingredient, lotion having the following composition, 0 / W (oil-in-water) type emulsion, W / O (water-in-oil) type cream, gel cosmetic, liquid Bathing agents can be produced by conventional methods.

Preparation of lotion 1
(Composition) (Composition: Mass%)
Spruce extract 3.00
Polyethylene glycol (trade name: PEG-1540, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries) 1.00
Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate 1.50
Glycerin 2.00
Paraben 0.10
Purified water residue

Preparation of lotion 2
(Composition) (Composition: Mass%)
Red spruce extract 3.00
Polyethylene glycol (trade name: PEG-1540, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries) 1.00
Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate 1.50
Glycerin 2.00
Paraben 0.10
Purified water residue

Preparation of 0 / W emulsion 1
(Composition) (Composition: Mass%)
Red pine extract 3.00
Polyethylene glycol (trade name: PEG-2000, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd.) 1.00
Pullulan (trade name: Pullulan PT-20, manufactured by Hayashibara) 0.40
Cetyl alcohol 1.00
Vaseline 2.00
Squalane 6.00
Dimethylpolysiloxane 2.00
Glycerin 2.00
Pseudoceramide (N- (3-hexadecyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl) -N-2-hydroxyethylhexadecaminad) 1.00
Polyoxyethylene (10) monooleate 1.00
Glycerol monostearate 1.00
Acid heteropolysaccharide derived from plant callus (1% by weight aqueous solution of tuberose polysaccharide) 2.00
Paraben 0.20
Purified water residue

Preparation of 0 / W type emulsion 2
(Composition) (Composition: Mass%)
Spruce extract 3.00
Polyethylene glycol (trade name: PEG-2000, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd.) 1.00
Pullulan (trade name: Pullulan PT-20, manufactured by Hayashibara) 0.40
Cetyl alcohol 1.00
Vaseline 2.00
Squalane 6.00
Dimethylpolysiloxane 2.00
Glycerin 2.00
Pseudoceramide (N- (3-hexadecyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl) -N-2-hydroxyethylhexadecaminad) 1.00
Polyoxyethylene (10) monooleate 1.00
Glycerol monostearate 1.00
Acid heteropolysaccharide derived from plant callus (1% by weight aqueous solution of tuberose polysaccharide) 2.00
Paraben 0.20
Purified water residue

Preparation of W / O type cream 1
(Composition) (Composition: Mass%)
Red spruce extract 3.00
Alkyl acrylate copolymer (trade name: Yodosol GH810, manufactured by Kanebo NSC)
1.30
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Brand name: Rubiscol K-90, manufactured by BASE Japan)
0.70
Dimethylpolysiloxane 10.00
Methylphenylpolysiloxane 3.00
Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane 12.00
Polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone 5.00
1,3-butylene glycol 6.00
Pseudoceramide (N- (3-hexadecyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl) -N-2-hydroxyethylhexadecaminad) 1.20
Paraben 0.20
Perfume Trace amount purified water Residual

Preparation of W / O type cream 2
(Composition) (Composition: Mass%)
Red pine extract 3.00
Alkyl acrylate copolymer (trade name: Yodosol GH810, manufactured by Kanebo NSC)
1.30
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Brand name: Rubiscol K-90, manufactured by BASE Japan)
0.70
Dimethylpolysiloxane 10.00
Methylphenylpolysiloxane 3.00
Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane 12.00
Polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone 5.00
1,3-butylene glycol 6.00
Pseudoceramide (N- (3-hexadecyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl) -N-2-hydroxyethylhexadecaminad) 1.20
Paraben 0.20
Perfume Trace amount purified water Residual

Preparation of gel cosmetics 1
(Composition) (Composition: Mass%)
Spruce extract 1.00
Polyethylene glycol (trade name: PEG-2000, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd.) 0.50
Xanthan gum (trade name: Neosoft XKK, manufactured by Kojinsha) 0.20
Glycerin 3.00
Ethanol 3.00
Carboxyvinyl polymer 0.50
Potassium hydroxide 0.15
Polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 1.00
Citric acid 0.80
Trisodium citrate 0.80
Nylon powder 1.00
Paraben 0.10
Perfume Trace amount purified water Residual

Preparation of gel cosmetics 2
(Composition) (Composition: Mass%)
Red spruce extract 1.00
Polyethylene glycol (trade name: PEG-2000, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd.) 0.50
Xanthan gum (trade name: Neosoft XKK, manufactured by Kojinsha) 0.20
Glycerin 3.00
Ethanol 3.00
Carboxyvinyl polymer 0.50
Potassium hydroxide 0.15
Polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 1.00
Citric acid 0.80
Trisodium citrate 0.80
Nylon powder 1.00
Paraben 0.10
Perfume Trace amount purified water Residual

Preparation of liquid bath 1
(Composition) (Composition: Mass%)
Red pine extract 3.00
Pseudoceramide (N- (3-hexadecyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl) -N-2-hydroxyethylhexadecaminad) 0.10
Isopropyl myristate 15.00
Polyoxyethylene (12) oleyl ether 10.00
Polyoxyethylene (6) oleyl ether 6.00
Acid heteropolysaccharide derived from plant callus (1% by weight aqueous solution of tuberose polysaccharide) 2.00
Paraben 0.30
Perfume Micro liquid paraffin Residue

Preparation of liquid bath 2
(Composition) (Composition: Mass%)
Spruce extract 3.00
Pseudoceramide (N- (3-hexadecyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl) -N-2-hydroxyethylhexadecaminad) 0.10
Isopropyl myristate 15.00
Polyoxyethylene (12) oleyl ether 10.00
Polyoxyethylene (6) oleyl ether 6.00
Acid heteropolysaccharide derived from plant callus (1% by weight aqueous solution of tuberose polysaccharide) 2.00
Paraben 0.30
Perfume Micro liquid paraffin Residue

Claims (7)

A ceramide production promoter comprising, as an active ingredient, an extract of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the genus Picea (excluding Picea obovata ). The ceramide production promoter according to claim 1, wherein the plant belonging to the genus Picea is a plant belonging to the spruce or spruce node of the genus Picea . The ceramide production promoter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plant belonging to the genus Picea is Picea rubens , Picea glehnii , or Picea abies . A humectant containing, as an active ingredient, an extract of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the genus Picea (excluding Picea obovata ). The moisturizing agent according to claim 4, wherein the plant belonging to the genus Picea is a plant belonging to the spruce spruce or Picea spruce section. The moisturizer according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the plant belonging to the genus Picea is Picea rubens , Picea glehnii , or Picea abies . The humectant according to any one of claims 4 to 6, which is used for external use on the skin.